First Presbyterian Church of Villa Rica

Order for the Worship of God
SUNDAY, November 29th, 2020

At Church and Online
(Live Stream and Online Bulletin)

8:30 AM Worship Services (In Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall) Masks Required
9:30 AM Gathering Grounds (In Fellowship Hall —coffee, donuts)
10 AM Sunday School for all ages
11 AM Worship Services (In Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and via Live Stream Online)

GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
“Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.” – Deuteronomy 4:10

PRELUDE
(As we prepare our hearts for worship let us quiet our hearts and our cell phones.)

Sermon:  “The Songs of Christmas: The Magnificat”

8:30AM Worship 1: Direct YouTube Link

11 AM Worship 2: Direct YouTube Link

Bulletin/Order of Worship

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
INVOCATION

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING AND READING

8:30 AM Ashlocks; 11 AM Ecksteins

(All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version, ESV, unless otherwise noted.)

Worship through Hymn of Thanksgiving

“O Come O Come Emanuel” (#194)

Verse 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Verse 2
O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
(Chorus)
Verse 3
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
(Chorus)
Verse 4
O come, thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus)
Verse 5
O come, thou Key of David, come
and open wide our heav’nly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery.
(Chorus)

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (#196)

Verse 1
Come Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release 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 ev’ry longing heart
Verse 2
Joy to those who long to see thee,
Dayspring from on high appear
Come thou promised Rod of Jesse
Of Thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news,
Glad tidings of a birth:
“Go to him, your praises bringing;
Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
Verse 3
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By His life he brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Verse 4
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.

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in
anguish. In the former time he brought into
contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of
Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious
the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle
tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Worship Through Scripture Songs of Praise:

Christmas Offering

Verse 1
Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three wise men seeking truth traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from Heaven
Falling on their knees
They bowed before the humble Prince of Peace
Chorus 1
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may You receive the honor that You’re due
Oh Lord I bring an offering to You
Verse 2
The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow in Your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before Your
throne
Before the Holy One of Heaven
It’s only by Your blood it’s only through Your mercy
Lord I come
Chorus 2 (3x – the last time acapella)
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may You receive the honor that You’re due
Oh Lord I bring an offering to You
Ending
Oh Lord I bring and offering to You

Jesus Name Above All Names

Verse (3x)
Jesus name above all names
Beautiful Savior glorious Lord
Emmanuel God is with us
Blessed Redeemer living Word

Children Church Dismissal (11 AM service, only)

Worship through Exposition of God’s Word: Rev. Thomas Myers

Sermon: “The Songs of Christmas: The Magnificat“

“Let All Mortal Flesh” (#193)

Verse 1
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
Verse 2
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood;
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav’nly food.
Verse 3
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow’rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
Verse 4
At his feet the six-winged seraph;
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord Most High!”

Benediction

Doxology: Hymn #731

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heav’ly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Worship Through Tithes and Offerings

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CHRISTMAS CAROLING

We will be going to various homes to carol in lieu of small groups on Dec 13th at 4 pm. Meeting at the church and then going forth.
Afterward, those who are comfortable to join, we will share a meal in the fellowship hall. Bring a dish to share.

 

GATHERING GROUNDS

Join us in the fellowship hall Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:00 am for coffee and donuts.

HYMN SINGING / CAROLING AFTER CHURCH

On pause for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

SMALL GROUPS TODAY:

Whittle/Dickinson Group will be meeting this week at the Dickinson’s home at 4 PM . Meat will be furnished.  Please bring a friend, a side, and your appetite for good fellowship and good food.

Mitchell/Forlaw Group will be meeting at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to share for dinner.

DEACON SMOKING MERCY FUND FUNDRAISER

The Deacon’s Smoking Fundraiser was a great success.  Thank you for your support and generosity!

 

 

 

 

WIC BABY GIFT

Matt and Ariel Whittle are expecting their newest addition very soon! We’d like to bless them with a gift card.

