Third Sunday of Advent God s People Worship December 16, 2018, 9:30 a.m. [* THOSE WHO ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND] In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 Pray and watch eagerly in the quietness of your heart during the prelude this morning as you prepare to worship God Almighty. Prelude Gentle Mary Laid Her Child arr. Michael Burkhardt Welcome Announcements * Greet One Another Call to Worship Lighting of the Advent Candles Members of the Confirmation Class: Nathan Rawa and Christian Rouse Reader 1: In a letter to some of the first Christians, the Apostle Paul writes: Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times. Reader 2: Today we light the candle of Joy. In the middle of all the holiday craziness, when we re trying to clean house before company comes, or worrying about how we re going to pay for everything we maybe shouldn t have bought, sometimes we lose our joy. When we look at these candles, and the light they give, picture the pure joy we see when a baby smiles, with no fear for the future. That s the gift God wants to give us. Love, and hope, and joy, as we wait for Jesus to return. * Hymn of Joy Angels We Have Heard on High 23 Offering and Offertory The Holly and the Ivy Kevin Anderson, mandolin * Doxology 592 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 Choral Anthem Born, Born in Bethlehem Lessons for Young Christians arr. Douglas E. Wagner [CHILDREN ARE DISMISSED TO DISCOVERY TIME] * Praise Songs Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 31 What Child Is This 53 Scripture Readings Luke 2:1-14 NIV Page 1071 Galatians 4:4-5 NIV Page 1220 Sermon Incarnation, Internalized Dr. Don Hoagland Pastoral Prayer and the 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. * Hymn of Great Praise Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 2 * Benediction
* Postlude Hark, the Glad Sound! arr. Paul Manz While standing for songs, please note those around you who may need to remain seated and, if possible, move to allow those who are seated to have a clear view of the screen. Incarnation, Internalized Luke 2:1-14; Galatians 4:4-5 Introduction- Christmas is especially for children I. Commercialization of Christmas A. Because Christmas was, we cannot remain the same 1. God knew what was best for the world B. Mary rejoiced at the birth of her son C. Joseph accepted this child D. The shepherds reacted with awe E. The wisemen, too, reacted to the birth of Jesus F. King Herod responded II. Christmas demands a response A. What did it mean for Jesus to become incarnate? 1. Incarnation meant that scripture had been fulfilled 2. Incarnation meant that God s love for us is beyond all measure B. God was putting his love on the line for us C. Incarnation meant forgiveness of sin was now available to all D. We begin to walk in the light of God s plan E. We deal personally with the reality of incarnation F. Put ourselves in a position of vulnerability G. Christmas calls us to make the love of God real
Welcome to Supplee! Our Greeter this morning is Jim Riker. Our Worship Assistant is Evan Lehman. The Chancel and Communion Table Flowers are given by Barbara and Bert Freeston to the glory of God and in memory of loved ones. The Christmas Tree is dedicated in memory of Randy and Ruth Morrison and Joe Spadaro for their service to Supplee Church. Parents: If you have younger children who become restless during worship, the service can be heard in the infant nursery and the narthex where children's bulletin packets are available on the ushers' table. Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided in Room 6. What's Happening this Week at Supplee... Today 12/16 9:15 am - noon Childcare for infants through four years of age, Room 6 9:30 am Worship Service 10:45 am Education Hour for all ages 12:00 pm Seoul Church 4:00 pm Christmas Caroling 6:00 pm Girls Scouts, Parlor Mon. 12/17 7:30 pm Boy Scouts 7:30 pm Praise Team, Sanctuary Tues. 12/18 10:00 am Women s Bible Study, Parlor Wed. 12/19 7:30 pm Stewardship&Finance Committee, Room 12 Thurs. 12/20 10:00 am Men s Bible Study, Parlor 7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir, FH Fri. 12/21 8:00 pm Seoul Church, CC, L Please sign the red friendship folder, found at the end of your pew, and pass it to your neighbor. Note the names of those who are sitting around you so you can greet them by name. If you are a first-time visitor please add your address and phone number and stop by the welcome center in the Narthex after the service so that we can give you a small gift. Children ages four through fifth grade may leave when noted for Discovery Time, a worship education program which will be held in Crossroads Center. Please see an usher for directions to the room. Children should be picked up there following this service. Older children are encouraged to stay with their parents during worship. If you have a little one that needs Nursery care during this service, please see one of our ushers. You are encouraged to write your prayer and praise requests on the yellow sheets found in the pew slots. Please give them to an usher or place them in the offering plate. Christmas Eve Services 3:30 p.m. Family Service 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service Please note that there will be no children s or adult Sunday School classes on December 23 and 30. Christmas Caroling and Fellowship Meal TODAY at 4:00 p.m. Individuals, families, people of all ages, are invited to meet at the church to go as a group to sing Christmas carols to some of our shut-in members. Following the singing, the group will return to church for a simple fellowship meal with the Room at the Inn families. Adults, children, teens, and anyone who likes to sing and eat are invited to attend. