Everlasting Father, has been born for us, authority rests upon his shoulders; Wonderful Counselor, For a child. a son given to us; and he is named

Transcription

1 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

2 Advent Blue The use of deep blue for Advent shades the season with a hint of expectation and anticipation of the dawn of Christ, the church s hopefilled and faithful watch for the coming of Christ. Please join in reading aloud those parts of the service printed in bold. T HIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT S UNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017 G ATHERING AROUND THE W ORD WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE The Hackman Family (8:30) Doug and Barbra Carson (11:00) We light these candles as a symbol of the hope we have in the promise of the Lord s coming. And he will be known as Everlasting Father, who forever and compassionately cares about the well-being of us as children. He will again show us God who will never leave us nor forsake us. Come, Lord Jesus, come! MUSIC FOR PREPARATION People, Look East Dale Wood ( ) Mark Payne, clarinet When this symbol (*) precedes an element of the service, please rise in body or spirit. We lay before God our own sins, the sins and brokenness of our fellow worshipers, the church universal, and the world. CALL TO WORSHIP Jesus says: I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Look! The young woman is with child; and she will call him Emmanuel: God-with-us. Let us worship God. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN NO. 105 People, Look East *CALL TO CONFESSION *CORPORATE PRAYER OF CONFESSION God-with-us, we confess that we have not embraced your everlasting love. We pursue worldly passions and revere false idols. We cherish our possessions and spurn your good gifts. Forgive us, loving God. Take away the burden of our sin and teach us the song of salvation: good news of great joy in Jesus Christ our Lord. *SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION BESANÇON

3 *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Lord, Have Mercy JEFFERSON *ASSURANCE OF PARDON *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Glory to God in the Highest (Gloria in Excelsis) GLORIA The astoundingly good news of our reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ frees our tongues to sing mighty praise to God. *PASSING THE PEACE, LOVE AND JOY OF CHRIST TO OTHERS The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. We exchange reconciling words and gestures among the people of God. LISTENING FOR THE WORD A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN (11:00) PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 9:2-7 Large Print Pew Bible, pages Pew Bible, page 638 The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.

4 ANTHEM (11:00) Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Polish Carol, arr. David Willcocks ( ) Chancel Choir We listen for what God is saying to God s people through scripture, song, and sermon. Infant holy, infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, Noels ringing, tidings bringing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new; Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing. free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow, Christ the Babe was born for you, Christ the Babe was born for you. GOSPEL READING: Matthew 1:18-25 Large Print Pew Bible, pages 1-2 Pew Bible, page 1 The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON: The Names of the Messiah Everlasting Father Dr. Ron Shive Our response to hearing God s Word includes singing and saying what we believe. *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH RESPONDING TO THE WORD We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. In sovereign love God created the world good and makes everyone equally in God s image, male and female, of every race and people, to live as one community. But we rebel against God; we hide from our Creator. Ignoring God s commandments, we violate the image of God in others and ourselves, accept lies as truth, exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care. We deserve God s condemnation. Yet God acts with justice and mercy to redeem creation. In everlasting love, the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people to bless all families of the earth. Hearing their cry, God delivered the children of Israel from the house of bondage. Loving us still, God makes us heirs with Christ of the covenant. Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child, like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home, God is faithful still. - from A Brief Statement of Faith

5 *HYMN OF RESPONSE NO. 86 The People Who Walked in Darkness ISAIAH 9 SACRAMENT OF THE LORD S SUPPER INVITATION TO THE LORD S TABLE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. who forever sing to the glory of your name: Lord s Supper During his ministry, Jesus shared meals as a sign of community and acceptance. As we gather for communion, know that you are welcome in this community and accepted at Christ s table. LORD S PRAYER Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. BREAKING OF THE BREAD COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION MOMENT FOR MISSION: Christmas Joy Offering Bill Moser OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS

