Veritas Gathered: Liturgy Recap – December 8th, 2013

Welcome to the recap of the songs, hymns and spiritual song of the Veritas worship gathering on December 8th, 2013.

Song: “Joy to the World” Arrangement by Citizens (Mars Hill)

Reading: Call to Worship

L: Long ago, the coming birth of our Savior Jesus was foretold to the people of Israel and to a world, who like us now, was longing for a Savior to bring relief from the suffering and sin: The prophets of old proclaimed that the people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. And today, above the clamor of our darkness and sin, the Word of truth and light resounds. Over nations enshrouded in despair His salvation dawns.
C: For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Song: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” Arrangement by Sojourn Church

Reading: Confession/Assurance

C: Merciful God, we confess that in our longing, we have worshipped the idols of this world instead of worshipping You, the true God. We realize the sin in our own hearts and the destruction that it brings to the world around us. We ask for your forgiveness and mercy and ask that, in your grace, you would restore our broken hearts and lives. We celebrate as we remember the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior. We rejoice because He alone has provided relief to the longing in our hearts by freeing us from sin. Praise be to God!

Song: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Johann Sebastian Bach and Charles Wesley

Reading: Assurance/Passing of the Peace

L: The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” People of God: Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming we announce in this season, is our righteousness. In Christ, we are made right with God.
C: Thanks be to God!
—based on Jeremiah 33:14-16, NRSV

Our Sermon this week was from Pastor Nick Nye from Isaiah 9:1-7

Listen to the sermon online here.

Song: “Your Love Shines” by Scott and Madison Cunningham

Song: “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Charles Adam, Placide Cappeau, and John S. Dwight

::: BAPTISMS :::

This week at Veritas, between both campuses, we had the joy of baptizing 19 people! As a church body we absolutely love celebrating baptisms. We rejoice in the physical and outward manifestation of a deep and beautiful spiritual truth, which is that we, along with our sin, have been buried with Christ only to be raised from the dead by our Father’s lavish grace.

Song: “In Christ Alone” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Benediction:

Hear this benediction as we go:

L: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that your longing may be filled with hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Go in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you. Peace be with you. 
C: And also with you.