Plano Methodist Church

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Mar 22 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Apr 1 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • May 6 – Life Line Screening
  • Jul 10 – 13 @ 9am – Vacation Bible School
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Isaiah 6:1-7 ESV
  • 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
  • 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
  • 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
  • 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
  • 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
  • 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
  • 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 462 – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
  • UMH 530 – Are Ye Able
  • TFWS 2022 – Great is The Lord
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 474 – Precious Lord, Take My Hand
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Who Is Worthy?” – [Revelation 5 ESV]
  • 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
  • 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”
  • 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,
  • 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.
  • 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
  • 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
  • 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.
  • 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
  • 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
  • 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
  • 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
  • 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
  • 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
  • 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • TFWS 2113 – Lamb of God
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Mar 12 – Easter Lilies Deadline
  • Mar 12 – Time Change (Spring forward)
  • Mar 15 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Mar 18 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Mar 18 @ 8am – UWF Day of Spiritual Renewal
  • Mar 18 @ 6:30pm – Family Game Night
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Isaiah 45:18 ESV
  • 18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 98 – To God Be the Glory
  • Here I Am To Worship – © 2000 Thankyou Music
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • TFWS 2215 – Cares Chorus (x2)
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Describing the Indescribable” – [Revelation 4 ESV]
  • 1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”
  • 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
  • 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
  • 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
  • 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
  • 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
  • 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.
  • 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
  • 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
  • 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
  • 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
• Communion Hymn
  • TFWS 2268 – As We Gather at Your Table v 1,2
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • TFWS 2002 – I Will Call upon the Lord
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Mar 8 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Mar 12 – Easter Lilies Deadline
  • Mar 12 – Time Change (Spring forward)
  • Mar 18 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Mar 18 @ 6:30pm – Family Game Night
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – UMH 574 – For Renewal of the Church
  • Renew your church, Lord, your people in this land.
  • Save us from cheap words and self-deception in your service.
  • In the power of your Spirit transform us, and shape us by your cross.
  • Amen.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 295 – In the Cross of Christ I Glory
  • How Many Kings – © 2006 Centricity Music Publishing, Germain And Martel Publishing
  • At The Cross (Love Ran Red) – © Countless Wonder Publishing
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 507 – Through It All (x2)
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We?” (Part 6) – [Revelation 3:14-22 ESV]
  • 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
  • 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
  • 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
  • 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
  • 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
  • 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
  • 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
  • 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
  • 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 673 – God Be with You till We Meet Again v 1,2
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
  • Mar 1 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Mar 4 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Mar 12 – Easter Lilies Deadline
  • Mar 12 – Time Change (Spring forward)
  • Mar 18 @ 6:30pm – Family Game Night
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – UMH 602 – Concerning the Scriptures
  • Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.
  • Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.
  • Amen.
• Worship Hymns
  • TFWS 2022 – Great is The Lord
  • Draw Me Close – © 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
  • UMH 349 – Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 393 – Spirit of the Living God (x2)
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We?” (Part 5) – [Revelation 3:7-13 ESV]
  • 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
  • 8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
  • 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie–behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
  • 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
  • 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
  • 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
  • 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
• Communion Hymn
  • UMH 618 – Let Us Break Bread Together v 1,2
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 70 – Glory Be to the Father
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Feb 22 @ 5:30pm – Soup and Bread Supper
  • Feb 22 @ 7pm – Ash Wednesday Service
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
  • Mar 1 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Mar 4 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Mar 12 – Easter Lilies Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Isaiah 9 & 11 [selection]
  • There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
  • And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
  • The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
  • For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
  • And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
  • but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
  • Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples–of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
  • Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 64 – Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
  • Shout to the Lord – © 1993 Wondrous Worship
  • UMH 454 – Open My Eyes That I May See
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 128 – He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought
• Intercessory Prayer
• Reading – John 1:2-18
  • 2 He was in the beginning with God.
  • 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
  • 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
  • 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
  • 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
  • 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
  • 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
  • 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
  • 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
  • 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
  • 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
  • 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
  • 14 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.
