Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Podcast

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#108) "Rock of Ages"

Prayer of Confession & Assurance of Pardon, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Gloria Patri

First Praise Song

Prayer over Soup Donations

Second Praise Song

Sermon - "The Long Road" (James 5:7–12) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Hymn of Response - (#35) "Near to the Heart of God"

Offertory

Doxology

Pastoral Prayer, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Sending Hymn - (#56) "God Will Take Care of You"

Benediction

Postlude

Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee; 

Let the water and the blood, 

From Thy wounded side which flowed, 

Be of sin the double cure, 

Save from wrath and make me pure. 

Could my tears forever flow, 

Could my zeal no languor know, 

These for sin could not atone—

Thou must save, and Thou alone: 

In my hand no price I bring, 

Simply to Thy cross I cling. 

While I draw this final breath, 

When my eyes shall close in death, 

When I rise to worlds unknown, 

And behold Thee on Thy throne, 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee. 

Near to the Heart of God

There is a place of quiet rest, 

Near to the heart of God; 

A place where sin cannot molest, 

Near to the heart of God. 

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, 

Sent from the heart of God, 

Hold us, who wait before Thee, 

Near to the heart of God. 

God Will Take Care of You

Be not dismayed whe'er betide, 

God will take care of you; 

Beneath His wings of live abide, 

God will take care of you. 

CHORUS: 

God will take care of you, 

Through every day, o'er all the way; 

He will take care of you, 

God will take care of you. 

All you may need He will provide, 

God will take care of you; 

Nothing you ask will be denied, 

God will take care of you. 

[CHORUS]

No matter what may be the test, 

God will take care of you; 

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, 

God will take care of you. 

[CHORUS]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#546) "We Are God's People"

Scouts of Troop 339

Confession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Check Yourself" (James 4:13–17)

Offertory - "Give Us Clean Hands"

Doxology

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Prayer after Communion

Benediction

Singing of the Lord's Prayer

Postlude

We Are God's People

We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, 

Born of His Spirit, established by His Word; 

Our cornerstone is Christ alone, 

And strong in Him we stand: 

O let us live transparently, 

And walk heart to heart and hand in hand. 

We are God's loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, 

For we have known it, the love of God our poured; 

Now let us learn how to return 

The gift of love once given: 

O let us share each joy and care, 

And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven. 

We are the Body of which the Lord is Head, 

Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; 

He wills us be a family 

Diverse yet truly one: 

O let us give our gifts to God, 

And so shall His work on earth be done. 

We are a Temple, the Spirit's dwelling place, 

Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace; 

We die alone, for on its own 

Each ember loses fire: 

Yet joined in one the flame burns on 

To give warmth and light, and to inspire. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#323) "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty"

Moment for Children & Youth

Confession and Assurance

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Wisdom From Above" (James 3 verses 13–18) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Hymn of Response - (#681) "Let There Be Peace on Earth"

Receiving of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Doxology

Prayers of the People

Sending Hymn - (#588) "In the Garden"

Benediction

Postlude

Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; 

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! 

God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee, 

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; 

Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee, 

Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. 

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, 

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; 

Only Thou art holythere is none beside Thee 

Perfect in power, in love and purity. 

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! 

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; 

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! 

God in three persons, blessed Trinity! 

Amen. 

Let There Be Peace on Earth

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. 

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. 

With God as our Father, brothers all are we. 

Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. 

Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. 

With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: 

To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally! 

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. 

In the Garden

I come to the garden alone, 

While the dew is still on the roses; 

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, 

The Son of God discloses. 

Chorus: 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, 

And He tells me I am His own; 

And the joy we share as we tarry there, 

None other has ever known. 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing, 

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing. 

[Chorus]

I'd stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling, 

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe, 

His voice to me is calling. 

[Chorus]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#21) "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

Moment for Children & Youth

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Mercy Triumphs" (James 2:1–13)

Hymn of Response - (#622) "O How He Loves You and Me"

Receiving of the Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Doxology

Pastoral Prayer

Sending Hymn - (#528) "God of Grace and God of Glory"

Benediction

Postlude

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 Thy promised rest. 

