Services of Worship 4 th Sunday of Advent December 18, :00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Transcription

1 Services of Worship 4 th Sunday of Advent December 18, :00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in Christ s name, to all who would worship here or join us in fellowship. We affirm that there can be no exclusion within the body of Christ. We invite all children of God to join us as disciples of Christ and participate fully in the life of our congregation. PASTORAL STAFF: CHURCH EDUCATOR: CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: MUSIC STAFF: Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Anne R. Ledbetter, Associate Pastor Jill Getty, Pastoral Care Assistant Susan Moseley Debbie Brown Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells Section Leaders/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Susan Rheingans, Justin Gonzalez, Raymond Sambolin 1502 West 13 th Street Wilmington, DE

2 This Morning at Westminster 8:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Holy Toast Café, in Community Hall, offers free coffee and fellowship. Breakfast items are available for one dollar per item. Deacon Team of the Month Kris DeMesse, Eadie Churchill, Cathy Higgins, Diane Chandler 8:45 a.m. noon Child Care for Cribbery (birth toddler) 9:00 9:55 a.m. Worship After TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN, if you wish, your children may leave the Sanctuary and go to: Godly Care A unique opportunity for children ages 2-4 to get to know God through stories, crafts, songs and prayers. Classes are in Under Six Classrooms A and C. Godly Play Children in Kindergarten and 1 st grade gather in the Ruth Christie Room to learn the language of God s people through sacred space, stories, parables and liturgical actions. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. Hebrew Scouts Children in grades 2 and 3 will become Hebrew Scouts, experiencing the stories of the Israelite people. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. Treasure Seekers Children in grades 4 and 5 will begin with the story of Jesus baptism and continue with stories of Jesus ministry of teaching and healing. You may pick up your children in Under Six Classroom C. 10:10 a.m. Education for All Ages Under Six Sunday School Under Six Classrooms Sunshine Choir for Grades K 2 Classroom 7 D.R.U.M.for Grades 3 6 Youth Music Room Middle Schoolers on the Move - Grades 6-8 Classroom 1 Middle School Bird Program Grace Hall Confirmation Class for 9 th Graders Classroom 8 Senior High Gathering Classroom 3 Adult Education Classes See page 7 10:10 a.m. Peacemakers Meeting Rowell Conference Room 11:15 a.m. noon Worship. Children are always welcome in worship; however, childcare is available in Under Six for ages 2 through Grade 2. Later Today 3:30 p.m. Christmas Carolers Gather Grace Hall 6:00 p.m. Christmas Carolers Supper Classroom 6 5:30 p.m. Clean But Not Straight NA Club Room 8:00 p.m. AA Club Room 2

3 WORSHIP NOTES The flowers in the sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ann and Jane from the Kline family. Sanctuary Flowers - Consider giving the flowers for Sunday worship to remember or honor loved ones or to celebrate an event, while expressing praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at or lwatson@ycst.com. Available dates are January 1, 8, 15 and 29. The Lord s Supper will be celebrated on January 1 at 10:00 a.m. Worship Resources You may obtain large print hymnals and hearing devices from any usher. Worship bags for children ages 3-6 and Kids Notes for ages 7-12 are available from the ushers. Kids Notes emphasize listening and seeing during worship. CONGREGATIONAL CARE AND PRAYER Please remember in your prayers: Those recently hospitalized: Natalie Krause, Jessie Marsh. Westminster s homebound family who can no longer attend worship with us by sending a card, saying a prayer, or visiting. This week we ask you to remember Edie Lennox, HC and Grace Austin, Apt. 3613, both of Methodist Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE Our brothers and sisters in worldwide ministry in Guatemala, Kenya, Congo and Israel/Palestine. Iraq and Afghanistan often seem far away, and we may neglect to realize that Americans, as well as Iraqis, Afghans and members of coalition forces, continue to die. As Christians, we are called to pray for the spreading of peace and justice and an end to violence. If someone in your family is serving in the military, please let us know, so that we may include that person on our prayer list. Contact Colleen Falasco: ext. 131, or cfalasco@wpc.org. This week we pray for Those known to the WPC Community presently serving in Afghanistan: Richard Barnet, Edward Maloney, Ann Exline Starr, Russell Lee Thomas The families of those from the U.S. who have died recently: Specialist Adrian Mills, age 23, of Newnan, Georgia Petty Officer 1st Class Caleb Nelsonage 26, of Omaha, Nebraska Private Danny Chen, age 19, of New York, New York Lance Corporal Benjamin Schmidt, age 24, of San Antonio, Texas Specialist Ricardo Cerros, Jr., age 24, of Salinas, California Captain Drew Russell, age 25, of Scotts, Michigan Captain Joshua Lawrence, age 29, of Nashville, Tennessee Sergeant Nathan Wyrick, age 34, of Enumclaw, Washington Chief Warrant Officer James Wilke, age 38, of Ione, Texas Chief Petty Officer Michael Tatham, age 33, of University Place, Washington Airman 1st Class Jerome Miller, Jr., age 23, of Washington, D.C. Specialist Jeremiah Sancho, age 23, of Palm Bay, Florida Those who have returned from service, possibly suffering from wounds or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, whose scars may by deep and long-lasting. 3

