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Church Anniversary Sunday

Centering Practice

We just wrapped up the Christmas season — yesterday was Epiphany, the celebration of the Magi coming to worship the Christ-child. The Magi were led by a star to the presence of Jesus. Scripture says when they saw the star, they were overjoyed! As we start the new year, let’s center ourselves in the love & presence of Jesus: 

• Is there a “star” word God is giving you to offer guidance and direction to you this year? 
• Finally, think about one word of blessing that happens in the presence of Jesus and, in a moment, share just that one word with your neighbor as a blessing to them!

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Call to Worship

The Spirit calls us from many places
and invites us to find our home in Christ,
together as God’s people. 

God sets the lonely in families.
There are no outsiders here.
We are welcomed and embraced by love. Amen.

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Worship Songs

Called Me Higher

We could just sit, we could just sit
And wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence

And we could just stay
We could just stay right where we are
And hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again

You have called us higher
You have called us deeper
And we’ll go where You will lead us, Lord

You have called us higher
You have called us deeper
And we’ll go where You will lead us, Lord
Where You lead us, Lord

And we could hold on
We could hold on to who we are
And never let You
Change us from the inside

And we could be safe
We could be safe here in Your arms
And never leave home
Never let these walls down

And we will be Yours
We will be Yours for all our lives

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Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)

O Lord You’re my Shepherd
You go before me
Defender behind me
I won’t fear

I’m filled with anointing
My cup’s overflowing
Nothing can harm me
I won’t fear

Hallelujah, I am not alone
You’re my comfort
Always holds me close

Lord, You always guide me
Through mountains and valleys
Your joy is refreshing
It restores my soul

Your mercy and goodness
Gives me assurance
That I’ll see Your glory
Face to face

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
Come lead me, Lord lead me

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Community Prayer

God of our past, present, and future,
we thank You for Your faithful love.

Teach us to number our days,
to spend our moments with wisdom and grace,
and to live with all our might for You.

As we look to the new year,
Light of the World,
shine upon these people and places:

— Moment of silent prayer —

Creative God,
come and make all things new.
Amen.

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Assurance of God’s Love

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Communion

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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
• 10:02 prayer: We invite you to begin the new year with a renewed commitment to prayer! For the next month, we’ll be praying together as a church, for the church, at 10:02 pm each day.
• Women’s Retreat: February 2-3, please talk to PJ for details and to sign up!
• All People’s Celebration: On Monday, January 15th, MLK Day, Alliance San Diego is hosting the 36th Annual All People’s Celebration. PD has been invited to give the closing intentions for the morning. Please talk to PD or PJ today if you’re interested in attending — we may sign up to sponsor a whole table if there’s enough interest! 
• Sunday School volunteers: Please prayerfully consider signing up to teach a Sunday School class this year. Talk to Tae, Cherry, or Ann today!
• P-ART-nership with Sandburg: On Wednesday, January 31st, Ann Leong will lead an art class for a group of students from Sandburg (and raise funds for the school in the process!). Please support us in prayer and let us know if you can help out!

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Passing of the Peace

Let’s greet each other at this time!

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Family Praise

Jump, Jump, Jump

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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! 

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Worship Song

Promises

God of Abraham
You’re the God of covenant
And of faithful promises
Time and time again
You have proven
You’ll do just what You said

Though the storms may come and the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn, when You speak a word
It will come to pass

Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me

God from age to age
Though the earth may pass away
Your word remains the same, yeah
Your history can prove
There’s nothing You can’t do
You’re faithful and true

I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down

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Scripture Reading

Hebrews 6:19

We have this hope
as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Sermon

Anchor & Hope
Pastor Jeya So

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Worship Song

Hope’s Anthem/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

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Benediction

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Beloved Anchor & Hope family,

It’s New Year’s Eve and our final Reset Sunday for the year! As you get ready for the new year, we hope that you will look forward to the ways in which God will bring light & life into your lives this 2024.

You’ll find a short devotion for you & your household to start (or end) this day reflecting on God’s Word. 

We look forward to seeing you next week (Sunday, January 7, 2024) for our first Sunday worship of the new year and our church’s anniversary! Until then, may you be filled with the joy and love of Jesus! 

with love in our hearts for you,
PJ & PD

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Today we take some time to remember the Sabbath in a different kind of way than our usual patterns. While taking a break from our community Sabbath this week, we pray that you will be able to spend this day to remember that you are loved and cared for by God, Who holds all things, and to spend some time in God’s loving presence — whether on your own or together with your family, friends, or community. Feel free to use whatever parts that will help you feel connected to God.

