SUNDAY BULLETIN

December 14th, 2025

Welcome to our Worship Service!

[Judges 21:25 NASB95] [25] In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Order Of Service

Welcome & Call to Worship

Worship in Song

Confession of Faith: Heidelberg Catechism

Lord’s Day 21

Q54. What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”?

A54. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.

Q55. What do you understand by “the communion of saints”?

A55. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.

Q56. What do you believe concerning “the forgiveness of sins”?

A56. I believe that God, because of Christ’s satisfaction, will no longer remember any of my sins or my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, by grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.

Old Testament Reading: [Jeremiah 4:1-18 CSB]

BLESSING OR CURSE

[1] If you return, Israel -- this is the LORD's declaration -- you will return to me, if you remove your abhorrent idols from my presence and do not waver, [2] then you can swear, "As the LORD lives," in truth, justice, and righteousness, and then the nations will be blessed by him and will boast in him. [3] For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: Break up the unplowed ground; do not sow among the thorns. [4] Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, men of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. Otherwise, my wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it because of your evil deeds.

JUDGEMENT FROM THE NORTH

[5] Declare in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say, Blow the ram's horn throughout the land. Cry out loudly and say, "Assemble yourselves, and let's flee to the fortified cities." [6] Lift up a signal flag toward Zion. Run for cover! Don't stand still! For I am bringing disaster from the north -- a crushing blow. [7] A lion has gone up from his thicket; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to make your land a waste. Your cities will be reduced to uninhabited ruins. [8] Because of this, put on sackcloth; mourn and wail, for the LORD's burning anger has not turned away from us. [9] "On that day" -- this is the LORD's declaration -- "the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be scared speechless." [10] I said, "Oh no, Lord GOD, you have certainly deceived this people and Jerusalem, by announcing, 'You will have peace,' while a sword is at our throats." [11] "At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, 'A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift; [12] "a wind too strong for this comes at my call. Now I will also pronounce judgments against them.' " [13] Look, he advances like clouds; his chariots are like a storm. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! [14] Wash the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you will be delivered. How long will you harbor malicious thoughts? [15] For a voice announces from Dan, proclaiming malice from Mount Ephraim. [16] Warn the nations: Look! Proclaim to Jerusalem: Those who besiege are coming from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah. [17] They have her surrounded like those who guard a field, because she has rebelled against me. This is the LORD's declaration. [18] Your way and your actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. It is very bitter, because it has reached your heart!

Confession of Sins

New Testament Reading: [1 Peter 3:8-22 CSB]

DO NO EVIL

[8] Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, [9] not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, [11] and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it, [12] because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.

UNDESERVED SUFFERING

[13] Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, [15] but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. [16] Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. [18] For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, [19] in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison [20] who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few -- that is, eight people -- were saved through water. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

Sermon Scripture Text: [Luke 2:1-20 CSB]

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

[1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. [2] This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. [3] So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, [5] to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. [6] While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS

[8] In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. [9] Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: [11] "Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. [12] "This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." [13] Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: [14] Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! [15] When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. [17] After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, [18] and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. [19] But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

Closing Song

Announcements

Closing Prayer & Benediction

FEC News & Updates

FIGHTER VERSES:

·     This week’s verse to be memorized: [Revelation 21:3 ESV] [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

· Next week’s verse to be memorized: [Revelation 21:4 ESV] [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

SPANISH TRANSLATION:

·     Live, real time translation of the sermon will be available during the service. To listen, call (425) 436-6329 at the beginning of the sermon. Use access code 8933632 followed by #.

TITHES & OFFERINGS:

·     If you’ve been visiting us, please feel no pressure to give. However, if you call FEC your home church and you’d like to give, you can do so online, or place your offering in the offering plate in the back of the church. You can also mail your offering as well. http://faithfreehold.org/giving

FAITH FAMILY IN FOCUS:

·  The Brush Family: Each week we pray specifically for FEC families or congregants. This week, please pray for Emily and family.

MISSIONARY IN FOCUS:

·  Roy and Judy Larsen: Roy and Judy both serve with Immigrant Hope Ministries. This is a non-profit organization that provides immigrants with the HOPE of the gospel, HELP finding a path to legal residency, and a HOME in a church that cares for their needs. Please pray for them and their family as they train, teach, and raise up leaders, missionaries and church planters.

THIS WEEK AT FEC:

·  Tuesday: ‘House of Prayer’ - 7:30 PM on Zoom (link below).

OTHER FEC INFO:

· Tuesday House of Prayer: Join us from 7:30-8:30 PM each Tuesday evening on Zoom for a devotional and prayer time. Click here to join the meeting.

· Wednesday Bible Study: From 7:00-8:00 PM each Wednesday evening at FEC for our mid week bible study reviewing the book: “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?” We are currently on a winter break.

· Thursday Men’s Group: The Men’s group will meet every other Thursday from 7:00-8:15 PM.

· ‘Foundations’: Come join us each Sunday at 10:00 AM as we go through and discuss the book “Life in the Father’s House”. This class is for all, and especially for any person interested in learning about or becoming a church member.

·  Spotify & Apple Podcasts: All FEC sermons are now available on Spotify and iApple Podcasts (click to subscribe).

·   Not getting email updates? If you haven’t been receiving email updates, please check your ‘promotions’ folder, then move the email into your inbox and add us to your contacts. If we don’t yet have your email, text faithfree to 609-598-9928.

 ·  Text Updates: If you are not receiving text updates from FEC, and you would like to receive them, please text faithfree to 609-598-9928 (474747 is no longer active). This will add you to our text update list. 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE:

·     Sound Person needed! No experience necessary. Looking for an assistant in the Sound Booth for a couple times per month during service. Please see Domenic in the Sound Booth for more info.

·     Podcast management: Each week we convert our Sunday sermon into a podcast. We are looking for someone to edit and convert the audio file and upload it to our website. Total time is about 30-45 minutes per week. Training will be provided. Please email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

·     Streaming Video Projection/Slide Operator: We are looking for assistants to help operate our live streaming and slide presentation during the worship service. Please email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

·     Kings Kid’s Helpers Needed: We are still in need of teachers to cover the children’s church classes every Sunday. If you’re interested in helping, please see the sign up sheet in the back of the sanctuary.

·     Nursery Helper Needed: Please see Lisa Bauman or email us for details freeholdefc@gmail.com.

AUTUMN SCHEDULE:

· ‘Foundations’: Come join us each Sunday at 10:00 AM as we go through and discuss the book “Life in the Father’s House”. This class is for all, and especially for any person interested in learning about or becoming a church member.

·    Worship Service - Each Sunday at 11:00 AM.

·    The Lord’s Supper - First Sunday of each month during our 11:00 AM worship service.

·    Fellowship Lunch - Second Sunday of each month immediately after our 11:00 AM worship service. Food sign up will be in the back of the church, or see or contact Elvira Engholm elvirae1726@gmail.com.

· Tuesday ‘House of Prayer’ Zoom Meeting - Each Tuesday evening at 7:30PM.

· Wednesday Bible study @ FEC – Each Wednesday evening at 7:00PM.

· Thursday Men’s Group – Every other Thursday from 7:00-8:15PM.