Order of Service

Worship Service for February 19, 2023, at 11 AM

Transfiguration Sunday and the Launch of the Red Letter Challenge

Welcome

Opening Song – Holy Holy Holy  

Verse 1:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty:
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity

Verse 2:
Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee
Which wert and art and evermore shall be.

Verse 3:
Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy there is none beside Thee
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Verse 4:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons blessed Trinity.
God in three persons blessed Trinity.

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: In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground.
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand

Verse 2:
In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ I live

Verse 3:
There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day,
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Verse 4:
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

(Repeat last line of the chorus to finish)

Old Testament Reading –Psalm 19:7-14

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

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

Epistle Reading – James 1:19-25

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

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

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

Sermon Song – Canvas and Clay

Verse 1:
In my mother’s womb You formed me with Your hands
Known and loved by You Before I took a breath

Pre-Chorus 1:
When I doubt it, Lord, remind me I’m wonderfully made
You’re an artist and a potter I’m the canvas and the clay

Chorus:
You make all things work together
For my future and for my good
You make all things work together
For Your glory and for Your name

Verse 2:
There’s a healing light Just beyond the clouds
Though I’ve walked through fire I see clearly now

Pre-Chorus 2:
I know nothing has been wasted No failure or mistake
You’re an artist and a potter I’m the canvas and the clay

(Chorus 2x)

Sermon – Series: Red Letter Challenge – “The Light of Jesus”

Matthew 17:1-9

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

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

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: As For Me and My House

Verse 1:
Let our foundation be Built on your majesty
Let every word you speak Fill this home
Jesus our cornerstone. The anchor for our souls
Your glory will be shown By our love

Chorus:
As for me and my house, As for me and my house
We will serve you. We will serve you
As for me and my house, As for me and my house
We will serve you. We will serve you

Verse 2:
We stand on Holy Ground. This is where lost get found
Your goodness all around, It’s pouring out
Your presence is new wine. The old is left behind
There’s nothing but new life To be found

(Chorus)

Bridge:
This is a house where idols fall
This is a house where dead man walk
This is a house where freedoms calls
Can you hear it now, hear it now

(Repeat)

(Chorus 2x)

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 21, Anytime, Start with the intro for Red Letter Challenge
Your Home (or wherever you want)

Feb 21, 7 PM Council Meeting
Shuck’s Home

Feb 22, 7PM, Ash Wednesday Service
Grace Community Church

Feb 26, After the Service, God Squad (Youth Group)
Faith Lutheran Church, Pizza and Games

Mar 4, 9 AM – 1:30 PM, Women’s Mini-Retreat
Our Savior Lutheran Church (Sign up with Cheri @ 716-560-6905)

Red Letter Challenge Small Groups

Feb 28 @7PM at Renee’s
Feb 28 @7PM at Rich & Judy’s
Mar 4 @10AM at the McConnell’s

Welcome

Opening Song – We Are

Verse 1:

Every secret, every shame,
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark,
But that’s not who we are
We are children of the day

Pre-Chorus:
So wake up sleeper, lift your head.
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death.
Make the most of the time we have left

Chorus:
We are the light of the world. We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
(Repeat)
Let the light shine, let the light shine (Repeat last time)

Verse 2:
We are called to the spread the news.
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there’s freedom in His Name
So let it all break through
(Chorus)

Bridge:
We are the light we are the light we are the light
So let your light shine brighter
We the light we are the light we are the light… Jesus
You are the light you are the light you are the light.
We will lift you high and Shine, shine, shine
(Chorus)

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

Old Testament Reading:Psalm 66:1-7, 13-20

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

    sing the glory of his name;

    give to him glorious praise!

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!

    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

All the earth worships you

    and sings praises to you;

    they sing praises to your name.” Selah

Come and see what God has done:

    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

He turned the sea into dry land;

    they passed through the river on foot.

There did we rejoice in him,

    who rules by his might forever,

whose eyes keep watch on the nations—

    let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah…

…I will come into your house with burnt offerings;

    I will perform my vows to you,

that which my lips uttered

    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,

    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;

I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

Come and hear, all you who fear God,

    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

I cried to him with my mouth,

    and high praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

    the Lord would not have listened.

But truly God has listened;

    he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,

    because he has not rejected my prayer

    or removed his steadfast love from me!

