Order of Worship
December 21st, 2025
Welcome to
Grace Presbyterian Church!
Grace Presbyterian Church exists to welcome our neighbors, grow together in Christ, and serve God in our community and world. We believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ changes everything.
If you are new to Grace, please fill out a Welcome Card!
Call to Worship
Job 19:25-26
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my body has decayed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.
Invocation
God Calls Us
Welcome Song | Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1. 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 host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
2. Christ, by highest Heav'n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a 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!"
3. 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!"
Song of Praise | In the Bleak Midwinter
1. In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
2. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
3. Angels and Archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But His Mother only
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
4. What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
God
Cleanses Us
Confession of Sin & Silent Confession
Most Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we might delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
Assurance of Pardon | PS 118:5
Song of Assurance | What Child is This?
1. 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.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
STORY OF GOD'S PRESCENCE - Paula Kowalcyzk
3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation. but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory now and forever. Amen.
God Speaks to US
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Christmas Eve Services: 4pm & 5:30pm
To learn more, view our events page on Planning Center.
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You can give online by going to our website gracenorthshore.org/give
At church, you can drop a check in the offering box in the lobby.
You can mail in a check to the church (440 Ridge Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093).
You can give appreciated assets or stocks. Please email
for more information.Text 847-908-5755 a dollar amount (ex."500") to give to the General Fund.
Sermon
Sermon - Mothers of Jesus: Ruth
Scripture: Ruth 1:1-18 and 4:13-17; Matthew 1:1-6
God
Communes with Us
Confession of Faith | The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
AAnd in one, Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
During this time, we invite EVERYONE to come forward or to go back if you are in the balcony.
The Supper is for followers of Jesus who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and have publicly professed to follow Jesus and received Christian baptism.
If you are not a follower of Jesus, we welcome you to come forward to receive a blessing. You can indicate you won’t be taking the Lord’s supper by crossing your arms or saying to the server, “I will not be taking today.”
For those remaining in their seats who would like to be served, please let your usher know when folks begin to move forward, and they will bring the elements of the supper to you. Once you come forward, the cups with red are wine, and the cups with white are juice. All the bread is gluten-free.
Celebration of The Lord’s Supper
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!
Song of Thanksgiving | Gloria Patri
God
Send Us
Song of Sending I Prepare the Way, O Zion
1. Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
Refrain
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God's most holy name.
2. He brings God's rule, O Zion; He comes from heav'n above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding
Refrain
3. Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior's rule embrace.
His tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow before Him, their voices will adore him.
Refrain
Benediction
This week’s music:
Mollie VanderLaan-piano and vocals; Erica Huffman-vocals; Clark Sommers-bass; Dave Miller-guitar; Brent Roman-drums; Reese VanderLaan-violin
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
RENEW Generosity Initiative
RENEW is an effort, lasting until Spring of 2027, to renovate and expand our building for the sake of our mission and vision. We are grateful for the partnership of so many. For those who are interested, we invite you to make an initial or additional commitment by filling out a Commitment Card in the foyer, mailing a card to the church, or filling out a card at gracenorthshore.org/renew.
Women of Grace Winter Retreat
Jan 30-Feb 1 | the American Club
Ladies, sign up today for a refreshing weekend getaway in beautiful Kohler, Wisconsin! Join us for worship, fellowship, winter adventures, and inspiring teaching from author Cheryl Lutz. Register on Church Center using the QR code above.
For more information email Ethan@gracenorthshore.org. Click below to register as a student or sign up to be a volunteer.
Weekly Events
Stay informed and involved. Find details on upcoming services, ministries, prayer groups, and special events.