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Opening Prayer

Adapted from Entering the New Year, a prayer by Vinita Hampton Wright

Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that You have endowed
every creature and plant,
every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor and be bearers
of Your life wherever we go.

God of love,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.

May we welcome Your lavish love.
May we cast off the small,
vindictive “god” our fears have made.
May the grace and peace of Christ bless us
now and in the days ahead.
Amen.

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Worship Song

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Passing of the Peace

Take a moment to wish peace to the people around you and/or send a text message to someone either from our Anchor & Hope Community or someone else who needs God’s peace this day

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Kids Song & Reflection

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This story comes from Matthew 2:1-12. You can read the story here or watch the video here:

Reflect with your children:

• The magi (or the wise men) brought gifts for Jesus. They brought 3 special gifts: gold, frankincense (a special type of scented oil) and myrrh (a special type of perfume). These were gifts that you would give a king. I wonder what type of gifts you would want to give to Jesus?
• I wonder why king Herod was angry when he heard about Jesus?
• I wonder how the magi felt when they found Jesus?
• I wonder how the magi felt when God told them to go home a safer way?

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Prayer of Illumination

God who makes all things new,
Prepare our hearts to hear Your Word
so that we might grow closer to You.
And be with all our sisters & brothers
from our church this day,
that they may hear from You too.
In Jesus name, Amen.

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Scripture Engagement & Reflection

Read Isaiah 43:15-19 out loud, even if you’re alone!

¹⁵ I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
¹⁶ Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,
¹⁷ who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down; they cannot rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
¹⁸ Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
¹⁹ I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?

For some time now, I’ve stopped making New Year’s resolutions because the only thing that they’ve been effective at is reminding me how good I am at breaking them.

But I recently saw a social media post that changed my perspective:

I get the feeling that many people end up breaking their new year’s resolutions because they’re filled with should’s (“I should exercise more…”) or reminders of how they fall short of some “ideal” version of themselves. It’s heartbreaking when the “should’s” drain all of the joy & life out of our life with Jesus — when our faith becomes a burdensome list of ideals that we can never live up to.

But what would happen if we remember that God is Creator? Not only the One who spoke all things into being with just a word, but also the One who continues to create anew within us? What if we resolved this year to live with a sense of creativity, joy, connectedness, and adventure?

We invite you to reflect on the following questions:

As individuals:

• What are 2 or 3 things that bring you joy that you can pursue this year? (And, for those of you who might find it hard to do this, we gently remind you that, when you are a more whole & healthy person, you have a deeper well to draw from to serve God & others around you!)
• Is there a Fruit Adventure of Pasta Quest calling your name this year?
• What new thing does God want to bring to life in and through you in 2024?

As a church community, how can we commit to:

• … investing in a consistent environment of joy
• … creating spaces of authentic invitation
• … and opening ourselves to the God of new things?

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Worship Song

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Closing Prayer

A New Year’s Prayer

Lord, You make all things new.
You bring hope to life in our hearts
and shine even in the darkest night.

Thank You for this new year
and for all the promise it holds.
Build a long-lasting fire in our hearts,
so that in our time, through our lives,
many will see the wonders of God
and be renewed in every way.
Amen.

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Announcements

• Christmas offering: We are proud to partner with Justice Ventures International and Big Table San Diego for our annual Christmas offering. Give via Tithely (choose “Christmas 2023” from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and include “Anchor & Hope Christmas Offering 2023” in the memo and bring it with you on January 7th (our final day for the Christmas offering).
• Next Sunday, January 7th: Anchor & Hope will celebrate our anniversary on the first Sunday of the new year. We’ll invite our whole church to renew our commitment to prayer, witness, and community as we continue to hope & dream together. We’ll meet at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Resolution Run 2024: Please talk to Jin if you’d like to join our Anchor & Hope team for a 5k/10k on Saturday, January 13th.
• Monday, January 15th: Pastor Dan has been invited to share the closing intentions at the All Peoples Celebration on MLK Day in Balboa Park. Please visit allicancesd.org for more information. 
• Women’s Retreat: February 2-3, 2024!

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Christmas Sunday

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Christmas Sunday

Reader 1: Josiah Kim
We light the candle of Hope
as we await the coming of Jesus, 
who is our source of hope. 

— Light one purple candle (the candle of Hope) —

Together
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of hope
in our times of despair.

Reader 2: Esme Kim
We light the candle of Peace, 
knowing that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. 

— Light one purple candle (the candle of Peace) —

Together
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of peace
in our times of strife.

Reader 3: Toby Cho
We light the candle of Joy, 
knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

— Light one pink candle (the candle of Joy) —

Together
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of joy
in our times of sadness.

