House Church Worship Guide
Welcome to our last House Church for 2022 and in our regular rhythm of worship. We pray that this experience has stretched you and helped you grow.
Whether through House Church, Life Group, or intentional relationships, following Jesus together is so vital. Enjoy this time at House Church!
This guide is designed to be flexible – move and mold the parts as suits your House Church. Try to make your time as interactive as possible, taking the opportunity to be personal, real, and attentive to what God is doing.
How to Prepare:
1. Have a read through this Worship Guide to get the flow of it, see what parts you’ll use, and how you might do transitions. You can print a simple version of it
2. Get communion ready, and any kids resources you need. You can print the lyrics here:
LIGHTING ADVENT CANDLE
Start your time by lighting two candles: the advent candle of peace, and for this week the candle of faith.
“Jesus, light of the world,
we gather today in your name,
as your people – broken and sinful, but loved and made new
to worship and adore you.”
CALL TO WORSHIP: Luke 2:4
Let us prepare our hearts for worship, by hearing God’s Word (selected from Isaiah 9, John 8 and Ephesians 5):
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
SING!
We’ve got some carols below for you, but you know the drill – choose your own!
CHURCH UPDATE AND PRAYER
Church update for you to stream. (4 mins)
Here’s some possible things to talk about for your prayer time:
Take some time to reflect on your experience of House Church. What have you enjoyed? What can you give thanks to God for?
Check to see if folks have volunteered to help serve at the Christmas Outreach, and if they have someone who they are praying for to invite to our services.
Be sure people know about our times for Christmas Services
Saturday Dec 17, 7pm and Sunday Dec 18, 10am
Sunday Dec 25, 10am (short, family service)
No service on Sunday January 1
Take some time to pray for the church of the week and missionary:
Church: Richmond Baptist, David Jensen
Missionary: Barnabas and Gwendoline Charles, India.
FAMILY CONNECTION
PARENTS: Click on the Family Resources button to find some colouring in activities and videos for preschool and school age children that you can use at any time:
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:8-12
We’re looking at the names of Jesus, the promised one, who came in fulfillment of all God’s promises. Today is a crucial one for understanding Jesus: Messiah.
Read this passage
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
BIBLE MESSAGE: Messiah
Stream this message on Jesus the messiah
RESPOND
Reflect on what the Holy Spirit has been saying to you today:
What one big truth do you think the Lord wants you to meditate on and why?
What is going on in your life right now that makes today’s message so timely?
What one way can you apply and live out what God has said to you? Give examples.
COMMUNION AND PRAYER
Jesus surprised and confused the disciples by showing that the Messiah must suffer. Jesus often defies our expectations. His way is the way of grace, suffering, humility and sacrifice.
By taking communion, we remember Jesus, the crucified Messiah. The cross is both a solution to our problem of sin, and the pathway for us to walk.
Pray to thank Jesus, and confess your love and praise to Him. Like Peter did, confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
BENEDICTION
Ask someone to pronounce this benediction to close:
Today, let us be sure that we are in Jesus the Messiah.
May you receive Him with the empty hands of faith.
May He guide you, convict you, encourage you.
May He make you strong to serve the world in love.
In His name, we go. Amen.
The whole service will stream live at 10am if you would prefer to watch it this way. Click on LIVE CHURCH at www.hopechurch.org.nz. Or from midday on, you can find it by clicking on PAST SERVICES.