Call to Worship

But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 (HCSB)

Lighting of the Advent Candle The Candle Of Joy

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry 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. “Joy to the World ”

Joy to the earth! 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. “Joy to the World ”

No more let sins and sorrows 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. “Joy to the World ”

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. “Joy to the World ”

Offertory Prayer Receiving of Tithes and Offerings 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Children’s Message

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hail the heav’n Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man 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.” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, “This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ ”) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness,

17 for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him. John 1:14-18 (HCSB)

Special Music Bridge Builders

WHAT IF JESUS HAD NEVER BEEN BORN? Pastor Groover December 9, 2007

I. THERE WOULD BE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT GOD IS LIKE.

No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him. John 1:18 (HCSB)

Jesus said: "No one knows the Son except the Father. No one knows the Father except the Son. No one knows the Son except the Father reveals him to him." "Immanuel, God with us." Jesus said: "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father; for I and the Father are one." "Son of David" “Son of God” “Son of Man”

II. THERE WOULD BE NO IDENTITY WITH US.

III. THERE WOULD BE NO VICTORY.

IV. THERE WOULD BE NO SALVATION FROM SIN.

V. THERE WOULD BE DESTRUCTION FOR US. SATAN WOULD HAVE WON AND KEPT US FOR ALL OF ETERNITY.

VI. THERE WOULD BE NO LIFE AFTER DEATH.

We'll all be changed: "We shall see him as he is. And we shall be like him. For this corruptible must put on the incorruptible. This mortal must put on immortality. And then shall be brought to pass this saying: 'Death is swallowed up in victory,'" because Jesus came.

VII. THERE WOULD BE NO RIGHTING OF WRONG AND NO RULING OF THE WORLD.

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (HCSB)

Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight o’er all the earth Ye who sang creation’s story Ye who sang creation’s story Now proclaim Messiah’s birth Now proclaim Messiah’s birth Come and worship Worship Christ the new born King!

Shepherds in the fields abiding Watching o’er your flocks by night God with man is now residing; God with man is now residing; Yonder shines the infant light: Yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship Worship Christ the new born King!

Sages, leave your contemplations Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of Nations; Seek the great Desire of Nations; Ye have seen the infant’s star Ye have seen the infant’s star Come and worship Worship Christ the new born King!

Saints before the altar bending Watching long in hope and fear Suddenly, the Lord descending, Suddenly, the Lord descending, In His temple shall appear. In His temple shall appear. Come and worship Worship Christ the new born King!

Benediction

Greet the Family Of God Postlude Ashley Porter