First Presbyterian Church. Valatie, NY. Where friends are made, faith is nurtured, service begins and All Are Welcome! First Presbyterian Church

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1 SESSION Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Nancy Pienta Steve Hohneker Rick Jacker Chuck Shattenkirk Sarah Sayers Moderator: Rev. Kathi L. Jones Clerk of Session: Nancy Pienta DEACONS Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Rosalie Hemingway Betsy Gorman Judy Bury Hertha Matuszek Laurae Hoffmann Co-moderators: Judy Bury Hertha Matuszek Church Treasurer: Sandra Hohneker Assistant Treasurer: Vieve Gay Financial Secretary: Bill Ring First Presbyterian Church Valatie, NY 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 Nick Becker Where friends are made, faith is nurtured, service begins and All Are Welcome!

2 December 23, :00am. SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT * * * * * Gathering in the Name of the Lord (In silence and meditation prepare yourself for worship) LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION MISSION STATEMENT (Unison) 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. *INTROIT 92 While We Are Waiting, Come CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively) The time has come to give thanks: For what was, what is, what is to come. The time has come to bless: The One who created us and the neighbors who share creation. The time has come to labor: To birth peace, to bring forth plenty, to nurture love. The time has come to welcome. *HYMN 104 LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES O Lord, How Shall I Meet You ADVENT SONG A Candle is Burning (tune 115 Away in a Manger) A candle is burning, a candle of love, A candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth, For Jesus is bringing God s love to our earth. THIS WEEK S CALENDAR Fourth Sunday of Advent TODAY 9:30am. Adult Education 11:00am. Worship 12:15pm. Coffee Hour MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 12noon 8:00pm. Christmas Eve Merry Christmas! EPISTLE DEADLINE! No Food Pantry Christmas Eve Worship Service of Lessons and Carols and Candlelight Looking Ahead NEXT SUNDAY December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas 9:30am. 11:00am. 12:15pm. No Sunday School or Adult Education Worship Installation of Officers Coffee Hour Congregation and Community Birthday This Week 12/23 Tamara Armstrong CALL TO CONFESSION

3 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Given in Honor of: Family and Friends Who Have Passed, are Present and yet to Come Alicia, Rob, Leita and Randy Albertson Our Children and Grandchildren Rev. Kathi and Rev. Stark Jones Our Precious Great Grandson Harlan Nicholas Marie and Dan Wloch Given in Memory of: Our Parents My Parents and Grandparents Our Parents Judy Hoffmann Eugene Johnson Hertha and Lars Johnson Our Parents Loved Ones Ruth and Don Williams Betty And Bob VanAllen Grace and Walter Simpson Our Mom, Ellie DiPace Judy and Gale Bury Rosalie Hemingway Sandy and Steve Hohneker Laurae and Alexis Hoffmann Dorothy Johnson The family of Hertha and Lars Johnson Rev. Kathi and Rev. Stark Jones Karen and Jim Leffinwell Richard Ludington Richard Ludington Jo-anna Michalek Holly and Tal Rappleyea PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) God, our God: We confess that we probably wouldn t recognize an angel if you sent one. We confess that we would prefer not to listen to any angels we might recognize; that we would prefer that you not ask us to commit our lives to your service. We confess that we would prefer to say no after we have heard your request. We confess that we are more frightened than we ever imagined. Forgive us our fear and give us the courage to see, to hear, to realize, and to accept that you love us enough to trust us in spite of this. SILENT PRAYER FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE 121 (v. 4) Proclaiming the Word O Little Town of Bethlehem PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION. (Unison) Almighty God, long ago you chose a humble girl to be blessed among women by playing an important part in your saving plan. Make us blessed as well, not because of any virtue that we may possess, but by virtue of our having a role in your dawning reign upon the earth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5:2-5a (O.T. pg. 849) GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-55 (N.T. pg. 56) NOT FOR CHILDREN ONLY HYMN 98 (v. 1, 2, 6) SERMON To a Maid Whose Name Was Mary Music in the Midst of Life

