CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Church Community

Sun 12/17 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 Worship (sanctuary) - Cantata 9:30 Education Hour; Choir Breakfast (FH) 9:30 Interim Pastor Search Committee Meeting (KC4a) 9:30 Christmas Eve 5:30 pm Worship Rehearsal (sanctuary) 10:30 Coffee Hour 11:00 Worship (sanctuary) - Cantata 12:05 Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers (sanctuary) - NO Youth Fellowship

Mon 12/18 12:00 Noon AA (FH) 7:15 ACOA (Music)

Tues 12/19 7:00 Joint Session with Trustees (FH) 12:00 Noon AA (FH)

Wed 12/20 12:00 Staff Meeting (KC1a) 12:00 Noon AA (FH)

Thurs 12/21 9:00 Archives (KC6a) 12:00 Noon AA (FH) 6:30 Bell Choir (Bell room) 4:30 Longest Night Service 7:00-8:30 Winter Solstice Yoga (sanctuary) (Lawyer’s Mall, State House) 7:30 Choir Rehearsal (FH)

Fri 12/22 Office Closed at Noon 12:00 Noon AA (FH)

Sat 12/23 10:00 Sanctuary Set-Up 8:30 Evening AA (FH)

Sun 12/24 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 11:00 Worship (sanctuary) CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP 4:00 A 20-minute service “with the toddler in mind” 5:30 Traditional service with Carols and Readings 8:30 Prelude Music 9:00 Service with Candlelight & Communion

WINTER SOLSTICE YOGA - Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:00-8:30 pm, sanctuary. With Rev. Shortlidge and live guitarist, Kevin Shannon. Restore the body and spirit in the midst of the holiday bustle. $5 at door. RSVP: office@annapolis-presbyterian.com. Parking at Hillman Garage. Open to all!

First Presbyterian Church, Annapolis, Maryland December 17, 2017 – 8:30 & 11:00 am Worship

Third Sunday of Advent

PREPARATION FOR THE WORD Please rise in body or in spirit.

PRELUDE - Prelude on The Holly and the Ivy Herbert Sumsion SILENT PRAYER (from Glory to God, hymn 108)

O ye heights of heaven, adore him. Angel hosts, his praises sing. Powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent;

every voice in concert ring, evermore and evermore! Amen.

NOTICES OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE - Sign the pad and pass along the pew and back. CHORAL INTROIT - Creator of the Stars of Night CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 61:1-3; John 1:7

The Promised One of God brings good news to the oppressed and binds up the brokenhearted.

We are the witnesses to the light of Christ! The Promised One of God proclaims liberty to captives and release to prisoners.

We are witnesses to the light of Christ! The Promised One of God comforts all who mourn and gives a mantel of praise instead of a faint spirit.

We are witnesses to the light of Christ!

HYMN 106 - Prepare the Way, O Zion BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God our maker, we confess that we are not ready to meet you. You send your Spirit to release us, yet we remain captivated by the past. You stand among us in Christ Jesus, yet we claim we do not know you. Forgive us, God of grace. Make us holy; make us whole. Keep us safe and sound until the day of your coming; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE RESPONSE OF PRAISE - Prepare the Way, O Zion BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN

He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above. His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love. Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding. O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: Hymn 85, vs. 3 TIF IN VELDELE

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah Light three candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. Lift your heads and lift high the gateway for the King of glory.

TIME WITH CHILDREN (11:00)

(Pre-k to 1st grade children may attend Children's Discovery after the message. Older children remain in worship; activity bags available from ushers.)

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION SCRIPTURE - Luke 1:39-56 CANTATA - (see insert), Julia Martin Frazier, harp, Heidi Schultz, oboe

Three Nativity Carols Stephen Paulus 1. The Holly and the Ivy 2. This Endris Night 3. Wonder Tidings

What Sweeter Music John Rutter

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Concluding with the Lord’s Prayer using “debts” and “debtors,” Hymnal, page 35.)

OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERTORY - This Endris Night Healy Willan

HYMN 93 - Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates TRURO

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE - Sussex Carol arr. Dale Wood

Please remain at 12:05 pm in the sanctuary for a Special Meeting of the Congregation to elect officers.

