A SERVICE OF WORSHIP ON THE LORD S DAY WITH HOLY COMMUNION December 4, 2016 at 10:00 am Second Sunday of Advent We Gather Around God s Word Prelude Prelude on O Come, O Come Emmanuel " Purvis Welcome Introit Robert Grube, Jr., Organist Chancel Choir, Alison R. Nead, Directing *Call to Worship and Lighting the Advent Wreath Men s Prayer Breakfast Reader: We light the candle of peace. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and a little child shall lead them. People: The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. Reader: The nursing child shall play over the hole of the serpent, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. People: They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. All: In peace, let us worship God! *Hymn of Gathering #9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL Prayer of Confession Betsy Koehler Most gracious and loving God, forgive us for our lack of imagination for what is possible. Remind us that peace, justice and love are not simply visions for a future time, but your requirements for today. Reveal to us our sinfulness and our brokenness. By your mercy and grace, forgive us, and help us to repent and walk in the way of Jesus, John the Baptist, and the prophets before him. May we overcome our resistance and fears, and live with open and loving hearts as we prepare the way for the Christ Child once again. We pray this in Christ's name and offer our own silent confessions... Assurance of Pardon *We Give Glory to God (holding hands) 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. Gloria Patri Special Music "Sans Day Carol Stroope Westminster Choir, Alison R. Nead, Directing Children s Message Jean Wands Child care will be provided for infants to 2 ½ year olds in the Nursery on the first floor across from Thomson Youth Center. Regular classes will be held for children ages 3 years through 3 rd grade in their Sunday school classrooms. All 4 th through 8 th graders will remain in worship to celebrate the Lord s Supper. We Proclaim God s Word Prayer For Illumination Betsy Koehler O Lord, no one lives by bread alone but by your eternal Word. By your Spirit, make us hungry for this spiritual food, that we may live according to your will for the sake of our savior, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. Scripture Readings Old Testament Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (O.T. pg. 656) Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 (N.T. pg. 42) Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon: Advent: Surviving in the Desert We Respond to God s Word We Worship With Our Offerings Betsy Koehler Call For Offering Offertory Christmas Communion Song Ray-Callaway Chancel Choir, Alison R. Nead, Directing *Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH 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 *Prayer of Dedication
The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper *Invitation to the Table and Affirmation of Faith - The Apostle s Creed, Traditional I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CRANFORD 11 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey 07016 Phone (908) 276-8440 www.firstprescranford.org Great Prayer of Thanksgiving, Prayers of the People and The Lord s Prayer Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! People: It is right to give our thanks and praise! The Words of Institution Communion of the Bread and Cup Prayer after Communion *Hymn of Sending (Insert) My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout Benediction Postlude Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Mission Statement As the body of Christ inspired by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be faithful disciples, living our lives as a testimony of Christ's love for all. We welcome diversity, and strive to respect and care for all of God's creation. We seek to share God s Word and invite others to live Jesus' commandment to love one another as the Lord first loved us. The Ministers of the First Presbyterian Church, Cranford NJ: The Entire Congregation of FPCC Pastor and Head of Staff Rev. John Christian Kile Associate Pastor Music Director Alison R. Nead Assistant Music Director Elsa G. Hahn Organist Robert Grube, Jr. Administrative Coordinator Carol Thee Sunday School Administrative Assistant Cindy Devlin
Prayers of the Church Family Pray for those in the FPCC Family facing health challenges and the loss of family members. Pray for loved ones and friends of the FPCC Family. Please ask for God s daily comfort and the blessing of faithful trust for all who serve in the military, those in leadership of our nation, married couples facing turmoil and for peace in our country during this time of transition and healing. Emergency and immediate prayer support is available for friends and family of the Church! Please join over 200 of us on the First Presbyterian Church Prayer Chain. We would love to have you. There are no calls to make; simply receive emails and add them to your prayer list. We are here to help you with this special Spirit-filled ministry. To add someone, contact Linda Thorn at lindathorn427@gmail.com, at 908 358 8127 or at our new prayer chain address Prayerchain@firstprescranford.org. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 11 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey 07016 Phone (908)276-8440 E-mail Office@firstprescranford.org www.firstprescranford.org TO REACH THE PASTORS Pastor Chris Kile can be reached via cell phone at 215-933-8805 or at jckile@firstprescranford.org. Pastor Chris office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 2pm or by appointment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pastor Caroline Unzaga can be reached at the church office (extension 13) or at caroline.unzaga@firstprescranford.org TODAY WORSHIP BAGS for children and for toddlers may be found in a basket at the entrance to the sanctuary. Please return the worship bags following the worship service. FLOWERS The flowers today were given in gratitude for God s blessings on FPCC. CALLING ALL CAROLERS! Please join us on December 4 th for caroling! Time is 2 pm. We will go around and sing to some of our church members that are unable to attend worship regularly. After we will enjoy some pizza! Everyone is welcome! Please contact Ashley Kile to register at youthfellowship@firstprescranford.org. ALL GOOD GIFTS - Our 2017 Stewardship campaign, ALL GOOD GIFTS, has concluded but those who have not yet pledged are invited to join today with those who already pledged. There are pledge cards and envelopes in the pew racks which can be filled out and placed in the offering plate. The Gift We Never Expected - Advent is a joyous season like no other. It is the time when Christians slow down their lives, meditate on scripture, and refocus their hearts and minds on Jesus Christ. This season, the Advent study Under Wraps - The Gift We Never Expected is being presented by Larry Imboden each Sunday following Worship and focuses on four characteristics of God that were described in the Old Testament and revealed to mankind through His son, Jesus Christ: God is Expectant; God is Dangerous; God is Jealous; God is Faithful. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided as will childcare upon request. Sessions will be held on each of the four Sundays of Advent at 11:30am in Mettam Lounge.
