WELCOME TO WORSHIP | ONE SERVICE | 10am 

sunday | december 24, 2023

PRELUDE | Praise Band, led by Jason Campbell, director of music ministry
Prepare the Way | Darrell Evans & Eric Nuzum
He has come

To bring light into the darkness

He has come

To bring freedom to the captives

He has come

To restore the brokenhearted

It's time to proclaim

The year of the Lord
Prepare the way (prepare the way)

Prepare the way for our Redeemer

Prepare the way (prepare the way)

Prepare the way for our restorer

Make ready your heart

Make ready your home

Make ready the people of God

(Prepare the way)

He has come

To bring hope to the hopeless

He has come

To comfort all who mourn

He has come

To heal our ev'ry sickness

It's time to proclaim

The year of the Lord

Prepare prepare

Preparing the way of the Lord

Prepare (prepare)

Prepare (prepare)

Prepare (prepare)

© 1999 Integrity's Hosanna! Music | CCLI License # 487103

House of the Lord | Jonathan Smith & Phil Wickham
We worship the God who was

We worship the God who is

We worship the God who evermore will be

He opened the prison doors

He parted the raging sea

My God, he holds the victory yeah

There’s joy in the house of the Lord

There’s joy in the house of the Lord today

And we won’t be quiet

We shout out your praise

There’s joy in the house of the Lord

Our God is surely in this place

And we won’t be quiet

We shout out your praise

Oh oh oh

We shout out your praise

We sing to the God who heals

We sing to the God who saves

We sing to the God who always makes a way

'Cause he hung up on that cross

Then he rose up from that grave

My God’s still rolling stones away

('Cause) We were the beggars

Now we’re royalty

We were the prisoners

Now we’re running free

We are forgiven accepted

Redeemed by his grace

Let the house of the Lord sing praise

There is joy in this house oh yeah

There is joy there is joy

And we won't be quiet

We're gonna shout out your praise

We shout out your praise

There is joy in this house

There is joy in this house today

We shout out your praise

We shout out your praise

© 2020 Be Essential Songs; Cashagamble Jet Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs | CCLI License # 487103

WELCOME & WAYS TO CONNECT | christchurchfl.org/ways2connect

Pastors Paytyn Tobin, Alex Shanks and Monique McBride
Please see below for the day’s announcements.

* CALL TO WORSHIP | Richard Sheffield, liturgist
Light the lamps, prepare the room, God is coming to us!
We stand on the threshold of joy, awaiting the arrival of the promised light.

In the quiet hush of this Advent moment, we open our hearts to the transformative power of divine love.

The prophets’ voices echo through the ages, heralding the coming of the Messiah, a beacon of hope in a world longing for redemption.

May the light of Advent guide us to a deeper connection with the source of all love.

Let us prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child, the embodiment of God's boundless love. Amen.

* CONGREGATIONAL HYMN

The First Noel | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 245 (verses 1,2)

The first Noel the angel 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.

(refrain) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

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. (refrain)

© words & music: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

* OPENING PRAYER
Loving God, we gather on this fourth Sunday of Advent filled with anticipation and joy as we prepare to celebrate the imminent arrival of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we hear the story of Mary and Elizabeth, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the gift of relationships, recognizing that you are at work in the very fabric of our connections with one another. Standing on the threshold of Christmas, fill us with a sense of wonder and awe at the miracle of your love incarnate. Open our eyes to the ways in which we can share that love with others. May the joy and love of this season permeate our lives throughout the coming year. In the name of Jesus, our Emmanuel, we pray. Amen.

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe that creation is inextricably linked.

We belong to one another in an undeniable way.

We are bone of bone and flesh of flesh, life breathed into dust.

We believe that God invites us to live into that truth— to love without abandon,

to see the good in one another,

to trust that all belong to God.

We know that this life of connection is easier said than done, 
which is why we gather in this space, week after week, 
generation after generation, to be reminded:

We see God in each other. This we believe. Amen.

“Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.”

* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Henry W. Greatorex | public domain | CCLI License # 487103

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Hazem Farraj, director of children and student ministries

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE 
Advent candle will be lighted by Pastor Monique McBride and family

MUSIC MINISTRY
Mary did you Know  | Buddy Greene & Mark Lowry
Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would one day walk on water

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has come to make you new

This Child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would give sight to the blind man

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would calm a storm with His hand

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod

And when you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God

Oh Mary did you know

Ooh Mary did you know ooh ooh



The blind will see

The deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Oh Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations

Did you know

That your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb

And the sleeping Child you're holding

Is the great I Am

Oh Mary oh

1991, 1993 Rufus Music; Curb Word Music | CCLI License # 487103

SCRIPTURE

Luke 1:46-55 | Common English Bible

⁴⁶ Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
⁴⁷  In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
⁴⁸ He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
⁴⁹  because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
⁵⁰  He shows mercy to everyone,
from one generation to the next,
who honors him as God.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
⁵²  He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty-handed.
⁵⁴ He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy,
⁵⁵  just as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

These are the words of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

MESSAGE

We See God in Each Other  | Pastor Peytyn Tobin

OFFERING
worshiping through the offering of our lives and gifts.