  • 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)
  • 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
  • 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
  • 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
• Sermon – “In the Beginning Was the Word”
• Closing Hymn
  • TFWS 2281 – May You Run and Not Be Weary
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Feb 15 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Feb 18 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 22 @ 5:30pm – Soup and Bread Supper
  • Feb 22 @ 7pm – Ash Wednesday Service
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
  • Mar 12 – Easter Lilies Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Psalm 147 ESV [selection]
  • 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
  • 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
  • 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
  • 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.
  • 9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
  • 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
  • 15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
  • 16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
  • 17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
  • 18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. 19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 451 – Be Thou My Vision
  • Word of God Speak – © 2002 Songs from The Indigo Room
  • UMH 601 – Thy Word Is a Lamp
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 420 – Breathe on Me, Breath of God
• Intercessory Prayer
• Reading – Genesis 1 ESV [selection]
  • In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
  • The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.
  • And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
  • And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
  • And God saw that the light was good.
  • And God separated the light from the darkness.
  • God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.
  • And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
  • And God said …
  • And it was so …
  • the second day. And God said …
  • And it was so …
  • And God saw that it was good …
  • And God said …
  • And it was so …
  • And God saw that it was good …
  • the third day. And God said …
  • And it was so …
  • And God saw that it was good …
  • the fourth day. And God said …
  • So God created …
  • And God saw that it was good …
  • And God blessed them …
  • the fifth day. And God said …
  • And it was so …
  • And God saw that it was good …
  • Then God said …
  • So God created …
  • And God blessed them. And God said to them …
  • And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
  • And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
  • Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
  • And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.
  • So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
• Sermon – “And God Said …”
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 77 – How Great Thou Art
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
  • Feb 8 @ 7pm – Choir Practice
  • Feb 18 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 22 @ 5:30pm – Soup and Bread Supper
  • Feb 22 @ 7pm – Ash Wednesday Service
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – UMH 721 Christ the King
  • Almighty and everlasting God, it is your will to restore all things to Christ, whom you have anointed priest for ever and ruler of creation.
  • Grant that all the people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united under the glorious and gentle rule of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
  • Amen.
• Worship Hymns
  • Wonderful Merciful Savior – © 1989 Curb Dayspring Music
  • UMH 154 – All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 347 – Spirit Song
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We?” (Part 4) – [Revelation 3:1-6 ESV]
  • 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  • 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
  • 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
  • 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
  • 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
  • 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 370 -Victory in Jesus
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Feb 4 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
  • Feb 22 @ 5:30pm – Soup and Bread Supper
  • Feb 22 @ 7pm – Ash Wednesday Service
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – UMH 677 – Listen, Lord (A Prayer)
  • O Lord, we come this morning knee-bowed and body-bent before thy throne of grace.
  • O Lord – this morning – bow our hearts beneath our knees, and our knees in some lonesome valley.
  • We come this morning like empty pitchers to a full fountain, with no merits of our own.
  • O Lord, open up a window of heaven, and lean out far over the battlements of glory, and listen this morning.
  • Amen.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 507 – Through It All
  • Blessed Be Your Name – © 2002 Thankyou Music
  • UMH 362 – Nothing but the Blood
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 496 – Sweet Hour of Prayer
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We?” (Part 3) – [Revelation 2:18-29 ESV]
  • 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
  • 19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
  • 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
  • 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
  • 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
  • 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
  • 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
  • 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.
  • 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
  • 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
  • 28 And I will give him the morning star.
  • 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 469 – Jesus is All the World to Me v 1-2
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Feb 4 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – UMH 323 – The Ascension
  • Everliving God, your eternal Christ once dwelt on earth, confined by time and space.
  • Give us faith to discern in every time and place the presence among us of him who is head
    over all things and fills all, even Jesus Christ our ascended Lord.
  • Amen.
