Download: Readings and Song Lyrics for December 11, 2022
Pre-service Song
O Savior of Our Fallen Race
Verse 1
O Savior of our fallen race,
O Brightness of the Father’s face;
O Son who shared the Father’s might
before the world knew day or night.
O Jesus very Light of Light
Our constant star in sin’s deep night;
Now hear the prayers Your people pray
Throughout the world this holy day.
Verse 2
Remind us Lord of life and grace
how once, to save our fallen race,
You put our human vesture on
and came to us as Mary’s son.
Today, as year by year its light
brings to our world a promise bright,
one precious truth outshines the sun;
Salvation comes from You alone.
Verse 3
For from the Father’s throne You came,
His banished children to reclaim;
and earth and sea and sky revere
the love of Him who sent You here.
And we are jubilant today,
For You have washed our guilt away.
O hear the glad new song we sing
on this, the birth of Christ our King!
Verse 4
O Savior of our fallen race,
the world will see Your radiant face
for You who came to us before
will come again and all restore.
Let songs of praise Your name adorn,
O Christ, Redeemer, virgin born
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Spirit evermore.
Original Lyrics: Christe Redemptor Omnium, Latin office hymn, circa 6th Century.
Translated by Gilbert E. Doan, Jr. Adapted by Kristyn Getty, Music by Keith Getty
© 1978 Luther Book of Worship, Music: © 2011 Gettymusic
Call To Worship
We confess the supremacy of God in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Call to Worship
Isaiah 60:1-2; 49:13 (CSB)
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness will cover the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Shout for joy, you heavens!
Earth, rejoice!
Mountains break into joyful shouts!
For the Lord has comforted his people,
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Our Sung Call to Worship
Joy Has Dawned
Verse 1
Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation—
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev’ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.
Verse 2
Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vuln’rable and helpless.
Verse 3
Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today,
Incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.
Verse 4
Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
What a glorious myst’ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of hist’ry.
Chorus
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Verse
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Chorus
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2004 Thankyou Music
Confession
We confess our need for mercy through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Confession
The Daily Liturgy podcast, July 10, 2021
Almighty God,
You have commanded me
to love my neighbor as myself.
But today, as I contemplate my lack of love,
I am humbled to the dust.
Too often, I avoid others when they bother me.
I ignore others when they don’t interest me.
I use others when they benefit me.
I reject others when they sin against me.
My love is shallow and self-serving.
Forgive me, O God.
Thank you that in Christ, you have loved me
with a love incomprehensible.
May your love fill me, and transform me,
for the glory of your name.
Amen.
Time of silent confession.
Assurance and Peace
We profess our assurance of salvation and peace in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Remember the Gospel
Matthew 26:26-30 (CSB); reading from A Gentle Answer by Scott Sauls
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and
broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and
eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after
giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from
it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant which
is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
What right do we have to dine at the Table of Jesus?
We have every right to dine at his Table.
What gives us this right?
We have this right because Jesus came
not for the strong, but for the weak;
not for the righteous, but for sinners;
not for the self-sufficient,
but for those who know they need rescue.
To all who are weary and need rest;
to all who mourn and long for comfort;
to all who feel worthless and wonder if God even cares;
to all who are weak and frail and desire strength;
to all who sin and need a Savior—
Jesus welcomes into his circle,
adopts into his family,
and reserves a place at his Table.
For he is the mighty friend of sinners,
the ally of his enemies,
the defender of the indefensible,
and the justifier of those who have no excuses left.
Our Sung Profession of Assurance
O Savior of Our Fallen Race (Distribution Song)
Verse 1
O Savior of our fallen race,
O Brightness of the Father’s face;
O Son who shared the Father’s might
before the world knew day or night.
O Jesus very Light of Light
Our constant star in sin’s deep night;
Now hear the prayers Your people pray
Throughout the world this holy day.
Verse 2
Remind us Lord of life and grace
how once, to save our fallen race,
You put our human vesture on
and came to us as Mary’s son.
Today, as year by year its light
brings to our world a promise bright,
one precious truth outshines the sun;
Salvation comes from You alone.
Verse 3
For from the Father’s throne You came,
His banished children to reclaim;
and earth and sea and sky revere
the love of Him who sent You here.
And we are jubilant today,
For You have washed our guilt away.
O hear the glad new song we sing
on this, the birth of Christ our King!
Verse 4
O Savior of our fallen race,
the world will see Your radiant face
for You who came to us before
will come again and all restore.
Let songs of praise Your name adorn,
O Christ, Redeemer, virgin born
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Spirit evermore.
Original Lyrics: Christe Redemptor Omnium, Latin office hymn, circa 6th Century.
