First Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - Founded For Christ in the Heart of Knoxville, the First Presbyterian Church seeks! to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ! to nurture those within its influence! to serve spiritual and human needs Special Coffee Fellowship 9:15 a.m. Church School at 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 8:45 a.m and 11:00 a.m. Telephone (865) ! Fax (865) church@fpcknox.org Web Site: State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

2 A Word of Welcome To all who are weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are idle and look for service; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come; this church opens wide her doors and offers her welcome in the name of Jesus Christ her Lord. ORDER OF WORSHIP THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT 11:00 a.m. December 17, 2017 dthe PREPARATION OF GOD'S PEOPLEd...the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him! Habakkuk 2:20 Worship begins with the Prelude. As we reverently enter the pews, please use this time for quiet reflection and prayer, so that we, individually and as a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), may prepare ourselves to reaffirm our devotion to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith. PRELUDE The People That Walked in Darkness George F. Handel Ben Bryson, Bass WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION ^CALL TO WORSHIP (see insert for Advent Candle Lighting) ^OPENING HYMN 12 People, Look East Besancon PRAYER OF CONFESSION (All) Our prayer this season, O Lord, is for the most meaningful Advent ever, yet we sadly confess to having done so little with so much. Forgive us, Lord, for not reading your Word, for not searching our hearts, for not facing our sins, for not submitting to your will. Forgive us according to your tender mercies, O God! Grant that when Christmas morning breaks for us this year, we may have a fresh sense of your presence and a renewed resolve to live in the light of Christ s glory. (Silent personal confession) MUSICAL RESPONSE (All) Lord, Have Mercy (Glory to God, 579) ASSURANCE OF PARDON ^CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (All) 579 Gloria Patri Greatorex Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

3 ^PASSING OF THE PEACE Since God has forgiven us, we are free to forgive each other. Therefore the congregation is invited to turn to each other, saying: "The peace of Christ be with you," responding with And also with you. dthe PROCLAMATION OF GOD'S WORDd FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11 Celeste Whaley (Pew Bible, OT Page 667) SPECIAL TIME WITH CHILDREN The Adult Choir will be singing selections from the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God during this time. (three-year-olds through first graders may leave for Children's Church.) ANTHEM Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hal H. Hopson Nathan Pace, Violin 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. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON John 1:6-8, Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord. (Pew Bible, NT Page 91) People: Thanks be to God. SERMON A Herald of Presbyterians Rev. Dr. William C. Pender dthe RESPONSE OF GOD'S PEOPLEd ^AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (All) Advent Credo by Daniel Berringan, S.J. Leader: It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss People: This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Leader: It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction People: This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly. (John 10:10) Leader: It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever People: This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Leader: It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world People: This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and, lo, I am with you, even until the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18) Leader: It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers People: This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams. (Acts 2:17) Leader: It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history People: This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23) Leader: So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage ALL: Jesus Christ the life of the world. ^HYMN OF RESPONSE 9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel

4 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD'S PRAYER Rev. Meredith Loftis RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY ANTHEM Ave Maria Sergei Rachmaninoff Ave Maria, Blessed Mother of God. Hail thou, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb; for thou hast brought forth the Savior, to redeem us all. ^DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION 591 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. Old Hundredth ^CLOSING HYMN 31 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn ^CHARGE AND BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Arr. Mark Hayes ^Please stand in body...or in spirit. NOTES ABOUT TODAY'S SERVICES The Friendship Book is passed each Sunday for guests and members to sign. Guests names and addresses are used to acknowledge your presence and welcome you to worship. In expressing what it means to be a family of faith, the church appreciates your willingness to share this information with us! Pipe Organ: For the duration of our construction renovation, our Casavant Pipe Organ has been removed for security and protection. Post renovation, the pipe organ will be returned renewed, refurbished, and improved. Officer in Charge: Carey Christian Deacon of the Week: Ailsa Schuller THOSE WHO SERVE TODAY Baker and Taker: Ginny Morrow and Bill and Mary Lou Butler LEADERS IN WORSHIP Rev. Dr. William C. Pender, Senior Pastor Rev. Meredith Loftis, Associate Pastor Mr. Mark Pace, Organist/Choirmaster/Harpist

5 Christmas Flowers 2017 MEMORIALS IN LOVING MEMORY OF GIVEN BY Our Parents Peggy and Earl Hagler Mr. Joseph Griffin Brownlee The Brownlee Family Mr. John Hickman Wallin The Brownlee Family Hunter Cagle Judy Cagle Peggy and Robert Fulton Barbara Hillard Richard Fox Stephen and Susan Fox Howdy Johnston Barbara Johnston Howdy and Barbara Johnston s Parents Barbara Johnston Irene Crampsey Davie Jane Luhn Al Holmes Norma Holmes Betsy Worden Stuart Worden and Lane Hays Charles Hays Stuart Worden and Lane Hays Our Parents Gary and Paulette Anderson Alix Dempster Fred and Susan Brackney Rick Brackney and Meg Sierant Woody and Elizabeth Henderson Our Parents Ron and Jean Mayer George and Elizabeth Dobbin Gary and Pat Chambers Raymond and Julia Chambers Gary and Pat Chambers David M. Stair Grayce Stair Florence and Duane Fox Grayce Stair Christyne and Fred R. Stair Grayce Stair Our Parents, Mary and Douglas Roseborough and Ida and Ed Ford Laura Ford Edward D. Ford Laura Ford Gordon Ford Laura Ford Mr. and Mrs. Gaines M. Harrill Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Pittenger Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Sam, Kallee, and Max Pittenger Mr. and Mrs. William G. Polk Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Mr. and Mrs. William G. Polk Sam, Kallee, and Max Pittenger Penny Polk Buethe Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Scott Carlson Polk Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Sam, Kallee, and Max Pittenger James C. Pittenger Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Sam, Kallee, and Max Pittenger Bob and Betsy Sharp The Henderson Family Steve Doak Woody and Elizabeth Henderson Louise and William Tate Becky Tate Edward Hopson Horde Mary Adair Horde Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Samples, Sr Bob and Diana Samples Wheeler D. Samples, Jr Bob and Diana Samples

6 Janie Esther Keener Bob and Diana Samples Bessie Keener Garrison Bob and Diana Samples Dr. and Mrs. John H. McKinnon Margaret McKinnon Edith Cate and Robert Germany Linda Germany and Wayne Kramer and Family Ruth and Frank Kramer Linda Germany and Wayne Kramer and Family Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer Linda Germany and Wayne Kramer and Family Dr. G. Carswell Hughs Cynthia Hughs Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Copeland Cynthia Hughs Jijj and Joe Kuhns Ginny and Bill Morrow Betty and Gene Morrow Ginny and Bill Morrow Joseph H. Kuhns, IV Ginny and Bill Morrow HONORARIUMS Our Children The Brownlee Family Our Grandson, Joseph G. Brownlee, IV The Brownlee Family Our Grandson, Heath Everett Brownlee The Brownlee Family Dr. William and Sheri Pender The Brownlee Family Mrs. Anne Pittenger The Brownlee Family Mrs. David (Grayce) Stair Mr. and Mrs. Gaines S. Pittenger Kallee Pittenger Sam and Max Pittenger Jeanne M. Fox Stephen and Susan Fox Jack Eastman Margaret McKinnon Anders Eastman Margaret McKinnon Gavyn Eastman Margaret McKinnon Sheri and William Pender Ginny and Bill Morrow Meredith Loftis Ginny and Bill Morrow Tracy and Mark Pace Ginny and Bill Morrow