Reader 4: Arya Kim

We light the candle of Love, 
knowing that God is Love,
revealed to us in Jesus Christ. 

— Light the final purple candle (the candle of Love) —

Together
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of love. 

Reader 5: Choi Family Representative
In the beginning was the Word 
and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. 
The Word became flesh and lived among us, 
full of grace and truth.  

In Him was life, and that life was the light of all. 
We light the Christ Candle,
knowing that Jesus is our hope, our peace,
our joy and the source of love.

— Light the gold Christ candle —

Together
Thank You, Jesus, for coming to us. 

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Prayers of the People

Throughout Advent, we have been lighting candles for people we know who need God’s hope, peace, joy, and love. On this Christmas Eve Day, we’ll light the candles from the Christ candle and from each other as we continue to pray for people we know who need God’s hope, peace, joy, and love.

Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day,
that we might reflect Your light 
into the dark corners of our world. Amen.

The candidates and confirmands will take a candle
and light it from the Christ candle
and then take candles to the rest of the congregation
as we sing O Come All Ye Faithful together

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Worship Song

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
O sing, all ye bright hosts of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glo — ry giv’n
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!

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Scripture Reading

Isaiah 43:1

But now thus says the Lord,    
he who created you, O Jacob,    
he who formed you, O Israel: 

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;    
I have called you by name;
you are mine.

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Matthew 28:18-19

18 Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Service of Confirmation & Baptism

Presentation of Baptismal Candidates

Presentation of the Confirmand

To the Congregation 

People of God, will you promise to uphold and support
these parents in their life in Christ
as they live for God and raise their children in the faith?
(We will, with God’s help)

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ,
promise to guide, nurture, and walk
with these young people, 
by word and deed, with love and prayer,
encouraging them to know and follow Christ
and to be faithful members of his church?
(We do) 

Profession of Faith

Faith Stories

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord. 

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended to hell. 

The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving over the Water & the Oil

Baptisms & Confirmations

Laying on of Hands in Prayer

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Worship Song

Promises

God of Abraham
You’re the God of covenant
And of faithful promises
Time and time again
You have proven
You’ll do just what You said

Though the storms may come and the winds may blow
I’ll remain steadfast
And let my heart learn, when You speak a word
It will come to pass

Great is Your faithfulness to me
Great is Your faithfulness to me
From the rising sun to the setting same
I will praise Your name
Great is Your faithfulness to me

God from age to age
Though the earth may pass away
Your word remains the same, yeah
Your history can prove
There’s nothing You can’t do
You’re faithful and true

I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down

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Scripture Reading

John 1:1-5 & 14 (CEV & the Message)

In the beginning was the one who is called the Word.
The Word was with God and was truly God. 

From the very beginning the Word was with God.
And with this Word, God created all things.
Nothing was made without the Word. 

Everything that was created received its life from him,
and his life gave light to everyone.
The light keeps shining in the dark and darkness has never put it out.  

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Reflection

Christmas
Pastor Jeya So

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Questions about Jesus, neighbors, neighborhood:

• What kind of Neighbor would Jesus be?  
• What kind of house would Jesus build?  
• And also, what kind of neighborhood would you want to invite Jesus to?  
• What kind of house would you invite Jesus to?  
• How can you be a neighbor like Jesus to others? 

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Worship Song

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love

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Benediction

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Gingerbread Neighborhood Build

Together in creativity, joy, and community!

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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
• Christmas offering: We are proud to partner with Justice Ventures International and Big Table San Diego for our annual Christmas offering. Give via Tithely (choose “Christmas 2023” from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and include “Anchor & Hope Christmas Offering 2023” in the memo.
• NextGen Christmas Offering: Our Sunday School students will collect funds to give a Christmas offering to support World Vision. Animals like goats, chickens, and rabbits can make a big difference for farmers’ families around the world!
• Next Sunday, December 31st: We will not gather on the final Sunday of the year but will instead have a Reset Sunday. We’ll send out a worship guide that week so you can reflect on God’s faithfulness over the past year and look forward to next year together!
• Sunday, January 7th: Anchor & Hope will celebrate our anniversary on the first Sunday of the new year. We’ll invite our whole church to renew our commitment to prayer, witness, and community as we continue to hope & dream together. We’ll meet at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Resolution Run 2024: Please talk to Jin if you’d like to join our Anchor & Hope team for a 5k/10k on Saturday, January 13th.
• Monday, January 15th: Pastor Dan has been invited to share the closing intentions at the All Peoples Celebration on MLK Day in Balboa Park. Please visit allicancesd.org for more information. 
• Women’s Retreat: February 2-3, 2024!

