Advent. Order of Worship. First Presbyterian Church Christ. Preparation. Adoration. December 9, Welcome

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1 Welcoming Advent Order of Worship December 9, a.m. and 11 a.m. Second Sunday of Advent This is God s house and all are welcome! As you gather for worship, please take a moment to greet one another in the name of Christ. Welcome For First Presbyterian Church Christ Preparation The Reverend Katherine Kerr Prelude He Shall Feed His Flock from Messiah George Frideric Handel Susan Shimp, soloist He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Come unto him, all ye that labor, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Chiming of the Trinity Adoration *Lighting of the Advent Candle (9 a.m.) Patrick, Lauren, Sophia, Patrick and Frederick Gutierrez (11 a.m.) Bill and Sherry Crocker One: We gather in God s house All: to prepare for the coming of the Christ child. One: We are people of peace. Christ brings a peace unlike any other the world can offer. We light this candle in hope and we light this candle for peace. All: We are ready to worship. Peace is here. *Hymn No. 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You valet will ich dir geben in the Heart of Charlotte

2 Large-print hymnals and Bibles are available. Please let an usher know if you would like one. We believe that God put the wiggle in children, and all are welcome in worship regardless of their ability to sit still. If you d like to step out of the sanctuary with your child, please feel free to visit the chapel (to the right of the sanctuary), where the service is streaming. Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Confession The Reverend Pen Peery All: Almighty God, we confess before you how many times we have chosen darkness over your light. We have lived lives of selfishness, ease, and convenience instead of following your way of generosity, discipline, and compassion. We have praised our own accomplishments and bemoaned our shortcomings. We have doubted your love and placed too much trust in our own powers. Smooth down the mountains of our pride and lift up the valleys of our our doubts. Clear the way in our lives for your word to transform us anew that we might live to serve you, Emmanuel, God with us. One: In silent prayer, let us confess to God the things we choose not to speak aloud. Response (Hymn No. 90) Jacques Berthier Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart! (congregation sings three times) Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news. All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. *Response (Hymn No. 93) truro Redeemer, come! I open wide my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide. Let me thy inner presence feel; they grace and love in me reveal. First Church is a worship education experience for children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. During First Church, children participate in and lead a simplified worship service that follows the same order as our service in the sanctuary. The 11 a.m. service is televised over WSOC-TV, Channel 9 this morning and streamed live at Prayer for Illumination Proclamation Scripture Malachi 3:1-4 pew Bible pg. 889 One: This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Musical Offering George Frideric Handel But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming? from Messiah Kelly Potts, soloist But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner s fire; who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner s fire. Time with Children Natalie Raygor Children in kindergarten through 2nd grade may leave for First Church. They will return to the sanctuary during the last hymn. Younger children may go to the nursery. Scripture Luke 3:1-6 pew Bible pg. 60 Sermon Signs of Hope The Reverend Katherine Kerr

3 *Hymn No. 96 On Jordan s Banks the Baptist s Cry winchester new Response *Affirmation of Faith Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. We are grateful to Natalie Raygor, Director of Youth Ministry and seminary intern, for participating in worship today. Prayers of the People Stewardship of Life Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Anthem George Frideric Handel And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. *Doxology (Hymn No. 606) old hundredth 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. *Prayer of Dedication and The Lord s Prayer 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. Sending Forth *Hymn No. 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion bereden väg för herran *Charge and Benediction *Benediction Response Of the Father s Love Begotten divinum mysterium Postlude From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Wilbur Held A time of personal prayer is offered following both services. If you would like to pray with a pastor or a member of our prayer team, please meet them in the sanctuary overflow area after the 9 a.m. service or in the chapel following the 11 a.m. service. * Please stand if you are able.

