December 10, 2023
Call to Worship
Matthew 1:1-2,6,16-17
Leader: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
All: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, …
Leader: and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, …
All: and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
Leader: So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1739, Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield. Based on Luke 2:14.
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace, Hail the Sun of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
O Come All Ye Faithful
Words & Music: John F. Wade, 1743.
O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant
Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, Born the king of angels
CHORUS:
O come let us adore Him, Oh come let us adore Him,
Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above
Glory to God, In the highest glory (Chorus)
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing (Chorus)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Paraphraser: Gerard Moultrie (1864).
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ, our God, to earth descending,
comes our homage to command.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human likeness,
in the body and the blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way
as the Light from Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes the pow’rs of hell to vanquish
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Confession of Our Sin
Romans 4:13-18
Leader: For the promise to Abraham and his offspring, that he would be heir of the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring- not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Galatians 3:7-10, 13-14
Leader: Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
All: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Leader: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."
All: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Family Life and Offerings
† Tithes and offerings can be given at fieldspres.org/give or in the offering box.
† During a brief intermission, children can go with their teachers for a lesson.
The musicians will call us back with song.
Pastoral Prayer: Thanksgiving and Intercession
Sermon Passage
Genesis 17:1-27
ESV 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." 9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
Leader: The word of God,
All: will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8b)
Sermon
"Son of Abraham"
Pastor Mike McBride
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1744.
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 every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see thee, Dayspring from on high appear.
Come thou promised Rod of Jesse, Of thy birth we long to hear!
Leaving riches without number, Born within a cattle stall;
Go to him your praises bring, Christ the Lord has come to earth.
Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end.
By his life he brings us gladness, Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number, Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
The Lord’s Supper
† Receive bread and juice from one of our section hosts near you. Gluten free wafers are available at the front table. We will all eat and drink together.
In Christ Alone
Stewart Townend
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
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
Till 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
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
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
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Matthew 1:1-2,6,16-17
Leader: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
All: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, …
Leader: and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, …
All: and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
Leader: So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1739, Charles Wesley, adapted by George Whitefield. Based on Luke 2:14.
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With th'angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace, Hail the Sun of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King
O Come All Ye Faithful
Words & Music: John F. Wade, 1743.
O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant
Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, Born the king of angels
CHORUS:
O come let us adore Him, Oh come let us adore Him,
Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above
Glory to God, In the highest glory (Chorus)
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing (Chorus)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Paraphraser: Gerard Moultrie (1864).
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ, our God, to earth descending,
comes our homage to command.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human likeness,
in the body and the blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way
as the Light from Light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes the pow’rs of hell to vanquish
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Confession of Our Sin
Romans 4:13-18
Leader: For the promise to Abraham and his offspring, that he would be heir of the world, did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring- not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Galatians 3:7-10, 13-14
Leader: Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
All: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Leader: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."
All: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Family Life and Offerings
† Tithes and offerings can be given at fieldspres.org/give or in the offering box.
† During a brief intermission, children can go with their teachers for a lesson.
The musicians will call us back with song.
Pastoral Prayer: Thanksgiving and Intercession
Sermon Passage
Genesis 17:1-27
ESV 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." 9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
Leader: The word of God,
All: will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8b)
Sermon
"Son of Abraham"
Pastor Mike McBride
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1744.
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 every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see thee, Dayspring from on high appear.
Come thou promised Rod of Jesse, Of thy birth we long to hear!
Leaving riches without number, Born within a cattle stall;
Go to him your praises bring, Christ the Lord has come to earth.
Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end.
By his life he brings us gladness, Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number, Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
The Lord’s Supper
† Receive bread and juice from one of our section hosts near you. Gluten free wafers are available at the front table. We will all eat and drink together.
In Christ Alone
Stewart Townend
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
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
Till 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
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
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
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Posted in Worship Guide