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The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Centering Practice 

Advent is a season of waiting & expectation. Today, we invite you to center your whole self in the love of Christ.

• The theme of the fourth Sunday of Advent is love!
• Breathe in: God is love • Breathe out: I am welcomed
• Turn to neighbor: You are welcomed here!

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Lighting of the Advent Candles

Week Four: The Candle of Love

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 love You give.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.  

Reader 1
As we seek to worship You,
Increase love in our hearts.
To all the people who don’t know You,
Light of the world, shine through us.

Reader 2
In this world of pain and darkness,
Help us to share Your love.
In our service here today,
Light of the world, light the way. 

— Light Three Purple Candles and One Pink Candle —

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Worship Song

Sound of Adoration / How Can I Keep

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

When we were lost ones
You were the Shepherd that carried us home 

When we were prodigals
You ran to meet us with open arms
And we can’t hold back our praise

When we were refugees
You were the One who took us in

When we were enemies
You paid the price for all our sin
And we can’t hold back our praise

This is the sound of adoration
Oh, how we love You 
Jesus, we love You

You are the joy of all creation
Oh, how we love You
Jesus, we love You

You are the Risen One
You conquered death and made a way

You sang our freedom song
Now we are dancing on our chains
And we can’t hold back our praise

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Community Prayer

Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day.
As we have lit the candle of love, 
we pray for those people and places who need love…   

— 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.

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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.

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Communion

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Offering

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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
• Clothing Drive: Men’s Clothing for a Men’s Rehab in Mexico and children’s items for the San Marcos Lutheran Children’s Center Cares Closet. Please talk to Ann Leong for more details!
• Christmas offering: We are proud to partner with Justice Ventures International and Big Table San Diego for our annual Christmas offering. Give via Tithely (choose “Christmas 2023” from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and include “Anchor & Hope Christmas Offering 2023” in the memo.
• NextGen Christmas Offering: Our Sunday School students will collect funds to give a Christmas offering to support World Vision. Animals like goats, chickens, and rabbits can make a big difference for farmers’ families around the world!
• Next Sunday, December 24th: We will celebrate Christmas together with a joint family worship service. We will also celebrate baptisms and confirmations together! We’ll meet here at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Gingerbread house supplies: Please sign up today to bring building materials for next week!
• Sunday, December 31st: We will not gather on the final Sunday of the year but will instead have a Reset Sunday. We’ll send out a worship guide that week so you can reflect on God’s faithfulness over the past year and look forward to next year together!
• Sunday, January 7th: Anchor & Hope will celebrate our anniversary on the first Sunday of the new year. We’ll invite our whole church to renew our commitment to prayer, witness, and community as we continue to hope & dream together. We’ll meet at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Resolution Run 2024: Please talk to Jin if you’d like to join our Anchor & Hope team for a 5k/10k on Saturday, January 13th.
• Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!

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Passing of the Peace

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Family Song 

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

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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! 

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Worship Song

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

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Scripture Reading

Zephaniah 3:14-20

¹⁴ Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
    shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
    O daughter Jerusalem!
¹⁵ The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
    he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
    you shall fear disaster no more.
¹⁶ On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, O Zion;
    do not let your hands grow weak.
¹⁷ The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
    a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
¹⁸     as on a day of festival.”
I will remove disaster from you,
    so that you will not bear reproach for it.
¹⁹ I will deal with all your oppressors
    at that time.
And I will save the lame
    and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
    and renown in all the earth.
²⁰ At that time I will bring you home,
    at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
    among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
    before your eyes, says the Lord.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Sermon

The Season of Advent
Divine Hospitality: Welcome

Pastor Dan So

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For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have a place to call home where we have felt safe and loved, there are few things better than a genuine homecoming welcome at the end of a journey or time spent away.

Pastor Kara Eidson

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Reflection questions:

• When has a meaningful welcome changed your life (even in small ways)?
• How do you know you’re welcomed, safe, and wanted?
• Have you ever felt incredibly welcomed but also a little (or a lot!) uncomfortable? How did you feel welcome despite the discomfort?
• Building a welcoming community is more than just a one-time effort. Relationships take time. So how can our church invest in a culture of welcome throughout 2024?

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Worship Song

Open Up (reprise)

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

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Benediction

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The Third Sunday of Advent

Centering Practice 

Advent is a season of waiting & expectation. Today, we invite you to center your whole self in the joy of Christ.

