DECEMBER 13, 2020
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 9:30 a.m.
Follow along by watching our livestream on our YouTube channel at 930a on Sunday.
Let the first tone of the organ be a call to quiet meditation in which all
may become aware of God’s presence, and lift up a prayer for yourself
and for Faith Church.
Prelude Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming setting by Albert Thate
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
Welcome and Greeting
Lighting of the Advent Candle The Van Cott Family
The third candle, the shepherds’ candle, symbolizes the important part the shepherds played in the story of Jesus’ birth. They, who were the humblest of people, were the first to know Jesus was born.
Hymn #310 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (vs 1, 2, & 6) (see insert)
Psalter: Psalm 126 (read responsively) Theo Van Cott
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Prayer for Illumination Theo Van Cott
First Lesson: Luke 2:8-20 Theo Van Cott
2 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Lector: “This is the Word of the Lord.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God for His Word.”
Special Music Everett & Anna Johnson
Children’s Sermon Amy Van Cott
Hymn #353 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (Gray Psalter Hymnal)
Second Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-11
61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
5Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines; 6but you shall be called priests of the Lord, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory. 7Because their shame was double, and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot, therefore they shall possess a double portion; everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Sermon There is a Hope Pastor SJ Winter
Joys and Concerns
Prayer of Dedication, Thanksgiving, and Intercession
Jon & Kristi Nykamp Missionaries in Ehtiopia
Asaph & Lynn Din Missionaries in Pakistan
Matrix Life Care Services
One Mission Society Hope 61