Prelude: Improvisation on God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Myron Roberts

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 227: On Christmas Night, All Christians Sing Sussex Carol

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, who are rich in mercy to all those who call upon you, hear us as we come to you humbly confessing our sins and transgressions, and imploring your mercy and forgiveness. We have broken your holy laws by our deeds and by our words, and by the sinful affections of our hearts. We confess before you our disobedience and ingratitude, our pride and willfulness, and all our failures and shortcomings toward you and toward our fellow men. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, and of your great goodness grant that we may hereafter serve and please you in newness of life; through the merit and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Doxology 732 Tallis' Canon

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 Illumination

New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 3 (pew Bible p. 1015)

Hymn 217: All My Heart This Night Rejoices Warum Sollt Ich Mein Gramen

Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism Question 39

Question: Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man?
Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature, perform obedience to the law, suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities; that we might receive the adoption of sons, and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.

Offering Prayer

(Give online at tenth.org/give or mail checks to: 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

Offertory: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly arr. Keith Chapman

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2 (pew Bible p. 807)

Sermon: A Tale of Two Kings Rev. Josiah Vanderveen

Hymn 195: Joy to the World Antioch

Benediction

Postlude: Noël Étranger Louis Claude D'Aquin

Serving this evening:

Platform: Norm Carter
Organist: Rev. Colin Howland

Scripture quotations are from the ESV®Bible, copyright©2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Hymns used by permission: CCLI# 2486853