·      GIVE online at christchurchfl.org/give 

·      Text GIVE to 954.880.3885

·      Mail a check to Christ Church, 4845 NE 25^th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

·      Drop tithes and offerings in the wooden boxes as you leave worship

 Christ Church is a congregationally supported ministry. We thank you for your faithfulness as we support one another and reflect the love, hope and joy of Jesus to our community. 

MUSIC MINISTRY
This Christmastide (Jessye’s carol) | Donald Fraser
Chancel Choir
Green and silver, red and gold and a story born of old, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. Holly, ivy, mistletoe and the gently falling snow, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. From a simple ox's stall came the greatest gift of all, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. Children sing of hope and joy at the birth of one small boy, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. Let the bells ring loud and clear, ring out now, for all to hear, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. Trumpets sound and voices raise in an endless stream of praise, Truth and love and hope abide, this Christmastide. Green and silver, red and gold and a story born of old, Peace and love and hope abide, this Christmastide.

© 1988 by Hinshaw Music, Inc | All rights reserved | Used with permission under One License #A-726973

* DOXOLOGY 
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Bourgeois & Ken | public domain | CCLI License # 487103

MORNING PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

* HYMN OF COMMITMENT
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 218 (verses 1,2,3,4)
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever circling years shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

Edmund Sears, Richard Willis | music & words: public domain | CCLI License # 487103

* SENDING FORTH 

* RESPONSE 
O Little Town of Bethlehem | The United Methodist Hymnal No. 230 (verse 4)
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Dennis Allen, Lewis H. Redner & Phillips Brooks © words: public domain music: 1998 Pilot Point Music | CCLI License # 487103

MUSIC FOR CLOSING

Fantasy on a French Carol | Robert Hughes
Chuck Stanley, organ

© 1980 Lorenz Publishing Co. | All rights reserved | Used with permission under One License #A-726973

* please stand in body or spirit.

Join us this evening for Christmas Eve services at 5pm, 7pm and 11pm. Each service will feature a Christmas Eve message from Pastor Alex Shanks with familiar carols, Silent Night and the lighting of candles. We will share Holy Communion at the 11pm service. 

Next Sunday at 10am, New Year’s Eve Day, we will gather for one service of worship in the Fort Lauderdale Sanctuary. Rev. Dr. Sheryl Marks-Williams will bring the message and lead us in the Wesley Covenant to help us start 2024 firmly in our faith life. 

WAYS TO CONNECT | christchurchfl.org/ways2connect

HOLY GROUNDS COFFEE TIME will be open on Sunday, January 7, when we return to two services, 9am praise and 11am traditional. Join us in the gym lobby for conversation and coffee. 

NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP sunday | december 31 | 10am | fort lauderdale sanctuary Join us on New Year’s Eve for a special combined worship service that will include traditional and praise music, the Wesley Covenant and a message by Rev. Dr. Sheryl Marks-Williams, who serves at Baptist Health at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Holy Grounds will be open about 9:45am in the gym lobby. 

TIME WITH THE PREACHER returns january 7 | 10am | fellowship halls 1&2 Time with the Preacher is an opportunity to go deeper into the day’s message at 10am Sundays. Time with the Preacher will be on break December 24 and 31. Whether you worship at 9am or 11am, you’re sure to learn from and enjoy the comments and insights. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions. Holy Grounds, the coffee area outside the kitchen window, will be open, so grab a cup of coffee and join us.   

CONNECT CARDS We want to connect with you. Please fill out a digital connect card and tell us how we can pray with you and help you be part of the ministries you’re called to. We’d love to hear your ideas also. You’ll find the connect card at christchurchfl.org/connectcard 

GROW   

MORNING PRAYERS weekdays | 7:30am Begin your weekdays praying with your church family at 7:30am on the Christ Church Facebook page, @christchurchfl. If you can’t be online at 7:30, a recording of morning prayers is available on Facebook.  Morning prayers take a break on church and federal holidays.    

