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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 20, 2020
MEDITATION
“And the word became flesh and did tabernacle among us….”
John 1:14, Young’s Literal Translation
PRELUDE
Pastorale on the Carol Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?
Austin C. Lovelace (1919-2010)
Jason Kissel, organist
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Jason Kissel, liturgist
CALL TO WORSHIP PSALM 89 Jason Kissel, liturgist
Let us sing of God’s steadfast love forever,
With our mouths let us proclaim God’s faithfulness to all
generations.
Let us declare that God’s steadfast love is established
forever;
God’s faithfulness as firm as the heavens.
God is the rock of our salvation,
God is constant and faithful, this day and always.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Luke 1:30
The angel of the Lord said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, for you
have found favor with God.”
The first candle we have lit for peace, the second for hope, and
the third for joy. Today we light the
fourth candle on our Advent wreath for love.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Hymn singing is vital to our community life. Although distanced
from one another, we can be united through song.
Join in singing the hymns with the recorded voices of our Choir
and organ.
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HYMN OF GATHERING 423 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun DUKE
STREET
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CONFESSION Inspired by Psalm 70 God of Mercy,
We are poor and needy of spirit;
Hasten to us, O God!
Be our help and our deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay.
We confess that we light our candles for peace and joy, hope and
love,
Yet we forget to open our spirits to your gifts.
We fail to let your light illumine the dark places of our
hearts;
We forget to open our eyes to see as we are seen.
God of Mercy,
We are poor and needy of spirit;
Forgive our forgetting and our failing. Amen.
Silent Prayer
RESPONSE TO OUR FORGIVENESS Text: Taize Community
Tune: Jacques Berthier
sung three times
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord,
And all people will see the salvation of our God.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Open our eyes, that we may see glimpses of truth for the living
of this day. Open our hearts, so
that your Spirit may dwell within us. Give us grace and resolve
to be Christmas people throughout
the year. In the spirit of the Living Christ we pray. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING II Samuel 7:1-9 Jason Kissel,
liturgist
After King David was settled in his palace and the LORD had
given him rest from all his
enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am,
living in a house of cedar, while
the ark of God remains in a tent.” Nathan replied to the king,
“Whatever you have in mind, go
ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the
word of the LORD came to Nathan,
saying: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD
says: Are you the one to build me a
house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I
brought the Israelites up out of
Egypt, to this day. I have been moving from place to place, with
a tent as my dwelling. Wherever
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I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of
their rulers whom I commanded to
shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of
cedar?”’ “Now then, tell my
servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you
from the pasture, from tending the
flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have
been with you wherever you have
gone….” (New International Version)
SOLO Ave Maria Franz Schubert
(1797-1828)
Meredith Piplani, soprano
Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Ave, Ave, Dominus,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
Et benedictus fructus ventris (tui),
Ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Nunc et in hora mortis,
Hail Mary, full of grace,
Hail, Hail, the Lord
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now, and at the hour of our death,
THE READING FROM THE GOSPEL Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel
Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in
Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named
Joseph, a descendant of King David.
The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said,
“Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at the
angel’s words and wondered
what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have
found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you are to call him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the
throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s
descendants forever; his kingdom will
never end.” (New International Version)
SERMON “At Home in our Midst” Rev. Rhonda S. Cooper
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HYMN OF RESPONSE 5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence PICARDY
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Please use the chat forum to enter your
prayers and we will share those as a part of our communal
worship.
O God, in your mercy.
Hear our prayers.
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PURPLE RIBBON LIST
12/04/2020 Tyrone Wolfe 18 Male Black
12/09/2020 Justin Fauntleroy 33 Male Black
12/11/2020 Chad Jordan 40 Male White
Each ribbon represents a life lost to homicide in Baltimore
City. We name them each week and hang a purple ribbon on
the outside of Park Ave. to remind us to pray for the
perpetrators of these acts of violence, and to remind us of our
calling to challenge the systemic injustices of our time.
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.
OFFERTORY
See invitation to give in the Chat Box on Zoom and Facebook
Live.
If you wish to give via Paypal, you will need to open a new tab
on your browser.
If you need assistance please request help from either of our
E-Ushers:
Allie Pyan [email protected] or Sabrina Schlosser
Schumann [email protected]
If you would like to give your offering by mail, please send to
the church office at First & Franklin Presbyterian
Church, 210 West Madison Street, Baltimore MD 21201. Offerings
will be processed weekly.
