THE LORD’S DAY
December 27, 2020
SERMON
“On Feeling You’ve Swallowed a Christmas Morn ”
BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
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PRELUDE: “One Small Child,” arr. by Mark Hayes
Musicians today: Robin Phillips, piano; Shannon Lewis, violin
PLEASE NOTE: This music provides an opportunity for us to meditate, prepare our hearts, and reverently worship God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit.
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CALL TO WORSHIP: Elder Craig Ditman
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your
fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Ps 8:1-5)
“The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” (Ps 19:1)
“Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.” (Is 44:23)
“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us … for Your name’s sake!” (Ps 79:9)
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Jesus Christ. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.” (2 Cor. 1:20)
“May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works…. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being…. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” (Ps 104:31-35)
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SONG OF PRAISE: “Good Christian Men, Rejoice!”
1 Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
2 Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
3 Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
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INVOCATION: In Unison
God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honor and glory. (Saint Augustine)
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Chuck and Janie Wallick
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HYMN OF WORSHIP: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
1 Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the Source, the Ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
2 O ye heights of heav’n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing:
all dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev’ry voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
3 Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!
“The Birthday of a King”
1 In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day,
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.
Refrain:
Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light,
‘Twas the birthday of a King.
2 ‘Twas a humble birth-place, but O how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way. [Refrain]
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CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Gracious God, Who pours out freely the gift of Your Holy Spirit: We confess before You that we have failed to recognize this most valuable gift. We have been satisfied with ordinary things, suspicious of unfamiliar things, and blind to spiritual things. Cleanse and forgive us, O Lord. Burn away our presumption and self-sufficiency. Open us in faith to receive the renewing touch of Your hand. Through Christ we pray. Amen.Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Our Gracious Lord promises to freely pardon all who grieve their sin, trust in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, repent of wrong, and turn in faithful obedience to Him.
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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Ezekiel 37:1-14; NT: Matthew 9:2, 14:22-27 & John 16:29-33
PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: PSC Member Barbara Ditman
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OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
Tithes can be sent to PO Box 247, Roslyn, WA 98941
Offertory: “Gesu, Bambino,” arr. by Fred Bock
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DOXOLOGY:
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.
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HYMN OF ADORATION: “O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful”
1 O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Grace revealing Christmastide!
Jesus came to win us
From all sin within us:
Glorify the holy Child!
2 O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Love revealing Christmastide!
Loud hosannas singing
And all praises bringing:
Glorify the holy Child!
3 O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Peace revealing Christmastide!
Darkness disappearing,
God’s own light now nearing:
Glorify the holy Child!
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THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoff
2020 Advent Sermon Series
“A Better than Anything Christmas”
—Exploring How Jesus Makes Christmas Better
Part 6
“On Feeling You’ve Swallowed a Christmas Morn ”
CLOSING SONG:“O Hearken Ye”
O hearken ye who would believe,
the gracious tidings now receive:
Gloria! Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
The mighty Lord of heav’n and earth
today is come to human birth!
Gloria! Gloria
In excelsis Deo!
O hearken ye who long for peace,
Your troubled searching now may cease!
Gloria! Gloria
In excelsis Deo!
For at His cradle you shall find
God’s healing grace for all mankind.
Gloria! Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
O hearken ye who long for love
and turn your hearts to God above.
Gloria! Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
The angel’s song the wonder tells:
now love incarnate with us dwells!
Gloria! Gloria
in excelsis Deo!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
