Ch r i s t Re d e eme r Presbyterian+Church!

Mail : PO Box 724 Worship Locat ion: Email: crpc.lo2014@gmail.com 421 White Ave. SE

386-984 -5967 L ive Oak, FL 32064

Websi te : c rpc liveoak.org

Welcome to Worship We welcome you this morning to our church and worship. We pray for God’s blessings on you as we join together in the worship of our Triune God. If this is your first time with us - WELCOME! We are so glad you are here with us today!

“We gather in Your name, our Heavenly Father, to pray that You might quicken our hearts and revive our spirits. We assemble in communion with Your people, here and throughout the world, to receive the blessing which You have promised to all who sincerely seek You and faithfully hear Your Word.”

Elders Assisting in Worship: Ushers Assisting in Worship: Dec 31 – Justo Escobar Justo Escobar & D. Carter Jan 7 – Herman Gunter IV Herman Gunter IV & Wil Doe Jan 14 – David Fernald David Fernald & B. Wallace Jan 21 – Matt Rodgers Matt Rodgers & D. Carter

Greeters:

December 31 – P. Cramer January 7 – W. Wallace January 14 – L. Fernald December 21 – F. Harpe

Council of Elders: School of Discipleship:

Pastor Randy Wilding (386) 984-5967 Toddler: @ F’ship Hall Nursery Elder Justo Escobar (954) 214-5238 Pre-School: @ Upstairs Rm # 1 Elder Dave Fernald (386) 362-5152 Beginner: @ Upstairs Room # 2 Elder Matt Rodgers (386) 590-0699 Youth: @ Conference Rm Elder Herman Gunter IV (386) 249-4924 Adult Bible Class: Fellowship Hall

Christ Redeemer Presbyterian++Church+

+

!The$First$Sunday$of$Christmastide$

December$31,$2017$

!

421 White Ave. SE Live Oak, FL 32064

Devotional Meditation Luke 2:36-40 (NASB)

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Meditative Questions:

1. What do we know about the tribe of Asher? (v. 36)

2. What family details do we know about Anna? (vv. 36-37)

3. What do we know about her devout piety? (vv. 37-38)

4. What does the mention of the ‘Redemption of Jerusalem'

mean? (v. 38)

5. Why did Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Jerusalem? (v. 39)

6. How is Jesus growing maturity described? (v. 40)

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+

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The$Twelve$Days$of$Christmas$

is+ a+ popular+ Christmas+ song+ that+

is+ sung+ around+ the+ world+ with+

many+variations.++The+lyrics.+most+

commonly+ sung+ today,+ are+

composed+ with+ one+ stanza+ built+

upon+all+previous+stanzas,+so+that+

it+can+be+sung+as+round.!In+ 1979,+ a+ Canadian+ hymnologist,+ Hugh+ D.+ McKellar,+ published+ an+

article,+"How!to!Decode!the!Twelve!Days!of!Christmas",!claiming+that+The! Twelve! Days! of! Christmas+ lyrics+ were+ intended+ as+ a+ catechism+song+to+help+young+Christian+children+to+remember+their+faith+during+

times+ of+ persecution.+ + This+ interpretation+ is+ now+ historically+

doubtful,+ but+ for+ interest+ sake,+ the+ interpretation+ goes+ something+

like+this:++

One+True$Love+=+GOD+++gave+a+Partridge$in$a$Pear$Tree+=+Christ+

Two$Turtle$Doves+=+Two+Testaments+of+the+Bible+

Three$French$Hens+–+The+three+great+Christian+virtues:+Faith,+Hope+

and+Love+or+The+Triune+Godhead:+Father,+Son+and+Holy+Spirit+

Four$Calling$Birds$=+The+Four+Gospels:+Mathew,+Mark,+Luke,+and+John+

Five$Golden$Rings$=+the+Pentateuch:+Genesis,+Exodus,+Leviticus,+

Numbers,+and+Deuteronomy+

Six$Geese$AVlaying$=+The+Six+Days+of+Creation+from+Genesis+1+

Seven$Swans$a$Swimming$=+The+Seven+Spiritual+Gifts+from+Romans+

12:6V8$

Eight$Maids$a$Milking$=$The+Eight+Beatitudes+from+Matthew+5:3V12$

Nine$Ladies$Dancing$=$Fruit+of+the+Spirit+listed+in+Galatians+5:22V24$

Ten$Lord’s$a$Leaping$=$The+Ten+Commandments+from+Exodus+20$

Eleven$Pipers$Piping$=$The+Eleven+Faithful+Apostles$

Twelve$Drummers$Drumming$=+The+Twelve+principal+truths+taught+in+

the+Apostle’s+Creed+

Christ Redeemer Presbyterian Church The First Sunday of Christmastide

Covenant Renewal Worship Service

December 31, 2017 11:00 a.m.

