Collingswood Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 Collingswood Presbyterian Church December 8, 2013 Second Sunday of Advent

2 30 Fern Avenue, Collingswood, New Telephone: Fax: Website: The Rev. Dr. Katherine G. Killebrew, Pastor William Powell, Director of Music Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education Joan Hafer, Secretary Chris Keeley, Custodian Bulletin Cover art work create by John Stuart, Heaven's Highway Daily Devotions ( glenkirk.blogspot.com/ ).

3 COLLINGSWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY December 8, nd Sunday of Advent ASSEMBLE IN GOD S NAME Silent Prayer O Root of Jesse, O Peace, stir up your power within us, that in this time we may await with abundant expectation the fulfillment of your eternal presence in creation, for you live and reign among us, Maker, Savior, and Giver of Life, one God, now and forever. Amen. Welcome and Announcements We welcome you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Please sign the guest book in the narthex so we can send you a welcome packet. Gathering of Prayer Concerns and Joys Please raise your hand to share your joys or concerns to be included in the prayers of the people this day. You may also write your concern on the pink sheets and hand to the Pastor. Please mail a prayer card from the narthex to your loved one. Minute for Mission - Baby Manna - Philabundance Joe Sperlunto Centering Music While We are Waiting, Come #92 GTG ALL: While we are waiting, come; While we are waiting, come. Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, While we are waiting, come. (*Please stand for items marked with an asterisk.)

4 Lighting of the Advent Candle Susan, Ryan, and Liam Berkelbach Leader: Advent is a time of preparation. We work very hard to prepare our homes, gifts, and food. Let us work on preparing our hearts to make room for him. People: Come, Lord Jesus, into our hearts. hope is alive. ALL: The second candle is lit. Leader: On this Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace. Jesus said, My peace I leave you. It is not as the world gives. People: We long for the godly peace that passes understanding. We pray for Shalom to be in our hearts this season. We pray for peace in the world. Hymn - The Angels Song

5 Call to Worship Leader: The day of God is coming: lift up your voices. Cry out with the strength God provides. People: We await God s coming day with anticipation. We seek the peace and patience God provides. Leader: Comfort, comfort my people, says our God. Speak tenderly to my suffering people. People: We will prepare the way for the One who is coming. God s hand is upon us. Praise be to God! *Hymn - Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus #82 GTG *Prayer of Confession (unison) All: Holy God, we confess, that we do not walk in your light. We hurt and destroy one another; we neglect the poor and hungry. We let evil grow among us and fail to bear good fruit. Forgive us; deliver us; prepare the way for us, so that we may be ready to enter into your presence through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. *Words of Assurance Leader: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, People: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Leader: He bore our sins, so we might be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. People: Thanks be to God! *Congregational Response - Glory To God #583 GTG (Sing twice.) Gloria, gloria, in Excelsis Deo. Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

6 *Sharing of the Peace Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. PROCLAIM GOD S WORD Children s Sermon (Children Pre-K through 5th Grade may leave for Sunday School.) Anthem Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming traditional carol Chancel Choir Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10 (pp ) *Hymn - On Jordan s Bank #96 GTG Scripture Lesson: Matthew 3: 1-12 (pp ) Sermon: Our Hope in the Wilderness Mr. Richard Aylor, Seminary Intern WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD *Affirmation of Faith - Brief Statement of Faith We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of

7 the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal. Offering How shall we present right offerings to God? What does God expect of those who are blessed and forgiven? May our gifts confirm our partnership in the gospel and our gratitude for God s abundant mercy. Musical Mediation tune for today s closing hymn * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication Prayers of the People Leader: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Prayers of Praise, Thanksgiving, and Intercession... All: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

8 GO IN GOD S NAME *Hymn - View the Present Through the Promise words by Thomas H. Troeger, 1994 tune: All Through the Night #36 GTG View the present through the promise, Christ will come again. Trust despite the deepening darkness, Christ will come again. Lift the world above its grieving through your watching and believing In the hope past hope s conceiving: Christ will come again. Probe the present with the promise, Christ will come again. Let your daily actions witness, Christ will come again. Let your loving and your giving and your justice and forgiving Be a sign to all the living: Christ will come again. Match the present to the promise, Christ will come again. Make this hope your guiding premise, Christ will come again. Pattern all your calculating and the world you are creating To the advent you are awaiting: Christ will come again. *Benediction *Choral Response *Postlude Go Forward and Serve! Be a part of God s work through CPC! Please join us in the Lounge for coffee and fellowship time.

