December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Sacrament of Communion. We Enter into God s Presence

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1 The Church of the Open Hands First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Farmington Road Farmington Hills, MI (248) Rev. Eddie Jusino, Senior Pastor December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Sacrament of Communion Prayer of Preparation Anne Osdieck Be vigilant at all time. Jesus, You came into our world with all its sorrows. Keep us watchful to find your presence now in the midst of our struggles. Tell us again that your love will triumph. Alert our hearts. Make us aware of all the places in our world where you are, and come, Lord Jesus, to all the spots in our lives where you are not yet. Welcome & Congregational Life We Enter into God s Presence *Please stand in body or spirit Invitation to the Holy Spirit 92 While We Are Waiting (v. 1) Prophetic Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16 Paul & Lorrie McVey Liturgical Dance - Pam Jusino & Laurel Scott Prelude Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland J. S. Bach Lighting of the First Advent Candle *Hymn 88 The Candle of Hope O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 1-2) Stephen Ministers 1

2 Confessing Our Separation from God (unison) Loving and Merciful God, today we light the candle of hope, a beacon of light that shines in the darkness. Today, we confess the ways we have caused others to feel hopeless. Some feel the hopelessness of hunger because of our greed. Others feel the hopelessness of violence because of our apathy. Still others feel the hopelessness of racism because of our ignorance. The signs are all around us. Call us out of the tunnel into the openness of Your love and life. The world awaits us, full of need, and full of hope, if we can become living hope to one another. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. This we pray in the name of Jesus who gave his life so that we all may have the fullness of hope in this life and for eternity. Amen. A Time of Silent, Personal Prayer for Peace *Song of Assurance 406 Mindfulness Prayer We Are Standing on Holy Ground We Hear God s Word Anthem Show Me Thy Ways Walter L. Pelz Amanda Beaune, violin Not for Children Only Prayer cards collected *Passing of the Peace of Christ Turn to your neighbor and pass the Peace of Christ Gospel Reading Luke 21:25-36 N.T. p. 85 The Coming of the Son of Man 25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Continued) 2

3 The Lesson of the Fig Tree 29 Then he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Exhortation to Watch 34 Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Reflection Restoring Hope Pastor Eddie We Respond To God s Word *Affirmation of Faith 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 4) Song of Invitation 466 Come and Fill Our Hearts Come and fill our hearts with your peace. You alone, O Lord, are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace. Alleluia! Joys and Hopes of the People of God Offertory & Signing Allegro from Sonata IV in D Major, HWV 371 G. F. Handel of the Friendship Pad Amanda Beaune, violin & Shari Fiore, piano *Doxology All That We Have Gerald Custer *Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison) God, faithful to your promises, we come to this warm and colorful season of Advent with expectant and thankful hearts. We welcome the renewed promise of your love, justice and righteousness breaking into our world. We offer these gifts and the witness of our lives in gratitude for all you have done, are doing and will do. This we pray in Jesus name. Amen. 3

4 The Sacrament of Holy Communion Gluten free bread is available in the plastic bags Song of Invitation 701 Sanctuary Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I ll be a living sanctuary for you. Invitation to the Lord s Table * The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Liturgist: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Liturgist: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Liturgist: It is right to give thanks and praise...great is the mystery of our faith. All: Christ has died...christ is risen...christ will come again. The Lord s Prayer The Words of Institution Sharing of the Gifts of Bread and Cup Communion Music We Follow God s Word Into the World *Hymn 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion *Benediction Postlude People, Look East Kristina Langlois Today s flowers are provided by: [Names provided in print edition. ] We hold in our prayers: [Names provided in print edition. ] We also hold in prayer those in need and those impacted by the recent storms, natural disasters, gun violence and terrorism, as well as those who put themselves in harm s way to assist them. We also remember members who are homebound, in nursing homes, and assisted living: [Names provided in print edition. ] And those serving in the military or as first responders: Sgt. David Beaver, Fort Bliss, TX; Police Officer Chris Clew, City of Lansing, MI; Pvt. Tim Rogers, Fort Benning, GA; and Cpl. Milo Perez, Fort Lejeune, NC, and LCpl. Nicole Perez, Camp Pendleton, CA, U.S. Marine Corps. 4

