The last week of an old year can serve as a time to reflect on the pattern of our growth as disciples of Jesus, and provide us with fresh insight and resolve as we seek to follow Him in the year ahead. In Colossians 3, Paul gives us some sartorial spiritual fashion tips.
Our preparatory songs, What A Friend We Have In Jesus and One For Many, give praise for the blessing of prayer and the hope we have of our Redeemer’s return. On this last Sunday of the year worship commences with the singing of O God Our Help In Ages Past.
The prayer of praise and confession will express thanks for God’s unchanging, faithful nature; and give voice to our sorrow for not living as we were redeemed to be, but living in the past habits of our rebellion instead of the freedom into which we are saved. We’ll thank God for his forgiveness and provision of the means whereby we grow more like Jesus.
We’ll express our shared assurance and faith as we sing Search Me, O God (a winsome paraphrase of Psalm 139); recite The Apostles’ Creed; and then Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.
Jeremiah’s explanation of the destruction of Judah will be heard from Jeremiah 9:12-26; and we respond by singing Speak O Lord, asking that God would continue to open His word to us and give us listening ears.
Colossians 3:12-17 contains Paul’s exhortation to Christians to consciously live as what we’ve been redeemed to be. We’re reminded of how we came to be part of God’s family; what it took to bring us in; who it is that we’ve been saved alongside; and in whose name all our living, activity and service takes place.
We’ll be led in our prayers of thanksgiving and for various needs, then give our offering before closing our last morning worship of 2012 singing As You Go, a song which emphasises the ministry and mission which falls to all of God’s people.
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