We Enter into God s Presence

Transcription

1 The Church of the Open Hands First Presbyterian Church of Farmington Farmington Road Farmington Hills, MI (248) Prayer of Preparation December 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent Presbyterian Women Christmas Play Christmas Unwrapped Anne Osdieck Awaken us. Help us shed our clothing of mourning. Help us shake off our misery. Show your splendor in glorious robes. Give us a new name O Jesus. Please give us the name Peace. We Enter into God s Presence *Please stand in body or spirit Welcome & Minute for Mission Rick Fuller Congregational Life Christmas Joy Offering- Freedom House Invitation to the Holy Spirit 92 While We Are Waiting (v.1) Prophetic Reading Malachi 3:1-4 O.T. p. 889 Prelude Lob Sei dem Allmächtigen Gott, BWV 602 J. S. Bach (Praise to the Almighty God) Lighting of the Second Advent Candle The Candle of Peace Paul & M.J. Floreno *Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vv. 1-3,4) 1

2 Confessing Our Separation from God (unison) God of life and light, we live with tunnel vision. We see only what is right around us -- worries, our to-do-lists, our concerns. Break open Your light, so that we would see others around us. Break open Your light, so we might experience the joy and wonder of the season. Break open Your light, so that we might walk on the path of peace, justice, and mercy, that you have laid before us. In the name of Christ, who is breaking into our lives in a new way, we pray. Amen. A Time of Silent, Personal Prayer for Peace Song of Assurance 406 Not for Children Only Prayer cards are collected We Are Standing on Holy Ground Children remain in worship and watch Christmas Unwrapped We Hear God s Word Christmas Unwrapped by Michelle R. Davis Presbyterian Players We Respond to God s Word *Affirmation of Faith 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 4) Song of Invitation 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 & The Lord s Prayer Offertory & Signing Comfort, Comfort Now My People Genevan Psalter of the Friendship Pad Choir vs. 1 & 2, Congregation vs. 3 *Doxology All That We Have Gerald Custer *Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison) Accept these humble gifts we pray and in our hearts forever stay. With these gifts may You bring peace that suffering, want and war may cease. Amen. We Follow God s Word into the World *Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus 2

3 *Benediction Postlude Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates Wilbur Held Today s flowers are given 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. Assisting in Worship December 9 December 16 Lector Richard Spurgeon Karen Spica Ushers Irwin Moyna Howard Caylor Eddie Matteson Dale Hawkins Mitchell Cressman Irene Sharpe Pat Morgan Manny Sharpe Greeters Rusty Soronen Ev & Sandi Randlett Welcome Center Carolee Caylor Sue Carlson Sunday Sextons Jeff Ely Dave Carlson Dale Countegan Ron Prieskorn Hospitality Time Hosts Last names E - K Last names L - R Communion Bread Baker Pam Jusino Presenting the final performance of Christmas Unwrapped : Today our own Presbyterian Players present the final of three performances of Christmas Unwrapped by Michelle R. Davis. This Christian comedy play is 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. Congratulations and thanks to the cast of Sue Carlson, Manny Sharpe, Sally Kirsten, Laura Hedgecock, Ev Randlett, Irene Forbes, Calvin Malisow, Debra Hemmye, William Draper and Ruth France, along with Director Pam Jusino and Prompter Leslie Moyna. Thanks also to publicist Lorrie McVey, stage assistant Siohban Moyna, set construction Rob Kirsten, costumer Marcia Van Hamme and technology assistants Mitchell and Sharon Cressman. Where s Jerry? Dr. Jerry Custer returns later today from Dublin, Ireland where he attended 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 was broadcast nationwide by the RTÉ from the National Concert Hall in Dublin. 3

