Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church

Morning Worship

December 31, 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:                             “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” arr. Goldsmith

   Welcome and Announcements

   Silent Prayer and Preparation

*  Call to Worship:                                                    Isaiah 65

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.

“Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create, for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.”

* Hymn:  PH 358          “As with Gladness Men of Old”         Dix

* 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, you have poured upon us the new light of your Incarnate Word; grant that this light, kindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, may shine forth in our world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

* Gloria Patria

Confession And Prayer

   Prayer of Confession:

Almighty God, maker of all things and judge of all men, we acknowledge our many sins and wickedness before you, which we, from time to time, have committed in thought, word, and deed against your majesty. We do earnestly repent and are sorry for these our sins. The remembrance of them is grievous, and the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, and for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, forgive us for all that is past, and grant that we may from now on serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Christ our Lord.

Silent Prayer and Confession

Minister: Amen.

   Assurance of Pardon:                                           Psalm 103

   Solo:  “Mary, Did You Know?”                           Lowry/Greene

    Congregational Prayer

The Service Of The Word

*  Hymn:  PH 333         “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”       Greenland

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

    Reading from the Old Testament:              Isaiah 60:4-9; 18-22

        This is the Word of the Lord.

        Thanks be to God.

   Reading from the New Testament: Revelation 21:1-5; 10-14; 22-27

   Sermon: A New Heaven and a New Earth

   Prayer

*  Hymn:  PH 612   “Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending”

                                                                        Westminster Abbey

The Offering of Tribute

*  Offertory Prayer

   Offering:  Fairlawn General Fund

        Offertory:  “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”                     Bach

Blessing and Dismissal

*  Blessing:

May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Hoy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you now and forever.  Amen.

   Doxology:  PH 336       “Savior of the Nations, Come”             

        Num Komm Der Heiden Heiland

Praise to you, O Lord, we sing.

Praise to Christ, our newborn King!

With the Father, Spirit, one,

let your lasting kingdom come.

   Postlude:  “Hallelujah Chorus”                                    Handel

*Indicates congregation stands

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