Contributions will be collected through the end of November and can be given to Donna Lisenby or Judi East.

Gifts can also be labeled/designated for the Whittle’s gift card and put in the offering box.

 

WIC CHRISTMAS PARTY

WIC will be hosting a ladies’ Christmas Party following the 11:00 am service on Dec. 6th in the fellowship hall.

A simple luncheon of soup and salad will be served. Bring a $15 gift to participate in the gift swap.

RSVP and/or sign up to bring a soup, salad, dessert, or drink to Donna Lisenby.

Postlude
(Please Stand As Able)

This Week in Our Church Life

Continue to pray and encourage one another.1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS

Meeting online through zoom on Wednesdays at 6:30pm. Be on the lookout for the email with the link.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays at 10am, the women s’ Bible study will be meeting in the fellowship hall.

Other Resources

Kingdom Outreach:  See our Missions and Outreach Page

 What is Happening this Week, this Month?  Visit our This Week page.

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Today’s Additional Resources

Westminster Confession of Faith:
Chapter 14
Saving Faith
2. By this faith a Christian believes whatever is revealed in the word to be the true, authentic,
authoritative statement of God himself. By this faith the believer also acts according to what particular
passages in the word say. By faith the believer humbly submits to and obeys God’s various commands.
He trembles at God’s awesome threats, and eagerly embraces his promises about this life and the life to
come. But the chief actions of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting on Christ alone for
justification, sanctification, and eternal life, in the power of the covenant of grace.
Chapter 16
Good Works
2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruit and evidence of a true
and living faith. By them believers show their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance of salvation,
edify their brothers in the Lord, and become ornaments of all those who profess the gospel. Good
works in believers silence the criticism of the enemies of the gospel. They also glorify God by showing
that believers are the workmanship and creation of Jesus Christ, because their aim is that holiness of
living which leads to eternal life.

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Special Announcement

Dear Believers of First Pres. Villa Rica,
After almost six months of suspending in-person Sunday morning activities with the exception of Worship, we are excited to announce the resumption of both infant and toddler nurseries beginning September 20th (both services), and the resumption of all Sunday morning activities beginning October 4th. Both morning Worship services will be maintained, with a shift in start time of both services to accommodate Sunday School (for all ages) and fellowship time. Children’s Church will also be offered during both services.
We make this decision following our nation’s efforts to return to normalcy but not with disregard to the continued threat COVID-19 is to us. Please know that procedures will be in place to ensure the safety and health of all.

New schedule as of Sunday, October 4th:

0830-0930 Worship 1 (Parking lot)
0930-1000 Break / Fellowship
1000-1045 Sunday School
1045-1100 Break
1100-1200 Worship 2 (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)

We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to us and for His hand of protection. Thank you for your support, encouragement and love for each other during these challenging times. Special thanks to Jeannie Forlaw for her work in her new role as Children’s Ministry Director and for the coordination of both the Children’s Education and Worship Committees in putting together our resumption plan.

May we continue to labor together in love for the sake of the gospel and God’s kingdom,
The Session

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COVID PROTOCOLS:  In an effort to anticipate the needs as to the activities of the church in these times of uncertainty regarding COVID and the weather, there will be some changes upcoming in Worship location and virus protocols.  We have cooler weather approaching that will necessitate moving the Parking Lot Worship Service indoors, and we have some additional information for sanitation procedures for Worship Services, Sunday Schools, Nursery, and Children’s Church.  The Parking Lot Worship Service will move indoors to the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall starting on Sunday, October 25^th.  This service will utilize strict COVID protocols to protect those with high concerns respecting the virus.  Masks and social distancing will be required at all times for this 8:30 worship.  See below for additional requirements and procedures. The updated schedule as of Sunday, October 4^th is, as follows:

8:30-9:30            Worship One (Parking Lot 10/18; Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall 10/25, and thereafter)

Nursery Provided

9:30-10:00          Gathering Grounds: Break/Fellowship

10:00-10:45       Sunday School (Adult and Children)

10:45-11:00       Break

11:00-12:00       Worship Two (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall)

Children’s Church (Large Classroom)

  Nursery Provided

COVID Protocols for Worship One (8:30-9:30):

–Masks are mandatory at all times including while singing.  This applies to the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall.  Pastor Tom will not wear a mask while preaching at the pulpit.

