A Surprising Gift: At-Home Worship Guide
Instead of gathering as a church on December 26, we are inviting you to worship from home and follow the guide below (print it here).
We look forward to gathering together in the new year on January 2!
Preparation for Worship | From Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Call to Worship | From 1 Timothy 3:16
Christ manifested in the flesh,
Christ revealed in the Spirit.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ contemplated by the angels,
Christ worshiped by the Magi.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ professed in the world,
Christ exalted in glory.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Prayer of Adoration
Take a few moments to openly thank God for a few attributes of his character. This will be a popcorn-style prayer where everyone can share short one or two-phrase prayers. For example, “God, thank you that you are all-powerful” or “God, thank you for your grace for me this week.” The leader can open and then close after a few minutes of prayer.
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
Silent Confession
The Lord is steadfast, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in love. He extends his mercy to us and receives us as we are. Take a few moments to bring your confessions to the Lord silently.
Words of Assurance | From Hebrews 4
Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,
So that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer
Pray specifically for the needs of the people gathered with you this morning. We are not able to sustain our lives apart from the Lord’s presence, grace and mercy.
Gathering our prayers into one, let us pray boldly as our Savior has taught us:
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 for ever. Amen.
Greeting of Peace
As God’s spiritual family, and people who have received and continue to receive peace through Christ, extend that peace to one another. Have an adult from each household take a photo of you and your family to send to someone else, perhaps someone you know who is worshiping alone this morning.
Our Offerings
Lord, who are we that we are able to give so generously?
For all things come from you and what we now offer is already yours.
To give online, visit thirdrva.org/give.
Doxology
Sing your praises together:Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Amen.
Scripture Reading | Matthew 1:1–18
Sermon | “A Surprising Gift” (Corey Widmer)
Commission and Benediction | Ephesians 3:16–19
I pray that out of the Father’s glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp
How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Today we begin the season of Christmastide which lasts a full 12 days. Over these next days, we celebrate the miracle of Christ’s incarnation through gathering, feasting, rejoicing and worship. The truth that God has come to dwell with us deserves all our praise, so we hope you can find times to express your thanksgiving and adoration of the newborn King this week.