Service of Worship 1 st Sunday after Christmas December 26, :00 a.m.

Transcription

1 Service of Worship 1 st Sunday after Christmas December 26, :00 a.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in Christ s name, to all who would worship here or join us in fellowship. We affirm that there can be no exclusion within the body of Christ. We invite all children of God to join us as disciples of Christ and participate fully in the life of our congregation. PASTORAL STAFF: CHURCH EDUCATOR: CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: MUSIC STAFF: Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Anne R. Ledbetter, Associate Pastor Jill Getty, Pastoral Care Assistant Susan Moseley Debbie Brown Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells Section Leaders/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Ruth Bailis, Justin Gonzalez, Brian Carter 1502 West 13 th Street Wilmington, DE

2 This Morning at Westminster 9:45 11:15 a.m. Child Care for Cribbery (birth toddler) 10:00 11:00 a.m. Worship After STORYTELLING, if you wish, your children may leave the Sanctuary and go to Under Six Sunday School in the Under Six Classrooms. 11:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship Meeting Room Deacon Team of the Month Kris DeMesse, Barbara Fedeler, Ralph Lewis and Eadie Churchill Later Today 12:00 p.m. Family Promise Downstairs Classrooms 6:00 p.m. Clean But Not Straight NA Club Room 8:00 p.m. AA Club Room 2

3 WORSHIP NOTES The flowers in the sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Charles M. Krick, Jr. and Janet and John Rowell by the Linderman, Krick and Rowell families. The rosebud at the side of the pulpit this morning is in celebration of the birth of Alexis Lynn Martin, born November 10, daughter of Lynn and Tim Martin and sister to Brendan and Chase. We welcome this child into the Westminster family. Sanctuary Flowers - Consider giving the flowers for Sunday worship to remember or honor loved ones, or to celebrate an event, while expressing praise and thanksgiving to God. Please contact Linda Watson during business hours at or lwatson@ycst.com. Dates available for flowers are: January 9, 16 and 30. Worship Resources You may obtain large print hymnals and hearing devices from any usher. Worship bags for children ages 3-6 are available from the ushers. We are providing children s bulletins for ages 7-12 through January. Kids Notes will resume in February. Are you wearing a nametag? Whether you are a long-time member or new to the church, wearing a nametag provides others the opportunity to meet you, greet you by name, and for you to become more familiar with others at church. You will find nametags and markers in baskets at all major entrances. CONGREGATIONAL CARE AND PRAYER Please remember in your prayers: Those recently hospitalized: Elliot Harris, Barbara Ross. Westminster s homebound family who can no longer attend worship with us. Send a card, say a prayer, visit! This week we ask you to remember: Jean Fuller HC1012 and Jack Remsen HC3844, both of Methodist Country House, 4830 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE Our brothers and sisters in worldwide ministry in Guatemala, Kenya, Congo and Palestine. Westminster s Covenant Prayer Group prays weekly for specific needs of the faith community. Anyone may submit a prayer request by leaving a confidential message on , ext. 335, or filling out a prayer request card (in the pew pocket) and placing it in the offering plate. Iraq and Afghanistan often seem far away, and we may neglect to realize that Americans, as well as Iraqis, Afghans and members of coalition forces, continue to die. As Christians, we are called to pray for the spreading of peace and justice and an end to violence. If someone in your family is serving in the military, please let us know, so that we may include that person on our prayer list. Contact Colleen Falasco: ext. 131, or cfalasco@wpc.org. This week we pray for Those known to the WPC Community presently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan: Iraq: Chase James and Susan Harcke Afghanistan: Shawn Galbraith The families of those from the U.S. who have died recently: Specialist James Young, age 25, of Rochester, Illinois Sergeant 1st Class Todd Harris, age 37, of Tucson, Arizona Sergeant Jason McCluskey, age 26, of McAlester, Oklahoma Lance Corporal Brandon Pearson, age 21, of Arvada, Colorado Lance Corporal Matthew Broehm, age 22, of Flagstaff, Arizona Those who have returned from service, possibly suffering from wounds or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, whose scars may by deep and long-lasting. 3

4 ORDER OF WORSHIP PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Christmas, when it is past, may seem as a dream, a beautiful dream from which, alas, we must waken to the hard realities of the world and life. But the Christmas vision can be kept after Christmas Day is past This vision of the love of God can be maintained on the day after Christmas and every day after that. It can be maintained on the condition that we do not neglect the heavenly vision but undertake to live by it What would it mean to live by the vision which comes on Christmas Eve? It would mean to trust God and not give way to worry and faithless fears. It would mean to act on the faith that the supreme power in the universe is not military force but the love of God seeking good for all people everywhere. It would mean to practice love in daily life, at home and in every human relationship. Adapted from The Day after Christmas by Ernest Fremont Tittle WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS *PASSING OF THE PEACE ORGAN PRELUDE A Christmas Triptych Charles Callahan I. Plainsong Prelude ( Of the Father s Love Begotten ) CALL TO WORSHIP The Star of David has flowered in our darkness. O come, let us adore him. The Rose of Sharon has blossomed in our winter. O come, let us adore him. The Lion of Judah has roared in the face of our enemy. O come, let us adore him. The Balm of Gilead has come to make the world whole. O come, let us adore him. *HYMN NO. 22 Angels, from the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE OPENING PRAYER Emmanuel, God with us: Give us peace as we need peace; give us courage to live in times without peace. Awaken us to the hope of your reign, but restrain us from vain hopes in the dominions around us. Free us to claim our own welling-up joy, and sustain us when joy seems far. Lead us to service in your world; strengthen our faltering attempts to serve. Spirit of holiness and good tidings, we come through Advent again, and again we learn the meaning of incarnation. Form and receive our words of praise, prayer, and proclamation, for we magnify your name and rejoice in your salvation. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 1:18-25 Shelley Gnade, Mary-beth Howard, storytellers Westminster By Heart 4