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

Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

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

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35-38

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

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

Sermon Song – How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works thy hand has made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Your power throughout the universe displayed

Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art
End: (repeat last line) 

Verse 3:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Verse 4:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
(Chorus)

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

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

Feb 14, 7PM, Growth Group Bible Study
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 19, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 22, 7PM, Ash Wednesday Service
Grace Community Church

Worship Service for February 5, 2023, at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: I Just Wanna Be A Sheep

Chorus:

I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.
I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa.

Verse: 1
Don’t wanna be a goat…nope! Don’t wanna be a goat…nope!
Haven’t got any hope…nope! Don’t wanna be a goat…nope!

Verse: 4
Don’t wanna be a Sadducee. Don’t wanna be a Sadducee
‘Cause they’re so sad you see. Don’t wanna be a Sadducee

Chorus

Verse: 5
Just wanna be a child of God. Just wanna be a child of God
Walkin’ the same path He trod. Just wanna be a child of God

Chorus

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: 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 – Acts 9:3-5

So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?”

The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.

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

Children’s Message “The Story of Saul’s Conversion”

Song: Way Maker

Verse 1:
You are here Moving in our midst. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Moving in this place. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Moving in our midst. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Moving in this place. I worship you. I worship you

Chorus:
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness,
My God, that is who you are

(Repeat)

Verse 2:
You are here Touching every heart. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Healing every heart. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Turning lives around. I worship you. I worship you
You are here Mending every heart. I worship you. I worship you

(Chorus)

Tag:
That is who You are. That is who You are.
That is who You are. That is who You are.

Bridge:
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working

(Repeat)

(Chorus)

(Tag)

Second Reading – Acts 9:10-15

There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. In a vision the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”

Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.”

The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight Street. Find the house of Judas and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. He has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias came and laid his hands on him so that he could see again.”

But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man. They told me about the many bad things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. Now he has come here to Damascus. The leading priests have given him the power to arrest all people who trust in you.”

But the Lord Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. I want him to tell other nations, their rulers, and the people of Israel about me.

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

Children’s Message “Stepping Out”

Gospel Reading – Matthew 28:18-20

So he came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.”

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

Sermon Hymn: Take My Life And Let It Be

Verse 1:
Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Verse 2:
Take my hands and let them move At the im- pulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Verse 5:
Take my will and make it Thine, It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own, It shall be Thy royal throne.

Verse 6:
Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take my – self, and I will be – ver, only, all for Thee.

Sermon – “A New Beginning”

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 602-1104

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: I Will Follow                                      

Intro Chorus:
Where You go, I’ll go Where You stay, I’ll stay
When You move, I’ll move I will follow…

Verse 1:
All Your ways are good All Your ways are sure
I will trust in You alone
Higher than my sight High above my life
I will trust in You alone

Chorus:
Where You go, I’ll go Where You stay, I’ll stay
When You move, I’ll move I will follow You
Who You love, I’ll love How You serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow You, Yeah.
I will follow You

Verse 2:
Light unto the world Light unto my life
I will live for You alone
You’re the one I seek Knowing I will find
All I need in You alone, in You alone

Chorus

Bridge:
In You there’s life everlasting
In You there’s freedom for my soul
In You there’s joy, unending joy
and I will follow

Chorus 2x

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 12, 11 AM, Faith and Food Worship Service
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 12, After the Service, “God Squad” Youth Group
Faith Lutheran Church

Worship Service for January 29, 2023, at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: What a Friend

Verse 1:
Everybody has trials and temptations
Everybody knows heartbreak, isolation

Pre-Chorus:
But we can lay our burdens down, Lay our burdens down

Chorus:
What a friend we have in Jesus.
East to west my sins are gone
I see grace on every horizon.
And forever and ever His heart is my home

Verse 2:
Everybody has fears, everybody got worries
Everybody knows sorrow, devastation

Pre-Chorus:
But we can lay our burdens down, Lay our burdens down

Chorus

Bridge:
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
He fills me up and my cup runneth over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful.
How He has proven it over and over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
He fills me up and my cup runneth over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
How He has proven it over and over, over and over

Chorus 2x
Forever and ever His heart is my home

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Come into the presence of God. It is God, Himself, who bids us to come to Him in prayer, especially when we have sinned, so that we may receive His forgiveness. So, we enter His courts with confidence that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us as He promised.

