ADVENT WEEK 3
December 15, 2024
Innovative Concepts Mission:
Reaching and redeeming the Unchurched, Making Disciples,
and Multiplying Leaders who establish vibrant churches,
bringing hope and renewal to every community we serve,
to further the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
WELCOME
Good morning, and welcome to Innovative Concepts church. We’re so glad that you’re here! My name is
At IC, one of our values is inclusivity. Why? Well, it’s one of the big reasons why we’re a family. We want everyone to be included. And because we’re a small group, this is a safe place to do that. But don’t worry. We’re not going to force you to do anything you’re not comfortable doing. We just ask that come and see, and go along for the ride with us.
So speaking of inclusivity… we’re going to start by doing an ice breaker. That’s right! We want you all to talk to each other and get to know each other a little bit. So please, go and introduce yourself to three different people. When you meet them, you’re going to share these things: your name, where you’re from, and your favorite thing to either eat or drink during the holidays. Any questions? (Allow for questions.) OK. Ready - set - go!
[ALLOW CONGREGANTS TO MIX FOR 5-10 MINUTES. TOWARDS THE END, PASS OUT READING ASSIGNMENTS]
ADVENT RECAP
Welcome everyone! I hope you enjoyed sharing your favorite holiday food or beverage. My name is
This week marks the third week of Advent.
The word advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming or arrival.”
When it’s used by the Church, the word refers to:
The “arrival” of Jesus Christ when he was born on the original Christmas Day, and the upcoming “arrival” of Jesus Christ when, as Christians believe, He will return to judge the living and the dead.
So, the season of Advent is a season of preparation and waiting. We first prepare and wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
As part of our service last week, we read a scripture together as a group. We will do the same today. I will read the parts labeled leader, and the rest of you will read the parts labeled group.
Leader: Our reading today comes from James 5:7-9
Be patient, therefore, brothers until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.Group: You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Leader: Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged;
Group: behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
Leader: As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Leader: May God bless the reading of His word. —James 5:7-9
PRAYER
Dear God,
We praise you for your goodness and compassion. Thank you for sending the prophets to preach repentance.
We ask that Your Holy Spirit move in us, and prepare the way for salvation by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward You, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE THIRD CANDLE
To help us visualize Advent, we have an Advent Wreath. Each candle on the wreath represents a different theme. Our first theme was hope, beginning with John the Baptist as he prepared the way for Jesus by preaching a message of repentance. The second theme was peace, in the little town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
The third candle is known as the shepherds’ candle, and it represents joy. Please read the following scripture with me. I will read the part labeled leader, and you will read the part labeled group.
Leader: We will be reading from Luke 2:8-18
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,Group: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Leader: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Group: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”Leader: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Group: So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Leader: When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child
Group: and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Leader: May God bless the reading of His word. —Luke 2:8-18
[LIGHT 3 CANDLES]
WORSHIP
Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)
Verse 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
Verse 2
Joy to the world the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy
Chorus
Joy unspeakable joy
An overflowing well
No tongue can tell
Joy unspeakable joy
It rises in my soul
Never lets me go
Verse 3
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, George Frideric Handel, Isaac Watts, Matt Gilder
CCLI Song #5607039
© Rising Springs Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Ryan House Music; Wondrously Made Songs
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
LESSON: The Shepherd’s Candle
From https://thethirdcup.com/2017/12/god-came-to-the-ungood-third-week-of-advent/
[READER 1]
The lighting of the third candle, or the shepherds’ candle, is a reminder that God came for the most unlikely and insignificant people. Think about it. If you were making the announcements – who would you pick to hear it first? The high priest? The whole company of priests? King Herod? All of these would be possibilities. But God chose none of them. God sent the angels to announce the birth not to the important and the elite, but to the ungood.
