Loving God and loving neighbor here in central Vermont and to the ends of the earth—all to the glory of God.
December 7
Prelude
Rebekah Barnes
Welcome and Announcements
σ Listen for upcoming events and ways you can get involved.
Pastor Josh
Lighting the Candles
σ Jesus is the light of the world.
Acolytes
Statement of Faith—Belgic Confession Article 18
σ Confess what you believe about the Christian faith.
Pastor Josh
L: Christian, what do you believe about the Incarnation?
C: We confess that God fulfilled the promise made to the early fathers and mothers by the mouth of the holy prophets when he sent the only and eternal Son of God into the world at the time appointed.
The Son took the “form of a slave” and was made in “human form,” truly assuming a real human nature, with all its weaknesses, except for sin; being conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, without male participation.
And Christ not only assumed human nature as far as the body is concerned but also a real human soul, in order to be a real human being.
For since the soul had been lost as well as the body, Christ had to assume them both to save them both together…
In this way Christ is truly our Immanuel—that is: “God with us.”
Greeting Your Neighbors
σ Greet your neighbors in the name of the Lord.
Congregation
Call to Worship—Based on James 5:7-10
σ Hear God call you to worship through his word.
Pastor Josh
L: God calls us to worship and we respond.
C: During Advent we worship God for what He has done and eagerly wait for Him to fulfill all of His promises.
L: Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
C: You also, be patient. Establish your heart, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Opening Prayer
σ Invite God to work in you as you worship today.
Pastor Josh
Worship Songs
σ Join with the congregation in praise to God.
The Puopolos
#97—Hark The Herald Angles Sing
Verse 1
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Chorus
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
Verse 2
Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Verse 3
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Wonderful Merciful Savior
Verse 1
Wonderful merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh You rescue the souls of men
Chorus
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for
Verse 2
Counselor Comforter Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts
Have hopelessly lost the way
Oh we hopelessly lost the way
Verse 3
Almighty infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh we’re falling before Your throne
#113—Silent Night! Holy Night!
Verse 1
Silent night! holy night!
All is calm all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Verse 2
Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Verse 3
Silent night! holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Amen.
Advent Readings and Candles—Peace (Purple)
The Proctors
READER #1: Today we relight the candle of HOPE and light the second candle of the Advent wreath. This is the candle of PEACE. With Christians around the world, we light these candles to remind us that Jesus brings light into the dark places of the world.
READER #2: During Advent we remember the promise of God to send a deliverer to save us from the fear of judgment and death.
READER #1: The prophet Isaiah foretold that one day a virgin would give birth to a child who would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
READER #2: Israel looked forward to the day when this Prince of Peace would come.
READER #1: Today we celebrate the coming of this peace in the person of Jesus. He tells us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
BOTH READERS TOGETHER: Today we light the candle of peace to proclaim the coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Scripture Meditation—Matthew 3:1-12 (p. 960 in Pew Bible)
σ Hear a reading from the Gospel that relates to the sermon text.
Audrey Zhang
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Congregational Prayer
σ Join together in prayer and lift your concerns to our gracious God.
Pastor Josh
The Lord’s Prayer
σ In closing, pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray.
Congregation
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Children Dismissed for Program
Joanne Barbour
Scripture Reading—Malachi 3:1-4 (p. 954 in Pew Bible)
σ Read this portion of God’s word.
Charlie Stabolepszy
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
L: The grass withers and the flower fades.
C: But the word of our God will stand forever.
Sermon
σ Hear God’s word proclaimed and explained.
Pastor Josh Moore
Communion
Pastor Josh
Liturgy for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Forms and Prayers of the URCNA
L: Dear congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us give full attention to the words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord, as they are delivered by the apostle Paul:
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Cor. 11:23–29).
That we may now celebrate the Supper of the Lord to our comfort; it is necessary to examine ourselves fully. As we examine ourselves, consider three things:
First, let everyone carefully consider their sins and ungodliness, that they may hate their sins and humble themselves before God, considering that the wrath of God against sin is so great that He, rather than leaving it unpunished, has punished it in his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, with the bitter and shameful death of the cross.
Second, let everyone examine their heart to see whether they also believe the sure promise of God that all their sins are forgiven only because of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, and that the complete righteousness of Christ is imputed and freely given to them as their own—indeed, so completely as if they had personally satisfied for all their sins and fulfilled all righteousness.
Third, let everyone carefully examine their own conscience to see if they are fully determined to show true thankfulness to God in every area of life and to walk sincerely before His face, and whether they, with full sincerity, strive to lay aside all enmity, hatred, and envy, and earnestly resolve from this day forward to live with their neighbor in true love and unity.
That we may obtain all these blessings, let us humble ourselves before God and with true faith implore Him for His grace:
C: Merciful God and Father, we cherish the blessed memory of the death and sufferings of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that in this Supper You will so work in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, that with true confidence we might give ourselves up, more and more, unto Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that this might allow our burdened and contrite hearts to be nourished and refreshed with the true body and blood of Him who is true God and true man, the only heavenly bread. Empower us to no longer live in our sins, knowing that He lives in us, and we in Him. May we truly be partakers of the new and everlasting covenant of grace. May we not doubt that You will forever be our gracious Father, who does not impute the guilt of our sins to us, and who provides us with all that we need for body and soul, as your dear children and heirs. Grant us also Your grace, that we may take up our cross cheerfully, deny ourselves, confess our Savior, and in all tribulation—with uplifted head—expect our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. There He will make our mortal bodies like unto His glorified body, and take us to be with Him in eternity. Answer us, O God and merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
L: By this Holy Supper, may we also be strengthened in the Christian faith, of which we make profession with heart and mouth, saying:
C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into 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.
Distribution of the elements.
L: Beloved in the Lord, since the Lord has now nourished our souls at His Table, let us together praise His holy name with thanksgiving, and let everyone say:
C Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.…
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 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. (Ps. 103:1–4, 8–13).
Distribution of the Elements
The Elders
Song of Response—Deep Way Down Deep
σ Respond to the preaching of the word with song.
The Puopolos
Chorus
(Oh) Deep way down deep
Way down deep down in my heart
Oh deep way down deep
Way down deep down in my heart
Verse 1
I’ve got the love of Jesus
I’ve got the love of Jesus
I’ve got the love of Jesus
And it’s deep down in my heart
Oh oh oh
Verse 2
I’ve got the peace of Jesus
I’ve got the peace of Jesus
I’ve got the peace of Jesus
Deep down in my heart
Verse 3
I’ve got the joy of Jesus
I’ve got the joy of Jesus
I’ve got the joy of Jesus
Deep down in my heart
Verse 4
I’ve got the love of Jesus
I’ve got the peace of Jesus
I’ve got the joy of Jesus
Deep down in my heart
Ending
Where is it
Deep down in my heart
One more time
Deep down in my heart
Extinguishing the Candles
σ You are the light of the world.
Acolytes
Benediction
σ Receive a parting blessing.
Pastor Josh
Postlude
Rebekah Barnes