December 23, 2018 Fellowship Hall Service 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Advent

Transcription

1 December 23, 2018 Fellowship Hall Service 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Fourth Sunday in Advent

2 Order of Worship * Welcome and greetings Len Teague, pastor of children and youth * Call to worship taken from Luke 1 Leader: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. All: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him, without fear, in holiness and righteousness all our days. * Hymn of praise O Come, All Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him born the King of angels; Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. God of God, Light of Light; lo, he abhors not the virgin s womb: very God, begotten, not created; Refrain Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heav n above; glory to God in the highest; Refrain Latin hymn, attr. to John Francis Wade, 1751 * Prayer of adoration Call to confession taken from Psalm 32 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

3 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found. Silent prayers of confession Assurance of God s pardoning grace taken from 2 Corinthians 8 and Acts 4 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. * Hymn of assurance What Child Is This What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you: hail, hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby: joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary. traditional English carol, adapted by William C. Dix, ca Worship in the giving of God s tithe and our offerings Offertory hymn Once in Royal David s City Once in royal David s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall: with the poor, and mean, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. continued

4 And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav n above, and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. text by Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848 Sacrament of baptism Katherine and Marshall Teague bringing Camplen Willhart Teague (9:30) Kellie and Hank Currin bringing Hunter Lillian Currin (11:00) * Scripture reading from Luke 2:1-20 Caroline Barnes (9:30) text printed in the bulletin Barbara Wingard (11:00) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Prayer of preparation for the study of God s Word Sermon Pastoral prayer The Royal Announcement of Jesus Arrival Frank Hitchings, senior associate pastor * Hymn of response Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King. * Benediction Christ, by highest heav n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold him come, offspring of the virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Refrain Hail the heav n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Refrain text by Charles Wesley, 1739

5 * Doxology * Postlude 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. * Congregation standing as you are able Musicians for this week: Charley Crichton bass David Henry guitar, vocalist Maddie Lee piano Hannah Lutz viola Jakob Paddy vocalist Hope Plating vocalist Celebrating the baptism of Camplen Willhart Teague at the 9:30 a.m. service in the fellowship hall today are his parents, Katherine and Marshall Teague, and his grandparents, Karol and Bill Whitmire, and Shannon and Len Teague. Celebrating the baptism of Hunter Lillian Currin at the 11:00 a.m. service in the fellowship hall today are her parents, Kellie and Hank Currin, and her grandparents, Lorrie and David Kent, and Tina and Sam Currin, and her great-grandparents, Betsy Caldwell and Martha Kent.

6 Luke 2: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

7 1. The true ruler of the world The apparent ruler (vv.1-2) SERMON NOTES The Royal Announcement of Jesus Arrival Luke 2:1-20 The announced ruler (vv. 8-14) 2. The unlikely recipients of the royal announcement The shepherds in the field (vv. 8, 15-18) The little town of Bethlehem (vv. 4, 18) 3. The unlikely recipients of the royal announcement Spread the message (vv ) Savor the Messiah (vv )

