S T. C HARL ES A V E N UE P R E S BY T E R I A N C H U RCH. December 7, :30 worship Second Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 S T. C HARL ES A V E N UE P R E S BY T E R I A N C H U RCH December 7, :30 worship Second Sunday of Advent

2 St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church December 7, :30 worship Welcome to worship on this second Sunday of Advent. We are glad that you are here! The season of Advent invites us to listen to an entirely different message than that of culture, which assures us that the more we spend, the happier we will be. Instead, as God s Word teaches, happiness comes from being forgiven and made new by the power of God, giving us new lives a fresh start. Preparing for the celebration of Christ s birth, as we do in Advent, means reorienting ourselves toward lives built solely upon the promises of God. GATHERING WELCOME Philip L. Stagg VOLUNTARY Steven B. Blackmon LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE (responsive) Sarah and Fisher Alexander Voice One: We light this candle as a symbol of the purity of heart only God can bring. Voice Two: For God shall purify his people like gold and silver, until they shine forth his righteousness. All: Come, Lord Jesus, come! ANNOUNCEMENTS *CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive), from Psalm 85 Sarah Alexander God s salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that God s glory may dwell among us. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. Let us worship God! *prayer OF THE DAY *HYMN 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You valet will ich dir geben CALL TO CONFESSION Saints, let us trust in God s love for us and confess our sin, confident in God s mercy. Let us pray together. PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Gracious God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always made way for your sovereignty in our lives, our church, and our society. Forgive us, we pray, and renew your covenant within us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION KYRIE ASSURANCE OF PARDON (responsive) 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 joy and of peace, let us go forth living lives of perfect freedom in Christ. Amen. *Please stand as you are able. Please silence cell phones during the worship service.

3 THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING Isaiah 40:1-11 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN Alex Spinks Children in the First Grade and under may now exit with church staff for a time of play. Parents may pick up their children on the playground following the worship service. SECOND READING Mark 1:1-8 This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. SERMON Three Kinds of Repentance Donald R. Frampton *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from A Declaration of Faith God sent the promised Deliverer to his people. Jesus, the long expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God s power as was no other child. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God s promised role. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, Jesus brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended. *GLORIA PATRI 581, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP At this time, please pass the Friendship Register, which enables worshippers to greet each other on their pew. You may also complete a prayer request card (in the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate.the pastoral and program staff will include your request in its weekly time of prayer. SERVICE OF ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF ELDERS Statement of Ordination and Installation Philip L. Stagg Presentation of Candidates Robbert W. Vorhoff Constitutional Questions Donald R. Frampton Prayer of Ordination Declaration of Ordination and Installation Welcome THE OFFERING Offertory Anthem "The Holly and the Ivy" trad., arr. Gjeilo The Chancel Choir *Doxology, 606, Glory to God:The Presbyterian Hymnal *Prayer of Dedication SENDING *HYMN 69 Here I am, Lord here i am *CHARGE AND BLESSING *CHORAL RESPONSE A Scottis Blyssing Blackmon/Willcox *VOLUNTARY If you are visiting with us today, please join us for refreshments in Frampton Fellowship Hall, following the service.

