2018 Family Promise Donations (to date)

Transcription

1 2018 Family Promise Donations (to date) GIVEN BY Bieler Family Phyllis & Charles Eichlin Jim & Darla Eschbach Marilyn & Alan Ford Ted Frankenbach Chris & Hank Heacock Karen & Bill Hoff Jill & Jim O Neil Bob and Mary Ann Seymour Ginny Straub Bob & Pat Timko The Young Family Deejee & Gordon Youngs REMEMBERING Parents, Eschbach & Roeger Wife, Marilyn Our Family Ann & Douglas McCully Parents, Bebe & Gordon Youngs, Sr. and Dorothy and William Sherman Family Promise makes a profound difference in the lives of individuals.

2 The Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Music Ministry Presents An adaptation of Heather Sorenson's Little Lion, Little Lamb December 24, 2019 at 7:00 PM Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 2 Race Street Pittstown, New Jersey CONGREGATION PARTICIPATION SONG LYRICS Please stand to sing the carols with the choir. The lyrics are found in this bulletin for your convenience. THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS CANDLES CAUTION: As the flame is passed to light the candles, please remember to lower the protective cup of your candle tilt the unlit candle into the lit flame so that the lit candle remains upright. Then pass the light to your neighbor and raise the protective cup. Thank you to all who helped make our sanctuary beautiful by sharing their plants in celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given by Acocella Family & Bebe Sellers Ed and Linda Allen Ann Bartlett & Bob Alexander Louise Black Eleanor Buerstetta Darla & Jim Eschbach Fresolone Family Karen & Bruce Harrison Fred, Karen, Kathy & Kimi Kushner Kathy (Kemp) & Fred Kushner, and William Kemp Ferdie & June Paillex Joan & Bob Schultz Mary Ann & Bob Seymour Ginny Straub Audrey & Don Trauger The Young Family Deejee and Gordon Youngs Remembering Phyllis Black Friends & Son, Todd Eschbach Bruce, Marie and Tom Our Parents Friends & Family Peter Straub Daughter, Joy Trauger Allyson Strand, James O Donnell If you would like to take your poinsettias, please do so after the Christmas Eve Service so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the display. Have a Blessed Christmas!

3 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO HOLD IN PRAYER Jim Eschbach Don Trauger Ted Frankenbach Marilyn Ford Joan Mathews Marcia Pearson Mother of Jane Weiss Katie Blew Owen Wallace, Mike and Pricilla s nephew Kevin Moodie, Timko s friend Ward Lathrop Bill Newcomb, Deejee and Gordon Young s friend Lindsey Brooks, Kathy Kushner s niece Sue Naughton, daughter of Helen Hofgesang Arlene Coates, friend of the Allens John Wolf, Linda Allen s brother Steve Hendershot, Pattie Wolfson s brother-in-law Frank Acocella, Greg s father Royce Stanley, friend of Bob Schultz Jordy Robbins Sharon Stevens nephew Dan Remington, Jill O'Neil's brother Tom and Lynn, Friends of the Paillex Family Grieving Family of Charles Dobbs, father of Rev. Leslie Dobbs-Alsopp For a serious pastoral issue from 12/25 1/1/19 please call Marilyn Ford at (908) for the covering pastor Liturgist: Deacon: WORSHIP TONIGHT Rick Landolfi Louise Black Narrator 1: Rick Landolfi Lion of Judah Narrator 2: Dave Bieler Lamb of God Thursday: CALENDAR THIS WEEK Choir Practice, 1:30 & 7:30 pm UPCOMING EVENTS Friday: 1/4 First Friday Open Mike featuring Evan Acocella with the jazz group ACE. A new member class is now forming for the New Year. If you are looking for a warm church family, please Pastor Dave at revwidmer@aol.com. RESTOCK THE OPEN CUPBOARD FOOD PANTRY The Deacons are collecting non-perishable food items for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry in Clinton. A collection area has been established in the Fellowship Hall for this project. Bring one non-expired food item each Sunday until January 6 MANY GRATEFUL THANKS Many thanks to Jeff Thorne and his family for their donation of the beautiful Sanctuary Christmas tree again this year. Gathering the Community of Faith Prelude In the Bleak Midwinter Bell Choir Welcome Lighting of the Christ Candle Call to Worship Leader: Darkness and stillness on a clear night; All: Unsuspecting shepherds huddle against the cold. Leader: A night like so many other nights; All: A night just like tonight, Leader: When stars may stray from their course, All: And carols echo in the heavens; Leader: When our hearts sense something, All: And our bodies tingle with expectation. Leader: It could happen again All: It is happening now! Leader: Tonight and every night All: When hearts are open and spirits are ready. Let us worship God! Processional 1. Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. Children s Message Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Please Stand) Proclaiming God s Word The Acocella Family 2. Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

