December 7, 2025
Call to Worship
Psalm 103:1-5
Leader: Bless the LORD, O my soul,
All: and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Leader: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
All: who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Prayer of Adoration
All Creatures Of Our God And King
By St. Francis of Assisi (1225); Translated by William H. Draper; Arr: David Crowder
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sound in heaven along
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
And all ye saints of tender heart
Forgiving others, take your part
O sing ye, alleluia
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on Him cast your care
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia (Repeat)
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1864); Music by: John Baptist Calkin.
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Confession of Sin
Ephesians 2:11-12
Leader: Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-
All: remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Our Confession
† Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Ephesians 2:13-22
Leader: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
All: For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Leader: And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
All: For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Leader: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,
All: but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
by: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty (2006)
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me
Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my striving into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do
Holy Spirit, from creation's birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see
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.
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
Sermon Passage
John 11:55-12:11
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades,
All: but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"Love’s Freedom"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Be Thou My Vision
Translated 1905 from the old Irish hymn “Bi Thusa ‘mo Shuile” by Mary E. Byrne. Arr. Ascend the Hill, 2010.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
BRIDGE:
Oh God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory, my soul satisfied
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all; Still be my vision, O ruler of all
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.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord.
All: For his steadfast love endures forever,
Kids: ...and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray
REFRAIN:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our heav'nly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Psalm 103:1-5
Leader: Bless the LORD, O my soul,
All: and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Leader: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
All: who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Prayer of Adoration
All Creatures Of Our God And King
By St. Francis of Assisi (1225); Translated by William H. Draper; Arr: David Crowder
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sound in heaven along
O praise Him, alleluia
Thou rising moon in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
And all ye saints of tender heart
Forgiving others, take your part
O sing ye, alleluia
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on Him cast your care
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia (Repeat)
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1864); Music by: John Baptist Calkin.
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Confession of Sin
Ephesians 2:11-12
Leader: Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-
All: remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Our Confession
† Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Ephesians 2:13-22
Leader: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
All: For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Leader: And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
All: For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Leader: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,
All: but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
by: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty (2006)
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me
Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my striving into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do
Holy Spirit, from creation's birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see
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.
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Intercession
Sermon Passage
John 11:55-12:11
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades,
All: but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"Love’s Freedom"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Be Thou My Vision
Translated 1905 from the old Irish hymn “Bi Thusa ‘mo Shuile” by Mary E. Byrne. Arr. Ascend the Hill, 2010.
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
BRIDGE:
Oh God, be my everything, be my delight
Be, Jesus, my glory, my soul satisfied
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all; Still be my vision, O ruler of all
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.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord.
All: For his steadfast love endures forever,
Kids: ...and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray
REFRAIN:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our heav'nly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Posted in Worship Guide