HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. December 17, 2017 Third Sunday of Advent. Pastor: Dr. J. S. Randolph Harris

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1 HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Pastor: Dr. J. S. Randolph Harris (336) Associate Pastor: Debbie Layman Associate Pastor: Courtney Stevens 2380 Cloverdale Avenue Pastor Emeritus: Steve McCutchan Winston-Sale em, NC Director of Christian Education: Darryl Ray Director of Music: Dr. Nathan Zullinger December 17, 2017 Third Sunday of Advent

2 December 17, 2017 Third Sunday of Advent The pealing bell calls us to worship, reminding us to quiet our hearts and minds as we prepare for the worship of the living God. Pre-Worship Caroling (10:45) Opportunities in Church Life Moment for Mission The Gathering of the People of God Christmas Joy Offering 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Prelude In dulci jubilo (Hymn 132) Michael Praetorius Winston-Salem Symphony Brass Quartet and Organ Call to Worship One: This is the season of holy waiting. All: We wait for the One whose word can set captives free. One: We watch for the day when all who mourn will know gladness and praise. All: We wait while the dawning light appears on the horizon. One: Come let us walk in the light of God! Lighting of the Advent Wreath Response Raegan Dalbo * You are invited to rise in body, or - in 2 spirit. - GTG = Glory to God

3 Prayer *Hymn 93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates s TRURO Call to Confession The Confession of the People of God Unison Prayer of Confession O God of the Covenant, have mercy upon us, for we are too often slow to embody your good news. The afflicted await good tidings. The brokenhearted would have their wounds bound. The captives still yearn for freedom, and those who mourn remain to be comforted. Forgive our failings to follow Christ s call to faithful ministry; restore us and make us worthy to serve in his name. The prayer continues in a time of silent confession. Kyrie Assurance of God s Love - 3 -

4 A Word of Welcome A Time for Young Disciples The Word for the People of God Anthem Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming (Hymn 129) Johannes Brahms Brass Quartet Prayer for Illumination Old Testament Lesson Psalm 126 Page 572 One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. New Testament Lesson Luke 1:26 38; 2:8 16 Page 56; 58 One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. Sermon Christmas Tour of Gospel Homes: Randy Harris Singing Carols at Luke s House The Response of the People of God *Hymn 144 In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles Creed GTG, p. 35 Prayers of the People and Lord s Prayer GTG p. 35 Our Gifts to God Offertory (8:30) Pat-a-pan James Biery Anthem (11:00) Welcome All Wonders Richard Dirksen Chancel Choir and Brass Quartet Henry Tysinger, organ Mary Mendenhall, soloist Welcome, all wonders in one sight! Eternity shut in a span! Summer in winter, day in night! Heaven in earth, and God in man! That he, the old eternal word, should be a child and weep. Each of us his lamb will bring, Each his pair of silver doves; Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes, Ourselves become our own best sacrifice. (Richard Crashaw) *Doxology GTG

5 *Prayer of Dedication The Sending Forth of the People of God *Hymn 113 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA *Charge and Benediction One: May the God of peace call forth our complete dedication; All: may the light of Christ shine upon us; One: and the Holy Spirit fill us with joy, now and forever. All: Amen! The congregation is invited to be seated for the postlude. Postlude On This Day Earth Shall Ring (Hymn 141) Raymond H. Haan Brass Quartet and Organ - 5 -

