Morning Service

the third sunday of advent

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13, 2020

*congregation standing as able

PRELUDE
Sinfonia from Messiah by G. F. Handel (1685–1759)
Park Street Orchestra

INTROIT
Come, Dearest Jesus
Words: Martin Luther (1483–1546)
Music: J. S. Bach (1685–1750)

Come, dearest Jesus, holy child,
make now a bed, soft, undefiled,
within my heart, a quiet place,
a holy chamber for your grace.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Richard Ibekwe and Megan Koopman

* CALL TO WORSHIP from Isaiah 12
David Rix, Moderator

Leader: The Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
People: Therefore we shall draw water with rejoicing
from the springs of salvation.
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name.
People: Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

* HYMN Sleepers, Wake!

* INVOCATION, CONFESSION, & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our coming day’s bread;
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

* PEACE

LIFE OF THE CHURCH
See Announcements

Cafe Video Testimony

ANTHEM
“For Unto Us a Child Is Born,” from Messiah
Words: Isaiah 9:6
Music: G. F. Handel

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

OLD TESTAMENT READING
Frederica Jones
Isaiah 49:1–6

Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

* HYMN Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

NEW TESTAMENT READING
Kris Perkins, Associate Minister
John 1:1–13

Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

GLORIA PATRI (Hymn No. 734)
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

SERMON
“Children of God”
Mark Booker, Senior Minister

* HYMN No. 241 Thou Dost Reign on High

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Kris Perkins
Submit a Prayer Request

OFFERTORY
Give Online

Recitativo from Messiah
Words: Haggai 2:6–7; Malachi 3:1–2
Music: G. F. Handel

Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire.

* HYMN Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

* BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE
March upon Handel’s “Lift Up Your Heads”
by A. Guilmant (1837–1911)
Nathan Skinner, organ