Lifespring Church–Pastor Eric Anderson—December 5, 2021
Ecclesiastes: Finding Contentment in God’s World
Ecclesiates 1: Introduction: The World through secular eyes (ESV ?)
Announcements
Call to Worship: Advent: Week 2
Isaiah 42:14-16 For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor;I will gasp and pant.
15 I will lay waste mountains and hills,and dry up all their vegetation;I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools.
16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them.I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,and I do not forsake them.
Adoration:
*O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (p 218)
*How Great Our Joy! (p 254)
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-9:1 (p )
Confession of Sin: Dear Father. To you all life begins and to you belong all allegiance. From you is given place, purpose and assurance. Father, forgive us for failing to repent of our pride and our self-sufficiency. Forgive us for re-naming selfishness into sweet sounding defeatist terminology. We are not broken, we use hard circumstances as an excuse to withdraw from others. We are not struggling with sin, we are looking for excuses to not mortify our fear and act in obedience. We are not wrestling with questions, we are convicted with our own sin by your own word and are trying to rationalize our disobedience. We are not confused nor overwhelmed, we are refusing your invitation to bring all things to you in prayer. We are not finding the right fit, we are seeking the perfect by our own imaginations when the good choices are before us. In this we are weakened and perpetually dissatisfied, prone and willfully vulnerable to anger and winds of doctrine. Father, forgive us and help us to reverently repent to you. Help us believe the simple revealed truths of your character and your complete gospel given through the advent—the life, death and resurrection of your holy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon through The Gospel of Jesus Christ:
*What Child Is This?(p 230)
Thanksgiving: Tithes and offerings
*It Came upon the Midnight Clear (p 246)
New City Catechism Question 49: Where is Christ now?
Christ rose bodily from the grave one the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.
Scripture Memory:Proverbs 13:16 In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.
Prayer
Proclamation from Gods Word:Ephesians 6:10-20 The Church’s Responsibility in Tough Times (ESV 1163)
Response of Celebration and Faith
*Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (p 238)
Benediction