Blended Service: A Fourfold Action with Thanksgiving
The Gathering of the Workers
Prelude Joy Mays, organ
Welcome to Guests Danny James
Opening Song of Preparation “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” #77 (G)
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver;
Born a child, and yet a King;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Music of Praise “Joy to the World,” #87 (D)
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns!
Let men their tongues employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings known
Far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
Words of Praise Luke 3:1–6 David McGrath
Hymn of Praise “Blessed Be the God of Israel,” #79 (G)
Luke 1:68–79
Blessed be the God of Israel,
The ever-living Lord,
Who comes in pow’r to save His own,
His people, Israel.
For Israel He raises us
Salvation’s tow’r on high
In David’s house, who reigned as king
And servant of the Lord.
Through holy prophets did He speak
His word in days of old;
That He would save us from our foes
And all who bear us ill.
To our ancestors did He give
His covenant of love;
So with us all He keeps His word
In love that knows no end.
Of old He gave His solemn oath
To Father Abraham:
His seed a mighty race should be,
And blessed forevermore.
He vowed to set His people free
From fear of ev’ry foe;
That we might serve Him all our days
In goodness, love, and peace.
O tiny Child, Your name shall be
The prophet of the Lord;
The way of God You shall prepare
To make His coming known.
You shall proclaim to Israel
Salvation’s dawning day,
When God shall wipe away all sins
In His redeeming love.
The rising Sun shall shine on us
To bring the light of day
To all who sit in darkest night
And shadow of the grave.
Our footsteps God shall safely guide
To walk the ways of peace.
His name forevermore be blessed
Who lives and loves and saves.
Children’s Sermon Philippians 1:3–11 Velvie Banister
Pastoral Prayer Chris Campbell
Ministry of the Word
Responsive Reading Malachi 3:1–4 Drama Team
READER 1 1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:
READER 2 And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
EVERYONE 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
READER 3 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
EVERYONE 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
Offertory Medley “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” #76 (Em)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
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.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strive, and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
“Emmanuel,” #82 (C)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel;
God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.
Offertory Prayer Melissa Bradberry
Offertory “Emmanuel” (Michael Card)
Michael Mays, soloist
The Word Through Music “An Advent Prayer”
Sanctuary Choir
Sermon Chris Campbell
Ministry of Thanksgiving
Invitation Hymn # “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” #121
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
The Ministry of the Church Jay Kim
The Celebration of Decisions Chris Campbell
Dismissal to Serve
Benediction Chris Campbell
Closing Hymn “Arise, Your Light Has Come,” #83 (A-flat)
Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God
Which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captive’s liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the brokenhearted ones
And comfort those who mourn.
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God’s pow’r will make us strong.