We warmly welcome Childcare and Sunday School 9:00am 10:15am Calendar of Prayer Online Sermons Amplification Headsets Who Does God Call Us to Be?

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1 Welcome We warmly welcome you to worship at The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge. We pray that you will be encouraged in your journey of faith and drawn closer to God by your experience with us. Childcare and Sunday School Childcare for infants and children under age 3 is available in the church nursery all morning. Pagers are used to contact parents during the worship service when necessary. 9:00am Children ages 3-5 yrs. may go directly to the Preschool Program, Jesus & Me. 10:15am All children ages 3-grade 8 are invited to attend Sunday School after the Message for Children. Youth in grades 6-8 may go to the Middle School class in the church house library, all Sundays except the first Sunday of the month. Calendar of Prayer Sessions and Congregations are invited to pray for the congregations, pastors, members and staff of the Presbytery of Elizabeth during This week, we pray for The Officers of the Presbytery of Elizabeth. Online Sermons Recorded audio sermons from most Sundays are available on the church website at To access, click on the Sermons link under Worship and Music on the main menu. Amplification Headsets So that all may enjoy the worship service, sound amplification headsets are available from the ushers for those who need assistance with hearing. Who Does God Call Us to Be? We are a vibrant, warm and welcoming community of faith. Those who worship here come from a diverse range of backgrounds and would describe themselves in a rich variety of ways. We acknowledge our doubt, our struggles, and that we are all quite human and imperfect and that we are each at a unique place on our faith journey. We find our unity, our common identity, in Jesus Christ and together we seek to joyfully worship God and energetically minister to the needs of the world on God s behalf. We gather in anticipation of being transformed by the power, purpose and presence of God among us, and go forth equipped to love God and neighbor more deeply and more wholeheartedly. We believe that faithful leadership of a church requires being open to new possibilities, taking risks and learning from mistakes as we try again. Honoring the past, we are convinced that God calls us to a new future. ~The Opening Paragraph of Vision 2017 of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge

2 December 21, 2014 Order of Worship 9:00 a.m. Chapel; 10:15 a.m. Sanctuary Fourth Sunday in Advent (As the prelude begins, please prepare prayerfully for worship and be sure all cell phones are turned off.) PRELUDE (9:00) Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming Johannes Brahms (10:15) The Holly and The Ivy arr., Anna Laura Page Knox Bell Choir LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Leader: Bless the Lord with me, for God is great. People: The Mighty One has done great things. Leader: Pray for the gift of love from God: People: Shine in our lives, Lord Jesus Christ. Leader: Most High God, for you nothing is impossible. Through a poor young woman in a small town you gave birth to your realm of endless glory. By your Holy Spirit, fill us with new life and hope and overshadow us with your power and grace so that we, like Mary, might be your servants, bearing witness to the promise of your Word; through Jesus Christ, who is coming to reign. People: The Mighty One has done great things. (9:00) Mike Rountree (10:15) Donna Anderle *HYMN 92 While We Are Waiting, Come waiting PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Dr. Maureen Paterson God our maker, we confess that we are not ready to meet you. You offer us a place in your house, yet we find no room for you in our lives. You invite us into your eternal realm, yet we fail to welcome others. Forgive us, God of grace. Let your word of life be with us so that we may truly believe that nothing is impossible with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. SILENT REFLECTION AND CONFESSION OF SIN *Those who are able are invited to stand.

3 PRAYER RESPONSE (unison) Change My Heart, O God (sing once) Hymn 695 ASSURANCE OF PARDON *RESPONSE OF PRAISE (unison) Gloria, Gloria (sing twice) *THE PEACE Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: I invite you to turn and greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace. WORDS OF WELCOME SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (10:15) PRESENTATION Benjamin Kyle Bentley Elders Mark and Janet Bentley Son of Chris and Sarah Bentley Sponsors: Mike Bentley, Kyle and Katrina Strang PROFESSION OF FAITH (unison) Adapted from a Brief Statement of Faith In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we are claimed in the waters of baptism, fed with the bread of life, and called to be God s people. We trust in the one triune God whom alone we worship and serve. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