5 CAROL NO. 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM STORYTELLING The Donkey s Dream by Barbara Helen Berger By Heart Storytellers CAROL NO. 53 What Child Is This? GREENSLEEVES SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12 By Heart Storytellers CAROL NO. 62 Bring We the Frankincense of Our Love EPIPHANY SONG MEDITATION Reflecting on the Dreams in Matthew s Birth Narrative Anne Ledbetter HYMN NO. 309 Of the Father s Love Begotten DIVINUM MYSTERIUM OFFERING During the offering, please sign your name and pass the red folder down your row. As folders are returned to the center aisle, note the names of fellow worshippers on your pew. (Stars will be passed after the offering plate and worshippers are to take a star from the basket.) ORGAN OFFERTORY A Christmas Triptych Callahan II. Berceuse ( Silent Night ) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE CAROL NO. 28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO BENEDICTION ORGAN POSTLUDE A Christmas Triptych Callahan III. A Christmas Flourish GOING FORTH If you are visiting with us for the first time, we invite you to meet today s ambassador, Anne Gunn, at the back of the sanctuary. She will have a gift for you, and can share information regarding our many ministries for children, youth and adults. 5

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7 PASTORAL STAFF Gregory K. Jones, Head of Staff Anne R. Ledbetter, Associate Pastor PASTORAL CARE ASSISTANT: Jill Getty CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: Debbie Brown CHURCH EDUCATOR: Susan Moseley MUSIC STAFF Paul Fleckenstein, Organist/Director of Music Mary Beth Davis, Director of Music for Children, Youth and Handbells Sandie Reinicker, Director of Sunshine Choir Section Leader/Soloists: Diana Milburn, Ruth Bailis, Justin Gonzalez, Brian Carter YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM Susan Moseley, Mary Beth Davis and Mike Gnade SUPPORT STAFF Susan Alexander, Receptionist Colleen Falasco, Operations Assistant Jerry Hunter, Financial Assistant Suzie Hurlock, Administrative Secretary Nicole Hughes, Director of Communication and Database Management Jerry Reed, Facilities Manager Sextons: Roger W. Atkins, Robert King, Kevin Krick, Joan Truitt WORLDWIDE MINISTRY Vashon Island, Washington State Emily Bercaw, AmeriCorps Guatemala Roger and Gloria Mariott, Cedepca, Karla Koll and the Mam Presbytery Congo Timothee Kalonji Matadi, Cecilé de Sweemer, MD, Pastor Jean-Marc Katujudi Nkuna and Members of the Kamulumba-Ditalala Parish Kenya-Rev. Dr. Lyle and Terry Dykstra, PCUSA Mission Volunteers SESSION Liz Bacon, John Bowman, Martha Carper, Ron Carrick, Jim Carter, Clark Collins, Josh Cox, Charlie Depfer, Karen Dietz, Ellie Furry, Mark Gerstenschlager, Ross Getty, Shelley Gnade, Dick Haden, Trina Hogan, Mary-beth Howard, Fred Iobst, Don Kuespert, Sue Linderman, Nancy Rochford, Jan Patrick, Bruce Petrovick, Margo Reign, Jerry Spilecki, Frank Waldburger BOARD OF DEACONS Beth Bowersock, Marcia Carle, Kim Carrick, Peggy Carroll, Ginnie Chagnon, Craig Checkel, Eadie Churchill, Jack Coleman, Bob Cox, Tammy Daley, Kris DeMesse, Cathy Edge, Eric Etshman, George Evans, Barbara Fedeler, Todd Gray, Carol Noggle Harris, Carol Hopkins, Bill Kaye, Carla Krupanski, Ralph Lewis, David Mathé, Carol Mosher, Ruth Nace, Donna Nelson, Sonja Pfautz, Patti Ridout, Robin Rosser, Ann Shadduck, Cora Sparling, Melissa Stabler, Steve Stallone, Julia Stone, Sally Thomas TRUSTEES Bob Chagnon, Don Furry, Sara Geuder, John Johnston, George Krupanski, Lynn Kielhorn, Bob McKeown, Stephen Poole, Christine Schiltz, Philip Timon, Helen Walker 7

8 Next Sunday, January 2: One morning service at 10:00 a.m. Join us as we continue to celebrate the Christmas season through word and sacrament. We will offer Cribbery and Sunday School for Under Six. Enjoy coffee and fellowship in the Meeting Room following the service. The Holy Toast Café will re-open on Sunday, January 9. December 26 January 1 8