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1 Summerville Presbyterian Church 4845 St. Paul Blvd. Rochester, New York, Christmas Joy Offering Lighting the Candle of Hope First Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 2, :55 a.m. Worship Service Sacrament of Communion

2 Welcome. We re glad to gather together as a community of faith today. No matter where you are on the journey of faith, you are welcome here to join in worship and service. If you are new to this community of faith, we rejoice in your presence with us. Remember, we re not strangers, but rather friends who journey together, following the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a newcomer, we invite you to sign the pew pad. Please turn off all cellular phones, pagers and watch alarms during worship. Please refrain from using flash photography during the worship service. If you are seated on the aisle, and the sanctuary is filling with people, kindly move toward the center of the pew, allowing others to enter and join the community with the least disturbance to others. Thank you. Child Care is available on the lower lever for infants/toddlers and pre-school. Two childcare attendants staff the infant/toddler room and parent volunteers staff the preschool/ kindergarten room during services. If you are able to assist in the care of our children, please contact the church office. Large Print Bibles are available from the ushers upon request. Please return the Bible to the ushers after the service. Hearing Assistance devices are available from the ushers or the audio/video console at the rear of the sanctuary. Miss A Worship Service? Services are recorded every week. A CD-R is available upon request by contacting the church office at Note: ENTRANCE TO THE CHURCH (AFTER ANNOUNCEMENTS) WILL BE BY THE FRONT DOOR AND ONTARIO VIEW STREET ONLY! ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING INCLEMENT WEATHER OR EMERGENCY CLOSINGS CAN BE FOUND ON CHANNELS WROC TV 8, WHEC TV 10, WHAM TV 13, YNN NEWS CABLE CHANNEL 9, AND RADIO STATION WHAM. Interested in Learning More...about Summerville Presbyterian Church or becoming a member here...call the church office for details at Vision Statement: An inclusive, learning and serving Christian community guided by God s Grace. Usher: Angela Hall Greeter: volunteer please Youth Greeter: Katharine Mayer Elders Serving Communion: 1. Jennifer DeVoe 2. Steve Hall Travel: Paul Leipold All are invited to a time of refreshment and conversation as we honor Rev. Kaiser for his service to Summerville immediately following worship, hosted today by Mike Cubitt. -2-

3 Reflection Before Worship When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among brothers and sisters, to make music in the heart. HOWARD THURMAN *GATHERING HYMN No. 185 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Order of Worship *those who are able, please stand TRURO ANNOUNCEMENTS. JOYS & CONCERNS, REGISTRATION INTERLUDE Variations on Wake, for Night Is Flying JACQUES BERTHIER *CALL TO WORSHIP REV. BOB KAISER L: Come away from haste and frantic busyness. This is the season for quiet waiting. P: It is hard to still our souls when we are so busy. It is hard to be patient with ourselves or others. L: Receive God s mercy and strengthen your hearts. A Savior is coming; God s love is near. P: We want to hear and believe God s promises. We want to become patient, loving seekers. L: God presents us with a high and holy way. Come before God now with praise and singing. P: We sense the joy God offers to us. Our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior. *PRAYER of PRAISE and ADORATION (Unison) Mighty One, we rejoice that you strengthen our weak hands and make firm our feeble knees. You open our eyes and unstop our ears. You meet our hungers with good things You disturb our false pride while helping us discover our true strength. You topple us from our pretensions while lifting up the lowly to claim the inner power you alone can provide. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 4) -3-