9 Sunday, December 8, 2013 If you are a visitor, please sign the Fellowship Welcome! Book in the narthex so we know you are here! Large print bulletins and hymnals are available for your convenience. If you have difficulty hearing, personal amplifiers are available in the narthex. Parents, please pick up a worship activity bag for your children. Please return the bags to the narthex after the service for your service! Reader: Rev. Dr. Kate Killebrew Greeters: Ann LePore and Donna Scheurenbrand with Dylan Ushers: Jean Harle and George Rafferty Deacon of the Day: Martha Jane Caldwell-Bates Fellowship Team: Louanna Sills Flowers: The flowers today are given by Martha Jane Caldwell- Bates in memory of loved ones. Sunday School: Children should follow Mrs. Kolecki out after the Children s Sermon. You may pick your children up in Calvin Hall after service. Nursery is for children aged birth to 3 years old. Our nursery workers are Madeline Almand, Brie Lynch, and Natalie Sperlunto. Parents are invited to sign-up in the nursery to come in and do an activity such as a song, read a book, or other activity with the older nursery children.

10 What s happening at CPC this week? Sun., 12/8 Wed., 12/11 Thurs., 12/12 Sun., 12/15 Second Sunday of Advent 9:00 am - Bible Study 10:30 am - Worship & Sunday School 11:30 am - Fellowship - Lounge 6:30-8:00 pm - Youth Group 11:00 am - Staff Meeting 5:30 pm - Beginner Handbell Choir 6:00 pm - Session Meeting 6:15 pm - Advanced Handbell Choir 6:30 pm - Decorate the Church 7:30 pm - Adult Handbell Choir 7:00 pm - Choir practice Third Sunday of Advent 9:00 am - Bible Study 10:30 am - Worship & Sunday School 11:30 am - Fellowship - Lounge 6:30-8:00 pm - Youth Group WEEKLY COMMUNITY USE Spring of Life Church: Sunday - 1:00-2:30 pm - Sanctuary 2:30-5:00 pm - Dining Room Wed. & Fri. - 8:00-9:30 pm - Jr. Rm. Toddler Play Group Tue. & Wed. - 9:30-11:30 am. Collingswood Needlework Group Tue. - 7:00-9:00 pm Girl Scouts Thurs. - 5:00-8:00 pm

11 Children should follow Mrs. Kolecki out after the Children s Sermon. Last week, we talked about the story of Christmas and made angels to get ready for Advent. This week, we will be continuing to work on our parts for the Pageant. Please practice your children s lines with them. You may pick your children up in Calvin Hall after the service. Upcoming dates for Pageant Practice: Practice during Sunday School: Dec. 8, 15. Notice: There will not be pageant practice on 12/11, but please join us for church decorating at 6:30 pm. Wednesday Night practice 12/18 at 6:30pm for dress rehearsal and putting up of the manger. (Bring your muscles!). We are also looking for parents to help with pageant practices. Please let Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education, know if you are available to help. We have broken the classes down differently this next year. We have a pre-reader group for Preschool Kindergarten, called the Sheep. Our next group is 1 st and 2 nd grade, known as the Shepherds. Our oldest group for Sunday School is 3 rd 5 th grade, called the Disciples. Please see Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education, to sign up to teach/help with the Sunday School Program. There also is a sign-up sheet outside the Director of Christian Ed. s door. Also, if you have a child in Sunday School, please join our Facebook page: Collingswood Presbyterian Church Sunday School

12 There is Youth Group this week for the Sr. High group 6:30-8pm. The Jr. High group is away at Camp Johnsonburg this weekend. They will return later today. Next Sunday, December 15 th, will be a small Youth Group Christmas Party. Please sign up to bring some snacks. Upcoming events: Breakfast Club: is the third Sunday. The next one will be next Sunday, December 15th. Students in 6, 7, & 8 th grades will come out of the service when the Sunday School children do and go to the Bells Room to have Bible study and snacks with Richard Aylor, the Seminary intern. Confirmation students are encouraged to attend. The Youth Group will be having their Second Annual Cookie Tray Sale, with Cookie trays being delivered on 12/22/13. Please see the order form in the bulletin. We are still in need of parents to sign up to bring in snacks. Please sign up outside of the office of Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Ed. If you have not done so already, please join our Youth Group Facebook Page: Collingswood Presbyterian Youth Group. It is a good way to keep in touch and up to date on youth group info and activities.

