January 4, 2015 Our Mission In common with all churches we seek to: Worship God Proclaim the of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures Develop community Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff We call people to a life of: Discipleship Stewardship Spiritual development As a faith community we seek to be: An inviting church Offering hospitality and Encouragement to people in search of God.

Our Vision We will organize our church as a center for: Spiritual development Music and the arts Urban mission Ecumenical cooperation

Our Objectives We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and congregational history. These include: Providing special programs for children and families in the local community Building a healthy, diverse congregation Developing an urban mission Developing a ministry of music and the arts Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulletin represents the multifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left symbolizes our Living Lord – the foundation upon which we build our faith. The harp in the yellow square represents our rich musical heritage, for we enjoy celebrating the gift of music in worship, workshops, and concerts. It is important for us to share music with our community. The dove symbolizes serving – offering educational and mis- sion opportunities through our many outreach activities. People – active and joy-filled – are represented in the red square on the right. We welcome all people to this church. We are a diverse congregation of many racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are, indeed, alive, spirit-filled, and caring. The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In fact, the colors of the logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is come” made by Nicola D’Ascenzo and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.

The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown – Alive, Celebrating & Serving the Living Lord!

IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SILENTLY TO GOD. AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE LET US GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH CHEERFULNESS. PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS TURNED OFF DURING WORSHIP.

January 4, 2015 The Second Sunday after Christmas

ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM

GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY

Prelude: O Thou Of God The Father Johann Sebastian Bach Welcome and Announcements

Introit: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET O Morning Star, how fair and bright Thou beamest forth in truth and light! O Sover- eign meek and lowly! Thou root of Jesse, David’s Son, My Lord and Savior, Thou hast won My heart to serve Thee solely! Thou art holy, Fair and glorious, all- victorious, Rich in blessing, Rule and might o’er all possessing.

†*Call to Worship Leader: O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things the Lord has done. People: The Magi who study the heavens follow a guiding star! Leader: O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things the Lord has done. People: The peoples who live in the shadows see a glorious light! Leader: O come, let us worship the Lord and consider what wondrous things the Lord has done. People: The Christ who embodies the Word unveils the hidden plan, Leader: Making us joint heirs of the promise of salvation through the gospel! People: O come, let us worship the Lord, for God has done wondrous things!

†*Hymn 66: We Three Kings of Orient Are THREE KINGS OF ORIENT

CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD

Call to Confession God of the Bethlehem star, everyone is searching for your light shining in the face of Christ. The Magi sought Christ simply to worship him. But Herod sought him to appease his jealous anger. We confess that our mo- tives in seeking Jesus are not pure. We do not come simply to worship: we ______x *congregation standing † latecomers may be seated come to Christ, asking his benefits of reassurance, health, wealth. But the Magi sought first the kingdom. Help us, God, to follow their example, put- ting our need in perspective, worshipping the Christ in love, content to be in your presence and laying our gifts before you. Then may we journey, trusting that your goodness and light will accompany us all the days of our lives. Amen

Silent Meditation

Assurance of Pardon

†*Congregational Response 579: Glory Be to the Father 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.

†* Sharing the Peace of Christ Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have differ- ent racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in Christ. We symbolize this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures, signs of peace and reconciliation such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.”)

Children in grades five and younger may now leave for their classes

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination

The Lesson Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inher- itance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplish- es all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Leader: God we thank you for your Word; People: The story of your grace.

Gospel : It’s My Desire Freda Pullen Bagley & Horace Clarence Boyer It’s my desire to be like the Lord. It’s my desire to be like him. It’s my desire to show that I care, to be a friend, doing my full share, ‘til the end, though it is so rare, through rain and wind, to kneel in prayer. It’s me desire to be a soldier yes, it is for his great cause, to live my life as he did his, It’s my desire to be like him.