4 Elder: Do you, as members of this church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Benjamin by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging him to know and follow Christ and to be a faithful member of this church? If so, please say we do. People: We do. THE BAPTISM PRESENTATION OF BAPTISMAL GIFTS WELCOME Elder: Let us welcome Benjamin. People: With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you into Christ s church to share with us in his ministry, for we are all one in Christ. (10:15 Children ages 3 through grade 8 may go to Sunday School) *HYMN 88 (10:15) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vv. 1, 2 and 5) veni emmanuel SCRIPTURE LESSONS Luke 1: p. 56 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. SERMON Fear Not Rev. Dennis W. Jones PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERING (10:15) Kayla Kelly SOLO (9:00) The Virgin s Slumber Song Max Reger Melinda Porter, soprano ANTHEM (10:15) Candlelight Carol John Rutter Sanctuary Choir *DOXOLOGY (unison) Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION RECOGNITION OF LINDA LANGSTAFF (10:15) PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION 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. *HYMN 134 Joy to the World antioch BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Prelude on Hark! the Herald Angels Sing David Willcocks

5 Church Family The Flowers on the Piers this morning are given to the glory of God. ~ By Ned Nelson and Teresa Lane, in loving memory of grandmothers Mary Kerney Kuser and Katherine Sweeney. The flowers that grace our sanctuary each week are gifts from members of the congregation. Flowers may be given in memory or in honor of someone, to celebrate an occasion or simply to contribute to the beauty of our service. There is one pier opening on January 4 and 18. If you would like to donate an arrangement, please contact Debbie Schaub at ; debbie.schaub@verizon.net. flowers Our Greeters this morning are Michael and Judy Pasnik and Nancy Kuhn at the 10:15 a.m. service. Join us for Coffee and Fellowship between services beginning at 9:45 a.m., hosted by Michelle and Lee Horner, and after the 10:15 a.m. worship service, hosted by Hal and Jann Slapin. Walk to Bethlehem Starts at 4 p.m. Today Join the annual walk to Bethlehem beginning at 4 p.m. today. A candlelight procession will make its way to four churches in town. Carols will be sung at each church and the Christmas Story will be told. The walk will begin at St. James Roman Catholic Church and will end here at BRPC. All are welcome to join in this special community event. Youth and Young Adult Ministries Senior High (Gr ) My Faith, My Life 11:30 a.m. today Library Come and enjoy bagels with Bob Taylor and a discussion aimed at answering the question What are the 5 most important things in your life? See you there! Senior High Fellowship (Grades 9-12) from 7-9 p.m. Youth Center Join us for our White Elephant Christmas Party tonight! Please bring a wrapped gift at a maximum cost of $10 and wear your ugly sweater. All youth and alumni are invited! Coming up: Senior High Lock-in: Sat., January 3 beginning at 7 p.m. through Sunday, January 4. We will conclude with attending the10:15 a.m. service together. Come and enjoy games, fun, a guest speaker, movie and more! Middle School Bibles & Bagels (Gr. 6-8) Middle School Bibles & Bagels returns today to have a discussion about Advent. Bibles & Bagels will not meet on December 28, January 4 or January 11. We will return on Sunday, January 18. Middle School Fellowship (Gr. 6-8) Join us for a special movie and game day on Monday, Dec. 29 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Middle School students may be dropped off for the entire time or just part of the time. Lunch and snacks will be served. (We will not meet on Dec. 24 or 31 due to the holidays. Regularly scheduled Middle School Fellowship will return on Wednesday, January 7.)

6 The Poinsettias in Our Sanctuary Today have been given to the Glory of God in Loving Memory of: Mr. and Mrs. Hans Anders Ronald and Gloria Blake Jessie Bledsoe Dr. Robert G. Bramel Joe Brewer Priscilla Carswell Bruno Betty Buckley Betsy and Willie Camp Archibald and Priscilla Carswell Miriam and Roy Cooney Alice Corstorphine Douglas Crane Agnes and David Crowe Natalie and Rocco Dameo Rocque Dameo Elda Delli Paoli M.A. and Elizabeth Deutsch Carol Fricke Mary Halliday Elizabeth and Edgar Hoag Parents of Paul and Marilou Howe Emmie Weigell Lamp Anne B. Lewis Ralph and Pauline Lewter Gladys and Charlton Lobb Pat Lord Ruth Hart Roy Mansfield Joan Fitzhenry Marchesi Joseph H. McKay and Molly McKay John Merchak John Meyers Gertrude and Charles Miller Susan and Guy Mills Gwill and Jean Mundy Nancy and John Nelson Jane Ott Helen and Arvid Pearson Gloria MacFayden Pilkington Pat and Phil Repage Ann and Newton Rodgers Rosemary Schaub Alexander Cody Schuler Warren Sim Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sinni Allan Hamilton Smith III Allan Hamilton Smith Jr. Frances Smith George and Marjorie Snader Alexander Speal, Sr. Elly Todt Dorothy and Alvah Voorhees Harriet Watson Howard Watson Fred Winters

