A SERVICE OF WORSHIP

THE LORD’S DAY December 27, 2020

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WELCOME TO CHRIST COVENANT CHURCH

We are glad you are here to worship the living God. This worship folder is intended to walk you through the service, as well as provide you with devotional material to take home.

IN PREPARATION

This Sunday is the traditional day we remember the "slaughter of the innocents." It is neither a comforting subject nor what we would normally consider a fitting passage to meditate upon during the Christmas season. However, it is good to be reminded that while Satan comes to kill and destroy, Jesus Christ was born to deal a death blow to death. May the gospel do the same in our own culture.

SERVICE OF WORSHIP — 10:45 AM

Announcements and Greeting

Scripture Meditation—Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Introit

Call to Worship— Based on Psalm 22:22–26 Leader: Tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation give praise to him. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! ALL: For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. Leader: Praise him in the great congregation; Keep your vows and bless the Lord before those who fear him. ALL: Come, eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

Prayer of Invocation

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Congregational Song—Immanuel From the squalor of a borrowed stable, by the Spirit and a virgin's faith, To the anguish and the shame of scandal, came the Savior of the human race; But the skies were filled with the praise of heav'n, Shepherds listen as the angels tell of the gift of God come down to man At the dawning of Immanuel.

King of heaven now the friend of sinners, humble servant in the Father's hands, Filled with power and the Holy Spirit, filled with mercy for the broken man. Yes, he walked my road and he felt my pain, joys and sorrows that I know so well, Yet his righteous steps give me hope again, I will follow my Immanuel.

Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal, he was lifted on a cruel cross. He was punished for a world's transgressions; he was suffering to save the lost. He fights for breath, he fights for me, loosing sinners from the claims of hell, And with a shout, our souls are free, death defeated by Immanuel.

Now he's standing in the place of honor, crowned with glory on the highest throne; Interceding for his own beloved 'til his Father calls to bring them home. Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds, hope of heaven or the fear of hell, But the bride will run to her Lover's arms, giving glory to Immanuel.

Text and Music: Stuart Townend © 1999 Thankyou Music

Old Testament Reading—Isaiah 53:7–10 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

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Congregational Song—For What Did Christ the Babe Appear

Text and Music: Nathan Clark George

Prayer of Confession of Sin

Assurance of Grace—John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Ministry in Music—O Little One Sweet

Giving of Tithes and Offerings Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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Congregational Carol—What Child Is This

Text: Traditional English Carol, adapted by William C. Dix, 1865; Music: GREENSLEEVES, English Melody

Prayer of Illumination

Preaching of the Word— Mark 8:27—9:1

THE CHRIST AND THE CROSS

Tom Groelsema

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Congregational Song—Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Text and Music: Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Michael Bleecker ©2013 The Village Church

Benediction

Assisting in Worship: Preaching Pastor: Rev. Tom Groelsema; Assisting Pastor: Rev. Zach Fulginiti; Pastor of Worship: Rev. Nathan George; Worship Team: Daniel Pollorena, Katie Pollorena, Hal Queen,

Reggie Phillips, Elliot George © All music UBP CCLI # 260344. All Scripture quotes from ESV. Used by permission.

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SERMON NOTES

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SERVICE OF WORSHIP — 6:00 PM

Announcements and Greeting Call to Worship— From Psalm 2

Leader: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. ALL: Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Prayer of Invocation Congregational Hymn—Give to Our God Immortal Praise

Give to our God immortal praise; mercy and truth are all His ways; wonders of grace to God belong, repeat His mercies in your song. Give to the Lord of lords renown, the King of kings with glory crown; His mercies ever shall endure, when lords and kings are known no more. He sent His Son with pow'r to save from guilt, and darkness, and the grave; wonders of grace to God belong, repeat his mercies in your song.

Text: Based on Psalm 136, Isaac Watts, 1719; Music: WARRINGTON, Ralph Harrison, 1784

Prayer of Adoration New Testament Reading—Matthew 16:24–28

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Giving of Tithes and Offerings Pastoral Prayer

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Congregational Psalm—Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Lord, thou hast searched me, and dost know where'er I rest, where'er I go; thou knowest all that I have planned, and all my ways are in thy hand. My words from thee I cannot hide; I feel thy pow'r on every side; O wondrous knowledge, awesome might, unfathomed depth, unmeasured height! Where can I go apart from thee, or whither from thy presence flee? In heav'n? - it is thy dwelling fair; in death's abode? - lo, thou art there. If I the wings of morning take, and far away my dwelling make, the hand that leadeth me is thine, and my support thy pow'r divine. If deepest darkness cover me, the darkness hideth not from thee; to thee both night and day are bright, the darkness shineth as the light.

Text: Psalm 139:1–12; Music: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR,

Preaching of the Word—Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

HOW TO LIVE WELL IN A FALLEN WORLD—Derek Wells Congregational Hymn—This is My Father’s World

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’s fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done: Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heav’n be one.

Text: Maltbie Babcock, 1901; Music: TERRA BEATA, Franklin Sheppard, 915

Benediction

Assisting in Worship: Preaching Pastor: Rev. Derek Wells; Assisting Pastor: Rev. Mike Miller

Pastor of Worship: Rev. Nathan George; Organist: Pam Eash © All music UBP CCLI # 260344. All Scripture quotes are from the ESV. Used by permission.

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SERMON NOTES

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The body of Christ Covenant meets in communities where people of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to engage through four distinct entry points:

Sunday Worship, Congregational Communities, Covenant Groups, and Small Groups.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Worship Services at 10:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNITIES

Senior Adults Community Young Families Community Community of senior adults ages 70+ Community of newly married & young Pastor Bruce Creswell families with children up to age 12

Pastor Derek Wells Young Seniors Community Community of couples & individuals ages 60-70 Young Professionals Community Pastor Bernie Lawrence Community of singles & young married couples

Pastor Dave Baxter Sojourners Community Community of adults ages 45-59 who have 18/22 Generation / College Community

college age/young adult children Community of college age adults Pastor Mike Miller Campus Outreach Director Zach Fulginiti

Student Families Community Youth (Middle/High School) Community Community of adults with Youth Ministries Pastor Stewart Neely

middle & high school age children Middle School Director David Chambers Elder Mike Johnson

COVENANT GROUPS

Multi-generational & mixed-gender groups of 10-30 people. Please contact Ministry Administrator, Jenny Blackmon.

SMALL GROUPS

Gender-specific groups of 4-10 people. Please contact Women’s Director, Teresa Caldwell, for women’s groups and Ministry Administrator, Jenny Blackmon, for men’s groups.