2025.12.14: Worship Bulletin

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Prelude: “Christmastime,” arr. Carlson (Chancel Choir)

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: Why do we light the Advent candles?

People: Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of Life.”

Leader: “Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel. Rejoice and exalt with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.”

People The Lord your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will exult over you with loud singing.

Lighting of the pink candle

Leader: We light this candle as a symbol of joy. May the promise of your presence, O Lord, make us joyful in our hope of salvation.

Response: Rejoice in the Lord always.

The Voluntary for Silent Prayer

*Call to Worship: Romans 8:31-34

Minister: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

People: Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Minister: Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—

People: more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Unison: Praise be to the Lord! Come! Let us adore Him!

*Hymn of Adoration: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (No. 208)

*Prayer of Adoration and Congregational Prayer

Unison: O Divine Redeemer, great was your love in coming to earth and becoming a man; in experiencing our sorrows, infirmities, and limitations, yet living without sin. Great was your goodness in undertaking my redemption, in consenting to be made sin for me, in conquering all my foes. Great was your strength in enduring the extremities of divine wrath, in taking away the load of my iniquities. Great was your power in conquering the grave! Great was your mercy in ascending to heaven, in being crowned and enthroned, there to intercede for me, to help me in temptation, and at last receive me to yourself. Amen.

*Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism 44

Minister: How does Christ execute the office of a priest?

People: Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering himself as a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.

Unison: Thanks be to God!

*Gloria (Tune: “Gloria”)

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 53

*Hymn of Response: “Thou Who Wast Rich beyond All Splendor” (No. 230)

1 Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor,
All for love’s sake becamest poor.

2 Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising,
Heavenward by Thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.

3 Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what Thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Savior and King, we worship Thee.
CCLI 3036374

Public Confession of Sin

Unison: O God, in the beginning You spoke,
and creation was born, the object of Your loving care.

In the fullness of time You spoke,
and the Word became flesh, Jesus, gift of Your love.

We wonder at the miracle of creation;
we stand in awe before the mystery of the incarnation.

Forgive us earthbound creatures, feeble in faith, empty of hope, lacking in love.

We wait upon You with ready hearts, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Words of Assurance

Minister: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. (I Timothy 2:5-6a)

People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

*Hymn of Thanksgiving: “Before the Throne” (SH No. 6)

1. Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav'n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

2. When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

3. Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

CCLI 3036374

Worship of God through Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology (Tune: “Lasst Uns Erfreuen”)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

*Reading of The Holy Scriptures: Hebrews 7:23-28

Minister: This is the Word of God.

Unison: Thanks be to God for his Word!

*The Prayer for Illumination

Sermon: “Jesus: Priest” (Rev. Seth Wallace)

*Hymn of Response and Preparation: “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” (No. 217, verses 1-5)

1 All my heart this night rejoices
as I hear far and near
sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing
till the air ev'rywhere
now with joy is ringing.

2 Forth today the Conqu'ror goeth,
who the foe, sin and woe,
death and hell, o'erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
his dear Son now is one
with our blood forever.

3 Shall we still dread God's displeasure,
who, to save, freely gave
his most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, he hath given
his own Son from the throne
of his might in heaven.

4 He becomes the Lamb that taketh
sin away and for aye
full atonement maketh.
For our life his own he tenders;
and our race, by his grace,
meet for glory renders.

5 Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
soft and sweet, doth entreat:
"Flee from woe and danger.
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you,
you are freed; all you need
I will surely give you."

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation and Instructions

All who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and have been baptized and who are communicant members in good standing in an evangelical church are invited to come to participate in this sacred Sacrament of the Church. This is not a Presbyterian table, and we do not restrict it as such; it is the Lord’s Table. However, the church alone grants access to the table and must guard it from the leaven of unrighteousness (1 Cor. 5:6-8). Therefore, if you have not repented and trusted in Christ or if you are harboring sin in your life or if there is anyone with whom you are not at peace with so far as it depends on you (Rom. 12:18), please do not participate in this meal. We invite you instead to use this time to reflect and ask God to speak to your heart and give you more light and understanding. Children who have not been admitted to the table by the church should also refrain from partaking of the Supper.

For those who prefer, the outer ring of the tray is grape juice. The bread is gluten free.
Please hold the bread and cup until all have been served so that we may partake together.

*Departing Hymn: “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” (No. 217, verses 6-7)

6 Come, then, banish all your sadness,
one and all, great and small;
come with songs of gladness.
Love him who with love is glowing;
hail the star, near and far
light and joy bestowing.

7 Dearest Lord, thee will I cherish.
Though my breath fail in death,
yet I shall not perish,
but with thee abide forever
there on high, in that joy
which can vanish never.

*The Benediction

Postlude

*Denotes congregational standing, if able.