8 THE CHRISTMAS FLOWERS ARE GIVEN IN MEMORY OF: Belva Bailey by Beth and Chris Bailey, Don Bailey, Sr., Laura and Don Bailey, Jr., and Lori & Kevin Chilton Dick Bodine by Hilda, Marshall, King, and Bo Jemison Donnie E. Brock by Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Caulkins IV Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Brock by Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Caulkins IV Frances Brown by Kristy and Buddy Presley Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A. Brown by Katie and Don Morton, Hugh, Elizabeth and Peter Mr. Michael Brown by Katie and Don Morton, Hugh, Elizabeth and Peter R. L. Brown by Kristy and Buddy Presley Hardwick Caldwell, Jr. by Betsy Caldwell Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Caulkins III by their children, Wilford Caulkins IV, Betsy Caulkins Bookout, and Caroline Caulkins Bentley and the Doug Perry family Nannette and Charles Craig by Charlotte Craig Lindeman Atticus Bartholomew Centurion Doe by the Doe Family Melvin King Durrett by Lisa and Joe Hailey John Charles Eyster, Sr. by Lisa and John Eyster Margaret (Mrs. George) Fontaine by Katie and Don Morton, Hugh, Elizabeth and Peter Jennie Moore Gregory by Janice and Wes Moore Merilyn and Ross Hall by Stephanie and David Wharton Mary Alexandra (Alex) Hirsch by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Frank Jemison by Hilda, Marshall, King, and Bo Jemison Bunny and Ted King by Hilda, Marshall, King, and Bo Jemison Edgar F. Lochstampfor by Elysa and Matt Lochstampfor Nancy Maclellan by Hugh Maclellan, Jr. and family and Anne and Trey Carr Megan Grace Matthews by Janice and Wes Moore Jeanette McCall by Beth Krabbendam Michael Mooney by his family Westley A. Moore, Sr. by Janice and Wes Moore Gary Morris Pop by Beth, Scott, McKinley, Anna-Blair and Wright Self, and Ann Henley and Doug Perry, Ash, Della, Clara Parker, Kappy, and Hennie Mr. and Mrs. A.O. Bill Morton by Katie and Don Morton, Hugh, Elizabeth and Peter

9 Frances McCall Myers by Lisa and John Eyster Ralph Paden by Dottie Paden Winston Paschall by Kelly, David, Connor, Emily, and Spencer Paschall Al Perry (Papa Perry) by Ann Henley and Doug Perry, Ash, Della, Clara Parker, Kappy, and Hennie, and Beth, Scott, McKinley, Anna-Blair and Wright Self Joe Persinger by Pat, Joe, Jr., Steve, Meg, Little Buddy and family Theodore Prescott by Janie and John Prescott Buddy B. Presley, Sr. by Kristy and Buddy Presley James Michael Presley by Kristy and Buddy Presley Carol Robinson by Janice and Wes Moore George Robinson by Janice and Wes Moore Christine Salter by the Salter family Lillian and Mark Sellis by Janie and John Prescott Jackson Standefer by Beth, Scott, McKinley, Anna-Blair, and Wright Self Bertha Stephenson by Janice and Wes Moore Frank Stephenson by Janice and Wes Moore Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cassin Thatcher, Jr. by Elizabeth and Carter Thatcher Edith and Jack Wallace by Carol and Sparky McKee; Melissa, Michael, Nate, Alecia, Jacqueline, and Grant Watson; and Erin and Matt McKee Jean and Arthur Wharton by Daphne Wharton Haddad THE CHRISTMAS FLOWERS ARE GIVEN IN HONOR OF: Charlotte Blair Kent by Grandpa and Lotte Dowling King by an anonymous donor Carol and Sparky McKee by Melissa, Michael, Nate, Alecia, Jacqueline, and Grant Watson, and Erin and Matt McKee Barb and Joe Novenson by Ann Henley and Doug Perry, Ash, Della, Clara Parker, Kappy, and Hennie Our Small Group The Adams, the Ballengers, and the Carrs by Ann Henley and Doug Perry Mimi Auvé Perry by Ann Henley and Doug Perry, Ash, Della, Clara Parker, Kappy, and Hennie Kendra and Brian Salter by Ed and Pam Salter The Zach Walley Family by Betsy Caldwell

