Special Posts

Welcome

Opening Song – Alleluia Let Praises Ring

Verse 1:
Alleluia! Let praises ring!
To God the Father let us bring Our songs of adoration.
To Him through everlasting days
Be worship, honor, pow’r, and praise,
Whose hand sustains creation.
Singing, ringing: Holy, holy, God is holy; Spread the story
Of our God, the Lord of glory.

Verse 2:
Alleluia! Let praises ring!
Unto the Lamb of God we sing, In whom we are elected.
He bought His Church with His own blood,
He cleansed her in that blessed flood, And as His Bride selected.
Holy, holy Is our union And communion. His befriending
Gives us joy and peace unending.

Verse 3:
Alleluia! Let praises ring!
Unto the Holy Ghost we sing For our regeneration.
The saving faith in us He wrought
And us unto the Bridegroom brought. Made us His chosen nation.
Glory! Glory! Joy eternal, Bliss supernal; There is manna
And an endless, glad hosanna.

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Our Heavenly Father asks us to come into His presence.
C: But we are sinful and unworthy. 

P: Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross that we may be forgiven and washed clean of all our sins by His blood spilled on the cross.
C: Lord, if You wash us, we will certainly be clean and pure.

P: We take a moment to bow before the His cross and silently reflect on our lives and confess our sins.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess, together, our sins to God our Father.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived out our faith in our community. We justly deserve Your punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.  Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I, therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen. 

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Chorus:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, 0 my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name. (last time end with and go to tag)

Verse 1:
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

(Chorus)

Verse 2:
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

(Chorus)

Verse 3:
And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore! Forevermore

(Chorus)
I’ll worship Your holy name. Yes, I’ll worship Your holy name.

Old Testament Reading – Joshua 1:1-9

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading -Romans 11:33-12:2

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,

    or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him

    that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

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. 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.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading -John 17:14-21

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – Thy Strong Word

Verse 1:
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee,
While Thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Verse 2:
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness,
Dark as night and deep as death,
Broke the light of thy salvation,
Breathed thine own life-giving breath.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Verse 3:
Thy strong Word be- speaks us righteous;
Bright with thine own holiness,
Glorious now, we press toward glory,
And our lives our hope confess.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Verse 5:
Give us lips to sing thy glory, Tongues thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats to shout the hope that fills us,
Mouths to speak thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!

Sermon – “A New Mind”
Series: “A New Beginning”

P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Offering

Benediction

Closing Song: This is Amazing Grace
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Chorus:
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

Chorus
Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, The King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

Chorus

Bridge:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!

Chorus:
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life
That I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Jan 17, 7 PM, Council Meeting
The Chmiels

Jan 22, 1 PM Bowling (whole church)
Pin Chasers – 6816 Gall Blvd. Zephyrhills, FL 33542

Jan 24, 7 PM, Growth Group Bible Study
Renee Martin’s 3436 Chapel Creek Cir. Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

New Beginning Challenge!
We will not only learn from this series but will grow together in our New Beginning Challenge! This will be an opportunity for all of us to put into practice what we are learning each week.

Sign up for this challenge right now

Text the word “begin” to (813) 602-0694.

It will send you 2-3 text messages and 2-3 emails a week with more about the series. The goal is to help you grow deeper in your faith throughout the week!

Worship Service for January 8, 2023, at 11 AM

Welcome

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you and against our neighbor in our thoughts, words, and actions.  We are truly sorry for our sins and sincerely repent of them. We ask for Your mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ’s bitter suffering and death, please forgive us and renew us that we may walk in Your Spirit to the glory of Your holy name.

