First Presbyterian Church December 16, 2012 10:00 a.m. God s spirit, given by Christ, flows through us as living water to wash, heal, and satisfy. As a congregation we become a fountain, sharing this living water with others. Blessed with God s love and grace, we celebrate gifts of diversity. By Jesus Christ s example, we welcome, in love, all who rejoice and worship with us.
Prelude Chiming of the Hour Welcome and Announcements Moment for Mission FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) SERVICE FOR THE LORD S DAY December 16, 2012 Third Sunday of Advent Introit *Please stand, in body or in spirit. Text printed in bold italics to be read in unison GATHERING AROUND GOD S WORD Why did He come? He came down that we may have love. Hallelujah for evermore! *Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Call to Worship *Hymn 14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; rejoice and exult with all your heart! The Lord, your God, is in your midst and will rejoice over you with gladness. The candles of Hope and Peace burn brightly. To them we add the candle of Love. God s love is revealed to us in Emmanuel, God-with-us. We wait for the coming of the One who is Hope and Peace and Love. Come, Lord Jesus. *Call to Confession *Prayer of Confession Savior of the Nations, Come In your presence, Holy God, we confess that we need repentance. We do not live in peace with your creation or with your people. We have not trusted your word, and we are afraid. We do not live as the people of joy you call us to be. Forgive us, restore us, and turn our shame into praise, for the sake of the One who proclaims the good news and for the sake of all the world. (Time for silent confession.) And all God's people said: *Declaration of Forgiveness Amen. 2
*Response to Forgiveness (sung) Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo! *The Peace of Christ Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. Let us share the peace of Christ with one another. Time with the Children *Hymn 145 LISTENING FOR GOD S WORD Children, five years and younger, are invited to activity time in the Children s Library, upstairs in the Education Building. Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! Sharon Youngs First Reading Isaiah 12:2-6 Anthem The First Song of Isaiah J.N. White Second Reading Phil. 4:4-7 Sermon Rejoice! That s an Order! Sharon Youngs *Affirmation of Faith RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD from a Declaration of Faith God sent the promised Deliverer to the people of God. Jesus, the long-expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He announced the coming of God s kingdom of justice and peace on earth. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God s promised rule. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, he brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended. Prayers of the People The Lord s Prayer Offering of God s Tithes and Our Gifts (Traditional, p. 16, Hymnal) *Doxology Hymn 592 OLD HUNDREDTH *Prayer of Dedication 3
*Hymn (see insert) SENDING US OUT TO BE GOD S WORD IN THE WORLD *Charge and Benediction *Congregational Response Postlude My Life Flows On Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love the star is on the way. 4
WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Mailing address: P.O. Box 6106, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6106 Telephone: (865) 483-1318; Fax: (865) 483-1319 email: fpcadmin@comcast.net; Web page: fpcor.org Church office hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. CHURCH STAFF Pastor Director of Music Organist Parish Nurse Director of Youth and Children s Ministries Administrative Assistant Nursery Sexton CELEBRATIONS BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES i Rev. Sharon Youngs Anna Thomas Jim Allen Meg Tonne Hannah Norris Adrienne Pyle Bobbie Peters Omer Breeden WELCOME VISITORS! All are invited to join us for refreshments in the Fellowship Hall (directly behind the sanctuary) following worship. If you have questions about this church or the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), please speak with the pastor or contact us at 483-1318. We are be glad to answer your questions. THE NURSERY is located on the first floor of the Education Building. HEARING ASSISTANCE units and CHILDREN S BULLETINS are available from the ushers. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES can be accessed online at fpcor.org. For recordings of the worship service, contact the church office. 12/16 Jennifer Pietrzak 12/18 Dan Terpstra & Peggy Bertrand 12/18 Jean Trowbridge 12/20 Colin & Sherith Colverson 12/21 Dan Terpstra 12/21 Walt & Kate Porter 12/21 Richard Ward & Susan Sharp Remember those... In Health Care & Retirement Communities Homebound In Hospital Anna Kathryn Atkinson Bill Marshall Boyd and Carol Coker Kris Stults Oris Bullock Pat Rush Oakley Crawford Katherine Dillon Marvin Randolph Jo Rennich Margaret Hunt Ruth Reeve Doug Kwasnoski Lois Lacy Lillian Lafferty Dick and Kay Lord Sandra Edwards
