Oh what a Joy? Oh what a Joy!
Joy that beautiful thing that fills us and shapes our days and reflects the source of life
Joy is Recovered when....
we find Joy when we share stories with each other- we often forget that we have reason to be joyful
(our lives may feel joyless but their are so many great stories to be joyful and thankful for!)
Joy is NOT Happiness
it is true that Joy is not the same thing as Happiness....
Happiness comes and goes... cycles in and phases out... and sometimes we forgot and confuse Joy as the same kind of thing... but it is not
JOY is the source of life the well-spring of what Christ has done for us...
We are reminded during Advent that our hope and source is not from expected or worldly sources
a Baby in Manger is our reason to celebrate
A prayer to take hold and say....
The Call to Prayer
Praise the Lord, all you nations, laud him, all you peoples.
For his loving-kindness toward us is great, and the faithfulness of the Lord, endures forever...
Psalm 117:1-2
The Request for Presence
O Lord, do not forsake me, be not far from me, O my God.
Make haste to help me, O Lord of my salvation.
Psalm 38:21-22
The Greeting
You are my refuge and shield, my hope is in your word
Psalm 119: 114
The Hymn
There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
There’s a tumult of joy over the wonderful birth,
For the Virgin’s sweet boy is the Lord of the earth
Ay! The star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
In the light of the star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and king!
Josiah Holland
The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons
... it is good for me to be near God, I have made the Lord God my refuge.
Psalm 73:28
The Vespers Psalm Great Things You have Done, O Lord My God
“I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.”
(Psalms 40:1–12 NLT-SE)
The Refrain
... it is good for me to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge.
The Cry of the Church
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
The Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
(Matthew 6:9–13 NLT-SE)
The Prayer for the Week
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among usl and , because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory now and for ever. Amen
First Baptist Church of Bethany Student Ministries (FBCBSM)
3800 N Mueller Ave
Bethany, OK 73008
(405) 789-3312
Youth Center
3700 N Mueller Ave
Bethany, OK 73008
Open Hours
Sundays 9am-11am, 4pm-7pm
Wednesdays 5pm-8pm