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

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart and have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen

P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.  Therefore, I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His 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.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – No Longer Slaves

Verse 1:
You unravel me, with a melody You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies Till all my fears are gone

Chorus:
I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God

Verse 2:
From my Mother’s womb You have chosen me.
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again, into your family
Your blood flows through my veins

(Chorus)

Interlude:
Ohhh, Ohhh… (Repeat)

Bridge:
You split the sea so I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me and I will stand and sing. I am a child of God
(Repeat)

I am a child of God . . .

(Chorus)

Old Testament Reading – 1 Samuel 18:1-3, 19:1-7

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul…

… And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

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

Epistle Reading –1 Peter 4:8-11

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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

Gospel Reading – John 15:12-15

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

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 – They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Verse 1:
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

Chorus:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Verse 2:
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

Chorus

Verse 3:
We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each other’s pride.

Chorus

Sermon – “A New Beginning” – New Friends

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 – The Blessings

Verse:
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you And give you peace

Chorus:
Amen. Amen. Amen

(Repeat)

(Verse)

(Chorus)

Instrumental:

Bridge:
May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children and their children

(Repeat)

Bridge 2:

May His presence go before you And behind you and beside you
All around you and within you. He is with you. He is with you
In the morning, in the evening. In your coming and your going
In your weeping and rejoicing He is with you. He is with you
He is for you. He is for you.
He is for you. He is for you.
He is for you He is for you

(Chorus)

(Bridge 2)

Upcoming Events

Today, After the Service, Voter Meeting
Faith Lutheran Church

Today, After the Service, Confirmation
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 12, 11 AM, Faith and Food Worship Service
Faith Lutheran Church

Feb 12, After the Service, “God Squad” Youth Group
Faith Lutheran Church

Welcome

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: When we come into the presence of God we cannot help but see our sinfulness. God does not require us to cleanse our own sin and be perfect of our own power for, surely, we could never achieve this. Instead, He tells us to come as we are and receive His great mercy.

Song: Come As You Are

Verse 1:
Come out of sadness, From wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted, Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy, Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal

Chorus:
So lay down your burdens, Lay down your shame
All who are broken, Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home, You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt, Lay down your heart,
Come as you are

Verse 2:
There’s hope for the hopeless, and all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table, Come taste of the grace
There’s rest for the weary, rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t cure

Chorus:
So lay down your burdens, Lay down your shame
All who are broken, Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home, You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt, Lay down your heart,
Come as you are

Bridge:

Come as you are. Fall in his arms. Come as you are.

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

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you and each other. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, please forgive us and help us to live according to Your ways. Amen

Verse 3:
There’s joy for the morning, Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal

Chorus

P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.  Therefore I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His 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.

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving – Praise to The Lord The Almighty

Verse 1:
Praise to the Lord The Almighty, the King of creation
O my soul, praise Him for He is your health and salvation
Let all who hear, Now to His temple draw near
Joining in glad adoration

Verse 2:
Praise to the Lord Who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
And as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining
have you not seen, All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Verse 5:
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him
All that has life and breath Come now with praises before Him
Let the amen Sound from His people again Gladly forever adore Him

Old Testament Reading – Psalm 34:15-22

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

    and his ears toward their cry.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

He keeps all his bones;

    not one of them is broken.

Affliction will slay the wicked,

    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord redeems the life of his servants;

    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

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

Epistle Reading – Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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

Gospel Reading – Luke 18:1-8

And he (Jesus) told them (the disciples) a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

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

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – Good Good Father

Verse 1:
I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
You tell me that Your pleased and that I’m never alone

Chorus: 
You’re a good, good father.
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by you.
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Verse 2:
I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only you provide
Because You know just what we need before we say a word

Chorus

Bridge:
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

(Repeat)

Verse 3: 
Love so undeniable I can hardly speak.
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still, As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still Into love, love, love

(Chorus 2x)

Sermon – “A New Begining”

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

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

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 – How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works thy hand has made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Your power throughout the universe displayed

Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art
Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee,
How great thou art, how great thou art

Verse 4:
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”

(Chorus)

Upcoming Events

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

Jan 24, 7 PM, Growth Group Bible Study
Renee Martin’s Home

Jan 29, After the Service, Voter Meeting and State of the Church Address
Faith Lutheran Church

Jan 29, TBD, Confirmation
TBD

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 – 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)