4 We have assembled to worship you. Awaken the gladness that comes when we recognize your presence. *HYMN No. 184 O Come, O Come, Immanuel VENI IMMANUEL (v. 1, 2, 6 & 7) PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) ERIC ROUNDS Come into our emptiness, gracious God. We feel empty because we have shut you out of our lives. Break through our pretensions, Holy One. We pretend to be powerful because we have not claimed the peace that is available deep within when you dwell with us. Quiet our grumbling and complaining. We are impatient because we have focused on things, not on you. Enter our lives with the forgiveness you have promised to all who are truly sorry for their unfaithfulness. Release us from our self-created prisons. Amen ASSURANCE of PARDON ERIC ROUNDS God speaks to our fearful hearts: Be strong. Do not fear. I will come to save you. Sorrow and sighing flee away. Joy and gladness are yours. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. Praise God! ADVENT LIGHTING and WORDS with CHILDREN, THE LORD S PRAYER - pg. 570 hymnal CHRISTMAS PAGEANT REHEARSAL (CHILDREN S WORKSHOP YOUTH ONLY) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and SILENT PRAYER REV. BOB KAISER LITANY of the ADVENT CANDLES L: Christians around the world begin this day to await the advent of Christ. We join with a joyous and hopeful throng in lighting the Advent candles, symbols of our faith and signs of God s love. P: We gather as a people of Hope. L: Christian people around the world stand today in breathless anticipation of a miracle that has been repeated for hundreds of years, yet that astounds us anew each year. P: Our hope springs anew, from an ancient vision. L: As we light the first Advent candle, let it stand for hope based not on wishful thinking, but on deep conviction. We believe, we have seen, we have received the promise and the great gift, and therefore in the midst of darkness and imperfection, we hope. -4-

5 P: We gather expectantly, joyfully, and with deep commitment, for we have heard that a special Child is to come, that God is to be among us and that soon we will see a new creation on earth. We are a people of hope. Lighting the Advent Wreath First Sunday of Advent The candle of Hope *THE ADVENT SONG see insert enclosed ANTHEM Benedictus CAMILLE SINT-SAËNS Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord. God, the Lord of Light, hath shined upon us, Thou alone my God art: and all my trust is in thee, O Lord! thou art my God, I will exalt thee and praise thy name. FIRST READING Isaiah 35 ERIC ROUNDS SECOND READING Isaiah 35 (from The Message ) REV. BOB KAISER COMMUNION MEDITATION God Is Coming to the Rescue REV. BOB KAISER AFFIRMATION of FAITH (UNISON) L: God has been present with us here today. God also sends us out into the world. P: The world we are about to enter is God s world. We can count on God to be with us every day. L: God s judgment is sure, but so is God s love. God lifts up the lowly and offers them strength. P: Our eyes and ears have been opened to God s truth. We have good news for all who need to hear it. L: Be patient with others and do not grumble. Be patient with yourselves as you seek the Holy Way. P: Like the prophets, we seek to speak in God s name. Like lowly servants, we are eager to help others. All: Amen. -5-

6 OFFERING DOXOLGY - hymn #556 PRAYER of DEDICATION (UNISON) Majestic God, thank you for inviting us to share the blessings you pour out on us. We want to extend the healing ministry of Jesus, who gave sight to those who were blind and new insight to some who only pretended to see. Use our resources to heal attitudes as well as bodies, to bring wholeness, not just cures. Help us to address the inequities of the earth that leave so many without food or shelter or hope. Lead us into your realm in the midst of our daily living. Amen. The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper The Great Thanksgiving L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them up to the Lord. L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: We give thanks to the God whose love is everlasting. L: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O Lord of the universe. In your wisdom, you made all things and sustain them by your power. You formed us in your image, setting us in this world to love and serve you. When we rebelled against you, you did not reject us, but sent prophets to call us back to your way. Then in the fullness of time, you sent your only Son to redeem us and heal our brokenness. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with choirs of angels, with all the faithful of every time and place, ALL: singing: (Congregation sings in unison) Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest. -6-

