Welcome

It is so good to have you with us worshipping today at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Whether you are a regu- lar attendee or a first-time visitor, we are blessed to have your presence with us today. When we open our Bibles to read the Scripture for the day and meditate on those words, we show God that we love Him with our minds. When we sing in earnest our songs of praise and adoration, we are worshipping with our heart and soul. When we pray and lift up others in prayer, we are exercising our faith and showing God we love him with all our strength. And when we treat each other with genuine kindness, respect, and interest, we are loving our neighbors as ourselves. Guests, please feel free to join us in fellowship and conversation after the service. Members, say hello to our visitors and get to know them this morning. And now let us enter into a worship service that gives all the glory to God.

DECEMBER 16, 2018 (S) Sanctuary (N) Narthex (P) Parlor (B) Sanctuary Balcony Third of Advent (FH) Fellowship Hall (FP) Food Pantry (CR) Choir Room

MORNING WORSHIP Pastor Denise Clark-Jones THI S WEEK AT WESTMINSTER Organist Dr. Chee Hyeon Choi TODAY - DECEMBER 16 - 3rd Sunday of Advent Liturgist Jim Burnham Greeter Dick Helfrich 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship (S) Ushers Diane Case 11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour (P) Jeff Case 4:00 p.m. A Jazz Christmas (S) Susan Leighty Gary Leonard MONDAY - DECEMBER 17 Acolyte Diane Case 9 to 11 p.m. WestMark Food Pantry Open (FP) Sound Steve Sager

TUESDAY - DECEMBER 18

11:30 a.m. Delivery for Food Pantry (FP)

DECEMBER 23, 2018 WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 19 Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:30 a.m. Men’s Coffee Fellowship

MORNING WORSHIP (Panera Bread - 2515 N. Westlake) Pastor Denise Clark-Jones 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting (church office) Organist Doug McQueen 12:00 p.m. Finance Meeting (P) Liturgist Jordan Case Greeter Dick Helfrich THURSDAY - DECEMBER 20 Ushers Laura Van Riper 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal (CR) Gary Dutro Dan Callahan NEXT SUNDAY - DECEMBER 23 - 4th Sunday of Advent Acolyte Laura Van Riper 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship (S) Sound Steve Sager 11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour (P)

MONDAY - DECEMBER 24 - Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve You can find more information on Communion Service (S) what is happening on the website: WestminsterPeoria.org or in the Sanctuary Flowers this morning are given to the glory of Westminster Window Newsletter, God by Janet Kelley in celebration of this Advent Season’s found in the Narthex. hopeful promise of new life and peace on earth. 100 Grand Victorian Pl Morningside Of Washington Washington, IL 61571-9649

SCRIPTURE READINGS A JAZZ CHRISTMAS TODAY! - With David Hoffman and his friends from the

December 16 Central Illinois Jazz Community. This service features readings of contem- 3rd Sunday of Advent porary Christmas poetry and the Christmas story from the scriptures. TO- Zephaniah 3:14-20 DAY at 4 PM. Be sure to join us, and bring your friends. Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 FINANCE MEETING - The Finance Committee will meet this Wednes- Luke 3:7-18 day, December 19, at 12 p.m., noon, in the Parlor.

December 23 SYMPATHY - Westminster would like to extend our most sin- 4th Sunday of Advent cere condolences in this time of great loss to the family of Adele Flem- Micah 5:2-5a ing, 93, who passed away December 7, 2018. Her funeral is scheduled Luke 1:46b-55 for Wednesday, January 9, Visitation 3 to 5 p.m. And the Memorial Hebrew 10:5-10 service will be at 5 with a dinner following. There will also be a Cele- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) bration of Life service at Proctor House.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DECEMBER FOOD PANTRY DELIVERY SCHEDULE - Food will be deliv- N. Lee Nugent ered for the WestMark Food Pantry on the following days: Tuesday, December 18, at 11:30 a.m. / and on Thursday, December 27, at 11 ANNIVERSARIES a.m. If you have some free time, we’d love to have your help. Linda & Alan Kupper

THIS WEEK’S CHURCH MEMBER 2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the Narthex. If you have We take special note in our prayers any questions, please contact Denise Wirth at 439-9740 or by email today of church member, at [email protected]. Jean Schlesinger 1811 E Maple Ridge Drive “GOD LIFTS THE LOWLY” ADVENT DEVOTIONAL Peoria, Illinois 61614-7915 Sunday, December 16, 3rd Week of Advent He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the HOSPITALIZED thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their No thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good

things, and sent the rich away empty -Luke 1:51-53 SANCTUARY FLOWERS If you would like to reserve a Sunday WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER - in honor or in memory of a loved one, When love takes over check the flower schedule in the victims now sons and daughters, Narthex for available dates. darkness disappeared,

WHAT IS THE REDBOX? guardian angels To see if a church service or event has brought home on this day we’ll never forget; been cancelled, just check the website find some distraction and peace tonight. for a red box to appear on the home- When love takes over from heaven above, page. If it has, you will see it appear where love is born and its power is right under the picture sliders. blossoming new, we are one nation under God Who oversees the sundial of life. When love takes over His light will follow you. -Andrew Weatherly