• The theme of the third Sunday of Advent is joy!
• Turn to a neighbor and make a 3-step handshake of joy (be creative).
• Finally, say to them, “May the joy of the Lord be your strength”

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Lighting of the Advent Candles

Week Three: The Candle of Joy

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 joy You give.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.  

Reader 1
In the midst of sorrow
Bring joy to our hearts.
To all the people who don’t know You,
Light of the world, shine through us.

Reader 2
In this world of pain and darkness,
Help us to find joy in serving You.
In our service here today,
Light of the world, light the way. 

— Light Two Purple Candles and One Pink Candle —

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Worship Song

Joy of the Lord

Though tears may fall
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs
I will praise You, Lord

In the dead of night
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
When the waters rise
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in my heart
I will praise You, Lord

The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength

When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You, Lord

Oh You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You, Lord

When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
Like courage in the fight
I hear You call my name
Jesus, I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light

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Community Prayer

Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day.
As we have lit the candle of joy, 
we pray for those people and places who need joy…   

— 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.

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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.

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Communion

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Offering

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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
• Clothing Drive: Men’s Clothing for a Men’s Rehab in Mexico and children’s items for the San Marcos Lutheran Children’s Center Cares Closet. Please talk to Ann Leong for more details!
• Christmas offering: We are proud to partner with Justice Ventures International and Big Table San Diego for our annual Christmas offering. Give via Tithely (choose “Christmas 2023” from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and include “Anchor & Hope Christmas Offering 2023” in the memo.

• NextGen Christmas Offering: Our Sunday School students will collect funds to give a Christmas offering to support World Vision. Animals like goats, chickens, and rabbits can make a big difference for farmers’ families around the world!
• Sunday, December 24th: We will celebrate Christmas together with a joint family worship service. We will also celebrate baptisms and confirmations together! We’ll meet here at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Gingerbread house supplies sign up sheet
• Sunday, December 31st: We will not gather on the final Sunday of the year but will instead have a Reset Sunday. We’ll send out a worship guide that week so you can reflect on God’s faithfulness over the past year and look forward to next year together!
• Sunday, January 7th: Anchor & Hope will celebrate our 10 year anniversary on the first Sunday of the new year. We’ll invite our whole church to renew our commitment to prayer, witness, and community as we continue to hope & dream together. We’ll meet at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
• Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!

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Passing of the Peace

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Family Song 

I Have Decided

I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back

He gives me hope, for each new day
I’m gonna follow Jesus
He lights my path, all along the way
I’m gonna follow Jesus

I will go wherever He leads
I’m gonna follow Jesus
No turning back!

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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! 

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Worship Song

Kingdom Come

God, let Your kingdom come
May Your will be done
God, let Your kingdom come

Earth is groaning and we are longing
For Your kingdom to come
All creation and all of heaven
Join their voices as one

Hope is stirring, joy arising
As we look to the day
When all injustice will bow
And every voice will cry out
Holy is Your name

Lift up your heads, all the weak and the poor
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours

Lift up your hearts, all who suffer and mourn
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours

Lift up your eyes, all who hunger for more
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours

Lift up a shout, let the earth hear your voice
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours

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Scripture Reading

John 1:6-8, 19-28

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light…

¹⁹ This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹ And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²² Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

²⁴ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵ They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷ the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” ²⁸ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Sermon

The Season of Advent
Divine Hospitality: Preparation

Pastor Dan So

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Preparing for the coming of Christ is taking an active role in the inbreaking of God’s reign into this world, and this preparation is both/and work. We are called to do the spiritual work of preparing for Christ in our hearts and souls while also doing the hard work of enacting God’s peace, justice, and mercy in the world.

Pastor Kara Eidson

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Reflection questions:

• How do you prepare for things that are meaningful to you?
• What roadblocks to joy do you face?
• What do you need God to help you “put into place” in order for you to experience joy?

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Worship Song

Open Space w/ Make Room tag

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

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Benediction

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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

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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 —

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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

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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.

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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.

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Communion

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Offering

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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!

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Passing of the Peace

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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

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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! 

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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

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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.

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Sermon

The Season of Advent
Divine Hospitality: Invitation

Pastor Dan So

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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

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Benediction

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Centering Practice 

Take a full 10 seconds of silence before engaging other work

• Inhale: I am grateful this day 
• Exhale: I open my heart to Jesus & those around me

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Set the Table Together

What will build togetherness? 

