WEPC Weekly Readings To subscribe to a daily of these readings, register online at wepc.org/lectionary.

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2 WEPC Lectionary Project: Union ith Christ In this 25 th Anniversary year West End Presbyterian Church, e are using Scripture readings recommended by Revised Common Lectionary as a frameork for our corporate orship, and our personal and family devotion. The Lectionary gives us access to hole counsel Scripture and se texts are a means for us to gro in our understanding our union ith Christ. WEPC Weekly Readings To subscribe to a daily se readings, register online at epc.org/lectionary. Second Sunday Advent, December 9, 2018 Malachi 3:14 He Refines & Purifies Luke 1:6879 God s Tender Mercy Philippians 1:311 A Harvest Righteousness Luke 3:16 Prepare Way Lord Reflection on Sunday, December 9 Monday Isaiah 40:111 The Earth Prepares Romans 8:2225 All Creation Groans Tuesday Isaiah 19:1825 All Nations Shall Praise God II Peter 1:215 Living God s Call Wednesday Isaiah 35:37 God s Advent Will Change Everything Luke 7:1830 John Baptist Questions Jesus Daily Psalm 126 Prayer for Restoration Preparation for Sunday, December 16 Thursday Amos 6:18 SelfIndulgence II Corinthians 8:115 Generosity Friday Amos 8:412 Do Not Trample Needy II Corinthians 9:115 The Fruit Giving Saturday Amos 9:815 God Will Set Things Right Luke 1:5766 The Birth John Baptist Daily Isaiah 12:26 The Holy One in Your Midst 2 December 9, 2018

3 Pastor s Note Dear Ones, To things jump out at me regarding story John Baptist. The first is that first ords Gabriel (God s messenger) ere Do not be afraid first ords Gospel spoken from God. Second, is that Zechariah as not only mute, but apparently deaf for duration and more Elizabeth s pregnancy. A little silence goes along ay. His hymn praise is one most beautiful in Scriptures. Warmly, Steve Sunday Worship Services: 9 AM and 10:30 AM Children s Sunday School: 9 AM 9008 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, VA (804) mail@epc.org ebsite: epc.org PCA pcanet.org epc.org 3

4 GOD THE FATHER CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM Preparation for Worship & Communion Second Sunday Advent The Christian year, anchored in main events Ne Testament, provides a pattern for understanding Christian life. We are no in season Advent, a time that helps us to remember Christ s first coming and reflect on mystery Incarnation. It also teaches us to look eagerly for His second coming hen He ill come to redeem His creation and exercise His rule ith all poer and authority. TENDER MERCY In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to heavens and confidently aait as judge very One ho has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed hole curse from me. All His enemies and mine He ill condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all His chosen ones He ill take along ith Him into joy and glory heaven. Heidelberg Catechism 52 (1563) Text: Luke 1:4647,49 Tune: Flo Paris Oakes 2015 Flo Paris Music Used by permission. CCLI# The virgin ill... give birth to a Son, and ill call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Garing Song MAGNIFICAT My soul magnifies Lord. My spirit rejoices in God. My soul magnifies Lord. My spirit rejoices in God. For He ho is mighty Has done great things for me. Holy, holy, holy! Holy, holy, holy is His name. My soul magnifies Lord. My spirit rejoices in God. My soul magnifies Lord. My spirit rejoices in God. For He ho is mighty Has done great things for me. Holy, holy, holy! Holy, holy, holy is His name. 4 December 9, 2018

5 Call to Worship Как написано в книге пророка Исаии: «Голос раздается в пустыне: Приготовьте путь Господу, сделайте прямыми дороги Его! Всякий овраг пусть будет засыпан, а всякая гора и холм опустятся; извилистые пути пусть станут прямыми, и неровные пусть станут ровными, Luke 3:46 Today s call to orship as read in Russian by Peter Blinov. The First Word Because e believe God initiates ith sinners, e begin orship ith His Word: His invitation to us to gar in His name. чтобы все человечество увидело Божье спасение» As it is ritten in book ords Isaiah prophet, The voice one crying in ilderness: Prepare ay Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made lo, and crooked shall become straight, and rough places shall become level ays, and all flesh shall see salvation God. Invocation Merciful God, ho sent Your messengers prophets to preach repentance and prepare ay for our salvation: Give us grace to heed ir arnings and forsake our sins, that e may greet ith joy coming Jesus Christ our Redeemer; ho lives and reigns ith You and Holy Spirit, one God, no and for ever. Amen. from Book Common Prayer Song Adoration GLORIA Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, In excelsis Deo, Glory to God on high! In excelsis Deo, We bless Your name, O Lord. Alleluia! Music: Alex Mejias & Ross Byrd PM Records Used by permission. CCLI # Glory to God in highest! Luke 2:14 epc.org 5