• Worship Hymns
  • In Christ Alone – © 2001 Thankyou Music
  • UMH 534 – Be Still, My Soul
  • UMH 522 – Leave It There
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 369 – Blessed Assurance
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We? (Part 2)” – [Revelation 2:8-17 ESV]
  • 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
  • 9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
  • 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
  • 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
  • 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
  • 13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
  • 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
  • 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
  • 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
  • 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 540 – I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Jan 21 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
  • Mar 1 – Heifer Project Deadline
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Romans 12:9-13 ESV
  • 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
  • 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
  • 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
  • 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
  • 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 133 – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
  • TFWS 2223 – They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 368 – My Hope Is Built
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “Which Church Are We? (Part 1)” – [Revelation 2:1-7 ESV]
  • 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
  • 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
  • 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
  • 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
  • 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
  • 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
  • 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
• Communion Hymn
  • TFWS 2266 – Here Is Bread, Here Is Wine
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • UMH 601 – Thy Word Is a Lamp
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Jan 21 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Romans 12:1-2 ESV
  • 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
  • 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• Worship Hymns
  • UMH 98 – To God Be the Glory
  • TFWS 2087 – We Will Glorify the King of Kings
  • UMH 123 – El Shaddai
  • What A Beautiful Name – © 2016 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 140 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
• Intercessory Prayer
• Sermon – “The King of Glory” – [Revelation 1:9-20 ESV]
  • 9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
  • 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
  • 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
  • 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
  • 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
  • 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
  • 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
  • 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
  • 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
  • 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
  • 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
  • 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • TFWS 2129 – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • Jan 7 @ 8am – Men’s Bible Study
  • Feb 7 @ 7pm – Feed My Starving Children
• Prelude
• Opening Prayer
• Call To Worship – Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
  • 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
  • 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Worship Hymns
  • King of Kings – © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia
  • UMH 77 – How Great Thou Art
  • 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – © 2011 Atlas Mountain Music
• Offering
• Prayer Hymn
  • UMH 377 – It is Well with My Soul
• Intercessory Prayer
• New Members
• Sermon – “The Time Is Near” – [Revelation 1:1-8 ESV]
  • 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
  • 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
  • 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
  • 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
  • 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
  • 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
  • 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
  • 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
• Communion
• Closing Hymn
  • TFWS 2203 – In His Time
• Benediction
• Postlude

• Welcome | Announcements
  • No Sunday school on 1/1
• Opening Prayer
• Offering
• Prelude
• Advent Reading & Candle Lighting
• Hymn – UMH 237 – Sing We Now of Christmas
• Reading – [Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19 ESV]
  • 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
  • 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
  • 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
  • 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
  • 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
  • 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
  • 14 The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
  • 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
  • …
  • 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
  • 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
  • 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
• Hymn – UMH 196 – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
• Reading – [Genesis 22:15-18 ESV]
  • 15 And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven
  • 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
  • 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
  • 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
• Hymn – UMH 211 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – v1,2,4,7
• Reading – [Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 ESV]
  • 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
  • …
  • 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
  • 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
• Hymn – UMH 229 – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
• Reading – [Micah 5:2-5 ESV]
  • 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
  • 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
  • 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
  • 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men;
• Hymn – UMH 230 – O Little Town of Bethlehem
• Reading – [Luke 1:26-35, 38 ESV]
  • 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
  • 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
  • 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
  • 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
  • 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
  • 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
  • 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
  • 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
  • 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
  • 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.
  • …
  • 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
• Hymn – UMH 215 – To a Maid Engaged to Joseph
• Reading – [Luke 2:1-7 ESV]
  • 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
  • 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
  • 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
  • 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
  • 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
  • 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
  • 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
• Hymn – UMH 219 – What Child Is This
• Reading – [Luke 2:8-16 ESV]
  • 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  • 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
  • 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
  • 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  • 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
  • 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
  • 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
  • 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
  • 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
• Hymn – UMH 72 – Gloria, Gloria
• Reading – [Matthew 2:1-11 ESV]
  • 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
  • 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
  • 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
  • 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
  • 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
  • 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”
  • 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
  • 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
  • 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
  • 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
  • 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
• Hymn – UMH 254 – We Three Kings
• Reading – [John 1:1-14 ESV]
  • 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  • 2 He was in the beginning with God.
  • 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
  • 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
  • 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
  • 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
  • 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
  • 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
  • 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
  • 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
  • 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
  • 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
  • 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
  • 14 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.
• Hymn – UMH 234 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
• Sermon – “Who Is In the Manger?”
• Communion
• Benediction
• Postlude

5pm Service

• Prelude
• Call To Worship – BW 261 (modified)
  • Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome him.
  • Come, Lord Jesus.
