Welcome to sojournmusic.com’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led following the Call To Worship, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. You can find links to the 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.
Christmas set lists differed slightly between our campuses. This post contains the set list from my campus, Sojourn New Albany.
Call to Worship:
Merry Christmas! (Get them to respond loudly)
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: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Song: This is the Christ written by Sandra McCracken. We recorded this on A Child Is Born. You can listen to our version of “This is the Christ” in full here.
Confession: Hear the word of the Lord:
Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
—based on Isaiah 52:9-10
Christmas celebrates God bringing peace to a broken world. Let’s take a moment to silently confess the brokenness and unrest in our own hearts and ask for his forgiveness and healing.
Song: Be Still My Soul
Assurance/Peace
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
In Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
—based on 1 Timothy 1:15
Let’s welcome each other with the peace and joy Christ has given us and be sure to wish those around you “Merry Christmas.”
Giving
Then our preacher preached a sermon on the futility of a human race that pridefully tries to ascent to the heavens (Tower of Babel) and the grace of a God who descends to us (the birth of Christ) (from our Genesis sermon series). You can hear Sojourn sermons in theSojourn Church iTunes podcast or in the Sermon Resource library at sojournchurch.com.
Song: Joy to the World by Isaac Watts and Sojourn’s Jamie Barnes, recorded on Advent Songs. Listen to our version of “Joy To The World” in full here.
Song: Hark the Herald recorded on our A Child Is Born. You can hear our version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” here.
Reading (every other campus)
Jesus is worthy of our worship. Hear what He has done:
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.
- Phillippians 2:6-11
Song: Hosanna in the Highest written by Sojourn’s Jeremy Quillo, recorded on Advent Songs. Listen to “Hosanna in the Highest” in full here.
Benediction
May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth,
fill you with joy and make you heralds of the gospel. Peace be with you.
