SERVICE FOR
THE LORD’S DAY

December 14, 2025

The Third Sunday in Advent

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE

Liturgist, Debbie Irvine

CALL TO WORSHIP — based on Psalm 126

Leader: The Lord has done great things for us!

People: And we are filled with joy!

Leader: Our God has turned our weeping into singing,

People: our tears into songs of joy!

Leader: O Christ of God, come anew in our hearts this day,

People: and remain in us forever.

*OPENING CAROL A Christmas Hymn

*OPENING PRAYER

*CAROL #153 Love Came Down At Christmas

GUIDED PRAYER

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 37

Leader: How did Christ, the Son of God, become human?

People: Christ the Son of God became human by taking a true body and a reasoning soul.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary out of her substance and was born of her, but he was sinless. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE The Kidds

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: Luke 1:26-38

Pastor:  The Word of the Lord

People:  Thanks be to God

SERMON: Rev. David Garrison

PERSONAL GOD

Series: Behold: The King is Coming

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God. — Luke 1:30

*CLOSING CAROL #157 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

*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 14 can be found here.
 
This Sunday’s Scripture reading:

26   In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34   And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35   And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

— Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)