Romans 13:11
11 Besides this, you know what time it is,
how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2016
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
(please sit in silence during the organ preludes)
Bristol Malcolm Archer Carol Craig Phillip
"Advent invites us to awaken from our numbed endurance and our domesticated expectations to consider our life afresh in light of new gifts that God is about to give" Walter Bruggemann
LIGHTING of the ADVENT WREATH ~ First Presbyterian Church Staff ~
Dana Cooper, Dana Feeney, Ed Schmiedecke and Bill Voorhis.
CALL TO WORSHIP Confirmation Class
*HYMN Come Thou Long Expected Jesus No. 2
ANTHEM E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Paul Manz
Chancel Choir
Peace be to you and grace from Him who freed us from our sins, who loved us all and shed His blood that we might saved be. Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord, the Lord, Almighty God, who was and is and is to come; sing Holy, Holy Lord! Rejoice in heaven all ye that dwell therein, rejoice on earth, ye saints below, for Christ is coming, is coming soon! E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, and night shall be no more. They need no light nor lamp nor sun, for Christ will be their all.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Dana Cooper
CHILDREN’S ANTHEM I’ve Got Peace Like a River arr. Anna Laura Page
Cherub Choir
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul. I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul. I’ve got peace, joy and love in my soul.
WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS & GREETING Dana Feeney
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of light, who shines in deepest darkness, we hear you calling us out of hopelessness into hope. But we are frightened by your call. We are afraid of taking chances; we are afraid of following your light, because it leads us into places where you need us. We don’t want to see how your people hurt. We don’t want to see your light shining in the eyes of our neighbor. Yes we know that in those places your grace shines; help us to seek your light. Guide us in your way that we might be your children of day. Through the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.
(Pause a few moments for Silent Reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God is our redeemer, the source of all our unused spiritual gifts. May grace and peace come to us now, to equip us for the tasks to which we are called.
Hear the good news; In Jesus Christ we are forgiven, let us forgive one another.
*GLORIA PATRI No. 579
FIRST SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 2: 1-5 pg. 587
SECOND SCRIPTURE: Romans 13: 11-14 pgs 987-8
GOSPEL READING Matthew 24: 36-44 Rev. Fran Thiessen
SERMON: "How to Spend and How Not to Spend" Rev. Fran Thiessen
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts)
*HYMN Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine No. 341
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY SOLO In Silence He Came J. Martin
Vera Coleman, Soprano
In silence He came with grace soft as snowfall. Hushed was creation awaiting His cry. The voice of His mother reached out in the night, filling the air with a sweet lullaby, singing a sweet lullaby. In evening He came with hope like a candle. Starlight and moonbeams dancing on straw as gentle blue shadows fell soft on the stall. The glory of heaven came down for us all. Jesus was born for us all. Light of the world, Song in the shadows, Star of the morning and heaven’s bright Son, Bringer of peace, Grace everlasting: He is the promise, He is Messiah, He is the glorious one! In myst’ry He came and wrapped up in wonder, miracle baby from heaven above. O how can it be that this babe in a manger brings us salvation and warms us with love. Still, still, still, come and see the child so still. For Christ is crowned with heaven’s glory, still your heart and bow before Him. O night when Christ was born.
*DOXOLOGY No. 591
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*HYMN Let All Things Now Living (first verse only). No. 554
*BENEDICTION
**BENEDICTION RESPONSE – Choir & Congregation
And all the people sang: Lord, listen to your children praying.
Lord, send your Spirit in this place.
Lord, listen to your children praying.
Send us love, send us power, send us grace, grace.
*POSTLUDE
Winchester New Christopher Tambling
GUEST PREACHER Rev. Fran Thiessen
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Dr. Edward Schmiedecke
LITURGIST Jessica Strader
HEAD USHER Richard Vanacore
CHANCEL FLOWERS are given in Thanksgiving for and in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Phyllis and Bruce Crocco from Shelley, Norma, Marcia and Stella.
Our Rosebuds in the Sanctuary are to celebrate the births of
Grace Lynn Paveo born on October 23, 2016
&
Violet Misha Eliya born on Spembr 27, 2016
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Reverend Fran Thiessen is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary and studied Spiritual Direction in Burlingame, California and in New York. She served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Norwood for about 10 years and presently is honorably semi - employed. (Aka honorably retired). Currently Rev. Thiessen teaches theology at Caldwell University and is the spiritual director at Union Theological Seminary. She is also active in the Presbytery serving on committees and preaching is area churches. Fran is the proud mother of two grown daughters. Rev. Thiessen is grateful for all aspects of her ministry, for her family and for this opportunity to journey together during Advent and Christmas.
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Dana Cooper, Director of Children & Family Ministries
Dr. Edward Schmiedecke, Director of Music
Eunjung Ahn, Organist
Carol Schmiedecke, Handbells/Youth Music Director
Dana Feeney, Administrative Manager
Jessica Strader, Youth Leader