ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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1 WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Warm greetings and love in Christ are extended to all gathered in this house of worship. A double asterisk (**) indicates you may rise in body or in spirit as you are able. Large print hymnals, bulletins and hearing assist units are available from an usher. Please respectfully allow all to worship by keeping all cell phones/pagers silent or off. Please record your name and address on the Ministry of Friendship (red folder at the end of the row). Pass it to the end of the row and back to see with whom you worship. Children are always welcome in worship services. If parents prefer, a nursery for infants and toddlers is available in the North Wing. Children s Bibles are located on the wooden tree at the rear of Sanctuary. Use them to engage your children in scripture. You will find this Sunday s reading on page 31, Third Sunday of Advent. Please return the Bibles to the tree after worship. Children's Worship bags are located on the wooden tree for children through 5th grade. Take the bulletin and activity sheets home, but please return the bag with all other materials to the tree after worship. Children 3 years through 3rd grade are invited to the Westminster Room (1st floor south area of main building) for Children and Worship following Time with Children in the 11:00 a.m. service. The Peace Candle on the Communion Table is a reminder to pray for world peace. Visitors are invited to share a candle with their home church by picking one up at the Information Center in the Narthex. - Gathering Around the Word - In the ancient world, various peoples lit fires to mark the turning of the light into winter s season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has Christianized that practice in the lighting of the Advent wreath. To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until the dawning of that great day, we watch and wait in the Holy Spirit for Christ s coming into the darkness of our world, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, and remembering the promises of God with prayer. ORGAN PRELUDE.Prelude on In dulci jubilo - Marcel Dupré.Fugue on the Magnificat, BWV J.S. Bach GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY Sharing Christ s Peace Greet one another: "The peace of Christ be with you. Response to one another: And also with you. CHORAL INTROIT. Veni, veni, Emmanuel CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Community: ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 11, :30 and 11:00 a.m. Watch and wait for Christ s coming! We light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.

2 Leader: Community: On this Third Sunday of Advent: We light a candle in hope. We light a candle for peace. We light a candle in joy. LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF JOY My Soul in Stillness Waits Refrain (89) For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits; Truly my hope is in you. (Sing twice) UNISON PRAYER God of joy, out of death you bring life. Renew us in your joy, so that we may be alert to the dawning of Christ s advent among us. God of promise, God of hope, into our darkness come. Amen. **PROCESSIONAL HYMN 82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus FIRST LESSON.Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7 (OT, p. 600) Chancel Choir: And the Glory of the Lord (from Messiah) - G. F. Handel SECOND LESSON..Isaiah 11:1-9 (OT, p. 602) Congregational Carol Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming THIRD LESSON Micah 5:2-5a (OT, p. 815) Chancel Choir A Stable Lamp is Lighted - D. Hurd FOURTH LESSON Luke 1:26-35, 38 (NT, p. 53) Chancel Choir: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came - Basque carol FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7 (NT, p. 54) Congregational Carol 121 vs. 1, 3, 4 - O Little Town of Bethlehem TIME WITH CHILDREN Children s Carol Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. SIXTH LESSON.. Luke 2:8-20 (NT, p. 54) Congregational Carol Infant Holy, Infant Lowly PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER SEVENTH LESSON.Matthew 2:1-12 (NT, p. 1) INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP PRESENTATION OF OUR LIVES AND OFFERINGS Offertory Prayer Offertory What Sweeter Music? - J. Rutter

3 EIGHTH LESSON John 1:1-5, 9-14 (NT, p. 86) Chancel Choir: Gaudete - arr. M. Burkhardt **CHARGE AND BLESSING **Carol 132 vs. 2, 3 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! He has opened heaven s door, and we are blest for evermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! ORGAN POSTLUDE In dulci Jubilo, BWV J.S. Bach Liturgists: Advent Candle Lighters: Organist/Dir of Music: Cont. Music Coord.: Musicians: Ushers: Greeters: Counters: Fair Trade Store: - ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY - (8:30) Leah Hrachovec, Pastor, Everett Miller, Associate Pastor (11:00) Leah Hrachovec, Pastor, Deb Meinke, Interim Associate Pastor (8:30) Kelly, Brenda, and Katharine Nipp (11:00) Mike, Kristen, Mack and Katelin Kulling Rebecca te Velde Steve Foust Brad Newcomb, organ, Matt Durkee and Eli Parsons, percussion (8:30) Cathy & Steve Fairbanks, Steve Stone (11:00) Elizabeth Bruce, Rick & Sue Dearinger (8:30) Cathy Grove (11:00) Jim Shaw, Kathy Thomas Rosetta Silver, Connie Stiegler, Phyllis Taylor, Mary Woods The 2017 Flower Calendar is now out for signup. A reminder to please pay for your 2016 flowers if you have not yet done so. If you are not sure whether or not you have paid, please check with Mary Beth in the church office: or marybeth.garoffolo@stillwaterfpc.org

