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DECEMBER 22, 2013 SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM GATHERING OPENING SENTENCES Todd Jones †VOLUNTARY arr. Aaron Weitekamp O Come, O Come, Emmanuel *CALL TO WORSHIP (8:00) Sam Cooper (9:30) Mark DeVries (11:00) Sandra Randleman Leader: Come as a child to the Kingdom! People: Come believing in angels on heavenly errands, with eyes peeled for a wandering star, and ears open for the message of dreams. Leader: Come as a child who hears the angel proclaim, “For with God, all things are possible.” People: With prophets and shepherds and angels, come, let us worship God. †*PROCESSIONAL HYMN 41 ADESTE FIDELES O Come, All Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, Born the King of angels! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation! Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all Glory in the highest! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. †WELCOME AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCIPLESHIP Todd Jones LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE OF ADVENT HYMN 9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL O come, thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home. The captives from their prison free, And conquer death’s deep misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! CALL TO CONFESSION (8:00) Sam Cooper (9:30) Mark DeVries (11:00) Sandra Randleman PRAYER OF CONFESSION Gracious God, in all generations You have borne light into darkness. As a pillar of fire You guided the Israelites in the wilderness. From a burning bush You proclaimed deliverance and freedom. In the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem You shed the light of mercy over all the earth. We confess that like the shepherds, we are fearful of the brightness of Your glory. Like Moses, we wonder if we can respond to Your gracious and challenging call upon our lives. And like Joseph, we draw our own conclusions about the mystery of life too quickly, afraid or impatient to wait and to watch. In the light of Christmas, our hesitance to love as You have loved us, our fear of being unworthy of the gift of the Baby, our need for mercy and our smallness of heart all stand exposed. We are left to stand as we are: sinful people who are lost, dwelling in darkness. Open our hearts to Christmas, and open our lives to the light of life. Teach us to bear this light and to live in peace, by which You bless all people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. SILENT CONFESSION CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE HYMN 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! ASSURANCE OF PARDON *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE GLORIA Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo. THE WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Guide us, O God, by Your Word and Spirit, that in Your light we may see light, in Your truth find freedom, and in Your will discover Your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SCRIPTURE READINGS Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-16, page 636 New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25, page 1 Pastor: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. ‡ Children ages 4 and 5 are invited to Young Children and Worship in Room CW-110. ‡HYMN OF PREPARATION 37 (seated) POLISH CAROL Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, nowels ringing, Tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new. Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing Greet the morrow; Christ the babe was born for you. SERMON Todd Jones Not Your Ordinary Christmas Story RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (8:00) Catherine Foster (9:30 & 11:00) Stuart Gordon The Apostles’ Creed (Traditional) Hymnal Page 14 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional - debts) Hymnal Page 16 OFFERTORY (8:00) arr. Louis V. Saar Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild Joseph dearest, Joseph mild, help me rock my dearest child; Thou with God art reconciled eternally, the Virgin’s child, Blest Mary’s. Hush, slumber sweetly, dearest child. (9:30 & 11:00) George F. Handel For Unto Us a Child Is Born (from Messiah) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. *PRESENTATION AND RESPONSE Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH *PRAYER OF DEDICATION SENDING FORTH *HYMN OF COMMITMENT 31 MENDELSSOHN Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin’s womb, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased in flesh with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark, The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heavenborn Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Todd Jones *CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE ST. LOUIS HYMN 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in. The congregation will be seated for a moment of silent prayer after the Benediction. *CLOSING VOLUNTARY arr. Aaron Weitekamp Joy to the World * — Those who are able, please stand† — Latecomers may be seated Please silence your cell phone as you enter the sanctuary. __________________________________ PARTICIPATING IN THE SERVICE Todd Jones, Pastor Sam Cooper, Executive Pastor Mark DeVries, Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families Catherine Foster, Associate Pastor for Young Adult Ministry Stuart Gordon, Associate Pastor for Discipleship Sandra Randleman, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Mission Cross Bearer: (8:00) Courtney Edington; (9:30 & 11:00) William Dresch Candle Lighting: (8:00) The Maraccini and Price Families: Mary and Bob Marraccini; Kerry, Alex, Eli and Ethan Price (9:30) The King Family: David, Cathy, Maggie and Katie (11:00) Alice Ann Barge; William, Felice, Oliver, Allison, and Annie, Hunter and Mary D. Oldacre; Frank, Linda, Adam, Marion, Heather and William Floyd; Allison, Nick, Sydney, and Conner Bhandari; Carey, Mark and Oliver McDonald. Nicholas Bergin, Organist Rhonda Swanson, Assistant Organist Jeff Bailey, trumpet; Preston Bailey, trumpet, Jennifer Kummer, french horn; Prentiss Hobbs, trombone; Neil Kenouchi, tuba; Chris Lowry, timpani Elisabeth Small, violin (8:00) Sanctuary Chorale: Keith Moore, conductor (9:30 &11:00) Sanctuary Choir: Raphael Bundage, conductor FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH extends a warm welcome in the name of Christ to all who worship with us today. If you are interested in joining First Presbyterian Church, please speak to the pastor or elder standing at the left of the pulpit, or you may call the church office during the week. CONGRATULATIONS — The First Presbyterian Church family congratulates Elizabeth and Charles Barrett on the birth of their son, John William Barrett II, born on November 24. Proud great-grandmother is Diana Thompson. SYMPATHY — The First Presbyterian Church family extends sympathy to: • Graham and Chris Suscha on the death of Graham’s mother, Barbara Graham Harlin, who died on December 6. Sympathy also to Harlin and Louise Suscha. • Dolores and Chuck Dennard, on the death of Dolores’ brother, Johnny A. Dickinson, who died on December 8. • Tilden J. Curry, on the death of his wife, Deena Sue Fuller, who died on December 13. Sympathy also to Dayna & Mark Masterson, Emily & Clay Curry, Daniel Curry, and Evyn & Jordan Olshefski. • Daphne and Mark Garey, on the death of Mark’s father, James M. Garey, who died on December 16. Sympathy also to granddaughters McKenzie and Madison Garey. If any member of the church desires the Christian support of a Stephen Minister, call Sandra Randleman (298-9502). Stephen Ministers are trained lay ministers of the church. YOUNG CHILDREN & WORSHIP is a ministry of worship preparation for young children and their parents. Parents and their children who are age 4 or 5 by September 1, 2013, are invited to participate (this includes children in the Faith/Hope and Love/Mercy Sunday School classes).