Opening Scripture and Prayer

Jesus Shall Reign

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does its successive journeys run;
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

He shall reign in glory, crowned with grace and might
Bless his name and praise our sovereign King.
He shall reign forever with hhis chosen Bride,
And all the earth shall sing that Jesus is the King.

People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on hhis love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on his name. (refrain)

Let every creature rise and bring
Their grateful honors to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud amen! (refrain)

Prayer of Confession

Merciful Father, forgive us for not keeping our minds fixed on you. We are often controlled by the wisdom of our time, rather than wholly by your Word. Our thoughts are held captive by our sinful affections, and we are surrounded by temptations which aim to satisfy them. At times we act impulsively, not waiting for your timing. Other times we are stubborn and unwilling to do your bidding. May your Holy Spirit guide us into all truth, and lead us in the way of Christ. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Colossians 1:13–14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

Let us love and sing and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior’s name
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame
He has washed us with his blood
He has washed us with his blood
He has washed us with his blood
He has brought us nigh to God

Let us love the Lord who bought us,
Pitied us when enemies
Called us by his grace and taught us,
Gave us ears and gave us eyes
He has washed us with his blood
He has washed us with his blood
He has washed us with his blood
He presents our souls to God

Let us sing though fierce temptation
Threatens hard to bear us down
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conqueror's crown
He, Who washed us with his blood,
He, Who washed us with his blood,
He, Who washed us with his blood,
Soon will bring us home to God

Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy's store
When through grace in Christ our trust is,
Justice smiles and asks no more
He Who washed us with his blood
He Who washed us with his blood
He Who washed us with his blood
Has secured our way to God

Let us praise and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high
Here they trusted him before us
Now their praises fill the sky
Thou hast washed us with thy blood
Thou hast washed us with thy blood
Thou hast washed us with thy blood
Thou art worthy Lamb of God

Prayer

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8–20

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sermon: Glory in the Highest Dr. Liam Goligher

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward, in the triumph song of life.

Benediction

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