4 N1: Little Lion. Little Lamb, those two names of Christ seem to be so contradictory in character. And yet, they beautifully describe how our Savior relates to us, without either opposing or diminishing the other. N2: The lion symbolizes strength, fierceness, protection and kingliness! He is a regal ruler and defender. A seasoned warrior. N1: (Old Testament Reading) We first hear prophecy of the Lion of Judah in Genesis 49 when Jacob came to the end of his life, and gathered his twelve sons to his side. In this meeting, Jacob spoke to each of them in what can be best be described as poetic prophecy, telling each son the future of his family tribe. N2: When he came to his son, Judah, he said: Judah, you are a Lion s cub and the kind s scepter shall neer leave you. One day, your brothers will honor you, and the nations will obey you! N1: As prophecy unfolded, Jacob s words came to pass. And as the children of Israel became increasingly oppressed by sin and by their enemies, they became desperate for their Lion of Judah, their Defender, the Holy One who would heal their spiritual diseases and bind up their brokenness. N2: Much link the children of Israel, sometimes we wait for God to step into our lives, into our complicated situations and into our wounded hearts. We wait for him to deliver us. N1: Be encouraged! Just as the Lion of Judah would come at the perfect, anointed time, He will also come to us, and deliver us from evil. And so we wait. Duet: And So We Wait Christy Lewis with Frank McDonald, on guitar. N1: Jacob s prophecy was repeated in the New Testament, when the angel said to Mary N2: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end. N1: In Galatians 4, we read that when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. N2: Just as prophecy foretold, the Lion cub came! He entered a fallen world and became the Savior. The story of Christmas is that this Lion, The Lion of Judah, is also our Lion. BELL CHOIR Evan Acocella Terese Acocella Linda Allen Loretta Calvet Stan Cantilina Bruce Harrison Kevin Klein Eileen Kwasnick Jill O Neil Bebe Sellers GUEST RINGERS Karen Harrison Jim O Neil The members of the Music Ministry wish the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Community Love, Peace and Joy during this holiday season. Reverend David Widmer, Interim Pastor Helene Cantilina, Music Director Ann Bartlett Don Fletcher Mark Fresolone Chris Heacock Helen Hofgesang Eileen Kandl GUEST SOLOIST Jennifer Lambert Frank McDonald INSTRUMENTS Accordion Drums Guitar Organ Piano PAGE-TURNER Stan Cantilina CHANCEL CHOIR Eileen Kwasnick Christy Lewis Bebe Sellers Bob Seymour Rhonda Witwer Mike Young Darla Eschbach Mike Lenert Terri Acocella Frank McDonald Jim O Neil Darla Eschbach Bebe Sellers

