Christ Presbyterian Church

Worship Service

December 18, 2022

Facebook Live: @christpc

Call and Listen: 351-888-7756
Sanctuary Parking Area: FM105.3
 Welcome to Sunday Worship Service
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 18, 2022 10:00AM
* Please stand if you are able.

Welcome and Announcements

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Advent Reading and Wreath Lighting

One: …God of love, teach us how to love one another as reflections of your light in the world.
All: God of promise, God of love, into our darkness come.

Family Choir
O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, Desire of nations, bind

All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Opening Prayer
Call to Worship
One: The light shines in the darkness,
All: We come to worship, seeking the love born among us in Christ Jesus.
One: Shine into our lives and your world this Advent.
All: God’s promises are fulfilled in the coming of Christ.
One: Renew our trust in your undying love.
All: God’s salvation is offered in the gift of Christ.

*Hymn
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins released us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,

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 Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nations,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Prayer of Confession
Lord of love, we confess we sometimes find your love daunting. You called Joseph to honor
his love for Mary, even when custom called him to break his engagement. We confess
custom has a hold on us, too, and challenging expectations for love’s sake makes us
nervous. You call us to love our neighbor, but we resist your call if our neighbors annoy
us. You call us to love our enemies, too, but that seems impossible in these contentious
times. Forgive us for loving only in the safest situations. Dare us to love as Jesus loved so
he will be born again in us.

Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
One: Receive the Good News in love. With great mercy, God forgives what we have confessed
and offers us new life in Christ. Know that God’s steadfast love is yours this day, and
share that love with friend and enemy alike, so that the power of such love can change
the world.
All: Let our souls rejoice in God! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Prayer of Illumination
Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 7:10-16
Again, the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol
or high as heaven. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13 Then
Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary
my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with
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child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey by the
time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the child knows how to
refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be
deserted. The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Is 7:10–16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Reading from the New Epistles:

Romans 1:1-17
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which
he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his
Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God
with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith
among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong
to Jesus Christ, 7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ro 1:1–7.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

Special Music
Be Born In Me
Solo – Susan Taylor

Reading from the Gospel

Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been
engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy
Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public
disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take
Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place
to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When
Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his
wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 1:18–25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

One: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!
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Sermon Rev. John Scott
“Love for All”
RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*Affirmation of Faith 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day
he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of
sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

Invitation to Giving
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.
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn
I Come with Joy

I come with joy to meet my Lord,

Forgiven, loved, and free,
In awe and wonder to recall
His life laid down for me,
His life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near

To find, as all are fed,
The new community of love
In Christ's communion bread,
In Christ's communion bread.

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 As Christ breaks bread, and bids us share,
Each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
And strangers now are friends,
And strangers now are friends.

And thus with joy we meet our Lord.

His presence, always near,
Is in such friendship better known:
We see and praise Him here,
We see and praise Him here.

Together met, together bound

We'll go our different ways,
And as His people in the world,
We'll live and speak His praise,
We'll live and speak His praise.

SEALING OF THE WORD

The Lord’s Table:

Invitation
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise…

The Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution
Communion of the People of God
Prayer after Communion
GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD

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*Hymn
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down,
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find that second rest;
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;

Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Benediction
Postlude
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 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Annual Congregational Meeting

A Congregational meeting will be held today Sunday December 18th following the worship service. The agenda as follows:
1. Prayer
2. Letter of Dissolution of Pastoral Relationship and Call
3. Nomination Committee Report
4. Election of Class 2025
a) Ruling Elders – 2
b) Deacon – 1
5. Notification of Session Approval 2023 Budget
6. Dissolution of Pastoral Relationship Liturgy
7. Closing Prayer

Wednesday Night Dinner

The menu this week is sloppy joes, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, and brownies. Dinners are available for delivery or in
person at 5:15 PM on Wednesdays. Please call the church office at 727-584-8695 or June at 727-409-4199 to make a
reservation for dining in person or meal delivery. No Wednesday Night Dinner on December 28th.

Last Day to Make Christmas Dinner Reservations is December 21st

Christmas dinner will in-person this year on Sunday December 25 at 12:00 PM. Takeout meals will be available for anyone
who can’t attend with a delivery option. The meal includes salad, roast beef, pork loin, mashed potatoes & gravy, mixed
vegetables, sweet potatoes, and dessert. The cost is $15.00 per dinner. Contact church office at 727-584-8695 or June at
727-409-4199 to reserve your dinner.

Christmas Eve Service

Please join us for our Christmas Eve Service on Saturday, December 24th at 4:30 PM in the sanctuary or virtual on
Facebook. We will have a beautiful Lessons & Carols Candlelight Service as we celebrate the birth of our newborn King.

No Christmas Day Worship Service

There will not be a Christmas Day Worship Service on December 25th. Please join on Saturday December 24th for the
Christmas Eve Service and then again on January 1st for worship service.

Ways to support your church in tithes and offerings from home

1. Online at www.largocpc.org
2. Through Vanco Mobile Faith Engagement App on Apple or Android devices
3. Mail a gift directly to the church or drop in office mail slot
4. Use the bill pay option through your bank
5. Scan the QR code to the right using your phone

CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Phone: 727-584-8695 • Fax: 727-585-1079 • 3115 Dryer Ave, Largo FL 33770
www.LargoCPC.org • email: Office.largocpc@gmail.com
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9 AM – 11:30 AM or by appointment.
Face covering coverings remain optional for personal use.

Secretary Sarah Reeves email: Office.largocpc@gmail.com

Director of Music Steven Radeck email: StevenRadeck@gmail.com
Custodian June Sanchez email: JuBug616@aol.com
All songs used by permission CCLI #863215 and streaming CPSL 139714, Expiration date 7/31/2023
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Video and audio equipment are used for the livestreaming & recording of the worship service.
By participating in this service, you consent to being recorded for this purpose.