7 L: You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. In Jesus, your Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. He lived as one of us, and proclaimed the good news of your kingdom. Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we take from your creation this bread and juice and joyfully celebrate his dying and rising, as we await the day of his coming. Great is the mystery of faith! P: Remembering the Lord Jesus, we break bread and share one cup, announcing his death for the sins of the world and telling his resurrection to all nations. L: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. As this bread is Christ s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world. Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen. (DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE ELEMENTS WILL BE FROM TWO STATIONS IN THE FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY. AS THE DEACON COMES TO YOUR PEW, PLEASE COME FORWARD, TAKE A PIECE OF BREAD AND A CUP, AND RETURN TO YOUR PEW. WE WILL COMMUNE AFTER EVERYONE HAS BEEN SERVED. PLEASE INFORM A DEACON IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COME FORWARD, AND AN ELDER WILL SERVE YOU.) THE BREAKING of the BREAD THE SHARING of the CUP THE COMMUNION of the PEOPLE THE PRAYER of THANKSGIVING (UNISON) Gracious God, we give you thanks for satisfying our hungry hearts with this holy meal shared in the Spirit with Jesus, your Son, our Lord. Strengthened and refreshed, we go from here prepared to live, revealing your image in the world so that love and faithfulness meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss. *HYMN No. 198 Joy to the World ANTIOCH BENEDICTION -7-

8 BENEDICTION RESPONSE (Choir only) Come, Thou Dear Redeemer Come Thou, come Thou, dear Redeemer. Come Lord Jesus, to set us free, From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Hope of all the earth Thou art, Joy of ev ry longing heart. CÉSAR FRANCK Come Thou, come Thou dear Redeemer, Born a Child, yet Thou art a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring. Rule in all our hearts alone, Raise us to Thy glorious throne. Amen. POSTLUDE Savior of the Nations, Come WILLIAM ALBRIGHT The pastor will greet you at the main entrance doors following worship. For the benefit of those who wish to listen to the postlude, please refrain from visiting with your neighbors until you have left the Sanctuary, or until the Postlude is concluded. Dear Friends, It has been a joy and a privilege for Marilyn and me to share in ministry at SPC the last thirteen months. You have welcomed us so graciously that we feel very much a part of this community. I have great admiration for the manner in which you have pulled together to move through some hard times. In my experience, it is quite extraordinary that mission outreach has continued to be strong in the midst of turmoil. I also cannot say enough good things about the leadership of the church. You have a grand heritage and a vision for the future and that bodes well for days ahead. We thank you so much for this time together. You certainly will continue to be in our prayers and may God bless each and every one of you and the ministry of Summerville Presbyterian. Bob -8-

9 If you would like to order a poinsettia in Memory or in Honor of a special someone, please... place the tear off in the offering plate or return the tear off sheet to the office or call Kathy at and place your order The cost this year will be $ 9.00 checks made payable to the SPC Flower Fund (payment in advance would be appreciated) The flowers will be on display Sunday December 23rd and Christmas Eve Orders must be received by Thursday, December 12th. Name In Honor of In Memory of # of $ 9.00 each for a TOTAL of $

10 Announcements - Our Church Copies of recent sermons are available on the office bulletin board. Please join us next Sunday for the annual Christmas Pageant. This year the CY Ed Committee and Children s Workshop will present The Christmas Story during the worship service. Have you turned in your estimate of giving for 2013? Your gift is an important part of planning for ministry in the year ahead. Kathy will not be in the church office on Tuesday, December 4th. Our Mission focus for Festival of the Trees this Sunday is CASA. Please sign the friendship pad that is found in every pew. It s a great way to get better acquainted. We wish Patrick Fusco a happy 90th birthday on Dec. 5th. He is the father of Christine Smith and Cathleen Martinez and grandfather of Chris Smith, Andrew, Bella and Isaiah Martinez. Thank you to Doug Angold, Karen Angold, Bruce Baker, Barb Chamberlin, Joan Frenzel, Neil Greene and Jim Shawhan for helping Rod set up the trees in Fellowship Hall, for stringing the lights, and decorating. Thank you, Jane Shawhan for providing homemade cookies for the workers! The set-up for the Festival of the Trees was accomplished in record time. On Sunday, December 9th, immediately following our Christmas Pageant, the CY Ed committee will be hosting a Continental Breakfast in Fellowship Hall. We are asking people to bring items such as donuts, muffins, coffee cake, fruit, bagels and cream cheese. Please bring enough to serve eight people. Drinks and place settings will be provided by CY Ed. Hope to see you there! Calling all pouffers and fluffers, tall people who can reach the ceiling, and short people are needed too, as long as we get results! The decorating of the Sanctuary will be Thursday, December 6th at 9:30 a.m. Report to Pat Myers only if you can take directions! See you then!! Announcements - Our Community Laurelton Presbyterian Church will host a Spaghetti dinner and Talent Show on Saturday, December 8th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. A flyer is posted on the office bulletin board with further details. Today s flowers in celebration of Bill Estes 75th birthday, placed by his wife, Alice. -11-

