Prelude

O Jesus Sweet, O Jesus Mild (Trinity Hymnal 232) Rebecca Groom Te Velde

The First Noel arr. David Willcocks/Virgil Fox

Call to Worship

Doxology (Trinity Hymnal 731) Old Hundredth

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;

Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: John 3:16–17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Advent Collect (from The Book of Common Prayer)

O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succor us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn 208: O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles

Responsive Reading: Psalm 86 (page 494)

Gloria Patri (Trinity Hymnal 734) Meineke

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, ad 381

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us and our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession (concluding with The Lord’s Prayer)

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.

Announcements

Sacrament of Baptism (9am)

Yisca You, born August 14, 2019; daughter of Jacob and Jane You

Hymn 201: O Little Town of Bethlehem St. Louis

(In the 11am service, Praisemakers, ages 4-kindergarten, may go to B2; CLICK, grades 1-2, may go to B1)

Offering Prayer

Offertory

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (9:00am) arr. Diane Bish

Joy Has Dawned (11:00am) Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation: God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for ev’ry nation. Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory, but a humble gift of love: Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky with the songs of angels; as the mighty Prince of Life shelters in a stable. Hands that set each star in place, shaped the earth in darkness, cling now to a mother’s breast, vulnerable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb, gazing at the glory; gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story. Gold, a King is born today; incense, God is with us; myrrh, his death will make a way, by his blood he’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heav’n, given as a ransom, reconciling God and man, Christ our mighty champion! What a Savior, what a Friend, what a glorious mystery: once a babe in Bethlehem, now the Lord of history.

Maranatha Choir

Mat Phan, guitar

Eleanor Bracey, director

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:1–25 (page 855)

Sermon: The First Light of Dawn Dr. Liam Goligher

Hymn 225: Once in Royal David’s City Irby

Benediction

Postlude: Joy to the World arr. Virgil Fox

Serving this morning:
Rev. John Park, 9am platform
George McFarland, 11am platform
Colin Howland, organ