THE LORD'S DAY

December 23, 2001 - 10:30 A.M.

Worship Theme: Savior and Lord

PRELUDE

ACTIVITIES & CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

PREPARING IN STILLNESS

WELCOMING THE ASSEMBLY

PASTOR: The Lord be with you!
PEOPLE: And also with you!

DRAWING NEAR TO WORSHIP

Joy to the World

CONFESSING OUR SINS

ALL: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and we have refused to proclaim your gospel.

Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

PASTOR: Hear the promises of God to those who truly repent of their sins and trust in Christ: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set us free from the law of sin and death. Now, lift up your hearts!

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord!

CALL TO WORSHIP

PASTOR: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

PEOPLE: And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

PASTOR: Mighty God,

PEOPLE: Everlasting Father,

PASTOR: Prince of Peace.

PEOPLE: Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

PASTOR: He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

PEOPLE: The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

RESPONDING IN SONG

Go, Tell It On the Mountain

CONFESSING OUR FAITH

PASTOR: What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

PEOPLE: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that is in them, and who still upholds and governs them by His eternal counsel and providence, is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father. In Him I trust so completely as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul, and will also turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this life of sorrow. He is able to do so as almighty God, and willing also as a faithful Father.

THANKING GOD FOR HIS PRESENCE

PASTOR: We give thanks to you, Lord, for you are good.
ALL: Your love endures forever. Amen.

PRAYING TOGETHER FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

PASTOR: Lord, in your mercy:
ALL: Hear our prayer.

CHORAL ANTHEM

Good people all, this Christmastime, consider well and bear in mind,
What our good God for us has done in sending His beloved Son.
With humble hearts, we all should pray to God with love this Christmas day.
In Bethlehem upon that morn, there was a blessed Messiah born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind, the shepherds went the Babe to find.
And as God’s angel had foretold, they did our Savior Christ behold.
With humble hearts, we all should pray to God with love this Christmas day.
In Bethlehem upon that morn, there was a blessed Messiah born.

Traditional Irish Carol. Arranged by David Hamilton

WORSHIPPING BY GIVING

• Westminster Shorter Catechism, 53-56

• Prayer - The pastor and another church elder will be available in the front to pray personally with anyone during the offertory.

• Offertory - Ms. Lynna Harbison

PRAISING OUR GOD

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him, all creatures here below, Alleluia, Alleluia
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

DEDICATING OUR LIVES & GIFTS

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HEARING SCRIPTURE - Luke 2:4-16

READER: This is the Word of the Lord.
CONGREGATION: Thanks be to God!

GREETING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

• Children ages 4-5 dismissed to Children's Church in Rooms M1 & M3.

PREPARING TO HEAR GOD'S WORD

You Are Lord of All

1. Lamb of God, You’ve come to dwell in our hearts, Immanuel;
Perfect sacrifice of Love, You are Lord of all.

2. Word of God, Refiner’s Fire, be our heart’s one pure desire;
Cleanse, refresh and make us new, You are Lord of all.

3. King of Kings, we humbly bow as our hearts enthrone You now;
Holy One receive our praise, You are Lord of all.

Repeat Stanza 1

Repeat Stanza 3

Jane E. & Jon A. Sherberg © 1994 Mountain Mover Music (ASCAP). CCLI #89178

Give Thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord, for the works of his hand, for a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Give thanks to the Lord for we all now can stand and fear not of being forsaken.

Give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness.
Give thanks to the Lord for His love.
Let us worship his name and his holiness: give thanks to the Lord;
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, give thanks.

Give thanks to the Father for sending his Son. Give thanks to the Son for the Spirit.
Now lift up your voices to God, three in One, and shout so the whole world can hear it.

Repeat Chorus Twice

Brad Smith * 1996 Brad Smith Music BMI. Used by permission. CCLI #89178

APPLYING GOD'S WORD

Born in a Barn! - Luke 2:1-20
(Text and Outline will be included on Sunday)

RESPONDING IN SONG

RECEIVING GOD'S BLESSING

PASTOR: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Grace be with you all.

ALL: The Lord is King forever! Hallelujah! Amen.

POSTLUDE