20 DECEMBER 2020
Christmas is nearer!
“The highest service may be prepared for and done in the humblest surroundings. In silence, in writing, in obscure, unnoticed offices, in years of uneventful, unrecorded duties, the Son of God grew and waxed strong.” (Inscription in the Stanford University Chapel) “The Lord gives his blessing when he finds the vessel empty.” (Thomas A’ Kempis) “A person may go to heaven without health, without riches, without friends; but he can never go there without Christ.” (John Dyer)
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THE GOD OF HOLY AGITATION
Presider: Sijin Yang Preacher: P. Jim Jung CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 132:13-18 13For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: 14“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 15I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. 17There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. 18His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.” SILENT CONFESSION Let us prepare our hearts by privately confessing our sins to our loving Heavenly Father. Be honest before God, and bear your heart and soul to Him. Thank Him and Praise Him for the good things; and confess those sins you knowingly and unknowingly commit, even the sin of omitting the good that you ought to have done. (Silent Private Prayer) ASSURANCE OF PARDON (In Christ, our sins are covered!) Hear the good news! 1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” PRAYER OF ADORATION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day #51 – PRAYER 126. What is the fifth petition? “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;” that is, be pleased, for the sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us miserable sinners our manifold transgressions, nor the evil which always cleaves to us;[1] as we also find this witness of Thy grace in us, that it is our full purpose heartily to forgive our neighbor.[2] [1] Ps. 51:1-4; 143:2; I Jn. 2:1-2. [2] Mt. 6:14-15; Ps. 51:5-7; *Eph. 1:7. SONGS OF PRAISE (Kevin Chan) Angels We Have Heard On High O Come All Ye Faithful OFFERING / DEDICATION To help you think about your level of giving, here is the financial snapshot of HCC for this month: Last Week’s Giving: $3,379.00 Total December Giving: $7,289.00 Monthly Budget: $17,130.00 Sydney Space: $16,828.66 PRAYER FOR CHRIST'S CHURCH & THE WORLD (Minwoo Yim) SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 52:7-10 (Minwoo Yim) SERMON "The Songs of Holy Commotion" – Luke 2:25-38 Anna, Simeon, and the Long-Awaited Song Mary’s Song of Joy & Blessing Zechariah’s Song of Redemption ANNOUNCEMENTS RESPONSIVE SONG Joy to the World BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24-26 “16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
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WELCOME TO HCC! We are a gospel centered church seeking the renewal of our city by the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God! We are so glad to have you join us for our worship service today. If you’re with us for the first time, please let us know who you are by filling out our please fill out the 'Newcomers Form' here and we’ll get in touch! Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Worship Service Now being live-streamed online each week. The link can be found on our church Facebook Page. Past sermons can be found here. Church Office Suite 3.17, 32 Delhi Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113 OFFERING Offering is part of our worship to God. The Bible gives us an enduring principle of tithing of our gross income as the baseline for the Christian’s worship through giving (2 Cor 9:7; Malachi 3:8-10). If every church member gave 10%, we would have enough financial resources for all the gospel ministry God is calling our church to do. Let the Spirit guide you in all final matters. You may give electronically to the account details below:
Account Name: Harbour City Church BSB: 082 057 Account Number: 16 207 4037 Account Name: HCC Sydney Space BSB: 082 057 Account Number: 32 844 5724
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY While we continue to participate in online worship services as a church, families with children from Preschool to Year 6 are offered separate Children’s Bible Story Lessons each week for parents to teach the children at home. Please contact Claudia Jung if you need assistance with lessons. jcjung@gmail.com GROWTH GROUPS GGs are small group support and accountability units, available to all members and regulars. COMMUNITY GROUPS CG’s include mixed fellowship and activities, but will not be meeting during the current “distancing” season. ELDERS
Jim Jung Senior Pastor 0430 423 986 Jason Ju Ruling Elder 0422 647 599 David Choi Ruling Elder 0433 666 991
KEEP IN TOUCH Find us online for regular posts, reflections and to get to know us a little better via our Facebook, Instagram and website. Facebook: @harbourcitychurch Instagram: @hcc_syd www.harbourcitychurch.com
COMMUNITY BIBLE READING Monday 21 December Ecclesiastes 5 / Matthew 23 Tuesday 22 December Ecclesiastes 6 / Matthew 24 Wednesday 23 December Ecclesiastes 7 / Matthew 25 Thursday 24 December Ecclesiastes 8 / Matthew 26 Friday 25 December Ecclesiastes 9 / Matthew 27 Saturday 26 December Psalm 104 PRAYING THROUGH YOUR PEN DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Compared with Simeon’s and Anna’s longing for Christ, describe your own sense of anticipation of the returning Christ. How does Mary’s joy and gratitude inform your own as a chosen and redeemed saint? What is Zechariah’s perspective about salvation according to the sermon? What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
1. Adoration Praise the Father for His attributes and actions 2. Confession Confess and acknowledge your sinfulness 3. Thanksgiving Thank Jesus for His salvation 4. Supplication Ask the Spirit to transform you
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOME TO HCC Thank you for joining our HCC Sunday live-stream worship. If you are new to our church, even though we’re not physically meeting together, we want to welcome you, and would love to get to know you. Please fill out the 'Newcomers Form' HERE and we’ll get in touch! COVID-19 UPDATE Please continue to stay safe and informed of COVID-19 developments. Stay in touch with one another via phone and electronically, and please let us know if there’s anything the church leadership can help with. CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE WILL BE ON! On Friday, 25th December, HCC will live-stream the Christmas Day service at our usual time at 10:30AM. You are encouraged to join your local Community Group for watch party and special Christmas fellowship and lunch. We will also have an opportunity to connect with other CGs via Zoom. SOW CAMP SOW CAMP 2021: Freedom - Kick off 2021 with a bang at SOW's annual training camp! Pastor Alex Kim will be preaching on the freedom that we have in Christ, and the freedom that the gospel offers to those we're sent to reach. Contact Sijin Yang via FB messenger for more information, or visit our website at sow.org.au 01-05/02/2021 COMMUNITY GROUPS Community Groups have been updated in order to accommodate Community Live Worship (also known as “watch party”). They are Ryde CG, Eastwood CG, West CG, and North CG. The City group is not a full-fledged CG, but CLW will be accommodated for those in the area. Please enquire with Sarah Gho. If you would like to join HCC’s Live Worship on location, please let us know, and we’d be happy to accommodate your space at the office with the North CG. All groups are reminded to continue observing the safety protocol at all meetings. GROWTH GROUPS HCC Growth Groups meet every week—except during school breaks. Be sure to get connected in these small group meetings for care, accountability, sermon reflection, prayer and fellowship. If you have any questions, please enquire with P. Jim, Elder David Choi or Delaney Chow. *NOTE: GGs will take a break during the summer (20.12.2020 – 17.01.2021). However, you are warmly encouraged to meet for fellowship/meals.
GENERAL TITHES & OFFERINGS vs. SYDNEY SPACE OFFERING There are two separate HCC accounts (BSB: 082 057). For General Tithes and Offerings (ACC: 16 207 4037); and specifically for Sydney Space (ACC: 32 844 5724). At the end of each month, 10% of all general tithes and offerings will go towards SS account as “seed money”. Please do not reroute your General giving towards SS account. SS is specifically to give above and beyond your general commitment. MERCY & JUSTICE Volunteers needed 22, 23 and 24 of Dec (few hours to whole day depending on your availability) at Newtown Mission/Jordan Cafe during the Christmas week to help out in the kitchen and packing hampers. Please private message Cyril, Keara or Esther if you are interested in volunteering.
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