FOLLOW US ON . . . What would our communities look like if we allowed love to take Facebook over and push aside our hate? www.facebook.com/westminsterpeoria Twitter God of heavenly light, shine brightly through our words and actions. Westminster Peoria@westminsterpeo Amen. Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/ CONGRATULATIONS! - to Ben Willadsen who is graduating today from Ball State University, Indiana. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - Do you need prayer? Know of someone CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE who does? You can fill out a prayer card located in your pew and in Candlelight & Communion the Narthex. Place your request in the offering plate or give it to an usher. Prayer needs will be listed for four weeks unless you ask for continual prayer. Email your prayer requests or praise reports to: December 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM [email protected] or you may contact Alice Nash or the church office at 673-8501. - For our homebound - For Tom Clark-Jones, who was discharged from OSF Hospital SAVE Thursday, December 13. THE - For Joy, who is in the hospital. DATE - For the family of Eunice Stockdell, 78, Alice Nash’s sister-in-law, who passed away Nov. 26. - For the family of Adele Fleming, 93, who passed away Dec. 7. - For the family of Virginia Drexler, 90, Dan Callahan’s Aunt, who passed away Dec. 12. December 16 A Jazz Christmas

December 23 (Resumes 1/13/19) CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING - A Presbyterian tradition for over sev- No Jazz Vespers enty years, the Christmas Joy Offering supports the PCUSA Board of December 24 Pensions for assistance programs. Through these Assistance Pro- Christmas Eve Candlelight grams, the Christmas Joy Offering recognizes the faithfulness of cur- Communion Service Church Office Closes at 11 a.m. rent and retired church workers, including pastors and others, by providing funds to help them through difficult times. In addition, the December 25 Christmas Day Christmas Joy Offering helps the Presbyterian Church (USA) support Church Office Closed its racial ethnic schools and colleges by providing scholarships to January 7 deserving students as well as help with basic operating costs. These Annual Reports Due institutions develop leaders in the church and in society, and they January 27 enable students to discover and pursue their professional goals. The Annual Congregational Dinner morning service and the 4:00 Christmas Eve service will be the last Annual Congregational Meeting day to give to the Christmas Joy Offering CELL PHONES Please remember to silence your mobile ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL LUNCHEON & MEETING - Mark your cal- phone before service begins. Thank you. endars to attend the Annual Congregational Luncheon & Meeting on January 27, 2019. To R.S.V.P. there will be a sign up sheet for the BULLETIN DEADLINE luncheon in the Narthex. You may also call (309-673-8501) or email All bulletin announcements need to be into the church office by noon on Monday for ([email protected]) inclusion in the following weekend’s bulletin. Please submit copy to: ANNUAL REPORT - If you have information to submit for the annual re- [email protected] port, please submit it electronically to Mary Lee by Friday, January 4. You should receive your 2018 report in the mail a few days prior to the READ THEM ONLINE meeting. Please try to find time to read it before the meeting, and re- Sermons are available for two months and weekly announcements are usually online the member to bring it with you when you come. day before the Sunday service.

THESE DAYS - The January-March of 2019 edition of These Days: Daily HOSPITAL ADMITTING TIP Devotions For Living By Faith is now in the Narthex. Pick up your copy When you are asked if you belong to a church today. It is available in both regular and large print. or your religion, please mention the full name of Westminster Presbyterian Church, not just Presbyterian. This will help us know that you have been admitted and not overlooked when we do our daily hospital calls. Also, if you 1. Search “Connect Our Church Community” know you are going to the hospital and do not 2. Download the app want this information shared, please let the 3. Use Invite Code: Westminster1420 office know this. We understand your privacy 4. Contact the office with any questions. and want to respect it.

DID YOU KNOW? You may request a CD copy of most any service. Just contact the office There is still time to order your poinsettia by and give the date and service time filling out the form below. The names will be listed in the Sunday, December 23 which you’d like copied. Sunday announcements, Christmas Eve bulletin, and the January Westminster Window newsletter. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory or in honor of a loved one, please fill out the order form below. Make check payable HEARING UNITS to Westminster Presbyterian Church or WPC with “Poinsettia” in the memo Hearing units that are integrated with our line. Bring or mail to the church (1420 W. Moss Ave. Peoria, IL 61606) $15.00 sound system are available. You may each. You may take your poinsettia home after the Christmas Eve Service. request a hearing unit from one of the ushers. After worship, you may leave the hearing unit in the pew. CHOOSE what happens to your flowers:  I will pick up after the Christmas Eve 4 PM service OR  Please give to one of our Homebound Members. LIVE BROADCAST If for any reason you need to exit the Honor Memory From (How your name(s) of of Name flowers are for: will be listed) Sanctuary during worship, the service is broadcast in the Parlor.   WORSHIP BAGS Worship bags for children joining us in the Sanctuary are available in the Narthex. The bags contain items designed to   engage children as we worship together. Please ask an usher for help.   CHILDCARE Childcare for infants and children is provided separately in the church nursery downstairs beyond the choir _____ Quantityof Arrangements at room. A changing table is in the main- $15 each equals $______Total Due floor restroom next to the elevator. Name: EMERGENCY EXITS In case of emergency, please use one of Email: four exits: 1) the exit in the front of the Phone: Sanctuary near the piano, 2-3) the two exits in the rear of the Sanctuary, 4) the exit down the chancel staircase behind “So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off the cross. and peace to those who were near…” -Ephesians 2:14-17

Westminster Presbyterian Church A Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in the Presbytery of Great Rivers 1420 W. Moss Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61606

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Telephone ...... 309-673-8501 Our mission is to serve CHURCH STAFF Fax ...... 309-673-6708 God with open mind, Dorothy Crozier hands and heart. We are Website ...... WestminsterPeoria.org Office Assistant a diverse and dynamic Office Email ...... [email protected] community of believers Steven Sager Rev. Denise Clark-Jones Buildings Manager dedicated to worshiping God, increasing our faith Office ...... 309-439-9739 Denise Wirth and serving our commu- Mobile ...... 717-329-7121 Financial Secretary

nity. Email ...... [email protected] Mary Lee Caudle Adm. Assistant