Take away our bent to 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, 

'Til in heaven we take our place, 

'Til we cast our crowns before Thee, 

Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Amen. 

O How He Loves You and Me

O how He loves you and me. 

O how He loves you and me; 

He gave His life, what more could He give: 

O how He loves you, 

O how He loves me, 

O how He loves you and me. 

Jesus to Calvary did go, 

His love for mankind to show; 

What He did there brought hope from despair: 

O how He loves you, 

O how He loves me, 

O how He loves you and me. 

God of Grace and God of Glory

God of grace and God of glory, 

On Thy people pour Thy power; 

Crown Thine ancient church's story, 

Bring her bud to glorious flower. 

Grant us wisdom, 

Grant us courage, 

For the facing of this hour, 

For the facing of this hour. 

Lo! the hosts of evil round us

Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways! 

From the fears that long have bound us, 

Free our hearts to faith and praise. 

Grant us wisdom, 

Grand us courage, 

For the living of these days, 

For the living of these days. 

Cure Thy children's warring madness; 

Bend our pride to Thy control; 

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, 

Rich in things and poor in soul. 

Grand us wisdom, 

Grand us courage, 

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal, 

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal. 

Set our feet on lofty places, 

Gird our lives that they may be

Armored with all Christ-like graces

In the fight to set men free. 

Grant us wisdom, 

Grand us courage, 

That we fail not man nor Thee, 

That we fail not man nor Thee. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#547) "The Church's One Foundation"

Moment for Children & Youth

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "If.... Then" (II Chronicles 7:13–14) - by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Hymn of Response - (#560) "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"

Offertory

Doxology

Prayers of the People

Sending Hymn - (#659) "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"

Benediction

Postlude

The Church's One Foundation

The Church's one foundation 

Is Jesus Christ her Lord, 

She is His new creation 

By water and the word; 

From heaven He came and sought her 

To be His holy bride; 

With His own blood He bought her, 

And for her life He died. 

Elect from every nation, 

Yet one o'er all the earth, 

Her charter of salvation, 

One Lord, one faith, one birth; 

One holy name she blesses, 

Partakes one holy food, 

And to one hope she presses, 

With every grace endued. 

'Mid toil and tribulation, 

And tumult of her war, 

She waits the consummation 

Of peace for evermore; 

Till with the vision glorious, 

Her longing eyes are blest, 

And the great Church victorious, 

Shall be the Church at rest. 

Yet she on earth hath union 

With God, the Three in One, 

And mystic sweet communion 

With those whose rest is won; 

O happy ones and holy! 

Lord, give us grace that we 

Like them, the meek and lowly, 

On high may dwell with Thee. 

Amen. 

Blest Be the Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love; 

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above. 

Before our Father's throne

We pour our ardent prayers; 

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 

Our comforts and our cares. 

We share each other's woes, 

Each other's burdens bear; 

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear. 

From sorrow, toil, and pain, 

And sin we shall be free; 

And perfect love and joy shall reign

Through all eternity. 

Amen. 

We've a Story to Tell to the Nations

We've a story to tell to the nations

That shall turn their hearts to the right, 

A story of truth and mercy, 

A story of peace and light, 

A story of peace and light. 

CHORUS:

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, 

And the dawning to noon-day bright, 

And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, 

The kingdom of love and light. 

We've a song to be sung to the nations

That shall lift their hearts to the Lord, 

A song that shall conquer evil

And shatter the spear and sword, 

And shatter the spear and sword. 

[CHORUS]

We've a message to give to the nations—

That the Lord who reigheth above

Hath sent us His Son to save us

And show us that God is love, 

And show us that God is love. 

[CHORUS]

We've a Savior to show to the nations

Who the path of sorrow hath trod, 

That all of the world's great peoples

Might come to the truth of God, 

Might come to the truth of God. 

[CHORUS]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#322) "When Morning Gilds the Skies"

Confession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "2022—A New Year, A New You" (Colossians 3:12–17)

Hymn of Response - (#544) "The Bond of Love"

Offertory - Micah Wright, piano

Doxology

Pastoral Prayer, led by Sharon Yagerlener

Sending Hymn - (#591) "Just a Closer Walk with Thee"

Benediction

Postlude

When Morning Gilds the Skies

When morning gilds the skies, 

My heart awaking cries, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer

To Jesus I repair, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? 