William L. Hathaway, Pastor Heather G. Shortlidge, Associate Pastor Miss Good, Director of Family Ministry

Robert W. Muckenfuss, Director of Music & Organist James G. Kirk, Richard Jones, Parish Associates

Covenant Church with the Haiti Reforestation Partnership Partner with Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren, Czech Republic

An Earth Care Congregation of the PC (USA) / The National Naval Memorial of the PC(USA) 171 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis MD 21401 / Phone: 410-267-8705 / Fax: 410-268-9643

office@annapolis-presbyterian.com / www.annapolis-presbyterian.com Visit us on Instagram-FPCAnnapolis Like us on facebook

THOSE ASSISTING THIS MORNING - Liturgists: William L. Hathaway, Heather G. Shortlidge, Elizabeth Cassidy (8:30), Karen Smith (11:00); Time with Children: Miss Good (11:00); Ushers: Craig & Maggie Leffler (8:30), John & Kate Rogers, Clair & Barbara Morris, Jane Bodor (11:00); Discovery: Cecilia Richardson, Miss Good (11:00); Greeter: Denise Ferguson (8:30); Acolyte: Amanda Ford (11:00); Sanctuary Banner: design by Laurie Hewitt; Candle Lighters: Mike, Christina, Helena, & Sarah Laukaitis (8:30), Jeff, Sally, Isabelle, & Penelope Wilson (11:00); Special Music: thank you guest musicians, Julia Martin Frazier, harpist, & Heidi Schultz, oboist.

The Call to Worship is from Feasting on the Word and the Confession, from Call to Worship, Volume 51.1.

What Sweeter Music (Robert Herrick, poet, 16th Century Carol)

What sweeter music can we bring Than a carol for to sing

The birth of this our Heavenly King? Awake the voice! awake the string! Heart, ear, and eye, and everything

Dark and dull night fly hence away!

And give the honour to this day That sees December turn’d to May.

Why does the chilling winter’s morn Smile like a field beset with corn?

Or smell like to a meadow newly shorn, Thus on the sudden?

Come and see The cause why things thus fragrant be: ’Tis He is born, whose quickening birth

Gives life and lustre, public mirth, To heaven and the under-earth.

We see Him come, and know Him ours, Who with his sunshine and his showers Turns all the patient ground to flowers.

The darling of the world is come, And fit it is we find a room

To welcome Him.

The nobler part Of all the house here, is the heart,

Which we will give Him; and bequeath This holly and this ivy wreath,

To do Him honour, who’s our King And Lord of all this revelling.

What sweeter music can we bring

Than a carol, for to sing The birth of this our heav’nly King.

CANTATA

The Holly and the Ivy (Old English Christmas Carol)

The holly and the ivy,

When they are both full grown,

Of all the trees that are in the wood,

The holly bears the crown.

The rising of the sun

And the running of the deer,

The playing of the merry organ,

Sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom,

As white as the lily flower,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,

To be our sweet Saviour.

(refrain)

The holly bears a berry, As red as any blood,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To do poor sinners good:

(refrain)

The holly bears a prickle,

As sharp as any thorn,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

On Christmas Day in the morn.

(refrain)

The holly bears a bark,

As bitter as any gall,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

For to redeem us all.

(refrain)

This Endris Night (15th Century Christmas Carol)

This endris night I saw a sight A star as bright as day;

And ever among a maiden sung, “Lullay, bye bye, lullay.”

This lovely lady sat and sung, And to her Child did say:

“My Son, my Brother, Father, dear, Why liest Thou thus in hay?”

The Child then spake in His talking, And to his mother said:

“Yea, I am known as Heaven-King, In crib though I be laid.

“Now, sweet Son, since Thou art a king, Why art Thou laid in stall?

Why dost not order thy bedding In some great kingès hall?

“Mary mother, I am thy Child, Though I be laid in stall;

For lords and dukes shall worship Me, And so shall kingès all.

“And in thy arm thou hold Me warm, And keep Me night and day,

And if I weep, and may not sleep, Thou sing, Bye bye, lullay.”

Wonder Tidings (15 century Christmas Carol)

What tidings bringest thou, messenger, Of Christès birth this jolly day?

A babe is born of high nature;

The Prince of Peace and ever shall be. Of heaven and earth He hath the cure;

His Lordship is eternity. Such wonder tidings ye may hear,

That man is made now Goddès peer. Whom sin had made but fiendes prey.

What tidings bringest thou, messenger,

Of Christès birth this jolly day?

A wonder thing is now befall; That King that formed star and sun,

Heaven and earth and angels all, Now in mankind is new begun.

