Here is the worship guide for Sunday, December 1, 2024.
PDF version of the worship guide to download or print.
The livestream will begin at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page or YouTube page.
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer
Call to Worship
Luke 1:46–55 (ESV)
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Hymn: “Oh, How Good It Is”
Words and music by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Ross Holmes,
and Stuart Townend
Oh, how good it is when the family of God
dwells together in spirit in faith and unity.
are the fruits of His presence here among us.
So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord;
and with one heart we’ll live out His Word.
Till the whole earth sees the Redeemer has come,
for He dwells in the presence of His people.
Oh, how good it is on this journey we share
to rejoice with the happy and weep with those who mourn.
For the weak find strength, the afflicted find grace
when we offer the blessing of belonging.
So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord;
and with one heart we’ll live out His Word.
Till the whole earth sees the Redeemer has come,
for He dwells in the presence of His people.
Oh, how good it is to embrace His command
to prefer one another, forgive as He forgives.
When we live as one, we all share in the love
of the Son with the Father and the Spirit.
So with one voice we’ll sing to the Lord;
and with one heart we’ll live out His Word.
Till the whole earth sees the Redeemer has come,
for He dwells in the presence of His people.
Song: “Jesus Messiah”
By Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carlson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves.
He became sin who knew no sin
that we might become His righteousness.
He humbled Himself and carried the cross.
Love so amazing, love so amazing.
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel,
the Rescue for sinners,
the Ransom from heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.
His body the bread, His blood the wine,
broken and poured out all for love.
The whole earth trembled and the veil was torn.
Love so amazing, love so amazing.
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel,
the Rescue for sinners,
the Ransom from heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.
All our hope is in You,
all our hope is in You,
all the glory to You, God,
the Light of the world.
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel,
the Rescue for sinners,
the Ransom from heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.
Advent Reading and Candle Lighting
Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Words by Charles Wesley (verses 1, 4) and Mark Hunt (verses 2 and 3)
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 every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see Thee,
Dayspring from on high, appear;
come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,
of Thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news,
glad tidings of a birth:
“Go to him, your praises bringing;
Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
he whose glories knew no end;
by his life he brings us gladness,
our Redemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
born within a cattle stall;
this the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
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.
Sermon: “He Shall Save His People”
Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
Words and Music: Stuart Townend.
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,
that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away
as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.
Benediction
1 Timothy 6:21b
Grace be with you.