First Presbyterian Church 2230 Hariet St. Port Charlotte, FL Worship 10:00 a.m. (941)

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church 2230 Hariet St. Port Charlotte, FL Worship 10:00 a.m. (941) Rev. Terri Jo Crego First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018 HOPE Welcome to All We are delighted that you are here today and hope you have a meaningful worship experience. If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we extend a special welcome! Your presence is important to us, so we encourage you to fill out the Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate. Also, if you have a prayer need, please complete one of the Prayer Cards and place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher. It will be our privilege to pray for you.

2 Welcome to First Presbyterian Church Preparation for Worship: As you enter the Sanctuary, please prepare your hearts and minds for worship and silence your mobile devices. The beginning of the prelude is a call to silent, personal preparation for the worship of God. May our worship open our hearts to God s love, our eyes to God s beauty, our minds to God s truth, and our will to God s service. Chimes Greetings GATHERING AROUND THE WORD The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us prepare our hearts and minds for worship. Prelude Pastoral Symphony by G.F. Handel Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship Come, let us worship God who gives light to see the way. Come, let us worship God who gives hope to walk in faith. Come, let us worship God who came as a child. Come, let us worship God! The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. O come, O come, Emmanuel. Introit Chancel Choir Prepare the Way of the Lord Stacey Nordmeyer *Please Stand, if able

3 Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope Kailey Scott and Lynn Webster Reader 1: God of Promise, God of Hope, we watch and wait for you to come into the darkness. Reader 2: In a world where hope seems lost by so many, we watch and wait expectantly for you to shine into the shadows of our world. Reader 1: Where there is war, hunger, and disease; where there is terror, violence and grief, God of Hope, we watch and wait for you to enter into our lives. Reader 2: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Hope. Prayer Sung Response: Light a Candle Bright and Tall by David Wood Light a candle bright and tall For the Hope within our world. Hope that heard the ages call As the stars and planets whirled. Shine within our hearts today Come, O Hope, to us, we pray. Opening Prayer O God, we are a people who need your light. If ever there were a place where hope needs to be born, it is in the manger of our hearts. The work of your hands surrounds us; the miracle of your coming confronts us. God of Hope, be present in our worship. Amen. * Passing of the Peace *Hymn of Adoration O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Blue Hymnal #9 Invitation to Confession Prayer of Confession Even though this is a season of hope, O God, we enter it clutching tight to the ways of yesterday, the moments of despair that we allow to hold us in bondage. Free us from such hopelessness, Holy One, and forgive us for the times when we have chosen to live lives mired in anguish rather than the optimistic expectation that the coming Christ instills. May we find ways to embody the elation of this season and may you empower us to share it with all people. We offer this prayer, and we seek your pardon, in the name of the One who was, who is, and whose return we await: Christ Jesus. (Silent Prayer of Confession)

4 Assurance of Pardon Our God of hope does not remember our sins, but does remember the promises which have been made to us. Hope and love abound as we embrace God s forgiveness, and we wait eagerly for him to come again. *Congregational Response O Little Town of Bethlehem Blue Hymnal #44, 3 rd Verse PROCLAIMING THE WORD Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-14 p. 636 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Prayer for Illumination Chancel Choir with Rev. Terri Jo Crego, Guitar Charles Wesley Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-25 p. 1 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Proclamation of the Word Wonders of His Love: The Hope of Christ Rev. Terri Jo Crego *Affirmation of Faith RESPONDING TO THE WORD Apostles Creed 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.

5 Presentation of Tithes and Offering Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding 18 th Century Gesangbuch *Congregational Response Doxology Blue Hymnal #592 *Prayer of Dedication BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion As we celebrate communion, we invite you to hold the bread until all have been served; then we will eat it together as a sign of our unity in Christ and common faith. Take a cup as the juice is passed. You are invited to drink it when you are ready as a sign of your personal relationship with Christ. Invitation to the Lord s Table Prayer of Thanksgiving and Lord s Prayer 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. Words of Institution The Sharing of the Bread and Juice Prayer of Gratitude *Hymn of Dedication The First Nowell Blue Hymnal #56 *Charge and Benediction Postlude Magnificat by Tozer

6 PRAYER LIST High School Barbara Graduate Allcroft, Recognition Bernadine and Tom Allesee, Betty Brooks, Andy Buell, Tanner Braun, Louise Amina Carpenter, Lee and Bernice Taylor Summers Cunningham, Jan Doczy, Arline Fitzmaurice, John Gamble, Carol (Joyce) and Bob Hostutler, Psalm Reading Thelma James, Bessie Keller, Ed Kruse, Razona Ledford, Jeanette Little, Ann Psalm March, 139:1-6, Juliette McClelland, Dottie Messick, Drs. Leslie and Cynthia Morgan, AudreyAnn Parent, Mavis Powell, Leila Rohlehr, Lesley This is Shane, the Word Carol of Stacy, the Lord. and Charlotte Taylor. Thanks be to God. If you would like to be added or removed from this list, call the church office at (941) MEMBERSHIP If you would like to join our church family, we encourage you to call the Church office at (941) to speak with Rev. Terri Jo Crego. New members are welcomed by Profession of Faith, Reaffirmation of Faith, Letter of Transfer, or as an Affiliate Member, if you wish to retain your membership in another congregation. INTERCESSORY PRAYER If you would like to have intercessory prayer for yourself or for others, come to the Chapel following the service. The Chapel is located on the left side of the Narthex as you exit the Sanctuary.

