The Lord’s Day Worship – December 25, 2022

Apostolic Greeting

Welcome and Announcements

*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn: “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come”      #299

*Prayer

Word of God: Jeremiah 33:1-26   

Prayer

Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Question 11. What are God’s works of providence?

Answer. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

*Hymn: “What Child Is This”      #317

Tithes and Offerings

*Doxology:   "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heave'nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."  #567

Word of God: Luke 2:1-14 

Preaching of God’s Word:   “Good News of Great Joy”

*Hymn of Response:   “Angels We Have Heard on High”     #318

*Word of Blessing

* Please stand if able

9:45 a.m.        Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m.      Morning Worship

 6:00 p.m.       Evening Worship 

Morning and Evening Worship Services are live streamed at:

                           www.graceopcfairlawn.org

Nursery Today: Kerith Teschon

  Nursery next week: Maria Ribeiro

Ushers Today: Joe Ribeiro and Filipe Cortial

  Ushers next week: Georgi Kanev and Glenn Crothers

Media Broadcast Today: Elias Jimenez

   Media Broadcast next week: Tyler Teschon

WELCOME TO GRACE OPC!  On behalf of the session of Grace OPC, I want to extend our warmest greetings to you.  It is my hope and prayer that as we gather together this Lord’s Day to worship our Triune God and Redeemer, you will be encouraged to cast your cares upon the Lord and to draw near to God by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are new here in Fair Lawn, please join us for fellowship following the benediction, and be sure to sign our guestbook.  We look forward to personally speaking with you, and if there are any prayer concerns in your heart, don’t hesitate to bring them to our attention. Pastor John 

This morning from Luke 2:1-14, we see how the humble context of the birth of Christ foreshadowed the life and death of Savior but also anticipated His exaltation in His resurrection – good news that results in great joy for those He came to save.

 This evening in Luke 2:15-20, we will learn from the experience of the shepherds how the message of Christmas is first to be known and then is to be made known.

Next Sunday. The Lord’s Supper: All who may participate in the Lord’s Supper are those who have publicly confessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who continue steadfastly in that faith, who are members of good standing in a particular disciplined and Bible believing manifestation of His Church, and who, in accordance with the Scriptures, have duly examined their hearts before the Lord. If you are a visitor unknown to us and wish to participate in the Lord’s Supper we ask you, if it is possible, to make yourself known to a member of Session before the beginning of worship. The ushers will happily assist you in so doing.

Annual Reports Due January 13, 2023

Annual Reports are due Friday, January 13, 2023 in order to give Nancy Hemrick ample time to compile the reports in time for distribution by Sunday, January 22.

Apostolic Greeting

Welcome and Announcements

*Call to Worship

*Opening Hymn: “Silent Night! Holy Night!”       #315

*Prayer

Word of God: Isaiah 52:1-10 

Prayer

*Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City “      #322

Tithes and Offerings

Word of God: Luke 2:15-20 

Preaching of God’s Word: “Made Known to Make Known”

*Hymn of Response:  “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”    #314

*Word of Blessing

* Please stand if able

Elder Candidates have been recognized

The Session of Grace OPC have determined from the early fall season of prayer, teaching and reception of nominations from the members of Grace OPC, that Mr. Tyler Teschon and Mr. Kevin Vasquez have recognized as evidencing the marks of both an internal call and external call to the ordained office of ruling elder (1 Timothy 3;1-7). The Session is in the process of praying and interacting with a couple of men whose names were received the ordained office of deacon.

What’s next? Tyler and Kevin have embarked on a comprehensive training course covering Biblical Shepherding, the theology of the Westminster Standards, and a workable knowledge of the OPC Book of Church Order (w/ Pastor John leading). What is our congregation’s part in this process? This extended training period is a probationary /evaluation period for the candidates. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit’s blessing and confirmation of the calling of Tyler and Kevin (Acts 20:28). Participate in the process, particularly, by attending the Adult Sunday School class where Tyler and Kevin (the latter starting in mid-January) are being given opportunities to teach through the Westminster Confession of Faith.

At the end of this training process, the Session will examine the candidates and determine from the examination and the period of probation / “testing”, whether to certify the candidates and present them to membership of Grace OPC for an election. If then, the membership will then vote on whether to have these candidates serve as ordained ruling elders. If the candidate or candidates are elected, an ordination and installation service will be scheduled, Lord willing, in the new year. The Session welcomes your prayers, inputs and observations!

Calendar Events and Notes 

THIS WEEK: Dec. 25 - Dec. 31

Home groups: 

• Wednesday December 28th, 2022  7 PM at Keegans in Fair Lawn. Prayer & Study in the book of Romans (Please see Pastor John)

UPCOMING WEEK:

• Session Meeting: Monday, January 2nd, 2023 7 PM at the Manse

• Home groups: 

         Tuesday January 3rd, 2023  7:30-9:00 PM at Dinaros in Montvale. Prayer & Study in the book of Hebrews (Please see Elder Leo Baratt).

         Wednesday January 4th, 2023  7 PM at Keegans in Fair Lawn. Prayer & Study in the book of Romans (Please see Pastor John)

        Thursday January 5th, 2023  6:30 PM-8:30 PM at Macks in Wyckoff. Prayer & Study in the book of 1 John (Please see Elder John Hemrick)

• Women’s Prayer Breakfast: Saturday, January 7th, 2023 9:30 AM at the church fellowship hall. (Please see HaeSung Keegan)

• Vos Group: Friday, January 13th, 2023 7 AM at the Mansel. (Please see Pastor Keegan)

• Congregational Annual Meeting: Friday, January 27th, 2023 at the church sanctuary