11 Children s Workshop Advent November 18 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (Children s Workshop youth only) Room 15 November 25 Family Worship No Children s Workshop December 2 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal (Children s Workshop youth only) Room 15 December 9 The Christmas Story Christmas Pageant Sanctuary December 16 Whole Gathering: Follow the Star with Mrs. Gretchen Spencer Room 12 December 23 Whole Gathering: Follow the Star with Mrs. Gretchen Spencer Room 12 December 30 Family Worship No Children s Workshop Christmas Pageant Leaders: Mrs. Linda Hayes & Mrs. Gretchen Spencer Shepherds: All that are available Early Childhood Teachers: Mrs. Joan Frenzel Shepherd: Cathy Reinhard NO Jr./Sr. High Class (grades 8-12) TODAY due to Thanksgiving Holiday Youth Group News (Grades 6-12) Laser Quest & Christmas Shopping Youth Night: Friday, Dec. 7th from 7:30-11:30 p.m. The cost is $20/person for 2 games and pizza (bring with you). Please let Mrs. Hayes know if you are coming and if you are bringing a friend by Monday, Dec. 3 rd. Ronald McDonald House and Christmas Dinner at Carters' House: Sunday, Dec. 9 After the Christmas Pageant Brunch.

We will supply napkins, coffee and water cups. Coffee, tea and milk will also be provided.

12 COME AND MEET THE NEW INTERIM, REV. THOMAS BALLARD at a Deacon Sponsored POT LUCK DINNER Saturday, Dec. 8th 5:00 p.m. Please bring a dish to pass to accommodate 8-12 people and your own place setting (dishes & silverware). We will supply napkins, coffee and water cups. Coffee, tea and milk will also be provided. Please follow the guidelines below: Your last name ends with A-K L-R S-Z Please bring the following Entrée for 12 people Side dish: veggie, potatoes, salad etc. dessert Please RSVP using the form below and place in the offering plate. Thank You. Name # of people attending

13 Mission Christmas Festival of Trees The 5th annual Festival of Trees will be in Fellowship Hall starting November 25, a tree designated for individual contributions to Kirkhaven Transitional and Long Term Care, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Irondequoit Community Cupboard, Sunset House, Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN), and Cameron Community Ministries. A Wish List is provided by each mission. Although specific missions will be a focus each week, contributions are welcome any Sunday: November 25, December 2, 9, 16, and 23 but noting individual deadline dates for Kirkhaven, CASA, and Cameron. Our focus Sundays are: November 25 Kirkhaven December 2 CASA December 9 Cameron December 16 Irondequoit Community Cupboard December 23 RAIHN and Sunset House The CASA tree has opportunities for specific gifts requested by children in the court system. WRAPPED GIFTS for CASA should be returned by December 9. UNWRAPPED GIFTS for Kirkhaven should be returned by December 9 for our delivery December 10, gifts used for Santa to distribute to the 147 residents. UNWRAPPED GIFTS for Cameron should be returned by December 16 for delivery December 17. Thank you for your continued generosity in this season of giving. Please note all gifts, with the exception of those for CASA, will be delivered unwrapped. Mission Festival of Trees Wish Lists Kirkhaven Focus (NOVEMBER 25) (Unwrapped gifts returned to church by December 9 for delivery on Dec. 10th) Costume jewelry and stuffed animals are especially popular Toiletries (perfume, after-shave, hand lotion, liquid body wash, bath powder, etc.) Candy (regular/sugar-free) and/or cookies in tins (homemade food items cannot be accepted) Large print puzzle/word search books; books with lots of pictures Playing cards Large 2013 wall calendars