13 Coffee House returns to CPC December 14 We had a great time with our friends over at Logan Memorial Presbyterian in Audubon in November, but in December we come back to CPC for our Second Saturday Coffee House and open Mic Night. Our Theme is Christmas, and we are looking for musical acts, instrumentalists, and carolers to join in singing Christmas songs. Fair Trade Coffee and Tea will be served and available for purchase. We need donations of Christmas desserts! A special Creative Christmas Sweater Contest will be held and crafts available for children (of all ages). Time is 7pm-9pm held in Calvin Hall. ALL AGES ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME! 32nd Annual Community Sing In The Messiah TODAY, Sunday, December 8, :00pm to 8:00pm Glenn Rodgers, Director Dennis Elwell, Organist First United Methodist Church, Camden Ave. at Pleasant Valley Ave., Moorestown, NJ Bring your music and join in singing!! Next Confirmation class dates Wednesday, December 18 7:00-8:00 pm

14 Good Coffee - Doing Good Buy your coffee and tea at CPC s Equal Exchange table, and make a difference in the lives of the farmers who grow it. Started in 2001, the Presbyterian Coffee Project is a collaboration between Equal Exchange and the Presbyterian Church USA s Enough for Everyone Program to involve more Presbyterian communities and individuals in supporting small farmers around the world. You ll find the Coffee Project table in the lounge before and after worship service. At Collingswood Presbyterian Church we have in stock both whole bean and ground coffees; decaf and caffeine. Tea drinkers: we have chamomile, peppermint, green tea, and breakfast teas. Please look at our catalog, tell me if you d like to buy a project not on our table...we plan to reorder soon. If you would like to be part of our Coffee Mission Team, please talk with Lorrie Heuser, heuser551@verizon.net. The 2014 FLOWER DONATION BOOK is available in the narthex. Sign up now for those special dates in memory and in honor of loved ones and special occasions. We are truly grateful for your flower donations each Sunday. We know that busy schedules sometimes interfere with our best intentions, but Flowers by Renee need to be paid promptly. Please make payment of $20 by check, made out to CPC- Flowers, on or before the date on which you are donating the flowers. Thank you for the gift of flowers and for your timely payments.

15 Mitten, Hat, Coat and Sock Tree Our congregation will be collecting hats, scarves, mittens, and socks this Christmas to donate to help families in crisis and homeless in our county. Please help us warm as many people as possible by donating to this collection. Our Charlie Brown tree will be placed in the Narthex in a few weeks. Hang your gifts of gloves, hats, scarves and socks from its branches. The tree will stay up until January If you have gently used or new coats which you would like to donate, you can place them on the pew in the Narthex. Thank you. Lorrie Heuser WANT TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BY HELPING OTHERS???? We are needed to help Atlantic City churches and homes rebuild from Super Storm Sandy. Here is how you can help: Help out for a day (or two). The Presbytery of West Jersey is coordinating groups (or individuals) from churches who want to go down to AC for a day to help repair churches and homes. Any day is available if you want to go down -- just contact Pastor Kate and she can put you in touch with the Disaster Relief coordinator Wendy Frisby. Donate slightly used tools for building projects. Bring to church and leave in the narthex. If you have usable electric or gas power tools please put in the boiler room in the box labeled Hurricane Sandy. CPC work day - Saturday December 28- from 8am - 4pm. All hands on deck!! CPC members and friends will be going down to AC as a church that day. All skills (or no skills ) are needed. Youth ages 16 and above are encouraged to help.

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17 Dear Friends, The finance committee would like to share two reminders for this season of thanksgiving and Christmas celebration. We have had a wonderful year of progress, due to the many gifts and talents from so many in our congregation. And we have so much to look forward to next year. With this in mind: 1) Please catch up on your 2013 pledge. We are still several thousand dollars behind where we should be. If you can be generous and give a little more, this would be much appreciated. 2) We had a well-attended church service for making our Wings of Hope pledges for We have received about 2/3 s of the anticipated pledges so far. Please read the letter in November that was sent with your pledge card of our progress this year. Then, prayerfully consider your commitment to CPC and return your pledge card to the box in the back of the Sanctuary or mail it to the Church office. Thank you for your faith and commitment to CPC, Bob Marks The new CPC Church Directory is available for you in the mailboxes in the hall outside the Lounge. Please pick up your copy today.

18 Mark your calendars for a special time to celebrate Christmas together. The Christmas Pageant will be presented during worship on December 22nd. After church, we ll fellowship together over lunch. Please make your reservations early so that we may prepare enough food and goodies for all! Fill out and submit the form below by Sunday 12/15/13 or Lorraine at lorraine.brown@comcast.net cell ********************************************************************** (Please fill out and place in the offering plate by 12/15/13) Family name # attending address: We will bring (circle one, please): Side Dish Mac and cheese, string bean casserole, spinach casserole, or potato salad. Dessert Your choice Drinks Case of water or 4 bottles of soda *YES I would like to help set up. *YES I would like to help clean up.

