Pre-service Reflection
At Ethos as good as it is to meet and greet one another, we try to save this for after the service, and begin service by looking upward to rest in God. Here are a few suggestions for how you can spend this time:
- Sit in silence to “just be.” Just be “still” to know that God is “good.” Try to still your busy mind and put it into a mode of listening. If you find “thought monkeys” that disturb your silence, jot them down, and then continue in silence. You may also use a journal to reflect on your previous spiritual experiences this week.
- Scripture Meditation. A) In your Bible, read Philippians 4:4-9 slowly, pausing between clauses. B) After a minute of silence, read it again and look for words or phrases that catch your attention. C) Read it a third time and begin to wonder: “What might God want to say to me specifically?” D) Turn the previous question into a prayer, and then write down anything God might be saying to you. E) Be still and silent, and then ask yourself and God, “What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given?”
Invocation – Calling Upon God
Welcome to Ethos Communion Church. Ethos exists to foster communion with the Triune God in a way that leads to spiritual peace, holistic transformation of character, communion with the visible body of Christ, and the making of disciples from all cultures and generations all to the glory of God.
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 124:8
As we begin our worship service, let us quiet our hearts and minds, and turn our attention to the One who is worthy of all our praise.
Confession of Faith – Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed, written in the fourth century by the Council of Nicaea and later expanded by the Council of Constantinople, holds immense importance for Christians as a foundational statement of faith affirming beliefs in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and essential Christian doctrines, serving as a unifying declaration of core beliefs across Christian denominations and emphasizing unity in essential theological truths.
Let’s stand together as we recite our common faith
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Psalm of Praise – Psalm 46
Let us stand together as we praise the Lord with a responsive reading of a Psalm
(Congregation recites bolded lines)
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be – D)
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 1
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
Sing all ye citizens of Heav’n above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
CHORUS 1
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
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
CHORUS 1
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
BRIDGE
His name shall be
Wonderful Counselor
His name shall be
Everlasting Father
His name shall be
Prince of Peace mighty God
His name shall be Emmanuel
CHORUS 2
We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord
BRIDGE
His name shall be
Wonderful Counselor
His name shall be
Everlasting Father
His name shall be
Prince of Peace mighty God
His name shall be Emmanuel
CHORUS 2
We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
We’ll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord
It Is Well with My Soul (G)
VERSE 1
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
CHORUS
It is well
With my soul
It is well it is well
With my soul
VERSE 2
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blessed assurance control
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
CHORUS
It is well
With my soul
It is well it is well
With my soul
VERSE 3
My sin O the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross
And I bear it no more praise the Lord
Praise the Lord O my soul
CHORUS
It is well
With my soul
It is well it is well
With my soul
Prayer for Illumination
You may be seated.
As we prepare to hear the word of God, let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination.
Sermon – A Child is Born (Isaiah9.1-7)
Outline
- Introduction: The Cry for Peace
- The Child Who Brings Light
- The Dawn of Peace
- The Cross of Peace
- Practicing Peace
Isaiah9.1-7 paraphrase
1 But gloom will not linger where anguish has been;
In former days, He humbled this region within—
Zebulun and Naphtali, burdened and shamed,
But Galilee of the Nations shall be renamed.
2 A great light will shine where darkness has reigned;
Hope will be born where fear once remained.
For those in deep shadow, a dawn will appear,
Dispelling the darkness, and drawing them near.
3 God will bring joy, abundant and true,
Like harvests brought in or victories won through.
His people will celebrate, lifting their voice,
In freedom and laughter, they’ll deeply rejoice.
4 The yoke of their burden, the weight they have known,
Will shatter like cords that are snapped and undone.
As in Midian’s day, when God led the fight,
He’ll crush all oppression and set it to flight.
5 The weapons of war, the garments blood-stained,
Will fuel the fire; no trace will remain.
No more will they march to the drumbeat of strife;
Peace will prevail in a kingdom of life.
6 For a child has been born to us, a son to lead,
The weight of the world rests on Him indeed.
