WORSHIP for THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 17, :30 A.M.

Transcription

1 WORSHIP for THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 17, :30 A.M. Grounded in the grace of God, we are a vibrant Christian community, disciples of all ages, gathered for worship and nurture, scattered to serve and to love. -MPC Mission Statement adopted by the Session March 31, 2008

2 Welcome to Morrisville Presbyterian Church WE WELCOME GUESTS AND VISITORS to our service today. If you are not a member, we invite you to consider membership with us. If you would like more information about how we can serve you, please speak to a pastor. FRIENDSHIP PAD: During the Words of Welcome, please pass the Friendship Pad to the outside aisle and back again to the center. This allows worshipers to recognize people in their pew, and helps staff members identify those who may need attention. THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are offered to the glory of God and are given by Dave and Jan Stoneburner in remembrance of Robert Stoneburner, Dave s father. The flowers are also given by Clark and DeeAnn Martin in loving memory of Michael Edward Neagley, DeeAnn s brother. USHERING AT TODAY S SERVICE: Head Usher David Stoneburner, Andy Beidler, Kym Bowser, Tom Evans, Rob Morris, Amy Schnurr and Andrea Wood. Junior Deacons are Jack Fancher, Brandon Schnurr and Evan Wadley. CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN UP TO AGE 4 is provided in the Nursery/Pre-School room from 9:15 a.m. 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Children, aged 0-2, are welcome in the nursery during our education hour (9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.). Children, aged 0-4, are welcome in the nursery during worship. Visitors, please feel free to utilize our nursery, or keep your children with you in worship. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for use anywhere in the sanctuary during worship. These pocketsized receivers are available from Deacons in either Narthex and are to be returned after the service. HYMNALS, BIBLES, & BULLETINS WITH LARGE PRINT are available during worship each Sunday morning from a Deacon in the Narthex. Please return the Hymnal and/or Bible after the service. PASTORAL CARE REMINDER Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach pastor Rachel Rhodes at , or pastor Debbie Heffernan at Thank you for your assistance. WORSHIP NOTE * The asterisk indicates that those who are able may please stand. PUBLICATION DEADLINES Please forward any announcements you would like included in the Bulletin by noon Tuesday of each week to Bulletin@MPCusa.net. Articles for the February edition of Currents are due by January 10. Send articles to Currents@MPCusa.net. C ONTACT US M ORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF 771 North Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA Office@MPCusa.net Rachel A. Rhodes, Senior Pastor & Head of Staff (ext. 234)... RachelRhodes@MPCusa.net Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Ministry (ext. 225) DebbieHeffernan@MPCusa.net Jack McAnlis, Minister of Visitation...JackMcAnlis@MPCusa.net Timothy Carpenter, Director of Music... TimCarpenter@MPCusa.net Geoffrey Shoffstall, Principal Organist... GeoffreyShoffstall@MPCusa.net Rich Drabb, Property Manager (ext. 231)... RichDrabb@MPCusa.net Laurie Jacobson, Bookkeeper (ext. 226)... LaurieJacobson@MPCusa.net Damon Miller, Communication Coordinator... DamonMiller@MPCusa.net Diane Toner, Administrative Assistant (ext. 0)... DianeToner@MPCusa.net 2

