WORSHIP for SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 10, 2017 10:30 A.M. Grounded in the grace of God, we are a vibrant Christian community, disciples of all ages, gathered for worship and nurture, scattered to serve and to love. -MPC Mission Statement adopted by the Session March 31, 2008 Magnificat - My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47
Welcome to Morrisville Presbyterian Church WE WELCOME GUESTS AND VISITORS to our service today. If you are not a member, we invite you to consider membership with us. If you would like more information about how we can serve you, please speak to a pastor. FRIENDSHIP PAD: During the Words of Welcome, please pass the Friendship Pad to the outside aisle and back again to the center. This allows worshipers to recognize people in their pew, and helps staff members identify those who may need attention. THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are offered to the glory of God and are given by Dave and Jan Stoneburner in remembrance of Jan s parents, Charles and Shirley Wagner. The flowers are also given by Beth and Grace DiTulio in loving memory of Walter and Mary Ellis. USHERING AT TODAY S SERVICE: Head Usher David Stoneburner, Andy Beidler, Kym Bowser, Tom Evans, Alice Garcia, Rob Morris and Amy Schnurr. Junior Deacons are Jack Fancher, Brandon Schnurr and Evan Wadley. CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN UP TO AGE 4 is provided in the Nursery/Pre-School room from 9:15 a.m. 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Children, aged 0-2, are welcome in the nursery during our education hour (9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.). Children, aged 0-4, are welcome in the nursery during worship. Visitors, please feel free to utilize our nursery, or keep your children with you in worship. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for use anywhere in the sanctuary during worship. These pocketsized receivers are available from Deacons in either Narthex and are to be returned after the service. HYMNALS, BIBLES, & BULLETINS WITH LARGE PRINT are available during worship each Sunday morning from a Deacon in the Narthex. Please return the Hymnal and/or Bible after the service. PASTORAL CARE REMINDER Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach pastor Rachel Rhodes at 267-793-0232, or pastor Debbie Heffernan at 267-342-0089. Thank you for your assistance. WORSHIP NOTE * The asterisk indicates that those who are able may please stand. PUBLICATION DEADLINES Please forward any announcements you would like included in the Bulletin by noon Tuesday of each week to Bulletin@MPCusa.net. Articles for the January edition of Currents are due by December 10. Send articles to Currents@MPCusa.net. C ONTACT US M ORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF 771 North Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA 19067 215.295.4191 Office@MPCusa.net Rachel A. Rhodes, Senior Pastor & Head of Staff (ext. 234)... RachelRhodes@MPCusa.net Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Ministry (ext. 225)...... DebbieHeffernan@MPCusa.net Jack McAnlis, Minister of Visitation...JackMcAnlis@MPCusa.net Timothy Carpenter, Director of Music... TimCarpenter@MPCusa.net Geoffrey Shoffstall, Principal Organist... GeoffreyShoffstall@MPCusa.net Rich Drabb, Property Manager (ext. 231)... RichDrabb@MPCusa.net Laurie Jacobson, Bookkeeper (ext. 226)... LaurieJacobson@MPCusa.net Damon Miller, Communication Coordinator... DamonMiller@MPCusa.net Diane Toner, Administrative Assistant (ext. 0)... DianeToner@MPCusa.net 2
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT G A T H E R I N G PRELUDE My Soul Magnifies the Lord (Schübler Chorales) J. S. Bach WORDS of WELCOME LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. *CALL to WORSHIP One: Jesus says: I am coming soon. All: Amen. Come Lord Jesus! One: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; All: God sends good news to the oppressed. One: Let us worship God. All: Amen! *HYMN 105 People, Look East Geoffrey Shoffstall Pastor Rhodes Gail Flesch Family Elder Jill Monroe-Dillon BESANÇON *PRAYER of CONFESSION Unison Pastor Heffernan God our Maker, we confess that we are not ready to meet you. You send your Spirit to release us, yet we remain captivated by sin. You stand among us in Christ Jesus, yet we claim we do not know you. Forgive us, God of grace. Make us holy; make us whole. Keep us safe and sound until the day of your coming; through Jesus Christ our Lord. *SILENT PRAYERS of CONFESSION *RESPONSE 601 Amen (DANISH) Here each worshiper may offer silent prayers of confession. Congregation *PROMISE of FORGIVENESS One: The grace of God, given to us in Christ Jesus, strengthens us to the end so that we may be blameless when Christ comes again. Thanks be to God, who is faithful! Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. *RESPONSE to GOD S PARDON (back cover of hymnal) Glory to the Father GLORIA PATRI 3
