Sunday, December 21, 2008 First Baptist Church at Worship The Church exists by mission as fire exists by burning. -- Emil Brunner Fourth Sunday of Advent Eleven O clock sing of God s steadfast love Bell Voluntary Joy to the World setting by Valerie Stephenson The Chancel Ringers Greeting and Call to Worship The Lord be with you And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. ^ ^ ^ Beloved ones, God is with you this day. Let us sing of God s steadfast love and tell of God s mercy. Favored ones, God calls us to worship and to ponder. Let us, with all the heavens and the earth, declare God s wonders. Servants of God, the Holy One is present with us, now and always. Let us tell of God s faithfulness to all generations. Introit O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, who to Thy tribes, on Sinai s height, In ancient times did st give the Law, in cloud, and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. 12 th century Latin hymn VENI EMMANUEL Lighting of the Candle of Love Alvin and Annette Kilby Response Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. + Hymn 173 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES
+ Confession of Sin Sara Spahr Stubbs God of surprises, we pretend not to hear your messengers calling our names. We look away, sure that there must be a mistake, for we are afraid to believe that you would trust us to bear you into the world. We are just ordinary people trying to get by. Have mercy on us, O Most High; Help us to believe with Mary. Send your Spirit upon us, that we may indeed live for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. + Assurance of Forgiveness Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! + The Peace The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. + Gloria Patri GREATOREX 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. Preschool/Kindergarten children are dismissed for Extended Session tell of God s mercy A Reading from the Hebrew Scripture: II Samuel 7:1-11, 16 The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. David Lee Chorale Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring by J. S. Bach The Chancel Choir Jesu, joy of man s desiring, holy Wisdom, Love most bright; Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring, soar to uncreated light. Word of God our flesh that fashioned with the fire of life impassioned. Striving still to Truth unknown, soaring, dying, round Thy throne. 17 th century German chorale A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:26-38 The gospel of our Lord. Thanks be to God. Andi Stevenson Hymn 139 To a Virgin Meek and Mild LO DESEMBRE CONGELAT
Sermon Glimpses of Incarnation: A Son declare God s wonders + Hymn 156 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM First Baptist Church of Monroe welcomes all persons to participate in the full range of our services, programs, ministries and mission activities. Membership is open to anyone professing faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Persons may offer themselves as candidates for membership by profession of faith and baptism, by statement of previous conversion and baptism, or by transfer of membership from another church. Membership may be requested in writing or during regular worship services. If you wish to present yourself for membership today, come to the front of the sanctuary during the hymn and our minister will receive you. You are welcome here. + Offertory Prayer Gerhard Ungerer All loose change in today s offering will go to Union County Community Homeless Shelter. Please give as you are able. Bell Offertory Noel Nouvelet setting by Kevin McChesney The Chancel Ringers Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here! Hear our grateful praises to the Babe so dear. Sing we Noel, the Son is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now, Noel! traditional French carol Concerns of the Congregation The Discipline of Silence Prayers of the People 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. + Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH Please rise as the deacons pass your pew in returning the offering to the Chancel 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.
tell of God s faithfulness + Commission Paul Sims + Hymn 115 Fairest Lord Jesus CRUSADER S HYMN + Benediction Organ Postlude Noel by Claude-Louis Daquin + Those who are able may stand Personal Listening Devices are available for worship. Request one from an usher. Please sign the Attendance Pad during the Greeting and pass it down the pew. If you are a visitor, please also fill out a Visitors Card and place it in the offering plate. - Please turn off all cell phones and pagers. Thank you. - Music reprinted under OneLicense.net Number A-707320. Audio CDs of our worship services are available through the church office. Audio recordings of sermons are now available on our website, www.monroefirstbaptist.org Assisting in today s ministry of worship are: John H. Hewett, Senior Minister Paul M. Sims, Minister Sara Spahr Stubbs, Minister Joyce Helms, Interim Organist Taylor Neal, Acolyte Gerhard Ungerer, Deacon David Lee and Andi Stevenson, Readers Preschool Extended Session workers for today are: Christina Kale, Virginia Carter, Margaret Price Christmas Eve Worship Wednesday, December 24, 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. featuring lighting of the Christ candle, lessons & carols homily by Dr. Hewett Glimpses of Incarnation: A Sign Holy Communion Celebration of Baptism (6:00 service) Child care provided at the 6:00 p.m. service for birth-age 2 Read the Bible Through in 2009! Copies of the ONE YEAR BIBLE are now available in the church office for $17 Join us as we begin January 1 to read the entire Bible in one year. These make excellent Christmas gifts!
