We Gather Together to Worship Our God
Gathering Hymn: Songs of Faith #10 Here I Am to Worship
Announcements:
Today:
- 9:00 Sunday School for all ages. Pre-k – 7th meet downstairs; the High School and Adult Class meets in the Sanctuary.
- 10:30 Worship in the sanctuary.
- Following worship, Congregational Meeting to review 2023 at Foothills and to ratify the 2024 budget.
- 5:30 pm, Young Adult Bible Study at Jay and Kayla’s. (Address in bulletin) Meal provided.
This Week:
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday, Loving Him Well (Women’s Study) at the church.
- 4:30 pm, Wednesday, Music Practice.
- 5:00 pm, Wednesday, Son Light Puppeteer practice.
- 5:30 pm, Wednesday, Kids’ Quest for grades pre-k-4th and the Middle School Youth for grades 5th-7th begin. Meal provided.
- 6:15 pm, Wednesday, High School Youth Group at the Community Center for grades 8th-12th. Meal provided.
- 6:15 pm, Wednesday, “The Study of Eschatology”
- 6 am, Thursday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
- 8 am, Saturday, Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study.
General:
- 5:30 pm, December 10th, “Who Is the Holy Spirit?” community groups at the church. We will enjoy a fellowship potluck together and sing as a large group. Then we will break into smaller groups for study and prayer.
- 6:00 pm, December 10th, Piedmont Area “Who Is the Holy Spirit?” community group (address in bulletin).
- December 17th, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
- 6:00 pm, December 17th, Kids’ Quest Christmas Program. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow.
- 6:00 pm, December 24th, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
- There will be no Wednesday Evening Activities on December 20th, December 27th, or January 3rd
- There will be no Men’s Prayer-time and Bible Study on December 21st, 23rd, 28th, or 30th.
- There will be no Sunday School on December 24th or December 31st.
- 6:30 pm, January 4th, Mercy Ministry Team Meeting.
- 8:45 am, January 5th, MOPS meets at the church.
- 6:00 pm, January 8th, Session Meeting.
- Please take a Mercy Bag from the basket in the Foyer and bless a person who is in need. This bag includes toiletries, a McDonald’s gift card, and a Christian tract.
- Days 336-366 of the Family Devotional are available to be picked up from the table in the Foyer.
- Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University will be taught at Foothills beginning in January 2024. More details soon to come. See Tanse and Tonya Herrmann if you have any questions.
Responsive Call to Worship: Isaiah 9:2, 6, 7; Ephesians 1:3
Leader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
All: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Leader: Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
All: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Prayer of Adoration
Hymn of Praise: Hymnal #223 (verses 1-4, 6) While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
We Confess Our Faith
Responsive Reading: Heidelberg Catechism Q 29, 31, 32
Leader: Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “savior”?
All: Because he saves us from our sins, and because salvation should not be sought and cannot be found in anyone else.
Leader: Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”?
All: Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who fully reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance; our only high priest who has delivered us by the one sacrifice of his body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.
Leader: But why are you called a Christian?
All: Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in his anointing. I am anointed to confess his name, to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity.
We Confess Our Sin
All: O God, though I am allowed to approach You, I am not unmindful of my sins, I do not deny my guilt, I confess my wickedness, and earnestly plead for your forgiveness.
Silent Confession of Sin
Corporate Prayer of Confession:
All: O Father God, You love us deeply in Your Son Jesus. Yet we confess we trust in our abilities more than Your grace. We occupy ourselves with our own concerns. We do not attempt to discover and follow Your will for us. We fail to acknowledge the love You have shown to us. Forgive us for our lack of faith and commitment. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to care for the needs of neighbors. Help us to share Your story of mercy, forgiveness, and purpose. May we know the power of Your cross and resurrection in our daily lives. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 116:5 & Colossians 1:13 & 14
Leader: Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. In Christ we are forgiven!
Hymn of Assurance: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
We Give Thanks To The Lord
Tithes and Offerings
Doxology
We Hear God Speak
Advent Reading: Hope
Hymn of Response: Hymnal #196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
(Following this time, a nursery is available, Toddlers’ Church for ages 2-4, and Children’s Church for ages 5-8.)
Prayer of God’s People
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 debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Life in the Kingdom Romans 14: 16-19
A copy of the sermon notes is available: 12-3-23 sermon notes
Audio Only:
Hymn of Response: Songs of Faith #21 Your Name
We Are Dismissed with God’s Blessing
Benediction
Hymn: Hymnal #224 (verse 1) Go Tell It On The Mountain