Sermon: PURPOSEFUL DESTINY The Reverend Randy Bremer

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy ; the commun- ion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Offering of Our Gifts and Lives : Unto Us a Child Is Born Arranged by David Willcocks Unto us is born a Son, King of squires supernal: See on earth his life begun, Of lords the Lord eternal. Christ from heaven descending low, Comes on earth a stranger; Ox and ass their owner know, be cradled in the manger. This did Herod sore affray, and grievously bewilder, so he gave the word to slay, and slew the little childer. Of his love and mercy mild this the Christmas story; and O that Mary’s gentle child might lead us up to glory! O and A, and A and O, Cum cantibus in choro, Let our merry organ go, Benedicamus, Domino, Benedicamus Domino.

*Congregational Response OLD HUNDREDTH 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.

*Prayer of Dedication

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

*Communion Hymn 513: Let Us Break Bread Together LET US BREAK BREAD Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord our God. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise…

...Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celes - tial and with all the faithful of every time and place, xx who forever sing to the glory of your name: Congregational Response: Richard Proulx

Leader: You are holy, O God of Majesty...... Great is :

Congregational Response: Richard Proulx

Leader: Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these these your gifts of bread and wine…

...Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the vvv Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, vvvv now and forever. Congregational Response: The Great Amen Richard Proulx

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) 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.

The

Distribution of the Elements (We will come to the table to receive the elements of bread and wine/juice. Come forward using the center aisle, consume the elements as you receive them, and return to your seat by the side aisle. Remember that the cups on the outside ring of the tray hold grape juice and the cups within the outside ring contain wine.)

Prayer After Communion (unison) Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his body and blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

*Hymn 63: As with Gladness Men of Old DIX *Charge and Through his prophet Isaiah, God proclaims: I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. IK TR TE E Y NEW THE START KICK bringLingelbach closer one potential step torealizingits andpossibility! and support needed much provide will Januaryin offering Your challenging. provenhas nual an- an With funding. district of lack the by hindered greatly is potential this But things. exciting long committedan and with vision, principal new a staff, teaching dedicated a With school. OFFERING: public hood CHALLENGE JANUARY yourssure topickmorning. upthis ENVELOPS OFFERING youthe coffeeassistwith setup andcleanup. and andHalf the provides Committee Fellowship and Development Congregational The choice. your of goodies/munchies the provide You coffeehours. forsheet up signthe bangfill aand rightwith out it start let’s hour. coffee Sunday's last for cleanup and setup with helping thank to like would HOUR: COFFEE everyone tothewho contributed staff gift. Christmas STAFF: THE FROM YOU THANK the in fellowship of time a to invited Longstreth followingAuditorium thecongregational meeting. cordially is Everyone again. us with worship and come will you and you to meaningful be will hour the pray We pew. your of end WELCOME: *Postlude: *Choral Response585: food and tour of the vault, the children will ride with Lois Nafziger in the church van van church and play at during her the seminar. house the in Nafziger Lois with ride will children the vault, the of tour and food nue. Ave- Germantown before just Lane Schoolhouse of side right the on is lot parking the 2015. 6, January Tuesday credit your affect workshop. the before vault) the may (including branch Germantown make you decisions how positively. or negatively and calculated is score credit First

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FROM THE LEAD THE WAY BEYOND TEAM: The first monthly Congregation- al Conversation will take place Saturday, January 17, 2015. A lite continental break- fast will be available from 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM with the conversation set to occur from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. The first topic for discussion will be Becoming More Family Friendly. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Wednesday January 7, 2015 Session 7:00 PM

