Corporate worship is a great thing. Of course, we can worship God on our own and with our families - and we should. But there is something special about the people of God coming together for worship (Hebrews 10:24-25). Thus, we hope that corporate worship is the highlight of your week. In an effort to help you get more out of it, we're posting a short preview of the upcoming worship service each week.

We'll begin our worship gathering this week declaring our need for Jesus as we sing "I Need Thee Today." We come to Jesus, not as isolated individuals, but as a body of needy people clinging to our Savior. We are a community of faith, a family of worshippers. And as a family, we get to walk the journey of faith together - building one another other up, challenging each other when necessary, and picking each other up when we stumble. In recognition of this, we'll "Pass the Peace" as a part of worship, giving you a chance to welcome the people around you.

We'll be singing a new song for us this week called "God of Love, King of Peace." It was originally composed in 1861 by a man named Henry Baker (Incidentally, Baker wrote a little book called "Daily Prayers for the Use of Those Who Have to Work Hard." I'd like to see that if someone comes across a copy). We'll be singing "God of Love, King of Peace" with a new tune this week. The words to the song are printed below. You can use these words to meditate and pray before coming to our worship gathering.

It's week 4 in our series on the Apostles' Creed. The teaching will be based on Luke 1:26-38 and the clause in the creed "I believe in Jesus Christ...conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary." We'll be focusing on the miraculous birth of Jesus. Take a look at the passage and think about what you learn about the birth of Jesus from this Scripture.

God of Love, King of Peace

O God of love, O King of Peace

Make wars throughout the world to cease,

The wrath of nations now restrain

Give peace, O God, give peace again.

Remember, Lord, Thy works of old.

The wonders that thy people told:

Remember not our sin's dark stain,

Give peace, O God, give peace again

Whom shall we trust but Thee, O Lord?

Where rest but on Thy faithful word?

None ever called on Thee in vain,

Give peace, O God, give peace again.