The First Sunday of Advent
Centering Practice
Advent is a season of waiting & expectation. Today, we invite you to center your whole self in the hope of Christ.
- Close your eyes and hold silence for about 10 seconds
- We will continue to hold silence for another 15-20 seconds. Think about where you need the peace of Christ to reign: if you need peace in your mind, hold your hands over your eyes; if you have sorrow, place your hands on your heart; if you need reassurance, hold your hands together
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Week One: The Candle of Hope
Reader 1
We give thanks for the light of Christ,
shining in the lives of all God’s people.
Reader 2
As we light our Advent candle
We thank You for the hope You give.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.
Reader 1
In this world of pain and darkness,
Bring hope to our hearts.
To all the people who don’t know You,
Light of the world, shine through us.
Reader 2
Jesus, You are coming again,
Help us to live in the hope You bring.
In our service here today,
Light of the world, light the way.
— Light One Purple Candle —
Worship Songs
O come, O come Emmanuel
We behold the breaking dawn
The light that shines over everyone
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
We behold the rising sun
The earth awaits, Your hope has come
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth
We behold the falling rain
Like waters rise, flood this place
We reach for You, we cling to You, oh Lord
Oh, Your name is a light in the darkness
Oh, Your name is the word of truth
Oh Your name, oh Your name
Community Prayer
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day.
As we have lit the candle of hope,
we pray for those people and places who need hope…
— Invite people forward to light candles —
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day,
that we might reflect Your light
into the dark corners of our world. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
The Lord’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together;
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Communion
Offering
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we invite you to use our QR code to fill out a visitors card so we can get to know you better
- Thanksgiving Offering: We invite you to support Rise Against Hunger (through check or Tithely), a global movement that dreams of a world without hunger.
- Next Sunday, December 3rd: We will not gather here at Sandburg but, instead, will meet at Solana Beach Presbyterian for a Christmas Concert and Alternative Christmas Market at 11:00 am.
- Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!
Passing of the Peace
Family Song
Light of the World
The world is searching for an answer
A ray of hope in a hopeless world
Who can we turn to?
Where is our rescue?
There is Someone, He’s the answer
He’s the light and He’ll light the way
His name is Jesus
He came to save us
He is the light, light, light
Light of the world
And He shine, shine, shines
All over the earth
Shining bright, bright, bright
He is the Light of the world
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Expectation
You redeem our past
You take what’s old and broken
You’re breathing in new life
Rhythms of Your grace
Moving us to freedom
From darkness into light
You will make all things new
You’ll bring Your Kingdom here
We wait in expectation
We lift our eyes to You
Salvation’s drawing near
We wait in expectation
You have overcome
The troubles we are facing
You’re standing here with us
Oppression cannot win
And anxious thoughts are broken
By the power of Jesus’ name
You have me
You have me
You have my heart completely
Would You come, Lord Jesus, Come
Come, Lord Jesus, Come
Come, Lord Jesus, Come
Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 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. 15 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. 16 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.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Season of Advent
Divine Hospitality: Invitation
Pastor Dan So
Worship Song
Invitation Fountain with Hosanna tag
All who are weak
All who are weary
Come to the Rock
Come to the fountain
All who have sailed
On the rivers of heartache
Come to the sea
Come on be set free
If You lead me Lord, I will follow
Where You lead me Lord, I will go
Come and heal me Lord, I will follow
Where You lead me Lord, I will go
I will go, I will go
All who are weak
All who are thirsty
Come to the Rock
Come to the fountain
All who have climbed
On the mountains of heartache
Reach to the stars
Come on give your life
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am is for Your Kingdom’s cause
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Anchor & Hope Church 