Christmas Poinsettias Given By Bob Cassels Tom and Ruby Coffey Katherine Cox Family The Craft Club Jim and Lisa Davis Rabon and Jean Duck Reggy and Barbara Gaddy Emagene Griffin Ken and Nina Hedgepath The Ken Hissam Family Dr. and Mrs. C. G. Hopper Mary Ellen Hopper Tim and Debby McBride Tim, Debby, Nolan and Boe McBride The McBride Boys Joel and Kiki Myers Naomi Sunday School Class Tommy and Peggy Nash Kutaw Newgard Rose Peay Harry Sherwood Ray and Aileen Sowder Jim and Sara Stubbs Nancy Thomas and Saundra Whitley Jim and Claire Trowbridge Gerhard and Susanne Ungerer and Children Saundra Whitley Tommy and Margaret Williamson In Honor Of Evelyn Cassels Sarah Coffey, Nick Coffey Katherine Cox Mary Nash Sara Stubbs, Paul Sims, The Church Staff, Sarah and Rachel Ella Mae Ray Joel and Kiki Myers Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Billingsley Andi Stevenson, Martin Hewett, Joel Hewett Ann Handy Nathan and Denise Hopper The Noami Class Boe McBride, Nolan McBride, Don Haver Paul Sims, Sara Stubbs Debby McBride Emagene Griffin Mary Ellen Hopper, Myrtle Chaney, Willie Griffin John and Katherine Ward Russ, Teri and Matt Sharp Nancy Tadlock, Jeanette Helms Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren Jane Austin, Jim Moncrief Betty Rogers Jane and David Spahr, Margery and Bill Stubbs, FBC Youth Group Betty Brantley, Nancy Tadlock, John and Katherine Ward The Church Staff, John and Katherine Ward Gene and Pat Herrell John Whitley David and Janet McGuirt Given By Barbara Austin Carol and Sylvia Baker Audrey Bales and Susan Bales Annie Bragg Buddy and Cissy Brewer Will, Callie and Emma Brewer Clayton Daniel Jim and Lisa Davis Rabon and Jean Duck In Memory Of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Copple, Jr., Frank Browning Earl and Betty Baker, Wilfred and Mary Buck Clarence Bales, Duane Bales Maceo Bragg Evermond Daniel Ted Gaddy Dennis Duck
Bob and Patti Duncan Joseph Duncan Katherine Cox Donald Cox, Caleb Baker Rachel Fuller Horace Mac Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Fuller Reggy and Barbara Gaddy B. C. and Lucille Gaddy, Ervin Ray Mary Lou Gamble Joe Paul Gamble Chris and Anita Gross J. Ray Melton Emagene Griffin Brooks Griffin Sid and Becky Handsel Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Mulba Handsel Kenneth and Ann Handy Cheyenne Marcel Handy, Bill and Ruth Handy Jane Hawkins Ralph and Melody Hawkins John and Jan Hearn Tessa Rushing, Ralph Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hearn, Sr. J. W. and Rosa June, J. W. and Ronie Hewett John and Jo Holland Rachel and John Holland Mary Humphries Herb Humphries Gary and Judy Jewell Luke Jewell Joy/Agape Sunday School Class Jerry Moncrief Judith Laughlin James Laughlin, Jimmy Laughlin R. V. and Paula Lee Daniel Lee, our parents David Lehman Josh Bowling Derrell and Emily Livingston Mary Livingston, Louise Foster Buddy Lyon Jean Lyon Marie McRorie Johnson W. McRorie Max and Martha Melton Woodie Hunter, Bill Hunter Arnold Mills and Children Barbara Mills Janis Misenheimer Dan Misenheimer Jim Moncrief Jerry Moncrief Joel and Kiki Myers Brooks Griffin J. T. and Martha Nance Dewitt Randall, Howard Randall Martha Parris Steddy Parris Linda Sims and family Ruth Gordon, Inez Sims Grayland, Laurie and Brynn Purcell Karen Elms Andi Stevenson Bob and Mary Clampitt Jimmy and Dot Taylor H. B. and Ruby Taylor, E.C. and Vaude Kennum Ken and Nancy Thomas Karen Elms, Earl and Ruth Thomas Ralph and Mary Baker, Marshall and Lola Brady Larry and Vickie Tuggle Robert Berryhill Bob and Letha Turner Mr. and Mrs. Adam Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Fincannon Mark, Kim and Brody Tyson Carlton McWhorter Ed and Faye Varney Our Parents Frances Vaughan Ray E. Vaughan, Sr. Lorey and Carolyn White James E. Moore John and Saundra Whitley Mr. and Mrs. Paul Trull, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Whitley Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Williamson Mr. and Mrs. Curtis McGuirt