4 ORDER OF WORSHIP AT 9:00 A.M. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS *PASSING OF THE PEACE ORGAN PRELUDE Savior of the Nations, Come arr. Michael Burkhardt (Tune: Hymn #14) LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Robert and Cindy Love and their son, Hugh We have lit the candles for hope, peace and joy. Today we light the fourth candle the candle of love. This flame signifies the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because God loves us. CHORAL RESPONSE He Came Down 1 st time: Choir 2 nd time: All He came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; Hallelujah forever more. ADVENT PRAYER Loving God, we open our lives to you this season. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Magnify your love within us. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen. *HYMN NO. 14 Savior of the Nations, Come NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN Anne Ledbetter ANTHEM Carol of the Advent arr. Philip Dietterich Westminster Choir (Text: Hymn #12) At the asterisk (*), please stand as you are able. 4

5 SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 1:46-55 New Testament, page 49 Lisa Stoddard, Lay Liturgist SERMON Mary s Unsettling Song Greg Jones *HYMN NO. 600 Song of Mary MORNING SONG Vs. 1: Choir Vs. 2: All Women Vs. 3: All Men Vs. 4: Choir Vs. 5: All OFFERING During the offering, please sign your name and pass the red folder to the person next to you. As folders are returned to the center aisle, note the names of fellow worshippers on your pew. OFFERTORY Away in a Manger arr. Frances Callahan Reverberations Handbell Choir LITANY Among the poor, among the proud, among the persecuted, among the privileged, In the private house, in the market place, in the wedding feast, in the judgment hall, With a gentle touch, with an angry word, with a clear conscience, with burning love, That the kingdom might come, that the world might believe, that the powerful might stumble, that the humble might be raised, Within us, without us, among us, before us, in this place, in every place, for this time, for all time, Open your hearts, your minds and your souls because Christ is coming! He is coming to make all things new! (Wild Goose Worship Group, Cloth for the Cradle) 5

6 PRAYER Loving God, we need our world turned upside down. We need our illusion of self-importance and self-sufficiency to be undermined and we need a new way of being that is built on a new set of values. Humble the powerful and exalt the humble, Fill the hungry with good things, and keep the satisfied from taking even more. Give us the wisdom to follow Christ by extending compassion to others and creating a world of justice for all. O come, Emmanuel, and ransom your captive people. Amen. John van de Laar 2008 Sacredise *HYMN NO. 49 Once in Royal David s City IRBY BENEDICTION CHORAL POSTLUDE O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Cristmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel! GOING FORTH If you are visiting with us for the first time, we invite you to meet today s ambassadors, Don and Ellie Furry, at the back of the sanctuary. They will have a gift for you, and can share Information regarding our many ministries for children, youth and adults. ~ CORRECTION ~ In the December 4 bulletin, we listed names of members with 40 or more years of membership at Westminster. With deep regret, we inadvertently omitted Margaret Lounsbury and Anne Marsh, who have been loyal and very active members for over 45 years. These omissions were caused by an absence of information in the database. The entries have been corrected and the church staff expresses their sincerest apologies to Margaret and Anne. If you noticed other names that were missing from the December 4 list, please call the church office so that we can correct our records. Thank you. 6