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving – God So Loved

Verse 1:

Come all you weary, Come all you thirsty
Come to the well that Never runs dry
Drink of the Water, Come and thirst no more

Verse 2:
Come all you sinners, Come find His mercy
Come to the table, He Will satisfy
Taste of His goodness, Find what you’re looking for

Chorus 1:
For God so loved the World that He gave us His
One and only Son to save us
Whoever believes in Him will live forever

Verse 3:

Bring all your failures, Bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the Foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting There with open arms

(Chorus)

Chorus 2:
The power of Hell forever defeated
Now it is well, I’m Walking in freedom
For God so loved, God so loved the world

Bridge:
Praise God, praise God, From whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, praise Him for the Wonders of His love
(Repeat)
His amazing love

Chorus 1:
For God so loved the World that He gave us His
One and only Son to save us
Whoever believes in Him will live forever

Chorus 2:
The power of Hell forever defeated
Now it is well, I’m Walking in freedom
For God so loved, God so loved the world

Bring all your failures. Bring your addictions
Come lay them down at the foot of the cross
Jesus is waiting. God so loved the world
God So Loved –

Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 36:25-27a

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you,

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

New Testament Reading: Revelation 7:13-17

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading: John 4:1-30

Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Sermon Song – Living Hope

Verse 1:
How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness Your loving kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written, Jesus Christ, my Living Hope

Verse 2:
Who could imagine so great a mercy
What heart could fathom such boundless grace
The God of ages stepped down from glory To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The King of Kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior I’m Yours forever, Jesus Christ, my Living Hope

Chorus:
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain, there’s salvation in Your Name
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope

Verse 3:
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence the roaring Lion Declared the grave has no claim on me
Then came the morning that sealed the promise
Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence the roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me Jesus, Yours is the victory

Chorus:
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain, there’s salvation in Your Name
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope
Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain, there’s salvation in Your Name
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope
Jesus Christ, my Living Hope
Oh God, You are my Living Hope

Sermon Series: “A New Beginning”

This Week – “A New Heart”

Sign up for the New Beginning Challenge now!
– Text the word “begin” to (813) 602-0694.

Prayers

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
And 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. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits 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 Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Benediction

Closing Song: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

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

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, God Squad (Youth Group)
Faith Lutheran Church

Jan 10, 7pm, Growth Group Bible Study
Wesley Chapel District Park

Jan 17, 7 PM Council Meeting
The Chmiels

Jan 22, 1 PM Bowling (for the whole church)
Pin Chasers – 6816 Gall Blvd. Zephyrhills, FL 33542

New Beginning Challenge!
We will not only learn from this series but will grow together in our New Beginning Challenge! This will be an opportunity for all of us to put into practice what we are learning each week.

Sign up for this challenge right now

Text the word “begin” to (813) 602-0694.

It will send you 2-3 text messages and 2-3 emails a week with more about the series. The goal is to help you grow deeper in your faith throughout the week!

Welcome

Opening Song: The Hippopotamus Song

In the beginning God made the sea  (make a wave motion)

And the forest filled with trees  (wave your hands)

He made the mountains up so high  (making a point with your hands)

Above it all He placed the sky  (Motion like you are throwing the sky up)

God’s fingerprints are everywhere  (touch things with your fingers)

Just to show how much He cares  (hug yourself)

Along the way He had some fun  (swoop your fist in front of you)

He made a hippo that weighed a ton  (when you say “ton,” put your arms away from your sides making something look big)

Hip-Hip-Hippopotamus  (same motion and use a deep voice)

Hip-Hip-Hurray, God made all of us  (Wave your hands in the air and use a high voice, guys in falsetto)

Hip-Hip-Hippopotamus

Hip-Hip-Hurray, God made all of us

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: We have come here today to worship the Lord.  In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise.  We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness.  He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord. 

P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,

P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.

P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.

P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.

P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.

P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.

P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.

P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.

P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.

P: Amen.
C: Amen.

P: God has heard your apology.  He loves you very much.  God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children.  As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven.  So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

C: Amen.

Song: Jesus Loves Me

Verse 1:
Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong.

Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.

Verse 2:
Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gates to open wide.
He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.

