December 18, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 18, 2011

Welcome to Cityview Presbyterian Church

Community Life: After the Service

To Our Guests: Visiting a church can be an intimidating experience. We are glad that you are here, and we hope to remove as much of that awkwardness as we can from your visit to Cityview.

Our worship service usually lasts about 75 minutes. This worship guide will help you navigate the service. There are short paragraphs on the next page to explain each part of the service.

The service is designed to be accessible to you, whether you’ve spent years in the church or you’ve never been to a church service in your life. During the service, we will try to help you understand how the message of Jesus can apply to your life today.

If you are new to Cityview or just visiting, we would love to know that you were here. We have clipboards next to each row: we call those our ―Connection Cards‖. Connection Cards are a way for you to let us know whatever information you might want us to know and to request any information from us that you might need. Pastor Dan Adamson

Each week, we linger for fellowship with one another. Please join us for refreshments in the cafeteria.

Community Groups In addition to weekly worship, we offer small groups (community groups, men’s and women’s bible studies, book studies) that meet throughout the week. We want all of our members and regular attenders to be intentional about building trusting and meaningful spiritual relationships.

For a complete list of our small groups, please visit our website (www.cityviewchicago.org) or fill out one of our ―connection cards‖ for more information.

(dadamson@cityviewchicago.org) is available to answer questions, as well.

For Children: Children of all ages are welcome in the worship service.

Nursery is provided during the service for children 2 years of age and younger.

All songs used by permission CCLI License #11041992

Children ages three through 5th grade are given the choice of attending Sunday school classes beginning during the greeting portion of the service.

If you have any questions about children’s ministry at Cityivew, please contact Children’s Ministry Coordinator Hilary Clark (hilary.r.clark@gmail.com).

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Scripture reprinted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

The Liturgy Preparing for Worship The goal of our time of gathering is to engage with God together, listening to him in his Word and speaking to him in prayer and song. Because we often enter this time tired, overwhelmed and distracted, we take a few moments at the beginning of our meeting to prepare to meet God in worship.

Call to Worship We need to be ―called‖ to come and worship God because we default to thinking the world revolves around our needs and agendas, and also because we struggle to believe that God truly wants us to draw near to him. The call to worship focuses our attention on God and prepares us to meet him.

Confession of Sin The Scriptures declare that each of us has failed in the way we act toward God and each other. We confess our sin to be honest and transparent about this reality and to admit our ongoing dependence on the mercy of God through Jesus. We confess as a community to show our unity even in our brokenness.

Assurance of Grace We confess our sins not just to admit what is true, but also to be reminded again of the truth that Jesus came into this world to save sinners; and all of our sin has been forgiven through him. Every week, following our confession, we hear God speak to us in Scripture of this forgiveness so that our faith might be strengthened.

Worship Through Giving Because money is so powerfully tied to our hearts, this is a valuable expression of worship as we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and belongs to him. If you are visiting with us, we are just glad you are here- please do not feel obligated to give.

The Sermon Some view the Sermon as a way to get principles for ―right‖ living. In reality, as we open the Scripture we corporately encounter Christ. Therefore, as you listen, pray to be open to the Spirit’s leading, exhortation, encouragement, and healing.

Communion Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal for Christians. We welcome all Christians - those who look to Christ alone for salvation, who are in good standing with His Church, and who seek strength to live more faithfully to their Savior - to join in this sacrament.

The Benediction God always gets the last word in our encounter of worship. For Christians, it is always a word of blessing and sending to live our lives in the light of the reality of the Gospel of Christ.

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ORDER OF WORSHIP ―The season of Advent, a season of waiting, is designed to cultivate our awareness of God’s actions—past, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiah's coming as addressed to us—people who wait for the second coming. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away.‖ From The Worship Sourcebook ―The Virgin Birth at the opening and the empty tomb at the close of Jesus’ life bear witness that this life is in fact marked off from all the rest of human life; and marked off, in the first instance, not by our understanding or our interpretation, but by itself.‖

Martin Luther

God Calls Us Advent Reading – Isaiah 9:2, John 1:14 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them a light has shined.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Call to Worship Leader: All:

We light the fourth candle of Advent to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Thanks be to God!

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle

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Hymn of Advent

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Words: Charles Wesley Music: Felix Mendelssohn

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Prayer of Invocation Leader:

God of Israel, with expectant hearts we your people await Christ’s coming.

As once he came in humility, so now may he come in glory, that he may make all things perfect in your everlasting kingdom.

All:

For he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn of Advent

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Words: James Montgomery Music: Henry Thomas Smart

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God Cleanses Us Confession of Sin Leader:

Let us confess our sins to God:

All:

Leader:

Merciful God, always with us, always coming: We confess that we do not know how to prepare for your Advent.

We have forgotten how to hope in miracles; we have ignored the promise of your kingdom; we get distracted by all the busyness of this season.

