Epiphany 1.3.2021 Know God | Love People | Seek Renewal hopebtown.org God Gathers — We Prepare Preparation for Worship “There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it.” - George Bernard Shaw God Calls — We Praise Call to Worship (Standing) From Psalm 23 Leader The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. All He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Leader You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. All Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Songs of Praise (Standing) “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” All Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’ incarnate De—i—ty, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Words: Charles Wesley, 1739; Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840 “I Will Glory in My Redeemer” All I will glory in my Redeemer, Whose priceless blood has ransomed me Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails, And hung Him on that judgment tree I will glory in my Redeemer, Who crushed the power of sin and death My only Savior before the holy Judge The Lamb who is my righteousness The Lamb who is my righteousness I will glory in my Redeemer, My life He bought, my love He owns I have no longings for another, I’m satisfied in Him alone I will glory in my Redeemer, His faithfulness my standing place Though foes are mighty and rush upon me My feet are firm, held by His grace My feet are firm, held by His grace I will glory in my Redeemer, who carries me on eagles’ wings He crowns my life with loving kindness, His triumph song I’ll ever sing I will glory in my Redeemer, who waits for me at gates of gold And when He calls me, it will be paradise His face forever to behold His face forever to behold I will glory in my Redeemer, who waits for me at gates of gold And when He calls me, it will be paradise His face forever to behold His face forever to behold Words and Music by Steve Cook and Vikki Cook Prayer of Adoration God Invites — We Confess Community Confession of Sin (Be seated or kneel) Leader Father, as we begin this new year, we look back at the year behind us, and we are confronted with the many ways we have failed you by not walking in the path of your commandments and holy law. All We confess to you that our sins our very great. We humble ourselves before you therefore, asking for your mercy and grace. Cleanse us, renew us, and sanctify us in your truth. Personal Confession of Sin (Silence is kept) God Assures — We Give Thanks Assurance of Pardon (Standing) From Psalm 103 Leader The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. All He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. Leader For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; All as far as the East is from the West, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Song of Assurance “All I Have is Christ” All Chorus: Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way The sin that promised joy and life Had led me to the grave I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state And led me to the cross And I beheld God’s love displayed You suffered in my place You bore the wrath reserved for me Now all I know is grace Chorus Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone And live so all might see The strength to follow Your commands Could never come from me Oh Father, use my ransomed life In any way You choose And let my song forever be My only boast is You Chorus (2x) Words and Music: Jordan Kauflin,1 © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI) We Bless Our Children HopeKids Honoring & Blessing our Children Leader Jesus points to children, and says to all of us, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” All Jesus says, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Leader I, your elder… Parents We, your parents … All We, your church family … All We pray God’s continued blessing upon you. May you grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ as Prophet – The Word to Us Scripture Reading (Standing) Luke 15:11-32 Reader 11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Reader This is the Word of the Lord.