1 John 4:9–11
[9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (ESV)
Scripture Reading
One of our Advent traditions is having families read the sermon text both in English and in a different language. We do this because the Gospel is Good News for ALL PEOPLE! This week we The Wang Family read 1 John 4:9-11 in both English and Mandarin. The Tomada family read in English and Tagalog at the 9:30 AM service. The Hall family read in English and German at the 11:10 AM service.
Call to Worship
Psalm 140:1–8
[1] Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
[2] who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
[3] They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
[4] Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
[5] The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah
[6] I say to the LORD, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!
[7] O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
[8] Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! (ESV)
Prayer of Repentance
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the 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 on us! Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And for his sake, O merciful Father, grant that we may hereafter live a godly and righteous life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Benediction
Heavenly Father, We praise You for the love You have shown us through Jesus. May His love dwell richly in our hearts. May it transform us, empowering us to love one another as He has loved us. May our love for one another be a gospel witness to the world around us. Grow us in our love for Jesus and love for one another. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Weekly Discipleship Resources
<<Get Weekly Discipleship Resources for 12/22/24>>
Weekly Discipleship Resources are tools for families to use to help connect Sunday’s sermon to the rest of your week, fostering conversations and habits of worship.