Giving Tree - Gifts are due TODAY! LOOKING AHEAD NEWS FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY CROP WALK RESULTS FPCC walkers raised $1291 by their efforts. Thank you to all who walked and/or contributed! Thank you also to Carol Berns for coordinating the event. DONATE NEW SOCKS! Cranford-Elmora Soup Kitchen and Operation Warm Heart have joined together to collect white generic socks for distribution to the homeless. There is a great need for clean, warm socks particularly in the winter. Socks will be distributed in both places this fall and winter. Please consider adding a bag of socks to your next store purchase. All socks can be dropped off at the church office. Contact Jean Wands (245-3394) or Catherine Felegi (578-8500) with questions. DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAYS AND LOSS OF ANY KIND The next Grief Seminar Journey to Wholeness- Healing the Grieving Heart will be held on Sunday evenings from January 8 to February 26, 2017. Call Patti Williams to register at 908-709-1341 or at ptkw102@verizon.net. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHRISTMAS FLOWERS I would like to make a donation for Christmas flowers in memory of in honor of My name is THIS WEEK S FPCC CALENDAR Sunday, December 4 h 8:30 am Bible Study Board Room 10:00 am Worship Sanctuary 10:15 am Sunday School Education Building 11:15 am Fellowship Library 11:15 am Nominating Board Room 11:30 am Advent Study Mettam Lounge 1:00 pm Labyrinth Bates Hall 2:00 pm Caroling Thomson Youth Center 5:00 pm Inspire Band Practice Choir Room 6:30 pm Grief Support Group Mettam Lounge Monday, December 5 th 7:00 pm Presbyterian Women Thomson Youth Center Tuesday, December 6 th 6:00 pm Operation Warm Heart Bates Hall 7:30 pm Service and Mission Board Room Wednesday, December 7 th 6:30 am Men s Prayer Breakfast Rustic Mill Diner 10:00 am Pray First Dorothy Snyder Chapel Thursday, December 8 th 11:00 am Communion Service and Luncheon Chapel and Library 3:30 pm Caroler Choir Practice Choir Room 4:30 pm Crusader Choir Practice Choir Room 6:30 pm Jubilee Bells Practice Choir Room 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Practice Choir Room Sunday, December 11 th 8:30 am Bible Study Board Room 10:00 am Worship Sanctuary 10:15 am Sunday School Education Building 11:00 am Fellowship Library 11:30am Advent Study Mettam Lounge 11:30 am Deacons Board Room 1:00 pm Soup Kitchen Team #1 5:00 pm Inspire Worship Service, Potluck Supper, Youth Fellowship Chapel 6:30 pm Grief Support Group Mettam Lounge My envelope number is
Reverse Advent Box The Service and Mission Committee invites you to participate in the Reverse Advent Calendar Project this year. How does it work? You simply place one food item in the box on each day of Advent and deliver the box to the church during worship on Christmas Sunday. All donations will be given to Osceola Presbyterian Church s food pantry and Cranford Family Care. Here is a list of suggested food items: cereal pasta pasta sauce mac and cheese canned fish and meat peanut butter and jelly rice canned fruit soup If you have any questions, contact Pastor Caroline at caroline.unzaga@firstprescranford.org. Please come! Please join us for our Advent Friends At Home Communion Service and Luncheon on December 8 th from 11am to 1pm in Dorothy Snyder Chapel and FPC Library. All are welcome! RSVP to Carol Thee at 276-8440, Skip Winter at 652-9676 or Randy Williams at jrwarden734@gmail.com by December 5 th.