*THE PEACE One: The Peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us greet one another with the Peace of Christ. As a sign of their reconciliation in Christ, the people share the peace of Christ, greeting one another with these or similar words: The peace of Christ be with you, Peace be with you, or simply, Peace. L I T U R G Y o f t h e W O R D ANTHEM Maria Walks Amid the Thorn - 16th century, arr. Hugo Distler Maria walks amid the thorn. (Kyrie eleison!) Maria walks amid the thorn which seven years no leaf had born. Jesus and Maria. What 'neath her heart doth Mary bear? (Kyrie eleison!) A little child doth Mary bear, beneath her heart He nestles there. Jesus and Maria. And as the two are passing by, (Kyrie eleison!) Lo! roses on the thorn appear, Lo! roses on the thorn appear. Jesus and Maria. *HYMN 82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus PRAYER for ILLUMINATION Chancel Choir HYFRYDOL GOSPEL READING Luke 1:26-38 (New Testament, page 53) One: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. ANTHEM Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming - 17th century, arr. Michael Praetorius Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung. It came a flow'ret bright amid the cold of winter When half-spent was the night. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, this Rose I have in mind. With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God's love aright, she bore to us a Savior When half-spent was the night. TIME for YOUNG DISCIPLES Children in grades K-5 are invited to stay for the singing of the Magnificat today. GOSPEL READING Luke 1:39-55 (New Testament, pages 53-54) One: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. 4
CANTICLE The Magnificat - Giovanni Pergolesi 1.Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum. Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo. Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae: Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes. Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius. Chancel Choir with Siena Quartet and Steve Kyle My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave: For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. 2. Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum. Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui. 3. Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles. Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes. 4. Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae. 5. Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto, 6. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy: As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen. 5
AFFIRMATION of FAITH Psalm 98 Congregation Right: O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. All Sing: He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders, of His love. Congregation Left: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. All Sing: No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as, the curse is found. All: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. All Sing: Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns; let us our songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION THE LORD S PRAYER (page 35 in the hymnal, debts and debtors) OFFERING Invitation to Give Presentation of Gifts Offertory Music People, Look East Robert Hobby *Doxology 606 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow *Prayer of Dedication S E N D I N G *HYMN 100 My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout *CHARGE and BLESSING *CHORAL RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Hyfrydol (Three Welsh Hymn Tunes) - Ralph Vaughan Williams 6 OLD HUNDREDTH STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN
OUR MUSICIANS TODAY We thank the following musicians for sharing their time and talents with us today: Emily Guglielmi and Virginia Herrmann, violins; James Day, viola; Patricia Daniels, cello; and Steve Kyle, bass. REBECCA CIRCLE POTLUCK CHRISTMAS DINNER Rebecca Circle will hold its annual Potluck Christmas Dinner on Monday, December. 11, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. (please note the time change) in the Conference Room. Paper goods, beverages, and dessert will be provided; please bring an entree or side dish to share. All women are welcome! UPCOMING ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES Plan to come to all or some of the courses offered. Courses are held from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Sundays before Worship Service in the Conference Room. Insights of God Found in Three Recently Read Novels by MPC Book Groups with Kathy Larkin, Susan Light, DeeAnn Martin, & Jill Monroe-Dillon December 17 Come and hear how the creative power of the word creates unexpected connections and a sense of acceptance among readers. No Adult Education Classes on December 24 and 31. DEACONS ANGEL TREE Please stop by the lounge today and visit our Angel Tree. Angels will be available for several weeks. Please support our Adopt a Community" Mission this holiday. Thank you! MPC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE The third ornament in a series of four is now available for sale in the Communication Center. This year's ornament is the rose window in the Chapel. The cost is $10.00 of which $5.00 goes to support MPC Youth in Mission. You may also purchase an ornament by calling or texting Roger Anderson at 215-806-5466. A limited supply of previous years ornaments is also available. Thank you for your support of Youth in Mission. Advent Supper Series CALLING ALL AGES! TAKE A MOMENT TO RELAX. We, as a congregation, are filling in a 2 by 6 banner of the Christmas Story. The banner will be located just outside the lounge every Sunday until Christmas. Pull up a chair and start coloring. Materials are provided. We will display the banner on Christmas Eve. Thank you. December 13 St. John Lutheran Church Rev. Michael McKillip This advent season MPC, Morrisville United Methodist and St. John Lutheran Church will share a meal and an advent message. We will meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. for a meal, followed by an advent message at 6:45 p.m. Sign-up will be in the Communication Center or call the church office by noon on the Tuesday prior to the supper you plan to attend. 7 December 20 Morrisville United Methodist Church Rev. Wendy Bellis