First Reading – James 1:17

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message “Everything Good Comes from God”

Song: Give Thanks

Verse:
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the holy one
Give thanks because he’s given
Jesus Christ, His son.

(repeat)

Chorus:
And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich.
Because of what the Lord has done for us

(repeat)

Ending:
Give thanks. Give thanks. We give thanks.

Second Reading – Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message “Bring Everything to God with Thanksgiving”

Song: I See You
God of love, God of all glory, Every day I see new mercy
Great is Your faithfulness
God of love, God of my story, You never fail. You never forsake me
Great is Your faithfulness

Chorus:
I see You in the morning light. I feel You in the fire by night
I hear You say, “Child, I am with you. Everything will be alright.”
I see You in the tears that run. I feel You when the healing comes
I hear You say, “Beloved one, I am with you.”
Every moment of my life
I see You. I see You. I see You. God, I see You
God of love, God of new vision, Every blessing You have given
Great is Your faithfulness! Oh how great is Your faithfulness

Chorus:

Bridge:
I will worship through the storm,
Through the storm, Through the storm
All my hope is in You Lord, In You Lord, In You Lord
I see You in the morning light
I feel You in the fire by night
I hear You say, “Child, I am with you.
Everything will be alright.”

Chorus

Sermon – “Praying in the New Year”

Time of Prayer: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

The Lord’s Prayer

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Go My Children With My Blessing                                      

Verse 1:
Go, My children, with My blessing, Never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are My own.
In My love’s baptismal river I have made you Mine forever.
Go, My children, with My blessing, You are My own.

Verse 2:
Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure.
Here you heard My dear Son’s story;
Here you touched Him, saw His glory.
Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.

Verse 3:
Go, My children, fed and nourished, Closer to Me;
Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free.
Here My Spirit’s power-filled you;
Here His tender comfort stilled you.
Go, My children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

Offering

Hey Youth!!
Do you know any worship songs you’d like to sing as part of our youth service? Let Pastor Kurt know.

Do you want to sing or play an instrument? Let Pastor Kurt know.

We want you to be a part of the service.

Upcoming Events

January 8, 11am – Worship Service
New Series – “A New Beginning – New Year/New You!”
Song and Dance

January 17, 7 PM Council Meeting
Zoom

Communion

God provides us wonderful blessings in Communion, including forgiveness of sins, real community with each other, and strength for living the Christian life. He also warns us, though, that to take Communion improperly can be harmful to us. Here are some questions to ask yourself to know if you should take Communion:

• Do I believe in Jesus and agree with the Apostles’ Creed?
• Am I repentant (truly sorry) for my sins?
• Do I believe Jesus’ body and blood are truly present?

Pastor will give further instructions before Communion.

Worship Service for December 24, 2022, at 6 PM

Welcome

Opening Song: O Come All Ye Faithful / Angels We Have Heard on High (Medley)

Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
Oh come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him Born the King of angels
Oh come let us adore him, Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord!

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo; Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo; Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Yea Lord we greet Thee Born this happy morning;
Jesus to Thee be glory giv’n!
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing!
Oh come let us adore him, Oh come let us adore him
Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord!

Invocation

P: In the stillness of this night,

C: A gift is given.

P: Wrapped in swaddling cloth, coming to us as a little baby,

C: God’s greatest gift is given.

P: In the miracle and mystery of God’s Son born in human flesh,

C: God has given us his salvation.

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: As we gather to celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray in repentant faith and seek God’s mercy for our sins.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: In our Christmas joy, let us confess our sins.
C: Mighty God, on this day of celebration, we confess our sin to You. We are by nature sinful. Without Your help, we are powerless to overcome it. We confess our impatience with You and with others, our seeking after worldly passions, and our self-indulgent ways of life. By our sin, we have hurt others, ourselves, and You. We plead with You to forgive our sins for the sake of Christ and to transform our broken lives.

