December 18, 2022

Third Sunday of Advent

Order of Worship

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering the Family Together

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!

(Public Domain)

Call To Worship

Scripture Reading:                                           I Thessalonians 5:23-24

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Prayer of Invocation

Advent Proclamation

Leader:    To the Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead,
let us pray:

People:     Come, Lord Jesus!

Leader:    You will come in glory to be our judge.

People:     Show in us your power to save.

Leader:    Help us to keep the precepts of your law
with the strength of the Spirit,

People:     And to look forward in love to your coming.

Leader:    You are praised throughout the ages; in your mercy
help us to live devoutly and temperately in this life,

People:     As we wait in joyful hope for the revelation of your glory.

Leader:    Today we light four 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.

We light the fourth candle to remind us of the blessed hope
of the reign of God.

People:     Come, Lord Jesus, and let your kingdom reign.

We Respond to God’s Presence

Red Hymnal #192                            “Angels We Have Heard on High!”

O Come, All Ye Faithful

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;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,

O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.

Latin: John F Wade; Tr. Frederick Oakeley; Music: ADESTE FIDELES, John F. Wade’s Cantus Diversi.

Red Hymnal #192                            “Angels We Have Heard on High!”

Angels We Have Heard On High

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

Say what may the tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come adore, on bended knee, Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo

Public Domain. French Carol.

Red Hymnal #177                                   “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today!

Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened heaven’s door, And man is blessed evermore

Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all To gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

Latin Carol, Tr. By John M. Neale. IN DULCI JUBLIO German Melody

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

Today’s Message

Advent: Week 4 – Angels

The Gospel in the Manger

“Revelation”

Luke 1 – 2; John 1

Notes

I. God _______________ (Luke 1:16-17)

II. God ________________ (Luke 1:30-33)

III. God __________________                (Luke 1:41-43; 2:8-14; John 1)

Communion

Prayer of Contrition

Sharing of the Elements

We invite to the Lord’s Table all those who are baptized disciples of Jesus Christ and are under the authority of Christ and His body, the Church. By eating the bread and drinking the wine with us as a visitor, you are acknowledging to the elders of this local church that you are in covenant with God and an active member of a congregation in which the gospel is faithfully confessed, taught, and believed. You also acknowledge that you are a sinner, without hope except in the sovereign mercy of God, and that you are trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If you have any doubt about your participation, please speak to the elders before or after the service.

Declaration of Forgiveness

We Are Sent Forth in Worship

to Share the Gospel

Red Hymnal #184                                 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Benediction

(Selah)

Elder’s Blessing

Everyone is encouraged to remain in a prayerful mood. Please do not chatter during this blessing time while families are waiting. Use the quiet time for prayer, reflection, and Bible reading. All are encouraged to stay through the end of this time. Enjoy these moments to be deliberately thoughtful about God’s plan to send forth His Son for you.