“Who Is Worthy Of Christmas?”Matthew 1:18-25 describes the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus, focusing on Joseph's role: Mary, betrothed to Joseph, became pregnant by the Holy Spirit; Joseph, a righteous man, planned to divorce her quietly but an angel appeared in a dream, telling him not to fear, that the child was from the Holy Spirit, and to name him Jesus (meaning Savior); Joseph obeyed, taking Mary as his wife and not consummating the marriage until Jesus was born, fulfilling prophecy. Key Events in Matthew 1:18-25

1. The Situation (v. 18): Jesus' mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph but discovered she was pregnant through the Holy Spirit before they were married.
• Joseph's Dilemma (v. 19): Joseph, being righteous, intended to divorce Mary privately to spare her public shame.
• The Angel's Message (v. 20-21): An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to marry Mary, as the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and to name him Jesus because he would save people from their sins.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy (v. 22-23): This fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about a virgin conceiving and bearing a son named Emmanuel ("God with us").
• Joseph's Obedience (v. 24-25): Joseph woke up, obeyed the angel by marrying Mary, and did not have sexual relations with her until after Jesus was born, whom he then named. 

Romans 2:1-11 from the Bible emphasizes God's impartial judgment, warning those who judge others that they condemn themselves since they do the same things, highlighting that God's kindness leads to repentance, and stating that He will repay everyone according to their deeds—eternal life for the persistent doers of good, but wrath and fury for the self-seeking who disobey truth, with no favoritism shown between Jew and Gentile, as seen in the KJV translation and the ESV translation. Key Themes in Romans 2:1-11:

1. Self-Condemnation: You are inexcusable for judging others because you commit the same sins.
2. God's Righteous Judgment: God's judgment is true and based on reality, not just outward actions.
• Kindness Leading to Repentance: God's patience and forbearance are meant to draw people to turn from sin, not be taken advantage of.
• Storing Up Wrath: A hard, unrepentant heart accumulates God's wrath for the final judgment day.
• Reward Based on Deeds: God rewards good deeds (glory, honor, immortality) and punishes evil (wrath, distress).
• No Partiality: Judgment applies to everyone—Jew and Gentile—based on their actions, not their background. 

In essence, the passage challenges self-righteousness, reminding readers that God's justice is universal and demands sincere repentance, not hypocritical judgment. 

ENTER TO WORSHIP 

UTICA CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 

Reverend Brad Hartzog, Minister 

Rod Nealey, Music Director 

Peggy Bickel, Organist 

Terri Coalter, Pianist 

December 21, 2025 

10:30 A.M 

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS TO WORSHIP 

The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Joy 

Announcements 

The Prelude Acolyte 

* Introit 

Worship Hymnal 

"Angels We Have Heard on High" 

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle - Joy 

*Call To Worship 

Invocation 

The Lord's Prayer 

(Debts & Debtors) 

184 

Unison 

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, the power and the glory, forever. Amen 

Children's Moment 

*The Opening Hymn 

Morning Prayer 

Worship Hymnal 

"O Come, All Ye Faithful" 

199 

Minister 

THE COMMUNITY OFFERS ITS GIFTS 

*Doxology 

668 

"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" 

The Prayer for the Offering 

Diaconate 

THE COMMUNITY PARTAKES OF COMMUNION 

(The Communion Table is open to all who have accepted Christ) 

Communion Hymn 

Worship Hymnal 

180 

"The First Noel" 

Communion Meditation 

Minister 

The Prayer for the Loaf and Cup 

Elders 

The Serving of the Elements 

Diaconate 

The closing of the Communion Table 

Message in Song "Mary, Did You Know?" 

Soloist - Elizabeth Smith 

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED 

Invitation to Discipleship 

*Closing Hymn 

Worship Hymnal 

181 

"Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come" 

THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS TO SERVE 

Benediction 

Minister 

*Please Stand 

Children and Adult Choir Christmas Program

Children and Adult Choir Christmas Program

Prelude

Welcome and Prayer

Adult Choir, Medley

Congregational Singing

Children's Choir (Starts at 13:25)

Congregational Singing

Adult Choir, O Holy Night

Congregational Singing

Adult Choir, All is Well

Closing Prayer

Postlude

ENTER TO WORSHIP 

UTICA CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 

Reverend Brad Hartzog, Minister 

Rod Nealey, Music Director 

Peggy Bickel, Organist. 