  • That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God’s love, that the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin and prepare us for the coming of Christ.
  • Loving God, we joyfully await the coming of our Savior, who enlightens out heart and dispels the darkness of sin.
• Hymn – UMH 240 – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
• Opening Prayer
• Advent Reading & Candle Lighting
• Reading – [Genesis 3:12-15 ESV]
  • 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
  • 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
  • 14 The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
  • 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
• Hymn – UMH 242 – Love Came Down at Christmas
• Reading – [Isaiah 11:1-5, 10 ESV]
  • 1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
  • 2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
  • 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
  • 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
  • 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
  • …
  • 10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples–of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
• Hymn – UMH 211 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Reading – [Jeremiah 23:5-7 ESV]
  • 5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
  • 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
  • 7 “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’
• Hymn – UMH 220 – Angels from the Realms of Glory
• Reading – [Luke 2:8-20 ESV]
  • 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  • 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
  • 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
  • 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  • 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
  • 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
  • 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
  • 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
  • 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
  • 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
  • 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
  • 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
  • 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
• Hymn – UMH 234 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
• Reading – [Galatians 4:4-7 ESV]
  • 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
  • 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
  • 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
  • 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
• Hymn – UMH 246 – Joy to the World
• Children’s Time
• Sermon – “God Can Be Trusted”
• Communion
• Benediction
• Hymn – UMH – 239 – Silent Night, Holy Night

11pm Service

• Prelude
• Call To Worship – UMH 199 – Canticle of Mary (Magnificat)
  • The glory of the Lord shall be revealed; all flesh shall see it together.
  • My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  • My spirit rejoices in God my Savior, who has looked with favor on me, a lowly servant.
  • From this day all generations shall call me blessed:
  • The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is the name of the Lord, whose mercy is on those who fear God from generation
    to generation.
  • The arm of the Lord is strong, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
  • God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
  • God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich empty away.
  • God has come to the aid of Israel, the chosen servant, remembering the promise of mercy, the promise made to our forebears, to
    Abraham and his children forever.
  • The glory of the Lord shall be revealed; all flesh shall see it together.
  • Come, Lord Jesus.
  • That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God’s love, that the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin and prepare us for the coming of Christ.
  • Loving God, we joyfully await the coming of our Savior, who enlightens out heart and dispels the darkness of sin.
• Hymn – UMH 211 – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Opening Prayer
• Advent Reading & Candle Lighting
• Special Music
• Reading – [Genesis 3:12-15 ESV]
  • 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
  • 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
  • 14 The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
  • 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
• Hymn – UMH 196 – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
• Reading – [Jeremiah 23:1-6 ESV]
  • 1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.
  • 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD.
  • 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
  • 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.
  • 5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
  • 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’
• Hymn – UMH 219 – What Child Is This
• Reading – [Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV]
  • 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
  • 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
• Hymn – UMH 230 – O Little Town of Bethlehem
• Reading – [Luke 1:26-38 ESV]
  • 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
  • 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
  • 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
  • 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
  • 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
  • 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
  • 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
  • 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
  • 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
  • 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.
  • 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
  • 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
  • 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
• Hymn – UMH 218 – It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
• Reading – [Matthew 1:18-25 ESV]
  • 18 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.
  • 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
  • 20 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.
  • 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
  • 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
  • 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
  • 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
  • 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
• Hymn – UMH 217 – Away in a Manger
• Reading – [Luke 1:46-56 ESV]
  • 46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
  • 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
  • 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
  • 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
  • 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
  • 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
  • 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
  • 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
  • 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
  • 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
  • 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
• Hymn – UMH 240 – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
• Reading – [Luke 2:1-20 ESV]
  • 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
  • 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
  • 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
  • 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
  • 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
  • 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
  • 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
  • 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  • 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
  • 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
  • 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
  • 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
  • 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
  • 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
  • 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
  • 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
  • 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
  • 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
  • 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
  • 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
• Hymn – UMH 220 – Angels from the Realms of Glory
• Reading – [Revelation 5:5 ESV]
  • 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
• Hymn – UMH 234 – O Come, All Ye Faithful
• Sermon – “God Can Be Trusted”
• Communion
• Benediction
• Hymn – UMH – 239 – Silent Night, Holy Night