GRACE EVANGELICAL CHURCH SUNDAY DEC. 23, 2012 The organ prelude marks the beginning of the worship service. It calls us to quiet ourselves and to direct our hearts and minds toward Him. Prelude Christmas Lullaby by Sarah Douglas Introit O Come All Ye Faithful 100 Lighting of Advent Candle Olivia Thomas, Jordyn Pointer Zoe Pointer, Katie Pointer Invocation Advent Reading Lk. 2:1-7 Special Music Glory to God Young Messiah Hymn It Came upon a Midnight Clear 90 Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem 92 Hymn Away in a Manger 86 Hymn One Small Child 164 Hymn Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 143 Hymn What Child Is This? 94 Lighting of the Christ Candle Emma Thomas Advent Reading Jn. 1:1-14 In His Word A Messiah Christmas : What, Why Hymn Silent Night 87 Lighting of Candles Hymn Joy to the World 88 ********************* And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh I Timothy 3:16 ********************* Pastor David M. Pointer Organist JoAnn Pointer Bethlehem Bethlehem, where Christ was born, Bethlehem, the Christian's star! Bethlehem's prophetic morn Echoed ages from afar. Where the shepherds heard the song Heralding the holy birth, Tidings that would right the wrong, News of joy from heaven to earth. This the song the angels sang: "Peace on earth, good will to men." Glory in the highest rang, Glory now and glory then. Christ, the king of earth and heaven, Gave himself to cleanse our sin; Through his blood we are forgiven And eternal life may win. Come to him with every woe; He has said, "Come unto me." Better refuge none can know Whither to safely, gladly flee. Well may hallelujahs ring O'er God's gift from heaven above; Yet, although the angels sing, Angels cannot tell his love. Nannie R. Glass
A Messiah Christmas: What, Why I Timothy 3:16 (Isa 40:1-2) Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. (Isa 40:4) Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: (Isa 40:9; 60:1) O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Joh 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (Joh 1:5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (Joh 1:11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (Joh 3:18-19) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (Isa 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (1Ti 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, (Jn 1:1-14) (1Ti 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, (Heb 2:9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Php 2:5-8) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Joh 1:4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (Rom 6:4) even so we also should walk in newness of life. (2Co 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (Joh 10:10) I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (Rom 6:23) the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.