SERVE  

ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE sunday | january 14 | 12:15pm Gather with the Anti-Racism Task Force right after the 11am worship service in the Fellowship Halls, to talk about future events and opportunities to participate.  If you’d like more information, contact Susan Spragg, sspragg@christchurchfl.org

MORE THAN CONQUERORS prayer group This prayer group meets the third Thursday of each month.. Bring joys and concerns of your life, our community and our world to the feet of Jesus with others who are devoted to intercessory prayer. Feel free to attend to receive or share in prayer. At 6:30pm, the group gathers in the Fellowship Halls to share and pray about our collective joys and concerns. All are invited. For more information, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org   

RAINBOW ALLIANCE tuesday | january 23 | 6:30pm Anyone who affirms our LGBTQ+ siblings is invited to join the Rainbow Alliance for a mission and ministry gathering looking ahead at 2024. We want to set goals for the year and identify individuals who can lead us toward them. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Cynthia Metzger Phipps, cmetzgerphipps@christchurchfl.org

SERVE BREAKFAST ON SUNDAY MORNINGS Every Sunday morning at 9am, a community breakfast is shared by about 40 friends and neighbors on the Parkway Campus. Volunteers are needed to help prepare, serve, share and clean-up on Sundays, between 7:30am and 10:30am. If you can help only part of that time, that's OK too. The Parkway Campus is located at 100 NE 44^th Street, Deerfield Beach.  christchurchfl.org/parkway  

SHARE YOUR MUSICAL TALENTS The Christ Church music ministry invites you to consider sharing your musical talents. Instrument players as well as vocalists are invited to contact Jason Campbell, director of music ministry, at jcampbell@christchurchfl.org  

LEAD MORNING PRAYERS weekdays | 7:30am | on Facebook When the Christ Church family gathers weekday mornings at 7:30am, we could use your help as a leader of the morning devotions. If you would like to do this, the pastors will show you how. Just send an email to Pastor Peytyn, ptobin@christchurchfl.org  

LOVE IN ACTION FORT LAUDERDALE Volunteers are needed to help prepare meatloaf dinners on the first Thursday of each month in the Fort Lauderdale Campus kitchen. The team works 2-4pm to prepare a meal that is served at Hope Central, 1100 N. Andrews Ave. If you can help, please send an email to info@christchurchfl.org   

BLESSINGS FOOD PANTRY NEEDS TRUCK DRIVER The Blessings Food Pantry, a Christ Church ministry, needs a volunteer truck driver on Monday and Wednesday mornings starting in January. This volunteer/s drive a church truck to two Publix stores within 10 miles of the Parkway campus. At each store, they get paperwork signed by a store employee, and load and unload boxes that can weigh up to 60 pounds. There will be help to unload the truck when it arrives at the Parkway Campus. The route starts at 7am and lasts until about 10am each of those two days. Volunteers for this role need to pass a church background check, provide a current driver's license and pass a short driving test with Mike Gartland, facilities director. If you are interested in volunteering in this way, please contact Mike Gartland, mgartland@christchurchfl.org. 

JOIN THE WELCOME TEAM Do you enjoy greeting your church family and welcoming guests? The Welcome Team would be a great place for you to serve. Welcome Team members also help serve communion and collect the offering. Some welcome team members also serve as ushers and greeters for memorial services and other special events. Linda Bajkowsky coordinates the team and would love your help. Serving with the Welcome Team is a great way to get to know your church family. Sign up at christchurchfl.org/serve

BE PART OF THE WORSHIP TECH TEAM Put your tech skills to work for God. If you would like to be part of the team that helps run the cameras and visuals for worship, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org  

CONNECT  

SHARED MEALS You are invited to share a meal and community twice a week on the Parkway Campus. On Wednesday at 5pm, a shared dinner is served to all who come. On Sunday at 9am, breakfast is shared. All are invited to enjoy great conversation over lovingly prepared food.  

CHRIST CHURCH AT TRIVIA NIGHT returning january 8 | Funky Buddha Brewery We’ll be playing trivia again on Monday nights in January at the Funky Buddha. It’s an informal gathering of folks who just have fun trying to answer the questions and catching up on each others’ lives. Team #LFG will be back together after the holidays at the Funky Buddha, 1201 NE 38^th Street, Oakland Park. 

HEALING  

FAITH CARING TEAM mondays | 1pm The Faith Caring Group reflects and addresses the need for caring and assistance as well as grief support. The group meets on Zoom every Monday of the month, except the second Monday when members have lunch at the Fort Lauderdale Olive Garden. For more information, send an email to info@christchurchfl.org with your contact information. A Faith Caring Group leader will get back to you.  

STUDENT MINISTRY  

FREEWAY SERVICE HOURS IN THE GARDEN Freeway will be on break until January from working in The Fruitful Field organic garden on the Parkway Campus. The group has a great time and learns a lot by working together to grow food for our community. Questions? Send an email to Mr. Hazem, director of children & student ministries, hfarraj@christchurchfl.org  

GOOD GAME “GG” WEDNESDAYS This fun time for middle- and high school students will be on break after the new year.  Students have learn and play sports, all while growing in faith. Questions? Send an email to Mr. Hazem, director of children & student ministries, hfarraj@christchurchfl.org 

CHURCH HOLIDAY HOURS

The Fort Lauderdale and Parkway campuses will be closed Monday, December 25, for Christmas. Church offices will reopen at 1pm Tuesday, December 26, and be open 9am to 5pm the remainder of the week. The Parkway Campus will reopen as usual on Wednesday. Both campuses will be closed Monday, January 1, for the New Year’s holiday.