Gathering Welcome Prelude (8:45) Advent Alleluia arr. Keith Christopher (11:15) Sleepers Wake arr. Johann G. Walther Invocation Silent Prayers

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1 Summerville Presbyterian Church 407 S. Laurel St. December 10, 2017 A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD Eight forty-five and Eleven fifteen o clock Services Gathering Welcome Prelude (8:45) Advent Alleluia arr. Keith Christopher (11:15) Sleepers Wake arr. Johann G. Walther Invocation Silent Prayers Advent Candle Lighting (8:45) The Bennett family (11:15) The Brobst family *Advent Song *Call to Worship Leader: Behold, we are a people who dwell in darkness. People: Our understanding is dim, a mere shadow of truth. Leader: In a land of deep darkness, we await light from our God. People: In faith we see but a faint reflection of God's glory. Leader: Illumine our darkness by the light of Your Christ. People: Then we shall see and be radiant Leader: When the true Light which enlightens everyone has come into the world. People: Amen, let it be so! *Hymn # 38 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Richard S. Willis *Prayer of Confession: Merciful Savior, Your life was the model of perfect joy and contentment because You perfectly trusted Your Father. We see the serenity, the peace and the graciousness that were hallmarks of Your life, and we know that they are good. By contrast, our lives are filled with anxiety, fear, restlessness and competition that relentlessly drive us to worry and exhaustion. This is not how you intended us to live, where Sabbath is seldom observed, silence is constantly drowned out, and rest for body and soul is disregarded. Forgive us, Lord. Forgive us, too, for believing that we can change by trying harder. Transform us from the inside out. Grant us the renewal and rest that come from fully trusting you. *Assurance of Pardon *Gloria Patria The Word Children s Song O Come, Little Children Traditional O come, little children; O come, one and all! O come to the manger in Bethlehem's stall and see baby Jesus asleep on the hay. He came to bring joy to all children today.

2 Children s Message Robin Legare *Lord s Prayer All children are invited to join children s worship following the Lord s Prayer. Children five and under are invited to go to the nursery. *Hymn # 5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence French Carol Sacrament of Baptism: (11:15) Duncan Alexander, son of Adrian and Danielle Saldana. REFRAIN: Duncan Alexander, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you, too. We this day do all agree a child of God you ll always be. (repeat refrain) Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 64: 1-7 Prayer *Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 1-18 Sermon: When We Don t Get What We Want Rev. Mike Shelton Response to the Word *Affirmation of Faith #15(blue hymnal) Nicene Creed (Ecumenical) Offertory (8:45) How Far Is It to Bethlehem? arr. Molly Ijames Jewel Tones (11:15) An Advent Credo M. Martin Margie Fendley, flute *Doxology *Offertory Prayer *Hymn # 30 Born In The Night, Mary s Child Geoffrey Ainger *Charge and Benediction Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) arr. Emily Lund *Postlude Prepare The Way Den S. Psalmboken *Congregation please stand Opportunities to Worship, Fellowship & Serve This Week at SPC: * Childcare provided Sunday, 10th Traditional Worship Services at 8:45 am & 11:15 am in the sanctuary* SonRise Contemporary Service at 8:45 am in the gym Baptism of Duncan Alexander Saldana at 11:15 am service Youth Open Gym at 4:30 pm in the gym Youth Sunday Night at 5 pm in the HS and MS rooms Monday, 11th Bell Rehearsal at 6 pm in the bell room

3 Tuesday, 12th Circle Christmas Lunch at 12 pm in Lanneau Hall Finance Meeting at 6 pm in the church office Jewel Tones Rehearsal at 7:30 pm in the choir room Prayer Gathering at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary Wednesday, 13th Men s Bible Study at 6:30 am at Panera Bread Kindred Spirits Bible Study at 10 am in Bo s office Choir Practice at 7:30 pm in the choir room Thursday, 14th Praise Team Music Practice at 6 pm in the sanctuary Men s Over 40 Basketball at 7:30 pm in the gym Friday, 15th No Events Scheduled Service Pig Pickin : Hurry, Hurry get your Pig Pickin tickets now! What a great Christmas present for those BBQ lovers! Tickets are on sale now Sundays between services or during the week in the church office. The price is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Help of Summerville Food Pantry is in need of toiletries - soap, body wash, deodorant and toothpaste. Donations can be dropped off at our church office or at the new Second Chance location behind the George Seago County Library on Trolley Rd. Thank You: On behalf of Hands of Christ, the Service Ministry Team would like to thank Jeff Bowers and Jim Hamilton for nominating the HOC site at SPC for an award given by the North Area Top Producers. Our outreach program received a grant of $500 to be used toward next year s distribution. These funds will go a long way toward buying clothes and supplies for our clients who attend the next distribution. Having community involvement such as this is not only heartwarming, but is also quite helpful to this wonderful mission project. Home of Hope s Mission is to provide a safe shelter, food, support services and an avenue to self - sufficiency for homeless men in our community. SPC is providing ministry support for the Low Country Home of Hope through listening and being available for them, and providing some meals. Needs List: Bike locks, bike lights, bikes, bike helmets, bike chain, 26 bike inner tubes, paper towels, toilet paper, plastic spoons & forks, mop heads (pack of 4), scrubbing pads for dishes, Pine-Sol, large garbage bags, cold medicine (various kinds), Vapor Rub. Angel Tree: The Christmas Angel Tree can be found in Lanneau Hall. There are angels representing four agencies which are supported by the Service Ministry Team and the Congregation. The agencies include Habitat for Humanity, Home of Hope, Hands of Christ,

