Worship Notes for Sunday, December 4, 2011
As we enter the Second Sunday in Advent, we read of the Annunciation—the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary the good news of the coming of the Messiah and His unending Kingdom in the line of David. Mary receives this news with humility and great faith. We open the service by singing verse 2 of Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus who is “born to reign” and bring His glorious Kingdom. The Call to Worship from Psalm 98 declares that “The Lord has made known His salvation” and we respond in “joyous songs and praises.” We continue by singing O Come, All Ye Faithful and From Heaven Came the Angels Bright.
The Old Testament Reading from Isaiah 9 echoes the language of Gabriel as we read of the birth and gift of this Child who will increase and establish the throne of David. Our Confession of Sin comes from Ephesians 4 as we confess our selfish desires which cause us to try and build our own kingdoms instead of submitting to Christ’s Kingdom—the sin of Adam and Eve all over again.
Hark the Herald reminds us Gabriel’s message of Christ as King and everlasting Lord, born of the Virgin, and the Very God veiled in flesh. For our Communion Hymns, the choir will sing The Great God of Heaven about the Son who was promised to Mary “that shall rule o’re a Kingdom of peace.” We then continue with Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming which reminds us of the prophecies of Christ’s birth and the light He brings.
We conclude by singing Hark! a Thrilling Voice is Sounding which beautifully ties together the first and second comings of Christ and the expectation we have as we await this second advent.