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Worship Songs

You Hold It All Together

God of my present
God of my future
You write my story
You hold it all together

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

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Thankful

I like to think about
the goodness of the Lord
He gives me everything I need
and so much more

So, I just wanna lift my hands
And say that I love Him
I just wanna lift my heart in praise
And I wanna be

Thankful
I wanna be… grateful
I wanna remember everything
that the Lord has done

I wanna be… thankful
I wanna be grateful
I wanna be… I wanna be
I wanna be

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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
• Partnership Sunday with Solana Beach Pres: On Sunday, December 3rd, we will gather at Solana Beach Presbyterian for the “Alternative Christmas Market.”
• Sunday, December 24th: Christmas Sunday at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary, where we will celebrate baptisms and confirmations
• Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!

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Communion

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Scripture Reading

Luke 14:15-23

¹⁵ When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. ¹⁷ At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

¹⁸ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

¹⁹ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

²⁰ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

²¹ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

²² “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

²³ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Scripture Engagement

• If you were in this story, who would you be?  
• How do you think the people who actually ended up at the banquet felt? 
• What kind of party do you think it ended up being?  
• Why do you think Jesus told this story?  
• How do you think the people who were listening would have reacted to this story?  
• What is something you learned about Jesus through this story?

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Worship Song

Let Us Be Known

Let us be known by our love
In every word, in every deed
Honor the Son

Let our light shine in every eye
Let us be known by our love

For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our love

Let us be known by our joy
In every home, in every heart
Sing to the Lord

Let our lives show goodness and hope
Let us be known by our joy

For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our joy

Let us be known by our peace
In every town, in every tribe
Jesus is King

Let us go forth, heal and restore
Let us be known by our peace

For the glory of our Savior
For the glory of our God
For the glory of the Spirit
Let us be known by our peace

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Shared Meal

• If a polar bear and an elephant got into a fight, who would win?
• What emoji do you use most often? 
• Tell a joke or riddle 
• If you had to teach a class right now, what would you teach? 
• What makes you a good friend? 
• If you could ask Jesus a question, what question would you ask Him? 
• What’s one kind or thoughtful thing someone did for you recently? 
• What’s an invention that makes your life easier? What would you do if it had never been invented? 
• What do you most appreciate about your family?

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Centering Practice 

Deep breath of gratitude

• Moment of silence to be embraced by love of God; say silently “I am loved” 
• Now, turn to neighbors and say out loud, “You are loved”

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Call to Worship/Creed

The Spirit calls us from many places
and invites us to find our home in Christ,
together as God’s people.

God sets the lonely in families.
There are no outsiders here.
We are welcomed and embraced by love.
Amen.

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Worship Songs

Oh Our Lord

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

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Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)

Hallelujah, I am not alone
You’re my comfort 
Always holds me close

O Lord You’re my Shepherd
You go before me
Defender behind me
I won’t fear

I’m filled with anointing
My cup’s overflowing
Nothing can harm me
I won’t fear

Lord, You always guide me
Through mountains and valleys
Your joy is refreshing
It restores my soul

Your mercy and goodness
Gives me assurance
That I’ll see Your glory 
Face to face

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace
Your Spirit lives within me
Come lead me, Lord lead me

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Community Prayer

God of life and mercy,
for our broken world and all its suffering,
we proclaim Your healing love.

To places of darkness and hatred,
we proclaim Your powerful light;
For those longing for hope,
we proclaim Your promise in Jesus Christ.

— A moment of silent prayer — 

God of ages past, present, and future,
send Your light and truth to guide us.
Amen. 

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Assurance of God’s Love

Friends, hear the Good News today:
Neither death nor life,
nor things present nor things to come
can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

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Communion

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Offering

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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
• Thank you: Special thanks to the Kwok family for hosting two gatherings last week!
• Running Club: This Saturday, November 11th at 8:00 am at Mission Beach boardwalk. Talk to Jin for details!
• Church Without Walls: Next Sunday, November 12th, we will gather as a group at Encinitas Community Park.
• Thanksgiving Sunday: We will celebrate Thanksgiving together on Sunday, November 19th during our regular worship service time. Talk to Cherry or Yang to sign up to bring food for the potluck!
• Partnership Sunday with Solana Beach Pres: On Sunday, December 3rd, we will gather at Solana Beach Presbyterian for the “Alternative Christmas Market.”
• Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!

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Passing of the Peace

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Family Song 

Thankful

I like to think about
the goodness of the Lord
He gives me everything I need
and so much more

So, I just wanna lift my hands
And say that I love Him
I just wanna lift my heart in praise
And I wanna be

Thankful
I wanna be… grateful
I wanna remember everything
that the Lord has done

I wanna be… thankful
I wanna be grateful
I wanna be… I wanna be
I wanna be

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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! 

