7 December 2025
Sunday Worship
(Charles Hodge) “The providence of God is seen in the guiding of the star and the protection of the child. Even pagan astrologers are used to fulfill divine purpose.” (Herman Bavinck) “The kingship of Christ is not of this world, yet it claims all nations. The homage of the Magi is the firstfruits of the nations’ worship.” (J. I. Packer) “The contrast between Herod and the Magi is stark—one seeks to destroy, the others to worship. This is the perennial divide in human response to Christ.”
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Presider: E. Jason Ju Preacher: E. Cyril Laugeon Please stand where indicated by * WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP [Psalm 20:1-9] Read bold aloud together 1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. 9 O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. SILENT CONFESSION Let us continue to draw nearer to God by confessing, repenting and bearing of our hearts before our loving Heavenly Father. Be transparent and earnest, bringing the offering of broken and contrite heart before the Lord who knows us better than we know ourselves. He is more willing to forgive than we are to repent! (Silent Private Prayer) ASSURANCE OF PARDON In Christ, our sins are covered! Hear the good news of the forgiveness of your sins! Isaiah 54:8 “8 ‘In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer.” PRAYER OF ADORATION (Presider) CONFESSION OF FAITH (TRINITY HYMNAL) Trinity Hymnal #398: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (Confess aloud altogether bold as a Believing Congregation) 1 Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only Light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o'er the shades of night; Day-spring from on high, be near; Day-star, in my heart appear. 2 Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee; joyless is the day's return till thy mercy's beams I see; till thy inward light impart, glad my eyes, and warm my heart. 3 Visit, then, this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief; fill me, Radiancy divine; scatter all my unbelief; more and more thyself display, shining to the perfect day. *SONGS OF PRAISE OFFERING PRAYER & INTERCESSION (Esther A.) To help you think about your level of giving, here is the financial snapshot of HCC for this month: 26th November - 2nd December = $12,079.38 Total November Giving = $24,136.02 Sydney Space Balance: $161,193.06 Monthly Giving Target: $30,000.00 General Tithes & Offering VS Sydney Space Offering These are two separate HCC accounts (BSB: 082 057). For General Tithes and Offerings (16 207 4037); and specifically for Sydney Space (32 844 5724). Please DO NOT reroute your general giving towards SS account. SS is specifically to give above and beyond your general commitment. SERMON “Herod and the Wise Men” Matthew 2:1-12 1. Herod and Jesus - False and True King 2. The Wise Men and Jesus - the Worship of the Nations 3. The Church - Steward of the Good News MEMBERSHIP LORD'S SUPPER *RESPONSIVE SONG *BENEDICTION 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 "12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
ORDER OF WORSHIP
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Account Name: Harbour City Church BSB: 082 057 Account No. : 16 207 4037 Account Name: HCC Sydney Space BSB: 082 057 Account No. : 32 844 5724
WELCOME TO HCC! We are a gospel centered church seeking the renewal of our city by the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God! We are so glad to have you join us for our worship service today. If you’re with us for the first time, please let us know who you are by filling out our please fill out the 'Newcomers Form' here and we’ll get in touch! SUNDAY WORSHIP We'd love for you to join us for our weekly Sunday services. You can join us in person. Our live stream is available by request only, by filling out this form here. Past sermons can be found here. 10:00AM Harbour Tea 10:30AM Worship Service CHURCH LOCATION 41B College Street, Gladesville NSW 2111 OFFERING Offering is part of our worship to God. The Bible gives us an enduring principle of tithing of our gross income as the baseline for the Christian’s worship through giving (2 Cor 9:7; Malachi 3:8-10). If every church member gave 10%, we would have enough financial resources for all the gospel ministry God is calling our church to do. Let the Spirit guide you in all final matters. You may give electronically to the account details below: CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Harbour City Church welcomes families with children of all ages to the Sunday worship services. An open creche area and a cry room are provided at the back of the venue for parents to use with their babies and toddlers. Bible Story Time for children who are aged 3 to year 3 takes place during Sunday services, except on the 5th Sunday of the month, and begins just after the songs of praise. If you have any questions about Children’s Ministry, please contact Gloria or Elder Jacko. GROWTH GROUPS GGs are small group support and accountability units, available to all members and regulars. It is the core discipleship ministry of HCC. COMMUNITY GROUPS CGs meet for dinner every weekend when there is a 5th Sunday in the month. CGs gather in homes for wider church bonding and fellowship in various locations around Sydney. ELDERS
Jason Ju Ruling Elder 0422 647 599 David Choi Ruling Elder 0433 666 991 Cyril Laugeon Ruling Elder 0420 631 731
Sijin Yang Pastor 0415 058 976
KEEP IN TOUCH Find us online for regular posts, reflections and to get to know us a little better via our Facebook, Instagram and website. Facebook: @harbourcitychurch Instagram: @hcc_syd www.harbourcitychurch.com PRAYING THROUGH YOUR PEN DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What makes Herod an illegitimate king? What makes Jesus the true legitimate king? What was his expected function? Who are the wise men/magii? What did their worship and offerings fulfill? Do you identify with Herod? with the Wise Men? How does the gospel speak into your views? What was the most helpful/challenging/encouraging part of the sermon for you?
1. Adoration Praise the Father for His attributes and actions 2. Confession Confess and acknowledge your sinfulness 3. Thanksgiving Thank Jesus for His salvation 4. Supplication Ask the Spirit to transform you
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WELCOME TO HCC Thank you for joining our HCC worship. If you are new to our church, we want to welcome you and would love to get to know you. Please fill out the 'Newcomers Form' here and we’ll get in touch! For any more information about anything or to respond to any announcements, you can always email info@harbourcitychurch.com PRAISE & PRAYER NIGHT Friday 19th December at 7:30pm Join us for our final Praise & Prayer Night of the year as we come together to sing praises and Christmas carols, and spend time praying as a church family. CHRISTMAS PLANS Sunday 21st Dec - Christmas Sunday worship and all-church lunch Thursday 25th Dec - Christmas Day worship at 10:30am CHRISTMAS DAY FELLOWSHIP Are you new to Sydney, living away from loved ones, or just looking for some festive company? We’d love for you to fill out the Expression of Interest form to help us organise lunch or dinner plans on Christmas Day. Find the form here. As soon as details and plans are confirmed, a member of HCC will reach out to you. 2026 ALL CHURCH RETREAT SAVE THE DATE: 2026 All Church Retreat will be on 17th-19th April at Collaroy Centre. We'd love to see you there, more details to be released soon! GROWTH GROUPS HCC Growth Groups meet every week except for school holidays. Be sure to get connected in these small group meetings for care, accountability, sermon reflection, prayer, and fellowship. If you’d like to get plugged into a group, contact P. Sijin, Elder David, Delaney, or email info@harbourcitychurch.com. For easy access to all important announcement links, visit here. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Welcoming and Data: Contact Delaney Management: Contact PDK Sound: Contact PDK Slides: Contact Jess Choi City Sanctum Steering Committee: Contact Jung Sunday Program: Contact Michelle Praise: Contact Selina
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