Terri Coalter, Pianist 

December 14, 2025 

10:30 A.M 

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS TO WORSHIP 

The Third Sunday of Advent - Love 

Announcements The Prelude Acolyte 

* Introit 

Worship Hymnal 

"Hark! The Herold Angels Sing" 

Lighting of the Third Advent Candle - Love 

*Call To Worship 

Invocation 

The Lord's Prayer 

(Debts & Debtors) 

192 

Unison 

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, the power and the glory, forever. Amen 

Children's Moment 

*The Opening Hymn 

Morning Prayer 

Worship Hymnal 

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" 

196 

Minister 

*Doxology 

THE COMMUNITY OFFERS ITS GIFTS 

"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" 

The Prayer for the Offering 

668 

Diaconate 

THE COMMUNITY PARTAKES OF COMMUNION 

(The Communion Table is open to all who have accepted Christ) 

Communion Hymn 

Worship Hymnal 

"Let Us Break Bread Together" 

399 

Communion Meditation 

Minister 

The Prayer for the Loaf and Cup 

Elders 

The Serving of the Elements 

Diaconate 

The closing of the Communion Table 

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED 

Invitation to Discipleship 

*Closing Hymn 

Worship Hymnal "Away in a Manger" 

205 

THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS TO SERVE 

Benediction 

Minister 

*Please Stand 

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Beatitudes

ENTER TO WORSHIP 

UTICA CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 

Reverend Brad Hartzog, Minister 

Rod Nealey, Music Director 

Peggy Bickel, Organist 

Terri Coalter, Pianist 

December 7, 2025 

10:30 A.M. 

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS TO WORSHIP 

The Second Sunday of Advent - Peace 

Announcements 

The Prelude Acolyte 

* Introit 

Worship Hymnal 

"Emmanuel" 

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle - Peace 

*Call To Worship 

The Lord's Prayer 

201 

Invocation 

(Debts & Debtors) 

Unison 

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, the power and the glory, forever. Amen 

Children's Moment 

* The Opening Hymn 

Worship Hymnal 

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" 

Morning Prayer 

196 

Minister 

THE COMMUNITY OFFERS ITS GIFTS 

*Doxology 

668 

"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" 

The Prayer for the Offering 

Diaconate 

THE COMMUNITY PARTAKES OF COMMUNION 

(The Communion Table is open to all who have accepted Christ) 

Communion Hymn 

Worship Hymnal "What Can I Give Him?" 

Communion Meditation 

The Prayer for the Loaf & Cup 

The Serving of the Elements 

(Hold the bread and cup and partake in unison) 

The closing of the Communion Table 

Message in Song "Jesus Is Born Prince of Peace" Soloist Anna Carraway 

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED 

Invitation to Discipleship 

207 

Minister 

Elders 

Diaconate 

*Closing Hymn 

Worship Hymnal 

217 

"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" 

THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS TO SERVE 

Benediction 

Minister 

*Please Stand 

Matthew 7:7-8 from the Bible's Sermon on the Mount encourages persistent prayer and seeking God, stating, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened," emphasizing God's willingness to give good things to those who ask, just as earthly parents give good gifts to their children. 

ENTER TO WORSHIP 

UTICA CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 

Reverend Brad Hartzog, Minister 

Rod Nealey, Music Director 

Peggy Bickel, Organist 

Terri Coalter, Pianist 

November 30, 2025 

10:30 A.M. 

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS TO WORSHIP 

Announcements The Prelude Acolyte 

The Hanging of the Greens 

The First Sunday of Advent - Hope 

* Introit 

Chalice Hymnal 

125 

"Come, O Long-expected Jesus" 

Lighting of the first Advent Candle - Hope 

*Call To Worship 

The Lord's Prayer 

(Debts & Debtors) 

Invocation 

Unison 

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, the power and the glory, forever. Amen 

Children's Moment 

The Opening Hymn 

Chalice Hymnal "One Candle Is Lit" 

128 

Morning Prayer 

THE COMMUNITY OFFERS ITS GIFTS 

Minister 

*Doxology 

668 

"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" 

The Prayer for the Offering 

Diaconate 

THE COMMUNITY PARTAKES OF COMMUNION 

(The Communion Table is open to all who have accepted Christ) 

Communion Hymn 

Chalice Hymnal 

"We Come as Guest Invited" 

Communion Meditation 

The Prayer for the Loaf & Cup 

The Serving of the Elements 

(Hold the bread and cup and partake in unison) 

The closing of the Communion Table 

THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED 

386 

Minister 

Elders 

Diaconate 

Invitation to Discipleship 

*Closing Hymn 

Chalice Hymnal 

349 

"My Jesus, I Love Thee" 

THE COMMUNITY DEPARTS TO SERVE 

Benediction 

Minister 

*Please Stand 

Luke 18:10-14New International Version

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”