4 Worship News & Announcements The Flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Haywood Hardy Henderson, and Mrs. Marietta Lawton Fabacher, by Bob, Lyn, Lawton, and Caroline Fabacher. Today s ushers are: Roger Fleshman, Lawrence Hoffman, Stephanie Haniford, George Wilson, Maureen Herring, Casey Root, Sallee Benjamin and Jay Young. The Front Door Advent Wreaths are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mrs. Richmond's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Berckes, by Mr. and Mrs. R. Randolph Richmond, Jr. The Christmas Banners The cover art for today s bulletin comes from our Christmas Banners, created in 2011 for SCAPC by church friend and local artist Patti Adams, and were made possible through generous gifts given in memory of Kathryn Kit Favrot. Session Class of Today St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church proudly ordains and installs 17 men and women to the elder class of These individuals were duly elected by the congregation, completed a series of fall training classes, and were successfully examined by the Session. They are: Nathan Pankey Adams, III Patrick Elliott Adams (Youth) Laura McLeary Avery W. Anderson Baker Catherine Cauley Jean Conger May Clinton Seth Daniel Hagler John Crawford Hope, IV John Clinton Martin Casey Patrick Morriss John F. Morton, Jr. Ashley Linfield Murphy (Youth) Julianne Nice Patricia E. Pannell Barry Alan Thompson Barbara Dours Weiser Pierce Jonassen Young Like us on Facebook! Sunday School Classes - 9:30-10:15 am Nursery Care - The Nursery is open from 8:15-Noon every Sunday for children 0-3 years old. - First Floor Bible Adventures (3 years old 3rd grade) - Second Floor, Grade Level Classes. Challenger Class (grades 4 & 5) - Second Floor, Challenger Classroom. Youth Class (6th-12th Grades) - Third Floor, Youth Room. 20/30 Class - Advent Devotional Study Join us as we journey through the 2014 SCAPC Advent Devotional book. We will spend time reading and discussing the devotionals and delving into the scripture behind each one. All are invited to spend this time together in thoughtful reflection on the Advent season. Led by: Stephanie Haniford 3rd Floor Youth Room Who Wrote the Bible? This book by Richard E. Friedman is a fascinating, intellectual, yet highly readable analysis and investigation into the authorship of the Old Testament. Friedman delves deeply into the history of the Bible in a scholarly work that is as exciting and surprising as it is a good detective novel. Led by: Maureen Herring through December 7 Land Building, Lakeside Archaeology and the Christmas Story So much of our understanding of the first Christmas is colored by the lens of twentieth century society. Without an understanding of the context of the way people in Israel lived during the reign of Herod the Great, it is hard to understand the richness of the story. This class will focus on the archaeological excavations of the cultures in which Jesus was born. Led by: Crorey Lawton through December 21 Phifer Library

5 Advent AT ST. CHARLES AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church invites you to join us for these special events during the Advent season to share in the joy, love and celebration of our Savior s birth! 20/30s Christmas Brunch and Gift Exchange Sunday, December 7-11:45 a.m. - Stillwagon home (440 Millaudon Street) Youth Group White Gift Shopping Sunday, December 7 - Jr. High at 4:45 p.m., Sr. High at 5:45 p.m. Presbyterian Women Christmas Worship Service and Reception Led by Don Frampton & Steven Blackmon Tuesday, December 9-6 p.m. Chapel, reception at Wright home (1518 State) Shades of Praise Gospel Choir at WNO Wednesday, December 10-6 p.m. Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Program White Gift Service Sunday, December 14-10:30 a.m. Sanctuary worship service Youth Group Celebration in the Oaks Sunday, December 14-5:00 p.m. Celebration of Carols, Orchestra and Choir Performance Sunday, December 21-10:30 a.m. Sanctuary worship service Youth Group Gift Exchange Sunday, December 21 - Jr. High at 4:45 p.m., Sr. High at 5:45 p.m. Carrollton Christmas Camp Mon, December 22 - Fri, January 2 (except Christmas Day & New Year s Day) Lafayette Academy, Carrollton Avenue Christmas Eve Services Wednesday, December 24 - Sanctuary - Don Frampton preaching Family Service with Childcare - 5:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols without Childcare - 7:00 p.m. Sunday after Christmas Sunday, December 28 - one Sanctuary service at 9:30 a.m. - Phil Stagg preaching