3 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT G A T H E R I N G PRELUDE Christmas Hymns & Carols Brass Ensemble WORDS of WELCOME 3 Pastor Rhodes MINUTE for MINISTRY Christmas Joy Offering Reverend Jack McAnlis LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES The Sumrall & McGuire Family O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer, our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. *CALL to WORSHIP One: Proclaim the good news: All: Forgiveness is coming! One: Shout to the Lord: All: Salvation is here! One: Let us prepare the way of the Lord. All: And let us worship God together! *HYMN 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion DeeAnn Martin BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN *PRAYER of CONFESSION Unison Pastor Heffernan Refining God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always determined what is best or made way for your reign in our lives, our church, and our society. Like the flowers of the field, our faithfulness wavers, blowing with every breeze and withering in the heat. We are inconstant, imperfect. We proclaim compassion, but leave those in the valley low, crying out for bread. We proclaim justice, but leave the lofty high above the lowly. We proclaim the Lord with our lips, but do not prepare the way with our lives. Forgive our hypocrisy, and level our hearts, Lord, that we may serve you. *SILENT PRAYERS of CONFESSION *RESPONSE 601 Amen (DANISH) Here each worshiper may offer silent prayers of confession. Congregation *PROMISE of FORGIVENESS One: Friends, I am confident of this: if we repent, God is sure to forgive us. The One who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Grateful for the promise of God s grace, let us proclaim the good news of the Gospel: All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

4 *RESPONSE to GOD S PARDON (back cover of hymnal) Glory to the Father GLORIA PATRI *THE PEACE One: The Peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us greet one another with the Peace of Christ. As a sign of their reconciliation in Christ, the people share the peace of Christ, greeting one another with these or similar words: The peace of Christ be with you, Peace be with you, or simply, Peace. PRAYER for ILLUMINATION L I T U R G Y o f t h e W O R D OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 40:1-11 (Old Testament, pages ) ANTHEM He Comes to Us as One Unknown - Jane Marshall / J.S. Bach, He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same words: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience who He is. -- Albert Schweitzer O Morning Star, how fair and bright thou beamest forth in truth and light, O Sovereign meek and lowly! Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son, my Lord and Master, thou has won my heart to serve thee solely! Thou art holy, fair and glorious, all-victorious, rich in blessing, rule and might o'er all possessing. -- Philip Nicolai TIME for YOUNG DISCIPLES Children in grades K-5 may leave for music time with Mr. Carpenter. Chancel Choir GOSPEL READING Mark 1:1-8 (New Testament, pages 32-33) One: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. SERMON Can I Get a Witness? Pastor Rhodes *HYMN 92 While We Are Waiting, Come WAITING (CASON) 4

5 AFFIRMATION of FAITH (Based on Isaiah 40) One: I hear a voice in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." All: I believe every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; I believe the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. I believe the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION THE LORD S PRAYER (page 35 in the hymnal, debts and debtors) OFFERING Invitation to Give Presentation of Gifts Offertory Music Savior of the Nations, Come D. Buxtehude *Doxology 606 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow *Prayer of Dedication S E N D I N G *HYMN 93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates *CHARGE and BLESSING *CHORAL RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Prepare the Way, O Zion - arr. Robert Hobby OLD HUNDREDTH TRURO 5

6 Christmas Memorial Contributions - Poinsettias IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Carol and Roberta Carroll Esther and Luther Frey and Frances and Orval Cope The Cope Family Beth and Randy Curtiss, John and Edith Damiani John and Donna Damiani, Charles and Inez Mitchell John and Donna Damiani Our brother, Mark Damiani John and Donna Damiani Kempton L. Franke, Lee Forsyth, Rowe and Frances Shirley (Franke) DeAngelis Forsyth, Betty Owens and George Hallowell Our Parents The Dickson Family Nancy Dugan, a wonderful mom and grammy Robb, Elizabeth, Nick and Riley Dugan Katie Austin Friends Maureen and Donal Heffernan Debbie and Patrick Heffernan Janis and Ernest Downs Debbie and Patrick Heffernan Earl and Marion Koose Carol Hernandez and Family Our daughter, Kristin Huggins Karen and Jim Huggins, Henry and Kathryn Houser Karen and Jim Huggins, Jesse and Charlotte Huggins Karen and Jim Huggins Our Grandparents and Richard B. Jacobsen The Jacobsen Family William R. Jorgensen His Loving Family Raymond S. Low, Genevieve S. Wagner Larry and Phyllis Low David R. Slover Larry and Phyllis Low John Ellis, Jr. Diane and Katey Marseglia My sister Kaye Patterson Jan Mendrey My parents, Earl and Elizabeth Rousseau Dolores Morris My grandfather, Earl Rousseau Robert Morris My grandmother, Elizabeth Rousseau Robert Morris My grandmother, Elizabeth Morris Robert Morris Wife Ellie Mulé and son Tony Mulé Gino Mulé, Carolyn and Merrill Smith Tom and David Smith, James and Marie Mallory and Otto Ward Gary and Sue Ward Our sister, Joy Deem Gary and Sue Ward My beloved husband, Charles Hill Connie Hill 6