6 MUSIC AT THE OFFERTORY (8:30) I Wonder As I Wander John Jacob Niles ( ), arr. Mark Payne Mark Payne, clarinet (11:00) O Come, Divine Messiah James Biery (b. 1956) Women of the Chancel Choir O come, Divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace, O come, Divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. O come, Desired of nations, whom priest and prophet long foretold, Will break the captive fetters, redeem the long-lost fold. Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace, O come, Divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. O come, in peace and meekness, for lowly will your cradle be: Though clothed in human weakness we shall your Godhead see. Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace, O come, Divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, and sadness flee away. -Abbe Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, trans. S. Mary of St. Philip *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow VENI EMMANUEL God blesses and sends us in mission to the world. *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *RECESSIONAL HYMN NO. 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN MUSIC AT THE VOLUNTARY Prepare the Way, O Zion Wilbur Held ( )

7 THIS WEEK AT FPC December Sunday, December 17 8:30 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 9:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship Welcome Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 a.m. Local Mission Meeting Room :00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearses 10:45 a.m. Session meets for prayer Board Room 11:00 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 5:30 p.m. Children-Led Christmas Worship Service Sanctuary 6:00 p.m. Christmas Joy Dinner Calvin Hall 7:00 p.m. Middle and High School Gift Exchange Monday, December 18 5:30 p.m. Visioning Committee Meets Resource Center Tuesday, December 19 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Morning Men s Bible Study Christmas Breakfast Witherspoon Room 8:00 a.m. High School Dough Devotions Biscuitville on S. Church St. 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Wednesday, December 20 7:00 a.m. High School Dough Devotions Skid s in Elon 8:00 a.m. Meditation Group The home of Nan Perkins 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study Christmas Brunch The home of Trina Holt (1907 Sunnybrook Drive, Burlington) 6:00 8:00 p.m. Annual Drive-Thru Live Nativity Thursday, December 21 6:45 a.m. Thursday Morning Women s Bible Study Christmas Breakfast Witherspoon Room 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Meets Resource Center Minister on Call: December Ron Shive (336) December Taylor Barner (412) December 29-January 1 Lindsay Conrad (336)

8 ANNOUNCEMENTS A WARM AND CORDIAL WELCOME is extended to all who worship with us this Sunday. We hope in this service you will encounter the living Christ and experience the warmth of our caring family of faith. Please take a moment to sign our friendship register when it is passed to you. If you are visiting with us and in search of a church home, we invite you to become a part of our church family here at First Presbyterian Church. Please let us know of your interest by way of the friendship register, or by speaking to one of our ministers. LARGE PRINT HYMNS: Copies of today s hymns are available in the Narthex. HEARING ASSISTANCE: If you need hearing assistance, units with headphones are available in the narthex from the ushers. LIVE VIDEO STREAMING: The Sunday morning worship service can be seen live from anywhere you have an internet connection. Click on the Live Streaming box at the bottom of the website home page ( NURSERY CARE PROVIDED: Each Sunday nursery services are available from 8:30 a.m. until noon for children from birth through Pre-K age. Children are welcomed to Room 101. Children Kindergarten age and older are invited to worship. Nursey is staffed by childcare professionals with extensive child care experience, background checks and Child and Infant CPR training. Pagers are given to all guardians for immediate access during worship or Sunday School as needed. Please ask an usher or Church Educator for more information. WELCOME-TO-WORSHIP ACTIVITY TOTE BAGS containing worship bulletins, pencils, crayons, children s Bibles, and other activities for preschoolers and elementary children are available on the tree in the narthex located at the main Davis Street entrance. Blue bags are for children 2 nd grade and younger. Red bags are for children 3 rd grade and older. The worship bulletins found in the blue and red tote bags have been specially prepared for each age group. Please return the tote bags to the tree following worship. WORSHIP SERVICE CDS AVAILABLE EACH WEEK: Each Sunday, the Scripture readings, anthem, and sermon will be recorded on CD. A limited number of copies will be available immediately after the 11:00 a.m. worship service in the narthex. Additional copies may be requested by calling the church office. This same recording will be posted on the website. OFFERING RITUAL: In the pew racks you will find Offering Ritual cards. The giving of our offerings and ourselves is vital part of worship in which we express our gratitude for God s blessings. The passing of the offering plate is a visible demonstration of our commitment to devote our time and treasures to Christ s ministry. If you give monthly, quarterly, annually; or through stocks, credit cards, or e-giving, you may still participate in the offering ritual by placing this card in the offering plate. If you are interested in giving electronically through our secure e-giving process, you will find instructions on the back side of this card STEWARDSHIP: Generous giving makes it possible for First Presbyterian Church to fulfill our mission to worship God, care for one another, nurture our children and youth, share the love of Christ with others, and support the many outreach ministries of this congregation. Every gift matters. No one gift is too small to matter. Making a pledge is important for another reason. It not only helps our officers be good stewards of our resources, but it has a profound spiritual impact on our lives. Giving enlarges our lives and our hearts; giving allows the goodness of God to flow through us; giving awakens us to a rich harvest of thanksgiving. If you have not yet made your 2018 pledge, please join your fellow church members by doing so today. Pledge cards are available in your pew rack and you can simply put it the offering plate.

