Gathering Around the Word

Transcription

1 For Young Worshipers: In the picture, parts of the letters are missing. Anticipation means we are waiting for something to be finished. How could you finish the letters? Eternal God, who comes to us in the here-and-now, show us the face of Emmanuel, and be with us always. T h e F o u r t h S u n d a y o f A d v e n t S e r vice fo r the Lord s Da y December 24, 2017 Gathering Around the Word Striking of the Hour Welcome Prelude Mary s Boy Child Wayne Pope and Ernie Small We Rise in Spirit and in Body Call To Worship The true light that enlightens us all is coming into the world. This has taken place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Behold a young woman shall conceive and bear a child, and they shall name him Emmanuel. Which means God is with us. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have beheld the light of his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Let us worship him now! John 1:9, 14; Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:10-16 Opening Hymn 123 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL Call to Confession Our confession in Advent is that we still have much to do to be ready for the Lord s coming. Prayer of Adoration and Confession Loving God, your glory lights the skies; it fills our hearts, and causes us to talk of angels! The sign of a virgin giving birth instructs us to hope beyond our imagining. You have come among us as a child to be adored; so forgive us for ever being unloving. When we are directionless, shed anew the light of a guiding star. Once you transformed a humble stable into the seat of Glory, so now take what is humble about us, and bless it. As you were born a child, teach us to love the weak and needy. As you were yet a king, let us feel your power. Send wise men and women to lead us from darkness into light. Forgive us for all the ways we have neglected your coming, and come to us again, we pray. Amen. A Silence is observed for Personal Confession Declaration of Good News

2 Response Hymn 83 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus STUTTGART Born thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King Born to reign in us forever, Now thy gracious kingdom bring! Passing of the Peace God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not counting their sins against them and has commissioned us with the message of reconciliation. Children Come Forward for Lighting the Advent Candles The Advent Wreath Leader: God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. Everyone who believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life. On the First Sunday of Advent, we lit a single candle. It was a light in the darkness. The congregation remains silent, as the first candle is lighted. All: A second candle adds to the light! Leader: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. On the second Sunday of Advent, we lit a second candle, and the light was a comfort. The congregation remains silent, as the second candle is lighted All: By ancient tradition, the third candle is pink; as pink as a rose in winter. Leader: The desert wilderness shall be glad, it shall rejoice and blossom; it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The congregation remains silent as the third candle is lighted. All: The fourth candle gives enough light that we can begin to see the way forward! Leader: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen. The congregation remains silent, as the fourth candle is lighted. All: Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Response Hymn 314 Longing for Light CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT First through Fourth Verses Prayer for Illumination Hearing the Word Isaiah writes at a time of national fear. Titus writes to plan for the successful growth of the church. Scripture Readings (Responsive) Isaiah 9:2-7, and Titus 2:11-14 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land of deep darkness has light shined. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder! They renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age live lives that are selfcontrolled, upright, and godly, The yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of oppression, you have broken! For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David! He gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify a people of his own who eagerly seek to do good deeds. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Anthem A Christmas Rose Bob Burroughs

3 Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18-23 The Birth of Jesus, as Foretold Sermon Advent Surprise Matthew Covington Response Hymn 119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN Responding to the Word Affirmation of Faith A Declaration of Faith, Chapter 4.1 God sent the promised deliverer to his people. Jesus, the long expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He lived as a Jew among Jews. He announced to his people the coming of God s kingdom of justice and peace on earth. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God s power as was no other child. In the person and work of Jesus, God himself and a human life are united but not confused, distinguished but not separated. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God s promised rule. Amen All Sit The Prayers of the People The Offering Offertory All Christians Now Rejoice arr. Eric Coates Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving Bearing the Word into the Created World Closing Hymn 140 Once in Royal David s City IRBY Benediction Postlude Gloria from Mass XII W. A. Mozart ************************************************************************************************* WELCOME VISITORS! We invite you to pick up visitor s information on your way out, either in the narthex or on the table on the Right in the downstairs entrance hall. Ushers will be standing by to help you find them. Always know that a cordial greeting is extended by ministers, officers, and congregation. If you have a fussy baby or are coughing, etc., the worship service may be viewed from the parlor via television (across the hall from the Sanctuary). Loving childcare is available in our children s center for children 3 and under on Sundays, and children s activity packets are available in the narthex.