OUR PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: An Angel to the Shepherds Spoke E. Broughton Meditation

Almighty God, who hast poured upon us the new light of Thine incarnate Word: Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives;

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Traditional Collects composed by Thomas Cranmer

The Book of Common Prayer

O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Thine only Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him for our Redeemer, so may we with sure confidence behold Him when He shall come to be our Judge, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen

Additional Christmas Prayers The Book of Common Worship, © 1946. p. 297.

Welcome and Announcements

Silent Prayer

Prayer of Preparation

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GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP

* Call to Worship Psalm 27:1,4,8 (NASB)

[Leader] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

[Congregation] One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

[Leader] To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. When Thou said, "Seek My face,"

[All] My heart said to Thee, "Thy face will I seek."

* Christmas Carol Stanzas 1-4; Hymnal No. 161

Joy to the World

GOD HEARS OUR CONFESSION AND RESTORES US

Our Corporate Confession Leviticus 26:40; 1 Peter 5:6 (ASV)

[All] O Lord God our Savior, we confess our iniquity and the iniquity of our fathers, which we have trespassed against Thee. We confess we have walked contrary to Thy will…

O Lord God, our Redeemer, we confess that Thou art opposed to the proud, but Thou dost give grace to the humble.

Therefore we humble ourselves under Thy mighty hand, that Thou wilt exalt us at the proper time. We commit all our care and anxiety to Thee, knowing, O Lord our God, that Thou dost care for us. Amen.

The Promise of Forgiveness Romans 5:1-2,6 (ESV)

[Leader] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Our Covenant Children: Herman V, Paul, Lydia, Brooke, Benjamin, Daniel, Joy, Hope Gunter Sarah, David, Jonathan, & Andrew Rodgers and Charles Haynes Aubree Anderson and Brandon Stephens and Alec Kite

Community Friends:

Carmel Fredette (wife of close friend of Wil Doe) is gravely ill Leslie Bird (close friend of many at CRPC) requests our prayers. Bailey Christensen (close family friend of Frances Harpe) underwent

brain surgery on Monday, 9/25. Mary Lee & Darrell Calhoun (close friends of David and Ann Carter)

- declining poor health Clyde Beckenbaugh (Herman Gunter IV’s friend) being treated for

advanced cancer Sue Tuell (friend of the Poplins) Recovering from a broken ankle. Dot Pitman (friend of the Poplins) a long-time friend with Alzheimer's

disease.

Our Family, Friends & Countryman’s Huricane & Flood-Damaged

Lives:

In Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico, Alabama

A Memo from Pastor-elect Jimmy Gill… Advent+ is+ a+ season+ for+ all+ Christians+ to+ remember+ God's+

promises+and+His+faithfulness+to+keep+those+promises,+and+it+

is+also+a+season+for+us+to+look+ahead+to+the+promised+return+

of+ Christ+ at+ the+ Last+ Day.+ + + As+ my+ family+ and+ I+ make+

preparation+to+leave+Birmingham+and+move+to+Live+Oak,+we+

are+ especially+ reminded+ of+ God's+ faithfulness+ to+ us+ in+ the+

past+ and+are+ filled+with+expectation+ for+all+ that+God+has+ in+

store+ for+ us+ in+ this+ new+ chapter+ that+ lies+ ahead.+ + + + I+

appreciate+ your+ continued+ prayers+ for+ my+ family+ and+ me+

and+I+ pray+ that+ our+ faithful+ God+ will+ fill+ you+ with+ His+ joy+

during+this+blessed+season.+

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Let Us Pray… Please submit prayer requests to the elders at crpc.lo2014@gmail.com

CRPC Friends & Family Members: CRPC Family as many are traveling during this holiday season. Bill & Melanie McLeod – Melanie and daughter, Ashland, worshipped

with us last Sunday looking for a church home. Betty Peeples’ Family – For God’s comfort Susan Meece’s family

during the recent lost of her mother. Dave & Lawanna Fernald – as they prepare to move to another house

in Suwannee County. Kay Glass (sister-in-law of Dave and Lawanna Fernald) diagnosed

with cancer; doing well with her series of treatments. Gussie Smith (daughter of Marleen Whittington) chronic back and

knee pain Chris Stobinski (daughter of Marleen Whittington) employment needs Jim Whittington (brother of Marleen Whittington) chronic health

issues Ashley Adkins (Granddaughter of Marleen Whittington) inmate @

FWRC Weston Poole (great grandson of Marleen Whittington) chronic health

condition; failure to gain weight consistently. C.W. ‘Dub’ Parmore (David and Ann Carter’s brother-in-law) in