4 - MUSIC NOTES BY REBECCA TE VELDE - We are indebted to the Chancel Choir for their long-term dedication and hard work in preparing the music for today s special choral service! Prelude: We begin and end today s service with In dulci jubilo ( In quiet joy ), #132 in Glory to God. The legendary French organ virtuoso and composer Marcel Dupré ( ) penned this lullaby-like setting (notice the rhythmic rocking ), both quiet and joyful. We thank Brad Newcomb for presenting this beautiful piece today. Bach s majestic Fugue is based on the German Magnificat (song of Mary), which was the only German canticle or psalm to keep its original, modal plainchant melody intact. Bach uses the two phrases of this melody as fugue subjects together with a countersubject. Ever-increasing complexity builds tension to the stunning entrance of the chorale melody in the pedals. Here in the profoundly moving climax (5-part texture), one can imagine Mary pouring out her soul in wonder, hope and joy. Choral Anthems: And the glory of the Lord : This is from Part I, the prophetic portion of Messiah, Handel s beloved oratorio, which was composed in 1741 and has been heard every year since in countless performances worldwide. A Stable Lamp Is Lighted : #160 in Glory to God, this a poignant meditation on Christ s life and death. You are invited to follow the text as the choir sings stanzas 1, 2 and 4. New York-based organist/composer David Hurd (b. 1950) has composed extensively for the church and is well represented in many hymnals. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came : A traditional Basque carol, the tune is called Gabriel s Message. Today the men of the choir sing Gabriel s words and the women sing Mary s response. What Sweeter Music : This is a particularly lush and expressive carol by the renowned British composer and conductor John Rutter (b. 1945). (We traditionally sing his Christmas Lullaby each Christmas Eve at the 11:00p.m. Candlelight Communion service, and will again this year.) The text is by Robert Herrick ( ). What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol, for to sing The birth of this, our heav nly King? Awake the voice! Awake the string! Dark and dull night, fly hence away, And give the honour to this day, That sees December turned to May, That sees December turned to May. We see him come, and know him ours, Who, with his sunshine and his showers, Turns all the patient ground to flowers, Turns all the patient ground to flowers. The darling of the world is come, And fit it is, we find a room To welcome him. To welcome him. The nobler part of all the house here Is the heart. Why does the chilling winter s morn Smile, like a field beset with corn? Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn, Thus, on the sudden? Come and see The cause, why things thus fragrant be: Tis He is born, whose quickening birth Gives life and luster, public mirth, To heaven, and the under-earth. Which we will give him; and bequeath This holly, and this ivy wreath, To do him honor; who s our King, And Lord of all this revelling. What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol for to sing The birth of this, our heav nly King.

5 - MUSIC NOTES CONTINUED- Gaudete ( Rejoice ): American organist/composer Michael Burkhardt (b. 1957) has effectively arranged this 14 th -century carol with percussion, and we thank Matt and Eli for their collaboration with the choir. Gaudete! Gaudete! Rejoice! Rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine: Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: Gaudete! Rejoice! Postlude: Bach composed several settings of In dulci jubilo, including this famously forceful, exuberant one (not quiet joy!). Here Bach calls to mind not only the choirs of angels, but also the import of Christ s human birth. This piece is considered the traditional postlude for a service of Lessons and Carols as made famous by the choir of Kings College in Cambridge, U.K., broadcast live around the world every Christmas Eve. Today! Chili Supper & Carol Sing Sunday, December 11 ~ 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Come enjoy good chili or broccoli-cheese soup, joyful singing, and fellowship as warm as the chili. Leading the carols and songs is Jim Showalter, accompanied by Marilyn King. Bring your family and bring a friend! Donations are accepted to defray the cost of the food prepared by the Fellowship Committee. The 2016 Christmas Joy Offering will be received December 11, 18 and 24. Please prayerfully consider participating in this offering which provides assistance to retired and active church workers and their families and supports Presbyterianrelated racial ethnic education. HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Tuesday, December 13 ~ Blue Christmas Service 12:00 pm Worship Center Sunday, December 18 ~ One Worship Service at 9:30 am No church school classes Children and Youth Music Sunday Saturday, December 24 ~ 6 pm Christmas Eve Worship for families 11 pm Traditional Christmas Eve service Candle lighting and Communion at both services. Sunday, December 25 ~ One Worship Service at 9:30 am No church school classes