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Worship Song

Open Space

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

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 all You are

Love that is patient
Love that is kind
And love that keeps no offenses or wrongs in my 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

And mercy receives me and lifts me to my feet
And I’m caught up in the wonder and mystery

Of knowing Jesus
Of knowing Jesus

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Scripture Reading

Psalm 68:6

God sets the lonely in families.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Sermon

Core Values: Family
Pastor Dan So

Because of Jesus’ transforming love,
we become extended family to one another —
we show up for each other through presence & care
in joyful, sacrificial ways.
We are an intergenerational church,
connecting one generation to the next.

Core Value: Family

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Worship Song

I Speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life

Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

We just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every hurt and suffering
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom  

Our hope is in You God
We are steadfast
We will not be moved

We’re anchored
Never shaken
All our hope is in You

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Benediction

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There is a realm of time where the goal is
not to have but to be,
not to own but to give,
not to control but to share,
not to subdue but to be in accord.

Life goes wrong when the control of space,
the acquisition of the things of space,
becomes our sole concern.

There is happiness in the love of labor,
there is misery in the love of gain.

— Abraham Heschel, “The Sabbath”

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Call to Worship

Adapted from Psalm 62

God, for You alone do we wait in quietness.
You are our Rock and our salvation.
Fill us with hope that can never be shaken.
We pour our our hearts before You,
trusting in Your steadfast love.
Amen.

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Worship Song

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Passing of the Peace

Send a text of joy & love to someone from our Anchor & Hope community or someone else who could use some encouragement (Your pastors would love to hear from you, so please feel free to drop them a text as well!).

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Prayer of Illumination

Light of the world,
shine through our darkness, bringing us hope.
Open our hearts to friendship with You and others,
our eyes to see all the places You’re at work,
and our souls to wonder & joy.

Fill our mouths with laughter and speech with shouts of joy,
reflecting and sharing Your love to the world around us.
Amen.

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Kids Song & Reflection

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Introduce the video to your children by asking, “When was the last time you felt really really happy?” After hearing their answers, you can talk about how God wants us to have joy. We can have joy and hope because the Holy Spirit gives us joy. Let’s learn about when the Holy Spirit came in the Bible, in the book of Acts:

Reflect with your children:

• What made the people in the video joyful?
• What are ways that you can be joyful this week?

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Scripture Engagement & Reflection

Read 1 Chronicles 16:31-36 (NLT) out loud, even if you’re alone!

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,
for he is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name
and rejoice and praise you.”

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

Some of us grew up in church cultures that taught us to fear Halloween. Of course, we certainly don’t want to celebrate anything harmful or dangerous, but I think that closed mindset misses out on real opportunities for joy, connection, and genuine witness in the world during this time.

If we get past the “spooky” stuff (and there are actually some pretty thoughtful Christian reflections on how we should not ignore dark or difficult things), what are the things that people love about Halloween? If you’re with others during this time, maybe you can take a couple of minutes to share.

From my experience, here are a couple of things that immediately jump out to me:

• Fun: Candy, parties, costume parades
• Creativity: Wearing and seeing different costumes, homes and neighborhoods being decorated
• Self-expression: Deciding what costume to wear, making it your own
• Connection: There can even be fun in planning something that will bring joy to others, going around in groups

As followers of Christ, we don’t want to miss out on the importance of shared joy. Halloween gives us the rare opportunity to connect with neighbors, friends, and even strangers around a shared experience of fun and joy. As we explore the genuine rest God offers to us in the gift of Sabbath, one of the most important foundations is joy.

Abraham Heschel, a rabbi and author, has helped countless people engage Sabbath in a deeper way. Here are a couple of his thoughts around the meaning of Sabbath:

• Sabbath is joy, holiness, and rest 
• Sabbath is when we care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul 
• Sabbath is creating a home in the soul to be with the divine 
• Sabbath is a day to remember our belovedness 
• Sabbath is a chance to mend our tattered lives

As you wrap up this time, reflect on the following questions around practices of joy — if you’re with someone else, you can share out loud or you can just think about these on your own:

• What is a simple thing that brings you joy? Not because it’s productive or “useful” but simply because it makes you happy?
• Are you struggling to name something? Why or why not? 
• What barriers (internally or externally) are preventing you from seeking joy? 
• How does joy help us recover our sense of “being” over “doing”? 