A babe is born, the Prince of Peace,

Of heaven and earth, a wonder thing. Such wonder tidings ye may hear

An infant now of but one year, That hath been ever and shall be aye.

What tidings bringest thou, messenger, Of Christès birth this jolly day?

That loveliest gan greet her child,

“Hail son! Hail, brother! Hail father dear! Hail daughter! Hail, sister! Hail mother mild!”

This hailing was of quaint mannere: Such wonder tidings ye may hear,

That hailing was of such good cheer. That mannes pain is turned to play.

A babe is born, alleluia! A babe is born!

(ANNOUNCEMENTS CONT’D)

TTWWOO WWEEEEKKSS TTOO RREEAACCHH OOUURR GGOOAALL - Did you increase your pledge for next year? The day to day cost of our ministry and the growing influence of our mission work requires generous gestures of gratitude and giving. "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us." II Corinthians 9:11. Submit your pledge in today’s offering plate or online: www.annapolis-presbyterian.com/pledge.

CHRISTMAS CARD TO LETOHRAD - Stop by the Fellowship Hall today to sign a card for our partner congregation in Letohrad, Czech Republic.

ABED FAMILY UPDATE - If you have information pertaining to affordable housing, particularly in the Arnold area, please contact Mary Stuart Kempton (mskempton@hotmail.com). We are in need of English tutors to work directly with Noor. If you are interested, please contact Betty McGinnis (cobe@comcast.net).

LONGEST NIGHT HOMELESS MEMORIAL SERVICE - December 21, 4:30 pm, Lawyer’s Mall, State House. An interfaith service to remember the lives of homeless people who have died this year.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - will break December 20 and 27, and reconvene January 3, 2018.

STAFF NEWS - Thank you Lizi Schilder for covering the office Friday morning, December 21.

LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP

Sunday, December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent; Christmas Eve Morning worship is offered at 11:00 am only (no 8:30 or 9:30 am programs). Christmas Eve services will be at 4:00 pm (20 minutes, with the toddler in mind), 5:30 pm (good for families), and at 9:00 pm with candlelight and communion (8:30 prelude music).

Sunday, December 31 - First Sunday of Christmas, 11:00 am Worship only Dr. Hathaway will preach “Holding Mystery” from Isaiah 61:10-62:3 and Luke 2:22-40 and we will sing lots of carols! David Hancock will offer a solo. Gannon Coker will be baptized. No 8:30 or 9:30 am programs.

HEARING AIDS, LARGE PRINT BULLETINS & BIBLES AVAILABLE FROM USHERS. SANCTUARY IS EQUIPPED WITH A T-LOOP; SET HEARING AID TO "T" POSITION.

ANNOUNCEMENTS CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO ELECT OFFICERS - The Nominating Committee and Mike Derby, Chair, present the following members for the class of 2020: Elders Pat Foye Chuck Goodman Didi Gundry (committee) (Worship & Music) (Planned Giving & Memorials) (Congregational Life) Trustees Gordon Duvall Leanne Kreis Maria Lochner Deacons Bonnie Hatchard Christine Deetjen Taylor Bryan Jennings Beth Hiltabidle Emma Miller (youth, 1 year) Maggie Porath (youth, 1 year) NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY - available at rear of church or electronically from church office. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IS ALIVE AND GROWING - because you pledge and give of your time, talent, and treasures. First Presbyterian by the numbers:

50 – Choir members and 1 Music Director who bring us glorious songs of the season.

36 – Youth participated in the Youth Auction where 100% of the attendees had a GREAT time, consumed 10 crock pots of chili AND raised over $10,000!

12 – Tables at the Alternative Gift Fair. The energy in Fellowship Hall was tangible! AND many contributed to the church’s mission work WHILE checking off people on their gift lists.

Unknown – number of carolers who brought song and holiday wishes to homebound church members. How sweet the sound!

Let the little children come to me; do not stop them: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. (Mark 10:14 NRSV)

DONATE POINSETTIAS - In memory or honor of a loved one(s). Remit $20 per plant online (www.annapolis-presbyterian.com/give), by mail, or in the offering plate (payable to First Presbyterian Church). Please indicate for whom they are purchased and your relationship. Orders due tomorrow, December 18. Plants will be in the sanctuary December 24 and 31.

Name, Phone, Quantity

Relationship

Honor or Memory?

(return in offering plate)