St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Denton, Texas First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018, 10:30 a.m. Hearing devices and large print Bibles and hymnals are available. Ask an usher. Gathering around God s Word Prelude Improvisation on PICARDY Welcome and Announcements Please sign the Ritual of Friendship pad in the pews. Ringing of the Bell Jackson Fite Lighting of the First Advent Candle Dave and Kit McRae Sung Response Prepare the Way of the Lord Hymn 95 Prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord, and all people will see the salvation of our God. Call to Worship Adapted from Psalm 80 Awake! Rejoice! Prepare to meet your God. Open the door. Sweep the path, Prepare the way! Christ came at Christmas to live as one of us. Christ comes today to love us and lead us. Christ will come tomorrow, wherever we may be. Opening Prayer Lisa Patterson *Hymn 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN Prayer of Confession (unison) Almighty God, we confess our unwillingness to live as people who expect you to appear in our lives. Why wait for your call when so many other people are clamoring for us to do what they want us to do? Why take time to turn to you when there are so many other things waiting to be done? We confess it is easier to react in the immediate moment than wait and listen for how you call us to respond. Forgive us our haste that leads us to miss your presence in our world and your claim on our lives, and call us to attention to look for you. In Christ s name, we pray. Amen (Time of silent confession). Sung Response O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Hymn 88 (vs. 4) O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan s tyranny; from depths of hell thy
people save and give them victory o er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. Declaration of Pardon We look to the coming of Christ, who brings us good news. We look to the coming of Christ, who brings us forgiveness of sins. Call to Faithfulness (Philippians 4: 4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus *Sung Response Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Hymn 83 (vs. 1) 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. Proclaiming God s Word Prayer for Illumination Audrey Cook First Scripture Reading Jeremiah 33: 14-16 Old Testament, page 250 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Anthem Long the Days of Waiting Mark Shepperd Choir with Ryan Estes, oboe, Maria Foltz Baylock, cello, Steve Danbom, wind chimes Nicole Stover, soprano, Vinnie Mahal, tenor, Chris Curcuruto, bass Time with Young Disciples Children ages three years through kindergarten are invited to go to the Children s Chapel at this time. Older children are invited to remain in the sanctuary with their parents. Second Scripture Reading Luke 1: 5-23 New Testament, page 52 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Sermon Angelic Exhortation Wake Up! Richard B. Culp Responding to God s Word *Hymn 107 Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn REJOICE, REJOICE *Affirmation of Faith (unison) from The Confession of 1967 Out of Israel God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God s promise to Israel, the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world. Amen. Prayers of the People and The Lord s Prayer (unison) 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. Presentation of Tithes & Offerings Offertory *Doxology Hymn 607 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication The Sealing of God s Word *Hymn 347 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence PICARDY The Sacrament of Holy Communion Invitation to the Lord s Table The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. It is truly right and our greatest joy come toward us and initiated your love and covenant [People sing Hymn 91 Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel] When we turned from you returns to your people to save them [People sing Hymn 91 Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel] You are holy, O God of majesty, await the day of his coming. [People sing Hymn 91 Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel] We give thanks that your Holy Spirit body of Christ in the world [People sing Hymn 91 Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel] Breaking of the Bread and Lifting of the Cup The gifts of God for the people of God. Let us keep the feast! Thanksgiving after Communion Taking God s Word into the World White wine in center ring; red grape juice in outer ring. *Hymn 92 While We Are Waiting, Come WAITING (Cason) *Benediction *Postlude Pièce Héroïque César Franck Bold Text indicates congregational participation. *Those who are able are asked to stand. As we light the Advent candles each week, we see the light gradually increase to a radiant brightness on Christmas Eve. The increasing bright light both flows from Christ and back to him as we wait for the One who has already come. Josh Chavira is serving as acolyte this morning.