7 Christmas Season Annual Carol Sing Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. Join us for the 91st annual carol sing on Christmas Eve, starting promptly with the ringing of the church bells at 7:00 p.m. and concluding at 7:30 p.m. Come and keep alive this wonderful tradition celebrating Christ's birth. If you are a brass player who would like to play for the carol sing or a volunteer who might like to distribute song sheets, please contact Jim Felter, jim.felter@gmail.com. Christmas 2014 Worship Schedule Christmas Eve, December 24 Christmas Day, December 25 4:30 p.m. Young Children s Service 11:00 a.m. Come As You Are Little Spirit Choir Informal Worship 7:35 p.m. Family Service Dr. Maureen Paterson, preaching Spirit, Middle School Youth and Bell Choirs 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service Rev. Dennis Jones, preaching Sr. High Youth and Alumni and Sanctuary Choirs Adult Small Group Sunday Small Group 9 a.m. on January 18 Beginning on January 18th the 9 a.m. Sunday Small Group will begin a discussion of Marcus Borg s book The Heart of Christianity. While written in 2003 this book is just as relevant for today s believer as it attempts to help us understand what it means to be a follower of God and how to live a life of passionate faith. Books will be available in the Church Office for $10 for those who need a copy. New members are always welcome. New Worship Service Oak Table Service/Come As You Are Our new alternative worship service begins this Lenten season! The Oak Table Service will be an informal and interactive worship experience for people of all ages wherever you are on your spiritual journey. It will take place on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. in Westminster Hall beginning February 21, Children are welcomed to attend with parents and the Nursery will be available as a mother s room.

8 Music Ministries Interim Director of Music Ministries Commencing January 12, 2015, we will welcome Clifford Parrish to serve as our Interim Director of Music Ministries following Mary Lou Stevens retirement. Cliff, a Bernardsville resident, recently retired himself after serving as the Music Director/Organist at the Stanley Congregational Church in Chatham for almost 40 years. His academic background includes a Master of Music Degree from the Westminster Choir College, and he has both taught and directed musicals in local schools and colleges. We are fortunate to have such a gifted, experienced music director available to serve us through Lent while the Music Director Search Committee completes its effort to find a long term successor to Mary Lou Stevens. Stewardship 2015 We are Grateful for the Generosity of the Congregation Thank you to the 210 families and individuals who have made pledge commitments for 2015 totaling $779,376. In response to prayerful consideration of what God is calling them to do, many in our congregation have increased their pledges from last year. We are excited and encouraged by the 24 new pledges so far this year. Those of you still in thought and prayer about your commitment to the mission and ministry of our church are encouraged to return a pledge card as soon as possible so we can complete our plans for the coming year. You may also pledge online at Fellowship

9 Opportunities to Give and Serve 9 AM Chapel Service Good News & Opportunities to Usher Volunteers have signed up to usher during months of January and March This is indeed good news for Chapel ushering. We still are looking for ushers for the month of February. As February is practically here, we raise this to your attention in the hope you would be willing to usher during this month. We offer on the job training and encouragement. Please contact Rudy Hyzer and/or sign up to usher using the BRPC web site if you would find ushering interesting and enjoyable. Giving Tree Thanks Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of members of the congregation, we were able to supply well over 200 gifts from the Giving Tree this year. These gifts will make Christmas a little merrier for clients of Homeless Solutions and God's Co-op Pantry. Thanks to Ken Warman for delivering the gifts to Homeless Solutions and to the many volunteers at God's Co-op Pantry for overseeing the distribution of these gifts. Each year we add more tags and each year we are astounded by your willingness to give to others. Thank you for embodying God's love. Alternative Gift Fair Thanks Thanks to all who purchased Alternative Gifts for loved ones this year. Mission Council is pleased to report that we raised almost $4000 for mission partners through this initiative. Thanks to all who assisted with the fair at Bishop Janes Methodist Church as well as those who spearheaded this project. Join Us for these Upcoming Services and Events! December 28 Single Service of Lessons and Carols at 10:15 a.m. January 11 Retirement Celebration for Mary Lou Stevens February 21 Oak Table Service/Come As Y ou Are

