December 15, 2024
Call to Worship
Isaiah 45:22-25
Leader: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
All: By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'
Leader: "Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength;
All: to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory."
Joy To the World
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
Let 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
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
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
Second Sunday of Advent – Joy
Psalm 126:1-6
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Who Is Like The Lord (Psalm 113)
Sovereign Grace Music
Saints and servants, hosts of heaven
All creation, Praise the name of the Lord!
Night and morning, sing His glory, now and forevermore
Earthly kingdoms, all dominions
Bow before Him, Praise the name of the Lord!
None as holy, none as worthy, now and forevermore
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
Our Lord Jesus wore our weakness
To redeem us, Praise the name of the Lord!
In His kindness He will keep us now and forevermore
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God?
Raised us from the ashes, He has turned our grief to gladness
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
High and holy, meek and lowly, There is no one like You
Our Messiah, here beside us, There is no one like You
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God?
Raised us from the ashes, He has turned our grief to gladness
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God!
Confession of Sin
Psalm 16:1-2, 4
Leader: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
All: I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Leader: The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
All: their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of Forgiveness
Psalm 16:5-11
All: The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Leader: I have set the LORD always before me;
All: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Leader: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
All: For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Leader: You make known to me the path of life;
All: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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!”
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Petition
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.
Sermon Passage
1 Samuel 1:1-20
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."
12 As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you." 15 But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." 17 Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him." 18 And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD."
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades...
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"… Because He Cares For You"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Ancient of Days
By CityAlight
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth re - mains
That my God is, the Ancient of Days
CHORUS:
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days (Chorus)
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Savior King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days (Chorus)
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.
O Holy Night
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau; Music by Adolphe Adam (1847)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Isaiah 45:22-25
Leader: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
All: By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'
Leader: "Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength;
All: to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory."
Joy To the World
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
Let 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
No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found
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
Second Sunday of Advent – Joy
Psalm 126:1-6
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Who Is Like The Lord (Psalm 113)
Sovereign Grace Music
Saints and servants, hosts of heaven
All creation, Praise the name of the Lord!
Night and morning, sing His glory, now and forevermore
Earthly kingdoms, all dominions
Bow before Him, Praise the name of the Lord!
None as holy, none as worthy, now and forevermore
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
Our Lord Jesus wore our weakness
To redeem us, Praise the name of the Lord!
In His kindness He will keep us now and forevermore
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God?
Raised us from the ashes, He has turned our grief to gladness
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
High and holy, meek and lowly, There is no one like You
Our Messiah, here beside us, There is no one like You
CHORUS:
Crowned with adoration, He is high above the nations
Who is like the Lord our God?
Raised us from the ashes, He has turned our grief to gladness
Who is like the Lord our God? Who is like the Lord our God?
There is no one like our God! There is no one like our God!
Confession of Sin
Psalm 16:1-2, 4
Leader: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
All: I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Leader: The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
All: their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
Silent Prayers
Assurance of Forgiveness
Psalm 16:5-11
All: The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
Leader: I have set the LORD always before me;
All: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Leader: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
All: For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Leader: You make known to me the path of life;
All: in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
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!”
Pastoral Prayer
Thanksgiving and Petition
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.
Sermon Passage
1 Samuel 1:1-20
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."
12 As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you." 15 But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." 17 Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him." 18 And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD."
Leader: The grass withers, the flower fades...
All: ...but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Sermon
"… Because He Cares For You"
Pastor Chris McLaughlin
Ancient of Days
By CityAlight
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth re - mains
That my God is, the Ancient of Days
CHORUS:
None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
Oh, His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is the Ancient of Days (Chorus)
Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Savior King
Then my joy complete, standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days (Chorus)
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.
O Holy Night
Lyrics by Placide Cappeau; Music by Adolphe Adam (1847)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Benediction
† We invite you to stretch out your hands as you receive the Lord’s blessing.
Posted in Worship Guide