Service for the Lord s Day The Season of Advent Third Sunday. The People of God Gather. The Word of God Proclaimed CHILDREN S MOMENT

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1 December 16, 2018 *CONGREGATION STANDS AS ABLE WELCOME and INVITATION Service for the Lord s Day The Season of Advent Third Sunday The People of God Gather 10:30 A.M. LITURGICAL COLOR: PURPLE PRELUDE Prelude on "Mueller" - comp., Gordon Young *LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES First Reader: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent is the season in which we prepare ourselves and others to receive our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes to judge and restore this broken and sinful world to our perfect and holy God. Second Reader: On that great and glorious day, God in Christ will powerfully intervene in human affairs. John the Forerunner declares: Christ will come with his winnowing fork in his hand. He will clear the threshing floor and place the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he shall burn with eternal fire. First Reader: But what shall we do to get ready for such judgment? We shall live like Christ, and be renewed in his love. We will share with those who have not enough. We will take from others no more than is needed. We will give generously to the poor. We will tell the truth and avoid all falsehood, even to our own detriment. And we will be content with what we have. Second Reader: We have lit the candles of hope and peace. Today we light the candle of joy in anticipation of our coming victory in Christ. We light this candle, singing and shouting in a spirit of gladness. (Light the Candle of Joy) Congregation: Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory. *HYMN Comfort, Comfort You My People No. 3 PRAYER of CONFESSION Leader: A voice is crying out in the wilderness: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. In a spirit of contrition, yet with confidence, let us humbly confess our sin before God and neighbor. (and silent confession) (Unison) God of the future, you are coming in power to judge the peoples and bring all nations under your benevolent rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, or longed for its righteousness, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. In our blindness, we accept lies as truth, avoid the needs of our neighbors, abuse our adversaries, and refuse to love everyone as you love them. In your mercy forgive us. Help us turn from our errors and welcome your way. Help us accept the victory you offer us in Christ. Restore our fortunes and renew us in your love. Empower us to rejoice and be glad in you. Make us ready for Christ when he comes, so that we will be able to stand. Amen. ASSURANCE of PARDON Leader: According to the prophet Isaiah, the wilderness will rejoice; the dry land will blossom. The people of God will turn from their sins and return with joy and singing to their God. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and restored. People: We are surely forgiven. Praise be to God! *PASSING the PEACE *GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. The Word of God Proclaimed CHILDREN S MOMENT (Parents/Guardians are invited to bring infants and children to the chancel steps) ANTHEM Come, Christ of God comp., Stan Pethel OLD TESTAMENT LESSON GOSPEL LESSON Zephaniah 3:14-20 (p. 681 or LP 1073, OT) Luke 3:7-18 (p. 46 or LP 73, NT) SERMON Renewed by Love - Rev. James Goff The People of God Respond *HYMN O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? No. 11 *AFFIRMATION of FAITH This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold it fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared first to the women, then to Peter, and to the Twelve, and then to many faithful witnesses. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; he is our Lord and our God. Amen.

2 OFFERING of TITHES and GIFTS Offertory In Silent Night - comp., Mitchell Southard *Doxology, *Prayer of Dedication Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. JOYS AND CONCERNS Pastor s Prayer The Lord s Prayer ( forgive us our debts ) 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. We Go to Serve in God s Name *HYMN It Came Upon a Midnight Clear No. 38 *BENEDICTION JOY POSTLUDE From Heaven Above to Earth I Come arr., Raymond Haan LOVELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Darlene Ervin, Clerk of Session / Pete Bissman, Treasurer / Jenni Cox, Office Manager Michael Spresser, Music Director & Accompanist / Tyler Smith, Assistant Music Director Donna Conrad, Custodian / Rev. James Goff, Pastor Council of the Session Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Darlene Ervin Laura Hoyer Samantha Sears Tim Thornton Tim Thalheimer Hank Westcott Deacons Jan Pirtle, Moderator Laurie Gordon Nancy Gerke Kecia Sears June Taylor Joyce Thalheimer Rosanne Schaffer Dot Jamison Prayer Chain Coordinator, Nancy Von Kampen, Phone: Robin Ave. Loveland, OH (513) Lovelandpresbyterianchurch.org Office hours: Mon. Thurs., 9:00a 1:oop

