Preparing for Worship: Third Sunday of Advent - December 11

God Calls Us to Worship Him

Call to Worship: "Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth"

From God the Father He proceeds, To God the Father back He speeds; His course He runs to death and hell, Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou! Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now; The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

Hymn of Adoration: "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"

Good Christian men rejoice

With heart and soul and voice

Give ye heed to what we say

News news Jesus Christ is born today

Man and beast before Him bow

And He is in the manger now

Christ is born today

Good Christian men rejoice

With heart and soul and voice

Now ye hear of endless bliss

Joy joy Jesus Christ was born for this

He has opened heaven’s door

And man is blessed evermore

Christ was born for this

Good Christian men rejoice

With heart and soul and voice

Now ye need not fear the grave

Peace peace Jesus Christ was born to save

Calls you one and calls you all

To gain His everlasting hall

Christ was born to save

God Graciously Renews Us in Christ

Confession of Sin

Heavenly Father

Have mercy on us.

Lord Jesus

Have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit

Have mercy on us.

Forgive us from our sin.

From our errors

From all evil

Have mercy on us.

Forgiveness of Sin Through Christ

The eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:18-22)

Hymn of Assurance: “Halleljuah, What a Savior!”

Shining star in heav’n so bright,

Lowly tend their flocks by night

Could this be our faith now sight?

Hallelujah what a Savior!

Gift of gifts in manger laid,

Hope of men no more delayed

God the Just, His love displayed,

Hallelujah what a Savior!

Hallelujah! Praise to the One

Whose blood has pardoned me.

Oh what a Savior, Redeemer and King,

Your love has rescued me.

Eternal Word made flesh was He,

The promise prophets longed to see,

Jesus Christ, our mystery,

Hallelujah what a Savior!

And now the church His praises bring,

Blood-brought bride and matchless King

Heav’n and earth now join to sing,

Hallelujah what a Savior!

Oh, yes, Your love has rescued me.

Thanking God for What He Has Done

We have trusted in your steadfast love;

Our hearts shall rejoice in your salvation.

We will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with us. (Psalm 13:5-6)

Giving Our Tithes and Offerings

In addition to your regular tithes and offerings, please consider giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This offering named after a missionary to China goes to support approximately 4,900 international missionaries. Last year Southern Baptists collected 147 million dollars for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Some of these monies were used to start over 28,000 churches worldwide. The cost to support one missionary annually is $50,000. For more information about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering see www.imb.org

Hymn of Affirmation: “What Child Is This?”

What Child is this who laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping,

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian fear for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary

So bring Him incense gold and myrrh

Come peasant king to own Him.

The King of kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high!

The Virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe the Son of Mary.

God Instructs Us Through His Word

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

God Feeds and Nourishes Us through His Supper

Song of Angels: "Angels We Have Heard On High"

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Chorus: Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo Shepherds why this jubilee, Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire your heavenly song? [Chorus] Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing. Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King.