P: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, and the light shines on them. The grace of God has appeared through the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all people. I, a called and ordained servant of Christ, by His authority, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the new born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the new born King”

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh, the God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King”

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace.
Hail the son 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 each child of earth, born to Give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King”
Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King”

The Christmas Story

Song – Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus, Lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky, looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus, Asleep on the hay.

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children, in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with thee there.

Gospel Reading – Luke 2:1–20

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Youth Message

Sermon Hymn – It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear.   That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth   To touch their harps of gold
“Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven’s all gracious King;”
The world in solemn stillness lay,   To hear the angels sing

Yet with the woes of sin and strife  The world hath suffered long;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,  And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,   By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years,   Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth   Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song   Which now the angels sing.

Sermon – “We Have Seen a Great Light!”

Isaiah 9:2-7

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.

You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,

    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder,

    the rod of his oppressor,

    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

    and every garment rolled in blood

    will be burned as fuel for the fire.

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.

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.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Prayers

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,

And 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. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits 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 Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering (Special Music: O Holy Night)

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.

C: And also with you.

P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Silent Night

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!

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!

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!

Benediction

Closing Song: Joy To the World (Unspeakable Joy)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns That all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy. Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Chorus
Joy, unspeakable joy an overflowing well no tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy Rises in my soul, never lets me go

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love

Chorus
Joy, unspeakable joy An overflowing well no tongue can tell
Joy, unspeakable joy Rises in my soul, never lets me go.

Offering

Upcoming Events

December 25, 11 AM – Christmas Service
Streamed Online (A brief Christmas message)

January 1, 11am – Worship Service
Song and Dance

January 8, 11am – Worship Service
New Series – “A New Beginning – New Year/New You!”
Song and Dance

Communion

God provides us wonderful blessings in Communion, including forgiveness of sins, real community with each other, and strength for living the Christian life. He also warns us, though, that to take Communion improperly can be harmful to us. Here are some questions to ask yourself to know if you should take Communion:

• Do I believe in Jesus and agree with the Apostles’ Creed?
• Am I repentant (truly sorry) for my sins?
• Do I believe Jesus’ body and blood are truly present?

Pastor will give further instructions before Communion.

Welcome

Opening Songs – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Angels We Have Heard on High

Verse 1:
Come thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free
From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation, joy of every longing heart.

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo;
Gloria, in excelsis Deo;

Shepherds why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo;
Gloria, in excelsis Deo;

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee Christ the Lord the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo;
Gloria, in excelsis Deo;

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Our Heavenly Father asks us to come into His presence.
C: But we are sinful and unworthy. 

P: Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross that we may be forgiven and washed clean of all our sins by His blood spilled on the cross.
C: Lord, if You wash us, we will certainly be clean and pure.

P: We take a moment to bow before the His cross and silently reflect on our lives and confess our sins.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess, together, our sins to God our Father.
C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived out our faith in our community. We justly deserve Your punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.  Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I, therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

Verse 1:
What hope we hold this starlit night
a King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
that leads to the hallowed manger ground

Verse 2:
What fear we felt in the silent age
four hundred years can he be found
But broken by a baby’s cry
rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Chorus:
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

Verse 3:
The son of God Here, born to bleed
A crown of thorns Would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now, the King of kings
Praise God For the hallowed manger ground

Chorus

Praise His name Emmanuel

Epistle Reading – Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 1:18-25

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 this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – Silent 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 Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour 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!

Sermon – “Prophecy – He Will Be Born of a Virgin”

Isaiah 7:10-16

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Offering

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

Verse 1:
It came upon a midnight clear. That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
“Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven’s all gracious King;”
The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing

Verse 2:
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing.
And ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

Verse 4:
For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years, Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song Which now the angels sing.

Offering

Upcoming Events

December 18, Noon – Youth Christmas Party
Song and Dance

December 18, Noon – Decorate for Christmas Eve
Song and Dance

December 24, 6 PM – Christmas Eve Service
Song and Dance

December 25, 11 AM – Christmas Service
Streamed Online (A brief Christmas message)