In the Bleak Mid-Tax Season

December 17, 2023 Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan Earth stood hard as iron water like a stone Snow had fallen snow on snow snow on snow In the bleak midwinter long ago Our God heav'n cannot hold Him nor earth sustain Heav'n and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ Angels and archangels may have gathered there Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air But His mother only in her maiden bliss Worshipped the Beloved with a kiss What can I give Him poor as I am If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb If I were a wise man I would do my part Yet what can I give Him give my heart Lighting of the Advent Wreath Song of Worship Prayers of the Church and Prayer of our Lord Offering “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 stars 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 Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-6 Sermon In the Bleak Mid-Tax Season Closing Hymn “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name O tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface O tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy Benediction: Join us after service as the board presents the plans for our upcoming building project. • Sunday Morning Study – The Christmas You Never Knew | 9 AM in the Sunshine Room • Sunday Prayer: Sundays | 9:30 AM in the Church Office • NO Bible Study: Mondays | 12 & 6 PM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom, off until January 8th • Fellowship Coffee Hour: Wednesdays | 10 AM in the Sanctuary, join us for coffee and donuts. • Issues Hour: Wednesdays | 11 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Christmas Eve Service: 5PM • Free Concert featuring Westward Road: Sunday, January 7th | 6PM here at the church. • Men’s Study Group – What it Means to Be a Kingdom Man: New study starting in January. • Annual Cruise: January 25th aboard the Naples Princess. Tickets are $50/person, no sign up, please pay Mary Rush or Karen Boatright to receive a ticket. • Cookies provided by Gloria and Gloria’s husband who would like to thank everyone who prayed for them.