Order of Worship Sunday December 3, 2023 10:00AM
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Greater Framingham Community Church
An Extended Christian Family
A Service for the Candle of
December 3rd, 2023♦ 10:00 AM
Franklin and Park Streets, PO Box 629
Framingham, MA 01704
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Pastor
Church Office (508) 626-2118 ♦ Internet: www.gfccnet.org
Please Note: All services are videotaped\livestreamed, which means the camera spans the congregation at times, and you may be on the screen.
Worship and celebration
LIVESTREAMED: www.gfccnet.org/live
Presiding …………………………..………..Rev. Beverly Thompson
Processional……. This is the Day Medley…………………Praise Team
We Worship Through Praise
✝ Praise Choruses.............................................................. Praise Team
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Bless That Wonderful Name of Jesus
Like the Dew
God’s Little Angels Choir……………………………………………..
Advent Candle-LOVE…………..……….GFCC Children and Youth
We Worship Through the Word
Scripture……..................Luke 2: 8-20 ......................... Javeon Calhoun
We Worship Through the Preached Word
Praise Selection…….……… Awesome…...………………Praise Team
Sermon....................................................................Rev. Quincy Mosby
We Worship Through Prayer
Invitation/Altar prayer……………………..Rev. Dr J. Anthony Lloyd
Invitation to Christian Discipleship …………………………………...
Praise Selection….………..I Surrender All ………...........Praise Team
We Worship in Response to Hearing the Word
Tithes & Offerings: (Please make your donations when entering or exiting the church service. An "Offering Container" is provided in the Narthex.)
Visitor Welcome………………………………………………………
Dance Ministry………………………………………………………..
Holy Communion……………………………………………………...
Confession of Faith……………………………………………………
Apostles Creed……………………………………………………….
Praise Selection..........The Blood Still Works……..……… Praise Team
✝Benediction
✝Standing Please
Praise Selection
THIS IS THE DAY MEDLEY
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made
I will rejoice, I will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it
This is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad, He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad, He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made
O magnify the Lord for He is worthy to be praised
O magnify the Lord for He is worthy to be praised
Hosanna! Blessed be the rock
Blessed be the rock of my salvation
Hosanna! Blessed be the rock
Blessed be the rock of my salvation
HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn 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 Godhead see;
hail disincarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn 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 we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
BLESS THAT WONDERFUL NAME OF JESUS
Bless that wonderful name of Jesus.
Bless that wonderful name of Jesus.
Bless that wonderful name of Jesus,
No other name I know.
There's power in the name of Jesus.
Power in the name of Jesus.
Power in the name of Jesus,
No other name I know.
There's healing in the name of Jesus.
Healing in the name of Jesus.
Healing in the name of Jesus,
No other name I know.
LIKE THE DEW
I.
Like the dew in the morning, gently rest upon my heart
Like the dew in the morning, gently rest upon my heart
II.
Rest, Jesus. Rest, Jesus. Rest, Jesus
Like the dew in the morning
III.
Rest, Jesus. Rest Jesus.
Rest, Jesus. Rest, Jesus.
Reign, Jesus. Reign, Jesus
Reign, Jesus. Reign, Jesus
Move, Jesus. Move, Jesus
Move, Jesus. Move, Jesus
Yes, Jesus. Yes, Jesus
Yes, Jesus. Yes, Jesus
Reign
Rule
Move
Yes
AWESOME
My God is awesome, He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain.
My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken
Strength where I’ve been weakened, forever He will reign
My God is Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! My God is awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
My God is awesome, savior of the whole world
Giver of salvation, by His stripes I am healed
My God is awesome, today I am forgiven
His grace is why I’m living, praise His holy name
My God is awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
My God is awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty – Awesome! Awesome!
He’s holy . . .
He’s great . . .
He’s mighty . . .
Deliverer . . .
He’s holy . . .
Provider . . .
Protector . . .
My God is awesome, He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain.
My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken
Strength where I’ve been weakened, praise His holy name
You are the God of miracles
You are the God of wonders
You are the God all powerful
I believe, I believe
I believe, I believe,
I believe, I believe
I SURRENDER ALL
All to Jesus I surrender All to Thee I freely give. I will always love and trust Him. In His presence daily live
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all
THE BLOOD STILL WORKS
The blood still works
The blood still works
The blood still works
The blood still works
It will never, never, never lose its power
The blood still works!
I know it works ‘cause it raised me.
I know it works ‘cause it saved me.
