SERVICE OF CELEBRATION AND COVENANT RENEWAL

Fourth Sunday of Advent—Love 18 December 2011

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Quotes for Reflection

“Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed

son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son. Oh, the wonder of Christmas.” —Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Jesus Christ founded His Kingdom on the weakest link of all—a Baby.”—Oswald Chambers

“The love of God which leads to realms above

Is contré-carréd by our notions of a God of Love. Evidence: Bethlehem's push and Calvary's shove.”

—Hilaire Belloc GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE TO WORSHIP

It is God Himself who calls His people to worship. We do not call ourselves, but it is the King who opens His gates and beckons us into his courts.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath / Introit—Angels We Have Heard on High

Text: Traditional French Carol. Music: Traditional French Melody.

Call to Worship—Psalm 103: 19-22 Pastor: The Lord has established His throne in the heavens. All: And His kingdom rules over all. Reader 1: Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His Word, obeying the voice of His Word! Reader 2: Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers, who do His will! Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. All: Bless the Lord, O my soul!

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Hymn of Praise—Joy to the World

Text: Isaac Watts, 1719, from Psalm 98; Music: ANTIOCH, arr. by Lowell Mason, 1836

GOD SPEAKS TO HIS PEOPLE THROUGH HIS WORD

The Bible is the means by which God graciously reveals Himself to His people—so we listen, read, and study with expectant hearts. God particularly entreats us in His Word to sing Psalms. And while all Scripture is appropriate for hymns and spiritual songs, there is a specific exhortation for us to make use of the Psalter as the Church’s songbook.

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Psalm of Praise—Psalm 103: O Bless the Lord My Soul!, Vs. 1 & 2

 Text: James Montgomery, 1819; Music: Based on SHEPHERD, Southern Harmony. ©2009 Gregory Wilbur.

Scripture Reading—Psalm 103:1-6 Elder: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! All: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Elder: He forgives all our iniquity. He heals all our diseases. He redeems our life. All: He crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. He satisfies us with good so that our strength is renewed like the eagle’s. Elder: The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. All: The Lord has established His throne in the heavens. Elder: And His kingdom rules over all.

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O Bless the Lord, My Soul[Composer]

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Hymn of Praise—While Shepherds Watched

TEXT: Nahum Tate, 1700; MUSIC: George Frederick Handel, 1728

The Reading of the Word—Genesis 4: 16-24

Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.” Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

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While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By NightGeorge Frederick Handel, 1728Nahum Tate, 1700

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Sung Response—Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Vs 2

Text: Charles Wesley, 1745; Music: American Melody.

Sermon—Back from the Land of Nod —George Grant, Pastor

GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE TO CONFESSION, REPENTANCE, AND RECONCILIATION The People of God respond to His Word by confessing their sins, repenting of their sinful ways, and seeking God’s favor through the reconciling work of Jesus, the Son of God.

Corporate Confession of Sin— Psalm 32:1-7 Elder: Lord, we come confessing. We know how blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. We know how blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. People: When we kept silent, our bones wasted away through our groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon us. Elder: Our strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. People: Therefore, we have acknowledged our sin to You, and we have not covered our iniquity. Elder: We said, “We will confess our transgressions to the Lord.” People: And You forgave the iniquity of our sin. Elder: Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach us. People: You are a hiding place for us; You preserve us from trouble; You surround us with songs of deliverance.

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (alt)[Composer]

©2006 Gregory Wilbur

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Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 103: 8-13, 17

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

Sung Response—What Child is This

Text: William Chatterton Dix, 1865; Music: GREENSLEEVES, 16th Century English

HEAVENLY GIFT—EUCHARISTO As God beckons His people to the bounty of His table, they make joyous profession of their fealty to Him.

Profession of Faith—The Apostles’ Creed

We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth,

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit; The one holy Church—both visible and invisible; The communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sursum Corda Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to

give thanks to You, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

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Trisagion Hymn Pastor: Therefore, we praise You, Triune God, and we join our voices with the Angels, the Archangels,

and the whole company of Heaven in this hymn of eternal praise:

Text: Is 6:3, Rev 4:8, Mt 21:9; Music: FRANKLIN SANCTUS, Gregory D Wilbur, 2009. ©2009 Greyfriars Press.

Words of Institution and the Lord’s Table Having confessed our sins and made a good profession of faith, God's Table is open to all those “faithfully-fenced" members of the covenant community. Please come forward to partake of this means of grace. You may take the bread and dip it either in the cup of wine or grape juice. Elders and their wives are available for prayer in the front after communion.

Hymn of Expectation—Psalm 72: O God, To Thine Anointed King

WOMEN MEN

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Text: Psalm 72, The Psalter, 1912; Music: Gregory Wilbur, 2009. Used by Permission

Hymn of Reflection—It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Text: Edmund Sears, 1850; Music: CAROL Richard S Willis, 1850

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It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,

[Composer]

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Hymn of Hope—To Us a Child of Hope is Born

Text: John Morrison, 1781; Music: Kingsfold, English Folk Tune. GOD’S PEOPLE RESPOND IN GRATEFUL PRAISE, PETITIONS, TITHES & OFFERINGS

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession— The 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 daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Hymn of Praise—On Christmas Night

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To Us A Child of Hope is BornJohn Morrison, 1781 Old English Folk Song

195

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Text: SUSSEX CAROL, Traditional English Carol

GOD SENDS HIS PEOPLE OUT After calling His people into His presence, forgiving their sins, instructing them in His Word, and providing a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb, God sends His people into the world to show His light in the darkness.

Benediction—Psalm 103: 18

The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, and His righteousness to our children's children. Go forth therefore in His care. Amen.

Sung Response—While Shepherds Watched, Vs. 5

TEXT: Nahum Tate, 1700; MUSIC: George Frederick Handel, 1728

Announcements

Christmas Eve Service

Saturday at 5:00 pm

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While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By NightGeorge Frederick Handel, 1728Nahum Tate, 1700

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Resources for Family Worship The following is presented to help prepare your hearts and the hearts of your children for worship throughout the week.

Daily Readings for the Fourth Week in Advent: Fourth Sunday in Advent—Luke 2:1-7 St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. Monday—Micah 4:1-7 All nations shall find peace from the God of Jacob. Tuesday—Luke 2:8-14 The angels proclaim the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Wednesday—Psalm 98 The Lord has made known his salvation. Thursday—Luke 2:15-20 The shepherds go to the manger. Friday—Philippians 2:5-11 The humility of Christ. Saturday—Titus 2:11-3:7 The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Presbyterian Church in America

Web: www.parishpres.org / Twitter: @parishpres Church Office: (615-574-1029) or office@parishpres.org

Pastors: George Grant (574-1029 Office) or george@parishpres.org

Bing Davis (574-1029 Office) or bing@parishpres.org / Parish Presbyterian Pastoral Care (615-378-7774) Chief Musician: Nathan George (944-8831) or nathan@parishpres.org

Music Intern: Henry Haffner, henry@parishpres.org Parish Nursery Coordinator: Susan Sadler (356-3948) or whiteelm4@comcast.net

Elders Tom Goddard (791-9231) Mike Miserocchi (373-3124) John Scherrer (790-3207) Danny Ketchum, adjunct Steve Nelson (595-0520) Louis Huesmann (309-6937)

Deacons Aaron Anderson (794-2989) Andy Clark (545-7626) Jason Parolini (497-3337) Jeff Dokkestul (618-6064) Rich Fleck (794-2499) Randy Sadler (356-3948) Mark Haney (772-1396) Will Matheny (790-5095)

All Biblical Quotes from the English Standard Version