January 4, 2015 Our Mission In common with all churches we seek to: Worship God Proclaim the Gospel 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 Communion 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 GLORIA PATRI 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 Choir: 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 catholic church; 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 Offertory: 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 Doxology 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.