Prelude: In Dulci Jubilo arr. Virgil Fox

Call to Worship

Invocation

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

Prayer of Confession

O God our Father, you are our Creator, and we are the work of your hands; you are our Shepherd, and we are your flock; you are our Redeemer, and we are the people you have bought back. We have sinned against you and against others; we repent of all our sins and ask for your forgiveness. We pray that you would not remain angry with us; that you would not recall our sin, to punish it; but that you would continue the work you have begun in us by your Spirit, that the whole earth may recognize that you are our God and Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: 1 Timothy 1:15

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

Doxology 733 Lasst Uns Erfreuen

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; alleluia, alleluia!
Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 31:15–17 (pew Bible, p. 659)

15 Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 16 Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country.

Hymn 216: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly W Zlobie Lezy

Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 15

Question: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.

Offering Prayer

(In person offerings may be made via the oak boxes. Give online at tenth.org/give or mail checks to: 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

Offertory: Candlelight Carol John Rutter

Women's Ensemble

How do you capture the wind on the water? How do you count all the stars in the sky? How can you measure the love of a mother, or how can you write down a baby’s first cry? Candlelight, angel light, firelight, and starglow, shine on His cradle till breaking of dawn. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Shepherds and wise men will kneel and adore him, seraphim round him their vigil will keep; nations proclaim Him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold Him and sing Him to sleep. Find Him at Bethlehem laid in a manger: Christ our Redeemer asleep in the hay. Godhead incarnate and hope of salvation: a child with His mother that first Christmas Day.

Sermon: A Better Country Josiah Vanderveen

Hymn 199: See, Amid the Winter's Snow See Amid

Benediction

Postlude: Toccata on Hark the Herald Angels Sing David Willcocks

Serving this evening:
Rev. John, platform
Colin Howland, organist

Scripture quotations are from the ESV®Bible, copyright©2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Hymn lyrics used by permission: CCLI# 2486853