Prelude: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Johannes Brahms

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 222: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Winchester Old

Prayer of Confession

Sovereign Lord, to whom angels cry “Holy, holy, holy,” you are infinite, eternal, and unchanging in your being, wisdom, power, truth, and goodness. In your presence we recognize that we are more sinful than we ever thought. Our sin blinds us to the truth of who we really are. Yet you see all and know all; we cannot hide even our deepest secrets from you. O God, cleanse us by your Holy Spirit, and renew us by your grace. Help us to trust more fully in the righteousness of Christ, who died for our sin, and was raised for our justification. Amen. 

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: Romans 6:22–23

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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: Colossians 1 (pew Bible p. 983)

Hymn 232: O Jesus Sweet, O Jesus Mild O Jesulein Süss

Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism Question 38

Question: Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?
Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience and intercession; and to satisfy God’s justice, procure his favor, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.

Offering Prayer

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

Offertory: In Dulci Jubilo Marcel Dupré

Scripture Reading: Psalm 145 (pew Bible p. 524)

Sermon: Greatly to be Praised Rev. Colin Howland

Hymn 660: O God Beyond All Praise  Thaxted

Benediction

Postlude: Praise to the Lord of Hosts from Christmas Oratorio Camille Saint-Saëns

Serving this evening:

Platform: Norman Carter
Organist: Josh Kraybill

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

Hymns used by permission: CCLI# 2486853