9 ALLIED CHURCHES OF ALAMANCE COUNTY HONOR CARDS ARE HERE! Come pick up this great Christmas gift for your loved ones in the church office. Checks are to be made payable to Allied Churches. FURNITURE MINISTRY HONOR CARDS are available in the office for purchase! Minimum $5 donation for each card, please! CHILDREN-LED CHRISTMAS SERVICE: The children of our church will lead us in a visual telling of the Nativity story today at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. CHURCH-WIDE CHRISTMAS DINNER: This afternoon, following the children-led Christmas Worship Service, we invite you free of charge (donations are greatly appreciated) to dinner. K&W will cater this dinner. During dinner we will also sing Christmas Carols and have a Festive Christmas Sweater Contest so bust out those favorite holiday sweaters! Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. Merry Christmas! DRIVE-THRU LIVE NATIVITY: The Live Nativity is back again! Come see our youth groups bring the Christmas story to life here at FPC on Wednesday, December 20 th. The event will be open from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Come support our young people as we celebrate Christ s birth! NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY IN JANUARY 2018: LifeTouch has been invited back to help us produce this directory, with plans to conduct the photography sessions during the first two weeks of January. Sign-up for photo times will be available online ( like last time, with a link through the church's website. As before, the purchase of pictures is optional. Please do plan to come have your photo taken so that we can have a full representation of our church family. The dates for photo sessions are as follows: January 3-7, and January Sitting times will be as follows: Wednesday through Friday from 2:00 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION WORSHIP: Join us for worship this evening at either 5:00 or 11:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEAR S EVE WORSHIP: On Sundays, December 24 and December 31 we will worship as one at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Ronald L. Shive, D. Min., Pastor Lindsay Conrad, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Young Adults, Missions, and Congregational Care Taylor Barner, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Student Ministries Norman Whitney, M. Div., Parish Associate for Pastoral Care J. Patrick Murphy, M. Mus., Organist-Choirmaster Charlotte Allbright, C.C.E., Church Educator Peggy Harrelson, 8:30 a.m. Liturgist Laura Mann, 11:00 a.m. Liturgist

