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Covenant-First Presbyterian Church Our mission is to praise the Father, proclaim the Son and submit to the perfecting power of the Holy Spirit. Covenant-First Presbyterian Church • 717 Elm Street • Cincinnati, OH 45202 covfirstchurch.org • office@covfirstchurch.org • 513-621-4144 December 7, 2025 • 10:30 AM Worship
Welcome to Covenant-First Presbyterian Church Whether you attend Covenant-First Presbyterian Church on a regular basis or are here for the first time, we are glad you are here. Covenant-First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1790, and has been a part of downtown Cincinnati ever since. Our almost 2,000 pound tower bell is from the Paul Revere Foundry in Boston, and first rang from the steeple of one of our earliest buildings. This building was completed in 1875, and the Austin Pipe Organ dates to 1915, with its approximately 3,500 pipes. We have traditional worship with Bible-based preaching each week. Our music program is enhanced by our Music Scholar program and we are excited to have them lead in worship most Sundays. If you need help with directions to restrooms, the fellowship hall, or to the lower level nursery, the person who greeted you this morning will be glad to help you. Children and worship We delight in children, and your children are always welcome to stay with you in worship. However, if you would prefer nursery care for your infants and toddlers, we do have a professionally staffed nursery in the lower level. We invite children ages 2 years to 5 years to participate in Junior Church. If your child wants to participate in Junior Church, you may escort them to the lower level during the singing of the Doxology. You may then pick your child up following the service from the downstairs classrooms. The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper We offer Communion during the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. We welcome anyone who proclaims Christ as Savior to partake. The Communion table is not restricted to Presbyterians. During the service, the church elders will distribute the elements, while the congregation remains seated in the pews. Validated Parking Validated parking is available in the 222 W 7th St. Garage. Validation is done using your car’s license plate number. Please locate a greeter to compete the validation process which requires your license plate number. Validation must be done each Sunday you park in the garage. Fellowship Time After worship, we invite you to gather with us in Metzger Hall for a reception featuring coffee, treats, and encouraging conversation. Many of us travel from a distance to join together in worship on Sunday morn-ings, and we find this weekly fellowship time to be a valuable and enriching time for us to catch up and meet new people. Please join us! About us If you are interested in learning more about Covenant-First Presbyterian Church, please pick up any of the literature located on the back tables, see your morning greeter, contact the church office at 513-621-4144, or visit our website at www.covfirstchurch.org.
Pre-Service Music O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Michael D. Costello Christie Lee, Organ Scholar Concerns of the Congregation Rev. Dr. Dan Turis Advent Candle Lighting The Candle of Peace Nina Jackson and Eri Advent teaches us to look again — slowly, carefully — because Christ often waits in faces we pass by. In the hungry, the tired, the forgotten, he stands unrecognized. “As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” (Matthew 25:45) We seek his presence among “the least,” where his love is already at work. This candle flickers beside the first, reminding us that mercy moves toward need, the way light moves toward shadows. One: We light the Candle of Peace All: May Christ teach us to see him where love is needed most. Prelude Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Johannes Brahms Christie Lee, Organ Scholar Children’s Handbells Away in a Manager Becky Bell, Director Ringing of the Revere Tower Bell Let the ringing of the Revere bell call our attention away from ourselves and onto the living Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. *Hymn #100 O Come, O Come Emmanuel *Invocation Rev. Dr. Turis One: God of mercy, send your Spirit to open our eyes. May we see Christ in the least and serve with your love. *Prayer of Confession All: Lord, we confess our neglect of the hungry, our hardness toward the poor, our blindness to the lonely. Forgive us. By your Spirit, make us your hands of mercy and hearts of compassion. Service for the Lord’s Day
*Moments of Silent Confession *Assurance of Pardon One: Hear the promise: The King of glory became poor for our sake, that through his poverty we might become rich in grace. In Christ, the hungry are fed, the lost are found, the broken are restored. As you trust in him, know this: You are forgiven, reconciled, and beloved. Go, then, and serve others as Christ has served you, for his mercy endures forever and his love never fails. *Gloria Patri #575 Glory Be to the Father 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. Anthem Our Hope Is In Emmanuel Arr. Victor Johnson and Covenant Choir Lloyd Larson The time has come, as the prophets foretold, to prepare for the soon coming King. He will bring us new love, and will fill our hearts with light, and will vanquish the darkness from night. Our hope is in Emmanuel, the promised one, God’s holy Son. Our hope is in Emmanuel, the one who has come to save. We have patiently waited for the King to appear and bring us hope, joy and peace. Now we wipe away our tears and no longer stand in fear, for we know that salvation draws near! O come, O come, Emmanuel, our Messiah, Emmanuel. Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer All: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. Call for the Offering (If you would like to give online see the back of the bulletin.)
Offertory O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion G.F. Handel Kayla Sconiers, Mezzo Soprano Isaiah 40:9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! Arise shine for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. *Doxology #572 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow At this time all children are invited to go to Children’s Church Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication Scripture Lesson Matthew 25:45 Rev. Dr. Turis He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” One: This is God’s Word for God’s People. All: Thanks be to God. Sermon Outreach in Advent Rev. Dr. Turis *Apostles Creed All: 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again 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 Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper We offer Communion during the worship service on the first Sunday of each month. We welcome anyone who proclaims Christ as Savior to partake. The Communion table is not restricted to Presbyterians. During the service, church elders will distribute the elements, while the congregation remains seated. The Invitation The Thanksgiving The Words of Institution The Communion We will share in the body together. You may drink of the cup when desired. The Prayer of Blessing *Hymn #113 Angels We Have Heard on High *Benediction Postlude Prelude in C major, BWV 547 J.S. Bach Andrew Hackett, Organist *Those who are able, please stand.
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