Fairlawn Christian Reformed ChurchThe Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2007 10:15 A.M. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Preparation And Praise Upon entering the sanctuary please maintain silence and turn off all electronic devices for the sake of the congregation’s preparation for worship. Prelude: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” arr. Davis “Greensleeves” arr. Davis “Back to Bethlehem Medley” arr. Ham Welcome and Announcements Silent Prayer and Preparation * Call to Worship: Isaiah 49 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” He who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends to the earth.” * Hymn: PH 345 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Mendelssohn * God’s Greeting: Grace and peace be 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, who makes us glad with the yearly festival of the birth of Jesus Christ, grant that as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so may we behold him without fear when he shall come to be our Judge, even Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lighting of the Advent Candles: The Shepherds’ Candle
Prayer of Confession: Almighty and all holy Father, we confess that we are unworthy of this unspeakable gift we have received in Christ Jesus. We have not loved you as we ought, nor have we always loved one another and forgiven one another, even as you have loved and forgiven us. We have lived for ourselves and have not always used the gifts you have given us to relieve the burdens of others. Pardon and blot out our offenses, merciful Father. Prepare our hearts by your grace for deeper repentance and holiness of life. Give to us a longing to be free from the dominion of sin, through the deliverance secured by Jesus Christ our redeemer, in whose name we pray. Silent Prayer and Confession Minister: Amen. Assurance of Pardon: Isaiah 44 Reception of New Members Congregational Prayer The Service Of The Word * Hymn: PH 342 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Divinum Mysterium [Children age 3 - grade Pre-K may leave during the hymn.] * Confession of Faith: The Heidelberg Catechism; Lord’s Day 14, Q. and A. 35 Q. What does it mean that Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary”? A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that he might become David’s true descendant, like his brothers in every way except for sin. Choral Anthem: “Sweet Child of Bethlehem” Raney/Franck Reading from the Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Reading from the Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 Sermon: The Royal Son of David, Part III Prayer * Hymn: Back of Bulletin “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Hyfrydol The Offering of Tribute * Offertory Prayer Offerings: Fairlawn General Fund Faith Promise for Missions Offertory: “O Holy Night/Away in a Manger” arr. Bennett, Berry 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 grace, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you, now and forever. Amen. * Doxology: PH 340 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Adeste Fideles
Postlude: “The First Noel” arr. Huntsinger *Indicates congregation stands. ___________________________________________________________________________________ |