7 IN CELEBRATION OF: The Joy of the Season Christmas Memorial Contributions - Poinsettias Christmas Memorial Contributions - Food Baskets IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Elaine Kreiling and Bonnie Werline, Helen and William Borden and Burtis Anderson My husband, parents and in-laws-jerry Ashmen, John and Mina Masine and Gerald and Dot Ashmen Florence and Frances McManus Phyllis and J.H. Gaston, Jr. Dot Scheidemantel, friend Raymond and Bessie Bunting, grandparents Harry and Edith Bunting, parents My parents, John and Anna Murray My husband, Ken Broadbent Esther and Luther Frey and Frances and Orval Cope, John and Edith Damiani, Charles and Inez Mitchell Our brother, Mark Damiani Kempton L. Franke, Lee Forsyth, Rowe and Frances Forsyth, Betty Owens and George Hallowell My brother, Edwin Allen Mary and Walter H. Ellis, Sr. Loved ones Felicia and Philip Humer Earl and Marion Koose George A. Hunger, Sr., Grace and James Doster, George and Sally Hunger William R. Jorgensen Becky Marseglia 7 Mark, Amy, Evan and Brandon Schnurr Bill Anderson Roger and Nancy Anderson Joan Ashmen Nancy Barron and Jim Gaston Nancy Barron and Jim Gaston Rae B. Bennett Rae B. Bennett Rae B. Bennett Joanne Broadbent Joanne Broadbent Tim and Carol Carpenter Carol and Roberta Carroll The Cope Family John and Donna Damiani John and Donna Damiani John and Donna Damiani Shirley (Franke) DeAngelis Bernice Donini J Ann Burgess Ellis Bob and Sandy Foster Alice and Sara Garcia Carol Hernandez and Family Dorothy Hunger Gail and Drew Hunger Gail and Drew Hunger His Loving Family Diane and Katey Marseglia

8 IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Van Ellis, III My parents, Frank and Myrtle Crawford My parents, Earl and Elizabeth Rousseau Rose Michel, Joan and Sandy Newman Stu and Dorothy Tomkins, Jennifer Newman Dorothea and Jack Rimler Our moms, Martha Habersaat and Clementine Scarano, Carolyn and Merrill Smith Lewis Speakman, Gladys Northrup Speakman, William Speakman and David Northrup Charles and Shirley Wagner and Robert Stoneburner, James and Marie Mallory and Otto Ward Our sister, Joy Deem Keith J. Whiteside IN CELEBRATION OF: Her children and granddaughter, her Church and other loved ones TO GIVE THANKS FOR: Mary Ann Johnson and Anne Orazi Our granddaughters, Ashley, Sarah, Stephanie and Erica Our wonderful Choir, Tim Carpenter and Geoffrey Shoffstall IN HONOR OF: Our loved ones Christmas Memorial Contributions - Food Baskets 8 Diane and Katey Marseglia Jan Mendrey Dolores Morris The Newman Family The Newman Family Dave and Nancy Powers Curtis E. Rimler Barbara and Anthony Scarano Tom and David Smith Donald Speakman David and Jan Stoneburner Gary and Sue Ward Gary and Sue Ward Keith s Wife, Children and Grandchildren Nancy Ackerman Bill Anderson Ross and Alice Gray Carolle Maust The Neiman Family Christmas Memorial Contributions - Music IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Elaine Kreiling and Bonnie Werline, Helen and William Borden and Burtis Anderson John C. Moyer, friend s son, Charles T. and Frances Burgess Bill Anderson Roger and Nancy Anderson Rae B. Bennett Bill Burgess and Betsy Burgess Jurey