4 and Thornwell Home for Children. If you would like to participate in this opportunity, we are asking that you select one or more angels from the tree and return the gifts to Lanneau Hall no later than December 22. There is an angel on the wall in Lanneau Hall to indicate where your gifts should be placed. Since these gifts are for the agencies to distribute as needed rather than for individuals, the items should not be wrapped. The items may be left in the bag, but please be sure to attach the angel from the tree to the bag. This will help with the distribution of the gifts to the various agencies. Any checks for Hands of Christ may be turned in to the church office or placed in the offering plate. Please write HOC on the memo line of your check. Donations for Habitat for Humanity should be mailed directly to their office at 101 Greyback Road, Summerville, SC If you have any questions concerning the Angel Tree, please feel free to contact Mary Bowers WORSHIP Children's Sermon Volunteers are Needed! Giving the children's sermon is a great and easy way to bring the message home for our children and to bond with them! Volunteers typically serve once every 1-2 months. If you feel called to help in this way, contact Diane Burden at or dianepburden@gmail.com. Help Set Up for Christmas Eve! Volunteers are needed to help set up the gym for the Family Christmas Eve Service. The date is flexible depending on your availability the week before Christmas. This only takes a couple of hours and is a great way to spread cheer! Contact Sarah-Harbin Coleman or Bo Hamilton to sign up! NURTURE Vases Needed: Please bring in your old vases for Congregational Care to be able to send flowers to those in need of cheer. You can drop them off at the church office anytime. Thank You: I would like to thank the Congregational Care Committee and the church family for the beautiful flowers, cards, prayers, and visits during my illness. I do appreciate you thinking of me at this time. Jim Altman SPIRITUAL GROWTH Give A Christmas Gift To Yourself: Registration is now open for the Worship and Music Conference at Montreat which is June for rising 4th graders - adults. The registration fee is $391 for Adults (25+), $265 for Young Adults (18-24), Sr. High, Middle, and Children (rising 4th - 6th). This price will last until January 5th when fees will go up. Go to to register online. This opportunity to attend Montreat is available to all Worship Ministry team members, choir members, bell ringers, instrumentalists, and Jewel Tones. We have 14 beds available in the house for June. Make sure you register early to get the best price and reserve a bed. Support Finance: The offerings along with monies received for the use of facilities and the total expenses for the first ten months of 2017 are: Receipts $ 590, Expenses $ 574, Overage $ 15,719.00

5 The current balance in the endowment fund is $242,694. Please contact the Church office if you would like any additional information on our Church finances. Thank you. CONNECTIONS Stewardship Update: To date, only 164 families/individuals have responded by turning in pledge cards. These pledges total $536,868. The budget for this current year is $757,505, meaning that the budget for 2018 is in danger of being considerably less than that of If we are to grow as a church, if we are to carry out our dreams for the future of SPC, we each must do our part and pledge our financial resources to support the work that God has called us to do. Congregational Care is updating lists of those who would like to help in three areas: Prepare and deliver a meal when needed Provide sandwiches or cookies for memorial receptions Arrange and deliver flowers Even if you have indicated your willingness in the past to serve in these capacities, please sign up again so we can have an accurate list. Congregational Care appreciates the help we have had in the past. It means so much to our members who are ill, have had surgery, or are grieving. Please use the Simple Signups in the Sunday bulletins if you can help. Then you will receive a phone call from a Congregational Care member when a need arises. CHILDREN Children's Advent Devotionals are still available in the vestibules if your child has not picked one up for this year. Next Sunday, Dec 17, children will remain in service to enjoy the choir's Christmas Cantata. Family Advent Workshop is next Sunday, Dec 17th, from 2-3:30 pm at the DeBrosse home. RSVP to Sarah in advance if possible! Family Christmas Eve Service: Please join us for this special Christmas Eve worship opportunity that involves families and children, offers a children's story, and gives excited young ones room to move around! 5pm Dec 24th in the gym. YOUTH Youth Lockout: December 20th-21st from 7:30 pm - 7:30 am, we will have a youth lockout. This will consist of an evening full of escape rooms in Charleston, eating breakfast/dinner at IHOP, and having fun together. The cost of this lockout is $35 and covers all costs. There are still 9 spots open! Please register your child(ren) by contacting Rachael Danforth by at summervilleprsouth@gmail.com or by phone at

6 Living Nativity Practice December 24th: The practice for the Christmas Eve performance will be held during the Sunday School hour on December 24th. All youth participating in this performance are required to meet from am in the HS room. The Annual Living Nativity will be held on December 17th and 24th at 6 pm on the front lawn. All youth need to meet in the 3rd - 5th grade room at 5 pm on those dates for a final walkthrough, get into costumes, and prepare for their performance. Advent Devotionals are available in the vestibules.