Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2024
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here.
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
— Psalms 100:2-3
Order of Worship
*Please stand as you are able
Welcome and Preparation
Call to Worship*
LEADER: Let us praise our Lord Jesus Christ.
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
LEADER: At Christmas Jesus came as a baby.
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
LEADER: He came to be like us because he loves us.
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
LEADER: He came to save us from our sin.
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
LEADER: He died, rose from the dead, and lives in heaven. He will come again because he loves us.
PEOPLE: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
LEADER: We praise Jesus, who came as a baby and will come again at the end of time.
ALL: Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
MINISTER: Prepare the way of the Lord. We light this candle in peace, the hope of our coming Savior, Jesus.
ALL: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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By Castle Island Hymns, C. Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade
O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angelsChorus
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the LordSing, choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens
Of heaven above
Glory to God
All glory in the highestChorus
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be
All glory giv’n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearingChorus
—
CCLI License No. 2051446
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By Castle Island Hymns, Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley
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 hosts 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 Deity
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”—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Corporate Confession
ALL: Lord Christ, we confess our willingness to be loved but also our reluctance to love. We confess our readiness to accept your forgiving love but also our refusal to forgive. We confess our eagerness to grasp your offer of redeeming love but also our resistance to follow you without question. In this Advent time, forgive us our failure to respond as we should. Come to us anew, and by your grace, assist us to receive you with joy, as the shepherds; with gratitude, as Simeon; with obedience, as Mary; with love, as you have loved us. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 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. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. 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.
Advent Doxology*
To us a child is born today
Immanuel in flesh displayed
To once for all His people saved
Rejoice! Give thanks, and praise His name
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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By Charles Wesley
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end
By his life he brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born Lord of allBorn Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne—
CCLI License No. 2051446
Prayer of Intercession* (concluded by The Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Kids Choir and Youth Band Presentation
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Prayer for Children
Extending Peace
MINISTER: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
ALL: And also with you.
Announcements
Gospel Lesson
Scripture Reading*
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.
31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.
36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.
41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.
42 And they all ate and were satisfied.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.
44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Mark 6:30-44, ESV
READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Feeding of the Five Thousand”
Sermon Series: More Like Jesus
Rev. Benjamin Bae
The Sacrament of Communion
Confession of Faith
MINISTER: Let us boldly proclaim the mystery of faith.
ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
MINISTER: Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us.
ALL: Therefore, let us keep the feast.
MINISTER: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Distribution of the Bread and Cup
Citylife welcomes all Christians, who profess faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation, who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaim the gospel, and are at peace with God and neighbor (1 Cor. 11:17, Matt. 5:21-26), to participate and to receive Communion. If you are unable to receive Communion today, we welcome you to reflect on one of the following prayers:
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Prayer for Those Searching for the Truth
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen.
Prayer of Belief
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to off er me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.*
Prayer of Commitment
Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship through membership in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
*If you are saying this prayer for the first time today, please share with a church leader up front, or let one of the pastors know.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
ALL: Lord of all mercy, we your faithful people have celebrated that one true sacrifice which takes away our sins and brings pardon and peace. By our communion, keep us firm on the foundation of the gospel, preserve us from all sin and strengthen us for life as your ambassadors in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for Tithes and Offerings
ALL: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, and our possessions - signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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By Aaron Keyes, Aaron Williams, Dee Wilson, Jake Fauber
For my waking breath, for my daily bread
I depend on You, I depend on You
For the sun to rise, for my sleep at night
I depend on You, I depend on You
Chorus 1
You’re the way, the truth, and the life
You’re the well that never runs dry
I’m the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Where the Spirit leads, as I’m following
I depend on You, I depend on You
For the victories still in front of me
I depend on You, I depend on You
Chorus 2
You’re the way, the truth, and the life
You’re the well that never runs dry
I’m the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Be my strength, my song in the night
Be my all, my treasure, my prize
I am Yours, forever You’re mine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Verse 3
When I pass through death, as enter rest
I depend on You, I depend on You
For eternal life, to be raised with Christ
I depend on You, I depend on You
Chorus 2—
CCLI License No. 4903820
Benediction & Dismissal*
MINISTER: Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
Citylife strives to be a diverse community of grace that forms disciples of Jesus for the renewal of Boston and our neighbors.
Connect with Citylife. We’re happy you’re here! If you are new, the easiest way to get in touch with us is by filling out the Connect Card HERE.
Community
The Welcome Team is looking for new greeters to join the ranks. The team is a key part of the first impression newcomers have when visiting Citylife, and that can greatly contribute to someone feeling welcomed and wanting to return to the church. Volunteers are asked to serve 1-2 Sundays per month. If you’re interested or have questions, please stop by the Connect Table after service today or email charlotte@citylifeboston.org.
Christmas Eve. Join us for our Christmas Eve Service 7:30pm on 12/24! The service will be held at Hope Fellowship Church at 16 Beech Street, Cambridge, MA 02140.
Justice & Mercy
Healing Cohort. For those holding hurts, habits and hang-ups that keep us from fully experiencing the joy and goodness of the gospel, we hope you will come learn more about Citylife's Healing Cohort. In the spirit of Celebrate Recovery, the Healing Cohort is a fellowship of believers that walks together to seek healing from hurts, recovery from addictions, and freedom from secret sin, for lives wholly surrendered to Jesus. You are invited into a space where we submit to God even those parts of ourselves and our stories that we hold back from others, from church, and even ourselves. Sign up HERE.
Christmas Coat Drive & Match for Catie's Closet. Join our 5th annual Christmas Coat Drive and Match for Catie's Closet, ending Sunday 12/22! Please pledge the number of coats you want to donate, and Citylife will MATCH the total number of coats donated. More info HERE.
Volunteers needed for our December service date at Pine Street Inn! On the third Saturday of each month (12/21), Citylife volunteers help to serve dinner to guests of the men's shelter. Please consider meeting this need for some of our most vulnerable neighbors during this holiday season. Learn more about ways to serve the city HERE.
Kids & Youth
Youth Ministry. Our regular Saturday Youth Group meeting cadence resumes 1/18. We are planning an outing to the SoWa Winter Festival on 12/21. Please contact Cecily for details.
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 12/22.
Next Saturday Youth Group meets: 1/18.