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AT THE OFFERTORY
The Linden Tree Carol Old German Tune
arr. Reginald Jacques
Meredith Piplani, soprano Sandra Smith, alto
Don Juedes, tenor
Nick Dogas, baritone
DOXOLOGY 591 OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all creatures here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION Phil Adams
Mighty and powerful God we praise you today as we once again
anticipate the birth of Christ, your
manifestation in our midst, simultaneously lowly human and
utterly divine. Bless these tithes and
offerings born out of our love and thankfulness for the hope,
peace, joy, and love we are offered in
the gift of Jesus, a humble child, a mentor, and a redeemer,
born for all mankind. May we continue
to find favor as we bear you light out into creation, lifting
the lowly, feeding the hungry, caring for
the earth, and spreading the good news of your light and love to
each other, our neighbors, and all
the world. Amen and Amen.
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SENDING HYMN 12 People, Look East BESANÇON
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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION Romans 16:25-27
“Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel
and the proclamation of
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that
was kept secret for long ages but is
now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known
to all Gentiles, according to
the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of
faith – to the only wise God,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.”
POSTLUDE
Noël: À minuit fut fait un réveil Jean-François Dandrieu
“At midnight the world awoke.” (c. 1682-1739)
ONLINE FELLOWSHIP
December 8, 2020 $ 6625.00
December 14, 2020 $ 4240.00
December PayPal $ 2621.00
LEADING WORSHIP TODAY
Rev. Rhonda Cooper, preacher
Jason Kissel, liturgist
Jason Kissel, organist
Taylor Brooks, tech support
Meredith Piplani, soprano Sandra Smith, alto
Don Juedes, tenor
Nick Dogas, baritone
~~~ STAFF
Jason Kissel, DMA, Minister of Music & Organist
George Meagher, Sexton
Wanda Morgan, Office Administrator/Wedding Coordinator
The church office is open 8am-4pm Monday-Friday
Office: 410-728-5545 Fax: 410-728-0722
[email protected]
firstfranklin.org
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Because of the recent upsurge in COVID cases, and in order to
provide a consistent schedule,
Session has decided to suspend worship in the sanctuary for the
rest of calendar year 2020. Virtual
worship will continue using the Zoom and Facebook platforms.
While we regret this step back
from in-person worship, we believe it is necessary to protect
the health of our guest preachers,
others facilitating worship, and worshippers. Session will
review this decision in mid-December.
RHONDA COOPER, GUEST PREACHER
Rev. Rhonda S. Cooper serves as Chaplain for the Kimmel Cancer
Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore. Rhonda is a graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois)
and Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena
CA). A United Methodist minister, she and her husband John
Wolford worship with the First & Franklin
Church family.
LETTER FROM SESSION
Dear First and Franklin Family,
It goes without saying that these past ten months have been some
of the most challenging in recent
memory for everyone in this country. Individuals, businesses,
organizations, and houses of worship have all
felt the financial burden of the pandemic and our congregation,
unfortunately, is no different. Over the
course of this pandemic, our church has seen a drop in giving
that is unsustainable. This, coupled with the
sudden departure of Rev. Rob Hoch, has been a significant burden
for the leadership of this congregation
and we are asking for your help in continuing to make First and
Franklin a vibrant and thriving community
of Christ. Without financial support from the congregation, this
church community faces some very tough
questions.
To this end, we humbly ask you and your family to consider
increasing the amount that you give to
our congregation. Congregational giving is the foundation of the
church’s financial health and without it,
we would not be able to provide the engaging, soul-sustaining
ministries that we do. We are not asking you
to give beyond your means, but if you are in a situation that
allows you to give just a little bit more each
time, we encourage you to do so. Additionally, due to the chaos
of the pandemic and to allow the Session
to do the necessary and difficult work of beginning the search
for a new teaching pastor, First and
Franklin’s stewardship campaign is set to take place this coming
spring. Please be prepared to pledge your
annual giving during the Lenten season.
As the Christmas season is upon us, we ask you to consider First
and Franklin as you give
cheerfully.
Grace and peace,
The First and Franklin Session
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SESSION UPDATE
In order to deal with the duties usually performed by a pastor,
Session is now meeting once every two
weeks instead of monthly. We have had two conversations with the
Presbytery’s Commission on Ministry
and hope to get the go-ahead to hire an interim pastor in
January. In the meantime, Session is reviewing
the state of our finances and just passed a six-month budget to
get through the first half of 2021. We will
conduct our annual stewardship drive in early spring and hope
that all who are able will maintain, or
increase, their current pledging until then. The Presbytery has
begun a partnership with a firm which
specializes in helping congregations think about their future
and how they use their property as well as
conducting capital campaigns. Several Session members will meet
with them next week to see if their
services might be of use to us. Finally, Session is considering
a slightly revised committee structure which
will reduce the total number of committees. In order to be
successful, however, we will need more than
just elders on the committees. Look for more information in the
near future and please consider how you
can participate.