Christmas Pageant and Dinner Sunday, December 9 5pm, Sanctuary Join us at 5:00pm on Sunday, December 9 for the annual Christmas Pageant performed by St. Andrew s children. Following the pageant, join us for dinner in Fellowship Hall with the young men of Goodland Academy. Save the Date! Christmas Eve Worship Services Sunday, December 24 5pm & 7pm, Sanctuary Our Daily Bread Christmas Gift Bag Collection NEEDED ITEMS: new dark colored knit hats and gloves, new cotton tube socks, plastic ponchos, umbrellas, blankets, long underwear, hand warmers, small Bibles or books of inspiration (with handwritten note, if you desire). AND/OR - travel size unisex toiletries, AAA batteries, full size soaps, note pads, cards or puzzle books (in a resealable plastic gallon bag). ALSO COLLECTING: cool items for a drawing, which includes household items, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, and possibly a bicycle! Place all items in the designated bin by the Coke machine near Fellowship Hall by December 7. Questions? Please contact Jacy Williamson. Thanks! St. Andrew s Advent Devotional Begins Sunday, December 2 Watch your email box and St. Andrew s social media pages for a uniquely St. Andrew take on Advent devotions this year. Combining images, music and scripture readings from members of St. Andrew, these devotions offer us a time to reflect on the season as a church family. Emails and social media posts will begin on Sunday, December 2. Be sure to watch the Shield and the bulletin for more updates! Usher Help Needed The scheduling of ushers for 2019 is underway. Ushers serve for 3 Sundays twice a year. Former ushers, new members, and youth may serve. Please contact Jonny Ramsey at jramsey18@verizon. net or 940-566-3170 as soon as possible. Advent Music and Flowers Honor or remember family and friends by donating to the Christmas Music and Flower campaign. Forms are available in the church office. Please attach your completed form with your gift in the folder marked Donations for Advent Music and Flowers. The names of those honored and remembered will be listed in the Christmas Eve Worship Bulletin. The deadline for donation is December 2. Treehouse Angel Tree Thank you so much to everyone who chose a gift tag from the Treehouse Angel Tree. Please return these gifts wrapped with the gift tag attached no later than Sunday, December 16. Gifts can be returned to the church office during the week, or placed on the table to the left of the coffee station in the Narthex on Sunday morning. Please contact stephanie@saint-andrew.com if you have any questions. Goodland Academy Angel Tree Please return your wrapped gift with tag attached this coming Sunday, December 2. Leave the gift in the Narthex on the table in front of the pew, and we ll check it in. Thank you again for your generosity. Spring Guide Deadlines Committee moderators! Please plan to submit your committee s 3-4 sentence announcement for each activity happening this spring for the Spring Guide. Submissions are due by 11pm on Sunday, December 2. Questions? Completed announcements? Please contact Lou Korom in the church office, lou@saint-andrew.com.
Austin Seminary Advent Devotionals Members served by St. Andrew s home ministries received copies of Austin Seminary s 2018 devotional, Questions & Answers for Contemplation at Advent & Christmas. If you would like a copy, please pick one up in the Narthex. Give-a-Meal-a-Month Market for Mission, December 2 Bags and Booties The Give-a-Meal-a-Month outreach program is excited to announce our participation at Market for Mission this year. For each $5 donation you will receive a shopping bag made from a recycled animal feed bag or a cute pair of baby booties. Look for the Give-a-Meal-a-Month Bags and Booties table in Fellowship Hall on December 2. If you want a specific horse, bird, dog, chicken, or cat shopping bag or a particular pair of tall or short baby booties, please contact Anna Hendrix, abhendrix@verizon.net for your pre-order. Your pre-ordered bags and booties will be waiting for you at the table on December 2. See you then! November Give-a-Meal - $2.29 A monetary donation of $2.29 feeds a person in need for a week. Donations can be made in your weekly offering, online, or in the church office. Please write Give-a-Meal-a-Month on the envelope or check. If you would prefer to purchase food, suggested items are: Small Canned Ham, Canned Peas, Canned Sweet Potatoes, Canned Fruit Optional: Baby Food, Sugar, Flour Please return your non-perishable donations for the Denton Community Food Center to the collection bin in the hallway near Fellowship Hall. Thank You!