9 Christmas Memorial Contributions - Music IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Esther and Luther Frey and Frances & Orval Cope Jeanne and Jack Burgess Parents, Muz and Dad and big brother Richard B. III Family loved ones My Little Angel Frances B. and Charles T. Burgess, aunt and uncle My wife, Pat and other departed loved ones Our grandparents and Richard B. Jacobsen Aggie and Ray Slover, David Slover, Peggy Dougherty and grandparents, Lewis and Peggy Kohn and Sarah and Earl Levan My husband, Francis Mendrey John C. Moyer, sadly missed by his family Bruce E. Ranson and Ruth and Russell Fehr Jack Eberly Louis and Marion Wiegand Ralph H. Wooden IN APPRECIATION OF: Our inspirational church music IN CELEBRATION OF: Her children and granddaughter, her Church and other loved ones The Joy of the Season IN HONOR OF : Our loved ones TO GIVE THANKS FOR: All my Penn Med Scholarship Girls Dr. Harold S. Schell Our grandchildren, Layla, James, Sloane, Colin and Benjamin 9 Tim and Carol Carpenter Carol and Roberta Carroll The Cope Family J Ann Burgess Ellis Marjorie Ernest Marjorie Ernest Marjorie Ernest Rae Frances Jack Glock The Jacobsen Family Nancy, John and Sarah Kernan The Levan Family Clark and DeeAnn Martin Jan Mendrey Mary W. Moyer Dave and Nancy Powers Joanne Ranson The Rees Family Louis and Donna Wiegand Christine Wooden The Beidler Family Nancy Ackerman Mark, Amy, Evan and Brandon Schnurr The Neiman Family Marjorie Ernest Marjorie Ernest Gail and Drew Hunger

10 YEAR END GIVING To ensure that your gifts appear on your 2017 giving statement for tax purposes, please make sure that they are post-marked or delivered to the church by December 31, DEACONS ANGEL TREE Please stop by the lounge today and visit our Angel Tree. Angels will be available for several weeks. Please support our Adopt a Community" Mission this holiday. Thank you! MPC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE The third ornament in a series of four is now available for sale in the Communication Center. This year's ornament is the rose window in the Chapel. The cost is $10.00 of which $5.00 goes to support MPC Youth in Mission. You may also purchase an ornament by calling or texting Roger Anderson at A limited supply of previous years ornaments is also available. Thank you for your support of Youth in Mission. Advent Supper Series CALLING ALL AGES! TAKE A MOMENT TO RELAX. We, as a congregation, are filling in a 2 by 6 banner of the Christmas Story. The banner will be located just outside the lounge every Sunday until Christmas. Pull up a chair and start coloring. Materials are provided. We will display the banner on Christmas Eve. Thank you. LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE? Please consider the MPC Women s Retreat. The MPC Women s Retreat will be held March 2 4, 2018 at Emmaus House in Ocean Grove, NJ. Our speaker, Rev. Abigail Visco Rusert will speak on Joy for the Journey: Cultivating, Practicing, and Naming Joy. Look for the pink brochures with more details and registration forms in the information racks. Space is limited so register early OFFERING ENVELOPES Offering envelopes are available for pick up located outside of the choir room. The envelopes are available to all members and not just to those that have pledged. Please note that your envelope number may have changed from the prior year. This Holiday Season designate MPC as the Charitable Organization for Amazon Smile December 20 Morrisville United Methodist Church Rev. Wendy Bellis This advent season MPC, Morrisville United Methodist and St. John Lutheran Church will share a meal and an advent message. We will meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. for a meal, followed by an advent message at 6:45 p.m. Sign-up will be in the Communication Center or call the church office by noon on the Tuesday prior to the supper you plan to attend. Just go to smile.amazon.com, select Account and Lists, Your Account, Your Amazon Smile to designate Morrisville Presbyterian Church as the charity. It costs the Amazon user nothing, and it will earn 0.5% from every purchase for the Deacons' Food Basket Program. 10

