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December 03, 2006
Sunday, December 3 Bulletin
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 9:30 a.m., December 3, 2006
We invite all into a common discipline of silence as we gather for worship. Then we will greet and welcome one another into the presence of the Lord.
Prelude “Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes-Sohn” --J.S. Bach
Chorale and Prelude (Germany, 1685-1750)
The only Son from heaven, Foretold by ancient seers,
By God the Father, given, In human form appears;
No sphere His light confining,
No star so brightly shining as He, our Morning Star.
O time of God appointed O bright and holy morn.
He comes, the King annointed, the Christ, the virgin-born;
His home on earth He maketh, and man of heaven partaketh,
Of life again an heir.
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” --Earl Larson
(Words in hymnal, p. 341)
Greeting & Invocation The Latour family, candle lighters
The first candle, the Prophets’ candle, reminds us that long before Jesus was born, the prophets of ancient Israel foretold His birth.
Hymn # 246 “Come Thou Almighty King”
Psalter: Psalm 110 (read responsively) Elaine McVay
1The Lord says to my lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2The Lord sends out from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes.
3Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day you lead your forces on the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning, like dew, your youth will come to you.
4The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
5The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
6He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter heads over the wide earth.
7He will drink from the stream by the path; therefore he will lift up his head.
Anthem “Christmas Grace” --Ruth Elaine Schram
Prayer for Illumination Elaine McVay
Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 33: 14 – 18
Elaine McVay
14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
17For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, 18and the levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to make grain offerings, and to make sacrifices for all time.
Lector: “This is the Word of God.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God for His Word.”
Children’s Sermon
Hymn # 351 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
New Testament Lesson: Matthew 2: 1 – 6
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Sermon “The Sure Progress of Eternity” Pastor Robertson
Gathering of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory “The Star Proclaims the King Is Here” --Flor Peeters
(Belgium, 1903-1986)
The star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
He takes no realms of earth away,
Who brings the realms of heaven (today).
Response
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting king!
Hymn # 342 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten vs. 1 - 3
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation and Words of Institution
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Giving and receiving of the Bread and Cup
The inside cups are white grape juice; the outer cups contain wine.
Prayer of Consecration
Almighty Lord: we are thankful for all the benefits given us in this bread and wine, this body and blood. As the grain was harvested and the grapes gathered for this food, so may your church in every place be gathered into your household. And as the grain was ground and the grapes crushed, so may our lives be spent in your service, until you return in triumph to gather to yourself the harvest and call us to the marriage feast of the lamb. Amen.
Hymn # 342 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” vs. 4 - 5
Benediction
Postlude Prelude on the tune "Hyfrydol"
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
--Ralph VaughanWilliams (British, 1872-1958)
* The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Next week the choir will perform the Christmas Cantata
“A Great and Mighty Wonder” by Tom Fettke.
Worship
…is the quickening of conscience by God’s holiness;
the nourishment of mind with His truth;
the purifying of imagination by His beauty;
the opening of the heart to His love;
the surrender of the will to His purpose;
and all of this gathered up in adoration—
the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable, and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.” -William Temple
Welcome
To all who are weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are idle and look for service; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come--this church opens wide her doors and offers her welcome in the name of Jesus Christ her Lord.
Guests please sign our guest book and join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship.
Babysitting is available during worship for infants up to
2-1/2 years old in the room behind the balcony. Children ages 2-1/2 through 5 will be in the Pre-School Nursery in the Education Wing. School age children worship with their parents.
Announcements
* Greeters this morning are John & Lola Miller.
* The ushers this morning are Robert & Marcella Verplank and Bert & Becky Chapman.
* The flowers this morning are provided by Mary Ann Combs.
* Sunday Evening Bible Study - This is our last meeting for the semester. We'll start up again in January!
* For those wishing a visit at any time by Pastor Robertson please be sure you let Stephanie know you are interested. Pastor Robertson’s office hours are Wednesday and Friday 9:00am – 12:00 pm, or by appointment.
* If you need prayer or other help from the church or know of anyone else that does, please call one of the elders or deacons.
