SERVICE FOR
THE LORD’S DAY

December 21, 2025

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

Liturgist, Sharon Bryant

CALL TO WORSHIP — based on Philippians 4:4-5

Leader: Rejoice in the Lord always.

People: I will say it again: Rejoice!

Leader: Let your gentleness be evident to all.

People: The Lord is near.

Leader: We rejoice in the hope of Christ’s coming.
Let us worship God!

*OPENING CAROL #167 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

*OPENING PRAYER

*CAROL #173 O Come All Ye Faithful

GUIDED PRAYER

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 47

Leader: How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth?

People: Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth in that being from all eternity the Son of God in the bosom of the Father, it pleased him in the fullness of time to become the son of man, born of a women from a poor family and into conditions that were even worse than ordinary. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE The Bryants

SPECIAL MUSIC                                                                                         

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.

WORSHIPING GOD WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

       Offertory 

       *Offertory Response — #126, O Come Let Us Adore Him

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

       *Prayer of Dedication

NEW TESTAMENT READING: John 1:1-14

Pastor:  The Word of the Lord

People:  Thanks be to God

SERMON: Rev. David Garrison

THE COMING OF THE LIGHT

Series: Behold: The King is Coming

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth. — John 1:14

*CLOSING CAROL #159 Sing We Now of Christmas

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE

For Our Guests:

WELCOME TO NORTHMINSTER EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

We are glad you are here.  We hope the information listed on these pages will help you choose your next steps in connecting at Northminster. To learn more about activities here, please pick up our newsletter from the rack in the hallway or foyer table.  You can also learn more about us by browsing our website, on Facebook, and YouTube.
 
Upcoming calendar events can be found here.
 
News & Announcements for the week of Sunday, December 21 can be found here.
 
This Sunday’s Scripture reading:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6   There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9   The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

— John 1:1-14 (ESV)