Evening Worship Service

Prelude: Trio on Come, Savior of the Nations, BWV 660 Johann Sebastian Bach

Call to Worship

Invocation

Hymn 224: Go, Tell It on the Mountain Go Tell It

Prayer of Confession

God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things—our hearts are filled with joy. By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin, and brought us with joy into your kingdom. Salvation is your gift to us. But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts. We try to complete what is already perfect; we try to add to what is already full; we try to earn what we already have. Forgive us for our foolishness. Help us to focus on your grace. Help us to live grateful lives in return. For Jesus' sake alone, Amen.

The Gospel’s Assurance of Pardon: Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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: Luke 1:46–55 (pew Bible, p. 856)

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Hymn 221: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Est Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen

Confession of Faith: Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 16

Question: Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
Answer: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

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: In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke

Women's Ensemble

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone: snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him nor earth sustain: Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign: In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, whom cherubim worship night and day, a breastful of milk and a mangerful of hay: enough for Him, whom angels fall down before, the ox and ass and camel which adore. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part, yet what I can I give Him—give my heart.

Sermon: Waiting with Wonder Grant Gregory

Hymn 226: As with Gladness Men of Old Dix

Benediction

Postlude: Fantasia on Come, Savior of the Nations, BWV 661 Johann Sebastian Bach

Serving this evening:
Rev. Carroll Wynne, platform
Aaron Patterson, organist