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK December 16-23, 2012 Sun. 12/16 9:00 a.m. Sunday School (Early Bird Class) 9:29 a.m. Choir 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:05 a.m. Cider & Cookies 11:15 a.m. Sunday School (Ages 2 - Adult) Adult class: A Different Kind of Christmas" 5:00 p.m. *PYC Progressive Dinner (see announcements) Mon. 12/17 12:00 p.m. Men s Lunch, Shoney s 6:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 42 Wed. 12/19 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting Thurs. 12/20 12:00 p.m. Coffeehouse Leadership Team 6:00 p.m. Service of Memory & Hope 7:00 p.m. Choir Fri. 12/21 7:00 p.m. Coffee House Sun. 12/23 9:00 a.m. Sunday School (Early Bird Class) 9:29 a.m. Choir 10:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Sunday School (Ages 2 - Adult) Linger after worship today for "Cider and Cookies." Service of Memory & Hope Thurs., Dec. 20, at 6:00 p.m. *Presbyterian Youth Connection The flowers are given today by Leslie Cowan to the glory and honor of God. ii
THANKS TO TODAY S VOLUNTEERS! Liturgist: Judy Greeson Advent Wreath: Judy Greeson, Ronnie Griffin & Ted Atkinson Time with Children: Sharon Youngs Children s Activity Time: Hannah Norris, Andrew Brittain & Ashley Hadden Sound Guild: Stephen Killough Ushers: Dennis Strickler, Rebekah Young, Teresa Brittain, Anna Robinson, Mary Ann Davidson & Chris Brittain Counters: Dennis Strickler & Dan Terpstra Fellowship Hosts: Syd & Bonnie Murray Opening and Closing: Dennis Strickler & Randy Pietrzak Youth & College Students Tonight at 5 p.m., all youth and college students are invited to meet at the church for a Progressive Dinner. Please bring a white elephant gift (something made, bought or found or $7 or less) and join us on a culinary journey full of laughter and fun. Coming up... Coffeehouse this Friday, December 21, from 7-10 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door. If you are willing to bake cupcakes or work the event, please see Sue Byrne. A Service of Memory and Hope Scheduled for Dec. 20 While a joyful and festive time of the year, the holiday season can also be a time of sadness and loneliness for some folks. With that in mind, a Service of Memory and Hope will be held in the sanctuary on Thursday, December 20, 6:00 p.m. Led by Pastor Sharon and Meg Tonne, this brief and simple worship service will provide an opportunity for those experiencing grief to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed away, whether recently, within the past few years, or longer. All are invited. The hymnals are ordered, thanks to your tremendous generosity! 220 pew copies, plus 30 for the choir, 6 large-print editions, a pulpit edition, and some personal copies were ordered this past Friday, which qualified us for a reduced price on pew editions and free shipping! We anticipate with joy the arrival of the new hymnals in September of 2013! Thank you! iii Hymnal Committee Update!
(Announcements - continued) A Presbyterian tradition for seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. You are encouraged to support the Christmas Joy Offering, which will be collected during worship on December 23. Stewardship Update THANK YOU to those who have submitted financial pledges for 2013. If you have not yet done so, you can still submit yours by placing it in the offering plate, handing it to an usher, or mailing it to the church office. Please note: If you plan to make a contribution that you wish posted in 2012, it needs to be received (not postmarked, or check-dated, but received) in the church office by December 31. Special Notice: The deadline for submitting articles for the January Banner has been moved to Monday, December 17. Friendly Reminder: Announcements for the Sunday bulletin should be submitted by Wednesday afternoon. The deadline for submissions to the January Banner is Monday, December 17. Flower Donations: If you wish to donate flowers on a particular Sunday, please call Margaret Phares, 483-1048. The cost of flowers is $30.00. iv