Baptist Church The Worship of God Ann Caldwell, organist; Jane Self, pianist Vineville Brass, Kelly Graves, director Third Sunday of Advent Prelude Gabriel s Message Bedford Welcome Leigh Halverson Music for Meditation A Child Is Gonna Come Choplin Invocation Charles Jay Lighting of the Candle of Joy Brianna Pylant and Cliff Skelton Pastor: Lord, your messenger announced to shepherds on a hillside Good tidings of great joy. People: You have promised us everlasting joy in Christ. Pastor: May your Spirit fill our hearts and joy and gladness. People: For You have created us to be people who delight in your blessings. Pastor: May we rejoice in you always, O Lord. People: May we live and give of ourselves in joy! Pastor: And so, on this Third Sunday of Advent, we light the Candle of Joy. *Hymn 95 Prepare the Royal Highway bereden vag for herran Children s Sermon Melissa Kremer The Lord s Prayer Ministry of Music Amazing Grace/Of the Father s Love Pastoral Prayer Scripture Reading Isaiah 12:2-6 Charlie Whitehead Connection Verse: Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid! *Hymn 120 Emmanuel emmanuel sing two times *Offertory Prayer Offertory The Friendly Beasts Laubengayer
Scripture Reading Acts 4:32-35 Ministry of Music Go Sing It on the Mountain Choplin Sermon The Power of Community Invitation to Stewardship Pledge Card Response Invitation to Discipleship *Hymn of Response 102 Joy to the World antioch *Celebrations and Concerns *Benediction *Postlude Toccata on Veni Emmanuel Long Let s Share Our Gifts! This coming Wednesday, December 19, will be our final Wednesday evening service of 2018, as we engage in our annual Offering of Gifts. Supper will start at 5:30 pm and will take the form of a potluck, as we invite you to bring heavy hors d oeuvres or desserts to share with others. At 6:30 pm, we will enjoy a sharing time as people are encouraged to offer drama, song, instrumental music, stories, poems, prayers or anything they desire, related to the Christmas season. Remember to keep your offering reasonably short so as to allow for maximum participation. The last three Offering of Gifts have been among the most fascinating hours of my pastorate with you. I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday as the Spirit moves us to share with one another. Melissa Kremer will make available a couple of craft tables Wednesday evening that will allow the young and young at heart to create Christmas ornaments and decorations. Parents and grandparents, there will be something to engage even the youngest ages. In fact, since we want all ages to be included in this sharing service, we plan not to have nursery, but encourage parents to bring their little ones to this communal fellowship Speaking of sharing our gifts, I remind you that during the service this morning we will afford time for you to bring your pledge card to the altar as a sign of your willingness to invest in the Kingdom of God and in the work of the family of God known as Vineville Baptist Church. If you forgot to bring your pledge card this morning, you should be able to find estras on the pews. This communal sharing of our willingness to engage in stewardship provides a powerful testimony of our collective gratitude unto God for the blessings we have enjoyed. Among those blessings, of course, was the presentation of Go, Sing It on the Mountain, by our adult choir and accompanying orchestra last Sunday. What another glorious day of worship! I know that you join me in thanking Angela, each choir member, and all of the instrumentalists who shared their giftedness with us last Sunday to the glory of God. We thank all of our musicians for being such intentional stewards of their talents. This morning marks yet another meaningful service of worship as our children help me present the morning message, The Power of Community. As they take their places on the stage and help define the Nativity narrative surrounding Christ s birth, they remind us that the story of our Lord s Advent was not just the story of a baby, or of his parents, but includes the stories of a host of ordinary people who opened their hearts to God s extraordinary gift and by their faith and service help bring that gift to fruition. To all the children, and to all the parents and grandparents who made their participation possible this morning, Thank You!
Remember that we will have Sunday School next Sunday and on the Sunday of December 30th. And remember, one morning worship service both Sundays! I will speak next Sunday on a topic you perhaps have never heard addressed: The Principles of Receiving. The Candles, Carols, and Communion service will be at 5 pm the evening of the 24th. Come and bring a friend. Three final reminders: 1) we still have a few Advent devotional booklets available, should you want one for yourself or to share with a friend; 2) the final XYZ meeting of 2018 will be this Thursday at noon; and 3) if you aren t able to present your pledge card today, please be sure send it to Peggy Jones as soon as possible. A word from your pastor, Dr. Sympathy We extend Christian sympathy to the following families: Betty Rose Young and her daughter, Nancy Harmon, and their family in the death of Betty Rose s son, Chuck Young. Betsy McQueen and her family in the death of her father, Roderick McQueen. Youth Today: Youth will be caroling with the rest of the church, meeting at VBC at 4:45 pm, hopefully in festive attire!! We will sing, eat, and sing some more! We are excited to shine Christ s light. Wednesday: Youth will participate in the offering of gifts at 6:30 pm in the activities building following potluck dinner. Thursday: Progressive Christmas dinner for 7th through 12th graders, meeting at Vineville at 5:00 pm sharp. Please bring a $5 gift to swap! Sunday: No youth evening activities XYZ XYZ The XYZ program this Thursday will feature a musical program by our own Alan Parker. Lunch will begin at 12:00 pm. Invite a friend! Christmas Caroling All are invited for a fun time of fellowship and caroling this afternoon at 4:45 pm. Bring your favorite pot of chili to share! Morning School Needs Please donate all empty printer cartridges to our Morning School. You may bring them by the church office. On February 1, our Morning School will host a silent auction. They would appreciate your contributions of handmade items, homemade baked goods and any items that could be auctioned off.
Advent Booklets Advent Booklets are available today if you did not receive one last Sunday. A Convenient Option for Giving The QR code can be scanned with your smartphone and it will direct you to the VBC giving website. Upcoming Events December 16 Christmas Caroling and Chili Supper 4:45 pm December 24 Christmas Eve Service 5:00 pm This Week at Vineville Sunday, December 16 8:30 am No Early Service 9:15 am Media Library 9:35 am Bible Study 10:45 am Living Nativity 4:45 pm Caroling and Chili Monday, December 17 Tuesday, December 18 Wednesday, December 19 9:00 am Media Library 5:30 pm Handbells 5:30 pm Family Supper/Pot Luck 6:30 pm Offering of Gifts Thursday, December 20 12:00 am XYZ Meeting Friday, December 21 Sunday, December 23 8:30 am No Early Service 9:15 am Media Library 9:35 am Bible Study 10:45 am Worship
Deacon of the Week The Deacon of the Week is Michael O Neal. Next week is Pam Wacter. Report as of December 9 ATTENDANCE Bible Study 196 8:30 Worship --- 10:45 Worship 294 STEWARDSHIP Budget Offering $25,053 Following Christ 2 (ytd) $52,139 ytd Budget Contributions $775,952 Our Staff Leigh Halverson Peggy Jones Jody Thornton Ginny Ferguson Sandra Head Tonia Boyd Kathy McCray Pastor Minister of Music Minister to Youth Minister to Family and Education Financial Administrator Administrative Assistant Receptionist Music Ministry Coordinator Weekday Morning School Higher Life Our Lay Leadership Church Council Todd Smith 474-6333 Deacon Ministry Kathy Kendrick 256-3468 Grief Ministry Nell Jones 960-6195 Homebound Ann Purser 477-7549 Media Center Kay Defore 476-9986 Men s Ministry Todd Smith 474-6333 Missions Jim Jones 757-8411 Senior Adults-XYZ Jackie Odom 746-1716 Sunday School Jeane Easom 719-1289