Call to Worship
This week we light the third Advent candle, the candle that reminds us of JOY as we wait for our Savior.
Our joy isn’t something we force or pretend. It comes from the God who draws near to us, the God who welcomes us just as we are and invites us to receive our King with simple, honest wonder.
With that joy in our hearts, let’s hear this call to worship:
Come and worship the Lord, whose light shines in the night
and whose presence fills the earth with joy.
He has not forgotten His people, and so we rejoice before Him.
His mercy endures forever.
Our hearts and voices will praise His name.
Come, let us adore Him.
Sing for joy to our coming King.
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Joyful joyful we adore Thee
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Hail thee as the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day
All Thy works with joy surround Thee
Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee
Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flowery meadow, flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising you eternally
Thou art giving and forgiving
Ever blessing ever blest
Wellspring of the joy of living
Ocean depth of happy rest
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother
All who live in love are Thine
Teach us how to love each other
Lift us to the joy divine
Mortals join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began
Father love is reigning o'er us
Brother love binds man to man
Ever singing march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful music lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life
Joy in my soul, joy in my soul
Joy in my soul, joy in my soul
King of Kings
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope, without light
'Til from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
Praise the Father, Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, three in one
God of Glory, Majesty
Praise forever to the King of kings
To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus, for our sake You died
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who'd come
To the Father are restored
And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel, shall not faint
By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
Praise forever to the King of Kings
Confession/Assurance
Church, as we continue in worship, remember this: Jesus welcomes us with a joy that steadies us,a patience that covers us, with open arms that are wide enough to embrace every silent struggle that we carry.
His kindness makes room for honesty, so we don’t need to hide our fears or pretend we’re doing better than we are. In His presence, the humble are welcomed, the hurting are held close, and the weary are met with mercy. As we draw near today, may His joy give us courage to bring Him our whole hearts.
Please join me in this prayer.
Father, You are the God who sees us.
You know the places where we’ve tried
to carry life on our own,
where comparisons have stolen our peace
and striving has shattered our joy.
Have mercy, Lord.
For the moments we forget Your goodness
and try to find joy in everything but You.
Draw us back to Your heart.
for the quiet battles,
the unspoken fears,
the places where we feel small or unseen.
Meet us with Your kindness.
Jesus, You never push us away—You draw us close.
The humble find a home in You.
The desperate find mercy,
and the weary find rest.
Thanks be to God!
On the cross, You carried every burden.
At the empty tomb, You broke every chain.
And by Your Spirit, You fill us with a joy that
the world can’t touch and darkness can never steal!
Through the Father’s love, we are welcomed.
Through the Son’s sacrifice, we are forgiven.
Through the Spirit’s gift, we live in the joy of the kingdom.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
You are the Living Word
Bread of life, sent down from glory
Many things You were on earth
A holy King, a carpenter
You are the Living Word
Bread of Heaven, sent down from glory
Many things You were on earth
A holy King, a carpenter
You are the Living Word
Awesome Ruler, Gentle Redeemer
God with us, The Living Truth
And what a friend we have in You
You are the living Word
Jesus, Jesus, That's what we call You
manger born, but on a tree
You died to save humanity
You are the Living Word
Oh oh oh, You are the Living Word
You are the Living Word
(You are the Living Word)
Firm Foundation
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause he’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would he fail now?
He won’t, he won’t
He won’t fail, he won’t fail
I've still got joy in chaos
I've got peace that makes no sense
So I won’t be going under
I'm not held by my own strength
‘Cause I've built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful in every season
So why would he fail now?
He won’t, he won’t
He won’t fail, he won’t fail
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on you
I'm safe with you
I'm going to make it through
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on you
I'm safe with you
I'm going to make it through
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on you
I'm safe with you
I'm going to make it through
Rain came and wind blew
But my house was built on you
I'm safe with you
I'm going to make it through
I'm going to make it through
‘Cause I'm standing strong on you
Yeah, I'm going to make it through
‘Cause my house was built on you
Christ is my firm foundation
The Rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause he’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would he fail now?
He won’t, he won’t
He won’t fail, he won’t fail