Sunday, December 22, 2024
For Reflection and Preparation
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:14, 16
“I am not made for perilous quests,” cried Frodo. “I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?”
“ Such questions cannot be answered,” said Gandalf. “You may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess; not for power or wisdom, at any rate. But you have been chosen and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
In the New Testament, grace means God's love in action toward people who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending his only Son to the cross to descend into hell so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven. J.I. Packer, Knowing God
Call to Worship Isaiah 25:1, 6-9
Music of Praise and Worship
Is He Worthy?
with O Come Let Us Adore Him
We’ll Give Him All the Glory
for He Alone Is Worthy
Prayer of Confession & Intercession
Assurance of God’s Grace Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Lighting the Peace Candle
Hymn of Praise
Angels from the Realms of Glory #124
Confessing Our Faith The Nicene Creed
WE BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And WE BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And WE BELIEVE in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Message from the Word Matthew 2:1-12
Hymn of Testimony
What Child Is This #126
Benediction
All songs used by permission; CCLI #332045 Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This Week at Grace
Tuesday 5:00pmChristmas Eve Service
Sunday 9:00amPray for Our Church
9:30amSunday School
10:30amWorship Service
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