11 New Christmas Eve Services Schedule 4:00 p.m. Children and Family Service This early service will be crafted for children and their families. The foundations of our faith begin at home, and we hope to encourage families to attend this worship service together, participating as a family (and a family of faith) in the journey toward Bethlehem and the joy of Christ s birth. Musical anthems will be offered by our children s singing and bell choirs, children will be involved in the liturgy, and hymns and liturgy will be accessible for a variety of ages. 7:00 p.m. Choirs, Carols & Candlelight Service (Sign Language Interpretation Provided) During this service of celebration, we will journey together toward Bethlehem, mindful of the prophesies of old, the Gospel stories that lead us toward Christ s birth, and the hope of the light that is coming into the world. Through Scripture lessons, carols, and candlelight we will journey into the stillness and beauty of this night as we prepare our hearts to receive our Savior. Musical offerings throughout the service will feature our Chancel Ringers, Chancel Choir, and Teen Choir. Sign Language interpretation will also be provided. 10:00 p.m. Carols, Communion & Candlelight Service During this service we invite you to experience the stillness and quiet of this holy night, when God s Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Join us in song, in scripture, in candlelight, and around Christ s table as we rejoice in Christ s birth, and remember the God whose love for us was so abundant that God burst into the world on this holy night to be Emmanuel, God with us. Musical offerings throughout the service will feature soloists and small choral ensembles. You may also join us for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 11

12 Tis the Season for Boy Scout Troop 3 s Annual Christmas Tree Sale Fresh Cut Trees, Wreaths, Grave Blankets & Pine Roping will be for sale While Supplies Last! Helpful Boy Scouts with awesome knot skills will carry your tree carefully to your car. This annual fundraiser helps Troop 3 Scouts to achieve goals for themselves and their community. SUNDAY, December 17-3rd Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. God s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Lounge Host: Clothing Center 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room 12:15 p.m. Worship Committee Room 202 MONDAY, December 18 6:30 p.m. Outreach Committee Conference Room 7:00 Board of Trustees Room 200 7:00 Boy Scout Troop 3 Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 7:00 Cub Pack 3 Committee Mtg. Chapel 7:00 Food Center Bag Packing 7:30 Session Meeting Conference Room 7:30 Mostly Motets Music Room TUESDAY, December 19 9:00 a.m. Food Center Set-Up Fellowship Hall 10:00 Clothing Center 2:15 p.m. Staff Meeting Room 200 6:30 GSEP Senior Troop 2030 Room 210 7:30 Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 WEDNESDAY, December 20 9:00 a.m. Food Center Fellowship Hall 6:00 p.m. Advent Supper Series MUMC 6:00 Youth Club Rooms 220/222 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Fellowship Hall MPC Weekly Calendar 6:00-9:00 p.m. Weeknights and Saturday 12/23 till Noon THURSDAY, December 21 11:00 a.m. Food Center Stocking Room 4 Noon Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir Music Room 8:15 Chancel Chimes Chapel FRIDAY, December 22 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Lounge SATURDAY, December 23 8:00 a.m. Deacons Food Basket Distribution 9:00 Children s Christmas Sanctuary Service Rehearsal SUNDAY, December 24-4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 4:00 p.m. Children & Family Service Sanctuary 7:00 Choirs, Carols & Sanctuary Candlelight Service 10:00 Carols, Communion & Sanctuary Candlelight Service M O R R I S V I L L E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 771 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE MORRISVILLE, PA