Forgive us, God. Grant us the simple wonder of the shepherds, the intelligent courage of the Magi, and the patient faith of Mary and Joseph, that we may journey with them to Bethlehem and find the good news of a child born for us.

All:

Now, in the quiet of our hearts, we ask you to make us ready for his coming. Amen.

Silent Confession

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Hymn of Confession

In the Bleak Midwinter

Words: Christina Rosetti Music: Gustav Holst

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Words of Assurance - based on Jeremiah 33 Leader:

All:

Leader:

All:

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.

And this is the name by which it will be called: ―The Lord is our righteousness.‖ Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming we announce in this season, is our righteousness.

In Christ, we are made right with God. Thanks be to God! Brothers and Sisters, you have heard Godʼs holy demands and have confessed your sins to him. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection has atoned for your sins and satisfied the wrath of God for you?

We do.

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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

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Hymn of Assurance Canticle of the Turning My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the one who waits.

You fixed your sight on the servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.

Wipe away all tears, For the dawn draws near, And the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me.

And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.

Your very name puts the proud to shame, and those who would for you yearn, You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain) From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.

Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.

The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; These are tables spread, ev'ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain) Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp.

This saving word that our forbears heard is the promise that holds us bound, 'Til the spear and rod be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. (Refrain)

Opportunities and Concerns Passing of the Peace - from John 13:34 Leader:

Hear the teaching of Christ: ―A new command I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.‖ The peace of Christ be with you all.

All:

And also with you!

Worship Through Giving 10

God Speaks To Us Old Testament Reading – 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 1

Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." 3And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."

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But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5"Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 8Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house…

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And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"

Sermon Text - Luke 1: 26-38 26

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose

name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

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And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

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And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Leader: All:

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Sermon The Unexpected Dawn: God’s Restoration for the Broken Reverend Dan Adamson

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Sermon The Unexpected Dawn: When the Expected Becomes Unexpected Reverend Dan Adamson

God Strengthens Us Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed Leader:

Christian, what do you believe?

All:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration Leader: All: Leader: All: Leader: All:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Communion

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Prayers for Reflection Prayer for those searching for truth Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. As I consider the reasons for doing so, grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise.

Amen.

Prayer of belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen.

Prayer for those struggling with sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and faithfully follow you in life. Amen.

Prayer of commitment Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.

Doxology 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.

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God Commissions Us Hymn of Benediction

Once In Royal David’s City

Music: Cecil Frances Alexander Words: Henry J. Gantlett

Benediction Leader:

May God the Father make us worthy of a place in his kingdom; may God the Son reveal in our midst the promise of his glory; may God the Holy Spirit make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.

All:

Amen.

Dismissal Leader:

Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All:

Thanks be to God!

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Around Cityview 

Prayer for the Church- Join a group to pray for Cityview before the service each Sunday at 9:30 am. Talk to Malissa Mackey or Megan Hohenstein for more info.

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3rd Annual Citvview Christmas Party- Tonight at the Adamson home (1539 W

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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service- We are hosting Ethos Church and Living Hope Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus from 6-7 pm at Merit.

The service will include an offering to benefit The Woman's Treatment Center.

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Christmas Morning Service- We will be joining with Covenant Church for our Christmas Day service this year- 10:45 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church (2012 W Dickens Ave).

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New Years Day Service- Plan to worship with us and join in a meal after the service. Please bring food to share. RSVP for the potluck to Dan.

Serving This Week Sound/ Set-Up

Joel Avila Nick and Janelle Lake Carolyn Koonce Jenny Avila Joyce Park Monet Ball

Greeters Bread Snacks Nursery Sunday School

Serving Next Week Sound/ Set-Up Greeters Bread Snacks Nursery

Jackson Blvd). Please bring an appetizer or dessert and drinks to share and a white elephant gift. Come anytime after 6; the gift exchange will take place at 7:30. For more information, contact Dan.

Joint Service with Covenant Presbyterian

Sunday School

Contacts

November 2011 Congregational Giving*

Actual Monthly Giving: Budgeted Monthly Giving: $ (3,614) Actual YTD Giving: Budgeted 2011 Giving YTD: Difference:

CITYVIEWCHICAGO.ORG $ 8,546 $ 12,160 Difference: $125,373 $133,760 $ (8,387)

*In addition to congregational giving, 20% of our overall operating budget is currently comprised of financial support from other churches and individuals. Our

budgeted congregational giving represents 80% of the overall operating budget.

Dan Adamson, Pastor dadamson@cityviewchicago.org Jenny Avila, Administrative Coordinator jenny.n.avila@gmail.com Herb Bowsher, Financial Administrator bowsher@comcast.net Hilary Clark, Children’s Ministry Coordinator hilary.r.clark@gmail.com Carolyn Koonce, Social Coordinator carolyn.groenewold@gmail.com Paul Leo, Service & Outreach Coordinator contactpaulleo@gmail.com Paul-David Young, Music Coordinator music@cityviewchicago.org 16