December 11, 2022

Third Sunday of Advent

Order of Worship

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering the Family Together

From God’s Love

Offspring from God’s love outpoured, created for His glory

In holy likeness with Himself and purposed for His story

Blessed to reign, dominion given o’er land and beast man stood

God looked and saw all He’d made, beholding it was good

Born to dwell in paradise, in worship of the Father

Abiding by a single law, one fruit they should not gather

That one law proved far too much and man partook the fruit

And cursed his race to such disgrace that men could not refute

Time before our time began, the Father planned redemption

His Son would come to earth and live and die for man’s transgression

Holy Spirit would indwell men’s hearts and guarantee

Inheritance as God’s own sons for all who would believe

Copyright ©2016 by Eric Rose (used with permission)

Light of Life

The world was full of life and light, when darkness stole our hearts.

And day was changed to endless night, and hope was torn apart.

Light of Life, Eternal Hope, Promised Prince of Peace;

Rend the darkness, heal our hearts, till sin and sorrow cease.

The world was dark, consumed with sin, When from a little stall

A beam of hope, where clouds had been, an infant king so small.

Light of Life, Eternal Hope, humble at your birth,

Build your kingdom, take your throne and liberate the earth.

A star announced the King of Days, and guided kings to bow.

And so this Light, with beaming rays, illumes our pathway now.

Light of Life, Eternal Hope, guide our way to Thee.

Lead us onward in this hope, that Christ has set us free!

© 2018 Eric C. Rose All Rights Reserved (Used with permission)

Call To Worship

Scripture Reading:                                                             Luke 2:25-35

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation

³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed

³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Prayer of Invocation

Blue Psalter                                                                               Page 1051

“Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace”

Advent Proclamation

Leader:    Jesus Christ is the joy and happiness of all who look
forward to His coming. Let us call upon Him and say:

People:     Come, Lord, and do not delay!

Leader:    In joy, we wait for Your coming,

People:     Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader:    Before time began, You shared life with the Father,

People:     Come now and save us.

Leader:    You created the world and all who live in it.

People:     Come to redeem the work of Your hands.

Leader:    You did not hesitate to become man, subject to death,

People:     Come to free us from the power of death.

Leader:    You came to give us life to the full,

People:     Come and give us your unending life.

Leader:    You desire all people to live in love in Your kingdom,

People:     Come and bring together those who long to see You
face to face.

Leader:    Today we light three candles.

The first reminds us of our need for a Savior.

The second reminds us of the promises in God’s Word.

The third reminds us that Jesus is coming soon, and we

must abide in Him so that when He appears we may have

confidence and not shrink from him in shame at His

coming.

Leader:    O Key of David, Jesus Christ,
the gates of heaven open at Your command.

People:     Come and show us the way to salvation.

Declaring What We Believe:

Leader:                Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

All:                        Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!  (1Chronicles 16:10)

Leader:                Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” (1 Chronicles 16:31)

Men & Boys:       Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)

Women & Girls: May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” (Psalm 70:4)

Jubilee Singers:   Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)

All:                        Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (Psalm 97:12)

It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Red Hymnal #182                                                 “How Great Our Joy!”

Joy Has Dawned

Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation—

God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for ev’ry nation.

Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory,

But a humble gift of love— Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky with the songs of angels

As the mighty Prince of Life shelters in a stable.

Hands that set each star in place, shaped the earth in darkness,

Cling now to a mother’s breast, vuln’rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb, gazing at the glory;

Gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story.

Gold—a King is born today, Incense—God is with us,

Myrrh—His death will make a way, and by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven, given as a ransom;

Reconciling God and man, Christ, our mighty champion!

What a Savior! What a Friend! What a glorious myst’ry!

Once a babe in Bethlehem, Now the Lord of hist’ry.”

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2004 Thankyou Music

Children’s Sermon

Pastoral Prayer

The basket to receive His tithes and our offerings

is located on the left as you leave the Sanctuary.

We Worship Through Hearing

Sermon Hymn:

Red Hymnal #205                                    “Go, Tell It on the Mountains”

Today’s Message

Advent: Week 2 – Bethlehem Candle

The Gospel in the Manger

“Proclamation”

Luke 2:8-20

Notes

I. _______________ Eyewitnesses (Luke 2:8-9a; John 3)

II. ________________ Heralds (Luke 2:9b-17; II Cor. 4:6-8)

III. ________________ Pronouncers       (Luke 2:18-20; I Peter 3:14-16)

With ___________________

With ___________________

We Are Sent Forth in Worship

to Share the Gospel

Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child

Jesus,---- Jesus,---- Oh,---- What a wonderful Child.

Jesus,---- Jesus,---- So holy,---- Meek, and mild.

New Life,---- New Hope,---- New Joy He brings.

Listen,---- To the angels sing.

“Glory,---- Glory,---- Glory;” to the new-born King!

Benediction