Fourth Sunday of Advent

   


Numbers 14:1-25
Psalm 144
John 3:22-38
Hebrews 5:11-6:20

CALL TO WORSHIP                                   

Blessed be the LORD, my rock and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer.

            Blessed be the LORD, my shield, in whom I take refuge,

            who subdues the peoples under the rule of his anointed one.

O LORD, what are human beings that you regard them,

or mortals that you consider them?

            They are like a breath, their days like a passing shadow.

            Yet, I will sing a new song to you, O God!

May the flock of the LORD increase by the thousands!

May there be no breach in our walls, no exiles, and no cry of distress.

            Happy are the people to whom such blessings fall!

            Happy are the people whose God is the LORD.

                       

OPENING PRAYER

O LORD of heaven, come down! Let your lightning flash and scatter the darkness! Send out your arrows and rout your enemies. Stretch out your hand from on high, and set this people free from those who speak lies and those who love violence. For you, O LORD, are above all and your testimony is true! Your Son, whom you have sent, has spoken the words he has heard from you, our heavenly Father. May he give to each of us, and to your church, your Holy Spirit without measure.

CALL TO CONFESSION

Surely, ‘The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression,’ yet just as surely our sins are not without consequence, for when God’s people do not listen to his voice, submit to his word, or obey his Son, he gives them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels; those who thus go their own way will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath. Therefore, let us confess our iniquity to God, and seek the Lord’s forgiveness according to the greatness of his steadfast love, just as he has pardoned his people, from Egypt even until now, and given us Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, who has entered the holy place, having become our high priest forever.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Righteous God, we confess that, though we have heard your word many times and should be swift to obey you and offer one another loving and gentle correction, we are often dull in our own understanding. We live as though unskilled in the word of righteousness. We are often forgetful and slow to practice the basic elements of the oracles of God. Forgive us, O LORD; raise us up into full maturity, that we might be well trained in your will and practiced in distinguish good from evil. This we ask in Jesus’ name.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

The one who comes from heaven is above all. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life; and we who have taken refuge in him have a great hope set before us, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul: Jesus Christ, in whose hands, God the Father, who loves him, has placed all things, never to be lost. Friends, be at peace. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.