BEARING GOD S WORD INTO THE WORLD CHURCH STAFF

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1 OFFERTORY Zu Bethlehem geboren Helmut Walcha *DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING/DEDICATION Dear God, we offer these gifts back to you. Multiply them so that they might help build up your kingdom on earth. All glory, praise, and honor are due to you, now and forever. Amen. *HYMN (insert) *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Go in peace. AMEN! BEARING GOD S WORD INTO THE WORLD Now the Heavens Start to Whisper *CHORAL BENEDICTION From the Halls of Power arr. Rory Cooney *POSTLUDE O Hail This Brightest Day of Days J. S. Bach 210 S. Wayne Street Milledgeville, GA fpchurch@windstream.net Firs.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA Join our puppets after worship in the Fellowship Hall for Partners-in-Faith as they tell the story of the Showdown at Mount Carmel. Experience Elijah and the prophets of Baal as they duel to see whose God is most powerful. The Fellowship Hall is to the right of the front of the Sanctuary. Restrooms are to the left of the front of the Sanctuary CHURCH OFFICERS: Elders: Dave Baarda Marianne Edwards Jan Clark John Bradley Sam McChesney Doris Moody Anne Smart Nancy Miller, Clerk Charlie Morgan Deacons: Margie Dodd Joseph Dean Joel Burns Millie Murphy Becky Henderson Irene Tchamna Bill Werts, Moderator Alice Tenold CHURCH STAFF OFFICE HOURS: Pastor, Rev. Susan Balfour, revsebalfour@gmail.com Monday - Thursday Children & Youth, Gloria Burns, gloryb.ce@gmail.com 8:30-4:30 Admin. Asst., Dianna Hendricks, fpchurch@windstream.net Treasurer, Anne Dennis, asdennis@windstream.net Music Director, Jennifer Flory, jennifer.flory@gcsu.edu Organists, Kate Phillips and Jenny Moore Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews, Kathleen Green, Sarah Patrick We seek to glorify God through: Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth, Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice and environmental stewardship.

2 December 20, 2015 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT GATHERING AROUND GOD S WORD PRELUDE HYFRYDOL R. Vaughan Williams CHIMING OF THE HOUR WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CHORAL INTROIT My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout arr. Rory Cooney OPENING WORDS/CALL TO WORSHIP Jan Clark, liturgist Leader: Out of little Bethlehem comes one who is to rule in Israel. Congregation: He shall be great to the ends of the earth. Leader: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. Congregation: God s mercy extends from generation to generation. Holy is God s name! *HYMN (see insert) While We Are Waiting, Come LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Folifac, Odihe and Tchamna Children Leader: Not in the mighty places of power, but in little Bethlehem, in a room out back: Leader: Not born in nobility and wealth, but of Mary and Joseph, who pondered and planed wood: Leader: Not announced by prophets, priests, and kings, but by two women, who were the first to know: Leader: Nothing will be impossible for God, but when and where we least expect it, look among the straw and the stars: HYMN NO. 12 People, Look East *PRAYER OF THE DAY (unison) Stir up your power, O God, and come to set us free by the righteousness of your birth in our midst, by the light of your face shining upon us, and by becoming our brother, our friend, our salvation. We pray this in the name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, mother of us all. Amen. PSALM FOR THE DAY CALL TO CONFESSION Luke 1:46b-55 (sung Hymn 600, Magnificat) PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) God our Savior, we ask for your mercy. Though we have heard Mary s song, we still seek security in pride and power and possessions. Though we know your story, we resist the costs of following you. We pass by those considered lowly in this world. We turn away from hungry people who still wait to be filled. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to work for the justice you intend. Make us messengers of the peace you bring. As we wait for you, turn our apathy into acts of love and service. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. Amen. CHORAL RESPONSE Though I Am Small arr. Rory Cooney ASSURANCE OF PARDON THE PEACE Leader: Let us now share the peace which Jesus made possible. Peace be with you. Congregation: And also with you. Leader: Please greet those near to you with the peace of Christ. PROCLAIMING GOD S WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (unison) O Mighty One, who scatters the proud and fills the hungry, by your Holy Spirit let your word leap in us and bring to our yearning the joy that comes with new beginnings and renewed lives. Amen. ANTHEM He Came Down John L. Bell SCRIPTURE READINGS SERMON *HYMN NO. 19 Micah 5:2-5a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-55 Humble Beginnings in a Proud World RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD To a Maid Engaged to Joseph *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles Creed Hymnal, page 14 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND OUR LORD'S PRAYER INVITATION TO THE OFFERING God does not desire us to bring burnt offerings and sin offerings, but instead asks that we do God s will. So we bring to God now the offerings of our lives and our labors, with the prayer that God s will may be done through them. *We welcome you to stand.

