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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH A Congregation of a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians 323 Main Street, Greenville, PA
"Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10
FPC – Church & Worship Guidelines
GENERAL GUIDELINES
These guidelines will be in effect for all Church activities including Worship service.
• Please refrain from any physical contact including handshakes, fist
bumps, and hugs.
• Please maintain proper social distancing guidelines at all times.
• Masks are required per the new PA State guidelines issued 7/16/20
WORSHIP SERVICE
• There will be no Passing of the Peace.
• Every other pew will be roped off to promote social distancing.
• Offering plates will be placed at each exit for our offerings. Online giving
is encouraged as the safest alternative.
https://www.fpcgreenville.com/giving/
• Only large print bulletins will be provided. We ask that hymnals not be
used and to remain seated when singing.
• Children’s Messages will be presented with proper social distancing.
• If you are not taking your bulletins home, please dispose at exits.
• After worship service, west side doors of sanctuary and narthex will be
open to exit to parking lot along with all other normal exits.
COMMUNICATION
• Any productive comments or ideas for improving social distancing and
our worship experience may be sent to Randy Curtis @
THE LORD’S DAY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
DECEMBER 20, 2020 - 10:45 AM
GREETING
One Voice: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all! All Voices: And also with you! ANNOUNCEMENTS MINUTE FOR MISSION……Creative Learning Christian School…..Jill Morgan LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE…………………….Dale and Barbara Deist PRELUDE – “Angels We Have Heard on High"……………...arr. Wallace/Head
GOD DRAWS US TO HIMSELF
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP One Voice: Advent is a time to let go of anger and fear. All Voices: God of love, fill our hearts with true compassion. One Voice: Advent is a time to look for the best in others. All Voices: God of love, help us speak truth with kindness. One Voice: Advent is a time to share with those in need. All Voices: God of love, remind us that in giving, we receive. One Voice: Advent is a time to notice and appreciate the good around us. All Voices: God of love, help us see the world through loving eyes.
*CONVENING PRAYER
CONVENING HYMN – “Go, Tell It on the Mountains”
CALL TO CONFESSION *UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful Lord: we confess that we do not know how to prepare for your coming. We forget how to hope; we ignore your promises; we are distracted by the busyness of the season.
Forgive us, O Lord! Grant us gifts of simple wonder, intelligent courage, and patient faith. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. In the holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS OUR GRATEFUL RESPONSE – “I Love You Lord,”
Repeat
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS WORD PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION……………………………………...Ben Claypool HOLY SCRIPTURE
Old Testament – Isaiah 7:10-17 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test." 13 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman'u-el. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For 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. 17 The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that E'phraim departed from Judah -- the king of Assyria."
Epistle – Romans 8:31-39 31 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; 34 who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. RECOGNITION OF RETIREMENT of JACKIE GRISETTI CONVERSATION WITH THE YOUNGER CHURCH……….Elder Diane Curtis PRESENTATION of CONGREGATIONAL GIFT
Preaching Text -Gospel
Matthew 1:22-23 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luke 10:38-42 38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." One Voice: The word of the Lord! All Voices: Thanks be to God! SERMON – “Perfect Christmas”………….…………………………Ben Claypool
GOD MOVES US TO RESPOND HYMN – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
*WE AFFIRM OUR FAITH – The Westminster Standards
‘The Shorter Catechism’ (1647 – England) 7.082 – Q.82. Is any human able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A.82. – No human since the Fall, is able, in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them – in thought, word, and deed.
7.083 – Q.83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? A.83. – Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others. 7.084 – Q.84. – What does every sin deserve?
A.84. Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come.
OFFERTORY – ………………………………………………...Andy Erb, Trumpet
“What Child is This?”………..Sue M. Wallace *DOXOLOGY – “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION PASTORAL PRAYER with The Lord’s Prayer
Our 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.
GOD SENDS US FORTH TO SERVE HYMN – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
BENEDICTION
Thanks for remembering: Following the “Amen” of the Benediction, please wait for an usher to come to your pew to indicate it is time for you to be dismissed.
