The First Sunday of Advent
My Hallelujah
Open up the doors again
Let the King of glory in
His Kingdom will never end
Oh, I know that You are good
Break the darkness with the light
All the earth let praise arise
Every dead place come alive
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You will have my hallelujah
You alone the highest name
All to You I surrender
Every breath I take
Make my life Your praise
Oh, Spirit of the Living God
Fire burning in my heart
I’m wide awake to who You are
Oh, I know that You are good
Oh, I know that You are good
You are my strength when I am weak
You are my sight when I can’t see
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Oh, when I was lost, You rescued me
When I was bound, You set me free
As praise goes up, I believe
The walls are coming down
Call to Worship
The holiday season can be “the most wonderful time of the year” and it can be a time of stress, anxiety, and sorrow for many. In the busyness of the season, being able to celebrate Advent is truly a gift. Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (today!) and is a time of watching and waiting for Jesus — both as we celebrate His first arrival into our world and as we await His return to renew all things.
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Noah Kim’s Family
We give thanks for the light of Christ,
shining in the lives of all God’s people.
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.
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.
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 —
You Hold It All Together
Our hope is in You God
We are steadfast
We will not be moved
We’re anchored, never shaken
All our hope is You
You come at the right time
When I least expect it
Never behind
So why would I be surprised
When You deliver every time
On mountaintops, You stay the same
In valleys low, You never change
And I believe that I will see
The goodness of the Lord
I’m confident as seasons change
Your faithfulness remains
You go, You go before me
To prepare a blessing
You madе a way
It’s more than I could imagine
More than I can fathom
Or comprehend
God of our present
God of our future
You write our story
You hold it all together
And we believe that we will see
The goodness of the Lord
We’re confident as seasons change
Your faithfulness remains
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Interactive Prayer Stations
Together
Great Are You Lord
You give life
You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope
You restore
every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Build My Life
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for You, we live for You
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
And show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love
To those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Open Space
I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to
My heart is an open space
For You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
Pull me in closer, close to Your heart
May I be a pure reflection
of who You are
Love that is patient, love that is kind
Love that keeps no offenses
or wrongs in mind
Make me like Jesus
Make me like Jesus
You’re faithful to find me
Right where I am
Even in my wandering
You call me friend
Mercy receives me
And lifts me to my feet
I’m caught up in the wonder
and the mystery
Of knowing Jesus
Of knowing Jesus
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 pow’r of Jesus’ name
Oh, Oh (x3)
Oh, Salvation’s drawing near
Have My Heart
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is true
You love with no reservations
You’re not looking for perfection
And there’s no need in me pretending
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
You deserve my full attention
Nothing less than my devotion
Oh, speak to me and I will listen
I’ll give You everything
I’ll give You everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
You can have my heart
You can have my heart
Be the Lord of my emotions
Set me free from selfish motives
And search me ’til there’s nothing hidden
And I’ll give You everything
Yes, I’ll give You everything
My heart is Yours forever
My heart is Yours forever
Conversation
- What spoke to you today? (A song, prayer station, thought, something else)
- What is something you’re hopeful for as we head into this season of Advent?
Open Up
May Your love
Cause us to open up
Cause us to open up our hearts
May Your light
Cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark
All that we do without love
It means nothing
Grant us the courage to give
As You’re calling
Make me an instrument
Of Your peace
Where there is hatred
Let me sow love
Where there is darkness
Let me shine light and…
Hope for the hopeless
Your love is
Strength in our weakness
Your love is
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’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Advent Offerings: This year’s advent offering will be given to two groups: Justice Ventures International and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
- Monthly Prayer Walk: We will not gather for our prayer walk for the month of December — we’ll start up again in the new year!
Anchor & Hope Church 