BULLETIN 12.25.2022
WORSHIP GUIDE (Coming Soon)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GREETING, SALUTATION, AND VOTUM

Our help is in the name of the Lord, maker of heaven and Earth. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

~WORSHIP IN PRAISE~

§CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 87:1-3

Minister:
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God.
All: Amen!

§PRAYER OF INVOCATION

§HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful #319

~WORSHIP IN CONFESSION~

SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:1-21 Mr. David Matzen, Ruling Elder
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, its announcement to shepherds, and the angelic “Gloria in Excelsis.”

CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN

All: Our Father in heaven, we give you praise and adoration and join with one voice the angels who praise you for the coming of the Redeemer King, the Lord Jesus Christ. We stand in awe of your infinite wisdom to redeem sinners and call them to yourself. As we ponder these things anew, we are reminded of our sin and the great cost required to atone for it. Therefore, holy Father, we pray that you would forgive us of all the ways we transgress your holy law that made the coming of the Savior necessary. Forgive us for our sins of omission and commission. Forgive us for failing to honor you with our whole being. Forgive us for not loving you with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please renew in us the wonder of the Gospel and strengthen us by your Spirit we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Matthew 1:18-21

Minister: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All: Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Westminster Larger Catechism Q37-40 Mr. David Matzen, Ruling Elder

Q. 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin.

Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be God?

A. It was requisite that the mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; and to satisfy God’s justice, procure his favor, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.

Q. 39. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be man?

A. It was requisite that the mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature, perform obedience to the law, suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities; that we might receive the adoption of sons, and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.

Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the mediator should be God and man in one person?

A. It was requisite that the mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person.

~WORSHIP IN GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING~

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Mr. David Matzen, Ruling Elder

OFFERING

§DOXOLOGY

~WORSHIP AND THE MEANS OF GRACE~

PRAYER NEEDS OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
The Country of
Dr. Lloyd Long, Ruling Elder

PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER

§HYMN Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence #292

THE PREACHING OF GOD'S WORD
Rev. William F. Hill, Jr., pastor
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon Title: Adoration and Opposition of the Incarnate Son

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

§HYMN To Us a Child of Hope Is Born #306

§THE BENEDICTION Luke 2:14

Minister: Now may the God who gave you his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, bring you peace and joy today and forever.
All: Come Quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen!

§THE GLORIA PATRIA