Bayshore Gardens Community Church B elieving, Again G aining Hope C aring Relationships C hrist Jesus

WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO MEMBERS, REGULAR ATTENDERS, and THOSE VISITING TODAY. If you are visiting with us, we welcome you to our church! You are no longer a stranger for you are with the people of God.

TODAY IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT SEASON Please read the bulletin insert entitled “The Advent And Christmas Seasons Of The Church Year”

WE INVITE YOU TO SIGN THE ATTENDANCE PAD so that we may celebrate your presence with us today! Please pass it on to the next person and then back down the row

Please Take Your Bulletins Home With You and Read Announcements We invite you to take advantage of the many opportunities for fellowship and service

Bayshore Gardens Community Church B elieving, Again G aining Hope C aring Relationships C hrist Jesus

THE CALL TO WORSHIP [ Pastor / CONGREGATION ] Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: and the government shall be upon His shoulders; AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED -

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Of the increase of His government and peace THERE SHALL BE NO END. He will reign on the throne of David, AND OVER HIS KINGDOM, ESTABLISHING IT AND UPHOLDING IT

He will do so with justice and righteousness from that time and forever. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD OF HOSTS WILL PERFORM THIS. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. ON THOSE LIVING IN THE LAND OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH A BRIGHT LIGHT HAS SHINED!

**THE OPENING HYMN #244 ‘COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS’ [ All who are able please stand ]

(1) Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free. From our sins and fears relieve 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.

(2) 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.

LIGHTING OUR ADVENT CANDLE The First Sunday Of Advent

SILENT PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CONFESSION THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON 1 John 1:5,7 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you: It is that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. And so if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin.

‘JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE YOU’ (With Christmas text) -1- Joyful, Joyful, We adore You, God of glory, God of light; Angels lifting praise before You Sing throughout the holy night. In a manger lies a Baby, Child of Mary, Son of God. Voices joined in joyful chorus Praise You for Your gift of love.

-2- All Your works declare Your glory; All creation joins to sing. Praise resounds as earth rejoices In the birth of Christ, the King. Shepherds kneel before the infant. Trumpets sound and anthems raise. As with joy our hearts are lifted, Joined in wonder, love and praise.

A TIME OF SHARING WITH GOD’S CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

THE HOLY SCRIPTURE ISAIAH 40:1 ‑ 5 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Mark 1:1 ‑ 8 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—“a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

‘ LET’S WORSHIP AND ADORE HIM’ Let’s worship and adore Him, Christ, the Lord. For He alone is worthy, Christ, the Lord.

THE SERMON WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS CHRISTMAS? Please See Sermon Outline Bayshore Gardens Community Church Dr. Daniel Herlein

“hollied,” “follied” “jollied”

Luke 1:37 With God, nothing is impossible

GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for God who promised is faithful. Galatians 3:22 - That which was promised, will be given to those who believe through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 4:21 - We are fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised.

JOHN THE BAPTIST’S MESSAGE >> Personal RELATIONSHIP with God >> Level of COMMITMENT to God. >> Repair damaged RELATIONSHIPS >> ASSIST OTHERS who need our help >> Make needed CHANGES >> Examine our real MOTIVES >> KNOCK OFF the rough edges in our attitudes and behaviors >> BUILD UP the low points that should be the important points in our lives >> PREPARE the way for the Lord in our lives

Dear God, I’ll Be Home For Christmas

The Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer 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, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY FOREVER AMEN.

OUR OFFERING As A Tangible Expression Of Our Gratitude To God, We Joyfully Offer Our Monetary Gifts To Financially Support God's Work At Bayshore Gardens Community Church

OFFERTORY MUSIC “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming” Harriet Hoeksema, organist

THE DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. AMEN

THE CLOSING HYMN #258 ‘GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN’ Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night; Behold, throughout the heavens There shown a holy light. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled When, lo above the earth Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.

THE PASTORAL BENEDICTION Go forth from this place as God’s elect and covenant people... AMEN

Join us for refreshments in the Fellowship Hall