St. Thomas. Reformed Church December 16, RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT. Joy!

Transcription

1 Joy! St. Thomas Reformed Church December 16, RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. Zephaniah 3:14-15 (NSRV)

2 We Gather In God s Presence... The liturgical colors today are purple representing preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! Greeting & Announcements Choral Introit Sing Joy! Raney Advent Wreath Lighting based on Isaiah 35:1-10) The wilderness will dance and the dry places will sing praises to God. When we see the glory of the Lord revealed, we will be strengthened and saved! God s peace opens our eyes. God s gift of hope opens our hearts. With joy, we will praise the promised Savior of the world! Let us with joy kindle the light of the Lord. Prayer (The Candle of Joy is lit) *Hymn #143 Joy to the World ANTIOCH Psalter for Advent #123 The Coming of God Solo Rejoice Greatly (from Messiah ) Handel Laura Strickling, soprano Children s Message *Hymn #164 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO (Children under the age of 10 are excused to Activity Time.)...To Hear God s Word... Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Page 862 Message: Advent Sermon Series #3: A Word from the Prophet Zephaniah 2

3 ...And Respond with Gratitude Offering Offertory *Doxology An Improvised Sermonic Response Ken Medema Pastoral Prayer & The Lord s Prayer *Hymn #140 Hail to the Lord s Anointed SHEFFIELD *Congregational Response: While We Are Waiting, Come Cloninger/Cason...Depart in peace * - please stand 3

4 Announcements St. Thomas Reformed Church A Warm Welcome to our visitors. You are invited to complete the visitor registration forms at the end of the pew or on the back table. WELCOME Ken Medema Singing our stories, inspiring hearts For four decades, Ken Medema has inspired people through storytelling and music. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind. Music early became a major component of Medema s life.after graduating from high school Medema studied music therapy at Michigan State University in Lansing, where he concentrated heavily on performance skills in piano and voice and went on after working as a music therapist to earn his master s degree. In 1985 founded Brier Patch Music. Brier Patch is an independent recording, publishing, and performance-booking company with headquarters in Grandville, Michigan. Today, Medema performs in a widely variety of venues, from local congregations to charity fund-raisers, to high school and university campuses, to denominational youth gatherings, to universally televised religious programs, to corporate conventions, to annual assemblies of national organizations. He is co-founder of Interlude Retreat Corporation, which gifts retreat experiences for music directors, runs conferences and workshops and visits small but mighty churches to explore the musical possibilities for that congregation. He has recorded over 40 albums and his latest, Nothing Like the Rain has just been released in CD and USB format. Ken and his wife, Jane, have been married since 1965 and live in the San Francisco Bay area of California. They have two grown married children and four grandchildren. Please come back this afternoon at 4 for Ken Medema In Concert. A brief reception with light refreshments will follow the performance. Admission is free and all are welcome. 4

5 TODAY XYG (Senior High Youth) Bake Sale and Barbecue after worship! Grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and fresh baked goods all for sale to benefit our Spring Mission trip to the DR! Don t forget to pick up your own custom designed STRC mugs! They make a great Christmas gift! Next Sunday 10am Acoustic Carol Service! Come and celebrate the birth of Christ at our Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, a beautiful time of lessons and carols.this year there are performances by 3 choirs, the Dance Ministry, beloved STRC soloists, trumpet, percussion, and more! The evening will also feature special musical guests including guitarist James Cobb and singers Jordan Hill & John Lomacang. This service is always a highlight of our church year--arrive early for best seating! Monday, December 24 at 7pm. *If you are able, please park at Ft. Christian Parking lot or use offstreet parking leaving the church parking lot for visitors and those who need assistance. Children s Choir Sings Christmas Eve - Parents, please plan to have your child/children attend rehearsal after worship this morning to prepare for this performance All ladies are invited to celebrate the season! There will be a Ladies Holiday Tea Party on Saturday, Dec 29, 2018 at 3:00 pm in the Pavilion. Bring your favorite tea and treat to share. The Donation Envelopes are in the back of the church for Please take the box with your name on it. If you would like one and don t see your name then please let Dawn in the office know. We are looking for volunteers to share the church and its history with visitors during the week. Hours and days are flexible so please speak to Dawn to let her know of your interest and availability. LPCC Christmas gift request The LPCC After School Program has a mission this holiday season - to bring joy (and much needed items) to the children of the neighborhood! Your donation is an integral part of achieving 5

6 this Christmas mission. Please see Lucy or Noel, or mail if you are interested in being assigned a child for whom you can donate items. Donations are being accepted until 12/20. Thank you and happy holidays! *Please join us for a special evening as we welcome keynote speaker Father Greg Boyle tommorow Monday, December 17th, 2018 from 6pm - Antilles School s Prior-Jollek Hall. Father Greg will be addressing the crowd with a powerful message of compassion, kinship, and real ways to help others. The Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J., is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. Doors will open at 5:15pm and Father Greg s presentation will begin prompty at 6pm. Light hors d oeuvres will be provided by the MBW Cafe and Bakery and drinks will be available for purchase. This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Activity Time - Volunteers are needed for each Sunday to spend some quality, faith-filled fun time with the children of our church (under age 10) during worship. Lesson plans and activities are already planned and will be sent to you! Thank you to our Activity time leader for today: Deb Merrill Prison Ministry If you would like to be involved in our prison ministry, visiting and leading Bible studies every Monday night at 6 pm in the local jail, please contact: Gabriel Villegas (gjvillegas@yahoo.com) or Dave Haddow (davidjhaddow@yahoo.com) RETREAT CENTER UPDATE New Work Team Arriving tomorrow On Monday, December 17th we will welcome twelve (12) Christian athletes and coaches from the University of Pittsburgh. The group will assist with relief efforts while staying in the RC2 through the 22nd of December. STRC Church APP available! Includes the morning bulletin and scripture passages. Download free and follow STRC on your smartphone! Also, send your prayer requests directly to Pastor Jeff! 6