A solace here I find, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Or fades my earthly bliss? 

My comfort still is this, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day

When from the heart we say, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The powers of darkness fear

When this sweet chant they hear, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Ye nations of mankind

In this your oneness find, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all the earth around

Ring joyous with the sound, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, 

My canticle divine, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th'eternal song

Through all the ages long, 

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The Bond of Love

We are one in the bond of love, 

We are one in the bond of love; 

We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God, 

We are one in the bond of love. 

Let us sing now, everyone, 

Let us feel His love begin; 

Let us join our hands that the world will know

We are one in the bond of love. 

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak but Thou art strong; 

Jesus, keep me from all wrong; 

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. 

Refrain:

Just a closer walk with Thee, 

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, 

Daily walking close to Thee, 

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. 

Through this world of toil and snares, 

If I falter, Lord, who cares? 

Who with me my burden shared? 

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee

[Refrain]

When my feeble life is o'er, 

Time for me will be no more; 

Guide me gently, safely o'er

To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. 

[Refrain]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Hymn of Praise - (#108) "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me"

Installation of Elder Gwen Black

Moment for Children & Youth, presented by Keri Scroggins

Confession and Assurance, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Quick, Slow, Get to It" (James 1:19-26) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Hymn of Response - (#399) "Jesus Calls Us o'er the Tumult"

Offertory

Doxology

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Prayer after Communion

Benediction

Singing The Lord's Prayer

Postlude

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee; 

Let the water and the blood, 

From Thy wounded side which flowed, 

Be of sin the double cure, 

Save from wrath and make me pure. 

Could my tears forever flow, 

Could my zeal no languor know, 

These for sin could not atone—

Thou must save, and Thou alone: 

In my hand no price I bring, 

Simply to Thy cross I cling. 

While I draw this final breath, 

When my eyes shall close in death, 

When I rise to worlds unknown, 

And behold Thee on Thy throne, 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 

Let me hide myself in Thee. 

Jesus Calls Us o'er the Tumult

Jesus calls us o'er the tumult

Of our life's wild, restless sea; 

Day by day I hear Him saying, 

"Christian, come and follow me." 

As, of old, disciples heard it

By the Galilean lake, 

Turned from home and work and leisure, 

Leaving all for His dear sake: 

In our joys and in our sorrows, 

Days of toil and hours of ease, 

Still He calls in cares and pleasures, 

"Christian, love me more than these." 

Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies, 

Savior, may we hear Thy call, 

Give our hearts to Thine obedience, 

Serve and love Thee best of all. 

Amen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Carols of Christmas - (#171) "Joy to the World"

Moment for Children & Youth, led by Keri Scroggins

Confession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Gloria Patri

Special Music - "O Holy Night"

Sermon - "A Thrill of Hope" (Psalm 27; John 1:14) - by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Hymn of Response - (#205) "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"

Offertory

Doxology

Pastoral Prayer

Carols for Christmas - (#182) "How Great Our Joy"

Benediction

Postlude

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:

Let earth receive her King; 

Let every heart prepare Him room, 

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and heaven and nature sing. 

Joy to the world! 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. 

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. 

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. 

Go, Tell It on the Mountain

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

While shepherds kept their watching 

O'er silent flocks by night, 

Behold throughout the heavens 

There shone a holy light. 

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

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 mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

Down in a lowly manger 

The humble Christ was born, 

And brought us God's salvation 

That blessed Christmas morn. 

Go, tell it on the mountains, 

Over the hills and everywhere; 

Go, tell it on the mountains 

That Jesus Christ is born! 

How Great Our Joy

While by the sheep we watched at night, 

Glad tidings brought an angel bright. 

Refrain:

How great our joy!

(Great our joy)

Joy, joy, joy! 

(Joy, joy, joy!)

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! 

(Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!)

There shall be born, so he did say, 

In Bethlehem a Child today. 

