ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP

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1 WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Warm greetings and love in Christ are extended to each gathered in this house of worship. A double asterisk (**) indicates you may rise in body or in spirit as you are able. Large print hymnals and bulletins are available from an usher. Please respectfully allow others to worship by keeping all cell phones/pagers silent or off. Please record your name and address on the Ministry of Friendship (red folder at the end of the row). Pass it to the end of the row and back to see with whom you worship. Children are always welcome in worship services. If parents prefer, a nursery for infants and toddlers is available in the North Wing. A Children s Bible is located on the wooden tree at the rear of the Sanctuary. Use this Bible to engage your children in scripture. You will find this Sunday s reading under the title 4th Sunday in Advent. Please return the Bible to the tree following worship. Children's Worship bags are located on the wooden tree for children through 5th grade. Take the bulletin and activity sheets home, but please return the bag with all other materials to the tree after worship. Children and Worship does not meet today. ORDER OF DIVINE WORSHIP FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 18, :30 a.m. - Gathering Around the Word - PRELUDE... Pastorale and Gigue (from Pastorale in F major, BWV 590) - J. S. Bach GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY The Passing of the Peace Greet one another: The peace of Christ be with you. Response to one another: And also with you. Minute for Joy Offering...David Silver ORGAN MEDITATION on Mendelssohn - R. te Velde CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Leader: Community: Leader: Community: Leader: Community: Leader: Community: Your prophet cries out, Prepare the way for the Lord! The first Advent Candle reminds us of Jesus Christ, Light of the world. Your prophet cries out, The Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd. The second Advent Candle reminds us of God s faithfulness. Your prophet declares, God s Spirit is poured out upon us. The third Advent Candle reminds us of God s hope in and empowerment of us. Your angel announces, Greetings, you favored one. The Lord is with you. The fourth Advent Candle reminds of God s presence in us to bring forth life

2 LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE...(singing) Em-man-u-el, Em-man-u-el, His name is called Em-man-u-el. God with us, re-vealed in us, His name is called Em-man-u-el. UNISON PRAYER Creating God, through your Spirit, you make it possible for us to be people who share hope and love. You invite us to be agents of good news in the lives of the poor, the lonely, the captives, the brokenhearted. Help us to join Mary in being instruments through whom your presence enters the world. Amen. **HYMN OF PRAISE Hark! The Herald Angels Sing PRAYER OF CONFESSION...in unison God of glory and light, you come to make your home among us in our neighborhoods; we too often want to visit you only in the church. You continue to draw near to us; we too often shrink back from you because you have great expectations for us. You invite us to be filled with hope and to give it away to others; we too often prefer to grumble and complain and stew in our fears and prejudices. In your mercy, forgive us. By your Spirit, revive our excitement that you are with us, Emmanuel. Put within us a new and willing Spirit that prepares your arrival into our neighborhoods and the world. Strengthen our voices to share this Good News (Moments for personal confession) KYRIE...Hymn 5, Verse 1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. ASSURANCE OF PARDON **GLORIA... Hymn 28, Verse 2 Good Christian friends rejoice with heart, and soul, and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened heaven s door, and we are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! - Proclaiming and Sharing the Word - PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT LESSON... 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 (OT, pg. 274) FIRST GOSPEL LESSON... St. Luke 1:26-45 (NT, pg. 53) Leader: This is the word of the Lord. Community: Thanks be to God.

3 TIME WITH CHILDREN Away in a Manger ; Little Drummer Boy - SpiritLink Kids If parents desire, following this time, children of 3 years and younger may go to the Nursery located in the north wing. Children and Worship does not meet today. SECOND GOSPEL LESSON... St. Luke 1:45-55 (NT, pg. 54) SERMON... We re In This Together - Responding to the Word - **AFFIRMATION OF FAITH...from A Brief Statement of Faith We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God s new heaven and new earth, praying, Come, Lord Jesus! **ADVENT HYMN People, Look East PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP PRESENTATION OF OUR LIVES AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY... Joy to the World **DOXOLOGY... Hymn 10, verse 4 All praise to You, eternal Son, whose advent has our freedom won, Whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore. **PRAYER OF DEDICATION - Bearing and Following the Word into the World - **HYMN OF JOY Good Christian Friends, Rejoice **COMMISSION continued

