Comfort for a Concerned Church

Rev. Brian Hofman

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Prelude: Miriam Hector

“Back to Bethlehem Medley”

Welcome/Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Love

* Song of Worship

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

* God’s Greeting

* We Greet Each Other

Call to Confession (Isaiah 55:6-7)

Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Call to Discipleship

* Song of Praise

“God Is Here”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory

“Away in a Manger”

Offering

Children’s Message

Prayer of Preparation

Scripture Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Message: Pastor Brian

“Comfort for a Concerned Church”

Response of Faith: Belgic Confession 37

[When our Lord Jesus Christ comes from heaven with great glory and majesty as the judge of the living and the dead,] the evil ones will be convicted by the witness of their own consciences, and shall be made immortal―but only to be tormented in “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

In contrast, the faithful and elect will be crowned with glory and honor. The Son of God will profess their names before God his Father and the holy and elect angels; all tears will be wiped from their eyes; and their cause―at present condemned as heretical and evil by many judges and civil officers―will be acknowledged as the cause of the Son of God.

And as a gracious reward the Lord will make them possess a glory such as the human heart could never imagine.

So we look forward to that great day with longing in order to enjoy fully the promises of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

* Song of Response

“View the Present Through the Promise”

* Benediction

* Closing Song

“O Come, Messiah, Come Again” 

 Postlude