[READER 2]
Shepherding sheep in Jesus’ day was not the honorable profession it had been in the days of King David. In the New Testament period, shepherds were considered ritually unclean because of their jobs. They had a reputation for being dishonest, and were not even allowed to testify in court proceedings. In many ways they were the outcasts of that society.
[READER 3]
All of this is a reminder that many times God does not call the rich and mighty but the poor and lowly. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, the apostle Paul writes:
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” —1 Corinthians 1:26-27
[READER 4]
Can you imagine this group of shepherds out in the field when an angel suddenly appears? It was probably a very ordinary night. You have the feeling reading Luke’s account that it was a quiet evening. And then SUDDENLY the sky exploded with light, the glory of God surrounded them and an angel appeared saying “Fear not.” Really? Don’t be afraid?
They probably ignored that part of the greeting. It is hard to imagine that the shepherds suddenly quit shaking after the angel shared those words of comfort.
[READER 1]
Then the angel gives them the most important announcement ever – the arrival of the Messiah has come to the shepherds, the ungood of Israel. A baby was born in Bethlehem, for them! This baby was the long awaited Messiah. By appearing to the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God to all mankind.
[READER 2]
It shouldn’t have been such a surprise. Everyone knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, they just were not paying attention. The old rabbis taught that the announcement of His birth would be at Migdal Edar, or the “tower of the flock”.
“As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem,” —Micah 4:8
Small rock towers were common in Judah. The shepherds used them as watch towers so they could see the surrounding area. They were so common that one might have asked “which tower”? The one outside Bethlehem of course!
[READER 3]
The shepherds’ candle also symbolizes the Joy at the coming of Jesus. The first two Sundays of Advent focus on Preparation and Hope, this third Sunday shifts to an atmosphere of joy, anticipation and expectancy. The message to the shepherds was one of “good tidings of great joy.” It serves as a reminder that the Christmas message is one of rejoicing.
[READER 4]
What about you? Are you one of the ungood? Do you feel insignificant? On the fringe? Unnoticed? A baby was born in Bethlehem for you! God came for the ungood!
[READER 1]
Or maybe that doesn’t describe you. Maybe your life circumstances are not bad at all. But, what is your attitude towards the seemingly insignificant of society? Are you willing to get your hands dirty with those who feel unworthy, dirty, guilty, ashamed in order to share the gospel with them?
[READER 2]
God uses people from all walks of life to spread the good news of His Son. God chose to use the shepherds to describe the vastness of His love for us. This week as we think about Advent, we discover that God does extraordinary things through ordinary people. God chose the insignificant of the day to reveal His magnificence.
[READER 3]
Take some time now to gather in groups of two or three. In your groups, please share the names of anyone who you are trying to witness to. Maybe you’re trying to invite them to church this Christmas. After you share their names, pray for them. If you haven’t been trying to reach anyone, ask God to reveal to you who you should be a witness to.
(Allow congregants 10 minutes to share and pray)
[READER 4]
I’m going to close our time now with prayer.
Dear God,
Thank you for the good news of Jesus’ birth, and the power it has to bring us great joy this Christmas season.
We confess that we’ve allowed many other things to be that source of joy, only to be disappointed. We repent of our sin.
We thank you that our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season, so that our joy overflows and reaches those who need to hear the Good News. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.
WORSHIP
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME
Verse 1
You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Verse 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now
Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Bridge 1
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
Bridge 2
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Ending
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood
CCLI Song #7068424
© 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL (ADESTE FIDELES)
Verse 1
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels
Chorus
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Verse 2
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav’n above
Glory to God all
Glory in the highest
Verse 3
Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
Verse 1 in Hawaiian
E hele mai oukou
Kapoe manaoio
E hele haouli i Betelehema
Hele mai a ike
I ka Moi hanau hou
Hui:
Hoonani kakou Ia ia
Hoonani kakou Ia ia
Hoonani kakou Ia ia
Kristo Ka Haku
Verse 2 Hawaiian
E na anela
Mele me ka oli
Mele ko lunapuali apau
No ke Akua Ka hoonani ia
C. Frederick Oakeley, John Francis Wade
CCLI Song #31054
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
Hawaiian Translation:
Zeo Worship (Hoonani Kakou Ia ia)
GIVING MESSAGE
[READER 5]
Our giving message is a time for us to reflect on how and why we should give a portion of our finances to God. Today’s giving message is about generosity, and it comes from our Christmas devotional book. So if you’re reading the book, we’re skipping ahead to December 21st. So consider this one already checked off.
