Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Service of Lessons and Carols. Sunday, December 23, :00 am

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1 Invocation Remarks and Pastoral Prayer Hymn 534 Stewardship Testimony Offertory Prayer Greenwood Forest Baptist Church Service of Lessons and Carols BEING STEWARDS Rev. Spears-Newsome Rev. Dr. Luther Brewer Bricks and Mortar, Hands and Labor Elizabeth Biser Megan Jarrell Offertory Fantasy on a Theme by J.S. Bach G. Rebling Presentation of the Offering Transcendent God OLD 100TH Transcendent God, we bless your name, Incarnate Christ, the risen one, The Spirit with us, Immanent, The Source, the Word, the Breath of life! Amen. HEARING THE WORD Scripture Reading Isaiah 12:2-6 Mac Graham We affirm the reading of Scripture with the following response: Reader: The word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. GREENWOOD FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH The Worship of God Service of Lessons and Carols The Fourth Sunday of Advent There will be no Children s Time programming this Sunday. All children are invited to stay in Worship. However, there is nursery care available in the Children s Wing. Chiming of the Hour Processional Hymn 104 Once in Royal David s City IRBY Verse 1: Katie Lockhart, Soloist Verse 2: Sanctuary Choir Verses 3-4: Congregation Welcome and Bidding Prayer Leader: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Rev. Lauren Efird Preparation for Worship It Came Upon the Midnight Clear arr. T. Edwards Hymn 339 All Hail the Power of Jesus Name Lighting of the Advent Candle of Love Deck and Jennifer Whaley Sunday, December 23, :00 am

2 Lesson 1 Genesis 3:8-19 Rev. Stephen Stacks God promises Adam that his seed will bruise the serpent s head. After each lesson, the response will be as follows: Leader: The Word of God for us, the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. Carol Come Now, O Prince of Peace Lee Geonyong Lesson 3 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Kadeisha Bonsu Isaiah foretells the coming of the Savior. Carol Baby Son John Mark McMillan Praise Team We thought you'd come with a crown of gold A string of pearls and a cashmere robe, We thought you'd clinch an iron fist And rain like fire on the politics. But without a sword, no armored guard, But common born in mother's arms. The government now rests upon The shoulders of this baby son. Come now, O Prince of Peace; make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile your people. Come now, O God of love; make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile your people. Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior. Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all nations. Come, hope of unity; make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all nations. Have you no room inside your heart, The inn is full, the out is dark. Upon profane shines sacred sun Not ashamed to be one of us. Gloria, Allelu, Christ the Lord We've longed for you. Lesson 4 Isaiah 11:1-4 Anna Claire Jarrell Isaiah foretells the peace that Christ will bring. Lesson 2 Genesis 22:15-18 Alexander Soyars God promises Abraham that his seed shall bless all the nations. Carol 89 (v. 1 & 3) Comfort, Comfort Ye My People PSALM 42

3 Carol 105 (v. 1 & 2) Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming ES IST EIN ROS Lesson 5 Luke 1:26-38 Marian Lucas The angel Gabriel blesses the virgin Mary. Carol 132 (v. 1 & 4) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL Lesson 6 Luke 2:1, 3-7 Rev. Efird Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. Carol Infant Holy, Infant Lowly arr. Keith Christopher Young Musicians Helen Bishop, Flute Offertory Prayer Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging, angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you. Christ the babe was born for you. Rick Chappell Offertory Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn arr. Sedio Presentation of the Offering Transcendent God OLD 100TH Transcendent God, we bless your name, Incarnate Christ, the risen one, The Spirit with us, Immanent, The Source, the Word, the Breath of life! Amen. Lesson 7 Luke 2:8-16 Rev. Leon Smith The shepherds go to the manger. Carol 122 (v. 1 & 3) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO Lesson 8 Matthew 2:1-11 Rev. Robin Hardison The magi are led by the star to Jesus. Carol 148 (v. 1 & 3) What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES Lesson 9 John 1:1-12 Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome John unfolds the mystery of the incarnation. Carol God With Us All Sons and Daughters Praise Team You've come to bring peace, To be love, to be nearer to us; You've come to bring life, To be light to shine brighter in us. Oh Emmanuel, God with us. Our Deliverer, you are Savior; In your presence we find our strength; Over everything, our redemption, God with us, you are God with us. You've come to be hope To this world for your honor and name; You've come to take sin To bear shame and to conquer the grave. You are here and You are holy; We are standing In your glory Lord.

4 Collect and Benediction Rev. Efird Recessional Hymn 103 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES Postlude Please stand as you are able. Before you leave, please join us in the Narthex to view the Live Nativity put on by the Youth Ministry. The Deacon of the Day is Rick Chappell, Deacon At-Large. Today s pianist is Teri Edwards. Today s acolyte is Madeline Walden. Hearing assistive devices are available at the back of the sanctuary. Prayer Concerns Jim Allen, Gilles Bikindou, Betty Coggins, Linda Crider, Marjorie Floyd, Sally Glasgow (Scot Glasgow s mother), Jane Grizzard, Iris Thomas, Caden Thompson (Michelle Hudson s friend), and Jim Webster (Emma Webster s son) We extend our sympathy to Tricia Jones at the death of her mother, Catherine Quarles. Our partner church, Ebenezer Baptist, Cuba, and our brothers and sisters of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission GFBC by the Numbers Focus on Finance 2018/2019 Budget (MDP + MSP) $913,634 Amount of Budget supported through Stewardship Giving $830,186 (excludes cell tower and GFCC receipts) Week 16 of 52 (December 16) Week 16 YTD Total Giving $31,919 $238,722 Less Designated Giving $ 795 $ 11,303 Actual Stewardship Giving $31,124 $227,419 Stewardship Giving needed to fully subscribe budget $20,081 $268,186 Over (Under) $11,043 $(40,767)