AN INVITATION TO THE 2020 CANDLELIGHT CHORAL CONCERT:
https://youtu.be/cnJce_Tz8oE
https://youtu.be/cnJce_Tz8oE
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CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT | December 20, 2020 | 4:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81408689361
Meeting ID: 814 0868 9361
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Meeting ID: 814 0868 9361
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CHRISTMAS EVE | December 24, 2020 | 7:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88526382337
Meeting ID: 885 2638 2337
One tap mobile
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Dial by your location
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+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 885 2638 2337
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgLNuMezu
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88526382337https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbgLNuMezu
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CELEBRATE “KWANZAA FOR ALL OF US”
The In The Loop Ministry Group invites you join an online
celebration of the 5th day of Kwanzaa at 6:30
p.m. on December 30th.
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that spans the seven days
after Christmas. It is not a replacement
of Christmas but, rather, a celebration of a people who recall
their ancestors throughout the centuries and
across the African diaspora, and a remembrance of those communal
values we all hold dear. Kwanzaa
celebrates the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles, that speak to
who we are and who we should strive to be,
our gifts, and our relationships with one another and God.
Read more about the event here. Register (to get the Zoom
invitation) here.
THEOLOGY ON TAP | NEXT DATE: to be announced
Join us for a study through Peter Enn's book, "How the Bible
Actually Works".
"Controversial evangelical Bible scholar, popular blogger and
podcast host of The Bible for Normal
People, and author of The Bible Tells Me So and The Sin of
Certainty explains that the Bible is not an
instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool
that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing
to provide us with easy answers but instead forces us to acquire
wisdom."
If you are interested in joining this study, please email Sarah
Lloyd ([email protected]) and let
her know that you're interested. The book is available for
purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your
local bookstores. If affording the book will be a hurdle, please
let us know so we can arrange to help you
IF NEED OF PASTORAL ASSISTANCE?
With our current Pastor vacancy, if you need pastoral
assistance, please call the church office (410) 728-
5545 (Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm) and we will direct your concern to
an Associate Pastor for follow up.
LITURGISTS NEEDED!
We will be transitioning back to the use of lay liturgists for
Sunday Worship. Liturgists can serve virtually
via Zoom as long as they have a stable internet connection.
Open Dates: Feb. 14, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28.
Please contact the church office if you are willing to serve.
Thank you for considering it.
https://baltimorepresbytery.org/kwanzaa-for-all/https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdeCqpzwjH9Y-DaeULfMiXCPJlHq7nX0pmailto:[email protected]
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR OFFERINGS
As we all recognize real concerns for our friends who will
experience hardships through this disruption in
regular routines, so too, we need to be mindful that your weekly
contributions are critical to helping us
maintain the financial obligations of the church. Payroll,
mortgages, electricity and the rest are needs we
must continue to cover, and your continued support of your
pledges will be even more important while we
are tele-worshiping. In addition to accepting your pledges by
mail to the church office, we have recently
added a PayPal link to the top of our new website which will
allow us to process donations with this link:
GIVE. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
PASTORAL SEARCH FEEDBACK COMMENTS - link on the front page of
our website.
If you have comments or concerns to share with Session as we
move forward with the process of
discerning the steps to fill our pastoral vacancy, please know
that your opinions are valued. If you would
like to share anything with us, please click here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek4zr5zVp8k_b8ZKQhh8APMyVb1ncoEp5-
d7aFK9i7wIzN_g/viewform
FOOD PANTRY AT FIRST & FRANKLIN
Another 22 bags were handed out last week. We want to make sure
people understand that they do not
have to give large amounts. Buying an extra box of pasta or
donating $10 if that is what works for you is
impactful and welcome.
Our food pantry needs replenishing in light of increasing
demand. If you have the resources to do
so, please consider donating non-perishables (see list below) or
financial contributions. Please also
consider joining us on Saturdays from about 11:30 a.m. to 2
p.m.
We continue to staff a Saturday food pantry in Reid Chapel from
12:00- 2:00 p.m. There is a growing flow
of neighbors who come regularly. The last four weeks we have
given out 34, 34, 29, and 35 bags of groceries.
We have built connections with residents at Westminster House
for whom we drop off additional bags of
food for those who cannot make the walk to Reid Chapel.
Relationships are growing with some neighbors
by asking how they are doing and giving them a chance to talk.
The congregation has been generous in
donating food items. This help needs to be encouraged as we are
at a point of breaking even between
donations and needs, and the needs shall surely increase as
additional government support ends.
In each grocery bag we pack food for breakfast, peanut butter
and jelly (a good source of
protein) for lunch, the makings for a balanced dinner such as
beans and rice, pasta and sauce, canned meat,
soup, vegetables, and fruit, and a paper good. If there is room
left in the bag, we are now adding a little fun
food, such as popcorn or cookies, for everyone enjoys a
treat.
