Worship Service for December 3, 2023, at 11 AM

Opening Song: Go Tell It On The Mountain

Chorus:
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens there shone a Holy Light.

(Chorus)

The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.

(Chorus)

Down in a lowly manger, the humble Christ was born,
And brought us God’s salvation that blessed Christmas morn!

(Chorus)                                                      © 1945 © Galaxy Music Corporation

Invocation

Advent Responsorial:

P: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given;
C: And the government shall be upon His shoulder,

P: And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
C: Mighty God,

P: Everlasting Father,
C: Prince of Peace.

P: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
C: Amen.

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: 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.               © Public Domain

First Reading – Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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

Children’s Message “ You Don’t Have to Be Afraid in the Storm”

Song: What A Glorious Night

The shepherds came to see the baby, stood by His mother’s side.
Here laid the Savior inside a manger.
Oh, what a glorious night. Oh, what a glorious night.

Chorus:
I hear the angels singing, hallelujah!
Let the Earth receive her King.
I know that love has come, sing it out,
“Jesus Christ is born! Jesus Christ is born!”

The shepherds wonder, they couldn’t hide it,
Told everyone in sight.
All were amazed when they heard how God came,
Down on this glorious night.
God came down on this glorious night.

(Chorus)

Glorious, glorious, what a glorious night!
Glorious, glorious, what a glorious night!

(Chorus)

All is calm now. All is quiet, a star shining in the sky.
Below in Bethlehem the King is sleeping.
Oh, what a glorious night. Oh, what a glorious night.

Second Reading – Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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

Children’s Message “Peace to Stop Your Anxiety”

Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Oh, little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie.
Above the dark and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,
Yet, in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given.
So, God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.

Oh, holy child of Bethlehem descend on us we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels, their great glad tidings tell.
Oh come to us, abide with us, our lord, Emanuel.          © Public Domain

Sermon – Series: The Search for Peace
                Week 2: “Escaping to Peace”

Prayers: 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 – FaithWesleyChapel.com/give/ (sit)

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well.

Closing Song: Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) (sit)

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.

 

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, Emanuel.

 

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:

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, God incarnate here to dwell.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, praise His name, Emanuel.

 

Praise His name, Emmanuel.                   © 2009 Vamos Publishing and Alletrop Music