POSTLUDE – "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"………………….German Melody *Congregation Standing
Randall Curtis
Director of Music Ministries
THE ROSEBUD IN THE CHANCEL THIS MORNING announces with gratitude to God the birth of Dominic Wendell Deist – Wednesday, December 16, at UPMC Magee, Pittsburgh - son to David and Terri Deist, grandson to Dale and Barbara Deist.
HOSPITALIZED So that our members and friends may remember our ill and hospitalized, their names are listed below (unless requested otherwise). Please remember them and their families with your prayers, cards and notes of Christian love and encouragement. Members hospitalized as of December 17: Arch Messer – UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA SERVING TODAY in the church nursery (infant and toddler childcare) 10:45 AM – Carol Houck & Ericka Dershimer NEXT SUNDAY 10:45 AM – Mary K. Miller & Karen Edwards GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD PANTRY request for the month of December is: Breakfast foods. Thank you for your generosity; it does matter. Donation baskets are located at the Parking Lot and Main Street entrances. Social Concerns Committee
The Mitten and Hat Tree The Mitten Tree offers opportunity to provide some warmth to needy children and infants in the Greenville Area. Please bring winter hats, mittens and gloves of all sizes, unwrapped, and hang them on the tree in the primary Sunday School area anytime between now and Christmas.
PREPARATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
All those preparing Annual Report materials are reminded of the Monday, January 4, 2021 deadline for delivering those items to the church office. The plan is to have the Annual Report printed and ready for distribution Sunday, January 24. Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation; your efforts for the church are deeply appreciated. (The Annual Meeting of the Congregation is planned for Sunday, January 31, 2021, in the Sanctuary, beginning at 12:15 PM.)
WESTMINSTER CHAPEL is open for personal, private prayer in the week ahead: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM – and Thursday, December 24, 9:00 AM until noon. BOXED OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2021 are available for distribution this morning on a table located in the rear vestibule. If you do not currently have offering envelopes and would like to receive them, please notify Susan in the Church Office.
THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING received this year will go to the Greenville Salvation Army. Please make use of the boxed Joy envelope or a generic pew envelope with suitable designation for your gift.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS 2020
Today we are receiving monies to support four of our local ministries. Find a flier with the directions for giving in your church bulletin. There will be a member of the Mission Committee waiting to receive your gifts following the worship service, providing cards and informational inserts to give to your loved ones on Christmas. We celebrate Christmas by supporting Downtown Ministries, Creative Learning Christian School, Good Shepherd Center and Heifer International. Thank you for sharing in this special opportunity.
SUNDAY WORSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Great news! We are now live-streaming the service! You can join in spirit by watching a live stream during regular Sunday service times from the comfort and safety of your home. The service will also be available to watch anytime afterwards. The link is located on the church website at fpcgreenville.com. Then click on the media tab at the top. Once that is open, then just click if you are watching Sunday. If you are watching other than Sunday you must click on it and then click again to watch it on YouTube.
THIS WEEK
Sunday, December 20 9:00 a.m. Prayer in the Library
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Morning Worship/Advent IV
Ben Preaching
Monday, December 21 9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
No School Tuesday, December 22 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
9:00 a.m. Westminster Chapel open for
prayer until 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 24 Office Closed
4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship
Communion
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship
Communion
Friday, December 25 Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 26 No Primary Youth/Zoom
Sunday, December 27 9:00 a.m. Prayer in the Library
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Morning Worship
939 PRAYER PARTNERS Suggested prayer focus: Youth’s health
Deadline for announcements for Sunday’s bulletin-Wednesday by noon.
Deadline for articles in the Church Mouse is the 20th of each month.
STAFF OFFICE HOURS
David Dobi – Senior Pastor Monday-Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday Off Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m.
Ben Claypool-Associate Pastor
Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday Off
Susan Blum-Office Manager
Monday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 8:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Jackie Grisetti-Head Custodian
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Directory First Presbyterian Church
323 Main Street, Greenville, PA 16125 phone: 724-588-6520
e-mail: [email protected] web address: www.fpcgreenville.com
David A. Dobi, Senior Pastor email: [email protected] Ben Claypool, Associate Pastor
email: [email protected] Prayer Chain: for prayer support on any request,
e-mail [email protected]
