December 4, 2022

*Call to Worship | Isaiah 7:14 | Blake Arnoult

God invites and calls us into his presence to worship him.

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The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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*Song of Adoration | Oh Come All Ye Faithful

We begin by responding with praise to God for who he is and for what he does. 

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O Come All Ye Faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels;

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O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

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Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above

Glory to God, glory in the highest;

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Chorus

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Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

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Chorus

Music and Lyrics: John Francis Wade

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*Confession of Faith | Westminster Confession of Faith Ch.8.2, Of Christ the Mediator

With the church in history we confess a basic statement of what Christians believe.

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The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.

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*Song of Confession | What Child Is This

Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs are simply prayers that are sung. We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.

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What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary.

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Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

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Nails, spears shall pierce him through,

The cross he bore for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king, to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone him.

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Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The babe, the Son of Mary.

Music and Lyrics: William Chatterton Dix

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Confession of Sin |1 John 1:5-6, 8, 10

We fight the temptation to hide our sin and instead acknowledge it openly to God, but we do so in light of the grace offered in Jesus.

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5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth...8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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Assurance of Pardon | 1 John 1:7, 9 | Blake Arnoult

The good news of the gospel is that we are forgiven in Jesus Christ. This assurance is based on God’s words of promise and it is therefore certain.

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7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin…9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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*Song of Response | The First Noel

We respond in repentance and praise for God’s redemptive work in Christ.

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The first Noel the angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter's night that was so deep

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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel

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They looked up and saw a star

Shining in the east beyond them far

And to the earth it gave great light

And so it continued both day and night

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Chorus

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And by the light of that same star

Three wise men came from country far

To seek for a king was their intent

And to follow the star wherever it went

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Chorus

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This star drew nigh to the north-west

O'er Bethlehem it took its rest

And there it did both stop and stay

Right over the place where Jesus lay

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Chorus

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Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

That hath made heaven and earth of naught

And with His blood mankind hath bought

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Chorus

Music and Lyrics: Sir John Stainer

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Prayer of Thanksgiving

We offer our gratitude to God in prayer in response to his gifts and blessings to his people and ask that he make us faithful managers of these gifts.

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Song of Thanks | Once In Royal David's City

As we offer our prayers so we also offer up our thanks in song.

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Once in royal David's city

Stood a lowly cattle shed

Where a mother laid her baby

In a manger for His bed

Mary was that mother mild

Jesus Christ her little child

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He came down to earth from heaven

Who is God and Lord of all

And His shelter was a stable

And His cradle was a stall

With the poor, oppressed and lowly

Lived on earth our Savior holy

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And our eyes at last shall see Him

Through His own redeeming love

For that child, so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heaven above

And He leads His children along

To the place that He is gone

Music and Lyrics: Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander and William Donoghue

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Prayer for Christ’s Church

We lift up our requests to God knowing that he hears us when we pray.

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*Reading of Scripture | Isaiah 1:1; 7:14; 9:2, 6-7 | Rev. Blake Arnoult

God reveals himself and his work and speaks to us his people through his Word.

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1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

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7:14 The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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9:2 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone.

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6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

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Pastor: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

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The Preaching of the Word | Blake Arnoult

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“A Child of Light”

Isaiah 9: The Advent of a Great Light

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Pastoral Prayer

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Sacrament of Communion

Sacraments are visible signs of the invisible grace of God - what Christ does by his Holy Spirit within us. Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist), as the distribution of the elements of bread and wine, symbolizes a meal. Communion is a sign of fellowship. That sign signifies more than just the future heavenly fellowship that is to come. The outward sign signifies the inner reality that sinners already experience fellowship with God in the Spirit because of Jesus. Communion is not a meal for good people. It functions as a renewing seal to desperate sinners of that fellowship we have with our holy and gracious God.

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You will be invited to come forward. If you are not a Christian we encourage you to spend this time in reflection on what you’ve seen and heard in the worship. Children who have not received their first communion are welcome and encouraged to come forward with their families to witness their partaking. We invite children who are ready to make a public profession of faith in Christ to arrange a meeting with the elders, and thus become “communicants” at the Lord’s Table. 

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Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts!

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

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Prayer of Thanksgiving and Words of Institution

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Pastor: Let us proclaim the mystery of the faith: 

People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Hallelujah! 

Pastor: Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us. Hallelujah! 

People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. 

Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God.

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Please let an usher know if it is difficult for you to come forward. We would be happy to serve you at your seat. All communion bread is gluten-free. All communion wine is made from  grape juice.

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A communion prayer for those searching for the truth:

Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth and the life. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me the ability to follow you no matter what it might cost me. Give me an understanding for you that is coherent, convincing, and leads to the life that you promise. Amen.

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Communion Song | O Come O Come Emmanuel

We celebrate our communion in faith and song.

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O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

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Rejoice Rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to thee O Israel

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O come Thou Wisdom from on high

Who orderest all things mightily

To us the path of knowledge show

And teach us in her ways to go

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Chorus

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O come thou rod of Jesse free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

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Chorus

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O come thou Day-spring come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine Advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

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Chorus

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O come Thou Key of David come

And open wide our heavenly home

Make safe the way that leads on high

And close the path to misery

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Chorus

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O come O come Thou Lord of Might

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times didst give the law

In cloud and majesty and awe

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Chorus

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O come Thou Root of Jesse's tree

An ensign of Thy people be

Before Thee rulers silent fall

All peoples on Thy mercy call

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Chorus

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O come Desire of nations bind

In one the hearts of all mankind

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease

And be Thyself our King of Peace

Music and Lyrics: ohn Mason Neale

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Departing Song | Hark The Herald Angels Sing

We begin to end in faith and song.

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Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With th'angelic hosts proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

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Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord

Late in time behold Him come

Offspring of the Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail th'incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with men to dwell

Jesus our Emmanuel

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

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Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace

Hail the Sun of Righteousness

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

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Come Desire of nations come

Fix in us Thy humble home

Rise the woman's conqu’ring seed

Bruise in us the serpent's head

Adam’s likeness now efface

Stamp Thine image in its place

Second Adam from above

Reinstate us in Thy love

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King

Music and Lyrics: Philip Bliss, Horatio Spafford

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*Benediction | Psalm 4:6 | Blake Arnoult

God sends us out with his blessing. A benediction is not a prayer. We don’t bow our heads. We lift them up and even lift up our hands to receive his blessing as we are sent out as participants in his mission to the city of man.

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6 Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Adult Christmas Party

TODAY! December 4, 6-8pm

All adults are invited to join us at the home of Blake and Ryan Arnoult for our annual Christmas party on December 4 at 6pm! We will share a meal as we celebrate the Christmas season together! This is a BYOB, adults-only event. 

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Children’s Christmas Party

December 11, 11:30am-1pm

Kids and parents, join us for lunch at an awesome Christmas party hosted at the Donovan home on December 11, directly after the worship service! 

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Christmas Eve Service

December 24, 3-4:30pm

Cornerstone is gathering for our annual Christmas Eve fellowship at 3pm followed by a worship service at 3:30pm. Invite your friends and family to join us!

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Spring Calendar is Up!

Check out our spring calendar at cornerstonehouston.com!

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Visit our events page to subscribe to our calendar!