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside of the parlor or call the church office so we can provide enough food and transportation for everyone. Let s celebrate together and get at the heart of Christmas! Donations to Help Decorate the Church - Once again the Deacons have decorated our sanctuary for the celebration of Christ's birth. You can make a donation that can be designated for either the decorations or for the needy. Please make your check payable to "Supplee Church" and place it in one of the special envelopes that are on the cabinet in the Narthex. To designate your donation in memory of or in honor of a loved one (in the Christmas bulletin insert) complete the appropriate section of the envelope and place in the offering plate or return to the church office TODAY. Giving Tree Update Thank you to all who took hearts from the tree. Through your generosity over 100 gifts and gift cards were provided to the children and families of thevillage, 452 S. Roberts Road, Rosemont, PA 19010.
Prayers for Our Church Family Please put this list in a prominent place at home or work to remind you to pray for these individuals. Please pray for: Health Concerns: Suzanne Black health issues Natoya Brown (daughter of business associate of Al Crawford) hospitalized Stan Christiansen health issues Sylvia Eagono recovering following surgery Art Freeston health issues Bob Hagendorf recovering following surgery Adult Education (meeting Sundays at 10:45 a.m.): Our class offerings continue. They are: Who Needs Christmas? (led by Don Hoagland and Jan and Chuck Wormington, meeting in the Parlor); and Actionable Faith for Today s World: A Study of the Book of Romans (led by Jay Eibner and Russ Hensel in Fellowship Hall). Men s Bible Study - Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. All men are invited! Come and explore God's Word. Contact Bert Freeston for information at 215-646-8349. This week we are meeting in the parlor. Woman s Bible Study - Join us for prayer, study and discussion, Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the parlor. Come each week, or just whenever you can. Call Sylvia Eagono at 215-355- 4385 with any questions. Women s Retreat Sign up now! In January we will return to Ocean City, New Jersey for our annual Women s Retreat (January 18-20, 2019). Sign up on the bulletin board outside of the Narthex and mark the date on your calendar now so you won t miss a great time of spiritual refreshment, fun and good food. All women of Supplee and their friends are invited! The cost will be $60 per person. The house is on the first floor only so no steps. Contact the church office for more information. Prayer Shawls Available - If anyone would like a prayer shawl to give to someone in need, please contact Toni Hagendorf at 215-421-8068. "Room at the Inn" - Room at the Inn runs during December. We are hosting three families. We need many compassionate volunteers throughout the month. Please consider sharing a meal, staying overnight, or being an occasional driver (Note: Supplee Church authorized drivers only). The sign-up sheet is available online (website link http://signup.com/go/uaahqpx) or through contacting Jason Cottone. Please call him at 215-275-1475 or email jasoncottone@gmail.com with any questions. Notice: The card found in your bulletin is not for you! Please give it away! Use it to invite your neighbors, friends, and family to join you for Christmas Eve worship at Supplee this year. Wouldn t you love to worship with them? If you need more, please check the friendship table in the narthex. Join us at Supplee Church for Christmas Eve Family Service 3:30 pm Candlelight Worship 7:00 pm Candlelight Communion Service 11:00 pm Visit our website for more information: www.suppleepc.org Mission of the Month Update: Hunting Park Christian Academy Here is an update about members of Supplee helping out HPCA: Filling a Need This is the third year that the Telecom Pioneers, Chapter 132 have supplied school supplies to Hunting Park Christian Academy. This year they received a grant from the Pioneers to help buy supplies. HPCA was given 200 backpacks, 200 pencil cases and $350.00 in school supplies. Jim Heidler is President of Chapter 132 and he and Jane Strock honored their wish list and bought and delivered everything to them in late August and will deliver some additional supplies in January 2019. For more information, talk to Jim or Jane.
