Worship & Communion Service Sunday December 4,2022 10:00AM
Greater Framingham Community Church
An Extended Christian Family
A Service for the Candle of
December 4, 2022
10:00 AM
Greater Framingham Community Church
Franklin and Park Streets, PO Box 629
Framingham, MA 01704
Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd, Pastor
PLEASE NOTE: All services are videotaped\livestream which means the camera from time to time spans the congregation and you may be on the screen.
Sunday Worship
December 4, 2022 Worship Service 10:00 A.M.
Prelude Minister of Music & Praise Team
We Worship Through Praise Felix Mwangi
Praise Choruses Praise Team
Medley: The Lord is Blessing Me Right Now/Since I Laid My Burdens Down/ This Little Light of Mine
Oh Come Let us Adore Him
Advent Candle – Candle of Hope Minister Beverly Thompson
We Worship Through the Word
Scripture Luke 1:26-49 Deacon Lynn Moore
We Worship Through the Preached Word
Praise Chorus Faithful Is Our God Praise Team
Sermon Rev. Dr. Courtney Lackard
We Worship Through Prayer
Invitation to Christian Discipleship
Praise Selection O Come Emmanuel Praise Team
We Worship In Response to Hearing the Word
Tithes & Offerings
Statement of Faith & Apostle’s Creed
Communion Litany & Holy Communion
Praise Selection Stand Praise Team
Benediction Rev. Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
PRAISE CHORUSES
THE LORD IS BLESSING ME
The Lord is blessing me, right now, right now
The Lord is blessing me, right now, right now
He woke me up this morning and started me on my way
The Lord is blessing Me, right now
SINCE I LAID MY BURDENS DOWN
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Since I laid my burdens down
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Since I laid my burdens down
Friends don’t treat me like they used to
Since I laid my burdens down
Friends don’t treat me like they used to
Since I laid my burdens down
I feel better, so much better
Since I laid my burdens down
I feel better, so much better
Since I laid my burdens down
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let shine
Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine . . .
All in my home, I’m gonna let it shine . . .
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine . . .
O COME, LET US ADORE HIM
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
For he alone is worthy,
for he alone is worthy,
for he alone is worthy,
Christ the Lord.
We'll give him all the glory,
we'll give him all the glory,
we'll give him all the glory,
Christ the Lord.
FAITHFUL IS OUR GOD
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God
Faithful, faithful, faithful is our God
I'm reaping the harvest God promised me
Take back what the devil stole from me
And I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all
Yes, I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all (X3)
Holy, holy, holy is our God
Holy, holy, holy is our God
Holy, holy, holy is our God
Holy, holy, holy is our God
I'm reaping the harvest God promised me
Take back what the devil stole from me
And I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all
Yes, I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is our God
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is our God
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is our God
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is our God
I'm reaping the harvest God promised me
Take back what the devil stole from me (X12)
And I rejoice today (X8)
For I shall recover it all
O COME EMMANUEL
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death's abode.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
STAND
What do you do when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough?
And what do you say
When your friends turn away
And you're all alone, alone?
Tell me, what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through?
Well, you just stand when there's nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand
Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past?
Tell me, how do you deal with the shame?
And how can you smile while your heart has been broken
And filled with pain, filled with pain?
Tell me what do you give when you've given your all?
Seems like you can't make it through
Child, you just stand when there's nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand
Stand and be sure
Be not entangled in that bondage again
You just stand and endure
God has a purpose
Yes, god has a plan
Tell me what do you do when you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through?
Child, you just stand, you just stand, stand
Don't you dare give up through the storm
Stand through the rain
Through the hurt
Yeah, through the pain
Don't you bow, and don't you bend
Don't give up, no, don't give in
Hold on
Just be strong
God will step in
And it won't be long
After you've done all you can, after you've done all you can
After you've gone through the hurt
After you've gone through the pain
After you've gone through the storm
After you've gone through the rain
Prayed and cried
Prayed and cried
Prayed and cried
Prayed and cried, oh my
After you've done all you can you just stand
HOLY COMMUNION
When we approach God's Holy Table, we do so with respect and reverence for who God is. It is not done with noise, commotion, moving around, or confusion. Please respect God by respecting His Holy Table.
CONFESSION OF FAITH
The church acknowledges as its head, God, the Creator of all heaven and earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit the Comforter. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ, all who share in this confession. It believes that all of those who are committed to building of God's Kingdom and strive to keep His commandments are invited to partake of the Lord's Supper and that all such, with their families, are invited to the Ordinance of Baptism.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:
“APOSTLES” CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. The third day he arose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church (universal), the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
I Corinthians 11: 23 – 34
Pastor: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
People: And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Pastor: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
People: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he comes.
Pastor: Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
People: But let a person examine themselves, and so let them eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Pastor: For they that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to themselves, not discerning the Lord’s body.
People: For this cause, many are weak in [Faith] and sick among you, and many sleep.
