We Believe In God A. Grant, W. King5 We believe in God, and we all need Jesus (sing four times) Offering Till Kingdom Come C. Martin6 Steal my heart and hold my tongue, I feel my time, my time has come. Let me in, unlock the door, I’ve never felt this way before. The wheels just keep on turning, the drummer begins to drum, I don’t know which way I’m going, I don’t know which way I’ve come. Hold my head inside your hands, I need someone who understands. I need someone, someone who hears, for you, I’ve waited all these years. For you, I’d wait ‘til kingdom come, until my day, my day is done. And say you’ll come, and set me free, just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me. In your tears and in your blood, in your fire and in your flood, I hear you laugh, I heard you sing, “I wouldn’t change a single thing.” The wheels just keep on turning, the drummers begin to drum, I don’t know which way I’m going, I don’t know what I’ve become. For you, I’d wait ‘til kingdom come, until my days, my days are done. Say you’ll come and set me free, just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me. Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me, just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me. God’s Word Read and Proclaimed Sermon: An Uncertain Benediction Sermon Series: Songs of Christmas Luke 1:67-79 Pew Bible, NT p. 54 Bob Henderson Go in God’s Name *Build Your Kingdom Here Rend Collective7 *Invitation and Benediction *Everlasting Light R. Foster8 Singing: Mollie James, Cameron Moore, Cheryl Hoover, LaVita Hill Instrumentalists: Doug Bacon (flute), Cheryl Hoover (bass), Alan Becker (guitar), Sandra Boozer (mandolin), Phil Koonce (electric guitar), Pam Jefsen (saxophone), Justin Wherry (percussion) Sound and visuals: Ricko Hill, James Atwell, Nisa Kibona Cover art: The Nativity Window in the Sanctuary. Copyright © 2010 JonSilla.com Welcome to Covenant Join us for fellowship and refreshments in the Circle, where today’s preaching minister will be glad to greet you. You also may learn more about our life of faith together at our website or on Facebook. Interested in joining Covenant? We welcome new members each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the parlor, located downstairs in the Sanctuary building. Each Sunday, we offer education and fellowship opportunities in the mornings and evenings for children, youth and adults in the Education Wing and Fellowship Hall. Please see the digital signs for details. Each Sunday, Covenant expects and gladly welcomes many first-time and repeat visitors. By introducing yourself and sharing a warm greeting, you express the hospitality of our congregation. Please share a smile and welcoming word with those around you. Congregational Notes The congregation extends is sincere sympathy and love to: Shannon and Brad Brown on the death of his father, and to Dani and Cole Brown on the death of their grandfather, Rev. Dr. Coleman B. Brown of Hamilton, N.Y., on Dec. 14; and to Mike and Mary Lou Daly on the death of her mother, and to Michael and Tyler Daly on the death of their grandmother, Julia Hampton of Huntington, W.V., on Dec. 15; and to Linda and Bob Blythe on the death of their daughter, and Sandra Lare on the death of her niece, Arden McPherson Blythe Correll, on Dec. 17, and rejoices with them in the assurance of the resurrection. In Memoriam Arden McPherson Blythe Correll February 2, 1975 – December 17, 2014 In the Hospital (as of Thursday, Dec 18) Rita Simpson – Huntersville Oaks Leading Worship Leading worship this morning Bob Henderson, senior minister Petra Wahnefried, pastoral resident Daniel Heath, contemporary worship leader Leading other services Jessica Patchett, associate minister Joan Watson, associate minister Betsy Lyles, adult discipleship and young adult ministries intern Susan Talley, associate director of music Stephen Talley, minister of music Weddings Congratulations to Kackie Jackson and Earl Riddle who were married in the Covenant Chapel on December 13, 2014. Copyright Information (CCLI License #3065967) 1. 2011 Thankyou Music 2. 1995 Clumsy Fly Music 3. 2004 Desperation Records 4. 1986 Word Music, LLC 5. 1992 Age To Age Music, Inc. | Locally Owned Music, Inc. | Riverstone Music, Inc. 6. 2005 Parlophone UK 7. 2011 Thankyou Music 8. 2012 Blue Corn Music This worship service is being streamed via the Internet and video recorded for online viewing. Service of Worship Sunday, December 21, 2014 9:30 a.m. Sanctuary Covenant Presbyterian is a dynamic Christian community that gladly invites all people into a transformational experience of faith; boldly proclaims the gospel, bravely works toward a whole and just world, and passionately nurtures discipleship. Service of Worship Sunday, December 21, 2014 9:30 a.m. Welcome to Covenant; we are glad you are here. Children are always welcome in worship. Child care and children’s programs (ages 6 weeks to fifth grade) are offered in the Education Wing. An infant soothing room with live video of the worship service is available in the balcony and parlor. See an usher for assistance. Assemble in God’s Name Build Your Kingdom Here Rend Collective 1 Come set your rule and reign In our hearts again Increase in us we pray Unveil why we’re made Come set our hearts ablaze with hope Like wildfire in our very souls Holy Spirit come invade us now We are your church We need your pow’r in us We seek your kingdom first We hunger and we thirst Refuse to waste our lives For you’re our joy and prize To see the captives’ hearts released The hurt the sick the poor at peace We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause We are your church We pray revive this earth Hope that you don’t mind our manger How I wish we would have known But long-awaited holy stranger Make yourself at home Please make yourself at home Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and sacrifice, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worship him, God Most High. Bring your peace Into our violence Bid our hungry souls be filled Word now breaking heaven’s silence Welcome to our world Welcome to our world Fragile finger sent to heal us Tender brow prepared for thorn Tiny heart whose blood will save us Unto us is born Unto us is born God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings arr. N. Lachey, et. al.2 God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day; To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy! Unleash your kingdom’s pow’r Reaching the near and far No force of hell can stop Your beauty changing hearts You made us for much more than this Awake the kingdom seed in us Fill us with the strength and love of Christ We are your church We are the hope on earth Tears are falling Hearts are breaking How we need to hear from God Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain; Gold I bring to crown Him again; King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign. So wrap our injured flesh around you Breathe our air and walk our sod Rob our sin and make us holy Perfect Son of God Perfect Son of God Welcome to our world Build your kingdom here Let the darkness fear Show your mighty hand Heal our streets and land Set your church on fire Win this nation back Change the atmosphere Build your kingdom here we pray Welcome To Our World You’ve been promised We’ve been waiting Welcome holy child Welcome holy child From God our heavenly Father This blessed angel came; And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same; How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name. C. Rice 3 O, star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to that perfect light. *Standing Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Leader: Out of little Bethlehem comes one who is to rule in Israel. People: He shall be great to the ends of the earth. Leader: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. People: God’s mercy extends from generation to generation. Give Praise to God Pouring of the Baptismal Water *Hark the Herald Angels Sing *The First Noel *Prayer of Adoration Practices of Discipleship Call to Confession While We Are Waiting, Come C. Cloninger, D. Cason4 (Solo, then all) While we are waiting come While we are waiting come Jesus our Lord Emmanuel While we are waiting come Prayer of Confession Declaration of Pardon Young Disciples & Advent Candle Lighting Lee Thomas Prayers of the People and 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.