rehab for a broken hip. Kendell Carson (David & Ann grand-daughter) prayer is requested. Willie Ashe pray for personal concerns. Sherrill Wojchick (Michael Saunder’s aunt) chronic heart condition Horace and Kay Parsons – repair of house at Ormond Beach. Russell Cannistraci and his daughter, Megan (Wil Doe’s stepson)

both have been recently diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Jonathan Whittington (Marleen’s nephew) enlisted in the military! Braxton Fernald – chronic health concerns John & Margaret Howard – continued to pray for medical concerns. Andy Townsend – continued health and related concerns. Casie Kite (Larry and Donna Kite’s daughter in law) thankful for her

safe deployment to S Korea and return to the States. Lt. Cols. David & Jacqueline Escobar stationed at the Pentagon.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS AND AFFIRIRATIONS * An Affirmation of Faith The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God; Light of Light; Very God of Very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven; And was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven; And is seated on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, The Lord and Giver of life; Who proceeds from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy, Christian Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead; And the life of the world to come. Amen.

* Doxology Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below: Alleluia, alleluia! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Prayers for the Church and the World

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The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 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.

GOD SPEAKS TO US * First Reading of the Gospel Luke 2:21-35 (NASB)

21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, ! according to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, !And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Christ Redeemer Review Volume 3, Number 53 December 31, 2017

Upcoming Calendar

Sunday, 12/31 First Sunday of Christmastide 10:00 AM School of Discipleship 10:40 AM Coffee and Snack Fellowship 11:00 AM The Lord’s Day Covenant

Renewal Worship Service 6:00 PM Covenant First Presb. Worship Monday, 1/1 New Year’s Day NO Ladies Bible Study

Fellowship today Friday, 1/5 6:15 AM Men’s Prayer Fellowship

Breakfast Saturday, 1/6 Epiphany Sunday, 1/7 First Sunday after Epiphany 10:00 AM School of Discipleship 10:40 AM Coffee and Snack Fellowship 11:00 AM The Lord’s Day Covenant

Renewal Worship Service 12:20 PM Stated Session Meeting 6:00 PM Covenant First Presb. Worship Monday, 1/8 6:00 PM Ladies Bible Study Fellowship

!!!

Christmastide and Epiphany The new Christian year continues with a brief season of Christmastide. Instead of just one big day of celebration, as is common to our culture, the believer celebrates for 12 days leading to Epiphany (the day celebrated with the magi arrived at Bethlehem to worship the Christ Child).

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Worship Footnotes * The congregation standing, as able.

Please remain seated while we meditate during Prelude and Postlude.

The Cover Art by Rembrandt of Simeon with the Christ Child in the Temple, c. 1666-69.

Ψ The communion tray is a “mixed tray” of wine and grape juice. The wine is arranged within the inner rings and the juice is in the outer ring.

Receiving the Lord’s Supper The New Covenant sacrament is the Lord’s Supper, in which by the giving and receiving of bread and wine (or grape juice if conscience dictates), according to Christ’s institution, Jesus’ death is declared. Covenant members are worthy to receive the Lord’s Supper and when in faith they receive Christ’s body given to them and His blood shed for them, they thereby feast upon Jesus Christ in covenant renewal and receive through this means of grace the benefits of union with Christ and spiritual nourishment unto our growth in grace. We encourage those who have been baptized and are seeking to live in obedience, love and loyalty to Christ to commune with our Savior.

Birthdays:

1/3 Elena Garcia 1/5 Donna Kite

1/6 Earlene Perrine

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things, which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul— to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

* Christmas Carol Stanzas 1-4; Hymnal No. 166

God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

* Second Reading of the Gospel 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Preaching of the Word of God Pastor Randy Wilding

Simeon’s Praise of the Christ Child

I. The Babe Is Praised for His Divine Name

“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)

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II. The Babe Is Praised because of His Holiness

“And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)…” (Luke 2:22-23)

III. God Is Praised for His Faithful Promise

“And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ… ‘Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, ! according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation…’ ” (Luke 2:26,29-30)

IV. God Is Praised for His Salvation to Both Jew & Gentile

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, ! and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)

V. God Is To Be Praised because of the Child’s Destiny

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel…” (Luke 2:34)

OUR LORD COMMUNES WITH US AT HIS TABLE * Hymn of Invitation: Stanzas 1,6; Hymnal No. 169

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

Institution and Prayer of Consecration

Ψ The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

GOD BLESSES US AND COMMISSIONS US Giving of Our Tithes & Offerings Offertory Hymn Stanzas 1-3; Hymnal No. 154

Silent Night, Holy Night

* Benediction Hebrews 13:20-21 (NASB) Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead

the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.

Amen.

* The Response Stanzas 3: Hymnal No. 157 Away in a Manger

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay, Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

* Commission Luke 24:45-48 (NASB)

Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins

would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Postlude: Joy to the World arr. Hal Hopson

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