4th Sunday in Advent
We had a full service today; full of people and full of extras.
We had the children (all dressed in traditional new testament garb) sing several songs this morning. It was a real treat since we haven’t had them sing in years. Derek did a great job of jumping in and organizing everything.
We also prayed for our missionaries Rich and Joyce Mattocks and their daughter Christa before they go back to Papua, New Guinea.
We used our baptismal for the first time after installing it quite awhile ago. Since the baptismal is underneath where the worship team normally stands, it required some rearranging. We moved down to the same level as the congregation and went with three unplugged acoustic guitars and two microphones for vocals. Everything went really well, three guitars were enough to get a workable volume level. It was great to hear all the voices as we sang the classic Christmas carols together.
Here is the entire list:
-1 What Kind of Throne Christmas/Advent
©Joel Payne/RESOUNDworship.org, Administered by The Jubilate Group, UK copyrightmanager@jubilate.co.uk
-1 Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne Christmas/Advent
Emily E.S. Elliot, 1864
1 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Christmas/Advent
Public Domain Charles Wesley, 1739
SERMON: The Hope of the Nations – Romans 15:8-13 (Pastor Mark)
1 The First Noel Christmas/Advent
Public Domain, W. Sandys' Christmas Carols 1833, Arr. By John Stainer, 1871
My remarks leading into baptism:
I haven’t said anything about the spiritual growth process, but I have a few brief remarks now.
The results on the all elective approach to spiritual growth have been in for years and for the vast majority of individualistic American Christians it has been a failure.
I’m going to tell you what I told the elders when we first started working at defining a process for spiritual growth. I am no longer willing to invest my limited time in programs I know don’t work. Doing the same thing and just trying harder isn’t the solution.
I have learned firsthand that:
· No one learns to play tennis just by watching others play.
· No one gets a college degree in mathematics by just watching lectures.
· No one becomes a guitar player by just watching guitar players at rock concerts.
· No one becomes a spiritually mature follower of Jesus just by watching others.
All are achieved by doing the appropriate and requisite work.
The amount of work done has a significant effect on the results or lack thereof.
What does it take to grow spiritually, work and guidance in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. The spiritual growth process we put together will provide the work and guidance.
If you have signed up for the spiritual growth process, please stand up. Thank you for signing up. Speaking on behalf of the elders and Pastor Mark you are a great encouragement to us. We were convicted that our responsibility was to put together a process, let everyone know about it, and trust the Holy Spirit to touch hearts. You may be seated.
Some questions to think about as you sing the next song:
Are you following Jesus? Or is Jesus just one item added to your plate from the American smorgasbord of life?
Is Jesus your King? Or have you declared your independence in kingdom matters as you rule from your personal throne?
Are you playing your God-given and God-gifted role in the body of Christ, his church? Or is church just a place you go to, just like going to the movies?
Are you actually following Jesus? Or are you watching from a distance?
-1 I Have Decided To Follow Jesus Closer-Believe/Trust
Unknown Public Domain
Baptism
0 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come Christmas/Advent
Public Domain Isaac Watts, 1719
-1 'We-I' Balance 
MLCC 12/19/2010 Leadsheet
Leader/Acoustic Guitar/Vocal – Doug
Acoustic Guitar/Mandolin/Vocal – Brian
Acoustic Guitar – Brad
Sound tech – Clint and Chad
Hope you had a blessed 4th Sunday in Advent too!
Find out what other songs churches are singing at TheWorshipCommunity.com
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