Pastor: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
People: But when we judge, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Pastor: Wherefore, my friends, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
All: And if a person hungers, let them eat at home; that they come not together to this table, disregarding its purpose, and unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Your Church Needs Your Help!
God has given each of us gifts that He wants us to use to build his church and advance the kingdom of God. Will you pray about how you can give back to God and GFCC through service in ministry. We have several ministry opportunities coming open in January and we desperately need volunteers. Will you step up to the plate? Give the church a call and schedule a time to talk with the pastor.
Ministry Openings:
Serve as a Deacon
Individuals who believe they have gifts to serve others
Ministerial Staff
Individuals who believe they have a call on their life to preach and serve the congregation
Mission & Outreach Ministry
Individuals who have a passion to spread the word of God and serve the community
Church Council Chair
Someone willing to lead others in the administration of the church
Board of Trustees
Individuals will to serve the church with the upkeep of the church building
Livestream and Audio Visual
Individuals who can help with the technology to keep the church's message going forward to the broader community
Board of Christian Education
Individuals who want to use their gifts to ensure that Christian Education is taking place at the church
Board of Finance
Individuals who have experience with finances
Board of Youth
Individuals who want to work with our children and youth
Music Ministry
Individuals who would like to sing or dance in the following musical groups:
Woman's Praise Team
Men's Praise Team
Young Adult Praise Team
Anointed Dance Ministry
Children's Choir
Pastor’s Aide
Individuals who want to use their gifts to support the ministry of the Pastor and the Ministerial Staff.
Transportation Ministry
Individuals willing to pick up individuals in the church van to bring them to church on Sundays
We need your help! Respond Today
Part Time Administrative Assistant Needed
In search of a part time Administrative Assistant to work at the church.
Please reach out to the Pastor if you are interested.
The Advent Season
An Introduction
Get ready for the world’s best news!
Advent Season, the four weeks before Christmas, is a time to get ready. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, we receive the risen Christ who comes to us in Word and Spirit, and we await with hope Christ’s coming in final victory.
Advent is from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” Prophets announced the coming of the Savior: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us…(Isaiah 9:6), Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, said of John: You, child, will be called the prophet of the most high: for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)
During Advent we become one with those who waited in darkness for the revealing of God’s light and who dared to hope that God’s salvation could come in the birth of a child. As we re-live the story each year, we gain new and deeper understanding of the meaning of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We celebrate God’s gift of Jesus Christ and give thanks.
The Challenge of Advent
In our world, Christmas has become a commercial event. During Advent we are challenged to reclaim the customs that help us celebrate God’s gift of love in Jesus and to avoid or curtail those things that stand in the way. Gifts, cards, and parties need to express love, not obligation, and they need to extend beyond our immediate circle of family and friends to those who most need love and care.
Advent: Advent is the beginning of the Christian Year. Advent is our season of waiting and expectation. This is the time when God calls us to begin, afresh and anew the preparation of our hearts to become the clean and ready managers for The Christ Child’s arrival. Advent means that Mary is pregnant! The Biblical lections and the songs of Advent set the stage to allow our congregation to walk with us through this section of The God Story and another, “In The Beginning.” We are awaiting the fresh arrival of The One who will bring change into our lives. We are anticipating the coming of a new day, a fresh start and a different reality. We are living in expectation.
The Advent Wreath
An Advent Wreath can be a center of worship for both church and home. The wreath is a circle of evergreen branches, a sign of everlasting life. Four Red or Purple Candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A White Candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. The base is an Advent Wreath.
The Colors of the Season
Purple is the traditional color used by many churches during Advent and Lent because it represents both penitence and royalty. Blue, sometimes used during Advent, represents hope. White is the color of joy and festivities, a suitable color for the Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath and for Christmas Services.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent with an additional candle lighted each week. On Christmas Eve the White Christ Candle is lighted.
Family Advent Worship
Families may have daily or weekly Advent Worship. In the Northern Hemisphere, Advent and Christmas come when the days are shortest. In Ancient times, especially, lighting candles symbolized hope both for the return of sunlight and for the joy of Jesus’ coming to bring God’s light to the world.
MLK Worship Celebration
Sunday, January 15, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. Live in Person and Online
Preacher of the hour: Evangelist Alleya Jones
Come Celebrate Together
African Attire Encouraged
In Person & Zoom Ministry Resumes
We are happy to announce that Jr Church and JYC has resumed in person instruction at GFCC. With our new technology other children and parents can zoom into the class at the same time.
These ministries will meet on Sundays just after the Praise Time of Worship, approximately 10:15 AM. Jr Church is in the Alexander Room and JYC is in the Hill Room.
Please invite and bring your children out for Christian Education!
Teen Worship meets 2nd & 4th Sundays in the Heard Conference Room and by zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82679560792?pwd=Zmx2TE1sZVBVZXFjem5OaS9GcFlXdz09
Meeting ID: 826 7956 0792 Passcode: 189375
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