7 Calendar of Events SUNDAY, December 2 Sunday School for all ages Coffee and Fellowship Worship Service with Communion Coffee and Fellowship Choir Practice Installation Service for Rev. Crego Installation Reception MONDAY, December 3 Exercise Class Santa s Elves Workshop TUESDAY, December 4 Exercise Class Food Pantry Staff Meeting Personnel Meeting Sarah/Abraham Circle Youth Group WEDNESDAY, December 5 Exercise Class Peace Piecers Table Games Church Night Social and Carol Sing Choir Rehearsal THURSDAY, December 6 Exercise Class Mah-jongg FRIDAY, December 7 Office Closed First Friday Fellowship 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. SATURDAY, December 8 Office Closed

8 The Mission of First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte is to reflect God s light and love, empowering Christ-like living. Ministry Staff Rev. Terri Jo Crego, Pastor Betty Smith, Financial Secretary Janet Hart, Church Secretary Scott Austin, Facilities Manager Christy Blue, Choir Director Judy Prier, Organist pastor@fpcpc.com bsmith@fpcpc.com pastorsecretary@fpcpc.com scottaustin0557@gmail.com pianoplayinggal@yahoo.com judyprier@comcast.net Session Class of 2018: John Gamble, Nancy Sharpless, Ron Smith Class of 2019: Joan Barry, Rebekah Baird, Richard Lund Class of 2020: Sandy Asaro, Lynn Webster, Elaine Woods Deacons Class of 2018: Dottie Gamble, Pauline Paquin, Laverne Sinkia, Gay Sorensen, Donald Whitmarsh Class of 2019: Andy Buell, Clarence Diersing Class of 2020: Judi Anderson, Norma Campbell Trustees Richard Lund, President Ron Smith, Vice President Ambrose Woods, Treasurer Sandy Asaro, Secretary Class of 2018: Clarence Diersing, Member at Large Class of 2019: Bob Hull, Member at Large

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS December 2, 2018 Thank you to Elaine Woods and Rev. Robyn Kleinschmidt, who are serving as liturgists today, and Advent Candle readers Kailey Scott and Lynn Webster. SANTA S ELVES NEEDED Mondays, December 3 rd and December 10 th New Life Center Workshops will be held on Monday, November 26th, December 3 rd, and December 10 th at to wrap and bag gifts for the Santa Run. Contact Sandee Pellerin at sandeesgl@aol.com to arrange a time if Monday is not good for you. YOUTH GROUP Tuesday, December 4 th 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. New Life Center Children and youth are invited to join us for youth group on Tuesday, December 4 th. After snacks, a choice will be offered for participants to play ukuleles or board games. Please see Lynn Webster if you have questions.

10 CHURCH NIGHT SOCIAL AND CHRISTMAS CAROL SING Wednesday, December 5 th 5:00 p.m. Dinner/ 5:45 p.m. Carol Sing New Life Center The choir is hosting a pot luck dinner on Wednesday, December 5 th in the New Life Center. Please sign up to bring a salad, a side dish, or a dessert. After dinner, we will have a carol sing. Called Congregational Meeting Sunday, December 9 th Following the Worship Service The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, December 9 th, immediately following the worship service. The stated purpose of the meeting is for electing officers. Our Nominating Committee will present the slate of Elders, Deacons, and Trustee for congregational vote. ANGEL TREE Through December 9 th Narthex The Angel Tree is a partnership with our local Salvation Army to make Christmas brighter for children who are disadvantaged in Charlotte County. Our tree has 25 tags, with each tag having information about the child and his/her wish list for Christmas. It is not necessary to buy all of the gifts on the list and you might want to partner with another church member to do what you can for that child. Attach the tag to your gift and return unwrapped gifts and tag to the church by December 9 th. Please contact Joan Barry if you have any questions. POINSETTIA ORDERS Through December 9 th Poinsettias will be used to decorate the Sanctuary. You may purchase one or several for $10 each. Forms are in today s bulletin and in the church office. The last day to order is December 9 th. You will be able to take them home after the Christmas Eve service. If you have any questions, please call the church office at COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS INVITATIONS AND COOKIES Cookies Needed by Sunday, December 9 th Invitation and Cookies Delivery, December 11 th at 5:00 p.m. NLC You are invited to participate in reaching out to our surrounding community with our 3rd Annual Christmas Cookie Invitations event. We will walk around our neighborhood once again in small groups to personally invite people to join us for our Christmas Eve Service. Along with an invitation, we will give each family a bag of homemade cookies. Last year, thanks to your generosity, we had over 1200 cookies to deliver!! We need your help once again this year. If you are able to make cookies, please take them to Lynn Webster, Sandy Asaro, or the church office no later than Sunday, December 9 th. *We would appreciate bakers who can make homemade cookies to put them in Ziploc bags (6 cookies per bag). *We welcome all to come on Tuesday, December 11 th from 5:00-6:15 p.m. to deliver cookies and Christmas Eve Service invitations in the neighborhood. *We are grateful for all who pray about efforts to reach our neighbors in a meaningful way. SANTA RUN Saturday, December 15 th Noon Mac Hall Please donate a toy in the box in the Nathex for our Santa Run through the Parkside Community on Dec. 15 th. Please remember FPCPC in your wills and trusts.