Sunday, December 16, 2018
Worship Service Prelude Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Isaiah 9:2-7 *Gathering Hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory #164 Confession of Faith I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended to hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; From there He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. *that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places Confession of Sin Almighty God, we are unworthy to come into your presence, because of our many sins. We do not deserve any grace or mercy from you. We have sinned against you, and we have offended you. And yet, as we acknowledge our sins and offenses, so also do we acknowledge you to be a merciful God, a loving and favorable Father, to all who turn to you. And so we humbly ask you, for the sake of Christ your son, to show mercy to us, and forgive us all our offenses. Forgive the sins of our youth, and the sins of our old age. By your Spirit, O God, take possession of our hearts, so that, not only the actions of our life, but also the words of our mouths, and the smallest thought of our minds, may be guided and governed by you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. [Adapted from John Knox's Liturgy of 1560] Please turn off or silence your cell phone. *Those who are able please stand.
Assurance of Pardon Malachi 3:1-4 Invocation *Hymn of Praise Praise Team O Little Town of Bethlehem Music by Lewis Henry Redner Words by Phillips Brooks O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie Above Thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in Thy dark streets shineth the ever lasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth! How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; So, God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. Oh, holy child of Bethlehem, descend on us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, their great glad tidings tell, Oh, come to us, abide in us, our Lord, Emanuel. *Hymn of Promise What Child is this? W. Dix Praise Team 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? (Refrain) 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. (Refrain)
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. (Refrain) *Reading of Scripture Luke 1:57-80 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, No; he shall be called John. 61 And they said to her, None of your relatives is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, His name is John. And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What then will this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us [a] from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. [Children ages 4-2nd grade are dismissed for Wonders of Worship (Children s Church) with Chris & Lisa Byrd] Shepherding Prayer Elder Steve Madden Offertory Heart of the Father Choir Tina English, arr. John Purifoy Receiving of Tithes and Offerings Sermon His Song, Our Song Pastor Barry *Closing Hymn Go Tell It on the Mountain 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 o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. [chorus] The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior s birth! [chorus]
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent our salvation that blessed Christmas morn. [chorus] *Benediction *Postlude Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen. Amen. Reverend Nathan Moretto Worship Leaders Reverend Barry Cureton Mr. Ron Smith, Music Director Mr. David Tracht, Music Director Mrs. Susan Smith, Choir Director Mrs. Linda Runkles, Organist Mr. Chuck Mitchell. Pianist Texts used with permission granted through CCLI 578579. Some excerpts reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, CRC Publications. The Elders welcome the opportunity to meet you, talk with you or pray for you after church. They will be stationed by the Communion Table following the service.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Church Envelopes If you would like church envelopes for next year and didn t have them this year, please contact the church office or Chris Bohmer at 410-795-4892. From the Office The Year End Reports are due into the office by Friday, December 28th, so that they can be put in a booklet. Please keep your report brief (no longer than a couple paragraphs of text) and send pictures if possible. Women's Ministry LADIES (of all ages), consider joining us in 2019! ALL ARE WELCOME on Thursday evenings as we read and study God's word together. In December, we are finishing a teaching series on the Holy Spirit. Our next study will begin on January 3. Please join us as we read and study the book of Acts ( sequel to the gospel of Luke). We will use a book in the Lifechange Bible Series as our guide. Save the date: January 3 at 7 pm. An RSVP to Peggy Walker (410 493 8733) will help us plan for number of books needed. Ladies Sunday School Class A new ladies Sunday School class will be offered beginning January 6, 2019. We will be studying the book of Deuteronomy (Yikes! Really! Who does that?) The text will be Deuteronomy More Grace, More Love: Living in Covenant with God, by George Robertson w/ Mary Beth McGreevy. Deuteronomy is the Galatians of the Old Testament, clearly outlining salvation by grace alone and endearingly describing the love relationship between God and his people. This book will help us develop a balanced doctrine of God as loving and gracious while also holy and just. Obedience and the pursuit of personal holiness is always based upon the character of God. Because of who He is, His people are to be holy. So let s dig into the 5 th book of the Pentateuch (the Law) and learn together! Prior to January 6 th, please read through the entire book of Deuteronomy. If you plan on attending, please let Joyce Klein (410-365-4667) know by December 17 th so books can be ordered.