I know it works ‘cause it filled me.
I know it works ‘cause it healed me.
It will never lose its power
The blood still works!
VAMP
I know the blood still works. Oh yes, the blood still works
It will never, never, never lose its power
It will never, never, never lose its power
It will never, never, never lose its power
The blood still work
The Advent Season
An Introduction
Get ready for the world’s best news!
Advent Season, the four weeks before Christmas, is a time to get ready. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, we receive the risen Christ who comes to us in Word and Spirit, and we await with hope Christ’s coming in final victory.
Advent is from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” Prophets announced the coming of the Savior: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us…(Isaiah 9:6), Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, said of John: You, child, will be called the prophet of the most high: for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)
During Advent we become one with those who waited in darkness for the revealing of God’s light and who dared to hope that God’s salvation could come in the birth of a child. As we re-live the story each year, we gain new and deeper understanding of the meaning of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We celebrate God’s gift of Jesus Christ and give thanks.
The Challenge of Advent
In our world, Christmas has become a commercial event. During Advent we are challenged to reclaim the customs that help us celebrate God’s gift of love in Jesus and to avoid or curtail those things that stand in the way. Gifts, cards, and parties need to express love, not obligation, and they need to extend beyond our immediate circle of family and friends to those who most need love and care.
Advent: Advent is the beginning of the Christian Year. Advent is our season of waiting and expectation. This is the time when God calls us to begin, afresh and anew the preparation of our hearts to become the clean and ready managers for The Christ Child’s arrival. Advent means that Mary is pregnant! The Biblical lections and the songs of Advent set the stage to allow our congregation to walk with us through this section of The God Story and another, “In The Beginning.” We are awaiting the fresh arrival of The One who will bring change into our lives. We are anticipating the coming of a new day, a fresh start and a different reality. We are living in expectation.
The Advent Wreath
An Advent Wreath can be a center of worship for both church and home. The wreath is a circle of evergreen branches, a sign of everlasting life. Four Red or Purple Candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A White Candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. The base is an Advent Wreath.
The Colors of the Season
Purple is the traditional color used by many churches during Advent and Lent because it represents both penitence and royalty. Blue, sometimes used during Advent, represents hope. White is the color of joy and festivities, a suitable color for the Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath and for Christmas Services.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent with an additional candle lighted each week. On Christmas Eve the White Christ Candle is lighted.
Family Advent Worship
Families may have daily or weekly Advent Worship. In the Northern Hemisphere, Advent and Christmas come when the days are shortest. In Ancient times, especially, lighting candles symbolized hope both for the return of sunlight and for the joy of Jesus’ coming to bring God’s light to the world.
HOLY COMMUNION
When we approach God's Holy Table, we do so with respect and reverence for who God is. It is not done with noise, commotion, moving around, or confusion. Please respect God by respecting His Holy Table.
CONFESSION OF FAITH
The church acknowledges as its head God, the Creator of all heaven and earth, Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ, all who share in this confession. It believes that all of those who are committed to building God's Kingdom and strive to keep His commandments are invited to partake of the Lord's Supper and that all such, with their families, are invited to the Ordinance of Baptism.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: “APOSTLES” CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day, he arose from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sat on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty: from thence, he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church (universal), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen!
THE LORD’S SUPPER
I Corinthians 11: 23 – 34
Minister: For I have received of the Lord that I also delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:
People: And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Minister: After the same manner, also he took the cup when he had supped, saying; this cup is the New Testament in my blood: this does ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
People: For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he comes.
Minister: Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
People: But let a person examine themselves, and so let them eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Minister: For they that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to themselves, not discerning the Lord’s body.
People: For this cause, many are weak in [Faith] and sick among you, and many sleep.
Minister: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
People: But when we judge, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Minister: Wherefore, my friends, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
All: And if a person hungers, let them eat at home; that they come not together to this table, disregarding its purpose, and unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Dear GFCC Church Family,
As we come to the close of 2023 and walk into the Advent season, I want to request that you consider a special Christmas offering for your church. Giving is behind this year and the expenses are ongoing. Please do your best to catch up in your giving if you are behind or even stretch to give a little extra to ensure the church is able to meet its ministry obligations and finish the year in a strong financial position. If you are not sure of your giving history please reach out to the Church treasure [ Ms. Carol Harrison] [ treasurer@gfccnet.org] and she will provide you with a copy of your giving history for the year.]
Thank you for your faithful support of the ministry and may this Advent season be one centered around our Theme: Christ the Savior is Born!
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
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