December 13, 2015 8:15 and 10:45 AM Third Sunday of Advent Introducing Jesus In The Gospel of Luke to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 Our Mission To trust in Jesus love like Jesus grow in Jesus bring others to Jesus
WELCOME TO BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Enter this Church not as a stranger, but as a guest of God. May the blessings of God rest upon you, both in your coming in and you re going out. We are delighted to have you in worship. We ask that you please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end of the pew. For your convenience, we have a warm and loving nursery adjacent to the sanctuary, complete with an available paging system. We also have a Cry Room at the back of the Sanctuary (near the usher s table) on the pulpit side with windows and a speaker so that you can see and hear the service. If you have any questions or need literature regarding the life of Bethany Presbyterian Church, please visit the Welcome Center, located next to the sanctuary. Please turn off cell phones before worship. Thank you. *Indicates all who are able, please stand. We Gather Before God The Chiming of the Hour The Welcome and News of the Church The Prelude 8:15 O Come, O Come Emmanuel J. Behnke 10:45 - Pat-a-Pan The Bridgeville Brass *The Lighting of the Advent Candle The Prophet s Candle of Hope The Bethlehem Candle of Mercy The Angel s Candle of Joy The Prayer *The Hymn no. 189 Angels from the Realms of Glory The Anthem (10:45) The Children s Message We Give to God The King of Glory Comes Bethany Children s Choir The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings The Offertory 8:15 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus C. Penfield 10:45 Hope Will Come J. Brighton
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER Please let us know if you are going into the hospital, having surgery or will be an outpatient. Also, let us know when you return home. Let us Pray Lois Lewis at St. Johns Rehab in Mars, PA Memorial Donations A donation was made to the Memorial Fund in memory of Ed Schneider, William and Pamela Morgan. A donation was made to the Education Fund in memory of Natalie Walters and Toni Szaller from Albert and Elizabeth Fiorentini. A donation was made to the Education Fund in memory of Natalie Walters from Andy & Kalynn Lavella. FROM THE BETHANY CHURCH OFFICE 740 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville PA 15017 412-221-5132 office@bethanypresby.org www.bethanypresby.org Attendance for December 6, 2015 8:15 AM: 94 10:45 AM: 249 6:00 PM:20 Finance Report: As of December 6, 2015 ($) 2015 YTD 2014 YTD +/- Contributions and investment income 501,193 542,866 (41,673) General Fund Subsidies (transfers) 188,803 118,333 70,470 Total General Fund Income 689,996 661,199 28,797 Year to Date Budget 719,843 +/- Budget (29,848) THANKS TO THOSE SERVING THE LORD THIS MORNING Ushers: 8:15 Madison Zombek, Maxine Berton, Joe & Henry Brickner 10:45 Jim Myers, Sue and Katie Nagy Worship & Wonder Nikki O Brien and Paula Naples 2 & 3 Year Olds Second Hour Taryn & Hunter Briggs Scrip Table Andrea Prohaska Nursery: 8:15 Jason & Richelle Sommerfield 10:45 Jim & Heather Fries Advent Candle Lighters: 8:15 10:45 The Underwood Family
Calendar and Events for the week Sunday, December 13 Third Sunday of Advent Pray for Mackenzie Smith 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Advent Breakfast, Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 12:15 PM Homebound 6:00 PM Modern Worship Monday, December 14 Pray for Sandy Smith 9:30 AM - Preschool 6:30 PM PW Body Carpenters Workout Tuesday, December 15 Pray for Jason, Richelle, Noah, & Andrew Sommerfield 10:00 AM MOPS Christmas Playdate 7:30 PM Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra Practice Wednesday, December 16 Pray for Laurie Steedle-Sysak, Isabella & Emma Sysak 7:00 AM Smooshed Women at Panera s 9:30 AM - Preschool 7:00 PM Bethany Choir Practice Thursday, December 17 Pray for Harry & Dolores Stefanski 9:15 AM Quilters 12:00 PM Thursday Knitters 1:00 PM Organizing Food Bank Angel Tree gifts 7:00 PM AA Meeting 7:30 PM Dart Ball; Sunday Evening Service Rehearsal Friday, December 18 Pray for Edward, Meredith, & Kellie Stewart 9:30 AM Preschool Christmas Celebration Saturday, December 19 Pray for Benjamin Strain 7:30 AM Food Bank Sunday, December 20 8:15 AM Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship 12:00 PM Christmas Eve Services Walk thru 6:00 PM Modern Worship