5 Assisting in Worship December 2 December 9 Lector Pam Jusino Richard Spurgeon Ushers Irwin Moyna Irwin Moyna Bill Vincent Eddie Matteson Sue Andrews Mitchell Cressman Pat Morgan Greeters Pres & Mary Happel Rusty Soronen Welcome Center Carolee Caylor Sunday Sextons Alvine Cooper Jeff Ely Cressmans Dale Countegan Hospitality Time Hosts Last names A - D Last names E - K Communion Bread Baker Pam Jusino Communion Servers: Eddie Matteson, Dot Basmaji, Leslie Black, Howard Caylor, Joanne Curtis, Deborah Draper, Paul & MJ Floreno and Pam Jusino Where s Jerry? Dr. Jerry Custer will be in Dublin, Ireland from Dec 2-9, attending the world premiere of a newly-orchestrated version of his choral work, "I Will Be the Light," performed by the Youth Choir, Children's Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the RTÉ, Ireland's counterpart to the BBC in England. The premiere will be broadcast nationwide by the RTÉ from the National Concert Hall in Dublin Dec. 5 and Dec. 9. While in Ireland, Jerry will work with the singers and the orchestra, and consult with the music department at Dublin City University, which is establishing a master's degree program in choral studies, the first of its kind in the nation. December Gathering is tomorrow: PW invites everyone to a festive Advent event Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets ($3.00) are on sale today at the welcome center for Hope, Love, and Praise, a three-part celebration of the season. Cookies, coffee and piano music in Knox Hall at 7:00 will be followed by a special musical program in the sanctuary at 7:30 featuring some of your favorite musicians and carols. The evening will close with a play, a Christian comedy called Christmas Unwrapped. It s set on the day after Christmas at Berta s Holiday Emporium, when disgruntled customers are making their returns. Later Berta gets a real surprise when she visits the little store across the street. Food for the Holidays: You re invited to fill an extra grocery bag when you do your shopping to help provide food for two groups: the Goodfellows and the kids at Second Mile Center (SMC) and their families. Goodfellows are collecting canned goods of any kind for F/FH families. SMC is asking for these items for their Christmas baskets: elbow macaroni, canned cranberry sauce, yams, green beans and corn, cornmeal, brownie or cake mix and frosting. Bins are in the narthex and near the kiosk. Men s Saturday Breakfast: The Men s Presbytery Communion and Advent Breakfast is Saturday, Dec. 8 at Northbrook Presbyterian in Beverly Hills. The keynote speaker is John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press Senior Business Columnist. In addition to writing for the Free Press for 29 years, he has written numerous books on urban development. Cost is $15. See Tom Neal for tickets by Dec. 4. The group will carpool from our church parking lot, leaving at 7:15 a.m. 5

6 Join in the Theater Outing: A group is gathering for a fun matinee performance of Evidence of Things Unseen by Katie Forgette at the Detroit Repertory Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 9. After worship, the group will have a quick lunch in Knox Hall then depart for the 2:00 p.m. performance, returning for desserts and conversations led by a non-boring UD-M Ethics & Religious Studies Professor. Tickets are $10. Interested or have questions? Contact Sue Andrews ASAP. Advent Devotional Study: Come and join Pastor Eddie on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m., in the Library to explore the meaning of Christmas through the lens of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Adam Hamilton s book and video study Not A Silent Night: Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem. Copies of the book are available in the Church Office at $8.00 each. Feel free to join us for the last three of the four sessions on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Consecration Sunday update: As of Nov. 25, 2018, 110 pledging units are making a financial commitment to faithful giving to First Pres in 2019; 32% have increased their commitment amount and 5% have made a commitment for the first time. Commitment cards continue to be returned to the church office, and we will share a final update in late December. We give thanks for faithful stewardship of all that God has provided! Call the church office if you need a commitment card. Financial Update: The following is the year-to-date financial information as of October 31, 2018: Total income received: $352, Total expenses: $363, Year to-date balance: ($ 11,557.86) deficit Christmas Eve and yearend services: There will be two Worship Services on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24: a family service with carols and stories at 4:30 p.m., and a candlelight service with lessons and carols at 9:00 p.m. A carol sing service closes out 2018 on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 10:00 a.m. Hospitality Time schedule: You are invited to bring ONE food item on ONE Sunday each month. Your Sunday depends on the first letter of your last name. Helping with set-up and/or clean-up on your assigned day would be greatly appreciated. Here s the upcoming schedule: Dec. 9: Last names beginning E - K Dec. 16: Last names beginning L - R Dec. 23: Last names beginning S - Z This Week at First Presbyterian Sunday, Dec. 2 1 st Sunday in Advent 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship with Communion 11:15 a.m. Hospitality Time 12 noon PW Gathering Set-up 12:30 p.m. PW Play Dress Rehearsal 5:30 p.m. Piano Recital & Vox Lyrica Concert 6:00 p.m. Little Flock Bible Study 6

7 Monday, Dec. 3 7:00 p.m. PW Christmas Gathering 7:00 p.m. Soul Stretch Yoga Tuesday, Dec. 4 8:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast at Leo s Coney Island 10:00 a.m. Advent Study 3:00 p.m. Operations Team Meeting 6:30 p.m. Worship Team Meeting 7:00 p.m. Scouts Wednesday, Dec. 5 9:00 a.m. GLRO Toastmasters 6:30 p.m. JOY! Study 6:30 p.m. Nurture Team Meeting Thursday, Dec. 6 10:00 a.m. ESL Class 4:30 p.m. Worship Arts Meeting 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Friday, Dec. 7 3:00 p.m. Orchard Lake Philharmonic Concert 6:00 p.m. Little Flock Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Orchard Lake Philharmonic Concert Saturday, Dec. 8 9:00 a.m. Presbyterian Men s Breakfast at Northbrook PC 9:30 a.m. PW Play at Ann Arbor First PC Sunday, Dec. 9 2 nd Sunday in Advent 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:15 a.m. Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Hospitality Time 11:30 a.m. S.O.S. Roundup Meeting 6:00 p.m. Little Flock Bible Study First Presbyterian Staff Senior Pastor Ministers Minister of Music Organist Office Manager Sexton Sunday Nursery Attendants Rev. Eddie Jusino Members of the Congregation Dr. Gerald Custer Shari Fiore Karen Spica Vanya Georgieva Dawn Johnson & Sandra Lieberman 7