Worship Program - 12/21/25
- Pastor Gary
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to Worship!
We’re so glad you’re here today as we gather during this Advent season to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been part of our church family for years, we pray this time of worship encourages you and reminds you that God meets us right where we are.
Today we continue our Advent series, Breakthrough, exploring the places where God broke through at Christmas. This week we journey to Bethlehem—a hard place marked by inconvenience, exhaustion, and unmet expectations. Through the story of Mary and Joseph, we’re reminded that God doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. He breaks into our chaos, disappointment, and weakness to bring real hope.
Advent invites us not to bail out when life gets hard, but to stay present, trusting God is at work—even when we can’t yet see it.
We invite you to take part in the life of our church as we grow together in faith:
Gathering in worship and fellowship
Growing in God’s Word and spiritual practices
Serving one another and our community
Thank you for being here today. If you have any questions or would like to get connected, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at 410-639-2144 or use the question cards in the pew.
May this Advent season help you stay faithful in the hard place and experience the breakthrough God brings.
In Christ,
Pastor Gary
Order of Worship
Advent Reading | |
Welcome | |
Prayer of Adoration | |
Opening Worship | |
Prayer of Confession | |
Prayer of Intercession | |
Message | God Breaks Through in the Hard Place Luke 2:1-7 Pastor Gary Priddy |
Next Steps | |
What you can do for a “next step” of faith. | |
Prayer of Thanksgiving | |
Benediction |
Life is much more than an accident. Wherever I go, I believe God needs me there. Wherever I am, I trust God has put me there. He has a purpose for me being there - Christ, alive in me, wants to do something through me, no matter where I am. I believe this and go in His grace and His love and His power.
Songs for Worship
Wesley Chape 188 The First Noel 192 O Little Town of Bethlehem 194 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 191 Angels We Have Heard On High | Rock Hall Church Christmas Day The First Noel Midnight Clear He Has Come for Us |
Sermon Outline
God Breaks Through in the Hard Places
God breaks into our chaos
Chaos is not a barrier to God—it’s often the setting.
God breaks into our disappointment
Rejection does not mean abandonment.
God breaks into our weakness
God didn’t wait for strength—He entered weakness.
Bottom Line:
If you bail out, you miss out.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in this Advent season, meet us in our hard places. When we are tired, disappointed, or tempted to give up, help us stay faithful and trust Your presence. Open our eyes to Your work in the ordinary and give us grace to carry Your hope into every place we go. Amen.
TAKE IT HOME:
Continuing the search… this week.
Luke 2:1–7 — Staying in the Hard Place
What details in Mary and Joseph’s journey stand out to you?
Where do you feel stretched, tired, or disappointed right now?
How might God be inviting you to stay present and trust Him rather than giving up or pulling away?
Psalm 34:17–18 — God Near in Disappointment
What expectations have gone unmet in your life?
How does knowing God is close to the brokenhearted change the way you view those disappointments?
Where might God be working even when things haven’t turned out as planned?
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 — Strength in Weakness
Where do you feel weak or inadequate this season?
What would it look like to rely on God’s grace instead of your own strength?
How can trusting God in your weakness open space for His power to be revealed this week?
This Week's Announcements:
Daily Devotional Reading:
Wake-Up Call provides a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus who transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.
SIGN UP HERE: https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall
Prayer Request Policy Change In order to maintain a more current prayer list, we provide a copy of this past week’s prayer requests. Submit prayer requests using the prayer request cards in the pews or the digital prayer request form on our website: pray.yourrhc.com Please make sure you have permission to share other’s information.
Current Prayer Requests
Our children and youth ministries
Caregivers and first responders
Our nation’s leaders
Healing of our nation
People battling addictions
Single parents and their kids
Pastor Gary and family
Dickie & Bettie Porter
Hubbard & Sharon Kendall
Joan & Mike Melvin
Joanne Carson
Audra Ashley
Emelia Pohl
Diane McIntyre
Elma (Sis) Myers
Wilkins Hubbard
Joe Holliday
JJ Foote
Pam & Tom Glenn
Lisa Stottlemyer
Edna Cox
Don & Shirley Spagnolo
Rick & Mary Etta Reedy
Elmer & Marsha Gustafson
Susan Medley
Janie Comegys
David Black
Sam Kuma
Grant Stoop
Sherrie Jacobs
Family of Jeff Hill
Active Military & their families including:
Trevion Hopkins
Kyle Schauber
Brock Willey
Makenzie Williams
Steve McCarthy
Geoffrey Andersen
Jonathan Conner
Dante Spagnolo
This week's prayer focus:
Join us in focused and specific prayer for our church, our community, and our world. Be prepared to see God do great things as we collectively turn to Him in prayer.
Sunday – Our Worship
Jesus, clear our vision as we gather to worship. Break through our routines and help us see You clearly, so our praise flows from grateful, attentive hearts. Luke 2:30–32
Monday – Our Community
Lord, open our eyes to see You at work in Rock Hall. Help us notice needs, extend compassion, and reflect Your love in ordinary, everyday moments. Matthew 5:14–16
Tuesday – Our Holiness
Holy Spirit, shape our hearts as we wait on You. Make us teachable, obedient, and responsive as You form Christlike character within us. Psalm 25:4–5
Wednesday – Our Family
God, be present in our homes this week. Strengthen relationships, calm anxious hearts, and help us see Your grace at work within our families. Philippians 4:7
Thursday – Christians Around the World
Lord, give believers everywhere eyes to see Your promises and courage to follow You faithfully—whether in freedom or hardship. Joshua 1:9
Friday – Our Nation
God, guide our nation with wisdom and humility. Help us seek justice, love mercy, and walk faithfully before You in every season. Micah 6:8
Saturday – Our Calling
Jesus, prepare us for the work You have placed before us. Open our eyes to the opportunities You provide and give us faith to walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
This week’s events:
Monday:
6:00 pm - Community Caroling @ RHCCC
6:30 pm - Women’s Bible Study @Nancy Walls’
Tuesday:
10:00 am - Bible Study Group @RHCCC
Wednesday:
7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service @ WCMC
11:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service @ RHMC
Thursday:
Christmas Day!! Jesus is Born
Sunday:
10:30 am - Combined Worship Service @WCMC
WC - Wesley Chapel
RHC - Rock Hall Church
RHCCC - Rock Hall Church Community Center