Carol Hill Barbara Coleman Prayer Concerns This Week Margaret Plunkett Matt Hogarth Patrick Brunelle, son of Barb Brunelle Jacob McIntyre, son of Linda and Jim McIntyre Maribelle Robbins, friend of Edie Chavira Cirilo Chavira, father of Frank Chavira Elizabeth Hines, stepmother of David Hines Sarah Derkowski, niece of Gayle Strange A complete list of the ongoing prayer concerns is available in the Narthex. Presbyterian Women Holiday Music Program Tuesday, December 4 9:30am, Parlor Please join us on Tuesday, December 4 at 9:30am in the Parlor. Following refreshments provided by Circle II, Gail Dunn will lead our annual Christmas program of songs and carols. This meeting will include the installation of the 2019 Women s Council Officers and the awarding of an Honorary Life Membership. Questions? Contact Vickie Armstrong at bossarmst@aol.com or (972) 977-1045. Blue Christmas Wednesday, December 5 6:30pm, Sanctuary A blue Christmas service will be held on Wednesday, December 5 at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. This service acknowledges that for some the holiday season brings ambivalence -- joy and excitement, but also sadness as we are reminded of our brokenness and loss. As we gather in the Sanctuary, there will be a time of reflection and prayer for those who want to step away from the hustle and bustle of their December activities. Stephen Ministers will be available during the service for prayer time with any who desire. Prime Time Friday, December 7 12:30pm, Adult Choir Room Please join the Prime Timers for our Christmas potluck luncheon on Friday, December 7, 2018! We will meet in the choir room (4th floor off the elevator) at 12:30pm. Our wonderful Minister of Music Jeff Snider is planning our entertainment so you know it will be great! Come start off the Christmas season and hear some great music! Bring your appetite and your favorite food to share. If you have a friend you want to bring they are welcome. If you know ahead of time that you are coming and what you are bringing please email Clarice Luce, mamaluce_29@yahoo.com. Hope to see you there! Service of Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 9 Join us for our annual Lessons and Carols worship service. This classic service tells the story of Christ s birth through scripture readings and traditional carols. There will be selections by the St. Andrew Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir, and the carols will be accompanied by brass. Please tell your friends! Birthday Celebration for Fred Cassell Sunday, December 9 St. Andrew will be celebrating Fred Cassell s 90th birthday following worship on Sunday, December 9. Circle II will host a special after worship fellowship in honor of Fred. Everyone is invited to join! Connect with us facebook.com/standrewdenton twitter.com/standrewdenton
The Week at a Glance TODAY 9:00 a.m. Market for Mission, Fellowship Hall Youth Choir, Children s Choir Room 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Chancel Choir, Chancel 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Market for Mission, Fellowship Hall Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Monday, December 3 6:00 p.m. Theology on Tap, Denton County Brewing Co. Topic: The Gospel According to Christmas Carols Tuesday, December 4 9:30 a.m. Presbyterian Women Holiday Music Program, Parlor 12:30 p.m. Women s Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study, Room 206/208 6:00 p.m. Mission Committee, Room 206/208 Wednesday, December 5 8:00 a.m. Men s Book Study, The Egg & I 6:00 p.m. Youth Group, The Den 6:15 p.m. Disciple Class, Room 206/208 6:30 p.m. Blue Christmas Worship Service, Sanctuary 7:00 p.m. Called Session Meeting, Room 206/208 Friday, December 7 12:30 p.m. Prime Time, Room 206/208 Saturday, December 8 4:00 p.m. Parents Night Out, Rec Center 9:00 p.m. By the Numbers: As of 11/1/18 Income (pledges + other income) $759,531.66 Expenses $730,444.65 Difference $29,087.01 Attendance 11/25/18 264 Give online at: www.saint-andrew.com/give St. Andrew Presbyterian Church is a Stephen Ministry Congregation.
Welcome! We proclaim that ALL people are created in the image of God and affirm that each person is a beloved child of God, worthy of God s love and grace. We welcome all, celebrating our differences while finding unity in Christ. No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. Join us in the Narthex following worship so that we can get acquainted. If you wish to join St. Andrew today, please speak to one of the ministers. Children s Chapel During the worship service, children ages three years through kindergarten go to chapel immediately following the Children s Sermon. Advent 1 Godly Play seeks to tell the stories of the faith so that children hear and remember these stories and become engaged in them. It also provides a place and opportunities for children to begin exploring the purpose and meaning of worship. Parents may come upstairs to the Children s Chapel to pick children up following the worship service. No Sunday School Market for Mission 9am-10:30am, 11:30am-12pm St. Andrew Presbyterian Church 300 W. Oak Street Denton, TX 76201 Phone (940)387-3897 Fax (940)381-2404 www.saint-andrew.com info@saint-andrew.com Richard B. Culp, Senior Pastor Lisa Patterson, Associate Pastor Jeff Snider, Director of Music Parker Hinnenkamp, Organist Stephanie Raesz, Youth Director St. Andrew Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).