SESSION. Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Melissa Barton Nancy Pienta Steve Hohneker

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1 SESSION Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Melissa Barton Nancy Pienta Steve Hohneker Bill Ring Chuck Shattenkirk Moderator: Rev. Kathi L. Jones Clerk of Session: Melissa Barton DEACONS Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Alicia Albertson Rosalie Hemingway Laurae Hoffmann Tina Coons Hertha Matuszek Karen Leffingwell Moderator: Rev. Kathi L. Jones Church Treasurer: Sandra Hohneker Assistant Treasurer: Vieve Gay Financial Secretary: Bill Ring First Presbyterian Church 3212 Church Street P.O. Box 267, Valatie, NY Church Phone Pastor s Phone Church s ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com Pastor Rev. Kathi L. Jones Pastor s revkathiljones@yahoo.com Organist Ardelle Stewart Secretary Naomi Handley Sexton Ginny Becker

2 December 17, 2017 WELCOME SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY Third Sunday of Advent * * * * * * Gathering in the Name of the Lord (In silence and meditation prepare yourself for worship) LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION 11:00am. TODAY THIS WEEK S CALENDAR Third Sunday of Advent 9:30am. Sunday School Adult Education 10:15am. Session Meeting 11:00am. Worship Reception of New Members 12:15pm. Congregational Meeting MONDAY 12noon Food Pantry Open TUESDAY 7:00pm. Finance and Stewardship Boy Scout Meeting MISSION STATEMENT We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community. PRELUDE CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively) Let us rejoice in God with all our hearts! For God has promised us freedom from every oppression. As the earth puts forth her blossom, or bushes in a garden burst into flower, So shall the Lord God make righteousness and justice blossom in all nations. *HYMN 2 ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING HYMN 2090 (v.3) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Advent Song WEDNESDAY 11:00am. Interview with Pastor Kathi on radio 90.7FM (WGXC) 6:00pm. Food Pantry Open SATURDAY 9:00am. Food Pantry Open Looking Ahead NEXT SUNDAY December 24, th Sunday of Advent 9:30am. 11:00am. 12:15pm. 8:00pm. No Sunday School Worship Coffee Hour hosted by the Deacons Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols Birthdays and Anniversaries This Week 19 Randy Albertson 21 Marge Laurie 23 Tamara Armstrong

3 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Given in Honor of: Family past, present and yet to come Rob, Alicia, Randy and Leita Albertson Our Family and Friends Laurae and Alexis Hoffmann Family and Friends Karen and Jim Leffingwell Phillip and Michael Paglialonga and their families Cheryle Paglialonga The Birth of Christ and Family Chris Wells Given in Memory of: Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Austin Their Sons Ralph and Lillian Hobson Melissa Barton Emma Read Melissa Barton Barbara Leiden Vince, Maggie and Quinn Barton Loved Ones Judy and Gale Bury Hertha and Lars Johnson Their Children and Grandchildren Loved Ones Tina and Jake Coons Loved Ones Sharon and John Coons My Grandmother, GG Alexander Cheryl Fitzgibbons Our Parents Ruth and Paul Fuhrmann Family Members Rosalie Hemingway Our Parents Sandy and Steve Hohneker James Laurie Marge and Chris Laurie Aunt Freide Courtney and Cindy Loucks Betty and Bob VanAllen Richard Ludington and Family Ruth and Don Williams Richard Ludington and Family Family and Friends Carol Matthews Lotus Petrie Marcus Petrie Walter Pienta, Anna Pienta Nancy, Joe, Susan and Eleanore Pienta Eleanore and George Wolf, Dick and MaryEllen Wolf Pienta Family Loved ones, Malcolm Gay, Hertha Johnson Chris Wells Greens were given by Vieve Gay and The Straub Family. CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty and ever-loving God, we know that we fail continually to be the kind of people who deserve to be called your children. We have failed miserably to be as kind or thankful or prayerful or joyful as you would have us to be. Forgive us, we pray, out of the store-houses of your grace. Empower us with the image of your Son and the infusion of your Spirit, that we may better reflect the goodness and generosity of your nature. SILENT PRAYER OF PERSONAL CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE 8 (v. 3) Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Proclaiming the Word PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION O God of justice, whose wonderful promises of liberation from every form of human oppression inspire eager anticipation and hope, instill in us a faith that rejoices even when fulfillments seem remote; that we may be grateful and delighted to be your people in this pre-advent time of great expectation. In the name of the coming Christ. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (O.T. pg. 678) GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-56 (N.T. pg. 56) NOT FOR CHILDREN ONLY HYMN 19 SERMON To a Maid Engaged to Joseph Anointed and Appointed