4 **BENEDICTION...in unison Comfort, comfort you my people, tell of peace, thus says our God; Comfort those who sit in darkness bowed beneath oppression s load. Speak you to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over. **POSTLUDE... Fugue on the Magnificat, BWV J.S. Bach Preaching: Assisting: Organist: Director of Music: Ushers: Greeters: Counters: Host: - ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY - B. Gordon Edwards, Pastor Kelly, Brenda, and Katharine Nipp Rebecca te Velde Heather Lanners Betsy Showalter, Mike, Mary and Nathan Woods Gerrit Cuperus; Dorothy Akin; Jim & MJ Seals; Jenny, Justin, and Jenna Fowler Jim Shaw, Gary Franklin Kent Olson Thank you to the SpiritLink Singers and Ringers, PYG Ringers, and PYG Instrumental Ensemble for their musical offerings this morning. Mildred Crayton Anita Davis Pete Davis Pat Dorr Bill Eason Lori Fagan Alice Giacobbe Robert Gibson Bud Gray Hunter Griffin Barbara Gunter Norma Hall Adelia Hanson Karl Harman Dorothy Hayes Nelda Hershberger Keith Humphrey Kristin Hutcherson Jim Huwe Kim Jenkins Evelyn Johnson Cindy Johnston Mary Jane Kirchenbauer Noah Kiser Tom Koehn PRAYER CONCERNS Tom Kunz Grady Lambert Todd Lowry Tom Lutjens Janet Martin Ray Matoy Elisa Mendoza Tony Mendoza Bob McGaw Rhonda McKee Philip Meadows Luke Miller Laura Mitchell Bob Neal Cindy Nelson JOAN PARSONS Bill Raun Pat Razook Jim Rex Paul Roach Leslie Roark Mercedes Rogers Betty Scott Steve Shedrick David Smith Grace Smith Naomi Stevenson Shannon Steele Gerald Stotts Betty Stratton Gayle Thomas Dan Tripp Don Tripp Charlie Walker Kelsey Walker Lucille Wickstead Nona Wilhm Roland Wilkinson Tracy Wilkinson Lynn Witzen Bruce Abbey Jean Ames Margie Anderson Kay Baker Roger Banks Sarah Barr Twink Barr Will Barr Steve Bender JOHN BILLS Julie Bills Jill Boggs LeNell Bowen Glen Boyer Wanda Bradley Chowning Brake Robert Branson Abbey Brown Shannon Cape Keenan Carter Lanna Carter Susie Causley Mary Louise Chapel J B CHRISTIAN C Allison Christy Abby Clapp Mike Clemens Lisa Cook Don Cooper Dona Cooper Dan Condit Sharon Corley Sue Cornish Rick Coutant Bold means recently added Larger Church: Synod of Southern California and Hawaii; Middle East Sorrow: the family of Helen Matoy Members, family members, and friends of our church family who are activated and/or deployed in service to our country: SGT Chris Boren (PYG) SPC Micheal Casteel (SPD) SGT Anthony Gillilan (Savage) MAJ Adam Headrick (Osborn) SGT Ricardo Inciarte (SPD) LTC Shannon Jordan (SPD) MAJ Lee North (Savage) MG Tod Wolters (Wolters)

5 - ANNOUNCEMENTS - WORSHIP IS BROADCAST 11:00 A.M. Sundays on KSPI AM (780). THE 2011 CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING is received today. Please prayerfully consider participating in this offering which provides assistance to retired and active church workers and their families and supports Presbyterian-related racial ethnic education. IT S TIME FOR A NEW CHURCH PICTURE DIRECTORY: Stop by the table in the Narthex today and sign up to have your photo taken in January or February. Each participating family receives a complimentary directory and 8x10 portrait. Beginning noon Monday, December 19 you can also sign up at the Church website: Please help us have a complete directory. Today: Fourth Sunday of Advent ONE WORSHIP SERVICE: 9:30 A.M. Church School classes do not meet. REHEARSAL FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 6:00 P.M. SERVICE begins immediately after worship in the Sanctuary. YOU ARE INVITED TO SHARE IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 94TH BIRTHDAY OF DR. ROBERT GIBSON in the Hospitality Area following worship. Come and enjoy a piece of cake. TRUSTEES MEETING 10:45 a.m. in the Youth Suite. PYG (PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH GROUP) does not meet. C hili S u p p er & Carol Sing T o n i g h t ~ 6 : 0 0 p. m. F e l l o w s h i p H a l l Come enjoy good chili (an alternative is available for non-chili eaters and vegetarians), joyful singing, and fellowship as warm as the chili. Leading the carols and songs is Jim Showalter, accompanied by Marilyn King. Bring your family and bring a friend! Donations are accepted to defray the cost of the food prepared by the Fellowship Committee. This Week: SR HIGH RAMEN NOODLE LUNCH Monday 11:00 a.m. in Hospitality Area LOVE FEAST COOKING AND SERVING WEDNESDAY 3:30 P.M. If you can assist with food preparation or serving for Love Feast this week or next month, please sign up on the bulletin board near the Information Center or contact Deacon Quinn Baldwin ( ). Your help is needed and appreciated. MID HIGH SMALL GROUP Wednesday 5:30 p.m. at 2807 S Sangre Rd. THURSDAY MORNING LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY 10:00 a.m. in the Library. SATURDAY BRUNCH MINISTRY: A free community meal is served at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Volunteers are always welcome. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 AT 6:00 AND 11:00 P.M. The 6 p.m. service is geared toward family and children. The 11 p.m. service is a traditional Christmas Eve service. Both services include candle lighting and Communion. Special Christmas Prelude Music begins at 10:40 p.m. Next Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day SCRIPTURE READINGS: Psalm 98, Isaiah 52:7-10, St. John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-12 ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 9:30 A.M. Church School classes do not meet. Looking ahead: THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2. ONE SERVICE 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY, JAN. 1. Return to two services January 8.