4 Responding to the Word MINUTE FOR MISSION SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD S PRAYER OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS (sins, sin) The August 2011 and May 2017 Panel surveys both dealt with immigration and immigrant ministries, and the inclusion of a number of identical questions in the two surveys allows for analysis of change over time. The Panel was re-sampled in fall 2011 and in , so the panelists who participated in the 2017 survey were not the same panelists who participated in Presbyterians more favorable impression of immigrants is evident in the smaller number of Presbyterians who link undocumented immigrants with specific social problems, Chang says. *RESPONSE 144 (v. 4) In the Bleak Midwinter *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison) Dear God, you hear every prayer, know all intentions, and read well our hidden fears we are afraid of giving too much and having too little. We are ennobled by the sacrifice of so many and pledge in passion to surrender all. Yet in the light of the morning after, we renege. So, here we are again asking you to take what we can barely part with and stretch it. Take our hearts, too, and stretch them so that in the future we will give ever more, welcome ever more, forgive ever more, feed ever more, and clothe ever more than we have thus far. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. *HYMN 645 *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *PASSING THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Go in peace. Amen. * * * * * * - indicates that all who are able, may stand. Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Responsively) The 2011 and 2017 surveys asked Presbyterians how much they believe the presence of undocumented immigrants is responsible for a list of social problems. There were three problems covered in both surveys: disrespect for the law, low wages and terrorism in the United States. Presbyterians are also more involved than they were before in ministries with immigrants. This is the case both for PC(USA) worshiping communities and for individual Presbyterians. The increase in involvement with immigrant ministries also connects with the fact that Presbyterians continue to rate immigrant ministries as an important part of PC(USA) ministries. Given Presbyterians more favorable view of immigrants and greater involvement in immigrant ministries, it should come as no surprise that few Presbyterians approve of several recent proposals to limit refugees and immigration. Even fewer ministers than members back the recent proposals. The results are encouraging, particularly given what appears is the current anti-immigration climate of the country, says Lemuel Garcia- Arroyo, who coordinates the Presbyterian Mission Agency s support for intercultural ministries and congregations of color.

5 MOST PRESBYTERIANS OPPOSE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO LIMIT REFUGEES, IMMIGRATION Research Services finds biblical attitudes on immigration in latest survey results by Melody K. Smith Presbyterian News Service Presbyterians are taking the biblical mandate to welcome the stranger more seriously than they did six years ago, a survey on immigration and refugees indicates. LOUISVILLE Presbyterians view immigrants more favorably than they did in 2011 and are more involved in immigrant ministries than they were in the past. These are the key findings of the May 2017 Presbyterian Panel survey on Immigration, Refugees, and Immigrant Ministries. The results were released earlier this month. These attitudes seem to reflect that Presbyterians take pretty seriously the biblical mandate to welcome the stranger, said Susan Krehbiel, who works on refugee and asylum issues for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The passage in Hebrews (13:2) urging Christians to welcome strangers is very important or important to how most members and ministers of the Word and Sacrament understand contemporary immigration and refugee issues, panelists responses show. The Hebrews passage reads: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (NRSV) It is also clear from survey responses that Presbyterians are skeptical about several recent immigration and refugee policy initiatives coming out of Congress and the administration, said Dr. Perry Chang, sociologist and research associate. The Presbyterian Panel is made of up of representative samples of ministers of the Word and Sacrament and members of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations who respond to quarterly surveys on topics that are important to the denomination. Lay reader today is Matthew Jones. Lighting the Advent candles today are Randy and Alicia Albertson. Greeting at the front door this morning is Rosalie Hemingway. Tending the nursery today is Alicia Albertson. George Matuszek is head usher for December. PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY Wayne Austin Lucy Haemmerlein Mary and Charles Heermance Ricky Jacker Laura Kinnicutt Geraldine and Bruce McCrum Marc Petrie Marie and Daniel Wloch PRAY FOR OUR EXTENDED FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THE WORLD Bea Croteau, Marge s friend Caren Stewart Ardelle s neighbor, Linda The Handley Family Those who have lost loved ones California fires and victims

6 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 cold cereals for children and adults, tuna, individual fruit cups, protein bars, canned fruit and vegetables. 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. TOMMOROW IS CHRISTMAS EVE. We have a service of worship at 8:00pm. which will be Lessons and Carols and Candlelight. We encourage children to come in their pajamas. There will be a special Christmas story for them. The nursery will be open, but there will not be any nursery attendant. It s not too late to pay the per capita amount of $43.00 per member for Our total as a church is $3,150. which is an obligation we need to meet as part of the connectional church. If each member would contribute to defray the cost, it would allow our budget to stretch farther and support more program here and in our community. Many thanks to those who have already submitted theirs. Pledge responses have been coming in slowly. So far, we have received 25 cards including 3 new pledges. We are encouraged by the increases many have made. If you have not yet sent in your Pledge Card for 2019, please do so as soon as possible. We would like to have a response from every member by the end of the year so we know what we have to work with in the new year. We are hosting the St. Luke's Dinner on Tuesday, January 15. We will need people to help prepare and serve. If you can help in any way please speak with Nancy Pienta or Pastor Kathi. Please sign up to prepare a coffee hour on either the first Sunday or the third Sunday of the month. Hertha Matuszek has a schedule and she will be happy to explain what is needed. These coffee hours are meant to be easy to prepare with one baked good (purchased at the store or homemade), a cold beverage (juice or ice-tea etc.) and coffee. We continue to collect clothes for the Rescue Mission in Albany. Gently used clothing, bedding, and shoes are always welcome. A box for your donations is located next to the Pastor s Study. The Our Daily Bread and The Upper Room devotionals for January are available on the table. Consider picking up a copy of these helpful devotionals and making it a part of your daily time of prayer and Bible reading. A gift of 2019 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! If you are responsible for an Annual Report, please turn it in to the office as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.