[Refrain]

There shall the Child lie in a stall, 

This Child who shall redeem us all. 

[Refrain]

This gift of God we'll cherish well, 

That ever joy our hearts shall fill. 

[Refrain]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome

Lighting of the Christ Candle by the Griffice family

Carols of Christmas - (#192) "Angels We Have Heard on High"

Scripture - Luke 2:1-7, read by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Carols of Christmas - (#178) "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Homily - "Finding & Found" (Luke 2:1-20) - Rev. Jason Griffice

Music for Christmas Eve - "Gesu Bambino" by Pietro Yon - Susan Montgomery Kinsey, soprano

Offertory - "Maria Wiegenlied" (Mary's Lullaby) by Max Reger - Susan Montgomery Kinsey, soprano

Prayers for Christmas Eve, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Benediction

Carols of Christmas - (#195) "Silent Night, Holy Night"

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains, 

And the mountains in reply

Echo back their joyous strains. 

Refrain:

Glo--o-o-o-o-o--o-o-o-o-o--o-o-o-o-o--ria

In excelsis Deo. 

Glo--o-o-o-o-o--o-o-o-o-o--o-o-o-o-o--ria

In excelsis De--e--o. 

Shepherds, why this jubilee? 

Why your joyous strains prolong? 

Say what may the tiding be, 

Which inspire your heavenly song? 

[Refrain]

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing; 

Come adore, on bended knee, 

Christ, the Lord, the new-born King.

[Refrain]

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, 

How still we see thee lie! 

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by; 

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light: 

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight. 

For Christ is born of Mary, 

And gathered all above, 

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love. 

O morning start, together

Proclaim the holy birth! 

And praises sing to God the King, 

And peace to men on earth. 

How silently, how silently, 

The wondrous gift is given! 

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven. 

No ear may hear His coming, 

But in this world of sin, 

Where meek souls will receive Him still, 

The dear Christ enters in. 

O holy Child of Bethlehem! 

Descend to us, we pray; 

Cast out our sin and enter in, 

Be born in us today. 

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell; 

O come to us, abide with us, 

Our Lord Emmanuel! 

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent night, holy night, 

All is calm, all is bright 

Round yon virgin mother and child. 

Holy infant so tender and mild, 

Sleep in heavenly peace, 

Sleep in heavenly peace. 

Silent night, holy night, 

Shepherds quake at the sight. 

Glories stream from heaven afar, 

Heavenly host sing alleluia; 

Christ, the Savior, is born! 

Christ, the Savior, is born! 

Silent night, holy night, 

Son of God, love's pure light 

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 

With the dawn of redeeming grace, 

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, 

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Lighting the Candle of Love

Carols of Christmas - "Once in Royal David's City"

Confession and Assurance, led by Amy Hemseri-Sabala

Carols of Christmas - "Joyful, Joyful"

Pastoral Prayer, led by Rev. Sharon Yagerlener

Sermon - "Look for Love" (John 1:1-14) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Choral Presentation - "Gathered Around Jesus the Christ"

Music - "Listen to the Story"

Call for Tithes and Offerings

Music - "There's Something About That Name"

Music - "The Wexford Carol"

Music - "Silent Night"

Music - "Sing Noel"

Music - "Ding! Dong! Merrily on High"

Music - "O Holy Night"

Thanking the Guest Singers and Instrumentalists

Special Music - "Weihnachstraum" (Christmas Dream/"Silent Night") by Max Reger - Micah Wright, piano

Benediction

Musical Benediction - "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (arr. David Willcocks)

Guest Singers and Instrumentalists:

Sopranos: Susan Montgomery Kinsey, Audrey Bivens, Mary-Frances Conover

Altos: Erin Thodorakis, Christina Wilcox, Holly Roehl

Tenors: Joshua Johnson, Edward Razor

Baritone: Joshua Elmore

Bass: Gregory Perkins

Organ and Piano: Angelica Prodan

Piano: Micah Wright

Children's Chorus: Elsie Griffice, Everly Scroggins, Keri Scroggins

Shaker: Mark Mora

Drums: Jeff Farless

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.