Welcome to sojournmusic.com’s weekly worship music set list review. This set list is from yesterday’s Christmas service here in Louisville’s Sojourn Church. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. Photos here from all three Sojourn Louisville campuses: J-Town, East and Midtown, courtesy Matt Herp and Tom Branch.
You can find links to the set lists of this church and many other churches each week in the Worship Blog Carnival at theworshipcommunity.com. And you can learn about some of the songs we sing at Sojourn Gathered each week in advance of the Sunday service by reading my “Getting Ready For Sunday” post each Thursday at Sojourn’s online journal, TravelBlog.
Call to Worship:
Merry Christmas!
Let’s stand to hear the word of the Lord and the story of our Savior’s birth.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
(Sing Verse 1 of “Mary, Mary” )
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ( Sing verse 2 of “Mary, Mary” )
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 1:1-14 ( Sing verse 5 of “Mary, Mary” )
Song: Hosanna in the Highest by Sojourn’s Jeremy Quillo, from our Advent Songs album.
Song: Angels we have Heard on High
Prayer of Confession:
Holy God, you sent a star
to guide the Magi to the child Jesus.
We confess that we have not followed the light of your Word.
or trusted your good news to be good.
We have failed to praise your Son’s birth
and refused the gift of peace He offers.
We have expected little and hoped for less.
Forgive our doubt and renew in us hope
that we may watch and wait and once more hear the glad story of our Savior,
Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen.
Song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Passing of Peace: Christ has announced tidings of comfort and joy. So we have every reason to welcome each other with peace and love. I invite you to reach out to someone you have never met before, introduce yourself and greet each other.
Then our pastor preached the final sermon in our Revelation sermon series, “Come Lord Jesus,” using these scriptures as his text: Revelation 21:1-8, 22:7,12,17,20-21.
Song: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley, arranged by Bill Mallonee. This was our communion hymn of the week.
Reading:
The Lord’s grace is sure.
God has looked with favor upon his people and has redeemed them.
God has raised up a mighty savior from the house of David.
God spoke through the prophets of old so that we would be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us.
God has shown mercy and has remembered his promises.
—based on Luke 1:68-72
Song: Glory Be by Worship & Arts Pastor Mike Cosper, from our Advent Songs record.
Song: Silent Night
Benediction
Nearly 2000 years ago, unto us a child was born, Christ the Savior who would free us from our sin and restore our relationship with the Father. Go and tell the good news of the Gospel from the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Peace be with you.