Open Hearts Christmas Giving for The Children's Home Again this year, Liberty has the opportunity to bless the teenagers at The Children's Home (TCH) in Catonsville. There are multiple programs in TCH, including a female adolescent diagnostic program where Liberty ladies are hosting a Bible study. Another highintensity program is called Transitions for adolescent males. Please join us in being matched with a teen and fulfilling a wish on their list this year. Mary Ellen Gannon will be at the back door for people to sign up. Help Needed Christine Muzayine and her daughter Ava are coming back to Baltimore, January 5, 2019 to stay. She is looking for a temporary place to stay near a bus line until she can get a job and then an apartment of her own. If anyone can take she and Ava temporarily let Mary Ellen Gannon (410-655-6397) or Robin Moran (410-549- 3923). Youth Group Our Youth Directors are Phill and Kelly Thomas. Please contact them for more information at office@libertychurchpca.org Youth Group meets every Sunday evening at 6:30-8:30 in the Block House. Inclement Weather Policy Inclement weather information: If we have to cancel Sunday worship due to the weather or power outage, we will send a message through email/constant Contact and put a message on our answering machine to let you know. If you are not currently receiving Constant Contact emails, please call the church office so we can add you to the list. Activities during the week are automatically cancelled or delayed if either Baltimore County or Carroll County Schools are closed or delayed for inclement weather. Our snow removal company requires that we do not have any vehicles in the parking lot on days when they need to remove snow.
FOCUS ON MISSIONS Rick & Wendy Gray RUF International @ U of Delaware This week s campus ministries focus is on Rick and Wendy Gray s work at the University of Delaware with RUF International. Rick Gray began serving as a campus minister for international students with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) in 2010 at his university alma mater in his hometown of Newark, Delaware. A graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary, Rick entered the gospel The Gray Family ministry as a youth pastor, and then served with Mission to the World in East Africa for 21 years. Rick loves learning about different cultures, hanging out with his international friends, and watching God work in their hearts and lives. Rick is married to Wendy, whom he met while they were both serving as missionaries in Uganda. The Grays have three sons: Grant (2002), Aidan (2005) and Chase (2007). At the end of October, they put on the American Fall Harvest Party. Over 65 global students from 17 different nations attended. Each student received a What is Halloween paper, connecting our strange holiday to Reformation Day and the good news about Jesus. Most of the guests attend weekly Dinner & Discussion meetings, in which Bible passages are read and discussed. Many of them are seriously considering the claims of Jesus for the first time in their lives. Please pray: That many will read the What is Halloween paper and see their need for Jesus. That many students in the Dinner & Discussion meetings will come to trust in Jesus. That God will heal a new Asian doctoral student who was seriously injured by a car when crossing a street will be healed both physically and spiritually. Pray that her parents will also trust Jesus. That Rick will grow in knowing Christ and making Him know on campus.
The Week of Christmas Sunday, December 23 No children s or adult Sunday School Worship Service 10:45 am No Youth Group Monday, December 24 Musical Prelude 6:45 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm Traditional Worship Service of Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 30 No children s or adult Sunday School Worship Service 10:45 am No Youth Group The Office will be Closed December 24 & 25 January 1
Candlelight Service Monday, December 24th 6:45 pm Musical Prelude 7:00 pm A Traditional Worship Service of Lessons & Carols
The Week at a Glance SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 Sunday School for All Ages Coffee Fellowship Worship Service Youth Group/Christmas Party 9:30 am - 10:30 am 10:30 am - 10:45 am 10:45 am - 12:15 pm 6:30 pm 8:30 pm VP FH SAN OC TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18 Men s Bible Study/Denny s (Isaiah) Battalion/Chapelgate PCA 6:00 am 7:00 pm OC OC WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Choir Practice 7:00 pm 9:00 pm Men s Bible Study (Acts) 7:00 pm 9:00 pm THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 Men s Night Out/ Smokies 6:30 pm P LCS FH OC Women s Bible Study 6:45 pm-8:30 pm FH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 No Sunday School Worship Service 10:45 am - 12:15 pm SAN FH-Fellowship Hall P-Parlor LCS-School VP-Various Places SAN-Sanctuary OS-Old Sanctuary OC- Off Campus BH- Block House
Schedule of Volunteers December 16 December 23 Nursery 9:30 a.m. Combined Nursery 10:30 a.m. Noah s Ark Room Sabrina Thomas Julie Crone, Amy Huey No Nursery Robin Moran Lock-up Tom Crone, Jamey Hoff Fred Walker, Don Wheatley Sound Daniel Hancock Joseph Kraus Greeters Charlotte Crone Alan & Barbara Hunzeker Usher Team Leader Geof Smith November Monthly Financial Report ACTUAL BUDGET DIFFERENCE TOTAL INCOME AS OF 11/30/18 $550,920.00 $ 654,548.00 ($103,628.00) EXPENSES AS OF 11/30/18 $527,166.00 $ 654,548.00 $127,382.00 GAIN/(LOSS) AS OF 11/30/18 $23,754.00
Small Group Information Group Contact Phone Meeting Date Sykesville Wheatley 410-549-0730 1st & 3rd Mondays Reisterstown Charlotte Crone 410-356-3189 2nd Friday Randallstown Cureton 443-756-9777 3rd Sunday after Church Woodstock Klein 410-655-3753 3rd Friday Acts 2:42 Harlan 443-854-5519 4th Sunday