Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Podcast

Unfortunately, I did not begin recording until several minutes into the service. The Welcome, Call to Worship, and part of the opening hymn are lost as a result.

Opening Hymn - (#98) "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Confession, Assurance, and Gloria Patri

Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons

Praise Songs

Sersmon - "New Mercies Every Morning" (Lamentations 3:22–26) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Offertory - "Morning Has Broken"

doxology

Pastoral Prayer

Closing Hymn - "This Is the Day"

Benediciton

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

CHORUS:

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided -

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

[CHORUS]

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow -

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

[CHORUS]

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn - (#347) "All Creatures of Our God and King"

Praise Songs

Confession, Assurance, and Gloria Patri

Gathering to the Word - (#323) "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!"

Sermon - "Life is Long" (Hebrews 12:1–13) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Receiving of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Doxology

Approaching the Table

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Prayer after Communion

Benediction

Singing of The Lord's Prayer

All Creatures of Our God and King

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,

Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising morn in praise rejoice,

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for thy lord to hear,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,

That givest man both warmth and light,

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia!

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 holy--there 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.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Carol of Christmas - (#184) "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Prayer of Confession

Sermon - "Starting Over" (Deuteronomy 4:30) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Carol of Christmas - (#180) "What Child Is This?"

Receiving of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory and Doxology

Prayers of the People

Carol of Christmas - (#193) "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

Benediction

Postlude

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

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 the angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King."

Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come,

Offspring of the Virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the God-head see;

Hail th'incarnate Deity,

Pleased as man with men to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King."

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings,

Risen 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 new-born King!"

Amen

What Child Is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus:

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

[Chorus]

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come peasent, king, to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

[Chorus]

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Chorus:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

[CHORUS]

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,

O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

[CHORUS]

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Carols of Christmas - (#197) "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Special Music - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" - Linda Gerardy, flute

Message - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: The Arrival" (Luke 2:6–7) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Carols of Christmas - (#185) "Away in a Manger"

Prayers of Christmas

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

Benediction

Postlude

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heaven's all-gracious King":

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing:

O rest beside the weary load,

And hear the angels sing.

For lo, the days are hastening on,

By prophet seen of old,

When, with the ever-circling years,

Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace their King,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the sky all looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

The little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

Silent 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.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Carol of Advent - (#169) "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

Lighting of the Candle of Love

Carol of Advent - (#179) "The First Noel"

Special Music - "The King Is Born" by Craig Adams

Sermon - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Last Call" (Revelation 22:16–21)

Receiving of Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Doxology

Prayers of the People

Carol of Advent - (#171) "Joy to the World"

Benediction

Postlude

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

CHORUS:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

[CHORUS]

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

And order all things, far and nigh;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And cause us in her ways to go.

[CHORUS]

O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be thyself our King of peace.

[CHORUS]

The First Noel

The first noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay--

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain:

Noel, noel!

Noel, noel!

Born in the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the east, beyond them far;

And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued both day and night.

[Refrain]

And by the light of that same star,

Three wise men came from country far;

To seek for a king was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went.

[Refrain]

This star drew nigh to the northwest,

Over Bethlehem it took its rest;

And there it did both stop and stay,

Right over the place where Jesus lay.

[Refrain]

Then entered in those wise men three,

Full reverently upon their knee,

And offeredn there, in His presence,

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

[Refrain]

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,

That hath made heaven and earth of naught,

And with His blood mankind hath bought.

[Refrain]

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.

Prelude - "The Coventry Carol" Traditional English Carol, Arr. Brad Nix - Lyubov Solovyova, Cello; Jenny (Jee-El) Park, piano

"Joy to the World!" (Medley) Arr. David T. Clydesdale - Jenny (Jee-El) Park, piano

Welcome & News of the Church

Editor's note: I apologize, but the lighting of the Candle of Joy involved a microphone that did not send audio to the recording device.

Devotional Reading

"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" - words by Charles Wesley; Music by Stralsund Gesangbuch (1665); Arr. Keith & Kristyn Getty/Paul Campbell

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" - from "Veni Emmanuel" (Latin hymn), Plainsong, 1850; Arr. Timothy Kile - Coastal California Chorale with Juwan Hong, Cello; Jenny Park, piano

Prophecies Fulfilled

"O Thou that Tellest Good tidings to Zion" (Chorus No. 9 from "Messiah") by George F. Handel

"Behold" (with "O Come, Let Us Adore Him") - by Sophia Torjesen, Worship Leader; Arr. John Bolin

The Savior from Heaven

"Behold" (with "O Come, Let Us Adore Him") - by Sophia Torjesen, Worship Leader; Arr. John Bolin