CASA Focus (DECEMBER 2) (Wrapped gifts returned to church by December 9) Select an angel from the tree/ purchase and wrap gift

by December 17) Men s warm gloves Pillows Towel sets Bike locks with cable Sturdy duffel bags Full or queen size sheets Warm

Band-Aids Colorful washcloths Chap Stick Dishwasher soap Paper towels Chicken noodle soup RAIHN Focus (DECEMBER 23) Mops and

old) Laundry soap Facial tissues Garbage bags all sizes Toilet bowl cleaner Foil and plastic wraps Diapers all sizes Canned

14 CASA Focus (DECEMBER 2) (Wrapped gifts returned to church by December 9) Select an angel from the tree/ purchase and wrap gift requested/attach identification tag Cameron Ministries Focus (DECEMBER 9) (Unwrapped gifts returned by December 16 for delivery by December 17) Men s warm gloves Pillows Towel sets Bike locks with cable Sturdy duffel bags Full or queen size sheets Warm throw blankets Irondequoit Community Cupboard (DECEMBER 16) Sunset House Focus (DECEMBER 23) Bird seed De-icer crystals Band-Aids Colorful washcloths Chap Stick Dishwasher soap Paper towels Chicken noodle soup RAIHN Focus (DECEMBER 23) Mops and brooms Packages of children s underwear/socks (ages 3-8 yrs. old) Laundry soap Facial tissues Garbage bags all sizes Toilet bowl cleaner Foil and plastic wraps Diapers all sizes Canned meals (stew, hash, pasta) Canned fruit (esp. peaches and low sugar fruits) Canned beans (esp. kidney beans) Canned soups Small jars of jelly White rice Coffee URGENT NEED: soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste

15 Sunday, December 2, :55 a.m. Worship, Communion Sanctuary Christmas Joy Offering 11:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship/Reception Fellowship Hall Monday, Dec. 3rd 6:00 p.m. AA Rooms 10/14 7:15 p.m. Worship Memorial Lounge Tuesday, Dec. 4th 8:30am-7:30pm Summerville Travelers Trip 6:30 p.m. Parent/Scout meeting Room 14 7:30 p.m. SNS Board meeting Memorial Lounge Wednesday, Dec. 5th 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir rehearsal Fellowship Hall 7:30 p.m. Senior Choir rehearsal Room 13 Thursday, Dec. 6th 9:30 a.m. Decorate the Sanctuary 1:00 p.m. Small Group meeting Memorial Lounge 6:30-8:00 p.m. Cub Scouts Rooms 14/15 7:00 p.m. Property meeting Memorial Lounge Friday, Dec. 7th 7:30-11:30 p.m. Youth Night Laser Quest Saturday, Dec. 8th 9am-1pm Nursery School Holiday Party Fellowship Hall 10am-Noon Pageant rehearsal Sanctuary 2:30 p.m. Deacon meeting and set up Fellowship Hall 5:00 p.m. Meet/Greet Pot Luck Fellowship Hall Next Sunday, Dec. 9th 9:15 a.m. Pageant participants report Memorial Lounge 9:55 a.m. Worship, Christmas Pageant Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast Fellowship Hall 1-4:00 p.m. Youth to Ronald Mc Donald house 4:00 7:00 p.m. Youth to Mrs. Carter s house -16-

Prayer of Preparation

Prayer of Preparation Holy One, we wait and hope for your peace. We live in the promise of your love. As the days darken and the nights lengthen, light our way with your promised presence. Prepare us to