3 This Week s Servants 12/16/18 Sunday (12/16/18) 9:45 a 10:30 a 4:00 p 4:30 p Coffee Bar Worship & Praise: 3 rd Sunday of Advent Den 1 (Room 8) A Christmas Celebration (Sanctuary/NH) Thursday (12/20/18) 6:00 p 6:00 p 7:30 p Choir Christmas Party (Parlor) Pack 888 Choir Rehearsal Pastor: Rev. James Goff Music Director & Accompanist: Michael Spresser Assistant Music Dir.: Tyler Smith Liturgist: Carol Sue Ries Welcomer: Linda Slusher Fellowship: Coffee Bar Nursery: Leslie Westcott Children s Church: Dot Jamison Acolytes: Sam Goff & Jean Gantt Advent Wreath Lighters: The Motley Family Ushers: Jeff Jamison, Norm von Kampen, Bill Miller, Joe Frees Next Week s Servants 12/23/18 Pastor: Rev. James Goff Music Director & Accompanist: Michael Spresser Assistant Music Dir.: Tyler Smith Liturgist: Tim Thornton Welcomer: Sears & Gerke Family Fellowship: Coffee Bar Nursery: Rosanne Schaffer Children s Church: Leslie Westcott Acolytes: Sam Goff & Tucker Motley Advent Wreath Lighters: TBA Ushers: Jeff Jamison, Hank Westcott, Bill Miller, Joe Frees Monday (12/17/18) 6:30 p Den 6 Property Committee (Parlor) Friday (12/21/18) Birthdays December 21 st ~ Shirley Jones Anniversaries December 19 th ~ Niki & Terry Price Tuesday (12/18/18) Wednesday (12/19/18) 9:30 a Council of Session (Parlor) Troop 888 Chair Yoga A.A. Meeting Saturday (12/22/18) Sunday (12/23/18) 9:45 a 10:30 a Coffee Bar Worship & Praise: 4 th Sunday of Advent Joys and Concerns Joy and congratulations! Kathy Lorenz has been chosen as the 2019 Loveland Valentine Lady! Prayers for safe travel to and from California for Roger Hoyer. Prayers for Laurie Gordon who is now under care at Meadowbrook Care Center. Prayers for Betty Cliff, Roger Hoyer s elderly neighbor who has moved in with her son due to heart problems. Prayers for Art Books, son of Don and sister of Jan Pirtle, undergoing treatment for cancer. Prayers for Jo Lydy, suffering from chronic interstitial pulmonary disease, who has received the news that she is not a candidate for a lung transplant. Prayers for what is to come next in her treatment. Prayers for Carol Skinner s health and continued recovery. Prayers for our homebound - Dotty King, Norma Koerkel, Gene Strand, Doris Goddard, and Sunni & Karl Kadon. Please keep in your hearts and prayers all the sick and shut-ins of LPC. Please notify the LPC office of the progress and recovery of the individuals and loved ones named above. Names will appear for 2 weeks unless the office is otherwise notified. Thank you.

4 Sunday, December 16, 2018 Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols: A Celebration of the Birth of Christ Our Savior 7 o clock in the evening A CaringBridge website has been set up by Laurie Gordon s family to help friends and family stay updated on her current medical condition. This website not only helps you stay informed with the latest news about Laurie s health, but it is also a way to offer Laurie support and encouragement by allowing you to post messages for her to read. Please go to caringbridge.org and search on her name. She is listed as Laurie Rose Gordon. It is simple to create an account or you can login using your Facebook account. Laurie is currently at Meadowbrook Care Center in Montgomery (8211 Weller Road), and although she tires quickly, she enjoys short visits from smiling faces. She is in room A24. Join us today at 4:30pm A Christmas Celebration Mark your calendars for LPC s Christmas Celebration. Please join us for an afternoon of music, merriment, food and fun! The festivities begin at 4:30 pm with a Christmas program, music and a holiday sing along! We will end the celebration with dinner and dessert in Nisbet Hall. Invite your family and friends, old and young, for a jolly good Christmas Celebration! We will be collecting non-perishable food items for L.I.F.E. Food Pantry to help our neighbors in need. We will also collect for disaster relief for Matthew 25 Ministries. Please considering making a monetary donation or a donation of non-perishable food items, personal care & first aid items, cleaning supplies, paper products, and baby supplies. Visit their website for a complete list of needed items. FINANCIAL REPORT November 2018 Income: (offering & rental) $9,768 Expenses: (budgeted) $20,001 Please find your new name tags in your church mailbox located in the Coat Room. The church office will be closed Christmas Eve through New Year s Day. It will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, Please contact Pastor Jim with pastoral emergencies by calling him on his cellphone ( ). He will be in Georgia visiting family December 26- January 2. You may contact Jenni on her cellphone (listed in the directory) with urgent office emergencies. Prayer Chain Coordinator Nancy von Kampen will be travelling to visit family over the holidays. She is tentatively scheduled to be out of town December 20-January 2. Please call Darlene Ervin if you would like to place a joy or a prayer on the Prayer Chain. December 24 Christmas Eve Service December 24 to January 1 Church Office Closed January 5 Men s Breakfast January 27 Congregational Meeting Christmas Traditions Around the World In Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, finding a spider or a spider s web on a Christmas tree is believed to be a harbinger of good luck. According to one legend, a spider wove a blanket for Baby Jesus, according to the other a spider web on the Christmas tree turned silver and gold once the sunlight touched it. One way or another, decorating a Christmas tree with artificial spiders and spider webs will inevitably bring you luck and prosperity! In Armenia, the traditional Christmas Eve meal consists of fried fish, lettuce and spinach. Many Armenians fast for a week before the Christmas Eve, that s why, in order not to stress the stomach, the menu for the Christmas dinner is pretty light. The first artificial Christmas Tree wasn t a tree at all. It was created out of goose feathers that were dyed green. The first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany in the 19th century, due to a major continuous deforestation. The feather trees became increasingly popular during the early 20th century and finally made their way to the US. Iceland has 13 Santas and an old lady who kidnaps children. Christmas in Iceland is a colorful fusion of religion, fairy tales and folklore. Instead of one Santa, the kids are visited by 13 Yule Lads that either reward children for good behavior or punish them if they were naughty. The holiday period begins 13 days before Christmas and each day one of the 13 Yule Lads comes to houses and fills the shoes that kids leave under the Christmas tree either with sweets and small gifts, or rotting potatoes, depending on how that particular child has behaved on the preceding day. The mother of Yule Lads, half-troll, half-beast, horrifying old woman Grýla, kidnaps naughty kids and boils them in her cauldron. Yikes!

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