Translated by Gilbert E. Doan, Jr. Adapted by Kristyn Getty, Music by Keith Getty
© 1978 Luther Book of Worship, Music: © 2011 Gettymusic
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
In Christ Alone
Verse 1
In Christ alone, my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
Verse 2
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
Verse 3
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Verse 4
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
©2001 Thankyou Music
Thanksgiving and Petition
We Give Thanks in Prayer and Offer Petitions to God
We express our gratitude to God our Father for Christ’s work on the cross for us and bring our requests before him. In bringing our requests, we confess that we believe God truly is a good father, who cares about our needs and gives us what he knows is best.
We Give Thanks by Giving
We give financial offerings to support the work of the church because of our gratitude to God. By giving we confess we are trusting in God’s provision for us as well.
On the first Sunday of each month we have a Mission Moment to highlight the different missions giving opportunities we have at Grand. Members are encouraged to give to GABC Missions to support these missions.
You may give electronically at gabcames.org/giving/ or place your offering in the boxes at the back of the sanctuary or send a check in the mail.
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 49:1-50:3 (Only 49:1-6 will be read).
49:1 Coasts and islands, listen to me; distant peoples, pay attention. The LORD called me before I was born. He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. 2 He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I myself said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; yet my vindication is with the LORD, and my reward is with my God.
5 And now, says the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him; for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and my God is my strength— 6 he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
7 This is what the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, says to one who is despised, to one abhorred by people, to a servant of rulers: “Kings will see, princes will stand up, and they will all bow down because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel—and he has chosen you.”
8 This is what the LORD says: I will answer you in a time of favor, and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to make them possess the desolate inheritances, 9 saying to the prisoners, “Come out,” and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.” They will feed along the pathways, and their pastures will be on all the barren heights. 10 They will not hunger or thirst, the scorching heat or sun will not strike them; for their compassionate one will guide them, and lead them to springs.
11 I will make all my mountains into a road, and my highways will be raised up. 12 See, these will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Sinim.
13 Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
14 Zion says, “The LORD has abandoned me; the Lord has forgotten me!” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
17 Your builders hurry; those who destroy and devastate you will leave you.
18 Look up, and look around. They all gather together; they come to you. As I live”— this is the LORD’s declaration— “you will wear all your children as jewelry, and put them on as a bride does.
19 For your waste and desolate places and your land marked by ruins will now be indeed too small for the inhabitants, and those who swallowed you up will be far away. 20 Yet as you listen, the children that you have been deprived of will say, ‘This place is too small for me; make room for me so that I may settle.’ 21 Then you will say within yourself, ‘Who fathered these for me? I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive, exiled and wandering— but who brought them up? See, I was left by myself— but these, where did they come from?’”
22 This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my banner to the peoples.
They will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. 23 Kings will be your guardians and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who put their hope in me will not be put to shame.
24 Can the prey be taken from a mighty man, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered? 25 For this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken, and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered; I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your children. 26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they will be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. Then all humanity will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
50:1 This is what the LORD says: Where is your mother’s divorce certificate that I used to send her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was sent away because of your transgressions. 2 Why was no one there when I came? Why was there no one to answer when I called? Is my arm too weak to redeem? Or do I have no power to rescue? Look, I dry up the sea by my rebuke; I turn the rivers into a wilderness; their fish rot because of lack of water and die of thirst. 3 I dress the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.
This is the word of the Lord.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
Sermon
Isaiah 49:1-50:3 – Light of the World – Pastor Michael Felkins
Sermon Discipleship Questions
1. What encouraged you?
2. What convicted you?
3. Is there anything in your life that needs to change?
Sending
Having heard and confessed the Gospel, we are sent into the world on mission in Christ, which we express in both song and spoken word.
Sending Song
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Verse 1
Come behold the wondrous mystery,
In the dawning of the King.
He, the theme of heaven’s praises,
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness,
Now the light of life has come!
Look to Christ who condescended,
Took on flesh to ransom us.
Verse 2
Come behold the wondrous mystery:
He the perfect Son of Man,
In His living, in His suffering,
Never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam,
Come to save the hell-bound man,
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand.
Verse 3
Come behold the wondrous mystery:
Christ the Lord upon the tree.
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory!
See the price of our redemption,
See the Father’s plan unfold,
Bringing many sons to glory:
Grace unmeasured, love untold!
Verse 4
Come behold the wondrous mystery:
Slain by death, the God of life.
But no grave could e’er restrain Him;
Praise the Lord, He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliv’rance,
How unwavering our hope.
Christ in power resurrected,
As we will be when He comes.
Ending
What a foretaste of deliv’rance,
How unwavering our hope.
Christ in power resurrected,
As we will be when he comes.
Words and Music by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleecker
©2012 Bleecker Publishing, Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, McKinney Music, Inc.
Blessing
Isaiah 49:13
We are sent into the world
as proclaimers of Good News!
We go out with joy and rejoicing
for the Lord has comforted his people,
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Scripture text for next Sunday: Isaiah 50:4-52:12