6 - THIS WEEK AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - TODAY FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:30 a.m. Worship...SAN 10:30 a.m. 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Rehearsal...SAN 10:45 a.m. Trustees... YS 6:00 p.m. Chili Supper & Carol Sing... FH PYG does not meet. MONDAY 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayers... WC 11:00 a.m. Ramen Noodle Lunch... HA 6:00 p.m. Boy Scout Court of Honor... FH TUESDAY 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayers... WC WEDNESDAY 8:30 a.m. Mid-week Communion... WC 9:15 a.m. Second Mile Sewing... FH 3:30 p.m. Love Feast Prep... KIT 5:30 p.m. Mid Hi Study S. Sangre 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir... WR Location Key: Main Building: LIB = Library HA = Hospitality Area HAK = Hospitality Area Kitchen MPR = Multi Purpose Room NA = Narthex PL = Parking Lot SAN = Sanctuary VES = Vestibule WC = Worship Center WR = Westminster Room YS = Youth Suite PRE = Preschool THURSDAY 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayers... WC 10:00 a.m. Bible Study...LIB FRIDAY 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayers... WC SATURDAY 11:00 a.m. Saturday Brunch Ministry... FH 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service...SAN 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service...SAN SUNDAY (DECEMBER 25) 9:30 a.m. Worship...SAN Merry Christmas! **Calendar reflects only church events and does not include non-church related events and meetings. Please schedule ALL meetings and events through the Church Office. Fellowship Hall: FH = Fellowship Hall NFH = NORTH Fellowship Hall SFH = SOUTH Fellowship Hall KIT = Kitchen SDR = Small Dining Room HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday, December 24 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship for families 11 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve service Candle lighting and Communion at both services. Sunday, December 25 One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. No church school classes - MUSIC NOTES BY REBECCA TE VELDE - Prelude: The Pastorale in F major was most likely written between 1703 and 1707 in Arnstadt, where J.S. Bach ( ) held his first position as a church organist. We hear the first and fourth movements: a gentle Pastorale in 12/8 meter with lengthy pedalpoints, and a sparkling Gigue. Pieces titled Pastorale are associated with the Christmas season, with its pastoral scenes of sheep and shepherds. A Gigue is a dance form in a fast 6/8 meter, and Bach s use of it in his Pastorale suggests a vision of joyous shepherds dancing towards the manger. Postlude: This majestic fugue is based on the German Magnificat, which was the only canticle or psalm to keep its original, modal plainchant melody intact. Bach uses the two phrases of this melody as fugue subjects together with a countersubject. Ever-increasing contrapuntal complexity builds tension to the stunning entrance of the chorale melody in the pedals, where in the resulting climax one can imagine Mary pouring out her soul in joy and hope. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 524 S. DUNCAN STREET STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA

7 To the Glory of God and for the Christmas season, today s flowers are given by Dale & Margie Alspach in memory of Stu & Louise Alspach and Jim & Mary Jenkins, and in celebration of Matt Alspach and Janet & Kenny Martin Gene & Janet Anderson in memory of Ralph & Francis Higgins the Arquitt family in memory of Mr. & Mrs. G.E. Arquitt, Sr. the Arquitt family in memory of Dr. C.R. Bender and in honor of Mrs. C.R. Bender D.E. & Marilyn Bourne in celebration of Christ s birth Charlie & Elizabeth Bruce in celebration of our children and grandchildren Jerry & Mary Burson in celebration of the strength of our church community the Chancel Choir with love and appreciation in honor of Heather Lanners, Best Choir Director ever! the Chancel Choir with love and appreciation in honor of Becky te Velde, Best Organist ever! Donna Clark in celebration of the joys of family and friendship K & Sandy Cohlmia in memory of Mae & Mitch Cohlmia and Margaret & Ned Stuart the Rick Dearinger family in celebration of God s continual love and hope for the world Mike & Ellen Dicks in memory of George Martin Dicks Gordon & Marty Edwards in memory of their parents FPC Stephen Ministers in celebration of Carolyn Caldwell, and with thanks for her faithful gifts to our Stephen Ministry Mission FPC Stephen Ministers in celebration of Kay Stewart, and with thanks for her faithful gifts to our Stephen Ministry Mission Cathy & Steve Fairbanks in memory of Billie & Perk Powers and Gus Fairbanks, and in honor of Helen Fairbanks Veta Jo, Beth, and Jo Ellen Fenimore in memory of Bob Fenimore Dennis & Judy Ferrell in celebration of Fred & Elouise Hansen and Vernon & Elva Ferrell the Gelder/McGaw families in memory of Harvey & Stella Gelder and Waurine Nixon and Sue McGaw, and in honor of our families Peggy Gibbs in memory of Lawrence Gibbs and Auntie Mignon Joe Groshong & Nancy Dryden in memory of Ray & Eleanor Dryden Judy & Gary Holland in celebration of Judy s mother s 90th birthday and in honor of their grandchildren Mairead, Shea, Cash, and Cade Guyla Bond Houston in memory of Franklin Emory Bond, USMC the Houston Family in memory of Barbara Houston and Lillian Houston Jeff Jaynes and Pat Jaynes in celebration of Jenna, Justin, and Jenny Kay Woodruff Keys in memory of her parents H.E. & Catherine Woodruff Samuel & Dorothy Kraemer in memory of Dorothy s parents, Mr. & Mrs. L.E. Keene Allan & Patty McCrary and Dale Fehringer in honor of Paul & Ines McCrary Ken & Mary McKinley in celebration of the Fair Trade Store

8 To the Glory of God and for the Christmas season, today s flowers are given by Iris McPherson in memory of Jim McPherson Steven, Christina, Luke, and Isabelle Miller in memory of Roy O. Evans, III Joseph L. Myers in memory of J.B. Brown Bob Norris in memory of Kay Norris Bob Norris in memory of Harold & Nancy Norris Bob Norris in memory of Walter & Marjorie Baum Carol & Kent Olson in celebration of their grandchildren and children Larry & Beverly Perkins in honor of their Church Family and Staff Frank, Mary Jane, and Brenda Phillips in memory of family and friends Rusty, Denise, Ethan, and Caitlyn Rex in honor of Christine Parson, Ray Parson, and Glenn & Lou Ann Rex the Rohlfings in memory of Dan E. Goodwin the Savage family in memory of grandparents passed Jim Shaw & Tracy Carter in celebration of Fauna s engagement to Sean Hurley Dick & Cynthia Shawley in celebration of God s greatest gift His Son Betsy Showalter in honor of the Saturday Brunch Ministry Ginny Smith in celebration of and hope for world peace Ted & Laura Smith in memory of Margaret Brown K. Kay Stewart in gratitude for Christ among us Steve & Cheryl Stone in memory of Cheryl s mother Jane Smith, and Steve s parents Max & Lois Stone, and in honor of Cheryl s father Sid Smith Tom Thedford & Libby Stott in celebration of loved ones, past and present Bettie Todd in memory of Ray & Perle Sissons, Ruth Ann Sissons, Beulah Grace Cox, and Rae Mae Hudson Edna Visnic, Will Goetze, and Taylor Goetze in memory of Samuel Visnic and Dr. Sandra Goetze Janet, John, and Donna Webster in memory of Jennifer Webster Jim & Arletta Webster in memory of their daughter, Jennifer Webster, and their fathers, Gilbert Webster and George Visser Jim & Lynda Williams in celebration of their 55th anniversary Mary Williams in memory of Eric Williams Tom, Emily, and Bryn Williams in memory of Eric Williams and James & Virginia Taff, and in honor of Mary Williams David Womack in memory of Katie Womack