by Pastor Joel E. Wood
The Daily News
Acts 20:1-6
https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Acts20:1-6
https://www.newlifelamesa.org/pages/worship-guide
CCLI License #390757

9:30a Service
Welcome and Announcements
Choral Introit.   “Hear the Glad Tidings”
Hear the glad tidings, hear the glad tidings now in Bethl’em manger.
Born of a virgin, born of a virgin is the Christ, our Savior.

Chorus:
Angels are singing, kings gifts are bringing, 
Shepherds are praying, cattle are kneeling,
To the little Jesus, to the Son of Mary, who for us is born this day!

No room for Mary, no room for Mary, full the inn with trav’lers.
So to a stable, so to a stable did she go for shelter.  [Chorus]

Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall.
Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing, bells are ringing, tidings bringing.
Christ the Babe is Lord of all!  Christ the Babe is Lord of all!  He is Lord!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new.
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow.
Christ the Babe is born for you!  Christ the Babe is born for you!
Christ is Born!  Jesus Christ is born this day!

Traditional Polish Carols arranged by Philip Kern
Hear the Glad Tidings translated by Alice Zienko
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly translated by Edith M.G. Reed, alt.

GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP   Psalm 95:1-3
Leader: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
People: Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Leader: For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

PRAYER OF ADORATION, ASSISTANCE, & BLESSING

Hymnal #207   "Good Christian Men, Rejoice”
Good Christian men, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
earth and heav'n 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:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
and man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
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!

REFLECTION ON GOD’S LAW from Exodus 20:1-17 & N.T. corollaries, ESV
Leader: Honor your father and your mother.
People: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Eph. 6:1)

Leader: You shall not murder.
People: Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 Jn. 3:15)

Leader: You shall not commit adultery.
People: Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mt. 5:28)

Leader: You shall not steal.
People: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  Do your work quietly and earn your own living. (2 Th. 3:10,12)

Leader: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
People: Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor. (Eph. 4:25)

Leader: You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor's.
People: For the whole law is fulfilled in one word:  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal. 5:14)

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF GRACE   Colossians 2:6-7

Hymnal #221   “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming”
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming 
from tender stem hath sprung, 
of Jesse's lineage coming, 
as men of old have sung. 
It came, a flow'ret bright, 
amid the cold of winter, 
when half-spent was the night. 

Isaiah 'twas foretold it, 
the rose I have in mind; 
with Mary we behold it, 
the virgin mother kind. 
To show God's love aright, 
she bore to men a Savior, 
when half-spent was the night. 

The shepherds heard the story,
proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory,
was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
and in the manger found him,
as angel heralds said.

This flow'r, whose fragrance tender 
with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness ev'rywhere.
True man, yet very God;
from sin and death he saves us
and lightens ev'ry load.

O Savior, child of Mary,
who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory,
who dost our weakness know,
bring us at length, we pray,
to the bright courts of heaven
and to the endless day.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH   Elder Mike Ewing

Psalm 24:1-10   "The Earth and the Riches”
The earth and the riches that in it is stored,
The world and its dwellers belong to the LORD.
For He is the One who first caused it to stand,
And up from the seas He established the land.

O who can the path to the LORD’s mount ascend?
And who in the place of His holiness stand?
The man of pure heart and of hands without stain,
Who swears not to idols nor worships what’s vain.

Yes, he from the LORD shall a blessing obtain,
And from God his Savior he’ll righteousness gain.
Thus looking to Him is a whole blessed race;
All those who, like Jacob, are seeking Your face.

O gates, lift your heads! Ancient doors, lift them high!
The great King of glory to enter draws nigh!
O who is the King that in glory draws near?
The LORD, mighty LORD of the battle, is here!

O gates, lift your heads! Ancient doors, lift them high!
The great King of glory to enter draws nigh!
This great King of glory, O who can He be?
The LORD God of hosts, King of glory is He!

GOD’S WORD READ   Acts 20:1-6
GOD’S WORD PREACHED.   “The Daily News” by Pastor Joel E. Wood

Prayer Of Application & The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Hymnal #162   “Of the Father's Love Begotten”
Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the Source, the Ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and the babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

This is he whom heav'n-taught singers
sang of old with one accord,
whom the Scriptures of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let creation praise its Lord, 
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heav'n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
all dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry voice in concert ring, 
evermore and evermore!

Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be,
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!

Hymnal p. 845   “Apostles’ Creed”
Minister: Christian, what do you believe? 
All:  I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Words of Institution & Warning
Minister: The Lord be with you;
People: And also with you.

Minister: Lift up your hearts;
People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

COMMUNION PRAYER
Approach the Table for the Lord’s Supper
Prayer of Thanksgiving

Song   “Joy Has Dawned”
Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation:
God's salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev'ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels;
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness.
Cling now to a mother's breast,
Vuln’rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today;
Incense, God is with us;
Myrrh, His death will make a way,
By His blood He'll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heav’n,
Given as a ransom,
Reconciling God and man,
Christ our mighty Champion!
What a Savior, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.

Words and Music: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
© 2004 Thankyou Music Ltd
CCLI License #390757

Trinity Hymnal #731  “Doxology”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below:
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

THE BENEDICTION
Postlude