4 The Presbyterian Church, 1003 State Street Bowling Green, KY The Presbyterian Church Staff Pastor Organist, Pastoral Assistant Choir Director Financial Administrator Director of Christian Education Treasurer Secretary Director, Preschool Learning Center Custodian Children s Music Sunday Sexton Clerk of Session Dr. Matthew W. Covington Thomas N. Moody Dr. Wayne Pope Richard Barefoot Leslee Kirkconnell Steve Moore Cheryl Gregory Dana Patterson Cedric Whitney Ellie Osborne Stuart Kernohan James Harris Donate Online: We have set up the church website to accept online donations. Just go to the website below and fill out the simple form. Donations can also be made from your smart phone. You can also scan the QR code, right. Our Church Elders: Pam Bratcher, David Coverdale, Nancy English, Sam Evans, Rob Hale, Jim Harris, Fred Higgins, Brad Howard, Matt Hunt, Stuart Kernohan, Bobby Rabold, Wanda Rosdeutscher, Diane Simmons, David Thomison, Denny Wedge Our Church Deacons: Karol Ahmed, Rider Allen, Barbara Brindle, Peggy Carthrae, Rocky Cooper, Shannon Dyche, Sheryl Goad, Cathey Green, Jean Harris, Wayne Hendrix, Ann Rudolph Humphrey, Nathan Love, Tom MacMillin, Marilyn Mattingly, Charlotte Prow, Kevin Reber, Jim Stites, Debbie Trickey, Judy Whitson

5 Announcements USHERS: The Kernohan and Hudson families (9:30) LAY READER: Bri Trickey (9:30) SANCTUARY COMMITTEE: Lee and Peggy Truman MEDIA PERSONNEL: Stuart Kernohan and Matt Hunt NURSERY ATTENDANTS: Alisia Mosley and Kimberly Watkins LIBRARIAN: Arnie Petrus, BRASS QUINTET: Amber Lamastus, trumpet; Joseph Powers, trumpet; Cody Golstrap, horn; Matt Crocker, trombone; Jim Stites, trombone/tuba (5:00pm) LECTIONARY FOR NEXT SUNDAY, December 31: Isaiah 61:10 62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4 7; Luke 2: Calendar Sunday, December 24 8:30 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Worship Monday, December 25 Office Closed Tuesday, December 26 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting Thursday, December 28 6:00 p.m. Room In the Inn Friday, December 29 10:30 a.m. Contemplative Prayers TODAY: QUESTIONS? THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS? There will be an elder at the front of the church after the morning worship, available to hear from you. Visitors are especially welcome to ask any questions you may have. CHILDREN AND YOUTH PARTICIPATING in this evening's 5:00pm service need to be back by 4:00pm. We will gather in the Parlor for final rehearsal and costumes for our service. Musicians playing as part of the prelude should plan to sit in the front row beginning by 4:30 to be ready. MANY THANKS to Blakey and Duffy Hayes for cooking a scrumptious Christmas Eve breakfast this morning! THIS WEEK: SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL BREAK on December 31. Join us for fellowship next Sunday at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall and worship at 10:30am. 3 CENTS A MEAL RETURNS NEXT SUNDAY! Our children and youth will come around with the cans (replaces Buck in a Basket) to collect your quarterly gift. Each individual's share is $8.10, but we are grateful for all gifts! One third will stay to help our Food Pantry. We gave out over 1000 bags this past year, so every penny helps! COMING UP SOON: JOIN US JANUARY 7 for our EPIPHANY CELEBRATION. This will be a potluck breakfast - we need hot foods, fruit, pastries, juice, milk and more. Breakfast starts at 9:00am, with our program at 9:30am. OTHER NEWS: OUR CURRENT ART SHOW features the 10 th Annual ArtWorks Exhibit, including several artists throughout the region. Come by Fellowship Hall and see this popular yearly exhibit. MONTREAT DEPOSITS FOR YOUTH CONFERENCES are due January 15. $100 to hold your spot. The High School Conference is July 14-21, the Middle School is July Questions? See Leslee Kirkconnell. ANY INFORMATION FOR THE JANUARY NEWSLETTER must be turned in by the end of the Christmas weekend. Please Cheryl at info@bgpres.org or leave info in the church office. Thank you! THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Monday, Christmas Day. We express sympathy to Muriel and Mike Kanan for the death of Muriel s brother, who died December 19, 2017.