6 Worship Notes Our acolyte this morning is Connor Riley. Lighting the Advent wreath today at 8:30 are Wendy, Maddie, Charlie and Caroline Wagoner, and at 11:00 are members of Highland s Good Neighbor Team (our refugee support team); the team is Megan Bryant, Raegan Dalbo, Joe and Harriet Mitchener, Sarah Mixon, Meghan Parsons and Sue Sevin. Today s Chancel flowers are given to the glory of God and in thankfulness for his precious gift of our Lord Jesus Christ by Carol and Gary Simes. Flowers in the Narthex are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Wayne Steele by Rhenda Steele and family. We welcome the Winston-Salem Symphony Brass Quartet to our worship services this morning. The players are Anita Cirba and Steve Sutton, trumpet; and Brian French and Erik Salzwedel, trombone. In our worship during the season of Advent we will share together a sung Kyrie Eleison (from the Greek for Lord have mercy ) in place of our Gloria Patri. During Advent, we can also hear it as a joyful cry, The Lord is merciful! in addition to its plea for mercy. Bless You! Our prayers for one another. FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17, please pray for Jim, Jessica and Lydia Bass; Brian Carter; Pete, Melissa, Drew and Garrett Fisch; Henry, Julie, Henry, William and Christina Heidtmann; Paul, Erika, Elizabeth and James MacAnanny; Donna and Will Palmer; Michael Schmidt; James, Gillian, Sydney, Mallory and Caitlin Thomas; Bobby, Barbara, Anna Grace and Caroline Yurkutat. The Lord bless you and keep you. (Numbers 6:24) - 6 -

7 Calendar Sunday December 17 8:30 a.m. Worship Service (nursery provided), Sanctuary 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Fellowship Hall 11:00 a.m. Worship Service (nursery provided), Sanctuary 3:00 p.m. All Church Caroling, Fellowship Hall Wednesday December 20 5:00 p.m. Gloria Choir, Room 101 5:30 p.m. Chime Choir, Room 100 7:15 p.m. Chancel Choir, Room 101 Thursday December 21 6:30 p.m. Membership Committee, Home of Katie Paterson Monday December 18 11:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, Library 7:00 p.m. College Student Dinner, Mi Pueblo 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Meeting, Scout Room For more information about the events in this calendar, please pick up a copy of Highlights, the weekly newsletter, in the Narthex or Gallery Hall. Check for changes or cancellations. Christmas Eve Worship at Highland 4:00 p.m. Family Friendly Christmas Eve with Lessons and Carols The joy of Christmas glows through this participatory, family-friendly worship service. The Chime and Gloria Choirs will offer special music as we hear the story of Jesus birth. Please bring gifts for the Overflow Homeless Shelter and also an offering for Crisis Control Ministry. Remember to bring your bells! 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service The beauty of Christmas shines as we gather to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. Awe-inspiring music, the passing of the Light of the world, and the timeless story of our Messiah s birth will all be shared. The Chancel Choir will provide special music. Please bring gifts for the Overflow Homeless Shelter and also an offering for Crisis Control Ministry. December 31 Worship Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. No Church School classes - 7 -

8 Welcome to Highland We extend a warm welcome to all who come to this sanctuary today. May you find in this place and among the people gathered here grace and peace from the living Christ who has promised to be present when we gather in his name. If you are visiting with us today, please include your contact information on the friendship pad that is passed during the service. If you are a college or graduate school student, add your school name as well. Large-print Bibles, bulletins, and hearing aids are available. Please ask an usher for assistance. A Loop Assisted Hearing System is in place in Highland s Sanctuary. You can access this service by switching your hearing aid s T-coil to On and adjusting the volume control if needed; you may also request a headset from an usher. Childcare is available on Sunday mornings at Highland: During the 8:30 Worship Service, bring children to Room 112 on the lower level near the Magnolia Street entrance. During the 11:00 Worship Service, bring infants and toddlers to Room 112 on the lower level near the Magnolia Street entrance. Children ages 2 3 meet in Room 301 on the third floor following the Time for Young Disciples. Children ages 4 5 meet in Room 306 on the third floor following the Time for Young Disciples. During both worship services, we also offer a room for Infants & Mothers/Fathers Room 216 Friendly childcare space on the sanctuary level where parents can tend to the needs of their infant and still be able to hear the service. Ages 5 and older Following the Children s Time, these children are encouraged to remain in the sanctuary. Worship activity bags and children s bulletins are available in the Narthex. 8