7 Adult Education Classes This Morning Music and Meaning of Christmas Today in the Meeting Room Enjoy the beauty of music for this holy season as sung by an inspiring young girl. Jackie Evancho, only 11 years old, has brought the message of faith, hope and Christmas to millions around the world by her recordings, TV specials and the internet. Many of these people would not normally be exposed to spiritual songs. Some feel bliss and some feel tears at the pure vocals of this talented girl. Jackie is more than a singer, she is a story teller and she is on a mission. We will play a selection of videos for both the music and the lyrics. Come listen to fresh renditions of seasonal and eternal music by a little angel. POLO (Parents of Little Ones) - Today in Rodney Chapel Every Sunday this class gathers and enjoys discussion sparked by a YouTube video, an article, a book, or a guest. Topics range from nurturing faith development in our children to carving out family time in today s world. On the first Sunday (October March) of each month we host local parenting consultant Yvonne Nass. Fire on the Mountain, by Ray Vander Laan Today through February 5 DVD class and discussion in Classroom 6 Today: Not by Bread Alone (Sinai) Come along as we join Ray Vander Laan in the Holy Land, showing us where the Israelites would have gone after they left Egypt. When the Israelites left Egypt, they were finally free free from persecution, free from oppression, and free to worship their own God. But with that freedom came a new challenge learning how to live together the way God intended. In this ninth volume of Faith Lessons, discover how God taught the Israelites what it means to be part of a community that loves him, and the lessons we can begin to live out in our lives today. Thank you to all who made a 2012 pledge! If you have not yet made a 2012 pledge, please complete a card today to support continuing Westminster ministries in Remember the LORD your God, for it is God who gives you power to earn wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18 ) 7

8 ORDER OF WORSHIP AT 11:15 A.M. Preparation for Worship Welcome and Announcements *Passing of the Peace Prelude Away in a Manger arr. Frances Callahan Reverberations Handbell Choir Lighting of the Advent Wreath Jan and Kathryn van Amerongen and their sons, Jan, Christian and Schuyler We have lit the candles for hope, peace and joy. Today we light the fourth candle the candle of love. This flame signifies the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because God loves us. Response Christ Be Our Light 1 st time: Ensemble Repeat: All Advent Prayer Loving God, we open our lives to you this season. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Magnify your love within us. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen. At the asterisk (*), please stand as you are able. 8

9 *Songs of Celebration He came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; he came down that we may have love; Hallelujah forever more. He Came Down He came down that we may have peace; he came down that we may have peace; he came down that we may have peace; Hallelujah forever more. He came down that we may have joy; he came down that we may have joy; he came down that we may have joy; Hallelujah forever more. *Hymn No. 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM Children s Time Scripture Lesson Luke 1:46-55 New Testament, page 49 Mary Field, Lay Liturgist Sermon Mary s Unsettling Song Greg Jones Hymn Mary Heard the Angel s Message HYFRYDOL 1. Mary heard the angel's message: "Greetings, Mary, favored one! Do not fear, for God is with you; You will one day bear God's Son." Filled with questions, filled with wonder, She proclaimed her faith in God: "May it be as you have spoken; I'm the servant of the Lord!" 2. When she heard her cousin's greeting, Mary's heart was filled with joy, So she sang of God's great blessing Promised in her baby boy: "God has looked on me with favor, So I sing this song of praise. God has worked, the proud to scatter; Humble, hungry ones to raise." 3. Mary heard the shepherds' story, Words she treasured with delight. Then an angel gave the warning: "Flee with Jesus in the night!" Mary wondered in her anguish, What would be the pain he'd know? Fleeing then, she held him closely. One day she would let him go. Text by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Offering During the offering, please sign your name and pass the red folder to the person next to you. As folders are returned to the center aisle, note the names of fellow worshippers on your pew. Offertory Anthem Carol of the Advent arr. Philip Dietterich Vocal Ensemble (Text: Hymn #12) 9

10 Litany Among the poor, among the proud, among the persecuted, among the privileged, In the private house, in the market place, in the wedding feast, in the judgment hall, With a gentle touch, with an angry word, with a clear conscience, with burning love, That the kingdom might come, that the world might believe, that the powerful might stumble, that the humble might be raised, Within us, without us, among us, before us, in this place, in every place, for this time, for all time, Open your hearts, your minds and your souls because Christ is coming! He is coming to make all things new! (Wild Goose Worship Group, Cloth for the Cradle) *Song Refrain: Star-Child Verses: Vocal Ensemble Refrain: All This year, this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive! *Benediction *Response Go, Tell It on the Mountain Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born! 10

11 Christmas at Westminster 2011 Please mark your calendars and join us for the many ways we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. CHRISTMAS CAROLING TO THE HOMEBOUND Today at 3:30 p.m. Share the joy of Christmas by caroling to those in our faith community who can no longer attend church. CHRISTMAS EVE Saturday, December 24 Family Services 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Informal, lively 45-minute services combining the story of Jesus birth with the singing of familiar carols. Candlelight Communion Services 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. Traditional worship with choirs and communion. ONE-SERVICE SUNDAYS TO NOTE Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day) Worship at 10:00 a.m. (no child care) Sunday, January 1 (New Year s Day) Worship at 10:00 a.m. (Cribbery only) Sunday, January 29 (Annual Meeting) Worship at 9:00 a.m. 11