6 upcoming events TODAY IN FRAMPTON FELLOWSHIP HALL: SCAPC Christmas Village - Please join us in Frampton Fellowship Hall following this morning's service for the annual display of the SCAPC Christmas Village, created by Geoff Snodgrass. Special thanks this year to Debbie Rees for lending her Dickens Christmas Village buildings to the display. White Gift - TODAY is the last chance to grab an ornament from the White Gift tree to sponsor a child for Christmas and purchase gifts that address their needs and wants. Next Sunday, December 14th, bring the gifts, wrapped in one white box, to the annual White Gift dedication ceremony during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Questions? Contact Genny Hagler, genny@scapc.org. RHINO Christmas Cards - Looking for a unique way to support our home grown ministry while showing your loved ones you care? Stop by the table in Frampton Fellowship Hall following today s service to pick up a RHINO Christmas card or two to send to those you love! Order them online at holiday-giving/. Questions? Contact Emma Pegues, rhino@scapc.org. Carrollton Christmas Camp Donations - SCAPC's Carrollton Christmas Camp (December 22 - January 2, Mon-Fri, 8 am-3pm, except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day) is in need of shoeboxes, clothespins, art supplies (crayons, markers, construction/computer paper, glue, etc.), healthy snack donations (raisins, granola bars, trailmix (no nuts please!), fruit snacks, Lance crackers, popcorn, kettle corn, goldfish, pretzels, apple juice boxes, applesauce, graham crackers, etc.), and volunteers to help out at camp! Place donations in the donation bins in FFH. To sign-up to help volunteer, contact Sean Tate, (sean@scapc.org or ). EVENTS TODAY: 20/30s Christmas Brunch - Join the 20/30s after the 10:30 a.m. worship service TODAY at the home of Brad and Claudia Stillwagon (440 Millaudon) for our annual Christmas Brunch! We'll have food and drinks and childcare will be provided! Don't forget to bring a wrapped white elephant gift (either purchased for less than $15 or a re-gift item!) to exchange! Questions? Contact Genny Hagler, genny@scapc.org. Youth Group White Gift Shopping - Join us TONIGHT (normal Youth Group times) as we go shopping to support children through White Gift! Make sure to bring money to contribute! Questions? Contact Andy Fox, andy@scapc.org. COMING UP: Presbyterian Women s December Bible Studies Join us as we continue our study of Reconciling Paul, A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians. All women are invited to join any of the PW Bible study groups: The Monday group will meet at 11:45 on Monday, December 8 for lunch in FFH. (note new location) The Lambeth House group will meet at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8. Questions? Contact Moderator, Betty Hope (hopehome@aol.com or ). PW Christmas Worship Service & Reception This Tuesday! - All women are invited to attend the annual PW Christmas worship service, a favorite Advent tradition! The service will be held in the Chapel on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m, led by Don Frampton and Steven Blackmon. A reception will immediately follow the service at the home of Valerie & Tom Wright at 1518 State Street, right across from the church. Questions? Contact Betty Hope, hopehome@aol.com. 20/30s PINTS - Make sure to join us for the last PINTS of 2014! Tuesday, December 9 at St. Joe's Bar (5525 Magazine). 7 pm. Questions? Contact Genny Hagler, genny@scapc.org. YOUTH CHRISTMAS CALENDAR: Questions? Contact Andy Fox, andy@scapc.org. Sunday, December 14th Celebration in the Oaks Meet at City Park at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21st Gift Exchange Party Normal Youth Times and Location

7 Christmas Donations for Sitters - Each Sunday our sitters lovingly care for our youngest members. Their dedication and commitment to the nursery and children s time is unmatched. If you would like to make a small donation to be used as a Christmas bonus for them, a box will be set out in the nursery room and on the playground. Questions? Contact Michele Murphy, michele@scapc.org. PW Book Club Winter/Spring Books - January 8 - David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcom Gladwell, February 5 - Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan, March 5 - Nive Lives: Mystery, Magic, Death, and Life in New Orleans by Dan Baum. Meets at 7 p.m. in the Land Building for lively discussion and refreshments! Questions? Contact Elizabeth Artigues, artigues@cox.net. New Opportunity: Intergenerational Mission Trip to Dominican Republic - The Youth and Young Adults and World Missions Teams are partnering to offer an intergenerational mission trip to the Dominican Republic on June 13-20, We are doing this intentionally so that youth, families, and adults can all partner together in service. If you are interested in learning more about this trip contact Andy Fox, andy@scapc.org. Scotland 2015! - SCAPC will return to the land of John Knox, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott: July 28 August 8, Join Don Frampton for this educational and entertaining tour! Anyone interested in the trip should go to: to register. Click Login. The Group ID is stcharles2015, and the password is travel. There you will find everything you need to know about the trip, including how to register, the deposit amount, how long it s refundable, etc. SAVE THE DATE: 12/7 20/30s Christmas Brunch 12/7 Youth Group White Gift Shopping 12/9 PW Christmas Worship Service and Reception 12/10 WNO, Shades of Praise Gospel Choir 12/14 White Gift Dedication Sunday 12/14 Youth Group Celebration in the Oaks 12/21 Christmas Orchestra Performance 12/21 Youth Group Gift Exchange 12/24 Christmas Eve Services 12/25 Christmas - Church Office Closed 12/26 Church Office Closed 12/28 One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. 1/1 New Year's Day - Church Office Closed This Week at: WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT Wednesday, December 10 MENU: Baked Ham and Apples, Fresh Yams, Creamed Spinach, Broccoli Salad, Fresh Fruit, Christmas Cookies and Ice Cream. PROGRAM: Join us for the last WNO of the season! This week's Wednesday Night Out programming will feature "Shades of Praise" Gospel Choir. You won't want to miss it! make your reservations online at and we ll see you there!

