A Telling Presence in the City · This service will resume on Jan 8. Help Build the Beloved...

WestminsterPresbyterian ChurchA Telling Presence in the City

We enter this church not as strangers, but as children of God.

Fourth Sunday of AdventDecember 22, 2019

A Visit (detail), by John August Swanson, serigraph, 1995The Westminster Collection, on view in Westminster Commons

Welcome to WestminsterWe are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in our worship, mission, and programs. Large-print hymnals, hearing assistance devices, and Hearing Loop information available from ushers.

If you are new to WestminsterParking On Sundays, for those without walking difficulties, please park at Orchestra Hall, 11th St. & Marquette. At Orchestra Hall, take a ticket as you enter the ramp; pick up a parking voucher at Westminster; use both your ticket and voucher to exit the ramp. Westminster Ramp may be ac-cessed from Alice Rainville Place between Marquette and Nicollet Mall. There is also a drop-off area at church on Marquette Avenue.Nursery Care is available for infants through age 3 from 8:15-11:30 am on Sundays.Coffee Hour Join us for fair trade coffee and refreshments after worship in the Commons.Education for all ages, Sundays, 9:15 am Church School (ages 3-high school), Adult Education, Social Justice Forum, Virtues & Values.Membership The next new member class is January 26. To learn more, visit westminstermpls.org/membership or contact Rev. Dr. Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org or Janice Teliczan, jteliczan@wpc-mpls.org.

If you seek to deepen your involvement Faith in Action Get involved in serving and seeking justice. Contact Rev. Alanna Simone Tyler, atyler@wpc-mpls.org.Families, Youth, and Children Connect with children’s/youth choirs, youth group, confirmation, parent offerings, and special events. Contact Rev. Dr. Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org. Fellowship Enjoy fellowship with other members of the church. Contact Rev. Sarah Brouwer, sbrouwer@wpc-mpls.org.

Other worship and prayer opportunitiesPrayer Companions Sundays, after 10:30 am worship, ChapelGathered at Five, Sundays, 5 pm, Westminster Hall Centering Prayer, Wednesdays, noon, Bates Rm.Wednesday Evening Worship: Silence & Song, Wednesdays, 6 pm, Westminster HallQuiet Worship, 3rd Saturday of the month, Bushnell Rm.

Westminster Cares Births, Adoptions, Baptisms Contact Janice Teliczan, jteliczan@wpc-mpls.org.For Pastoral Care Notify Deb Wagner of hospitalization, illness, death, or prayer requests, dwagner@wpc-mpls.org. Blood Pressure Screenings 3rd Sunday, 9-10:30 am, Bushnell; 10:30 am–12 pm, BatesThe Westminster Counseling Center offers pastoral counseling for individuals, couples, families, and children. Visit westminstercounseling.org or call 612.332.7743.

Preparing for the WordOur service begins with the Prelude, inviting us to prepare for worship.

Prelude Christmas Suite Alec Rowley Fantasia on Coventry Carol Kenneth Vigne Gesu Bambino Pietro Yon Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, II. Allegretto Eric Ewazen Kenneth Vigne, organ; Douglas Carlsen, trumpet

Advent Greeting Meghan K. Gage-FinnOne: The Lord be with you.All: And also with you.

As the morning greeting is offered, please complete the friendship folder found in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor.

Introit Weihnachten (Christmas), Op. 79, No. 1 Felix Mendelssohn Westminster Choir, Amanda Weber, conductor

Rejoice, ye people of the earth, and praise God! The redeemer is come, whom the Lord has promised. He has revealed his justice to the world. Hallelujah!

*Call to Worship (from Isaiah 35)One: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,All: the desert shall rejoice and blossom;One: like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,All: and rejoice with joy and singing.One: Let us worship God.

*Processional Hymn No. 133 O Come, All Ye Faithful

Lighting the Advent Candle 8:30 Pam and Mark Moret, Dan, Sara, Madeline Moret 10:30 Sean Costigan and Jette Johnson

Sung Response Hymn No. 103 Come Now, O Prince of Peace (vs. 4)

December 22, 2019 8:30 & 10:30 am

* Please stand as you are able.