[READER 6]
In his book, Everyday Gospel Christmas Devotional, Paul David Tripp writes the following:
“The Bible records the best generosity story that has been penned in human language. God is the great giver of good things, and the biblical narrative records his generosity over and over again. The creation account shows us His generosity as He places Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden where they have everything they need. In generosity, right after the entrance of sin into the world, God promises to fix what sin has broken.
[READER 7]
“God generously makes his covenant with Abraham, through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed. He is generous in delivering His people out of slavery and giving them his law, so that they will thrive as a nation. In generosity, He chooses to dwell with them in the tabernacle; His presence is always with them. In the face of their rebellion, God generously sends prophet after prophet to warn his people and call them back to Him.
[READER 8]
“If you pay attention as you read your Bible, you will see that the generosity of the King of Kings is without end. One particular verse captures God’s generosity and its final culmination. This verse may be the most famous and well-known of all Bible verses: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).
[READER 5]
“I am convinced that this passage not only points us to the ultimate gift of gifts, Jesus, but it also summarizes the redemptive story with these nine words: “For God so loved the world that He gave.” The entire biblical story is about a God who gives his creatures what they do not know they need, what they often do not want, and what they could never earn or do for themselves - but which they cannot live without. As we read the Bible, it becomes clear that nothing can keep God from giving. Even in the face of his people’s rebellion and idolatry, he continues to give. His generosity is inexhaustible and without limit.
[READER 6]
“God’s generosity reached its crescendo with the gift of Jesus. Every gift he had given pointed to this final gift. In this gift, we get forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transformation of our hearts. In all of God’s giving, there is no gift like Jesus.
[READER 7]
“God is still showering down His generosity on you. He blesses you every day with His presence, promises, power, and grace. He gives to you through His word and his church. Your life - right here, right now, and into the future - rests on God’s willingness to keep on giving. It is an amazing grace that we are the objects of such unending generosity.”
[READER 8]
We can see that generosity is also demonstrated through our finances. In the Bible, God asks His people to give 10 percent of their earnings to the church. Ten percent – how generous is that? He could have asked for 25, 50, even 100 percent. But instead, He just asks for 10.
[READER 5]
In just a few moments, we will have the opportunity to respond to His generosity by giving. Ten percent is all that He asks – but what do you think He might do if you gave more? The Bible tells us that God LOVES a cheerful giver, and this is the only area that God says we are allowed to test Him. As we read earlier in the devotional, generosity is at the core of the biblical story. It is God’s nature to bless His children abundantly.
[READER 6]
Let’s pray for our tithes:
Dear God,
Thank you for the richness of your generosity to your people. We have done nothing to deserve such a benevolent Lord and King. Thank you for blessing us in so many ways, each and every day. We pray now for these tithes that they would be used to change lives for Your kingdom, and bring the joy of your Son, Jesus Christ, to those who desperately need Your love.
In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
[READER 7]
As a reminder, there are three ways you can give to our church. If you would like to give with a credit card, you can do so either through our website or our app. If you prefer cash or check, there are envelopes on the tables where you can place your money. Please take a few minutes now to give. If you’ve already scheduled your online payment, take some time to pray and thank God for His blessings.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Gathering, Dec. 22
One Kalakaua, Dec. 22
BLESSING
May the JOY of His salvation fill us with gladness, and overflow from our hearts so we can share this joy with others, especially those in need.
You are dismissed. Please stay and help us clean up.