8 Calendar of events Sunday, December 7, Don Frampton preaching Second Sunday of Advent Elder Ordination & Installation RHINO Christmas Card Sales; White Gift Tree 8:30 a.m. Chapel Worship Service & Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes (church wide) 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service 11:45 a.m. 20/30s Christmas Brunch (Stillwagon home) 4:00 p.m. Cherub Choir and Ringers & Singers (Music Room) 4:30 p.m. Children's Choir Party (FFH) 4:45 p.m. Jr. High Youth Group (Youth Room) 5:45 p.m. Youth Dinner (Youth Room) 6:15 p.m. Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room) Monday, December 8, :30 a.m. MOMs Group Bible Study (Challenger Classroom) 11:45 a.m. PW Noon Bible Study Meeting (FFH) 1:30 p.m. Program Staff Meeting (Phifer Library) 5:00 p.m. Community Ministries Team Meeting (FFH) 5:00 p.m. Property Team Meeting (LB-Lakeside Room) 6:00 p.m. Steering Team Meeting (LB-2nd Floor) Tuesday, December 9, :30 a.m. SCAPC Staff Meeting (Church Office) 4:00 p.m. Long Range Planning Task Force (PL) 6:00 p.m. PW Christmas Worship Service & Reception (Chapel & Wright home) 7:00 p.m. 20/30s PINTS Meeting (Offsite) Wednesday, December 10, :00 a.m. Downtown Study Group (Between The Bread Restaurant, 625 St. Charles Ave) 5:15 p.m. Men s Bible Study (Phifer Library) 6:00 p.m. WNO Dinner (FFH) 6:30 p.m. Shades of Praise Gospel Choir (Sanctuary) 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) Thursday, December 11, :00 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study & Prayer Group (LB, Riverside) 10:00 a.m. PW Needlework Group (LB, Lakeside) Sunday, December 14, Don Frampton preaching Third Sunday of Advent; White Gift Sunday RHINO Christmas Card Sales 8:30 a.m. Chapel Worship Service & Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes (church wide) 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service 4:00 p.m. Cherub Choir (Music Room) 4:30 p.m. Ringers & Singers (Music Room) 5:00 p.m. Youth Group Celebration in the Oaks (City Park) FFH: Frampton Fellowship Hall PL: Phifer Library LB: Land Building St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church DONALD R. FRAMPTON, SENIOR PASTOR frampton@scapc.org x.110 CAITLIN ROWLAND, WEB & PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR caitlin@scapc.org x.118 PHILIP L. STAGG, INTERIM ASSOCIATE PASTOR phil@scapc.org x.117 F. JAMES STAYTON (JIM), INTERIM ASSOCIATE PASTOR jim@scapc.org x.123 STEVEN B. BLACKMON, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC steven@scapc.org x.125 MICHELE MURPHY, DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION michele@scapc.org x.116 ANDY FOX, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS andy@scapc.org x.124 WAYNE WILLCOX, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION wayne@scapc.org x.115 CAROL POINTER, ACCOUNTANT carol@scapc.org x.113 PIERCE YOUNG, MEMBERSHIP & FACILITIES COORDINATOR pierce@scapc.org x.114 EMILY FLESHMAN, PASTORS ASSISTANT & FUNERAL COORDINATOR emily@scapc.org x.112 GENNY HAGLER, 20/30S PROGRAM COORDINATOR genny@scapc.org x.119 SEAN TATE, CARROLLTON CAMP COORDINATOR sean@scapc.org SARA WARREN, WEDDING COORDINATOR sarawarren1@yahoo.com EMMA C. PEGUES, RHINO MINISTRY DIRECTOR emma@scapc.org x State Street New Orleans, LA (504)