Scripture Reading - Luke 2:1–7

"Almost There" (with "Mary, Did You Know?") Arr. Cliff Duren

Scripture Reading - Luke 2:8–14

Medley of Carols (from "Let Heaven and Nature Sing!") with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "Angels We Have Heard on High", "Joy to the World", "The First Noel"

Scripture Reading - Luke 14–20

"Welcome to Our World" (with "You Are Welcome Here") - Words & Music by Chris Rice; Arr. John Bolin

Call for the Offering

The Greatest Light

Scripture Reading - Matthew 2:1–6, 9–11

"Let Us Adore Him Medley" Arr. John Bolin & Cliff Duren - with "O Come, All Ye Faithful, "I Worship You, Almighty God", "There Is None Like You", and "The Love of God" (forever Mine) - Harry Bui, Worship Leader

The Thread of Christmas

"Silent Night" - "Stille Nacht" by Joseph Mohn and Franz Gruber, 1819 - Arr. Dan Forrest

"Jesus is Born!"

"Born in Bethelehem" (A Medley of Christas Spirituals) Arr. Bruce Greer - with "Mary's Little Boy Child", "Amen", "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy", "Go, Tell It on the Mountain", "Children, Go Where I Send Thee!"

Benediction

Postlude - "Emmanuel" by Michael W. Smith

Thank you to our guest musicians:

Mattias Chaidez, violin

Rebecca Meyer and Michelle Phillips, vocal

Prelude - "Carol of the Bells"

Carols of Christmas - "Joy to the World"

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1–5

Carols of Christmas - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

Welcome & News of the Church

Lighting of the Candle of Peace

Second Reading: Luke 1:26–33

Carols of Christmas - "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"

Prayers of Advent

Receiving of the Offering

Offertory - "Mary Did You Know?" - Matthias Chaidez, violin

Third Reading: Luke 1:39–45

Carols of Christmas - "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Fourth Reading: Jeremiah 23:5–6

Carols of Christmas - "O Holy Night"

Sermon - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Testify" (Jeremiah 23:5–6) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Carols of Christmas - "Angels We Have Heard on High"

Benediction

Postlude

Many thanks to the members of Looney's Fortune—Patty Amelotte, Georgiana Hennessy, and Matt Tonge!

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

Carol of Advent - (#168) "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

Lighting of the Candle of Hope

Carol of Advent - (#177) "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"

Special Music - "Johsefin's Waltz"

Carol of Advent - (#169) "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

Special Music - "What Child is This"

Sermon—"There's a God-Child on the Horizon" (Isaiah 7:1–17)

Offertory - "Come Before Winter"

Doxology

Carol of Advent (#318) "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Serving the Sacrament of Communion

Benediction

Singing of the Lord's Prayer

Postlude - "Lark in the Morning"

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release 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.

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.

Good Christian Men, Rejoice

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say:

News! news!

Jesus Christ is born today!

Ox and ass before Him bow,

And He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss:

Joy! joy!

Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened heaven's door,

And man is blessed evermore.

Christ was born for this!

Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice

With hear and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace! peace!

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all

To gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

CHORUS:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

[CHORUS]

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

And order all things, far and nigh;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And cause us in her ways to go.

[CHORUS]

O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be thyself our King of peace.

[CHORUS]

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

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

Confession, Assurance, and Gloria Patri

Praise Songs

Gathering to the Word

Sermon - "Gratitude: Christ is Coming Again" (Hebrews 9:24–28) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Hymn of Response - (#240) "Fairest Lord Jesus" (verses 1, 3, & 4)

Offertory

Doxology

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn - (#468) "Be Thou My Vision"

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.

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus,

Ruler of all nature,

O Thou of God and man the Son:

Thee will I cherish,

Thee will I honor,

Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

Fair is the sunshine,

Fairer stil the moonlight,

And all the twinkling starry host:

Jesus shines brighter,

Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heaven can bost.

Beautiful Savior!

Lord of the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor,

Praise, adoration,

Now and forevermore be Thine!

Amen.

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art—

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Amen.

Prelude

Welcome & News of the Church

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn - (#318) "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Confession, Assurance, and Gloria Patri

Minute for Mission - Operation Christmas Child

Praise Songs

Sermon - "Gratitude: God's In Charge" (I Samuel 2:1–10) - by Rev. Jason Griffice

Hymn of Response - (#454) "Trust and Obey"

Receiving of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory - "Once Again" by Matt Redman

Doxology

Pastoral Prayer

Closing Hymn - (#495) "It Is Well With My Soul"

Benediction

Postlude

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

This my glad commemoration

That 'til now I've safely come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee:

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love:

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

Amen.

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

CHORUS:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we'll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

[CHORUS]

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll—

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is will with my soul.

CHORUS:

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin—O the joy of this glorious thought—

My sin, not in par, but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul.

[CHORUS]

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

"Even so"—it is well with my soul.

[CHORUS]