10 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE tomorrow at 3:00, 5:00, and 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Please join us for this special service of lessons, carols, and candlelight. Nursery will be provided at the 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. services only. AT OUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES TOMORROW, we will collect an offering to replenish the Mercy Fund which serves members needs for financial assistance. Generally, this involves immediate temporary needs such as housing, food, utilities expenses, and/or medical care. Please prayerfully consider if you might contribute to this offering. OUR NEW YEAR S EVE SERVICE WITH COMMUNION will take place on Monday, December 31 at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. All are welcome. BEGINNING JANUARY 6, WE WILL OFFER OUR ANNUAL COMMUNICANT CLASS for youth interested in joining the church. For more information and to sign up, please visit lmpc.org/communicant-class or contact Margaret Compton at margaret@lmpc.org with the student s name, age, and grade. The final day to sign up is next Sunday, December 30. ALL ARE INVITED TO A SERVICE OF COMMISSIONING for Restoration Southside Church on January 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Join us for this special service as we send Erin and Jared Huffman, Ann Charlotte and Ben Hooper, and others to plant a church in Southside Chattanooga. Nursery is provided. INTERESTED IN JOINING LMPC? The next Intro to LMPC class will be held Friday evening, Saturday morning, and during Sunday School, January This is for anyone who is interested in joining LMPC or learning more about what we believe. To sign up, please julie@lmpc.org or call by January 16. Please note: childcare will be available only on Sunday morning. To find out more about happenings at LMPC, visit lmpc.org/news

11 MEMBERS & VISITORS - PLEASE REACH OUT TO US! 2018 GIVING UPDATE through December 11, 2018 Annual Budget:...$4,644, Giving YTD:...4,284,000 Remaining Gifts Needed:...360,000 Outstanding Pledge Balance:...352,000 Unpledged Giving Needed:...8,000 With the end of the year arriving quickly, we ask that you keep up the momentum in giving and prayerfully consider how much you can give at this time. You can find various ways to give at lmpc.org/give. Please note that year-end gifts must either be received online or in the church office by Monday, December 31, or have a USPS postmark no later than December 31 to be deductible in PLEDGING UPDATE If you have not yet done so, you can submit your giving plans for 2019 online at lmpc.org/giving You can also place a giving plan card in the offering plate or deliver it to David Fowler in the church office. We are praying that, in light of our exciting plans for 2019 and the resulting larger than normal increase in next year s budget, we will have 80% of the 2019 budget pledged by December 31. So far, 72% of the budget has been pledged. NAME I WOULD LIKE TO: Speak to a pastor Speak to someone in the church office Receive our weekly news PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT: Serving at LMPC Becoming a member at LMPC Joining a small group Joining a Bible study men s women s Prayer opportunities If you are a first-time or repeat visitor, please fill out your information on the other side of this card so we can follow up with you. PRAYER REQUESTS & COMMENTS Include request in the Prayer List? Yes No I would like to speak with someone about the prayer request or other concern. Please contact me at: PHONE DAY EVENING Please deposit this card in the offering plate as it comes by.

12 WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE TODAY! We know it can be hard to connect with a new church. We want to help in any way we can. Feel free to fill out your information on this tear-off card and place it in the offering plate. We will follow up with you about next steps. We are here to serve you! I AM A: First time visitor Repeat visitor TODAY AT LMPC Sunday, December 23 8:10 a.m. Worship service chapel 9:30 a.m. Worship service sanctuary & fellowship hall 9:30 a.m. No Sunday school today 10:30 a.m. Elders are available to pray for your needs Brian Salter s office 11:00 a.m. Worship service sanctuary & fellowship hall 11:00 a.m. No Sunday school today 6:00 p.m. No evening prayer Nursery is available at all morning services. Children of any age are welcome to participate in worship services. Crayons and activity sheets relevant to today s sermon are available in the fellowship hall lobby. For more events this week, visit lmpc.org/calendar. NAME SPOUSE (IF ATTENDING TODAY) CHILDREN (IF ATTENDING TODAY) ADDRESS HOME PHONE CELL OUR MISSION Glorifying God by growing in grace and giving our lives away on the mountain, in the city, and around the world. SPOUSE CELL SPOUSE CONTACT US Address: 316 North Bragg Avenue Lookout Mountain, TN Web: lmpc.org info@lmpc.org Phone: Worship services with Communion are held on the first Sunday of every month in the morning services and in lieu of evening prayer on the third Sunday of every month.