12/19/2020
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Preparing for Worship
• Find a place free from distractions.
• Gather your family (if applicable).
• Refrain from checking messages on your devices.
• Have your Bible ready.
• Estimated duration of worship: 1 hr 15 mins
Order of Service
Call to Worship
Have someone read aloud:
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, how blessed are we to be Your children. You have lavished upon us such great love in Christ. We sing Your praises with grateful hearts for You have made us glad in every season of life. We are alive and well because of Your mercy and grace. Your unfailing love never ends. Praise and glory be unto you always. Amen.
Worship through Songs
Lyrics - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
TEXT: Charles Wesley | MUSIC: Felix Mendelssohn
[Verse 1]
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With th’angelic host proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King.”
[Verse 2]
Christ, by highest heav’n adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail th’incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King.”
[Verse 3]
Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace
Hail, the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that men no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King.”
Lyrics - The First Noel
TEXT: Traditional English carol
MUSIC: W. Sandy’s Christmas Carols
[Verse 1]
The first Noel, the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
[Verse 2]
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
[Verse 3]
And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Lyrics - What Child is This?
TEXT: William C. Dix
MUSIC: Traditional English melody
[Verse 1]
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
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
[Verse 2]
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
[Verse 3]
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Scripture Reading
Read aloud (together if applicable).
R-19: CHRIST THE SAVIOR (基督救主)
John 3:16-18, Romans 5:8; Hebrews 7:25; Acts 4:12; Revelation 1:5b-6 (NKJV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Sermon
Song of Response
Lyrics - Joy to the World
TEXT: Isaac Watts | MUSIC: George Frederick Handel
[Verse 1]
Joy to the world! the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing
[Verse 2]
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
[Verse 3]
No more let sin and sorrow 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
[Verse 4]
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
Worship through Prayer
You are the faithful, "Yahweh Yireh," the One who provides. Thank You for all the blessed provisions throughout the year. It has been a tough 2020. Yet, it has been good for Your loving grace abounds. I had lacked nothing. Thank You so much, Lord.
Give me a heart to love my enemies. Help me to be concerned for the sinners and evil people that I encounter directly or indirectly. May I continue to pray for Your mercy that leads them to repentance and salvation in Christ. Cleanse my heart from any unholy anger.
Thank You for teaching me to trust in You. I have learned that nothing in this life is certain and it's okay. I can face each day with confidence for You are always with me. You have never left me alone even for a moment. Thank You so much for Your ever-present help.
Self-Reflection & Discussion
Look back on your life in 2020 and complete this sentence: I praise God because He is ______, and He has shown this to be true through ______.
Community News
Check out our weekly newsletter to read about what's happening in our church community.
Worship through Giving
If you are a regular attender of GCCP and are led to give to the Lord, you can give through the options given below. You are not obligated to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). We are simply glad that you can use this worship guide to honor our Lord.
Bank Transfer. Give via direct deposit or online fund transfer using your preferred mobile banking app. Visit the Giving Tab for bank details.
Local/International Channels. Check out the Cashless Giving tab if you wish to give through GCash, Paymaya, Paypal, or credit card.
Drop-off. An offering dropbox is available at the church entrance. Please make sure your offering is in a sealed envelope.