Upcoming Concert Philadelphia Sinfonia

Sunday, February 1, 2014 3:00 PM

A free-will offering will be taken Return to Traditional Communion The tradition of The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown and all U. S. Protestant churches prior to the 19th century American temperance movement was to use wine as one of the communion elements. Grape juice is also available in the trays of the cups. The cups in the outer ring of each tray are filled with grape juice and the cups within the outer ring are filled with wine. The Directory of Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) states that it is up to the Session of each congregation whether wine will be used when celebrating the sacrament of communion. In 1981 the General Assembly of our denomination agreed: “The essential elements of the Lord’s Supper are bread and wine. The Gen- eral Assembly has always recognized the right of each Session to determine what is bread, and what is wine.” At it’s meeting on June 1, 2005, the Session of The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown approved returning to the use of wine when we celebrate communion, as the Session recognizes wine as the Scriptural element used by Christ when he first shared this meal with his disciples. The Session agreed that when wine is served at communion services, grape juice will also be available for those who pre- fer an unfermented juice. The history behind Protestant churches moving away from serving wine at com- munion goes back to the prohibition time in the United States. In 1869 a Methodist dentist from New Jersey, Dr. Thomas Welch, objected to his church’s use of fer- mented wine in the communion service. Experimenting at night in his kitchen he came up with a nonalcoholic grape beverage, which he named “Dr. Welch’s Unfer- mented Wine.” He approached church officials to persuade them to substitute his beverage for the traditional wine. The elders regarded his suggestion as being an un- acceptable innovation, but other churches were receptive to this substitute beverage and a new tradition began. Since then, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and most other Protestants use Welch’s grape juice or similar products for communion. Only Lutherans and Anglicans continued to serve wine. Slowly more and more congrega- tions are offering both the fermented and unfermented grape juice as a communion element. Whether we celebrate the Lord’s Supper using grape juice or wine, the meaning of this sacrament remains the same. We remember Christ’s words as he shared the bread and cup with his first disciples: “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in re- membrance of me.” WINDOW ON THE WEEK

Sunday, January 4 8:45 AM Chancel Choir—Sanctuary 9:15 AM Gospel Choir—Sanctuary 10:00 AM Worship with Communion—The Rev. Randy L. Bremer, preaching 11:10 AM Coffee Hour 11:10 AM Children’s Choir 11:30 AM Adult Bible Study 11:30 AM Sunday School 11:30 AM Chancel Choir 1:00 PM Basketball

Monday, January 5

Tuesday, January 6 Epiphany of the Lord 9:30 AM Classic Towns

Wednesday, January 7 2:45 PM Staff Meeting 4:00 PM Keystone State Boychoir 7:00 PM Session

Thursday, January 8 6:00 PM Keystone State Boychoir 6:30 PM Gospel Choir

Friday, January 9 3:30 PM Drop-in-Center 6:30 PM Elementary School Youth Group

Saturday, January 10 8:15 AM Keystone State Boychoir 10:00 AM Open Gym

Sunday, January 11 8:45 AM Chancel Choir—Sanctuary 10:00 AM Worship—The Rev. Randy L. Bremer, preaching 11:00 AM Coffee Hour 11:10 AM Children’s Choir 11:30 AM Adult Bible Study 11:30 AM Sunday School 11:30 AM Chancel Choir 1:00 PM Basketball

Church Officers

Elders

2015 2016 2017 Sherry Archer Denise Cowie Andrew Hood Carolyn Ballard-Freeman Contina Lundy Christopher Scott Madeline Valentine Lois Nafziger Faith Wolford

Madeline Valentine Clerk of Session

Deacons

2015 2016 2017 Sarah Andrews Delores Solomon Randy Clever Donald Carlin David Wolford Susan Mills Farrington Ruth Cato Veda Gibbs Evadney Miller

First Church Staff f Interim Randal L. Bremer Director of Adult Education and Community Life Kevin L. Porter Director of Urban Ministry Eileen Jones Director of Music and Communication David C. Daugherty Director of the Gospel Choir Sara Carter-Blanford Director of Christian Education Christian Heyer-Rivera Parish Visitor Heidi Mercado-Littles Facilities Superintendent Jesse Jacobs Administrative Assistant Joan Harris Bookkeeper Cindy Osborne Sextons Terry Boyer, Melissa Forrest, Illya (J.R.) Pasture The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144 Phone 215-843-8811 FAX 888-333-5032 www.fpcgermantown.org