Advent Prayer (Unison) Alanna Simone TylerGod of grace, your eternal Word took flesh among us when Mary placed her life at the service of your will. Prepare our hearts for his coming again; keep us steadfast in hope and faithful in service, that we may receive the coming of his kingdom, for the sake of Jesus Christ the ruler of all, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Anthem What a Wonder arr. Clarence Dickinson Alyssa Impullitti, Samuel Baker, Mike Schmidt, soloistsThis Lithuanian folk carol has been sung at Westminster since at least the 1930s.

Listening for the WordA Time with Children Sonja Dziekciowski, Rodney Allen SchwartzThere is no Children’s Church today. All children are invited to remain in worship.

Hymn No. 116 The Snow Lay on the Ground

Prayer for Illumination 8:30 Mark Manderscheid 10:30 Barbara MaukBefore the reading of scripture we pray that God will illumine our understanding.

Readings from Holy Scripture Isaiah 2:1-4 (OT, p. 591)Luke 1:26-38 (NT, p. 49) David ShinnOne: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Choral Response Gabriel’s Message Basque Carol, arr. Jim Clements Deborah Carbaugh, solo

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. “All hail!” said he, “Thou lowly maiden, Mary, most highly favoured lady.” Gloria! “For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee. Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.” Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said. “My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.” Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn. And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, “Most highly favoured lady; Gloria!”

Meditation What Is the Christmas Vision? Timothy Hart-Andersen

Responding to the Word*Hymn No. 144 In the Bleak Midwinter

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Sarah BrouwerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offertory Sentences Christmas Joy Offering receivedHaving heard the Word, we now respond in gratitude by giving. Please place your offering in the plate, or use the “I give to Westminster” card in recognition of your contributions made online or in another way.

Offertory Anthem Sans Day Carol Cornish Carol, arr. John Rutter Karen Wasiluk, flute

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering Received

*Hymn No. 134 Joy to the World

*Charge and BenedictionThe people respond with “Amen.”

*Passing of the PeaceSince the earliest days of the Christian Church, worshippers have greeted each other with a sign of peace. All are invited to offer a verbal greeting, such as: “Peace be with you.”

One: The peace of Christ be with you.All: And also with you.

We invite the children and youth of the congregation to come to the choir loft and watch the organ postlude during the passing of the peace.

Postlude Dance on Adeste Fideles Kenneth Vigne

This Sunday8:15-9:30 and 10:15-11:45 am, Nursery care, for infants through age 3.8:30 am Worship Service, Sanctuary.9 am African Choir rehearsal9:15 am Adult Choir; Virtues & Values.10:30 am Worship Service, Sanctuary11:30 am Prayer Companions5 pm Gathered at Five, Westminster HallWestminster Gallery Waiting for Jesus. Contact Dr. Rodney Allen Schwartz, rschwartz@wpc-mpls.org

Coming UpAll-ChurchMeisel Sunday, Jan 5, All are invited to hear from our 2019 Meisel Scholars at a lunch fol-lowing worship. This is a good opportunity for those considering applying for a 2020 Meisel Scholar Award to learn about the program.The January All-Church Book Read is Leif Enger’s poignant Virgil Wander. Books avail-able for purchase in Westminster Commons. Discussion groups are Jan 12 & 26, with Leif Enger visiting on Feb 2.

College-Age MinistriesCollege-Age Lock-In! Jan 3-4, 6 pm-8 am Relive your middle and high school glory days! Meet at church at 6 pm and walk to dinner at a restaurant close by, then spend the evening playing, catching up, and running around the new building. RSVP to mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org.

Congregational CareContact Deb Wagner, 612.332.3421 or dwagner@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Grief Support Group, Saturdays, 9:30 am, St. Mark’s Episcopal, 519 Oak Grove St., 612.317.3454 or mplsgriefsupport.org. Dec 28: Open session.Magnet Senior Center, Mon & Wed, 9-noon. Contact akingsbury@wpc-mpls.org. The Magnet Center is on winter break until Jan 6.Caregivers Support Group meets the second Saturday of the month. Contact Elsa Peet for info, 763.588.8361 or efpeet@comcast.net.

