Service for the Lord s Day The Season of Advent Fourth Sunday. The People of God Gather. The Word of God Proclaimed

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1 December 23, 2018 *CONGREGATION STANDS AS ABLE WELCOME and INVITATION Service for the Lord s Day The Season of Advent Fourth Sunday The People of God Gather 10:30 A.M. LITURGICAL COLOR: PURPLE PRELUDE Carol Medley - arr., Mark Hayes *LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES First Reader: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is the season in which we prepare ourselves and others to receive our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes to save and restore a broken and sinful humanity to our perfect and holy God. Upon that day the perfect love of God will become fully visible for all to see. Second Reader: Blinded by our sin, God knows that we are lost. Darkened by our iniquity, God knows that we grope blindly for him, but cannot find him. God sees our plight, and he loves us so much, that he will lower himself to be with us. In Jesus Christ, God will personally brighten our path to him. First Reader: Like Mary we receive Jesus in true faith, we shall find favor with God. Salvation shall be born within the womb of our hearts. The Spirit of God will become alive in us. We shall live securely and enjoy eternal peace with our loving and gracious God. All generations will call us blessed. Second Reader: In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, we have lit the candles of hope, peace and joy. Today we light the candle of love because God is love. We shall love God and he will love us throughout eternity. We light this candle, singing and shouting with love flowing like a mighty river from the wellspring of our hearts. (Light the Candle of Love) Congregation: Light four candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He is coming; tell the glad tidings. Let our lights be shining. *HYMN To a Maid Engaged to Joseph No. 19 Verse 1: All Verse 2: Men Verse 3: Choir Verses 4 & 5: All Verse 6: Women PRAYER of CONFESSION Leader: Surely God is our salvation. The angel said to Mary: Have faith, and do not be afraid. Trusting in God s love and grace, let us confess our sin. (and silent confession) (Unison) God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen. ASSURANCE of PARDON Leader: According to the prophet Isaiah, every valley is lifted up; every mountain, made low. Now the glory of the Lord is revealed, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. People: We are surely forgiven. Praise be to God! *PASSING the PEACE *GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. LIFE PASSAGE CHILDREN S MOMENT The Word of God Proclaimed (Parents/Guardians are invited to bring infants and children to the chancel steps) ANTHEM The Jesus Gift comp., Gilbert Martin Madison Boler, Isaac Metz, soloists OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5:2-5a (p. 671 or LP 1059, OT) GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:26-34 (p. 43 or LP 69, NT) SERMON From Shame to Honor - Rev. James Goff The People of God Respond *HYMN The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came No. 16 *AFFIRMATION of FAITH (Col. 1:15-20) Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible. All things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Amen.

2 OFFERING of TITHES and GIFTS Offertory Bohemian Carol - arr., Wilbur Held *Doxology, *Prayer of Dedication 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. JOYS AND CONCERNS Pastor s Prayer The Lord s Prayer ( forgive us our debts ) 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. We Go to Serve in God s Name *HYMN Angels from the Realms of Glory No. 22 *BENEDICTION LOVE POSTLUDE O Saviour, Tear Open the Heavens arr., Helmut Walcha LOVELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Darlene Ervin, Clerk of Session / Pete Bissman, Treasurer / Jenni Cox, Office Manager Michael Spresser, Music Director & Accompanist / Tyler Smith, Assistant Music Director Donna Conrad, Custodian / Rev. James Goff, Pastor Council of the Session Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Darlene Ervin Laura Hoyer Samantha Sears Tim Thornton Tim Thalheimer Hank Westcott Deacons Jan Pirtle, Moderator Laurie Gordon Nancy Gerke Kecia Sears June Taylor Joyce Thalheimer Rosanne Schaffer Dot Jamison Prayer Chain Coordinator, Nancy Von Kampen, Phone: Robin Ave. Loveland, OH (513) Lovelandpresbyterianchurch.org Office hours: Mon. Thurs., 9:00a 1:oop