10 It s About BRPC s Future! We need your help in identifying the best candidates for important leadership positions at BRPC. A sense of God s call to serve, coupled with a willingness to serve, is much more important than any particular set of skills or talents. Please prayerfully consider those who play significant roles in the life and activities of BRPC today, who bring experience from another church, who may have new and imaginative ideas for the future, and who will dedicate their energy to moving God s work forward. Since you know yourself much better than does anyone else, please feel free to submit your own name if you believe that you are called to serve. All active members of the congregation are eligible for nomination at the May, 2015, congregational meeting. Elders constitute the Session, the ruling body of the church, and have full responsibility for policies, personnel and programs of the church. They also operate as chairs of the various Councils and committees. Deacons carry out a ministry of care, communication and hospitality to the members. Trustees responsible for the corporate/financial operations including the overall care and maintenance of the church properties. The Financial Review Committee verifies the statistical and financial records of the church. The Nominating Committee selects candidates for election to the boards. To make a suggestion, please complete the form below and return it to the Church Office. The Nominating Committee: Rev. Dennis Jones (ex-officio), Butch Cooper (Trustee), Don Grossmann, Jeff Schaub, Peggy Harris (Deacon), Jean Wadsworth, Chris Whitlock, and Nancy Bedner (Elder, Chair). CHURCH OFFICER CANDIDATE FOR NOMINATION Candidate Name: Office: I believe this person would be a good candidate because:

11 Weekly Calendar SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 Early Bird Bible Study, 7:45 am... Library Worship, 9:00 am... Chapel Preschool JAM program, 9:00 am... Ed. Bldg. Fellowship Time, 9:45 am... Westminster Hall Worship, 10:15 am... Sanctuary Sunday School, 10:15 am... Westminster Hall Bibles & Bagels, 10:15 am... Library Fellowship Time, 11:15 am... Westminster Hall Alumni Choir Rehearsal, 11:30 am.. Knox Room My Faith, My Life, 11:30 am... Library Walk to Bethlehem, 4:00 pm... St. James Church Senior High Fellowship, 7:00 pm... Youth Center MONDAY DECEMBER 22 TUESDAY DECEMBER 23 Youth Bells, 1:30 pm... Sanctuary WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24-CHRISTMAS EVE Children s Service, 4:30 pm... Sanctuary Caroling on the Green, 7:00 pm... Town Green Family Service, 7:35 pm... Sanctuary Candlelight Service, 10:00 pm... Sanctuary THURSDAY DECEMBER 25-CHRISTMAS Christmas Worship Service, 11:00 am Sanctuary FRIDAY DECEMBER 26 Church Office Closed SATURDAY DECEMBER 27 SUNDAY DECEMBER 28 One Worship Service, 10:15 am... Sanctuary Fellowship Time, 11:15 am... Westminster Hall The Presbyterian Church One East Oak St., Basking Ridge NJ FAX: info@brpc.org - Pastor & Head of Staff Rev. Dennis W. Jones... ext. 15 Associate Pastor Dr. Maureen Paterson... ext. 11 Parish Associate Rev. Bruce E. Schundler Director of Ministries to Youth, Young Adults and their Families Donna Anderle... ext. 17 Director of Ministries to Children Jacqueline Obregon.... ext. 14 Tree House Director Jennifer Nowack Minister of Music Mary Lou Stevens Director of Children s Music Ministry Beth Donley Handbell Director Linda Langstaff Seminarian Kayla Kelly Church Administrator & Treasurer Janet Bentley... ext. 18 Assistant Treasurers Liz Messineo... ext. 21 Nancy Kuhn... ext. 21 Pastoral Administrative Asst. Cara Burchett... ext. 19 Church Administrative Asst. Pam Smith... ext. 12 Receptionist Michelle Berger... ext. 10 Communications Coordinator Gary Ingram... ext. 13 Sexton Staff Peter O Connor... ext. 16 David Brownlee Ministers All the People Clerk of Session Tina Bramel President of Trustees Rudy Hyzer Moderator of Deacons Pamela Meyers