Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Reign of Christ Hanging of the Green. Sunday, November 25, :00 am. The Hanging of the Green

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1 Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Reign of Christ Hanging of the Green The Hanging of the Green In Isaiah 60:13 we find these words: "The Glory of Lebanon shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree and the box together, to beautify the place of your sanctuary." For many generations, Christians all over the world have participated in a special worship service called the Hanging of the Green where they decorate the sanctuary as a way to prepare the church and their own hearts for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The most striking feature of this service has been the use of evergreens as decorations. Among ancient Romans, evergreens were an emblem of peace, joy, and victory. However, the early Christians placed them in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered the home. Holly and ivy, along with pine and fir, are called evergreens because they never change color. They are ever-green, everalive, even in the midst of winter. They symbolize the unchanging nature of our God, and they remind us of the everlasting life that is ours through Christ even in the midst of the death and darkness of winter. It is our hope that every time you enter the sanctuary during the next few weeks that the visible presence of the light, the Chrismons and the greenery will remind you of the glory and the grace of the one on whom we patiently wait to come during this holy and sacred season. Sunday, November 25, :00 am

2 GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH The Worship of God Reign of Christ Hanging of the Green November 25, 2018 There will be no Children s Time programming this Sunday. All children are invited to stay in Worship. However, there is nursery care available in the Children s Wing. Chiming of the Hour Processional Hymn 83 Welcome to Worship Leader: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. Passing of the Peace Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Rev. Lauren Efird Rev. Efird Preparation for Worship Rejoice The Modern Post Praise Team Come and stand before your maker Full of wonder, full of fear, Come behold his power and glory, Yet with confidence draw near. For the One who holds the heavens And commands the stars above, Is the God who bends to bless us With an unrelenting love. Rejoice, come and lift your hands and Raise your voice, he is worthy of our praise. Rejoice, sing of mercies of your king And with trembling, rejoice. (continued on next page) A Liturgy for the Greening of the Church We are children of the promise, The beloved of the Lord, Won with everlasting kindness, Bought with sacrificial blood, Bringing reconciliation To a world that longs to know The affections of a father Who will never let them go. All our sickness, all our sorrows, Jesus carried up the hill. He has walked this path before us, He is walking with us still. Turning tragedy to triumph, Turning agony to praise, There is blessing in the battle, So take heart and stand amazed. Rejoice, when you cry to him he hears, Your voice, he will wipe away your tears, Rejoice, in the midst of suffering, He will help you sing. Kadeisha Bonsu Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the king? People: With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty. Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the king? People: With garlands of pine and fir, who leaves are ever living, ever green. Leader: How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the king? People: With wreaths of holly and ivy, telling of his passion, death and resurrection. Leader: How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God? People: By hearing again the words of the prophets, who foretold the saving work of God. Leader: For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn it, People: But that through him the world might be saved.

3 Invocation Hymn 97 Kadeisha Bonsu The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns Scripture Reading John 18:33-37 Rev. Spears-Newsome We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Offertory Prayer Keith Brooks Offertory At the Name of Jesus arr. Powell Presentation of the Offering Transcendent God OLD 100TH Meditation on the Evergreens Hymn 90 Meditation on the Candles Hymn 86 (v. 1 & 3) Transcendent God, we bless your name, Incarnate Christ, the risen one, The Spirit with us, Immanent, The Source, the Word, the Breath of life! Amen. Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome During this hymn, the youth will hang the greenery. During this hymn, we will light the church. People, Look East Rev. Efird Now the Heavens Start to Whisper Scripture Reading Daniel 7:9-10, Megan Jarrell All children are invited to come forward for the Meditation on the Chrismon Tree. Meditation on the Chrismon Tree Hymn 88 (v. 1 & 3) Kadeisha Bonsu Blest Be the God of Israel Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Anthem My Eternal King Jane Marshall My God, I love thee; not because I hope for heav n thereby, Nor yet because who love thee not May die eternally. Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me Upon the cross embrace; For me didst bear the nails and spear, And manifold disgrace. Why, then why, O blessed Jesus Christ Should I not love thee well? Not for the hope of winning heav'n, Nor of escaping hell. Not with the hope of gaining aught, Nor seeking a reward, But as thyself hast loved me, O everloving Lord! E en so I love thee, and will love, And in thy praise will sing, Solely because thou art my God, And my eternal king. During this hymn, the children will hang the Chrismons.

4 Meditation on the Advent Wreath Hymn 82 (v. 1-4) Benediction Postlude Please stand as you are able. Rev. Efird Light the Light, the Fire of Life During this hymn, we will place the Advent wreath. Rev. Efird The flowers are given today in honor of Faye Beal s birthday by her husband, Don Beal. The Deacon of the Day is Keith Brooks, Chair of the Fellowship Ministry. Today s acolyte is Ella Biser. The cover art is based on a liturgical banner by John Stuart. Hearing assistance devices are available at the back of the sanctuary. Prayer Concerns Gilles Bikindou, Betty Coggins, Gladys Lawing (Martha Soyars mother), Dick Reinert, Wilton Short (Jennifer Whaley s father), Iris Thomas, and Jim Webster (Emma Webster s son) Jane Grizzard and Frances Jones Rex Rehab, Apex Our partner church, Ebenezer Baptist, Cuba, and our brothers and sisters of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission Focus on Finance 2018/2019 Budget (MDP + MSP) $913,634 Amount of Budget supported through Stewardship Giving $830,186 (excludes cell tower and GFCC receipts) Week 12 of 52 (November 18) Week 12 YTD Total Giving $14,495 $174,765 Less Designated Giving $ 665 $ 9,728 Actual Stewardship Giving $13,830 $165,037 Stewardship Giving needed to fully subscribe budget $16,816 $191,127 Over (Under) $(2,986) $(26,090)