3 This Week s Servants 12/23/18 Pastor: Rev. James Goff Music Director & Accompanist: Michael Spresser Assistant Music Dir.: Tyler Smith Liturgist: Tim Thornton Welcomer: Sears & Gerke Family Fellowship: Graduation Life Passage Celebration Nursery: Rosanne Schaffer Children s Church: Leslie Westcott Acolytes: Sam Goff & Tucker Motley Advent Wreath Lighters: Frees Family Ushers: Jeff Jamison, Terry Price, Bill Miller, Joe Frees Next Week s Servants 12/30/18 Guest Minister: Barbara Jean Havens, Elder Music Director & Accompanist: Michael Spresser Assistant Music Dir.: Tyler Smith Liturgist: Roger Hoyer Welcomer: Jo Funke Fellowship: Coffee Bar Nursery: Mary Frees Children s Church: Mary Frees Acolytes: Jean Gantt & Tucker Motley Ushers: Jim Poe, Norm von Kampen, Bill Miller, Joe Frees Sunday, December 23, 2018 Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols: A Celebration of the Nativity of Christ 7 o clock in the evening The church office will be closed Christmas Eve through New Year s Day. It will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, Please contact Pastor Jim with pastoral emergencies by calling him on his cellphone ( ). He will be in Georgia visiting family December 26-January 2. You may contact Jenni on her cellphone (listed in the directory) with urgent office emergencies. Birthdays December 29 th ~ Pete Bissman Anniversaries No Anniversaries Joys and Concerns Joy! for the families who participated in our Parents Night Out and Christmas Celebration last weekend. Thank you to all of those who donated your time and talent to make these events happen! Prayers for safe travel for the Goff family, travelling to Georgia December 26. Prayers of consolation for the family of Reba Byrd who passed away recently. She is the mother of Dean Holliday s nephew s wife. Prayers for Laurie Gordon who is now under care at Meadowbrook Care Center. Prayers and condolences for the family of Betty Cliff, Roger Hoyer s neighbor, who passed away Dec. 13. Prayers for Art Books, son of Don and sister of Jan Pirtle, undergoing treatment for cancer. Prayers for Jo Lydy, suffering from chronic interstitial pulmonary disease, who has received the news that she is not a candidate for a lung transplant. Prayers for what is to come next in her treatment. Prayers for Carol Skinner s health and continued recovery. Prayers for our homebound - Dotty King, Norma Koerkel, Gene Strand, Doris Goddard, and Sunni & Karl Kadon. Please keep in your hearts and prayers all the sick and shut-ins of LPC. Please notify the LPC office of the progress and recovery of the individuals and loved ones named above. Names will appear for 2 weeks unless the office is otherwise notified. Thank you. Laura Pirtle is attending Wright State University in Dayton. She just finished her first semester and she is majoring in Early Childhood Education. Joe Willie Frees graduated last April from the UC School of Engineering and is living and working in Dayton for Heapy Engineering. May God s blessings guide you to accomplish your goals throughout the coming years. Prayer Chain Coordinator Nancy von Kampen will be travelling to visit family over the holidays. She is tentatively scheduled to be out of town December 20- January 2. Please call Darlene Ervin if you would like to place a joy or a prayer on the Prayer Chain. December 24 Christmas Eve Service December 24 to January 1 Church Office Closed January 5 Men s Breakfast January 27 Congregational Meeting

4 Poinsettias Sanctuary Donations In Memory of: Walter McCabe, Edward and Mary Frees From: The Frees Family In Memory of: The Berry Family From; Tedi Blinkhorn In Memory of: The Lemker and Blinkhorn Families From: Tedi Blinkhorn Dedicated to: LPC Music From: Jerry and Joyce Thalheimer In Memory of: Sally, Steve and Susan Hoyer From: Roger Hoyer In Honor of: Dr. Richard and Myrna Hartle From: Mike and Anna Hartle In Memory of: David Valmore From: Mike, Anna, Jackie and Becky Hartle In Memory of: Donald and Gayle Smith From: Mike and Anna Hartle In Honor of: My Family From: Don Books In Memory of: Bobbie and Diane Books From: Don Books In Honor of: The Bissman Family From: Pete Bissman In Memory of: Loved Ones From: June Taylor In Memory of: Bob and Juanita Holliday In Memory of: Maci and Mary Petsch In Memory of: Pete and Sue Bundy In Honor of: Family From: Nancy and Norm von Kampen In Honor of: The Thalheimer Family From: The Westcott Family In Memory of: Westcott Family Members in Heaven From: Hank, Leslie and Family In Memory of: My parents, Paul and Jean Ries From: Carol Sue Ries In Memory of: Louis, Kurt Rockwood and James Alexander From: Barbara Alexander In Memory of: Our Parents From: Nancy and Bill Miller In Honor of: Catie Price, Emery Price and Finn Price From: Terry and Niki Price

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