ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, December 27; First Sunday after Christmas Day
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 148)
Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
People: Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his host!
Leader: Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!
People: Praise him, you highest heavens, and all you waters above the heavens!
Leader: Let them praise the name of the Lord,
People: For he commanded and they were created.
Leader: He has raised up a horn for his people; praise for all his faithful!
All: Praise the Lord!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Most loving God, we come to worship your holy name. Bless your people with faith, with love, with kindness, and with mercy. Fill us with your peace and your purpose in every moment of our lives. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!
* HYMN OF PRAISE “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child” (Verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
Through long ages of the past prophets have foretold his coming;
Through long ages of the past, now the time has come at last!
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
Jesus, Lord of all the world, coming as a child among us;
Jesus, Lord of all the world, grant to us thy perfect peace.
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Please remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: God of grace and mercy, hear our prayer. We ask your forgiveness for the all the times we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. For all the times we have added to the pain of the world instead of to its healing. For rejecting your love and seeking our own way. O God, heal us from our sin and create new and clean hearts within us. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (John 16:32b-33)
All: “I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father (hummed – not sung)
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.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” (verses 1 & 3)
Hummed- not sung
“Comfort, comfort, now my people; tell of peace!” so says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load.
To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their wait is over; God will reign in peace forever!
Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits his holy reign!
For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
SCRIPTURE READING – Luke 2:22-40
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “For the Falling and the Rising of Many“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
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 Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
(hummed – not sung)
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.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.
THE FAITH REFORMED CHURCH
215 MIDDLE ROAD, HAZLET, NJ 07730
(* indicates to stand if you are able)
Sunday, December 27; First Sunday after Christmas Day
VOTUM AND SALUTATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 148)
Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
People: Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his host!
Leader: Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!
People: Praise him, you highest heavens, and all you waters above the heavens!
Leader: Let them praise the name of the Lord,
People: For he commanded and they were created.
Leader: He has raised up a horn for his people; praise for all his faithful!
All: Praise the Lord!
PRAYER OF PRESENCE
All: Most loving God, we come to worship your holy name. Bless your people with faith, with love, with kindness, and with mercy. Fill us with your peace and your purpose in every moment of our lives. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!
* HYMN OF PRAISE “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child” (Verses 1 & 3)
(hummed – not sung)
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
Through long ages of the past prophets have foretold his coming;
Through long ages of the past, now the time has come at last!
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
Jesus, Lord of all the world, coming as a child among us;
Jesus, Lord of all the world, grant to us thy perfect peace.
He is born, the divine Christ Child, play the oboe and bagpipes merrily!
He is born, the holy Child, sing we all of the Savior mild.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
(Please remain in place, and greet your nearest neighbors with a wave and a blessing of peace)
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
All: God of grace and mercy, hear our prayer. We ask your forgiveness for the all the times we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. For all the times we have added to the pain of the world instead of to its healing. For rejecting your love and seeking our own way. O God, heal us from our sin and create new and clean hearts within us. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Responsive Hymn #817 – to be hummed, not sung) - Hear our prayer O Lord. Hear our prayer O Lord. Incline thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE (John 16:32b-33)
All: “I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.”
*Gloria Patri: Glory be to The Father (hummed – not sung)
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.
SUMMARY OF THE LAW (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
HYMN FOR ILLUMINATION (seated) “Spirit of the Living God” Verse 1 (hummed – not sung) Hymn #297
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SERMON HYMN “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” (verses 1 & 3)
Hummed- not sung
“Comfort, comfort, now my people; tell of peace!” so says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load.
To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their wait is over; God will reign in peace forever!
Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits his holy reign!
For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
SCRIPTURE READING – Luke 2:22-40
THE MORNING MESSAGE - “For the Falling and the Rising of Many“
*OFFERTORY PRAYER AND DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*APOSTLES CREED
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 Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead
He ascended into heaven
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS – MORNING PRAYER – THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Lord’s Prayer – “…sins / …those who sin against us…”)
*CLOSING HYMN “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
(hummed – not sung)
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.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.
*CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL POSTLUDE: "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing"
(hummed – not sung)
Lord, dismiss us with your blessing; fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace;
O direct us and protect us, traveling through this wilderness.