Bayshore Gardens Community Church B elieving, Again G aining Hope C aring Relationships C hrist Jesus

TODAY IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT SEASON Please read the bulletin insert entitled “The Advent And Christmas Seasons Of The Church Year”

WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO MEMBERS, REGULAR ATTENDERS, and THOSE VISITING TODAY. If you are visiting with us, we welcome you to our church! You are no longer a stranger for you are with the people of God.

We have openings for a Deacon and an Elder on our Consistory for terms beginning in January If you would be willing to serve in either of these positions, please contact one of the current Consistory members. Nominations must be in by December 2 nd 2015.

WE INVITE YOU TO SIGN THE WHITE ATTENDANCE PAD so that we may celebrate your presence with us today! Please pass it on to the next person and then back down the row

Please Take Your Bulletins Home With You and Read Announcements We invite you to take advantage of the many opportunities for fellowship and service

Bayshore Gardens Community Church B elieving, Again G aining Hope C aring Relationships C hrist Jesus

THE CALL TO WORSHIP [ Pastor / CONGREGATION ] Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: and the government shall be upon His shoulders; AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Of the increase of His government and peace THERE SHALL BE NO END. He will reign on the throne of David, AND OVER HIS KINGDOM, ESTABLISHING IT AND UPHOLDING IT

He will do so with justice and righteousness from that time and forever. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD OF HOSTS WILL PERFORM THIS. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. ON THOSE LIVING IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH A BRIGHT LIGHT HAS SHINED!

THE FIRST OPENING HYMN #244 ‘COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS’ [ All who are able please stand ]

(1) Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free. From our sins and fears relieve us; Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

(2) 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.

THE SECOND OPENING HYMN #279 ‘INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY’

(1) Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Christ the babe is Lord of all.

(2) Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new; Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you. Christ the babe was born for you.

LIGHTING OUR ADVENT CANDLE The First Sunday Of Advent

SILENT PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CONFESSION THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON 1 John 1:5,7 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you: It is that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. And so if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin.

‘JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE YOU’ (With Christmas text) -1- Joyful, Joyful, We adore You, God of glory, God of light; Angels lifting praise before You Sing throughout the holy night. In a manger lies a Baby, Child of Mary, Son of God. Voices joined in joyful chorus Praise You for Your gift of love.

-2- All Your works declare Your glory; All creation joins to sing. Praise resounds as earth rejoices In the birth of Christ, the King. Shepherds kneel before the infant. Trumpets sound and anthems raise. As with joy our hearts are lifted, Joined in wonder, love and praise.

A TIME OF SHARING WITH GOD’S CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE Luke 1:39-45; In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country. There she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you, Mary, among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

‘ LET’S WORSHIP AND ADORE HIM’ Let’s worship and adore Him, Christ, the Lord. For He alone is worthy, Christ, the Lord.

THE SERMON THE MESS OF CHRISTMAS Luke 1:39-45; Please See Sermon Outline Bayshore Gardens Community Church Dr. Daniel Herlein

Luke 1:37 With God, nothing is impossible

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29

Matthew 1:23

“M E S S” is the MESSAGE of Christmas: There isno cave, no place, no event in our lives no circumstance that istoo remote, too complicated, too messy, for God to be present with us.

IMMANUEL means GOD WITH US and that’s a promise!

The Pastoral Prayer 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.

OUR OFFERING As A Tangible Expression Of Our Gratitude To God, We Joyfully Offer Our Monetary Gifts To Financially Support God's Work At Bayshore Gardens Community Church

Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming OFFERTORY MUSIC

THE 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

THE CLOSING HYMN #258 ‘GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN’ Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night; Behold, throughout the heavens There shown a holy light. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled When, lo above the earth Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

THE PASTORAL BENEDICTION Go forth from this place as God’s elect and covenant people... AMEN