December 17, 2023
Go Tell It On the Mountain
African-American spiritual. Compiled by John Wesley Work Jr., dating back to at least 1865.
CHORUS:
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
On blessed Christmas morn’
That Jesus Christ is born; That Jesus Christ is born
Call to Worship
Matthew 2:1-6
Leader: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
All: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Leader: When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him,
All: "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
What Child Is This?
William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)
What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail for Word made flesh
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy, for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Words: Various Latin antiphons, 12th century; Music: Veni Emmanuel arr. Thomas Helmore, 1856.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Drive away the shades of night,
Pierce the clouds and bring us light (Repeat Chorus)
O come, O come, Thou Rod of Jesse free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave (Repeat Chorus)
Confession of Our Sin
Psalm 51:7-12
Leader: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
All: … wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Leader: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
All: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Isaiah 55:1-3
Leader: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
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.
Sermon Passage
2 Samuel 7:1-17
7:1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." 3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'" 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
Leader: The word of God...
All: ...will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8b)
Sermon
"Son of David"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
James Montgomery (1816); Arr: Paul Baloche; Jon Buurma
Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth
Ye who sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Shepherds in the field abiding
watching o'er your flocks by night
God with us is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
CHORUS:
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
You are the God who saves us;
Worthy of all our praises
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Come have Your way among us;
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Come have Your way among us;
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Though an infant now we view Him,
He will share his Father’s throne
Gather all the nations to Him,
every knee shall then bow down
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel
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.
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.
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
African-American spiritual. Compiled by John Wesley Work Jr., dating back to at least 1865.
CHORUS:
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
The shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
On blessed Christmas morn’
That Jesus Christ is born; That Jesus Christ is born
Call to Worship
Matthew 2:1-6
Leader: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
All: "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Leader: When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him,
All: "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
What Child Is This?
William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)
What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail for Word made flesh
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy, for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Words: Various Latin antiphons, 12th century; Music: Veni Emmanuel arr. Thomas Helmore, 1856.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Drive away the shades of night,
Pierce the clouds and bring us light (Repeat Chorus)
O come, O come, Thou Rod of Jesse free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave (Repeat Chorus)
Confession of Our Sin
Psalm 51:7-12
Leader: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
All: … wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Leader: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
All: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Isaiah 55:1-3
Leader: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
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.
Sermon Passage
2 Samuel 7:1-17
7:1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." 3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'" 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
Leader: The word of God...
All: ...will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8b)
Sermon
"Son of David"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
James Montgomery (1816); Arr: Paul Baloche; Jon Buurma
Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth
Ye who sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Shepherds in the field abiding
watching o'er your flocks by night
God with us is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
CHORUS:
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
You are the God who saves us;
Worthy of all our praises
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Come have Your way among us;
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Come have Your way among us;
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Though an infant now we view Him,
He will share his Father’s throne
Gather all the nations to Him,
every knee shall then bow down
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel
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.
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.
Benediction
Posted in Worship Guide