10 Through Sunday, December 24 Advent Prayer Centers: Explore and enjoy the Advent Prayer Centers located around the church campus. These are hands on experiences for you to explore the Advent theme of "The Names of the Messiah." Centers are located in the Welcome Center, in the hall between the Sanctuary and the Education building, in Williams Chapel, and in the children's hallway. Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent Children-led Christmas Worship Service: Everyone is invited to gather in the sanctuary at 5:30 p.m. as the children of First Presbyterian Church lead us in joy-filled worship. Let us praise God with singing cherished hymns and listening with new ears the retelling of the story of Jesus birth. Church-wide Christmas Dinner: Join us in Calvin Hall at 6:00 p.m. No reservation necessary. Our menu will be chicken pie, Mac and cheese, potatoes, green beans, and cobbler for dessert. Donations will be accepted for those able. No reservation required come as you are! Christmas Joy Offering taken up at morning worship and this evening at the Church-wide Christmas Dinner. Wednesday, December 20 Drive Thru Live Nativity: The youth of First Presbyterian Church will present the annual Live Nativity. Join us for this drive-thru story event from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve - Fourth Sunday of Advent Candlelight Communion Worship Services 5:00 and 11:00 p.m. Sanctuary Music by the Chancel Choir (5:00) and Soprano April Martin (11:00) Sunday, December 31 - First Sunday after Christmas One Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary Sermon: Waiting for Consolation

11 THE POINSETTIAS are given to the glory of God and in memory and in honor of the following: In Memory of Betty and Allan Cannon In Memory of William and Jeanne Coad and Walter and Faith Smith In Memory of Tom B. and Maxine W. Collins and James O. and Clara W. Eddins In Memory of Mary White McNeely Fewell In Memory of Marshall and Myrtle Garrison and Charles and Audrey Wyrick In Memory of Richard and Jean Gunn In Memory of Craig Harris In Memory of Dr. and Mrs. H.B. Kernodle, Sr. In Memory of Bobby King In Memory of Harvey and Rae Leonard and Frank and Thelma Harrelson In Memory of Virginia and Tom McGowen In Memory of Barbara and C.C. Buck McNeely, Jr In Memory of Don McPherson, Allen Beck and Gwen and Vance Beck In Memory of Donald Miller In Memory of Donald Stewart Miller In Memory of T. D. Miller, III In Memory of Grace S. Schuchardt In Memory of Bill Schwegmann In Memory of Marilyn Jenkins Whitcomb In Memory of Marvin E. Yount, Jr. In Honor of the Congregation Who Has Shown Care and Compassion to Us In Honor of Cindy Cothran In Honor of the FPC Family for Their Care and Compassion In Honor of Shirley Gerken and Beth and Jim Hooten In Honor of Dr. Beth Hooten In Honor of Dr. Jim Hooten In Honor of The Owens Family Laura, David Larkin and Caroline In Memory of Lowell Shive and John and Veva Young In Honor of Marion and Don Stadler In Honor of Nancy Williams Dick Cannon Pat and Gene Smith The Family Her children, Nancy, Susan and Sandy Steve and Karen Garrison Rick, Gayle, Scott, Daniel and Rebekah Ralph and Ann Harris Dr. and Mrs. H.B. Kernodle, Jr. Ann McKenzie Clark Leonard and Peggy Harrelson Their Family Annette and Dave Grant Our Family Jane Andrews Jane Miller and His Family Jane Miller and His Family Lee F. Schuchardt The Schwegmann Family Chuck Whitcomb and Family Agnes Yount John and Barbara Rasch Ann McKenzie Clark Leonard and Peggy Harrelson Don and Doris DeSarro Shirley Gerken Shirley Gerken Jim and Pat Hair Pam and Ron Shive Britt and Bo Stadler Britt and Bo Stadler

12 The Names of the Messiah an Advent Worship Series In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare asked the question, What s in a name? Both Shakespeare and you and I know the answer to that question. Our very being is tied up in our name. Our name is an indispensable part of who we are and whose we are. Often the naming of a child is the first stressful and hand-wringing decisions a parent must make. You want to get it right. In the 8th Century BCE, Isaiah described the coming of a new king, most likely Hezekiah calling him Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In that day, often times people described their kings with divine-like qualities. While we need to hear these words first in their original contexts, Christians have seen these names reflect our Messiah, our Savior, whose coming we anticipate in Advent and whose birth we celebrate during Christmas. Each week of Advent our worship will focus on one of Isaiah s four names for the Messiah. December 24 4th Sunday of Advent (10:00 a.m.) Prince of Peace Ron Shive OT: Isaiah 9:2-7 Gospel: Luke 1:67-80