Advent Reading
Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness.
He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light
I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground.
— Psalm 27:14, 2 Samuel 22:29, Job 12:22, Isaiah 42:16b
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
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 the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of a virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Ris’n with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Charles Wesley. Felix Mendelssohn, William H. Cummings © Public Domain CCLI 241710
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our heavenly Father
A blessèd angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Fear not, then, said the angel
Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure virgin bright
To free all those who trust in him
From Satan’s power and might
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
English carol, 18th century © Public Domain CCLI 241710
Welcome & Announcements
Prayer for the People, the City, and the Nations
Gifts — Here Comes Heaven
Children weep no more
Hope is on the horizon
Weary world behold
Your promised Messiah
Angels let your song begin
Here comes heaven
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Here comes heaven
Sinner wait no more
Love has broken the silence
Come let us adore
The Savior is with us
Angels let your song begin
Here comes heaven
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Here comes heaven
Here comes heaven
Now behold his glory
Glory in the highest
All the earth rejoice for Christ is born
Now behold his glory
Glory in the highest
All the earth rejoice for Christ is born
Over all who mourn
Breaks the dawn of salvation
Darkness reigns no more
For Jesus is greater
He is greater
Angels let your song begin
Here comes heaven
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Here comes heaven
Angels let your song begin
Here comes heaven
All creation worship him
Here comes heaven
Here comes heaven
Aaron Robertson, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick © 2017 Elevation Worship Publishing CCLI 241710
Receiving New Members
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber © Public Domain CCLI 241710
Children Dismissed for Children’s Church
Sermon
“Don’t Be Afraid to Embrace God’s Dangerous Grace”
Matthew 1:18-21
Prayer of Confession
We believe that Jesus came
to save his people from their sins,
and we count ourselves among those people.
We confess our lack of love,
our selfish thoughts,
our unkind words.
Father, forgive us, and rescue us through Jesus.
Let us experience your presence as Immanuel, God with us.
We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Do not be afraid…for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.
— Jeremiah 1:8
The Lord’s Supper
Lord I Need You
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without you, I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart
Lord, I need you, oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you
Where sin runs deep, your grace is more
Where grace is found is where you are
And where you are Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need you, oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you
Teach my song to rise to you
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on you
Jesus, you’re my hope and stay
Lord, I need you, oh I need you
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you
You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God how I need you
Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher © 2011 worshiptogether.com songs, sixsteps Music, Sweater Weather Music, Valley Of Songs Music, Thankyou Music CCLI 241710
O Come Let Us Adore Him
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him
Christ, the Lord
C. Frederick Oakeley, John Francis Wade © Public Domain CCLI 241710
Benediction
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