Upcoming Fellowship Events: 1. Soup and Bingo Night January 26 at 6 p.m. Save the date and join us for a fun night of food and prizes for all ages. 2. Family Craft Time March 2 Volunteers are needed. The Fellowship Committee is working on a plan for a morning of family crafting and we are looking for 8-10 people to share their talents. You might teach us how to make jewelry, greeting cards, art, slime, or hair braids. Or you might sponsor a service project like making prayer blankets or neck pillows. If you have a talent you are willing to share at this event, sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex or contact Faye Kolos or Jenn McKnight. Supplee Youth Group - SYG is offered for all students in 6-12 grade. It provides students with unique experiences, biblical teaching, challenges, fellowship, fun and games. We invite you to join our Sunday night meetings and other activities. Check the calendar for details. Registration is Now Open for the 2019 Youth Winter Retreat - Sign up by December 31 st, payments are due by January 13 th. This year we are headed to Tell Hai Retreat Center with First Presbyterian Church of Ambler on January 18 th 20 th. The retreat is open to all youth 6 th to 12 th grade. For questions and to RSVP contact Evan Lehman. 2019 Offering Envelopes Now Available - Please pick up your 2019 offering envelope boxes from the table in the hallway outside of the Parlor. This saves us from having to mail them. Thanks! Also, if you do not have envelopes there but would like to receive some, just let the office know at 215-646-4123. Special Offering Envelopes are available on the table in the Narthex. Contributions placed in these envelopes will be used to help balance the 2018 budget. Stewardship and Finance News Our 2019 Stewardship Pledge Campaign is well underway and we have received 95 pledge cards to date. Pledge cards are now due. If you have pledged in the past, please continue and consider increasing your pledge for 2019. If you have not pledged in the past, consider starting the 2019 year with an affordable amount. Spiritually speaking, the goal is not just to fund the budget; we are offering our gifts to God and to each other to Keep Supplee s Vision Growing. As of December 10 th, our contribution total is $393,429. In the remaining weeks of the year, we need contributions of $93,683 to achieve our budget of $487,112. We ask for your help in meeting budgeted contributions so that we can continue to support Supplee s many activities that further God s word and love for His followers. Let us unite as a congregation and reflect on the abundance of giving that God has provided in our lives and express our gratitude to Him by continued pledged giving and non-pledged offerings to Supplee. We are truly grateful for the financial gifts that each Supplee member and friend contributes. Thank you for your continued faithful support of Supplee Presbyterian Church. 2019 Budget Update from Stewardship and Finance We last advised you, in the Pledge Letter dated 10/30/18, that Session was in the process of approving the 2019 Annual Budget. On November 27 th, Session approved the 2019 Annual Budget totaling $492,039, which is an increase of $4,927 from the 2018 Annual Budget of $487,112. We usually provide you with a copy of the line item budget, but at this time it makes best sense to provide this in the Annual Report in late January 2019 and discuss it at the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2019. Regarding Your Taxes and Contributions to Supplee Church - All contributions must be received in the church office by noon on Monday, December 31, 2018 in order to claim a charitable contribution for 2018. Checks that are received after December 31 st, either in the mail or in the collection plate on the first Sunday of January 2019, will not qualify as a charitable contribution for 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Adrienne Basara in the church office at 215-646-4123, ext. 15.
Please help Undecorate the Church - All of us are enjoying the beautifully decorated sanctuary. The Deacons wish to thank everyone who participated in adorning the church with Christmas decorations, and providing funds for the poinsettias. We will need the help of volunteers to undecorate the church on Sunday, December 30 th at 10:45 a.m. when the festive look will be packed away, ready to emerge again next year for Christmas. All volunteers are welcome, and we thank you in advance for your help. This afternoon At 3:30 PM