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Worship Song

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Closing Prayer

God of all joy,
renew us in Your love
and fill us to overflowing
so that our neighbors may know
they are loved as well.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Announcements

• Men’s Football Night: Chris has generously offered to open up his home tomorrow (Monday, October 30th) at 5:15 pm for a night of friendship and prayer!
• Women’s Bible Study: Sue will host the final gathering at her place this Friday, November 3rd at 6:00 pm. 
• Next Sunday, November 5th, we will gather for worship at our usual time and location (10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary) 
• Church Without Walls: On Sunday, November 12th, we will gather as a group off-site for our next Church Without Walls. Details to come!
• Thanksgiving Sunday: We will celebrate Thanksgiving together on Sunday, November 19th during our regular worship service time through a time of Togetherness.
• Partnership Sunday with Solana Beach Pres: On Sunday, December 3rd, we will gather at Solana Beach Presbyterian as part of our mission partnership with them. There will be special music that day and an “Alternative Christmas Market” where we can meet folks and partners from SBPC.

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Centering Practice 

Deep breath of gratitude & imagination

• We invite you to prayerfully imagine a better world
• One word breath prayer — something that matters to you
• Not just “speaking it into the universe” but bringing your heart to God and beginning to dream together with Jesus about a world of wholeness & Shalom

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Call to Worship/Creed

For we are the product of God’s hand,
heaven’s poetry etched on lives,
created in the Anointed, Jesus, 

to accomplish the good works
God arranged long ago.
Amen.

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Worship Songs

Called Me Higher

I could just sit
I could just sit and wait for all Your goodness
Hope to feel Your presence
And I could just stay
I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You
Hope to feel something again

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe, oh
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

But You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me Lord

You have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You lead me Lord
Where You lead me Lord

And I could hold on
I could hold on to who I am and never let You
Change me from the inside
And I could be safe, oh
I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home
Never let these walls down

And I will be Yours, oh
I will be Yours for all my life

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Kingdom Come

Earth is groaning and we are longing
For Your kingdom to come
All creation and all of heaven
Join their voices as one

God, let Your kingdom come
May Your will be done
God, let Your kingdom come

Hope is stirring, joy arising
As we look to the day
When all injustice will bow
And every voice will cry out:
Holy is Your name

Lift up your heads all the weak and the poor
The Lord is at hand and His Kingdom is yours

Lift up your hearts all who suffer and mourn
The Lord is at hand and His Kingdom is yours

Lift up your eyes all who hunger for more
The Lord is at hand and His Kingdom is yours

Lift up a shout let the Earth hear your voice
The Lord is at hand and His Kingdom is yours

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Community Prayer

God of love and hope,
today we lift up all who suffer in our world,
from war and violence, hunger and fear,
and all who struggle in mind, body, or spirit. 

Thank You for our partners around the world,
who are co-creating a better world with You, Jesus.
We pray for all our partners
in their good work, including:

Justice Ventures International,
Big Table,
and Rise Against Hunger.

— A moment of silent prayer — 

God of imagination and compassion,
continue to inspire and shape our imaginations
and give us the courage to act in love.
Amen. 

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Assurance of God’s Love

Friends, hear the Good News today:
Our Creator God, who delights in justice and restoration,
breaks the power of sin and heals our brokenness.
In Jesus, we are set free to join in building God’s New Creation.
Thanks be to God! Amen.

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Offering

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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
• Reset Sunday: We will not gather in community next Sunday, October 29th. Instead, we encourage you to connect with God and others outside the walls of the church! Worship guide will be sent out this week. 
• Men’s Football Night: Chris has generously offered to open up his home next Monday, October 30th at 5:15 pm for a night of friendship and prayer!
• Women’s Bible Study: Sue will host the final gathering at her place on Friday, November 3rd at 6:00 pm. 
• Church Without Walls: On Sunday, November 12th, we will gather as a group off-site for our next Church Without Walls. Details to come!
• Thanksgiving Sunday: We will celebrate Thanksgiving together on Sunday, November 19th during our regular worship service time through a time of Togetherness.
• Partnership Sunday with Solana Beach Pres: On Sunday, December 3rd, we will gather at Solana Beach Presbyterian as part of our mission partnership with them. There will be special music that day and an “Alternative Christmas Market” where we can meet folks and partners from SBPC.

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Passing of the Peace

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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

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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! 

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Scripture Reading

Ephesians 2:10

For we are the product of God’s hand,
heaven’s poetry etched on lives,
created in the Anointed, Jesus,
to accomplish the good works
God arranged long ago.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.

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Sermon

Core Values: Creativity
Pastor Jeya So

We are called to co-create a world
of shalom, justice, and joy
alongside God & each other.

Core Value: Creativity

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Worship Song

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

May we love, as You love
May we love, as You love

Hope for the hopeless, Your love is
Strength in our weakness, Your love is

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Benediction

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