3 This congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time Illnesses: Sunda Coleman, broken arm, recovering at home Frankie Holder, broken shoulder, recovering at home Jackie Northington, T12 fractured with surgical procedure, recovering at home Suzy Smith, Lois Callender s mother, prayers for improved physical & mental health Judy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik s daughter, recovering from surgery Harry Beck, malignancy, chemotherapy Charles Morgan, Jr., continuing recovery from back surgery Vona Wohlenberg, Mary Lucik s sister, cancer, recovering from surgery Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson s mother, back at home after rehab John Fish, the Baarda s son-in-law, leukemia Ted Flynt, Jacqueline Northington s son, cancer Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne s parents, numerous health problems Amy Smith, colon cancer, work & disability issues Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte s sister-in-law, cancer Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll s brother, colon cancer Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman s father Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman s son Ricky Spear, Vera Bales brother, chemotherapy after colon surgery April McMillan, Jeanene Vinson s granddaughter, in remission Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure Marty Flory, Jennifer s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues In Assisted Living: Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom s mother, Green Acres Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns mother, Savannah Court Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC Reba Vaughan, Pine Gate, 300 Charter Boulevard Apt 109, Macon, GA BLANKET DRIVE Complete the form. Blankets are $15.00 each. Attach a check payable to First Presbyterian Church. Place both in an offering plate, drop off in the church office, or mail: First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street, Milledgeville, GA Your Name Blankets given in memory of Blankets given in honor of Check in the amount of $ I want my blankets to go to: Open Door blankets Local Community blankets Each year our church assists Open Door by purchasing wool blend blankets for the homeless of Atlanta. This year we have concerns relating to the homeless in our own community. The FPC Missions Committee is recommending that blankets purchased this year be divided between the two groups. If you choose to have the church purchase a blanket for you, the cost of the wool blend preferred by the Open Door is $15 each. If you prefer to purchase a blanket on your own, bring it to the church by December 21 for committee distribution. If writing a check, please write blankets on your memo line. Others with Limited Mobility: Mary Carlton Martha Chappell Mrs. Gerry Califf Helen Danuser Bob & Eloise Lamb Jo Ann Manley Polly Morrison Gloria Smith Ruth Treptow.

4 LOST IN TRANSLATION During Advent, Rev. Balfour will lead a Bible study on Wednesday evenings. This study will focus on key terms as they are expressed in the Old Testament. We will also look at roots in a study of Hebrew names. Come for dinner at 6:30, and afterward, we ll have fun delving deeper into our understanding of the Scriptures! Join us on the 23 rd. The Angel Tree is up in the entrance area to the front of the Sanctuary. There will be smiles for some young children in our community on Christmas morning. All of the angels have been taken from the tree. All gifts need to be under the tree, wrapped, with angel tag placed on the gift, by noon December 21. Thank you all for your generosity and all you do for our FPC and home community. TODAY 9:45 Bible Study 10:00 Puppet Ministry 11:00 Worship 12:15 Partners in Faith 21 Mon Newsletter Deadline -Noon Angel Tree Gifts by Noon Blanket Orders Due 22 Tues. 9:30 Food Pantry 23 Wed. 6:30 Potluck 7:15 Bible Study 24 Thurs 6:15 Special Music 6:30 Christmas Eve Worship 25 Fri. MERRY CHRISTMAS 27 Sun. 9:45 Sunday School 10:00 Puppet Ministry 11:00 Worship OFFICE HOURS The office will be closed the week of Dec 28-Jan31, re-open Jan 3 Wishing everyone a safe & Happy New Year. RADIO MINISTRY WKZR (102.3FM) CHECK OUR WEBSITE For bulletin, newsletters and more. fpchurch.org ONLINE GIVING LIKE us on FACEBOOK First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA SANCTUARY FLOWERS If you purchased a Poinsettia, please feel free to take it home with you after worship service on Christmas Eve. We would like to thank all who provided flowers for the Sanctuary during this past year. Question for Reflection Where do you see the light of Christ magnified in your person, your life, and the ways of your family and community? Notice in the coming week one time each day when the light of Christ is made present for you by others. Household Prayer: Morning Thank you, good and gracious God, for the morning light, for another day in which to live out what it means that you have magnified my soul and the souls of those around me in this world. Teach me the meaning of Let it be. Show me how to trust; in Jesus name. Amen. Household Prayer: Evening Good and gracious God, we give you thanks that you have made incarnate in your world the breath of life, the life of hope. Keep us safe throughout the night that in the morning we may again rejoice and live in peace with all creation; in Jesus name. Amen.

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