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*CALL TO WORSHIP
1 Timothy 3:16

Leader: Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

All: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen
by angels,

Leader: proclaimed among the nations,

All: believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

*SONG All Creatures of Our God and King

Words by Words by St. Francis of Assisi and music from German hymn tune Lasst Uns
Erfreuen
© Words and music: public domain

Verse 1
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
Chorus

Chorus
O praise Him O praise Him
Alleluia alleluia alleluia

Verse 2
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along
O praise Him alleluia
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
Chorus

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Verse 3
Thou flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
Alleluia alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
Thou givest man both warmth and light
Chorus

Verse 4
And all ye men of tender heart
Forgiving others take your part
O sing ye alleluia
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on Him cast your care
Chorus

Verse 5
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him alleluia
Praise praise the Father praise the Son
And praise the Spirit Three in One
Chorus

PRAYER OF ADORATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3

[10] I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
[11] For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.

[62:1] For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,

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 until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
[2] The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
[3] You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (ESV)

Leader: The Word of the LORD

People: Thanks be to God.

SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:22-40

[22] And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of
Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [23]
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the
womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) [24] and to offer a sacrifice
according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or
two young pigeons.” [25] Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name
was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting 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 do for him
according to the custom of the Law, [28] he took him up in his arms and
blessed God and said,

[29] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
[30] for my eyes have seen your salvation
[31] that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
[32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

[33] And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.
[34] And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this
child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that
is opposed [35] (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so
that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

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[36] And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband
seven years from when she was a virgin, [37] and then as a widow until she
was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with
fasting and prayer night and day. [38] And coming up at that very hour she
began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for
the redemption of Jerusalem.

[39] And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the
Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. [40] And
the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God
was upon him. (ESV)

Leader: The Gospel of the LORD

People: Praise be to you, Lord Christ.

*SONG Joy To The World

Words by Isaac Watts and music by George Frederic Handel
© Words and music: public domain

Joy to the world the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room
And heav'n and nature sing
And heav'n and nature sing
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing

Joy to the earth the Savior reigns

Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods
Rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as far as the curse is found

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He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Adopted from Belgic Confession, Article 18: The Incarnation

Leader: Christian, what is it that you confess?

All: We confess that God fulfilled the promise made to the early
fathers and mothers by the mouth of the holy prophets when
he sent the only and eternal Son of God into the world at the
time appointed. The Son took the “form of a slave” and was
made in “human form,” truly assuming a real human nature
with all its weaknesses, except for sin; being conceived in the
womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy
Spirit, without male participation. And Christ not only
assumed human nature as far as the body is concerned but
also a real human soul, in order to be a real human being. For
since the soul had been lost as well as the body, Christ had to
assume them both to save them together. In this way Christ
is truly our Immanuel – that is: “God with us.”

CONFESSION OF SIN
From Jeremy Taylor, a 17th century bishop in the Church of England. Modernized by
Jonathan Gibson in O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

All: You have given me a whole life to serve you in, and to
advance my hopes of heaven; and this precious time I have
thrown away upon my sins and vanities, being improvident of
my time and of my talent, and of your grace and my own
advantages, resisting your Spirit and quenching him. I have
been a great lover of myself, and yet used many ways to
destroy myself. I have pursued my temporal ends with
greediness and indirect means. I am revengeful and
unthankful, forgetting benefits, but not so soon forgetting
injuries; curious and murmuring, a great breaker of promises.
I have not loved my neighbor’s good, nor advanced it in all
things, where I could. I have been unlike you in all things. I
am unmerciful and unjust, a foolish admirer of things below,
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 and careless of heaven and the ways that lead there. But for
your name’s sake, O Lord, be merciful unto my sin, for it is
great. Amen

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Psalm 34:17-18; 22

Leader: When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers
them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in
spirit.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who
take refuge in him will be condemned.

*Song of Simeon
Words: Luke 2:29-32; Music: LAND OF REST, American Folk Melody
Arranged by David Lutes, 2010

Lord, bid your servant go in peace,

Your word is now fulfilled.
These eyes have seen salvation’s dawn,
This child so long foretold

This is the Savior of the world

The Gentile’s promised light
God’s glory dwelling in our midst
The joy of Israel

ADVENTURERS CHILDREN (1ST - 5TH GRADES)

st th
All children, 1 through 5 grades, are invited to go to Adventurers, for a
children’s lesson and activity time during the sermon. The Adventurers will
be escorted back to the Chapel during the Passing of the Peace.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

From Augustus Toplady, a 18th century priest in the Church of England. Modernized in O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Leader: Be light to our darkness, wisdom to our folly, and manifest

your strength in our weakness. Remember us according to the
favor which you bear to your own people; stir us up to seek
your face, and to lay hold on your covenant; and make us find
that it is indeed good for us to draw nigh unto you, and to wait
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 upon you in and through the name and merits of Jesus Christ,
our only mediator and advocate.