He is called: Amazing Counselor, who shows the way,
Mighty God, whose power holds darkness at bay,
Everlasting Father, whose care never ends,
Prince of Peace, through whom all conflict mends.
7 Justice and fairness will mark His domain,
And His throne will forever and ever remain.
The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this plan,
For His word is unchanging, His power will stand.
Discussion Questions
- What from the sermon or passage stood out to you?
- What areas of your life currently feel weighed down by darkness, anxiety, or unrest? How does the promise of Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace bring hope to those areas?
- In what ways are you holding onto the things of this world for peace instead of holding onto Christ, who is peace? How can you intentionally shift your focus to rest in Him and His promises?
- How can you practically “withdraw to lonely places” or protect the Lord’s Day to experience the peace of Christ more fully in your daily life? What specific changes could you make this week?
Sharing and Prayer Time
Prayers of Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving for all of God’s blessings he has loaned to us this year
- Thanksgiving for the work of Christ
- Thanksgiving for the hope of glory
Communion Prayer
Let us give thanks to the Lord for this spiritual meal he has given to us.
Communion
- Because of the significance of the Lord’s Table, only baptized believers in the Lord Jesus Christ should partake.
- Also, if you are willingly living in sin, you should refrain.
- If you are unable to partake of the Lord’s Table today, you may still partake of Christ!
- The Lord’s Table is just an aid in your relationship with Christ. Without it, you can still go to Christ.
- There are some prayers below that you may use to guide you.
Prayer for those searching
Oh God, I am discovering that the more I have, the more I need to have, the more I am loved, the more I need to be loved, the more I achieve, the more I need to achieve. Nothing seems to satisfy me. “Nothing tastes.” Could it be, as someone once said, that “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” Dear God, if this is true, and if as the Bible teaches there is life and life eternal in Christ alone, please guide me to him. Open me to the reality of the one who alone can satisfy my restless heart. Give me the courage to believe that which I cannot see but can understand through your Word, sacraments and church family. Lord I want to believe, please help me in my unbelief! Amen.
Prayer of belief
Lord God, I now see that I am weaker and more flawed than I ever before believed, but in Christ, I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. Even as I have not loved you or my neighbor with all of my heart, you have shown your love for me in that while I am still sinning, Christ died for me and took upon himself the condemnation that I deserve. I now know that You owe me nothing for my efforts, but you offer acceptance, love and blessing into all eternity because of Christ’s efforts on my behalf. I therefore ask that you would enable me to turn away from trusting in my own efforts to gain your acceptance and forgiveness, and trust in the perfectly righteous efforts of Christ on my behalf in order to be accepted by you and entered into your holy family. And just as you raised Christ from the dead, so too I ask that you would give me a new life in Christ, one that will lead eventually to heaven itself. Thank you for Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to believe in him alone for my salvation. And as You have called us to follow You in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in Your church, grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with Your people, and live in the fullness of Your Spirit. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
- Neighbors
- J. Kim
- M. Song and family
- Sister Churches
- Spread of the Gospel
- H. Soung
- G. Lee
- H. & E. Kang
The Goodness of Jesus (C)
VERSE 1
Come you weary heart now to Jesus
Come you anxious soul now and see
There is perfect love
And comfort in your tears
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
VERSE 2
Come find what this world cannot offer
Come and find your joy here complete
Taste the living water
Never thirst again
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
VERSE 3
Come and find your hope now in Jesus
He is all He said He would be
Grace is overflowing
From the Saviour’s heart
Rest here in His wondrous peace
CHORUS
The goodness the goodness of Jesus
Satisfied He is all that I need
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
TAG
May it be come what may
That I rest all my days
In the goodness of Jesus
Benediction – What is the hope with which you go out?
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)
Announcements
- Tithes and offerings may be given online at EthosChurch.Co. FYI the fees are 2.15% + $0.30/donation for credit and debit card donations, and 0% + $0.30 per ACH bank transfer donation. So using your bank is preferred.
- Having looked upward during the worship service, we now want to look outward, in sharing the love of Christ we have in our hearts for one another by sharing a meal together.