7 The nursery located in the Bakery Square annex is open to children 3 years and under. Please use the bathrooms in the Undercroft or through the gate in the Bakery Square annex. Next week s Lectionary Scripture Readings: Micah 5:2-5 Luke 1:46-55 or Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK PRAISE AND THANKS: to Daniel Yanonne for the gift of this year s live Christmas tree! to Walt & Debbie Schamp and their paint crew for our sanctuary restoration. Healing & peace for Edie Pasek, Robert dejongh, Bruce Marshall, Joni Jones, and Tom & Marie Herman. Comfort for Deborah and the family of Ed Slaughter Hannah Upp and all missing persons in the VI. Welcome home to family and friends of STRC. Safe travels for everyone over the holidays *If you would like prayers added to our Sunday prayer list please contact Pastor Jeff at mail@stthomasreformedchurch.org or call the church office at THIS WEEK S SALVATION ARMY HELPERS: Joe Tulis, Linda Gidley, Mac Davis, and Jean Kuster 7

8 CALENDAR TODAY Mon., Dec 17 9:00-9:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:20 a.m. After service 11:30 noon 4:00 p.m. Café in the Pavilion Sunday Worship Activity Time (Undercroft Yellow Room) XYG BBQ/Bake Sale (Pavilion) Children s Choir Rehearsal Ken Medema in Concert (STRC) 6:00 7:30 p.m. Father Greg Boyle s Presentation (Prior- Jolleck Hall at Antilles School) Tues., Dec 18 Thurs., Dec 20 Sat., Dec 22 Sun., Dec 23 11:30-1:00 p.m. Salvation Army Lunch 6:00-8:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal (MR) 10:00 a.m. - noon 11:00-2:30 p.m. 2:00 3:00 p.m. 9:00-9:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:30 - noon 4:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal (MR) Bethlehem House Lunch Youth Choir Rehearsal (MR) Café in the Pavilion Acoustic Carol Service Children s Choir Rehearsal Christmas Party and Caroling (Sea View) GIVING THANKS LEADING WORSHIP TODAY: Ministers: All the people of the church Preaching: Pastor Jeff Advent Wreath: Matthew Wojtylak and his family (Brad, Keely & Corey) Greeters: Edye Ciaccia and Robin Marsella Music: Chanelle Schaffer, Michael Barr, the Adult Choir and Special Guests: Ken Medema and Laura Strickland Head Ushers: Dr. Adam Flowers and Joel Comissiong Sound System: Steve Marsella and Henry Ong 8

9 PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK PRAYER REQUESTS THIS WEEK The family of Hans Lorentzen as they grieve Congratulations to Clive and Lise Banfield death. A25 Celebration of Life is on being held whohis celebrated years of marriage December 4. today at Carigas from 12-3pm. Healing & peace for Edie Pasek, Robert dejongh, Hannah Upp and all missing persons in the VI. Bruce Marshall, Joni Jones. Robert dejongh Hannah Upp and all missing persons in the VI. Bruce Marshall *If you would like prayers added to our Sunday prayer *If you would prayers added to our Sunday prayer listlike please contact Pastor Jeff at list please contact Pastor Jeff at All ladies are invited to celebrate the season! or call the church office at Ladies Holiday Tea Party Saturday, 29, 2018office at 3:00 in the Pavilion. or call Dec the church at pm Bring your favorite tea and treat to share. JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENING OF FELLOWSHIP WITH FATHER GREG BOYLE OF Monday, December 17th, 2018 from 6pm - Antilles School s Prior-Jollek Hall Light hors d oeuvres will be provided by the MBW Cafe and Bakery THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND 799

10 St. Thomas Reformed Church Come and celebrate the birth of Christ at our Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service a beautiful service of lessons and carols MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 AT 7PM *If you are able, please park at Ft. Christian Parking lot or use off-street parking leaving the church parking lot for visitors and those who need assistance. 10

11 We are excited to resume our Sunday School program for grades 1-8! Starting on January 13, 2019, Sunday School classes will be offered at 9:15am - PRIOR to our 10am worship service! We are still in need of teachers for all grades! Never taught before? Come and learn how easy and rewarding it is! Chantal Figueroa will be available immediately after worship today to review the curriculum and give an overview of how our Sunday School program works. We look forward to seeing you there! 11

12 St. Thomas Reformed Church Founded in 1660 All are Welcome In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Office Phone: (340) Address: 2105 Crystal Gade#5, St. Thomas, VI Mailing Address: PO Box , St. Thomas, VI Website: STRC APP free to download on itunes and Google Play Like us on FaceBook: Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Neevel Minister of Music & Arts: Chanelle Schaffer Executive Office Administrator: Dawn Wheatley Comissiong Retreat Center Coordinator: Vicky Gomez Christian Maintenance Supervisor: Charles Edwards Website Manager and Graphic Designer: Phyllis Carrozza