First Sunday of Advent
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: People of God, worship the living God today!
PEOPLE: Remember that out of nothing God created the heavens and earth.
LEADER: Remember that God raised Jesus from the powerlessness of death to the power of his right hand.
PEOPLE: Remember that not even the gates of hell can stand against God’s purposes.
ALL: Behold your God, who reigns now and forever!
Lighting of the Advent Candle
MINISTER: Prepare the way of the Lord. We light this candle in hope, the hope of our coming Savior, Jesus.
ALL: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
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Rejoice
Stuart Townend, Dustin KensrueVerse 1
Come and stand before your Maker
Full of wonder, full of fear
Come behold His power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near
For the One who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting loveChorus 1
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice
He is worthy of all praise
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoiceVerse 2
We are children of the promise
The beloved of the Lord
Won with everlasting kindness
Bought with sacrificial blood
Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a Father
Who will never let them goChorus 1
Verse 3
All our sickness, all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill
He has walked this path before us
He is walking with us still
Turning tragedy to triumph
Turning agony to praise
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazedChorus 2
Rejoice!
When you cry to Him, He hears your voice
He will wipe away your tears
Rejoice!
In the midst of suffering
He will help you singChorus 1
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice
He is worthy of all praise
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice—
CCLI License No. 7161130
-
Edward Mote, Eric Liljero, Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan
Verse 1
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' NameChorus
Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of allVerse 2
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veilChorus
Verse 3
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throneChorus
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand—
CCLI License No. 4903820
Corporate Confession
ALL: Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Personal Confession
Receiving of Grace
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
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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Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Chorus
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, new every morn
Our sins they are many, His mercy is moreVerse 1
What love could remember no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is moreChorus
Verse 2
What patience would wait as we constantly roam
What Father so tender is calling us home
He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor
Our sins they are many, His mercy is moreChorus
Verse 3
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is moreChorus
—
CCLI License No. 4903820
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.
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*
[INSERT SCRIPTURE PASSAGE]
Psalm 16, ESV
READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Sermon Name”
[Sermon Series Title]
Preacher Name
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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Ada Ruth Habershon, Matthew Merker
Verse 1
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fastChorus
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fastVerse 2
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fastChorus
Verse 3
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at lastChorus
—
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.
Elder Candidates. We invite you to join the church in prayer and fasting for the new cohort of elder candidates. Sign up here.
Community
The Church-wide Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch will be held on 11/9 at 11:00am in Cambridge. Please save the date!
“The Bible and Politics” seminar led by Pastor Ben is today at 1:00pm in the Silver Ballroom. Join us!
Membership Class. Are you interested in learning more about Citylife's vision, beliefs, and practice as a church? Join us at our next two-part membership classes on 10/20, 1 - 2:30pm (in person) and 10/23, 7:30 - 9pm (zoom). Register HERE.
Community Meals are taking place October 12-13. Sign up by today!
Serve at Citylife
Worship Ministry Fall Kickoff. As we start off the new academic year, we'd like to gather to celebrate what God has done, and each other, as well as dream together. On 10/13, we will eat and hang, then spend some time together for small group discussion. Lunch will be provided; please let us know if you have dietary restrictions. For those who are interested in our ministry, you are welcome to join us! RSVP by tomorrow.
University Ministry
Retreat Scholarships. The University Ministry is raising funds for needs-based scholarships for the upcoming retreat. We have just 25% of our goal left to raise, with five days remaining. Please give through church center. Be sure to select "University Retreat Scholarship Fund" from the drop-down box.
Justice & Mercy
L Street Mission - We are at L Street Mission this Saturday 10/12! Learn more about ways to serve the city HERE.
We are at Somerville Homeless Coalition on the 1st Saturday of the month, L Street Mission on the 2nd Saturday, and Pine Street Inn on the 3rd Saturday. Sign up to purchase for and assemble hygiene kits every 3rd Sunday.
Kids & Youth
Family Ministry Parent Meeting. Please join us after service on 10/20 in the Silver Ballroom to connect with other parents with children birth-12th grade; receive updates about Kids Church; complete forms for this academic year; learn more about the curriculum we use in Kids and Youth; and receive tools for at-home discipleship. Childcare is available, please email Cecily to reserve a spot for your child.
Family Worship is today, the first Sunday of the month. Worship bags for kids will be available at the welcome desk and the back of the worship center. Nursery and Toddlers classes will take place as usual.
Youth Ministry. We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 6:30-8:30pm at Ruggles Baptist Church and every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 9:15-10:25am in the Toddlers classroom. Hope to see you there!
Next Saturday Youth Group meets: 10/19.
Next Youth Sunday School meets: 10/13.