6 Visitors, e are glad you are here. Folloing service, please join Steve Shelby for cfee in Gallery. Malachi 3:12 Welcome Old Testament Reading Behold, I send my messenger, and he ill prepare ay before me. And Lord hom you seek ill suddenly come to his temple; and messenger covenant in hom you delight, behold, he is coming, says Lord hosts. But ho can endure day his coming, and ho can stand hen he appears? Psalm 126 A Song Ascents 6 December 9, 2018 Ministry Prayer When Lord restored fortunes Zion, e ere like those ho dream. Then our mouth as filled ith laughter, and our tongue ith shouts joy; n y said among nations, The Lord has done great things for m. The Lord has done great things for us; e are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in Negeb! Those ho so in tears shall reap ith shouts joy! He ho goes out eeping, bearing seed for soing, shall come home ith shouts joy, bringing his sheaves ith him. Pray for Our Church, Our City, and World. This eek: For West End Presbyterian Church, that e ould be given grace to kno and fer peace & comfort Gospel. For households and families Metropolitan Richmond: For those ho are lonely or have no family. For those ho are estranged from family. For those ho grieve loss those y love. For Church, family God. For country Jordan, and for M. as he serves re.

7 Offering If you missed today's fering and ish to give, or if you ould like to submit your tearf, elders at front sanctuary ho are available for prayer folloing service ill be glad to receive m. The fering isn t just about money. Our response to Gospel goes much deeper God demands our hole selves. The act giving in orship is a part fering ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1). Song Praise HE WHO IS MIGHTY Oh, mercy our God has shon To those ho sit in death s shado The sun on high pierced night Born as Cornerstone Unto us a Son is given, unto us a Child is born He Who is mighty has done a great thing Taken on flesh, conquered death s sting Shattered darkness and lifted our shame Holy is His name For he ho is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:49 Rebecca Elliott & Kate DeGraide 2014 Sovereign Grace Praise Used by permission. CCLI # Oh, freedom our Savior on The yoke sin has been broken Once a slave, no by grace No more condemnation Unto us a Son is given, unto us a Child is born No my soul magnifies Lord I rejoice in God Who saves I ill trust His unfailing love I ill sing His praises all my days Children s Worship (10:30 AM) During 10:30 AM service, children (prek to second grade) are dismissed for Children s Worship. See p.14 for more information. epc.org 7

8 GOD THE SON RENEWS US THROUGH HIS WORD & SACRAMENT Luke 1:6879 Scripture Reading 68 Blessed be Lord God Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn salvation for us in house his servant David, 70 as he spoke by mouth his holy prophets from old, 71 that e should be saved from our enemies and from hand all ho hate us; 72 to sho mercy promised to our fars and to remember his holy covenant, 73 oath that he sore to our far Abraham, to grant us 74 that e, being delivered from hand our enemies, might serve him ithout fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, ill be called prophet Most High; for you ill go before Lord to prepare his ays, 77 to give knoledge salvation to his people in forgiveness ir sins, 78 because tender mercy our God, hereby sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those ho sit in darkness and in shado death, to guide our feet into ay peace. Sermon A Worship Guide ith sermon notes and recordings is posted each Sunday at epc.org/sermons. Preparation for Lord s Supper 8 December 9, 2018

9 Words Institution Then came day Unleavened Bread on hich Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make preparations for us to eat Passover Luke 22:78, 1420, 2930 When hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at table. And He said to m, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover ith you before I suffer. For I tell you, I ill not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in kingdom God. After taking cup, He gave thanks and said, Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I ill not drink again fruit vine until kingdom God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to m, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance me. In same ay, after supper He took cup, saying, This cup is ne covenant in my blood, hich is poured out for you And I assign to you, as my Far assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. Prayer Confession Almighty and merciful Far, e come to you at Advent ith brokenness orld in our eyes, cries injustice, loneliness, and sadness in our ears, and rebellion and failure sin in our hearts. O promised Christ: We are a orld at ar; our peace depends on Your coming. We are an unfulfilled, longing people; our hope depends upon Your coming. We are a sinful people; our pardon depends on Your coming. Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, forgive our sins, comfort our hearts, and lift our eyes to look for Your glorious return ith hope and joy. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen. Silent Confession Confession & Encouragement Often e find that our hearts are orshipping something or than God. In confessing our sins, Holy Spirit probes our hearts and minds and graciously shos us hat e mistakenly believe ill give us life. Jesus is good to lead us from sorro over our sin to seetness His grace. Words Encouragement Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Your arfare is ended; Your sins are pardoned; The penalty for your rebellion is paid. based on Isaiah 40:12 epc.org 9

