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December 31, 2006
Sunday, December 31 Bulletin
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 9:30 a.m., December 31, 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 Improvisations on "What Child is This?" and
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" Mark Johnson - organist
Greeting & Invocation
Hymn # 337 “Joy to the World! the Lord Is Come”
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed (in unison) Ron Smith 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 communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (in unison)
Special Music “The Birthday of the King” Jim Milligan
Prayer for Illumination Ron Smith
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 7: 11 – 17
Ron Smtih
11Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. 15He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
17The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.”
Lector: “This is the Word of God.”
Congregation: “Thanks be to God for His Word.”
Children’s Sermon
Hymn # 32 “I Cannot Tell”
New Testament Lesson: Luke 2: 22 – 38
22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Sermon “The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus” Pastor Robertson
After the sermon children in grades K-6 may leave for children’s choir
Gathering of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory “Of the Father's Love Begotten” --arr. James Pethel
Response
All things are Thine; no gift have we,
Lord of all gifts, to offer Thee;
And hence with grateful hearts today,
Thine own before Thy feet we lay.
Prayer of Dedication
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Jim Brand (Carol Graefnitz’s brother), Brandon Bosler (Shirley & Jim Bosler’s grandson), Lewis & Kari Hauer (Mike Bergmann’s sister & husband), the folk in the military, Life Care Services, Lafayette Urban Ministry
Hymn # 347 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Benediction
Postlude “In Thee is Joy” --J.S. Bach
* 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’s sermon will be: “Fire and Feathers”
Rev. Ralph Smith will be preaching
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.
* Ushers this morning are Robert & Marcella Verplank and Bert & Becky Chapman.
* Serving coffee this morning is Ron Smith.
* Faith Women – Please sign up in the Narthex if you can bring coffee cake and/or soup for the Presbytery Meeting.
* Persons planning to attend the January 6, 2007 meeting of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley at our church and who plan to be present at lunch are asked to notify Stephanie Cardwell by January 4, 2007.
* Poinsettias – Everyone that purchased a poinsettia please pick them up after the worship service this morning.
* 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.
Weekly Calendar for December 31, 2006
Today:
9:30 a.m. Congregation at Worship
This Week:
Mon. Office Closed
Tue., 7:30 p.m. Bible study at Tippecanoe Co. Jail
Wed., 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers & Breakfast (Jan Hem)
Sat., 9:00 a.m. Presbytery Meeting at Faith
Coming Weeks:
Sat., Feb. 10 Valentine Cookie Project
All Ye, All Ye, In For Free
Amnesty is hereby proclaimed to anyone who returns borrowed items from the kitchen. We are looking for tablecloths, dish towels, and believe it or not about 30 coffee mugs. Just leave them on the kitchen counters and we’ll be glad to see them.
All Ye, All Ye Out for Free
Please pick up any kitchen items (bowls, pans, candlesticks, etc.) that you brought to us when you shared food in the past few weeks. They are in the kitchen, on the counter under the left hand window.
Posted by faithpres at December 31, 2006 10:53 AM