December-20-2015

DECEMBER 20, 2015

WELCOME
Westminster Presbyterian Church is a covenant family of
believers called by God to fulfill His purposes here in
Laurel, and as a staging ground for worldwide kingdom
growth where we seek to live out the Gospel of Jesus
Christ – to fill the earth with disciples, subdue it
redemptively for God’s glory, and worship Him joyfully.
We are being redeemed and equipped by the Spirit to
build up one another until the Lord returns.

ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION
OF PUBLIC WORSHIP AND HOLY COMMUNION
DECEMBER 20, 2015
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Congregation Standing
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Lara Youngblood
RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP*
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine
Our souls magnify the Lord!
Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior!
The mighty One has done great things for us!
Holy is His name!
Let us worship God.
For God is our Maker and our Redeemer;
from generation to generation God gives mercy.
-based on Luke 1:46-50
INVOCATION AND CAROL OF PRAISE*
Joy to the World p. 2
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
ADVENT SCRIPTURE LESSON
Mr. Phil Buehler
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Traylor
In celebration of the season of Advent, the fourth candle (purple) is lit
representing “joy.” Rejoice! Jesus is the light of the world.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
CAROL OF REJOICING
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing p. 3
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JOY TO THE WORLD
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HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
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GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
OFFERING PRAYER
ANTHEM
Gesu Bambino
Come, Let Us Worship Him
Lara Youngblood
Choir
SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION AND CHANGE
SERMON
O Come Let Us Adore Him - Worshiped by Wise Men
Rev. Mike Allen
CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN
Holy and gracious Father, who can enter Your presence innocent of
misdeeds and guiltless of impure motives?
We confess that we have resisted the coming of Your King of glory
by apologies not made, forgiveness not extended, peace not pursued,
family members not loved, providences ignored,
envy unchecked, prayers unspoken, fears not conquered,
truth not defended, tongue unbridled, eyes unguarded,
and resources wasted.
We have not shared the gospel with those who are in need of it.
We have been offended by the gospel without repentance.
Forgive and transform us so that we serve and worship You with joy
and without fear.
This we pray in our Savior’s name. Amen.
(Hear now our silent and individual prayers of confession)
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ASSURANCE OF PARDON 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.
HOLY COMMUNION
Minister: The peace of the Lord be with you!
People: And also with you!
Breaking of the Bread and Sharing of the Cup
The center of each bread tray contains gluten-free bread.
The outer rings of each cup tray contains wine, the inner rings contain juice.
Elements will be served by the elders.
Please hold the elements as they will be taken together after all are served.
BENEDICTION
HYMN OF REFLECTION*
Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountain in reply, Echo back their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo,
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
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SERMON NOTES
O Come Let Us Adore Him
Worshiped By Wise men
Westminster Presbyterian Church
December 20, 2015
Matthew 2:1-12
I. The Gospel Goes Out To The W___________ vv. 1-2
II. Sometimes Those Closest To The Gospel Are The Most I____________ By It vv. 3-8
III. When The Gospel Is Truly Received It S____________ Joyful Worship vv. 9-11
IV. Those Who E____________The Gospel Guard It With Their Life v. 12
Sources Consulted:
Accordance Bible Software - ESV - Greek and Hebrew Analysis; ESV Study Bible; Calvin Commentaries; Pentateuch (2006) Hendrickson/
Kistemaker - Matthew; Duncan, Ligon - Wise Men From The East
Rev. Michael T. Allen
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Monday/Tuesday
In the birth narrative of Christ, the announcement went out to the most unlikely people.
What does it say about the gospel that it went out to the wise men? What people in your
social circle might be the equivalent of the wise men in Matthew? Now, how might your
evangelism change this truth?
Wednesday/Thursday
Our second sermon point concerning the wise men was, “Sometimes those closest to the
gospel are the most irritated by it.” How does the gospel confront and trouble how we “do
church?” What might we do to guard against gospel resistance in the organized church?
Friday/Saturday
Our third sermon point concerning the wise men was, “When the gospel is truly received it
sparks joyful worship.” How did the gifts given appropriately show worship to Christ?
How does this practically translate to our own worship of Him? How might our gifts be
used to worship Jesus?
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
There is no service this evening. Please join us on Thursday for our
Christmas Eve Communion Service at 6:00 PM. If you ordered a
poinsettia, you may take it home with you after the service on Thursday.
WIM Food Team Sign-Up: We are currently re-grouping our WIM Food Teams.
Our food teams serve our members by preparing and delivering meals at times
of need, such as hospitalization, bereavement, and birth. Teams are activated
on a rotating basis. Rachel Jones and Dianne Buehler are serving as co-chairs
of the WIM Food Ministry. If you are not currently serving on a food team
and would like to, we would love to have your help! If you are currently on a
team, you must sign up again so we will know that you wish to continue
serving. To sign up, please contact Rachel Jones (601.498.3262,
vjonesfam@bellsouth.net) or Dianne Buehler (601.498.9667,
pdbuehler@comcast.net). Please confirm or update your cell phone number
and email address when you sign up. Thank you for your service in this
ministry!
Adult Sunday School
The Prophets is taught by Phil Buehler and meets in Room 33.
The Word Speaks is taught by various leaders and meets in Room 35.
Young Families is taught by the Duncan’s and meets in the Fellowship Room.
Young Adults is taught by Jeremy Britt and meets in the Prayer Room.
Children’s Sunday School
K3-K5 is taught by Ashley Entrekin and meets in Room 9.
1st - 3rd Graders are taught by the Bassi’s and Dianne Buehler and meet in Room 11.
4th - 6th Graders are taught by Luke Hammonds and meet in Room 7.
7th-12th Graders are taught by Rick Youngblood and meet in the Youth Room.
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THIS WEEK AT WESTMINSTER
Sunday, December 20
9:00 AM - Sunday School
10:00 AM - Fellowship
10:30 AM - Morning Worship
Monday, December 21
No Activities Planned
Tuesday, December 22
No Activities Planned
Wednesday, December 23
7:00 AM - Men’s Bible Study
11:00 AM - Women’s Prayer Group
Thursday, December 24
6:00 PM - Christmas Eve Communion
Friday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 26
No Activities Planned
Elder/Deacon of the Week:
Westminster Officers & Staff:
Elders
Phil Buehler
Robert Hayes
Victor Jones Jr.
Steven Morgan
Rick Youngblood
Dec. 21-27 Dec. 28-Jan 3
Elder: Robert Hayes Victor Jones
Deacon: Robert Burdette Josh Jones
Deacons
Chuck Bell
Robert Burdette
Darron Dodd
Kline Estess
Luke Hammonds
Josh Jones
Grant Kennedy
Danny Martin
Larkin Simpson
John Tucker
Church Staff
Gale Alexander, Nursery Director
Rev. Mike Allen, Pastor
Jeremy Britt, Youth Director
Lisa Corley, Office Manager
Rev. Kory Duncan, Associate Pastor
Dave Graeser, Music Ministries Director
Eric Parker, Pastoral Intern
Lara Youngblood, Pianist
Instrumentalists
Chris Dean, Violin
Shih-Ting Shao, Viola
Ana Ospina, Cello
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WELCOME!
If you are a visitor and would like
more information about our church,
please fill out the contact information
below and place in the offering plate
as it passes:
Name_____________________________________
Address____________________________________
__________________________________________
Phone Number_____________________________
Children’s Names & Ages____________________
__________________________________________
Add me to the phone & email list.
Prayer Requests
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
I’m interested in more information
about Honduras.
Christmas Eve Communion
is Thursday at 6pm
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