10 The Sacrament Lord s Supper West End Presbyterian Church elcomes all baptized Christians ho actively trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, ho are illing to forsake ir sin and heartidols, and ho are members congregations that proclaim Gospel to participate in sacrament Lord s Supper ith us. Wine is in outer ring communion tray, grape juice is in inner rings. All bread is glutenfree. Please come forard as you are ready to participate in Lord's Supper individually, ith a friend, or as a family. If you need special assistance and are not able to come forard for Communion, raise your hand and e ill come to you at conclusion Lord's Supper. Elders & Deacons are glad to pray for your children ho have not yet become communing members. If your child is ready to make a public pression faith in Jesus Christ, please mark today s tearf or contact WEPC fice. 10 December 9, 2018

11 GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS US BY HIS GRACE Songs Response to God s Grace LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE & b 2 b ẇ 1 Let 2 King 3 Rank 4 At? b 2 all on his mor tal flesh kings, rank feet yet born host six ẇ keep inged si Ma hea se lence, ry, ven raph, and as spreads che ith its ru fear old van bim, and on guard ith ẇ & b trem earth on sleep? b # bling he less stand; stood, ay. eye, pon der noth ing Lord as lords, Light in veil ir fa ces earth hu light to ly man des ẇ min ves cend Pre ded, ture, eth sence, & b b for ith bles sing in his hand in bo dy and blood, from realms end less day, as ith ceaseless voice y cry:? ẇ b # Christ he that "Al our ill Lord give poers le lu to to ia earth all hell al des may le & b cend faith va lu? b eth, ful nish ia, The Lord is in his holy temple; let all earth keep silence before him. Habbakuk 2:20 Text: Liturgy St. James, paraphrased by Gerard Moultrie ( ) Tune: French Carol (17 th c.) arr. Gustav Holst ( ) our his as Al full on le ho mage self for ness ia dark lu to heaven clears Lord de ly a most mand. food. ay. high!" epc.org 11

12 O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until Son God appear 2. O come, Thou, Dayspring from on high And cause Thy light on us to rise Disperse gloomy clouds night And death s dark shado put to flight Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to e, O Israel 3. O come, O come, true prophet Lord And turn key to heaven s door Be Thou our comforter and guide And lead us to Far s side Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall by His ord our darkness dispel 4. O come, our great High Priest, and intercede Thy sacrifice, our only plea The judgment e no longer fear Thy precious blood has brought us near Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Has banished every fear hell 5. O Come, Thou King nations bring An end to all our suffering Bid every pain and sorro cease And reign no as our Prince Peace Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come again ith us to dell The virgin ill... give birth to a Son, and ill call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Original ords (vv. 12) trans. by J. M. Neale (1851). Tune: VENI EMMANUEL. Alt. and add. ords (vv. 35) by Steve Cook and Bob Kauflin 2014 Sovereign Grace Praise Used by permission. CCLI # COME, THOU LONGEXPECTED JESUS 1. Come, Thou longexpected 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 all earth Thou art; Dear Desire every nation, Joy every longing heart. 2. Joy to those ho long to see Thee, Dayspring from on high, appear; Come, Thou promised Rod Jesse, Thy birth e long to hear! O er hills angels singing nes, glad tidings a birth: Go to Him, your praises bringing; Christ Lord has come to Earth. 3. Come to Earth to taste our sadness, He hose glories kne no end; By His life He brings us gladness, our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches ithout number, born ithin a cattle stall; This everlasting onder, Christ as born Lord all. 4. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, No Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine on eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne. 12 December 9, 2018 The Lord has sent Me to bind up brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to captives. Isaiah 61:1 Text: Charles Wesley (1744); Mark E. Hunt (1978) (v. 23) Tune: HYFRYDOL (Prichard, 1830)

13 Doxology & b 4 Praise God from hom all bles sings? b 4? b &b flo; Praise Him, all crea tures here be lo Praise Him a bove ye heavn ly host; Praise Fa u &b U u r Son and Ho ly Ghost. A men.? b U U U u U u u U u Let everything that has breath praise Lord. Psalm 150:6 Text: Thomas Ken (1709) Tune: OLD HUNDREDTH (Bourgeois, 1551) What does doxology mean? It s a ord derived from to Greek ords meaning glory and ord. A doxology, n, is a spoken ord or song that ascribes glory to God. Today s doxology calls all creation to praise God as source all blessing and acknoledges His Trinitarian (threeinone) nature. Benediction The Last Word God alays has last ord in our orship. For those ho are in Christ Jesus, se are alays ords blessing. After service, Elders are available at front sanctuary to pray ith you or for you, and to anser questions about sermon or West End Presbyterian Church. Pastor Steve Shelby preached today s sermon. Pastor Kevin Greene led orship. Music as led by Trey Wickham, along ith Jen Wickham, Sonya Smith, Mollie Boman, Randall Ingram, Rick Hepner, Tiffanie Chan, Jamison Taggart, and Jason Weippert. epc.org 13