THE LORD’S DAY
Second Sunday of Advent
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BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
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PRELUDE: “Mary, Did You Know?” arr. Hayes
Musician today: Robin Phillips, piano
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 Susan Colts
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:1-11)
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SONG OF PRAISE: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
1 O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
2 For Christ is born of Mary
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to all on earth!
3 How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Immanuel!
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LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Kathy Juris & Jan Brown
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INVOCATION: In Unison
Eternal, Almighty, and most gracious God: You are praised by the angels of heaven, and in the gathering of Your church on earth. Let Your word come to us in power, and help us receive it in love, with attentive, reverent, and teachable minds. Make us fervent in prayer and joyful in praise. Help us serve You this day without distraction for it is good for us to come near to God; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen
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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!
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CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Merciful God, You made us in Your image, with minds to know You, hearts to love You, and wills to serve You. But our knowledge is imperfect, our love inconstant, and our obedience incomplete. We refuse to go where You lead us. We fail to grow into Your likeness. Have mercy upon us. Forgive us and free us from our sin. We ask in the gracious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
Jesus Christ entered the world to rescue sinners. He bore our sins in His body so that we might be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. In Him, we are forgiven.
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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Psalm 6; NT: Matthew 1:18−25
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PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Susan Colts
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OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
OFFERTORY: “Love Has Come,” arr. Fettke
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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: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
1 Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
ye who sang creation’s story
now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn king.
2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,
watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant light: [Refrain]
3 Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star: [Refrain]
4 Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear. [Refrain]
5 Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down: [Refrain]
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SERMON
THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Dr. Geoffery Brown
2020 Advent Sermon Series
“A Better than Anything Christmas”
—Exploring How Jesus Makes Christmas Better
Part 2
“A Better Christmas with Godliness”
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CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER: Pastor Geoff
You will be directed when to take the Elements.
Taking of the Bread: Piano Meditation: “How Beautiful,” Paris
Drinking the Cup in Unison
CLOSING SONG: “Love Has Come”
1 Love has come, a light in the darkness!
Love explodes in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it;
See how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high.
2 Love is born, come share in the wonder;
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of his mother;
What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers;
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
3 Love has come, He never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us;
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas;
Love! Love! Praise to You, God on high!
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BENEDICTION
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POSTLUDE
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