Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 18, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Christ is love covered over in human flesh. | Thomas Goodwin
GATHERING
Prelude: O Holy Night | arr. McDonald/Wood
Introit: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | French Carol
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
We stand on the cusp:
the promise is almost fulfilled.
We wait with bated breath:
the child is almost here.
We trust the well-loved story:
God is truly with us.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Lighting of the Love Candle
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Shepherd of our souls,
we anticipate your coming but do not feel ready.
We have done too much, and not done enough.
We have focused too much on ourselves,
and not enough on others.
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we might be saved.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Emmanuel did not come into this world
to condemn, but to save.
God does not come to imprison us,
but to set us free.
Through this abundant love, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
The Law of God: John 13:34
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem God’s Mother Be | Culloton
Children’s Message
Solo Like a Shepherd with His Lambs (Magnificat) | Rutter
Prayer for Illumination
Loving God,
you love us more
than we can imagine.
Help us to comprehend
your lavish love
as we open your word. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: The Boy-Child of Mary
Second Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Prophetic Preparation: Love” | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering: The Hands That First Held Mary’s Child | Forrest
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord, let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for love to overtake your church . . . Bring love, O God, to the body of Christ; strengthen our hearts, teach us patience, and make us messengers of hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for joy to overtake your earth . . . Bring joy, O God, throughout the world; feed the hungry, set captives free, and give justice to the oppressed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for love to overtake every nation . . . Bring love, O God, to every land; teach us to love righteousness and lift up those who are bowed down. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the love to overtake this community . . . Bring love, O God, to our town; watch over travelers and strangers, and uphold the lonely and vulnerable. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for love to overtake our loved ones … Bring love, O God, to all your children; bless us with life, health, and prosperity so that we may praise you all our days. (names read) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring love, O God, to the world you have made, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming in glory to reign in fullness of love...
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Benediction
Postlude: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen |arr. Robinson/Whiting
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, December 11– eggs
Sunday, December 18 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, January 1 - eggs
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED