Grace Presbyterian Church Sunday, November 29, 2015

Lord’s Day Morning Worship 10:30 A.M.

Please turn off all electronic devices when you enter the sanctuary and silently prepare to meet the triune God.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

– Luke 2:13, 14

What is salvation? According to Zechariah, it is something that comes from God, and not from us. The priest blessed God for visiting his people (Luke 1:68). This was something he had experienced personally when the angel appeared to him at the temple. But this visitation was not for him alone. By sending the angel, by giving Elizabeth a baby, and especially by putting his Son in the virgin’s womb, God was visiting his people. He was entering our situation from the outside, because without his intervention, we could never be saved. Salvation is not a human intervention, but a divine visitation. It is not something we achieve by going to God, but something God has done by coming to us in Christ. No one is ever saved except by the grace of God.

– Luke, Philip Graham Ryken

Welcome René Chopin, III, Ruling ElderPrelude Catherine Duensing

Call to Worship

Pastor: In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliverer me in Your righteousness.Pastor and All: Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me.Pastor: Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.Pastor and All: Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. –Psalm

31:1-2, 23-24Welcome to our service of worship today. We invite all who trust in Jesus Christ to become members of Grace Presbyterian Church. If you desire to join the church, need spiritual counsel or pastoral services, or would like general information about our local church, please speak to our pastor or one of our elders (listed on the back of bulletin). The purpose of Grace Presbyterian Church is to teach and preach the infallible, inerrant Word of God; to share the gift of salvation with our community, our nation, and our world; to nurture our relationship with Christ and each other; and to glorify God in our worship, in our service to others, and in all we do.1 denotes congregation standing

Hymn of Praise“Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come”, Hymn No. 195

Invocation

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:1-7A famous messianic prophecy [9:1-7]. Set in the middle of the prevailing visions of judgment against Judah is a vision of the coming Messiah. The poetry accounts for much of the literary power of the passage, along with a list of evocative epithets in verse 6.

Responsive Reading Luke 1:46-55Pastor: And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.Pastor and All: And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.Pastor: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.Pastor and All: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.Pastor: And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.Pastor and All: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.Pastor: He has put down the mighty form their thrones, and exalted the lowly.Pastor and All: He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.Pastor: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.Pastor and All: As He spoke to our father, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Greeting Time

Announcements Pages 8-10

Hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”, Page 196

Pastoral Prayer

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The Nicene Creed is a statement of faith which developed in the city of Nicaea (present-day Iznik, Turkey) during the 4th Century. A debate arose within the early church having to do with who Christ was and what role He played in the salvation of God’s people. Was the Son, as the Arians claimed, a lesser being than God, the Father? Was He a powerful, but created being lacking the full essence of what it means to be truly God? Two church councils met to consider this issue and the matter of how we are to interpret the Bible’s teaching about the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed articulates that each person of The Godhead is fully God and, as such, worthy of our worship and adoration. In summarizing the Scriptural doctrine of the Trinity, it ultimately addresses what one must believe to be a true Christ-follower. In a day, such as ours, when the Christian faith is often redefined to placate the spirit of the age, the Nicene Creed reminds us of the historic testimony of our faith. It is this testimony that unites us to our brothers and sisters of the past because the faith it defines unites us to the one Triune God

THE NICENE CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, 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 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 at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And we 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 worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in the one holy catholic and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Offering

Doxology “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”, Hymn No. 731Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host: praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Hymn “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”, Hymn No. 229

Dismissal to Children’s Church Children ages 3 – 1st. Grade

Reading of God’s Word Galatians 4:1-7

Preaching of God’s Word“The Time of His Coming”, Dr. Davies

Sermon Notes

What were the “elementary principles”?

What brought God’s people from slavery to sonship?

How was the time right for Christ’s coming?

What do we learn about God’s timing?

What was the “Pax Romana”?

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Why was the Roman road system important at the time of Christ’s coming?

Why was a united language important?

What was the religious world at the coming of Christ?

What is the context of these verses in Galatians?

How was shadow replaced by substance?

What is the importance of the charge “God sent forth His Son”? (Galatians 4:4)

Why was it important for Christ to be born of a woman?

How is His deity proven by being born “under the law?”

How did Christ redeem us? (Galatians 4:5)

What is our adoption?

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What happens to us because we are sons? (Galatians 4:6)

Hymn of Response “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, Page203

Benediction

Postlude

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Grace Presbyterian Church Sunday, November 29, 2015

Lord’s Day Evening Worship 6:00P.M.

Please turn off all electronic devices when you enter the sanctuary and silently prepare to meet the triune God.

Prelude Catherine Duensing

Hymn “It Came upon the Midnight Clear”, Hymn No. 200

Prayer Requests

Hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”, Hymn No. 193

Prayer

Reading of the Gospel Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38

Preaching of God’s Word “The Genealogy of Jesus”, Dr. Davies

Hymn “Away in a Manger”, Hymn No.204

Announcements and Offering

Hymn “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”, Hymn No. 227

Benediction

Postlude

Church Announcements

Welcome to our service of worship today. We invite all who trust in Jesus Christ to become members of Grace Presbyterian Church. If you desire to join the church, need spiritual counsel or pastoral services, or would like general information about our local church, please speak to our pastor or one of our elders (listed on the back of bulletin). The purpose of Grace Presbyterian Church is to teach and preach the infallible, inerrant Word of God; to share the gift of salvation with our community, our nation, and our world; to nurture our relationship with Christ and each other; and to glorify God in our worship, in our service to others, and in all we do.7 denotes congregation standing

Note from the Pastor: It has been my custom to visit every family in our congregation. If you are interested in a visit, please indicate on the attendance sheet, email me at srpastorgrace@yahoo.com, or call the church office at (504) 454-8905.The Diaconate needs your help! If you would like to help keep our building clean, please see Mike Chopin or any of the deacons.There are sound Christian books for sale on the book table in our foyer and we invite all to peruse the selection, encouraging you to increase your knowledge of God in order to live in a way that glorifies Him.If you would like internet accountability for yourself, your family or a friend, see the pastor for information on Covenant Eyes or visit covenanteyes.com. The Deacons have placed a box in the foyer to receive donations for the New Orleans Mission to help feed the needy and homeless. Any monies received will be sent to the Mission quarterly.

TodayMorning Worship – 10:30 A.M.Christmas Cantata rehearsal at 5:00 P.M.Evening Worship – 6:00 P.M.Youth Group – 6:00 P.M.

Nursery Workers – Meg Jensen and Caroline Burke; Children’s Church Teacher – Kim Chopin

This WeekWednesday: Dinner – 6:00 P.M. Menu: Red Fish Couvillion, Salad, Bread, Dessert

Bible Study – 7:00 P.M. Adult Bible Study: The Life of Job Junior/Senior High: Youth RoomK – 5th Grade: Children’s Catechism, Conference Room

Thursday: College and Career Group – 7:30 P.M. See Austin DeArmondFriday: Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast – 6:30 A.M.

Next Sunday, December 6Morning Worship – 10:30 A.M. Congregation meeting to present 2016 budget following the morning worship.

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Christmas Cantata rehearsal at 5:00 P.M.Evening Worship – 6:00 P.M. Youth Group – 6:00 P.M.

Nursery Workers – Michelle Snow and Katelyn Chopin; Children’s Church Teacher – Kelley Burke

Upcoming EventsMonday, December 7: The Session will meet at 7:00 P. M.Sunday, December 13: Sacrament of Communion Caroling following the evening worship. Snacks at René and Beth Chopin’sTuesday, December 15: M.E.A.T. – 7:00 P.M., Mooyah (4100 Veterans Blvd. Metairie)Wednesday, December 16: Christmas Banquet – 6:00 P.M.

No study or classesSunday, December 20: Christmas Cantata – 6:00 P. M. - reception to followMonday, December 21: The Diaconate will meet at 7:00 P. M.Wednesday, December 23: NO dinner or classes.Thursday, December 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 P. M.Wednesday, December 30: NO dinner or classes.

Prayer RequestsBonny Tremblay – HealthHenry Veith – Health Melaine Sims – HealthCarolyn Nixon – HealthRobert Sims - Employment

Beverly Toca – RecoveryMargaret Dias (Robert Sims’ mother) – broken hipJosiah Carey – RUF at TulaneAnde Johnson & Jackie Turnage – RUF at LSUJakob Bustamante Leukemia

Outreach Ministries Metanoia (Prison Ministry) – Metanoia Ministries is in need of additional helpers. If interested contact Bill Tremblay, wtremb@lsuhsc.edu and see the bulletin board for more information.STAIR Reading Program meets at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.Al-Anon meets at the church on Wednesdays at 12:00 P.M.

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Presbytery MissionariesAndrew McCafferty– TaiwanStuart Mills – PeruRichard Bailey – Australia

Budget ReportNeeded Weekly to Meet BudgetOffering for November 22, 2015Needed to Meet Budget (Year to Date)Offering through November 22, 2015

$4,327.00$4,130.25

$203,369.00$200,161.00

<$ 3,208.00>

Bible in a Year Readings for the Week:29-Nov: Ezekiel 34-36; 2 Peter 230-Nov: Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 301-Dec: Ezekiel 40-41; I John 102-Dec: Ezekiel 42-44; I John 2

03-Dec: Ezekiel 45-46; I John 304-Dec: Ezekiel 47-48; I John 405-Dec: Daniel 1-2; I John 5

The Christmas Giving Tree is in the Fellowship Hall. Please take an ornament and place it on the secretary’s desk by December 16. The gifts are used to help needy families in our congregation.

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Grace Presbyterian Church6129 W. Esplanade AvenueMetairie, Louisiana 70003

Church Office(504) 454-8905

Church Fax(504) 454-1094

Manse(504) 443-2480

email: gracechurchmetairie@gmail.com website: www.gpcmet.com

Church StaffRev. Dr. Richard H. Davies, MinisterAustin DeArmond, College and Career/Youth Director

Gaynell Dreher, Church SecretaryCatherine Duensing, Music Director

Church SessionRev. Richard H. Davies, ModeratorPaul Koenig

René Chopin, IIIR.J. Richard, Clerk of Session

Church DiaconateMark BeckerJohn Burke

Michael Chopin, ChairmanRené Chopin, Jr.

Church ServicesSunday School– 9:30 am

Adult: Fall Quarter – Praying with Paul, D.A. CarsonCollege and Career – Austin DeArmond

Children: Preschool (2 – 5 years) – Michelle SnowYounger Elementary (1st –3rd Grade) – Cheryl BallingerMiddle Elementary (4th – 5th Grade) – Molly DaviesJunior High (6th –8th Grade) – Michael ChopinSenior High (9th –12th Grade) – John Burke

Sunday Worship Services – 10:30 am and 6:00 pm (Nursery provided at the 10:30 A.M. service)The Sacrament of Communion – Second and Fourth Sundays Evening Worship – Last SundayThe Sacrament of Baptism – By Appointment (Morning Service Only)

Session Meeting (Monthly) – Second Monday 7:00 pmDiaconate Meeting (Monthly) – Third Monday at 7:00 pm

A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America