4 Last chance to join today s Theater Outing: There are still a few $10 tickets available for today s group outing to a fun matinee performance of Evidence of Things Unseen by Katie Forgette at the Detroit Repertory Theatre. The group will have a quick lunch in Knox Hall then depart for the performance about 1:00 p.m., returning for desserts and conversations led by a non-boring UD-M Ethics & Religious Studies Professor. See Sue Andrews after worship if you d like to join in the fun. 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. No one was closer to Jesus than Mary, and no one shaped his life more than she. Beginning with what Scripture and early church tradition tell us about the end of Mary s life, then moving backward, this study will recount Mary s story, ending on Christmas with the birth of Jesus. The last two dates for this four-part study are Dec. 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 through Oct. 31: The Session is providing the following year-to-date financial information: Total income received: $352, Total expenses: $363, Year to-date balance: ($ 11,557.86) Deficit Christmas Eve and year-end 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. 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. Adopt a Family for Christmas: The Mission Committee invites you to participate in its Christmas Adopt-A-Family activity. Our family consists of five people and they are part of the Farmington Public Schools Homeless Program. Please select an ornament from the display in the Narthex - each ornament lists the age and gender of the recipient as well as the needed item. Leave the back part of the ornament with your name on the display. Then place your purchased item near the Narthex display no later than Sunday, Dec. 16. For more information, see Karen Linnell or Nancy Prieskorn. Your generosity will brighten someone s Christmas! 4

5 Christmas Joy Offering: This Presbyterian special offering will be collected the last two weeks of December as well as Christmas Eve. Half of this offering will provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and to develop our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The other half will be used locally to support Freedom House Detroit, a temporary home for indigent survivors of persecution from around the world who are seeking asylum in the United States as well as victims of human trafficking. Important year-end information regarding contributions: Please be aware that the last bank deposit for contributions for tax year 2018 will be Wednesday, Dec. 26, This means contributions must be received in the church office before Monday, Dec. 24, 2018 or in the offering plate on Sunday, Dec. 23. Any monies received in the mail after these dates will not be counted or deposited until after the end of the year and will be counted as 2019 contributions. Please note these dates so that you will know in advance how to plan your yearend giving Offering Envelopes: Those who have used numbered envelopes in 2018 will automatically receive envelopes for If you did NOT used envelopes in 2018, but DO wish to have them for 2019, please contact the church office to make your request known. Numbered envelopes facilitate the speed and accuracy of the data entry process, so we do encourage you to use envelopes if you contribute manually on a regular basis. We also encourage the use of monthly electronic debit. If you wish to submit your pledge electronically from your account starting in February, please call Financial Secretary Jerry Scheel to have the form mailed to you. Questions? Contact Jerry Scheel or call the church office at (248) Annual Meeting scheduled; annual reports due soon: The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, immediately following worship. Please turn in all reports to be included in the 2018 Annual Report by Monday, Jan. 7, The 2018 Annual Report will be ed to members who have signed up through the church website to receive the FYI newsletter, the annual report and other important church information (to sign up for the newsletter and electronic communications, please go to ). A few printed copies of the 2018 Annual Report will be available at the welcome center on Sunday, Jan Worship Flower sign-up available: Please consider giving flowers in memory of a loved one or to recognize a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary or to the glory of God. An arrangement is $24 and enhances our worship services. More than one arrangement may be ordered for any Sunday. You may take the flowers with you after the worship service or leave them so that they can be delivered to one of our homebound members. The sign-up sheet is available on the kiosk in the area outside Knox Fellowship Hall. For more information, call the church office (248) 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. 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 Dec. 30: Surplus Sunday = bring your leftover Christmas goodies 5

6 This Week At First Presbyterian 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 Monday, Dec. 10 7:00 p.m. Soul Stretch Yoga Tuesday, Dec. 11 8:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast at Leo s Coney Island 9:30 a.m. ACTS Circle 10:00 a.m. Advent Study 6:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry 7:00 p.m. Scouts 7:15 p.m. Phoenix Circle - in homes Wednesday, Dec. 12 9:00 a.m. GLRO Toastmasters Thursday, Dec : 00 a.m. Deborah Circle 10:00 a.m. ESL Class 11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting 4:30 p.m. Worship Arts Meeting 5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts Potluck 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Friday, Dec :30 a.m. Church Staff Christmas Potluck 1:00 p.m. Organ Tuning Saturday, Dec. 15 No events scheduled Sunday, Dec rd Sunday in Advent 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Worship with Communion 11:15 a.m. Hospitality Time 6:00 p.m. Little Flock Bible Study 6

7 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