This Week’s Theme
The King Is Coming
Isaiah 11.1-10
From the stump (lineage) of Jesse will come the Messiah, he who will be filled with the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and the knowledge and fear of the LORD. He will reign over the nations of the world with righteousness, and during his rule all creation shall be transformed. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard with the young goat, and the calf and the lion together. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain of the LORD, for the reign of Jesse’s branch will bring everlasting peace and joy. As those whose entire lives are anchored in the promise of the Messiah’s return, let us announce his Kingdom to come, and yearn for his righteous reign, the authority and rule of the great King, Son of Jesse, Son of David, and Lord of all. Soon and very soon, let the King of glory come!
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Stir up, O Lord, Thy power, and come; and mercifully fulfil that which Thou hast promised to Thy Church unto the end of the world.
Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our hearts to prepare the ways of Thine Only-begotten Son; that by His Advent we may be enabled to serve Thee with purified minds; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ Gelasian Sacramentary (Wright, p.16)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Wednesday: Gen. 30-31
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 72.1-7, 18-19
OT: Isaiah 11.1-10
Gospel: Matt. 3.1-12
NT: Rom. 15.4-13
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in 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, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
~ Book of Common Prayer (Tickle, p. 331)
Affirmation for the Day
We look to the day when the Spirit-filled Messiah will make all things new.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Come, dear Messiah of Jesse’s branch and line, and establish your forever kingdom of justice and peace.
For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
You Will Call His Name Emmanuel, Matthew 1.18-25
Book Reading
Packer, Knowing God