Leader intercedes in prayer on behalf of the world,

the Church, and our congregation.

Leader: We pray all of this in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray,
saying …
People: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Your Name,
your kingdom come,
your 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 Yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

SERMON SCRIPTURE READING Psalm 103

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
[3] who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
[4] who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
[5] who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

[6] The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
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 [9] He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
[10] He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
[11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
[12] as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
[13] As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
[14] For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

[15] As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;
[16] for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
[17] But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to
everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
[18] to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
[19] The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

[20] Bless the LORD, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
[21] Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! (ESV)

Leader: The Word of the LORD

People: Thanks be to God.

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SERMON Rev. Jaime Jimenez
“The Faithfulness of God”

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? If so, click on the QR

code for discussion at the next Question & Discussion time.

PASSING OF THE PEACE

Leader: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all
in whom he delights.
Therefore, may the peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you!

RETURN OF ADVENTURERS
During the Passing of the Peace, the teachers will bring the Adventurers
back to the Chapel.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are glad to have you worship with us today. Please sign in so we have a
record of your attendance. Sign-in on the blue pad located near the center
aisle and record your information there.

OFFERTORY & PRIVATE PRAYER

All giving is a response to God’s generosity to you in all aspects of life, but
particularly through the person and work of Jesus. If you are not sure what
you think about Jesus or Christianity, or if you are a guest, we would invite
you to refrain from giving at this time.
Online giving is available at adventpres.org/give. You can also
scan this QR code or place a gift in the offering basket near the
entrance of the chapel.

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CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
ALL: We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant and
great mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs
under your table. But you are the same Lord, who always
delights in showing mercy. Nourish us, therefore, gracious
Lord, so that in partaking of this sacrament of your son Jesus
Christ, we may walk in newness of life, grow into his likeness,
and evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Leader: All glory and honor be yours always and everywhere, mighty
creator, ever-living God. We give you thanks and praise for
your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who for love of our fallen
race humbled himself, and was born of the Virgin Mary by
the power of your Spirit, and lived as one of us.

In this mystery of the Word made flesh you have caused his
light to shine in our hearts, to give knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ. In him we see our God made
visible and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot
see. Therefore with all the angels of heaven we lift our
voices to proclaim the glory of your name and sing our joyful
hymn of praise:

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ALL:

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Leader: Alleluia, Alleluia
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
And we have seen His glory.
ALL: Alleluia

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COMMUNION SONG In Christ Alone
Words and music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2001 Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

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*SONG All Glory Be To Christ
From a traditional Scottish tune; words and arrangement by Dustin Kensrue
© 2012 We Are Younger We Are Faster Music

Verse 1
Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow's gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!

Chorus
All glory be to Christ our King!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign we'll ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!

Verse 2
His will be done, His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!
Chorus

Verse 3
When on the day the great I am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ!
Chorus x2

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*CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & MISSION

*BENEDICTION
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)

Leader: The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious
to you;
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you
peace.
People: Amen.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
YEAR END GIVING
Taylor said it best in his 2023 Stewardship Update email last
week about Advent Houston … “What a year it has been!”
And he asked us to “prayerfully take time to consider how
you might help us to meet” the goal of becoming a self-
sustaining church group.

PRAYER RETREAT
Saturday, Jan. 20th at the Villa De Matel Convent
When was the last time you spend a few hours in quiet
prayer? Come and join your Advent family in experiencing a
time of prayer at a local haven within our city. The event is
free.
Register at AdventPres.org/Events.

ALL ABOUT ADVENT – MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Sunday, February 25th at 5:30 P.M.
Interested in learning more about Advent Houston?
Attend the Membership Class on February 25. Register at
AdventPres.org/

FINANCIAL UPDATE – Calendar

FINANCIAL UPDATE – Calendar Year to Date
Internal Income $147,508
External Income $81,875
Planned Internal Income $250,000
(Calendar Year to Date = January 1 to December 12, 2023)

Media Release
Advent Houston shares photos taken at our events in our monthly newsletters, on our website, or
on social media for the purpose of promoting and highlighting the church’s mission. By being
present, you consent to being photographed and having these photos shared. For individuals who
are not comfortable being visible in a shared photograph, please notify the church at
[email protected] to opt out of the media release.

CCLI License Info

All songs used by permission. CCLI License #21309482

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