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20 Christmas Cookie Trays The CPC Youth Group will be selling Cookie Trays as a fundraiser for their group. The money will go towards retreats and mission trips. The trays will come in 2 sizes: Small: $10 and Large: $15. The cookies will be assorted Christmas favorites. Please fill out this form and return with appropriate funds to: Gretchen Kolecki, Director of CE. by 12/15/13. (Orders will not be accepted after this date.) Name: Phone#: # of Small Trays: x $10= # of Large Trays: x $15= Total # of Trays: Total $ Cookie Trays will be delivered on 12/22/13 after church. The Youth Group will also be making and delivering cookie trays to the shut-ins of the church.

21 KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS... Birthdays: Sydney McGinnis, Joyce Goulburn, Rebecca Celebre, Art Moffett, Patty Sheffler, David Motson, Dennis Kolecki, and Harry Binder, Congratulations: To Michelle and David Perrin on the birth of their daughter Noelle Mae Perrin on December 3rd. Seminarians: Chris McNabb, Buzzy LeCluyse and Richard Aylor Those who serve in government, our military personnel, & those who work in other countries. Our country, our president, and our leaders Our troops in Afghanistan and around the world Military personnel - Mark McCaulley, Jennifer Riippa, & Ben Sheldon Kyle Stoy-- who is teaching ESL in Seoul, South Korea Those in Care Facilities or at home Elizabeth Baggett Elsie Hak Robert Johnson Evelyn Plunkett Dorothy Varnum Jean Waitz Raymond Perry Harry Binder Pray for Health and Wellness Ray Burns Michael Burns Sal Ferraro Sam Jang Do-Soon Joan Klacik Bob Lowden Ray Perry Carol Rowand Frank Griffin Frederick Bates Jay Sills Linda Hanson Judy Grantham Please pick up a prayer card in the narthex and mail it to these loved ones for whom we pray. Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church Our PCUSA mission in Hong Kong Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church, Cardenas, Cuba Njikob Presbyterian Church, Cameroon If you are going into the hospital or would like a pastoral visit, please call or have a family member call the church office or one of the deacons or elders. If you don t call, we are going to assume you don t want a visit! Please remember to fill out a new pink form.

22 CHURCH STAFF AND OFFICERS The Rev. Dr. Katherine G. Killebrew, Pastor William Powell, Director of Music Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Ed Joan Hafer, Church Secretary Chris Keeley, Custodian Maryann Kelly, Bookkeeper THE SESSION (Meets second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.) Melissa Corso, Clerk of Session Bob Marks, President, Board of Trustees Barbara Bockmann, Financial Secretary & Treasurer Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Robert Marks Keith Haines Abby Murray Lorraine Brown Melissa Corso Mike Amato Jeff Hirt Candace Lowden Committees of Session Christian Growth Finance and Stewardship Mission and Outreach Outreach Memorial Personnel Nominating Property Worship and Arts Chair Keith Haines Bob Marks Abby Murray Candace Lowden Karen Mazak Melissa Corso Melissa Corso Mike Amato Moderator BOARD OF DEACONS (Meets first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.) Lorrie Heuser, Moderator Martha Caldwell-Bates, Vice-Moderator Jane Trent, Treasurer Richard Herzog, Secretary Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016 Richard Herzog Lorrie Heuser Louanna Sills Natalie Sperlunto Jane Trent Martha Caldwell-Bates Erica Werner Karen Mazak [Terms begin Feb 1 of each year or upon Ordination/Installation] Rev. 11/3/13

23 Christmas Poinsettias Poinsettias will decorate our sanctuary from December 22nd through December 29th. If you would like to order a plant in memory or in honor of a loved one, please fill in the slip below and place it along with your check in the offering plate or mail it to be received in the church office by December 13 th. Make your check payable to Collingswood Presbyterian Church Flowers. If you like, you may pick up your plant after our Christmas Eve service on December 24 th at 7:00 p.m. The Deacons will distribute any plants remaining to shut-ins. The cost is $15 each (7 inch pot 6+ blooms). Poinsettias are available in your choice of color with red, pink, or white blooms Poinsettia orders due by December 13th: I would like to order the following poinsettias at $15 each: How many? Red Pink White Total # of plants Total enclosed $ The bulletin insert should read: Given by In memory of In honor of In memory of In honor of

24 Place Your Order Now! Collingswood Presbyterian Church has purchased new hymnals. The cost for each Hymnal is $ You can still purchase a hymnal in memory or honor of a friend or loved one! Complete the following information and return this form to the church office, or place in the offering plate, with your check made payable to Collingswood Presbyterian Church Hymnal. Given by: In Memory: In Honor: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Given by: In Memory: In Honor: