“For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints”.(1 Thes 3:9-13)

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing”.   (1 Thes 5:9-11)

ALL – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thes 5:16-19)

1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold him, born the King of angels;

Refrain:

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!

2 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above:

“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!” [Refrain]

3 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; [Refrain]

Lord, we will sing of Your steadfast love forever. Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord. For who in the skies can be compared to You? You are a God greatly to be feared, awesome above all who are around You. The heavens are Yours; the earth also. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are we who walk in the light of Your face, who exult in Your name all the day. For you have placed your faithfulness and steadfast love on us, and You have promised never to remove it. Blessed be Your name forever! Amen. (From Psalm 89)

1 O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel

2 O come, Thou Dayspring, come

Come and cheer our spirits by Thine

Advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of the night,

And deaths dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]

3 O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

And order all things, far and nigh;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And cause us in her ways to go. [Refrain]

4 O come, Desire of nations, bind

All peoples in one heart and mind;

Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;

Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]

Great God: You have given us Jesus, the Light of the World, but we choose darkness and cling to sins that hide Your brightness from us. We are frightened disciples who are slow to speak Your Good News. In so many ways we sin and fall short of Your glory. Forgive us, Lord; set us free. Cause us to proclaim Your glory in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.

.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

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OT: Psalm 25:1-10; NT: 1 John 1:1-10

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PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: Marylou Rossman

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION

OFFERTORY: “Of The Father’s Love Begotten,”                                arr. Tornquist

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.

HYMN OF ADORATION: “How Great Our Joy!”

1 While by the sheep we watched at night,

glad tidings brought an angel bright.

Refrain:

How great our joy!

Great our joy!

Joy, joy, joy!

Joy, joy, joy!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

2 There shall be born, so he did say,

in Bethlehem a child today. [Refrain]

3 There shall the child lie in a stall,

this child who shall redeem us all. [Refrain]

4 This gift of God we’ll cherish well,

that ever joy our hearts shall fill. [Refrain]

2020 Advent Sermon Series

“A Better than Anything Christmas”

—Exploring How Jesus Makes Christmas Better

Part 1

“A Better Christmas with Truth”

Refrain:

Go tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and ev’rywhere;

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.

1 While shepherds kept their watching

O’er silent flocks by night,

Behold, throughout the heavens

There shone a holy light. [Refrain]

2 The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]

3 Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born,

And God sent us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]