Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church

The Second Sunday of Advent

December 10, 2006      10:15 A.M.

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Preparation And Praise

Upon entering the sanctuary please maintain silence for the sake of the congregation’s preparation for worship.

   Prelude:                             “Joy to the World”                           Handel

                 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”            arr. Thomas

   Welcome and Announcements

   Silent Prayer and Preparation

*  Call to Worship:                                                    Isaiah 40

A voice of one calling:  “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

“And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.  For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

* Hymn:  Insert      “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”   Hyfrydol

* God’s Greeting:

Grace and peace to you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

Blessed be God,

And blessed is his kingdom, now and forever.  Amen.

*  Prayer of the Day: 

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life eternal, through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


 

Lighting of the Advent Candle:                  The Angels’ Candle

   Response:   PH 328  “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” Veni Immanuel

O Come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,

Unto your own and rescue them!

From depths of hell your people save,

And give them victory o’er the grave.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.

Confession And Prayer

   Prayer of Confession:

Merciful God, we all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to our own way; and you have laid on Christ the iniquity of us all. We have followed too often the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have transgressed your holy laws. We have left undone the things we ought to have done, and we have done the things that we ought not to have done. And there is no health in us. We are miserable offenders. But you, O Lord, are merciful and compassionate. Have mercy upon us and forgive us for our sins. Spare those who are repentant, according to your promises declared in Jesus Christ our Lord, to the glory of your holy name.

Silent Prayer and Confession      

Minister: Amen.

   Assurance of Pardon:                                              Isaiah 53

   Installation of Elders and Deacons:  PH 1004

   Congregational Prayer

The Service Of The Word

*  Hymn:  PH 346           “Once in Royal David’s City”            Irby

 [Children age 3 - grade Pre-K may leave during the hymn.]

    Reading from the Old Testament:                        Isaiah 42:1-9

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

   Choir Anthem:   “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”     Praetorius

   Sermon: The Character of the Servant of the Lord

   Prayer

*  Hymn:  PH 341      “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”   Picardy


 

The Offering of Tribute

*  Offertory Prayer

   Offering:  Fairlawn General Fund

        Offertory:  “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus ”   Broughton

Blessing and Dismissal

*  Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.  May the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Amen.

*  Doxology: PH 327  “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”  Puer Nobis

All praise to you, eternal Son,

whose advent has our freedom won,

whom with the Father we adore,

and Holy Spirit, evermore.

   Postlude:   “Echo Noel”                                            D’Aquin

*Indicates congregation stands

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