4 Responding to the Word RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS PRAYER O God, we praise you for calling us to be a servant people, and for gathering us into the body of Christ. We thank you for choosing to add to our number brothers and sisters in faith. Together, may we live in your Spirit, and so to love one another, that we may have the mind of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom we give honor and glory forever. Amen. HYMN 438 (v.1) MINUTE FOR MISSION SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD S PRAYER OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS *RESPONSE 68 (v.4) Blest Be the Tie That Binds (sins, sin) What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright *PRAYER OF DEDICATION May our gifts be as generous as your provision for us, O God. Use them to bear witness to the light you sent in Christ Jesus. Move us and all people to prayer, rejoicing, and thanksgiving. As we administer these offerings for their best possible return, keep us faithful to your purposes. In Christ s name we pray. Amen. A Meeting of the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Valatie is called for Sunday, December 17, 2017 immediately following worship for the purpose of electing 2 Elders for the Class of 2020, 1 Deacon for the Class of 2019 and 2 Deacons for the Class of By Order of the Session November 27, 2017 Join Us For our Christmas Eve Service Of Lessons and Carols And Candlelight Special Solo Music *HYMN When the Lord Redeems the Very Least Sunday December 24 8:00pm. Children are invited to wear their pajamas!

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS NURSERY CARE DURING WORSHIP is provided for infants and children through the second grade. Parents are asked to take their child (ren) to the nursery during the hymn just before the sermon. The nursery is found through the door to the left of the pulpit, down the hall on the left. Children who are in the third grade and older should remain with their families during the worship service. THE ECUMENICAL FOOD PANTRY continues to meet a growing need in the Ichabod Crane School district. They are grateful for all donations of non-perishable foods (that have a future expiration date) and are asking particularly at this time for strawberry jam, brownie mix and cold cereal. If you have any questions about the Food Pantry or how you might get involved, speak with Dorothy Johnson or Carol Matthews, our representatives on the Food Pantry Committee. A gift of 2018 calendars has been delivered from the Bonds Funeral Home. There are plenty of copies located on the table at the back of the sanctuary and around the building. Please feel free to pick up a couple and share them with family and friends. A great way to get information about our church into the hands of others! The January issues of The Upper Room and Our Daily Bread are available on the table at the back of the sanctuary. The Christian Nurture committee provides them for the congregation to use in personal devotions and invites you to take one to use or share with a neighbor. On Tuesday January 9 we are hosting the St. Luke s Community Dinner. Steve Hadcock is chairing the event and will need some assistance. He can be reached at if you would like to help. Annual reports are due by January 10. If you are responsible for one, please turn it in to the office by then. Thank you for your cooperation. Please present your pledges and gifts to the church no later than December 31 in order to have them credited to 2017.

6 *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *PASSING THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Go in peace. Amen. (Responsively) * * * * * * * - Indicates that all who are able, may stand. Chuck Shattenkirk is lay reader this morning. Ruth and Paul Fuhrmann are greeting at the door today. Lighting the Advent candles today is the Barton Family. George Matuszek is Head Usher for the month of December. Nancy Pienta is tending the nursery today. Today we receive new members. Ruth Fuhrmann will be received by Reaffirmation of Faith. Paul Fuhrmann will be received by Reaffirmation of Faith. Cheryle Paglialonga will be received by Letter of Transfer. Please welcome our new members following the service. OUR CHURCH FAMILY Jake Coons Lucy Haemmerlein Mary and Charles Heermance Ricky Jacker Geraldine and Bruce McCrum EXTENDED FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE WORLD Beverly Goodell a friend of Marge Kyle Meredith - one of our Eagle Scouts serving in Iraq Caren Stewart Those who have lost loved ones California residents Gaza, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, The West Bank, Yemen