6 - ANNOUNCEMENTS - OUR WORSHIP IS BROADCAST ON KSPI AM (780) AT 11:00 A.M. EACH SUNDAY. ADVENT DEVOTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES in the Narthex display across from the Information Center. There are many choices to enrich your Advent experience. DON T FORGET TO SHOP AT THE FAIR TRADE STORE in the Hospitality Area on S u n d a y m o r n i n g s. You can purchase items from around the world. HOLIDAY HELPERS ARE NEEDED IN THE NURSERY to play and care for our youngest members one Sunday in December or January during worship. To volunteer for this special treat contact the Church Office or FPChurch1889@stillwaterfpc.org. THE GIVING TREE IS UP IN THE NARTHEX. Please choose a card(s) from the tree, shop, and return the gifts with the card attached by the date on the card. Gifts with cards need to be returned by Sunday, December 11. POINSETTIA ORDERS: If you would like to help decorate the Sanctuary with poinsettias for the Christmas Season, complete the form on page 11 and return to the church office by December 12. Today: ANNUAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS will be at both the 8:30 and 11:00 am worship services. CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES for adults at 9:45 am. SPIRITLINK ADVENT EVENT will be in the Multipurpose Room during the Sunday School hour for all children and youth and those young at heart. Come join us! PYG (PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH GROUP) does not meet today. CHILI SUPPER AND CAROL SING is today at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Ministry will prepare chili, soup, and the fixings. Bring your friends to this intergenerational event that includes singing favorite carols with Marilyn King and Jim Showalter. This Week: BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE will be Tuesday at 12:10 pm in the Worship Center. SESSION meets Tuesday at 5:30 in the Multipurpose Room. PW COORDINATING TEAM will meet on Wednesday at 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall. THE PW LUNCHEON is Wednesday at 11:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. CHOIR REHEARSAL Wednesday 7:30 pm in the Westminster Room. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY 10:00 am in the Hospitality Area. SATURDAY BRUNCH MINISTRY: from 11:00 am to noon each Saturday a free meal is served to the community in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Nancy Franklin at (405) SPIRITLINK SINGERS REHEARSAL AND COOKIE CONCERT will be Saturday, December 17 from 10 am - 12 pm in the Westminster Room. We will rehearse the music for Sunday, December 18, and then share our musical talents and cookies in an informal concert.

7 Next Sunday, December 18 ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent CHANGE TO ONE WORSHIP SERVICE on Sunday, December 18 at 9:30 am. No Sunday School classes or Rejoice! this week. SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING CALLED. Session has called a congregational meeting for SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH following the 9:30am worship service for the purpose of voting on Rev. Everett Miller's request that his call as associate pastor be dissolved (effective December 31st.) We will remain in the Sanctuary for this meeting. CALLING ALL CHILDREN! If your child(ren) would like to have a part as an angel or shepherd in the 6:00pm Family Christmas Eve service, please gather in the Church Library following the congregational meeting (about 10:45 am) on Sunday, December 18 for a costume fitting, information about your part, and when to be here on Christmas Eve. PYG (PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH GROUP) Christmas Party will be Sunday, December 18 at the Baldwin s house, 4 Yellow Brick Drive. Looking ahead - ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUTED - PYG WILL take a break over Christmas and will resume on Sunday, January 8 at 5:00 pm in the Youth Suite.

