ADVENT WEEK 2
December 8, 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 what your favorite holiday movie is. Any questions? OK. Ready - set - go!
[Allow congregants to mix for about 10 minutes.]
[Towards the end, have the ushers start passing out the reading assignments.]
INTRODUCTION TO ADVENT
Welcome everyone! I hope you enjoyed sharing your favorite holiday movies. My name is
This week marks the second 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 scripture today comes from Jeremiah 33:14-16.
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.Group: “‘In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.Leader: In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.Together: This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’Leader: May God bless the reading of His word. —Jeremiah 33:14-16
PRAYER
Dear God,
Your advent awakens us. Wake us from drowsy worship, and from the frenzy and busyness that distracts us from this season. Awaken us now to your coming, and fill us with Your peace. Amen.
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND CANDLE- BETHLEHEM
To help us visualize advent, we have an advent wreath. Each candle on the wreath represents a different theme. Last week, our theme was hope. We talked about John the Baptist, and how he prepared the way for Jesus by preaching a message of repentance.
This week, we focus on Bethlehem, the little town where Jesus was born. Please read the following scripture with me. I will read the part labeled leader, and you will all read the part labeled. group.
Leader: Micah 5:2–5
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”Group: Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.Leader: He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.Together: And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commandersLeader: May God bless the reading of His word. —Micah 5:2–5
(Light two candles)
WORSHIP: O Little Town of Bethlehem
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Saint Louis)
Verse 1
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
Verse 2
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
Verse 3
How silently how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him still
The dear Christ enters in
Verse 4
Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child
Where misery cries out to Thee
Son of the mother mild
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door
The dark night wakes the glory breaks
And Christmas comes once more
Verse 5
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Lewis Henry Redner, Phillips Brooks
CCLI Song #27879
© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
LESSON: Bethlehem
(https://thethirdcup.com/2017/12/the-bethlehem-candle-second-week-of-advent-2/)
[READER 1]
The second candle, the Bethlehem candle, represents peace. It symbolizes the preparations being made to receive the Christ child. Bethlehem is a story about a humble couple on an unwanted journey, at an inconvenient time, to visit a tiny, insignificant town.
[READER 2]
Caesar Augustus was ruling, and he called for a census to be taken, but God was in charge. He used Caesar’s edict to move Mary and Joseph eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His Word. Even though there was no room for Mary and Joseph, God had planned these events. Mary and Joseph had to leave Nazareth so that they could register in Bethlehem and the Scriptures (Micah 5:2-5) be fulfilled.
[READER 3]
When Mary said “May it be done to me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38), it meant that from then on, her life would be a part of the fulfillment of divine prophecy. God had promised that the Savior would be born from the tribe of Judah, from the family of King David. He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, the city where King David was born. All of this occurred just as the Scriptures said, and Caesar unknowingly played an important part.
[READER 4]
As we draw nearer to the birth of Jesus, we begin to see just how specific God was about giving His people “directions.” In Micah 5, we read a prophecy that occurred 735 years before the birth of Christ, and yet it’s as specific as if it were spoken right before! When the magi arrive at Herod’s residence, they explain to the king that Jesus is supposed to be born in Bethlehem by quoting these very Scriptures. God did exactly what He said He would do!
[READER 1]
Micah tells us several things. He tells us where the Messiah will be born, that He will come from a tribe of Judah, and He will rule in Israel. Jesus is eternal and divine, but will rule on earth and He will be a shepherd to His people. This One will be our peace.
[READER 2]
Bethlehem was the smallest clan of Judah. It is a very insignificant town just outside of Jerusalem. Yet God did not choose Jerusalem for the birthplace of the Messiah. God loved the world so much that He chose a tiny insignificant town as the location for the birth of the one who literally changed the world. This is the first of many reminders that God loves even the insignificant of the world, and in fact, demonstrates this several times in the weeks to come leading up to the Messiah’s birth.
[READER 3]
Do you want peace this Christmas? Jesus is our Peace! In the busyness of the season will you make room for Christ, or will you miss it? Please gather with one or two other people to discuss the following questions:
1. How will you make room for Jesus this Christmas?
2. How has Jesus used an insignificant part of your story to help others?
[Allow 5 minutes for people to discuss]
[READER 4]
Thank you all for sharing. I’d like to close our lesson with another scripture reading. I will read the parts labeled leader, and you all will read the parts labeled group.
Leader: We will be reading from Isaiah 9:6-7:
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.Group: And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Leader: Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.Group: He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. —Isaiah 9:6-7
[READER 1]
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
In a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life. We need your peace, Jesus. We confess that our hearts are too often filled with worry, and not peace. This Advent, make it real in our hearts. Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen.
