Sunday, December 7
As stewards of God’s words and works, it is with delight that we have the opportunity to gather as His people in worship by way of a reminder of the truth, power, and goodness of the sacred Scriptures. May we gather in His name and for His glory as we endeavor to make much of Christ through scripture, prayer, song, and the preaching of His Word. We look forward to gathering together this Lord’s day – For Christ, to God’s Glory, and Man’s Joy!
Order of Service
Preservice:
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Welcome/Announcements
Read the Word & Pray the Word
Acts 7:39-53
(Jeff Glass)
Sing the Word
Reading: Psalm 104:1–2, 33-34
Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
Reading: Hebrews 1:2–3
Joy Has Dawned
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Preach the Word
Righteous and Rejected | Acts 7:39-53
(Manny Pereira)
See the Word
Communion
Hymn of Response
Who Is This
Benediction
Jude 24-25
This Sunday’s Sermon
Righteous and Rejected | Acts 7:39-53 | Manny Pereira
Stephen stands before an unjust court. The rulers of Israel are not seeking righteousness. Those claiming to be zealous for Moses and the Law set up men to bear false witness and accuse Stephen of thrusting Moses and the Law aside. But it is they that have thrust Moses and the Law aside. The tables are turned. Leading representatives of Israel find themselves indicted. Israel is on trial. In prophetic style, Stephen serves as a messenger of God indicting Israel for patterns of rejection that culminated in the rejection of the one and only truly Righteous One—Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s Table
Communion Sunday
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that the two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32). All who are in Christ are invited to the table today.
Featured Song
Today’s Song Lyrics
Hark! the Herald Angels 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 the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Verse 2
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see:
Hail, the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Verse 3
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen 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.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 | Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1840 © Public Domain
Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
Verse 1
Sing we the song of Emmanuel;
This, the Christ who was long foretold.
Lo, in the shadows of Bethlehem,
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold.
God Most High, in a manger laid.
Lift your voices and now proclaim,
“Great and glorious, Love has come to us.”
Join now with the hosts of heaven.
Verse 2
Come we to welcome Emmanuel,
King who came with no crown or throne.
Helpless He lay, the Invincible,
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son.
Oh, what wisdom to save us all!
Shepherds, sages before Him fall.
Grace and majesty, what humility!
Come, on bended knee adore Him.
Verse 3
Go spread the news of Emmanuel:
Joy and peace for the weary heart.
Lift up your heads, for your King has come!
Sing, for the Light overwhelms the dark!
Glory shining for all to see.
Hope alive, let the gospel ring.
God has made a way; He will have the praise.
Tell the world His name is Jesus.
“Gloria!”
Words & Music: Matt Boswell, Keith Getty, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend © 2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs / Getty Music Publishing / Love Your Enemies Publishing / Messenger Hymns / Townend Songs; UBP CCLI License #249042
Joy Has Dawned
Verse 1
Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation;
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for every nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus, born of Mary.
Verse 2
Sounds of wonder fill the sky,
With the songs of angels,
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vulnerable and helpless.
Verse 3
Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today;
Incense, God is with us;
Myrrh, His death will make a way;
And by His blood He’ll win us.
Verse 4
Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty Champion!
What a Savior, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a Babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.
Words & Music: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend © 2004 Thankyou Music; UBP CCLI License #249042
Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Verse 1
Come, behold the wondrous mystery,
In the dawning of the King.
He, the theme of heaven’s praises,
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness,
Now the light of life has come!
Look to Christ who condescended,
Took on flesh to ransom us.
Verse 2
Come, behold the wondrous mystery,
He the perfect Son of Man.
In His living, in His suffering,
Never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam,
Come to save the hell-bound man.
Christ, the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; In Him we stand.
Verse 3
Come, behold the wondrous mystery,
Christ the Lord upon the tree.
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory.
See the price of our redemption,
See the Father’s plan unfold.
Bringing many sons to glory,
Grace unmeasured, love untold.
Verse 4
Come, behold the wondrous mystery,
Slain by death the God of life.
But no grave could e’er restrain Him;
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance,
How unwavering our hope:
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes.
Words & Music: Michael Bleecker, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa © 2012 Bleecker Publishing / Getty Music Hymns and Songs / Getty Music Publishing / Love Your Enemies Publishing / McKinney Music Inc.; UBP CCLI License #249042
Who Is This
Verse 1
Who is this, divine and tender,
Hailing from eternal shores?
Once arrayed in highest splendor,
Now in poverty adorned.
He is Jesus, God made mortal,
Word in flesh, the Light of Life.
From a throne room to a stable,
Hope is born this holy night.
Verse 2
Who is this of might and meekness,
Given all authority?
With a word He stills the tempest,
At His touch the blind can see.
He is Jesus our Messiah,
Long awaited, long proclaimed.
Sing “Hosanna in the highest!”
Christ the King has come to reign.
Verse 3
Who is this reviled and stricken,
Broken on a cursed tree?
Son of God by God forsaken,
Drenched in our iniquity.
He is Jesus, slain for sinners,
Laden with our guilt and grief.
All our praise to Him we render,
For His wounds have won our peace.
Verse 4
Who is this entombed in darkness,
Cast into the bitter depths?
He whom grave nor Hell could harness
Rose and tore the sting from death.
He is Jesus, God triumphant,
Risen to the Father’s side.
All will bow in awe and reverence
At the name of Jesus Christ.
Words & Music by Nathan Stiff, David Zimmer © 2020 Sovereign Grace Worship; UBP CCLI License #249042
