Worship Program - 12/7/25
- Pastor Gary
- Dec 5
- 5 min read
Welcome to Worship
We’re so glad you’ve joined us today as we begin a brand-new Advent journey. This year, we’re calling our series “Breakthrough,” because Christmas is the story of God stepping into ordinary places and transforming them with extraordinary grace.
Today we start in Nazareth—a small, overlooked town that became unforgettable not because of its size, but because of the people God used there. And in many ways, that speaks to us. Rock Hall may feel ordinary, familiar, even quiet… but God loves to break through in places just like this, in people just like us.
Advent reminds us that God is nearer than we think. He meets us in the everyday routines of life and invites us to offer Him a posture He can use—courage, readiness, teachability, and a life aimed at His purpose.
Whether you’ve been part of this church family for years or this is your first Sunday here, my prayer is that you’ll sense God drawing close, speaking hope, and stirring faith in the ordinary places of your own life.
We’re glad you’re here. Welcome.
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 Ordinary Luke 1:26-38 Rev 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 174 O Come All Ye Faithful 179 What Child Is This 180 Hark The Herald Angels Sing | Rock Hall Church Holy Forever Christmas Day O Come All Ye Faithful Holy is His Name |
Sermon Outline
God Breaks Through in the Ordinary
Luke 1:26-38
God breaks through ORDINARY PLACES by using ORDINARY PEOPLE.
Luke 1:26–38; 1 Sam 16:6–13; Jud 6:11–16; Matt 4:18–22
God turns the ordinary into extraordinary when we offer Him A POSTURE HE CAN USE.
COURAGE - trusting God enough to take the next step.
Josh 1:9, Isa 41:10, Luke 1:30, Acts 4:13, 2 Tim 1:7
READINESS - living with a “yes” before God even asks.
Isa 6:8, Luke 1:38, Matt 4:19–20, Rom 12:1, James 1:22
TEACHABILITY - staying open for God to change us.
Prov 9:9, Prov 3:5–6, Luke 1:34, Psa 32:8, James 1:5
PURPOSE - aiming our lives at what matters to God.
Jer 29:11, Eph 2:10, Luke 1:46–55, Rom 8:28, Col 3:17
Bottom Line:
“Ordinary turns extraordinary
-when God breaks through.”
Prayer:
Lord, as I look forward to celebrating your birth, break through my ordinary life with Your presence. Give me courage to take the next step you show me, the readiness to say yes to your call, a teachable heart, and a purpose shaped by Your will. Make my days this week a place where You can work and shine through me. Amen.
TAKE IT HOME:
Continuing the search… this week.
Luke 1:26–38
Where might I be underestimating what God can do in the “ordinary” parts of my life?
What would it look like to offer God a willing “yes” this week?
Isaiah 41:10
Where do I need courage to take the next step God is nudging me toward?
How could trusting His presence change my response?
Ephesians 2:10
What purpose has God already placed in front of me?
What small, faithful step can I take to live that purpose today.
This Week's Announcements:
Christmas Dinner Outreach
Our Food Ministry was blessed to share 40 Thanksgiving dinner bags with families in our community—and we’re grateful to continue that work this Christmas. On Wednesday, December 17, we’ll be distributing 40 Christmas dinner bags, each including a ham and all the fixings for a holiday meal.
If you know a family in need, a few bags are still available. Please contact the Charge Office at 410-639-2144 or office@yourrockhall.church.
We will pack the bags on the morning of December 17 and add the refrigerated items at 3:00 PM. If you’d like to help, we’d love to have you join us!
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
Marie Usilton
Diane McIntyre
Elma (Sis) Myers
Wilkins Hubbard
Family of Johnny Joe Nordhoff
Joe Holliday
JJ Foote
Dickie Jamar
Pam & Tom Glenn
Family of Ed Pickering
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
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, awaken our hearts to Your presence. Break through our ordinary routines and fill our worship with wonder, gratitude, and joyful obedience. Luke 1:46–47
Monday – Our Community
Lord, use us in the ordinary places of Rock Hall. Help us love our neighbors with courage and kindness so Your light shines through us. Matthew 5:14–16
Tuesday – Our Holiness
Holy Spirit, shape our posture toward You. Make us teachable, willing, and responsive as You grow Christlike character in us. Psalm 25:4–5
Wednesday – Our Family
God, be near in our homes this week. Strengthen weary hearts, guide hard conversations, and let Your peace settle over our families. Philippians 4:7
Thursday – Christians Around the World-
Lord, give believers everywhere courage to take the next step of faith. Strengthen them to remain faithful in both ordinary days and difficult trials. Joshua 1:9
Friday – Our Nation-
God, lead our nation toward justice, wisdom, and truth. Give our leaders humility and guide them in decisions that honor You and serve the vulnerable. Micah 6:8
Saturday – Our Calling-
Jesus, prepare us for the work You’ve given us. Make us ready, willing, and purposeful as we step into opportunities to share Your love. Ephesians 2:10
This week’s events:
Monday:
6:30 pm - Women’s Bible Study @Nancy Walls’
Tuesday:
10:00 am - Bible Study Group @RHCCC
12:00 pm - Ruth’s Circle @ Deb Elburn’s
Thursday:
7:30 pm - Praise Band practice @RHC
Sunday:
9:30 am - Worship Celebration @WC
11:00 am - Worship Celebration @RHC
12/21 Ugly Christmas Sweater Sunday
12/24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship @WC
11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship @RHC
12/28 Combined Worship Service @WC
WC - Wesley Chapel
RHC - Rock Hall Church
RHCCC - Rock Hall Church Community Center
