THE LORD’S DAY
Third Sunday of Advent
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BIBLE SENTENCE & PRAYER: Stated Supply Pastor Rev. Dr. R. Geoffrey Brown
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PRELUDE: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. Mark Hayes
Musician today: Barbara Jayne, 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 Stephanie Stehl
“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47)
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.” (Luke 1:68)
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ’Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’” (Luke 2:8-14)
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:20)
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:1-2)
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand”. (Psalm 95: 6-7)
SONG OF PRAISE: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]
3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. [Refrain]
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LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Susan & Jerry Sandeno
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INVOCATION: In Unison
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Oh, Lord, the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth – give us eyes of faith and discernment of heart to know beyond all doubt that we stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit, Who knows our deepest and private thoughts. We pray, Holy Spirit, for You to make our hearts burn with desire to worship in truth. Give us power and strength to mount up with wings like eagles to proclaim Your glory in Christ Jesus, our exalted Lord and King!
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HYMN OF WORSHIP: “Joy Has Dawned”
1 Joy has dawned upon the world
Promised from creation
God’s salvation now unfurled
Hope for every nation
Not with fanfares from above
Not with scenes of glory
But a humble gift of love
Jesus born of Mary
2 Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable
Hands that set each star in place
Shaped the earth in darkness
Cling now to a mother’s breast
Vulnerable and helpless
3 Shepherds bow before the Lamb
Gazing at the glory
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story
Gold a King is born today
Incense God is with us
Myrrh His death will make a way
And by His blood He’ll win us
4 Son of Adam Son of heaven
Given as a ransom
Reconciling God and man
Christ our mighty Champion
What a Savior what a Friend
What a glorious mystery
Once a babe in Bethlehem
Now the Lord of history
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CONFESSING OUR SIN TOGETHER: In Unison
Almighty God, You sent Jesus to earth and crowned Him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before Him, or acknowledged His rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give Him glory. Forgive us and raise us from sin, that we may be Your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, His body. In His name we pray, Amen. Please the next few moments for quiet reflection and confession of sins to God.
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
As far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our sins from us!
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THE READING OF GOD’S WORD: Pastor Geoff
OT: Jeremiah 18:1-1; NT: Romans 9:14-26
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PRAYER FOR THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: PSC Member Jerry Sandeno
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OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS TO GOD FOR RPC MINISTRY & MISSION
OFFERTORY: “I Wonder As I Wander” arr. Mark Hayes
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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: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
1 It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
2 Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
3 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
4 For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.
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SERMON
THE WORD SPEAKS TO OUR LIVES: Pastor Geoff
2020 Advent Sermon Series
“A Better than Anything Christmas”
—Exploring How Jesus Makes Christmas Better
Part 3
“A Better Christmas with the Potter’s Clay”
CLOSING SONG: “O Holy Night”
1 O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope–the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
2 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need– to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
3 Truly he taught us to love one another;
His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
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BENEDICTION
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POSTLUDE
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