* Christmas poinsettias are available for purchase for $7.10 each. If you are interested in purchasing a poinsettia, please leave your money and name in an envelope on the church office desk with any information you would like included in the bulletin if you wish to note they are in memory or honor of someone. They will be placed in the sanctuary during the Christmas season and you are welcome to take them home after Christmas.
Weekly Calendar for December 3, 2006
Today:
9:30 a.m. Congregation at Worship (Communion)
11:00 p.m. Sunday School
2:30 p.m. St. Mary’s worship
6:00 p.m. Youth
6:00 p.m. 1st year Hebrew
6:30 p.m. Sunday Evening Bible study
7:30 p.m. Hebrew
This Week:
Tues., 7:00 p.m. Session
Tues., 7:30 p.m. Bible study at Tippecanoe Co. Jail
Wed., 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers & Breakfast (Nancy Moore)
Wed., 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir
Wed., 7:00 p.m. Robertson Bible study
Thurs., 6:00 p.m. Women’s Soup Supper
Fri., 12:00 p.m. Book Fellowship
Coming Weeks:
Sun., Dec. 10 Neighborhood Caroling and Reception
Thurs., Dec. 14 Jubilee set-up (4 – 6pm)
Fri., Dec. 15 Jubilee set-up (7 – 9pm)
Sat., Dec. 16 Jubilee Christmas (8am – 1pm)
Here We Go A Caroling …..
Come one, come all – Sunday, December 10th – for an evening of neighborhood caroling, followed by hot chocolate, snacks and Christmas entertainment. ALL voices – high, low, young, “mature” – are invited. What great time to invite your friends to join in Faith Church Fellowship!
Everyone should meet at Faith Church at 5:45pm. We’ll distribute song sheets and travel together to nearby neighborhoods to “make a joyful noise”. We’ll return to the Church around 7:00pm and warm our bodies with hot chocolate and snacks – and our spirits with a program provided by the Youth.
Please come and help share the wonderful celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth through the singing of Christmas Carols.
Faith Women’s Soup Supper
“Just a spoonful of good soup makes the busyness slow down”
The date is the same—THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
The time is the same—6:00 P.M.
THE PLACE HAS CHANGED—FELLOWSHIP HALL
Please join us for good food, fellowship, and singing to remind us of the coming of the Christ child. Our small Mission Project will benefit the YWCA Women’s Shelter. Please bring a children’s book for ages 1 – 12 (unwrapped).
You will find a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Please indicate if you’d like to bring bread. And please feel free to bring a friend.
Reservation deadline is Monday, December 4, 2006.
Jubilee Christmas 2006
Jubilee Christmas is coming! We will be hosting 15 families this year. The parents will be invited to select gifts for their children, so they can be the "heroes" on Christmas morning. We will be celebrating Jubilee Christmas on Saturday December 16 at 10 a.m. Breakfast will be served at 9:00 for guests and hosts, and all helpers are invited.
We need a lot of help to make this a special day for our guests. Here's how you can help:
1. Pray. That it will be a day filled with love and blessings.
2. Toys. There is a Christmas tree in the fellowship hall with tags representing gifts ($25-30). There's also a bowl with tags for stocking stuffers ($1-5). If the toy requires batteries, please include 2 sets. Attach the tag to the unwrapped gift and place it in the box in the fellowship hall no later than Sunday December 10.
3. Gift wrap and bows.
4. Cookies and Refreshments*.
5. Family Gifts*. Things like laundry detergent and paper products.
6. Card Tables*.
7. Volunteers*.
a. Each family needs a host.
b. Setup, cleanup, and general help.
8. Money. This helps us to pay for the hams and gift certificates provided by LUM, a hat and mittens for each child, and a gift for each family, as well as purchase any last-minute toys or supplies. Place your gift in the morning offering or in the donations box in the fellowship hall.
*Signup sheets for these are in the fellowship hall.
Through Jubilee Christmas, we not only serve others in the community, but also grow as a community of believers in the Lord. We appreciate your help - Thanks!
Questions? Ron Smith (414-4232), Dorothy Bethel (497-4673).
Posted by faithpres at December 3, 2006 09:30 AM