–Social distancing will be maintained at all times.

–A sanitizing station with masks will be provided at the lower entrance, at the front door entrance, and the entrance into the Fellowship Hall.  There will also be spray sanitizer and hand sanitizer available at these locations.

–Ushers will seat people as they arrive and direct as they exit.  The Sanctuary aisles will have directional arrows for one-way traffic.  Worshipers will be seated from the front of the church to the back and will exit the church from the back to the front.

-Anyone that does not have a mask will be given one.

–At the conclusion of this service the pews and cushions will be sprayed with sanitizer.  The Fellowship Hall will also be sanitized.

-The CDC recommends masks for children above the age of two years.

COVID Protocols for Break/Fellowship (9:30-10:00):

–Masks are optional and social distance is recommended.  For those that are wearing a mask, know that they are wearing it for a reason, and give them extra respect in regards to distance protocols.

COVID Protocols for Adult Sunday School (10:00-10:45):

-The adult SS will meet in the Fellowship Hall.

-Masks are optional.  Social distancing for seating is mandatory.

-Immediately following SS the tables and chairs will be sanitized.

COVID Protocols for Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church:

-Masks are optional.

-Children’s masks and hand sanitizers will be available and use encouraged.

-Each child will have their own labeled supply box containing crayons, etc., that will be sanitized after each use.

-Tables and chairs will be cleaned between uses.

COVID Protocols for the Nursery:

-Nursery toys and surfaces will be sanitized with antibacterial wipes and spray and allowed to dry between services.

-At the end of the second service toys will be immersed in food-grade sanitizer and surfaces wiped and sprayed.

 COVID Protocols for Worship Two (11:00-12:00)

-Masks are optional.

-Social distancing is required for seating

-Give respect to those choosing to wear a mask.

-Ushers will not be required for seating or exit.

We pray for an end to this virus, but until then, we must make the best of a difficult situation.  We understand that all these different rules may be hard to keep up with, but we endeavor to provide as many options as possible so that most can attend a Worship Service.  The safety of the congregation is paramount, and the ability to have a choice on the level of protocols is necessary.  Those at the upper end of risk from this virus are encouraged to utilize the live stream option in the safety of your homes.  If you or your child have flu-like symptoms or a fever, please stay home.

We thank you for your prayers, for the willingness you have shown to be diligent in worship, and for your support of FPCVR during this unprecedented occasion.

Prayerfully, The Session

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Westminster Confession of Faith in Modern English Chapter 11 – Justification

1. Those whom God effectually calls he also freely justifies. He does not pour righteousness into them but
pardons their sins and looks on them and accepts them as if they were righteous—not because of anything
worked in them or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone. He does not consider their faith itself, the act of
believing, as their righteousness or any other obedient response to the gospel on their part. Rather, he imputes to
them the obedience and judicial satisfaction earned by Christ. For their part, they receive and rest on Christ and
his righteousness by faith (and this faith is not their own but is itself a gift of God).
2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the only means of justification. In the
person justified, however, it is always accompanied by all the other saving graces and is not a dead faith, but
works by love.
3. By his obedience and death Christ completely discharged the debt of all those who are so justified, and he
made the correct, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice on their behalf. Since Christ was voluntarily
given by the Father for them, and since his obedience and satisfaction were accepted in their place and not for
anything in them, their justification is the result only of his free grace—so that both the perfect justice and the
rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.
6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects identical with the justification
of believers under the New Testament.
Shorter Catechism Q&A 33
Q: What is justification?
A: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.