5 Announcements and Upcoming Events Christmas Eve Services Please join us for one or both of our Christmas Eve services on Monday, December 24! We will have an 11am Children's Service and an 8pm Candlelight Communion service. The 11am Children's Service will feature singing by our Children's Choirs, the building of a nativity set on the altar, and accessible meditations on the characters in the Christmas story. The 8pm Candlelight Communion Service is our evening service where we celebrate the Christmas story in song, prayer, and Scripture. This service will feature a homily from Pastor Efird, music by the Sanctuary Choir, and Communion. Poinsettias Please feel free to take home your poinsettias after either the 11am or the 8pm Christmas Eve worship services. Church Office Closed The church office will be closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 24, 25, and 26. The office will be open on Thursday, December 27 but will close after that until Wednesday, January 2. Year-End Contributions Please make sure that any year-end contributions are postmarked by Monday, December 31 to ensure that they appear on your 2018 Contribution Statement. Please note the office hours above if you plan to hand deliver your offering. Stock Donations Year-End Tax Reminder If you plan to make a stock donation to the church this year, please do so immediately. The donation must be in the church s account by Monday, December 31to receive credit for Notes of Thanks Thank you for your contributions to our Birthday-in-a-Box kits for Dorcas Ministries. We appreciate each of you and are certain Dorcas Ministries is grateful for our gifts. Thank you for the ways you continue to help our ministry with children thrive! The entire church staff wishes to thank everyone for their generous love offering gifts for Christmas. We are honored that you remembered each of us in such a loving way. Johnny & Kathy Adams Terry & Beverly Allen Dave & Elise Atkins Don & Faye Beal Chuck & Susan Beck Doug Black & MaryBeth McDermott Tom & Pat Brooks Carolyn Camp Tom, Jennifer, & Sarah Coltrane Otto Dykstra Mary Foster Harvey Gay Don & Laura Hamrick Jean Harris Wayne & Nancy Harper Sue & Greg Hughes Kathy, Teri, Janet, & Billy Lois Jean McLaughlan Poinsettia Dedications in Honor and in Memory of Our Loved Ones In memory of J.B. & Lovie Adams In memory of Dick & Peggy Allen In memory of Roland & Audrey Hayes In memory of Delores Atkins In memory of Katherine Taylor In honor of Martha Soyars In honor of Sara & Charlie Beck In honor of Gilles Bikindou In memory of their parents In memory of their parents In honor of their children and grandchildren In memory of her husband, Ray Camp In memory of Jerry Harris and in honor of Jean Harris In memory of his wife, June Dykstra In memory of his daughter, Mary Anne Ollar In memory of her husband, Kirk Foster In memory of his wife, Dianne Gay In memory of their son, David Lee Hamrick In memory of her husband, Jerry Harris In memory of Eugene & Lillian Harper In memory of Leamon & Mary Woodard In memory of Joe Hughes In memory of Bill Edwards In honor of Lois Edwards In memory of Ida Mae & Clifford McLaughlan In honor of her friend and inspiration, Kathleen Wicker

6 Janice & Randy Medford Susan Miller The Rankin Family Harold & Gerry Ritter Bonnie Rogers Fred & Marie Seeger Sally Shaver Jeneal & Judy Teander Carolyn Walker Anne M. Whelan Charles & Janice Wilson In memory of Howard Beard and in honor of Dorothy Beard In memory of Vida & Deroy Adair In honor of the Grace Faith Formation Class In memory of Bill & Martha Rankin and Jimmy Jones In honor of Leon & Pat McDonald In memory of their son, Dean Ritter In memory of Gerry s parents, E.T. & Geneva Parham In memory of Harold s parents, Walter & Ruth Ritter In honor of their son and his family Scott, Denise, Ava & Erica Ritter In memory of her husband, Larry D. Rogers In memory of Wilma Caldwell In honor of Edwina Erwin In honor of Lois Edwards In memory of Margaret Curl In memory of Lewis (Lew) Faulkner In memory of Wheeler Shaver In memory of Ken Turner In honor of Mildred Shaver In honor of memorable Christmas seasons with family & friends In honor of her children and grandchildren In memory of her husband, Bill Whelan In memory of her daughter, Jan Whelan In honor of Kathleen Wicker

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8 an inclusive community of faith 110 SE Maynard Road Cary, NC Church Office: Fax: Website: Leadership Rev. Lauren Efird, Senior Pastor Rev. Stephen Stacks, Associate Pastor of Worship and Faith Formation Rev. Wesley Spears-Newsome, Associate Pastor of Community and Youth Ministry Kadeisha Bonsu, Director of Children s Ministry Helen Bishop, Organist Dr. Luther Brewer, Pastor Emeritus All Who Serve This Church