5 Sending the People into God s World Lighting the Candles (As the flame is passed to light the candles, please remember to lower the protective cup of your candle tilt the unlit candle into the lit flame so that the lit candle remains upright. Then pass the light to your neighbor and raise the protective cup.) Carol Scripture Reading Benediction Silent Night (Please Stand) SILENT NIGHT 1. Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. 2. Silent night, Holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ the Savior, is born! Christ the Savior, is born! John I (selected verses) 3. Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, Love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. 4. Silent night, Holy night, Wondrous star, lend thy light With the angels let us sing, Al-le-lu-ia, to our King Christ the Savior is here. Jesus the Savior is here. Carol: (Congregation sits) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Please stand and sing verse 1 only.) Choir: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR 1. It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heaven s all-gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing. N1: (New Testament Reading) Luke 2:8-12 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around then, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Choir: Who s the Little Baby (Spiritual) Solo Bebe Sellers N2: And so the Little Lion of Judah the Little Lamb of God slept that first night in His manger. Soon He would fulfil His earthly purpose and He would become the Savior of the world. Choir: Sleep Little Lion, Sleep Little Lamb Carol: Still, Still, Still (Please stand) Solo Ann Bartlett Postlude Angels We Have Heard On High Helman Rev. David Widmer, Interim Pastor Helene Cantilina, Music Director 1. Still, still, still, He sleeps this night so chill. The Virgin s tender arms enfolding, Warm and safe the Child are holding, Still, still, still. He sleeps this night so chill. 2. Sleep, sleep, sleep He lies in slumber deep While angel hosts from heaven come winging, Sweetest songs of joy are singing, Sleep, sleep, sleep He lies in slumber deep.

6 N1: In Old Testament times, the Lamb was a symbol of innocence, purity, peace, gentleness N2: A sacrificial substitute. N1: Pagan kings would often send lams as a peace offering to their enemies, literal a payment of peace as seen in the first verse of Isaiah 16: Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the Mount of the Daughter of Zion. N2: And so, through our little Christmas Lamb, this symbolism became reality when Christ was born. N1: He offered us innocence before God through His sacrificial substitute. He was born to be the payment for our peace with God, because He Himself is the Prince of Peace. N2: During the Christmas season, we often repeat the angels proclamation of Peace on Earth! We sing the phrase in well-known carols, it is stamped on the greeting cards we send our family and friends, It is painted on the ornaments we hang on our tree. N1: And yet, we recognize the irony, because the world seems to be less at peace now than ever before. Our communities, our cities, the nations of the world are continually at odds with each other. Individuals are not at peace, often at war with themselves. Families are not at peace. Even believers who have the Prince of Peace, struggle to find rest in their souls. N2: So. Where is this peace that was promised? The peace the angels proclaimed to the shepherds where do we find that? N1: If we are looking at our circumstances, will not find peace. If we are looking to others to help create the peace we desire, we will disappointed. If we week this peace in our government through elected officials, we will become disillusioned at best. N2: The peace first was offered is peace with God, a bridge where there once was a divide. We can have peace from our past because of a substitute lamb. N1: We can have peace in our circumstances, because this Lamb dwells within us, and He is our peace on earth. Choir: Where is Peace Tonight? Solo Eileen Kandl N2: At the moment of Christ s birth, everything changed. We were given a Warrior Lion who would fight for us, so that we an have peace with the father. N1: At that moment, we were given a Lamb who would substitute Himself, so that we can claim the riches of heaven. N2: And from that moment, nothing was the same. Everything became new. N1: How do we respond to this gift we ve been given? N2: We join the angels, and the shepherds, and the generations of people who believe, and we lift our voices. Carol Angels from the Realms of Glory (Please Stand) 1. Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o er all the earth Ye, who sang creation s story, Now proclaim Messiah s birth: 2. Shepherds, in the fields a biding, Watching o er your flocks by night. God with us is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the new born King! Christmas Message Christmas Prayer and the Lord s Prayer Invitation to Offering Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace Responding to God s Word Offertory Hark the Herald Angels Sing! Bell Choir *Response #592 Doxology *Dedication of Offering (Unison) 3. Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar. Seek the great desire of nations; Ye have seen His natal star: 4. All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son. Evermore your voices raising To the eternal Three in One: Upon entering the house, the wise men knelt down and paid Jesus homage, opening their treasure chests and offering him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Take now our gifts, Dear Lord, and multiply their use for your kingdom of hope, love, joy, and peace on earth until the second coming of your Son. Through Jesus, the precious baby in the manger we pray, Amen.