News for the Body of Christ The Men's Advent Breakfast is TODAY following both the 8:15 and 10:45am services. We will be accepting good will offering only so please plan to attend to support the men of the church and to simply enjoy a great meal and great conversation. Script for the Holidays!!! The holidays are almost here. Please buy your script cards for your holiday gifts for your friends and family members. There are a wide variety of cards to choose from. Script cards are a safe give and cannot be hacked. Bridgeville Area Food Bank TOY Gift Drive - Gifts need to be RETURNED TODAY! The ANGEL needs to be ATTACHED. Since the child will think that Santa, or the parents are giving these gifts, have your toy gift UNWRAPPED. Also, wrapping paper and ribbon could be included if you so wish. Thank you, & blessings. As the end of the year approaches, please keep in mind that all contributions for 2015 must be received at the church no later than December 31, 2015. IRS general rules state that a check placed in the church offering plate in January 2016 cannot be recorded as a 2015 contribution, even if the check has been dated 2015. The only exception to this rule would be for contributions that are mailed and postmarked in 2015. These contributions would be deductible in 2015 even though the contributions were not received until 2016. If you have any questions please call Kim McCann, Financial Accountant, at 412-221-5132. Kim is generally in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Christmas Card Exchange is now available through January 2, 2016. Send and receive Christmas cards with attending church members with no postage needed. Just use the alphabetized mailboxes located in the narthex. Celebrate and share God's love with your church family! Alter Flowers for 2016 - Please see the chart in the Welcome Center to sign up for Flowers in 2016. The vases are $25 each and centerpieces are $35. Please print your name, and what type of arrangement you want on the date. All flowers will be from the South Fayette Giant Eagle. If you have a standing order your name and date was already added to the chart. Please check it to make sure it s correct. If you have any questions please contact Jill in the church office.
To all volunteers working with children under the age of 18: Session has set a deadline for the required Pa. State Volunteer Background certificates as December 31 st 2015 at Bethany. You will not be able to work with children if the required certifications are not on file. Volunteer binders containing detailed information and instructions are available at the church office or by request at volclear@bethanypresby.org Communion Instruction for Children/Youth If your school-aged child or youth has not partaken of Holy Communion and you feel they might be ready, then contact one of the pastors. John or Robbie can offer instruction as well as answer any questions you or your child/youth may have. This may be especially helpful for children who are no longer leaving the worship service to go to Worship and Wonder but are participating through the end, which includes the celebration of Communion on those particular Sundays. Interested? Please contact a pastor to schedule a time to get together. Thank you to EVERYONE who made the Women of Bethany Christmas Gathering a success. We welcome to Worship this morning the members of Bridgeville Brass and thank them for contributing to our praise this morning: The Bridgeville Brass; Ryan Wolf, Director Trumpet - Matthew Pukansky, Canon-McMillan High School Trumpet - Noah Kilgus, South Fayette High School Flugelhorn - Nate Setar, Canon-McMillan High School Trombone - Kristen Davis, South Fayette High School Tuba - Matthew Price, Chartiers Valley High School
The Response O Glorious God, your praise we sing And give our lives as offering Bring peace on Earth, and with us dwell; Come, Jesus, our Emmanuel The Prayer of Dedication The Anthem (10:45) Salvation is Created The Bridgeville Brass The Pastoral Prayer and The Lord s Prayer We Listen to God s Word The Scripture Readings Old Testament Isaiah 42:1-4 page 1124 New Testament Luke 2:1-20 page 1590 Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. The Prayer of Illumination O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel. The Sermon Introducing Jesus Pastor John Hamilton We Respond to God s Word *The Prayer of Confession Come, Lord Jesus we pray; but not too closely. Be born in us we pray; but stay a child. Answer our prayers;
but ignore our sins. Tell us of shepherds and angels; but not of Caesars and Herods. For we come to the manger, but we don t want to stay That s the truth, Lord, the cold, hard truth about ourselves. Forgive us. Help us to be different this time around. Make us new. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today and tomorrow and forever. Amen. *The Words of Assurance *The Hymn No. 184 What Child is This? *The Benediction *The Benediction Response (10:45) Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel Postlude O Thou of God The Father J.S. Bach 6:00 PM Family Service 8:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service 10:00 PM Candlelight Service With Holy Communion A meditative service of lessons and carols, the Sacrament of Communion and special music