4 We are glad you are with us today! We welcome all to First Presbyterian Church as we worship together, knowing that each of us is a beloved part of the body of Christ. Our Pastors Pendleton B. Peery Senior Pastor ppeery@firstpres-charlotte.org Katherine C. Kerr Senior Associate Pastor for Congregational Ministry and Care kkerr@firstpres-charlotte.org Rebecca L. Davis rdavis@firstpres-charlotte.org Mary Margaret Porter mporter@firstpres-charlotte.org Charles C. Williamson cwilliamson@firstpres-charlotte.org William P. Young, III Director of Music Ministries wyoung@firstpres-charlotte.org Are you interested in joining our church? Contact Lucy Caldwell Membership Coordinator lcaldwell@firstpres-charlotte.org Pastor on call If you have a pastoral emergency outside of regular church hours, dial for the on-call voic . Your call will be returned promptly. 200 West Trade Street Charlotte, NC Coming up at FPC... We Worship Wednesday Worship The Session approved a recommendation from the Worship and Music Committee to pause the noon Wednesday Worship service. The recommendation was in response to declining attendance over the last few years and the departure of two pastors in late summer. The change goes into effect immediately and continues until the pastoral staff shortage is filled and leadership is available to explore alternative mid-week worship opportunities. Advent Worship Services Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 16 9 and 11 a.m., Sanctuary Service of Wholeness and Healing Thursday, December 20 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary (childcare available by reservation only; please visit the website to register) Christmas Eve Services Monday, December 24 (childcare available by reservation only; please visit the website to register) 4 p.m. Worship is open to everyone and is particularly suited for children. 8 p.m. Candlelight Service 10:15 p.m. Handbell Concert, Wood Fellowship Hall 11 p.m. Candlelight and Communion Service Will Young Sabbatical In January, and again in June and July, Director of Music Ministries Will Young will be on sabbatical. During that time, leadership and coverage for the church s music program will be handled by existing staff and a guest organist. Learn more about what to expect on the Now@First page on the website. We Learn Pause and Ponder Look for daily Advent s to draw you deeper into the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of the season. Weekly s will provide a liturgy for lighting the Advent wreath candles. Visit the FPC Playlist on Spotify: Welcoming Love at Christmas Sunday, December a.m., Wood Fellowship Hall All ages will gather to welcome Jesus, who is God s Love made flesh. Through activity stations, we will celebrate not just the first coming of Jesus, but also the coming of Christ into our lives again and again. We Serve Alternative Gift Market Sundays through December 16 Find a meaningful gift for special friends and loved ones at this year s Alternative Gift Market Sundays in Wood Fellowship Hall. Room In The Inn Mondays and Tuesdays, December 3 March 26 Throughout the winter months, First Presbyterian Church provides food, fellowship, and a safe, warm place to sleep to 12 guests who are experiencing homelessness. If you would like to volunteer to serve dinner, spend the night, or otherwise offer hospitality on these nights, please visit the Tickets & Signups page on the website. Haiti Mission Trip February 13-20, 2019 Plan now to join our mission trip to Bayonnais, Haiti. The cost for the trip will be $ , and scholarship support is available. Contact Glenna Cook (glennadc@gmail.com, ) or Amy Hockett (hocketta@gmail.com, ) for information. In Loving Memory of Lacy W. Blue November 11, December 6, 2018 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. Revelation 14:13

5 *Hymn No O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright? Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart s delight! O kindle, Lord most holy, a lamp within my breast, to do in spirit lowly all that may please you best. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 2 Love caused your incarnation; love brought you down to me; your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty. O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace in love, all loves excelling, our lost and fallen race. 3 You come, O Lord, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill, to bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still. In patient expectation we live for that great day when your renewed creation your glory shall display. *Hymn No. 96 On Jordan s Banks the Baptist s Cry 1 On Jordan s bank the Baptist s cry announces that the Lord is nigh; awake and hearken, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings! 2 Then cleansed be every life from sin; make straight the way for God within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there. 3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward; without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay. 4 Stretch forth your hand; our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more. O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine. *Hymn No. 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion 1 Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near! Let every hill and valley a level way appear. Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story. 2 He brings God s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above. His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love. Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding. 3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior s rule embrace, and tidings of salvation proclaim in every place. All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.