Contributions of shelf stable foods can be brought to Reid
Chapel every Saturday between 12 noon and 2:00
p.m. If shopping is difficult for you, monetary donations
earmarked food pantry may be sent to the church
and we will shop for you.
https://www.firstfranklin.org/get-involved/giving-stewardship/https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek4zr5zVp8k_b8ZKQhh8APMyVb1ncoEp5-d7aFK9i7wIzN_g/viewformhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek4zr5zVp8k_b8ZKQhh8APMyVb1ncoEp5-d7aFK9i7wIzN_g/viewform
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Foods we are currently low in are:
Apple sauce, canned fruit and dried fruit
Rice and beans
Peanut butter and jelly
Cereal and canned or powdered milk
Tuna fish and canned meats
Spaghetti
Soup
Canned corn (and other vegetables)
Popcorn and cookies
Paper towels
Toilet paper
How else can you help? We need volunteers to help collect and
distribute food every Saturday. Sabrina
Schumann is coordinating the volunteers. You may reach her by
email at [email protected] or phone
240-481-6929. You can also help by spreading the word to those
you know who are facing food insecurity.
Thank you,
The Peacemaking Committee
THE SPIRE SERIES
Do you know that First & Franklin has a YouTube page? There,
you may view performances from the
2020 summer series of mini concerts, all recorded live in First
& Franklin’s sanctuary. You may also revisit
last May’s virtual piano marathon concert! Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QwYlynh7VYhxAYt-9cm2g
You can also view the August Spire Series recordings on
Facebook.
MORNING PRAYER | 7:00am
Please join us online: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays
Zoom Event Click: MORNING PRAYER
DID YOU MISS A SUNDAY?
Or did you want to re-visit a particular sermon from our
congregational life?
Please visit: Sermons
NEED TECH HELP? OR SOME EXTRA SUPPORT AROUND ACCESSING OUR
ONLINE
SERVICES?
Please call Taylor Brooks and he'll set up a time to visit with
you about your tech needs. His contact
information is below:
Taylor Brooks, Audio Engineer/Electronic Gizmo Wunderkind
Contact by phone or email: 336-341-2294
[email protected]
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QwYlynh7VYhxAYt-9cm2ghttps://www.firstfranklin.org/morning-prayer/https://www.firstfranklin.org/category/sermons/mailto:[email protected]
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Prayers from 12/13/2020
Prayers for my nephew Michael as he continues to fight multiple
cancers attacking his body. [Scot]
Prayers for Randy’s Mother who is in Franklin Square hospital
with Covid. [Randy]
Prayers for our native American friends in SD and ND.
[Susan]
Prayers for all who are vulnerable and on the street as we face
a major snow storm. [Beth]
Gratitude for new baby, Myles, welcomed by my friends.
[Mike]
Prayers for my friend’s Grandmother, Donata, who is ill in
Poland. [Sabrina]
Prayers of thanks to Rev. Dottie for leading our worship.
[Laura]
Prayers for our frontline workers as they continue to work to
save lives during this pandemic. [Scot]
Prayers for our sister church in Cuba [Betty]
For my co-worker--their family of 4 is all sick with Covid.
[Sabrina]
Prayers for Betty as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.
[Jim]
Prayers for my son-in-law – as he requested. [Diane]
Prayers for the Mt. Vernon community and the volunteers helping
in the Food Pantry. [Randy]
Prayers of thanks for Jason, Taylor and the choir members who
are continuing to record music for our
services each week. [Beth]
For our church family, staff and Session as we make hard
decisions about the way forward for our church.
Praying that those who can will step up their donations this
season. [Beth & Laura]
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Prayers from 12/06/2020
Prayers for John McLucas as he continues to heal from his recent
incident.
Prayers for Bill Fowler who is recovering after a stroke.
[Paul]
Prayers for the Hoch family as they travel to the UK. [John]
Prayers for the Mt. Vernon community. [Randy]
Prayers of thanks for Jason, Taylor and the choir members who
are continuing to record music for our
services each week. [Beth]
Prayers for Betty Schroll who will be having a knee replacement
surgery on Monday. [Maggie]
Happiest of birthdays to John Boyd!! [Liz]
Prayers for Walter Janulivitz who passed away. [David S.]
Prayers for my friend, Brad, who is battling Covid in the
hospital. [Onyeka]
Prayers for our healthcare workers: doctors, nurses, public
health officials, hospital cleaners and staff.
[Laurel]
Prayers for the residents of a long term care facility here in
Centre County, PA, where there is a Covid
outbreak.[Charley]
For our church family, staff and Session as we make hard
decisions about the way forward for our church.
Praying that those who can will step up their donations this
season. [Beth & Laura]