5 Announcements and Upcoming Events December Second Wednesday Mission Kids December 12 The children's program for the December Second Wednesday will include a "Birthday Party for Jesus. Our missions activity will be making birthday-party-ina-box kits for Dorcas Ministries. These boxes, given to families with young children, provide them a chance to have a birthday celebration. Donations are needed. Be on the lookout for the supplies list that will be posted on the Children s Ministry bulletin board soon (outside the church office on the Faith Formation hallway). Items will be listed on take-away slips to make purchasing easy. Staff Love Offering At GFBC, we have an Advent tradition of collecting a love offering for our staff. The offering is distributed to the staff as an expression of our gratitude for their hard work, dedication, leadership, and faithful service to our church throughout the year. If you would like to contribute to this offering, please give your contribution to Annette King, Megan Jarrell, or any member of the deacon board or you can place your gift in an envelope provided in your Faith Formation class. Donations will be collected November 18 through December 16. Please make checks payable to Megan Jarrell. If you have any questions please contact Annette or Megan. Backpack Buddies Ministry Needs Plastic Bags Backpack Buddies needs more grocery bags! Please donate double-bagged sets of grocery bags to the Backpack Buddy boxes in front of the church office. Opportunity for Senior Adults The Congregational Care Ministry is offering assistance to folks who are on Medicare through the Seniors Health Insurance Program (SHIIP). Church member, Don Beal, a certified SHIIP counselor, is conducting private sessions to anyone who would like assistance in reviewing their current plans. Individual sessions of one hour each occur on these remaining Tuesdays and Thursdays: November 29 and December 4 and 6. Appointments are available at 1:30 and 2:45 each day. Call the church office at for an appointment. Christmas Gifts for our Neighbors GFBC will be supporting our neighbors off of Wrenn Drive this Christmas with gifts and other needs! The lists for individual children will be available in the Narthex today, Sunday, November 25. Sanctuary Dedication Anniversary Celebration December 16 In December of 1978, Greenwood Forest dedicated our incredible Sanctuary. For the past forty years, this profound space has shaped us in the heights and depths of our lives together as the people of God. On December 16, 2018, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of worshipping in this Sanctuary during our 11am service. This will be a special time of gratitude and praise for all that God has done for us in this place in the past 40 years. The service will feature hymns from the service in 1978 alongside a performance of John Rutter's breathtaking Gloria with organ, brass, and percussion. Plan to be here for this special occasion and invite anyone and everyone who might like to celebrate what this place has meant over the years. Art for Conversation at Coffee Hour Starting on December 2, the Discipleship Committee will be placing a piece of art created by a GFBC member in the Narthex to generate reflection and conversation during coffee hour. Be sure to make your way to the Narthex at 10:30 to enjoy a cup of coffee and/or connect with other GFBC folks before worship! Cary Community Messiah 2018 December 2 The 48th Annual Cary Community Choir Messiah performance will be on Sunday, December 2 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. Many GFBC folks are instrumental in making this wonderful musical tradition happen every year. Come enjoy the performance and get in the Advent spirit! Cary Youth Voices Concert December 7 You are invited to attend the Cary Youth Voices winter concert entitled How Can I Keep from Singing? on Friday, December 7 at 7 pm in our Sanctuary. The concert will feature a collection of songs that capture the joyful energy of the holiday season and will feature singers accompanied by piano, violin, chimes, and percussion. The event is free.

6 Second Wednesday Community Meal December 12, 2018 at 5:30 pm GFBC Fellowship Hall Here s how you sign-up for the December Second Wednesday community meal! We encourage you to both sign-up and prepay online at the following address: If you are unable to sign-up online, please complete this form and either place it in the offering plate or turn it in at the church office. You can also call the church office at All reservations must be made no later than noon, Friday, December 7. Name # of Adult Servings ($8) # of Vegetarian ($7) # of Children Servings ($5) Menu for December 12, 2018 Hamburgers Mac and Cheese Green Beans Vegetarian Option: Black Bean Burgers Kids Option: Hot Dogs Dessert: Brownie and Cookie Tray As is our custom, the GFBC family will gather together to celebrate the Christmas season with our annual breakfast. This event has become a wonderful time in the life of our church as we gather together to share a meal on the final Sunday before Christmas. Mark your calendars now for the annual GFBC Christmas Breakfast that will occur on Sunday, December 23, at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. There will be no Faith Formation on this day. Please plan to bring your favorite casseroles or sides such as pastries, fruits, etc. to share. Coffee and juices will be provided. Then join us afterwards for worship at the Service of Lessons and Carols in the sanctuary at 11 am. You are encouraged to invite guests and friends to both the breakfast and the service to follow. It will be a great time of fellowship and worship for everyone!

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8 an inclusive community of faith 110 SE Maynard Road Cary, NC Church Office: Fax: Website: gfbccary.org Leadership Rev. Lauren Efird, Senior Pastor Rev. Stephen Stacks, Associate Pastor of Worship and Faith Formation Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome, Associate Pastor of Community and Youth Ministry Kadeisha Bonsu, Director of Children s Ministry Helen Bishop, Organist Dr. Luther Brewer, Pastor Emeritus All Who Serve This Church