8 - THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - TODAY - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 am Service of Lessons and Carols.SAN 9:15 am Rejoice!...WC 9:45 am Sunday School Class for adults 9:45 am SpiritLink Advent Event...MPR 11:00 am Service of Lessons and Carols..SAN 6:00 pm Chili Supper and Carol Sing FH MONDAY 8:45 am Morning Prayers... WC 4:00 pm Stillwater Community Foundation HA THURSDAY 8:45 am Morning Prayers... WC 10:00 am Bible Study... HA 1:00 pm Brown Foundation... HA FRIDAY SATURDAY 9:00 am 7th Day Adventist... WC 10:00 am SpiritLink Cookie Concert.WR 11:00 am Saturday Brunch Ministry... FH TUESDAY 8:45 am Morning Prayers... WC 12:10 pm Blue Christmas Worship... WC 5:30 pm Session... MPR SUNDAY (DEC. 18) FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:30 am Worship... SAN 5:00 pm PYG Christmas Party...Baldwin s WEDNESDAY 8:30 am Midweek Communion... WC 10:10 am PW Coordinating Team... FH 11:45 am PW Luncheon... FH 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal... WR **Calendar reflects only church events and does not include all non-church related events and meetings. Please schedule ALL events through the Church Office. Main Building: BR = Blue Room (Youth Suite) LIB = Library HA = Hospitality Area HAK = Hospitality Area Kitchen MM = Modern Magi MPR = Multi Purpose Room NA = Narthex OR = Orange Room (Youth Suite) Location Key: PL= Parking Lot PRE = Preschool SAN = Sanctuary VES = Vestibule WC = Worship Center WR = Westminster Room YS = Youth Suite Fellowship Hall: FH = Fellowship Hall NFH = NORTH Fellowship Hall SFH = SOUTH Fellowship Hall KIT = Kitchen SDR = Small Dining Room FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 524 S. DUNCAN STREET STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA

9 A s in past years, the Worship Commiee will decorate the church with poinseias for the Christmas season. If you would like to help with the purchase of these, please fill out the form below and return it with payment in the offering plate or the Church Office by Monday, December 12. 1) Please below EXACTLY as you would like it to appear in the bulletin (December 18 & 25): To the Glory of God and the Christmas season, today s flowers are given by (your name(s) as you want it printed) (choose one) in memory of in celebration of in honor of (name, event, etc.) 2) Include your payment marked Poinsettia. (Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church ) # of poinseias x $12.50/each = $ total enclosed Check Cash Your Name: 3) Please check one: I/We will take a poinseia(s) home after the December 24, 11:00 p.m. service. Please use my contribution to purchase poinseias for the sanctuary that will be distributed to members by the Deacons at Christmas. I understand that any remaining money beyond what is needed for distribution will be used for the Christmas Joy Offering.

10 Nick Amidon Charlie Anaya Sr Shea Arnett Lily Beckstrom Jim Bellatti Jana Benningfield Margaret Ann Berry Allison Bills-Eustis Carol Bischoff Dawn Blair Bill Brewer Ken Breuninger Helen Britton Belinda Bruner Ted Burgoon Vivian Burgoon Tracy Carter Wayne Cartwright Billie Chambers Bennet Charles Marilyn Choike Betty Christian Allison Christy Abby Clapp Darlene Collyar Andee and Kannon Cooper Don Cooper Dona Cooper Dick Croom Heather Davidson Anita Davis Matthew Durham P C Ed Gallegos Marty Gallup Glenda Garrigus Dorothy Gibbons Charles Golden Kirby Glasscock Lauren Glynn Sam Hamilton Kendall Harvey Jan Henderson Mary Ann Henley Nelda Hershberger Bob Hert Jerry Hill Gene Holbrook Carolynne Hopkins Joyce Hufford Phyllis Irwin Sandy Ives Randy Jobe Carl Jones Ted Joy Choi Yung-ju Nelma Karnes Vickie Karns Mary Jane Kirchenbauer Tom Koehn Dottie Kraemer Karen Krehbiel Tom Kunz Phyllis Leaghty Hank Lett Wendy Long Charlene Longdon Tom Lutjens Lyndall Maddox David Marstellar Alyssa Matal Bernie McNickle Philip Meadows Tresa Miller Kendra Moreland Samantha Morwood Karen Mott Peggy Murphy Agnes Nichols Charlotte Nowakowski Robin Osborn Christine Parson Ella Parsons Jean Potts Aaron Ray Sally Ray Walker Reese Norma Roscoe Bradley Schutt Addi Shamburg Karen Shippey Brylee Shullanberg Laura Simmons Nancy Simpson Carrie & Robert Smith Family David Smith Ginny Smith Harvey Smith Raylene Smith Titus Smith Linda Stangl Rebekah Steadman Jamie Stephens Blaire Stevison Arlen Strate Jen Tapley Lorna te Velde Upendo Kids Nettie Vick Barbara Ware Linda Wasson Arvilla West Bob West Nona Wilhm Doyle Williams Emily Williams Jim Williams Mary Williams Amy Williamson and Isabele and Cooper Thomason Jim Wise Bold means added recently Larger Church: Synod of the Pacific