WORSHIP: King Of Kings
Verse 1
In the darkness we were waiting
Without hope without light
Till from Heaven You came running
There was mercy in Your eyes
To fulfill the law and prophets
To a virgin came the Word
From a throne of endless glory
To a cradle in the dirt
Chorus
Praise the Father
Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit three in one
God of Glory
Majesty
Praise forever to the King of kings
Verse 2
To reveal the kingdom coming
And to reconcile the lost
To redeem the whole creation
You did not despise the cross
For even in Your suffering
You saw to the other side
Knowing this was our salvation
Jesus for our sake You died
Verse 3
And the morning that You rose
All of heaven held its breath
Till that stone was moved for good
For the Lamb had conquered death
And the dead rose from their tombs
And the angels stood in awe
For the souls of all who’d come
To the Father are restored
Verse 4
And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel shall not faint
By His blood and in His Name
In His freedom I am free
For the love of Jesus Christ
Who has resurrected me
Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood
CCLI Song #7127647
© 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
CORPORATE PRAYER
PRAYER TARGETS:
Youth outing to Honolulu City Lights- Dec 13
Christmas Service- Dec 22
One Kalakaua Outreach- Dec 22
New families/people we are inviting
Church finances
WORSHIP: The Lion And The Lamb
Verse 1
He’s coming on the clouds
Kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break
As broken hearts declare His praise
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
Chorus
Our God is the Lion
The Lion of Judah
He’s roaring with power
And fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the Lamb
The Lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
Every knee will bow before Him
Verse 2
So open up the gates
Make way before the King of kings
The God who comes to save
Is here to set the captives free
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
Bridge
Who can stop the Lord Almighty
Who can stop the Lord (Almighty)
Brenton Brown, Brian Johnson, Leeland Mooring
CCLI Song #7038281
© 2015 Meaux Mercy; Thankyou Music; The Devil Is A Liar! Publishing; Bethel Music Publishing
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #22235256
GIVING MESSAGE
(https://billygraham.org/story/5-ways-to-honor-god-with-your-christmas-giving/)
[READER 5]
In a few moments, we’re going to pray for our tithes. But before we do that, we’re going to talk about why we should give our tithes with a grateful heart.
[READER 6]
For many people, Christmas is the most financially stressful time of the year. Gifts for friends and family, end-of-year charity campaigns, the cost of holiday traditions like special meals, decorations and Christmas cards—it can add up to a financial mess that follows you well into the new year.
[READER 7]
You may find yourself wondering … is it really worth it? Is this how God meant for us to celebrate the birth of His Son—by spending until there’s nothing left?
While the Bible doesn’t specifically address holiday spending, it has plenty to say about being faithful with our finances. Here are five biblical ideas to help you honor God with your budget this Christmas.
[READER 8]
1. Have a budget.
Proverbs 21:5 says planning leads to abundance, but those who are “hasty” will come to poverty. Heading to the mall for Christmas shopping without a firm budget is a recipe for debt—something the Bible strongly warns against. Before you begin shopping, make a list of everyone who’s getting a gift and set a limit for each of those gifts. Then stick to it, and refuse to spend money you don’t have.
[READER 5]
2. Give to Christ first.
When Jesus was born, wise men came to offer gifts to the newborn baby, the Savior of the world. Today, we can’t literally give a gift to Jesus, but we can give to causes that are close to His heart. Jesus said, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). When you make your gift list, don’t forget to give to Christ first. What can you do for “the least of these” this Christmas?
[READER 6]
3. Keep things in perspective.
Living in America around Christmastime can numb us to the realities outside our world of abundance and excess. Don’t lose sight of how fortunate we are. Most of the people in the world live off less than $10 a day. You can bet they aren’t stressing over Christmas lists; they’re likely focused on where their next meal will come from.
[READER 7]
4. Check your motives.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” —Jesus (Matthew 6:1, ESV)
When Jesus taught about giving, He made it clear that motives matter. We should always be aware of our reasons for giving, but Christmas is a great time for a heart check in this area. Whether you’re giving gifts to family and friends or donating to a church or charity, ask yourself why you’re giving. Is it out of obligation? Pride? Keeping up with the Joneses? If your motives are less than pure, ask God to help you give for the right reasons; then ask Him to show you how to give in a way that honors Him.
[READER 8]
5. Be an evangelistic giver.
How can you adjust your Christmas list to use it for God’s glory? This doesn’t necessarily mean giving everyone a Bible or a Christian book. What it means is finding ways to leverage your giving for God’s Kingdom.
Where should you start? Think about people in your life who don’t know Jesus or who may have wandered away from God. Then think about how you can build relationships with them over the holidays. Something as simple and inexpensive as a batch of cookies can be evangelistic if it gives you a chance to spend a few minutes with that neighbor you wave to over the fence but don’t know very well.
Whatever you decide to do, make an effort to give gifts that point people to Jesus Christ, the greatest gift this world has ever seen.
[READER 5]
Let’s pray for our tithes:
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the best gift ever – your son, Jesus Christ. May we now give our tithes with hearts filled with gratitude.
In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
[READER 6]
There are three ways to give your tithes to our church. If you’d like to give with a credit card, please go to our app. If you like to give with a check or cash, there are envelopes on the table.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Lights, Dec. 13
Christmas Gathering, Dec. 22
One Kalakaua, Dec. 22
BLESSING AND DISMISSAL
May the God of Peace fill our hearts and our world. May you be a peacemaker in your relationships and communities.
Thank you for being a part of our service today. You are dismissed. Please stick around and help us clean up.