Educational MinistriesContact Mahin Hamilton mhamilton@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Wednesdays: Noon, Centering PrayerLiving the Faith in the 21st Century resumes Wed, Jan 8, 5:30-6:25 pm, I and Thou, by Martin Buber, is the book for Jan and Feb. Books available in class. Questions? Contact Chad Quaintance, chadquaintance@gmail.com or 612-374-9410.Sunday Adult Ed, Sunday and Wednesday classes resume in January.

Faith in ActionContact Alanna Simone Tyler, atyler@wpc-mpls.org unless noted.Groveland Food Shelf in Dec, The Hunger Ministry Team requests donations of canned meats, rice, and bar soap. Place donations in Groveland boxes around the church.Social Justice Forum is on break until Jan.

Families, Youth & ChildrenContact Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Wednesdays, 5:15 pm Dinner; Youth Rm. open; 6 pm Parent-Child Time Together; Choirs/activities; 6:15 pm Confirmation Wednesday groups & activites resume Jan 8.There is no Church School, Family Matters, or Children’s Church on Dec 22 & 29.

Thin PlacesThe Advent/Winter issue of Thin Places is now available on the info table and online.

WorshipWednesday Worship: Silence & Song, 6-6:30 pm, Westminster Hall, Hit pause in your hectic week and gather in Westminster Hall for a time of much-needed quiet and beautiful music. Light snacks afterwards. No gathering on Dec 25 or Jan 1; resumes Jan 8.Gathered at Five, Dec. 29, 5 pm, Join us for Dinner Worship and Movie Night—on the screen in Westminster Hall. Pizza, popcorn, and fun for all ages.

Music and the ArtsArts Visioning, Join us in January to share your vision for the future of Arts at Westminster. Please plan to attend a ses-sion to have your voice heard: Sun, Jan 5, 9:15-10:15 am or 11:45-12:45 pm (Bushnell Rm.); Wed, Jan 8, 5-6 pm or 6:30-7:30 pm (Classroom 209/210). Questions? Contact Amanda Weber, aweber@wpc-mpls.org.

Advent & Christmas Worship

Christmas Eve 4 pm Pageant

8 & 10 pm Candlelight Services

Theological Education Sunday, Dec 29, One service at 10:30 am

Rev. Kelley Jepsen preaching

Sundays, 5 pm Gathered at Five

Wednesdays, 6 pm Silence & Song

This service will resume on Jan 8.

Help Build the Beloved CommunityYour financial support is a sign of your faithful-ness to the promise of Christ’s birth. If you haven’t done so already, please pledge your 2020 support online, and/or consider a generous year-end gift online, by check, credit card or stock, or via the tithe.ly app. All gifts make a difference! Thank you.

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1200 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis 55403westminstermpls.org

612.332.3421 facebook.com/westminstermpls twitter.com/westminstermpls instagram/westminstermpls

Today’s Worship LeadershipRev. Dr. Timothy Hart-Andersen, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Meghan K. Gage-Finn, Executive Associate PastorRev. Sarah Brouwer, Associate Pastor, Congregational LifeRev. David Shinn, Associate Pastor, Congregational CareRev. Alanna Simone Tyler, Associate Pastor, Justice and MissionDr. Amanda Weber, Minister of Music and the ArtsKenneth Vigne, Interim OrganistDouglas Carlsen, TrumpetKaren Wasiluk, FluteAlyssa Impullitti, Samuel Baker, Mike Schmidt, SoloistsSonja Dziekciowski, Director of Children’s MinistriesDr. Rodney Allen Schwartz, Director, Westminster Gallery and ArchiveAdvent Candle Lighters: Pam & Mark Moret, Dan, Sara, Madeline Moret Sean Costigan and Jette JohnsonLay Readers: Mark Manderscheid; Barbara Mauk

For full Westminster staff listing and contact information, please visit westminstermpls.org or see the Westminster News.

Westminster Affiliated BoardsWestminster Camp Ajawah, ajawah.orgWestminster Counseling Center, westminstercounseling.orgWestminster Town Hall Forum, westminsterforum.org

Daily Phone Devotions612.332.7087

22 .....................................................Matthew 1:18-2523 ............................................................ Luke 1:46-5524 ...............................................................Isaiah 9:2-725 ...............................................................Luke 2:1-2026 ............................................................ Isaiah 63:7-927 ................................................................Psalm 14828 .....................................................Hebrews 2:10-1829 .....................................................Matthew 2:13-23