SUNDAY, December 10-2nd Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. God s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Word & Music Sanctuary Worship Service 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Lounge Host: Presbyterian Women 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room 6:30 p.m. Youth Event - Room 220 Neighborhood Christmas Caroling MONDAY, December 11 Noon Deborah Circle Off Site 6:00 p.m. Rebecca Circle Conference Room 7:00 Boy Scout Troop 3 Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 7:00 Food Center Bag Packing 7:30 Evangelism & Room 200 Communication Committee 7:30 Mostly Motets Music Room TUESDAY, December 12 9:00 a.m. Food Center Set-Up Fellowship Hall 10:00 Clothing Center 1:00 p.m. Staff Meeting Room 200 6:30 Education Ministry Room 200 6:30 GSEP Senior Troop 2030 Room 210 7:00 Budget Committee Conference Room 7:30 Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 MPC Weekly Calendar WEDNESDAY, December 13 9:00 a.m. Food Center Fellowship Hall Noon Brown Bag & Bible Conference Room 1:00 p.m. Weekly Prayer Meeting Room 200 6:00 Advent Supper Series St. John Lutheran 6:00 Youth Club Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 7:00 Olive Kitteridge Room 202 Book Group THURSDAY, December 14 11:00 a.m. Food Center Stocking Room 4 Noon Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 6:30 p.m. Oakville Girl Scouts Room 220 6:45 Chancel Choir Music Room 8:15 Chancel Chimes Chapel FRIDAY, December 15 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Lounge 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Fellowship Hall Holiday Party SATURDAY, December 16 6:45 a.m. Prep & Serve FPC of Trenton Breakfast SUNDAY, December 17-3rd Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. God s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Lounge Host: Clothing Center 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room 12:15 p.m. Worship Committee MPC is now on Follow us @MorrisvillePresbyterian Stay up to date with MPC! Like us on Facebook! Find us at Morrisville Presbyterian Church. M O R R I S V I L L E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 771 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE MORRISVILLE, PA 19067 215.295.4191 WWW.MPCUSA.NET 8
Attention all Middle School & High School Students Neighborhood Christmas Caroling, Sunday, December 10 6:30 8:30 p.m. We will meet in Room 220, go caroling in the MPC neighborhood and return to the church for hot chocolate and cookies. It is sure to be a great way for everyone to celebrate the season with our friends and neighbors. Bring a friend! Youth alumni are also welcome to join. Please RSVP to Patrick Gilbride at pgilbrid@estee.com. We hope to see you all! Tis the Season for Boy Scout Troop 3 s Annual Christmas Tree Sale Fresh Cut Trees, Wreaths, Grave Blankets & Pine Roping will be for sale 6:00-9:00 p.m. Weeknights 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturdays ~ 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sundays Helpful Boy Scouts with awesome knot skills will carry your tree carefully to your car. This annual fundraiser helps Troop 3 Scouts to achieve goals for themselves and their community. This Holiday Season Designate MPC as the Charitable Organization for Amazon Smile 9 Just go to smile.amazon.com, select Account and Lists, Your Account, Your Amazon Smile to designate Morrisville Presbyterian Church as the charity. It costs the Amazon user nothing, and it will earn 0.5% from every purchase for the Deacons' Food Basket Program.
New Christmas Eve Services Schedule 4:00 p.m. Children and Family Service This early service will be crafted for children and their families. The foundations of our faith begin at home, and we hope to encourage families to attend this worship service together, participating as a family (and a family of faith) in the journey toward Bethlehem and the joy of Christ s birth. Musical anthems will be offered by our children s singing and bell choirs, children will be involved in the liturgy, and hymns and liturgy will be accessible for a variety of ages. 7:00 p.m. Choirs, Carols & Candlelight Service (Sign Language Interpretation Provided) During this service of celebration, we will journey together toward Bethlehem, mindful of the prophesies of old, the Gospel stories that lead us toward Christ s birth, and the hope of the light that is coming into the world. Through Scripture lessons, carols, and candlelight we will journey into the stillness and beauty of this night as we prepare our hearts to receive our Savior. Musical offerings throughout the service will feature our Chancel Ringers, Chancel Choir, and Teen Choir. Sign Language interpretation will also be provided. 10:00 p.m. Carols, Communion & Candlelight Service During this service we invite you to experience the stillness and quiet of this holy night, when God s Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Join us in song, in scripture, in candlelight, and around Christ s table as we rejoice in Christ s birth, and remember the God whose love for us was so abundant that God burst into the world on this holy night to be Emmanuel, God with us. Musical offerings throughout the service will feature soloists and small choral ensembles. You may also join us for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service 10