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Pullen Memorial Baptist Church

Raleigh, North Carolina

See, see, the Word is incarnate!

-Godfrey Goodman, c. 1624

December Fourteenth Two-Thousand and Fourteen

* worshipers are invited to stand

The Worship of God

December 14, 11:00 a.m.

Third Sunday of Advent

GATHERING

Welcome to Pullen. Feel free to greet those around you before the service. Visitors are invited to

complete a Welcome Guest card and place it in the offering plate later in the service. Please turn off

cell phones and other electronic devices. Please refrain from flash photography.

Preparation for Worship - Today’s service of worship expresses God incarnate in all as the

Chancel Choir and instrumentalists present the poetry and music of K. Lee Scott’s “Christmas Cantata:

The Incarnation.” Congregational hymns and liturgy respond to the cantata’s joyful and meaningful

message.

Instrumental Prelude Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella Arr. Douglas Smith

Bringing the Light

* Call to Worship

Leader: On the Advent journey we hear many voices:

“Keep awake!” the gospel proclaims.

Worshipers (West)

Leader: “Prepare a way!” a voice cries out.

Worshipers (East)

Leader: “My spirit will sing!” a pregnant woman exclaims.

Worshipers (Central)

Choir: Prepare a way for Christ! Look for Immanuel; clear a path!

Prepare a way for Christ!

Leader: Voices – ancient and contemporary – call us forward

to discover the joy of finding God in us and all things.

* Hymn 155 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

Anthem Glory Be to God on High K. Lee Scott Though in this hymn poem Charles Wesley reveals 18th century Europe’s highest image of God as an

eternal heavenly Monarch (an idea reflected in Pullen’s Christ Window imagery), his call for rejoicing

comes when God is discovered as an earth-born human child.

Glory be to God on high, See the eternal Son of God

and to the earth be peace: a mortal son below,

God comes down; God bows the sky; dwelling in an earthly clod,

God proves to be our friend! whom heav’n cannot contain!

God the invisible appears, Stand amazed ye heavens at this!

God the blest, the great I AM The Lord of earth and skies

sojourns in this vale of tears, humbled to the dust he is,

and Jesus is his name. and in a manger lies!

God the angels all adored, We the folk on earth rejoice,

their Maker and their King: the Prince of Peace proclaim,

tidings of their humbled Lord with heaven’s host lift up our voice

they now to mortals bring: and shout Immanuel’s name.

emptied of great majesty, Knees and hearts to Love we bow;

of great dazzling glories shorn, of our flesh, and of our bone,

Being’s Source begins to be, Jesus is our brother now,

and Sovereign God is born! and God is All – our own!

-Charles Wesley (1707-1788), alt.

Lighting the Candle of Joy

Leader: We light the candle of joy.

People: May the kind of joy that reignites our passion to care well for one another

fill us these days.

Song of Blessing 133 (Stanza 1) like a child LIKE A CHILD Children in kindergarten through 2nd Grade may follow the light to their service of worship.

PRAYERS

Joys of the Congregation

Silent Meditation - During this time of silence you are invited to write a word that represents

joy to you on the star you were given when you entered worship. Place these in the offering plate

that we may share them with each other when departing worship.

Prayers of Joy

* worshipers are invited to stand

SHARING THE WORD

Gospel Reading John 1:6-8, 19-28

Commentary

Anthem Love Came Down at Christmas Scott Christina Rossetti’s poem proclaims that the sign of God’s incarnation is love, echoing the ancient

hymn: “Where charity and love are found, God is there.”

Love came down at Christmas, Worship we the Godhead,

love all lovely, love divine; love, incarnate, love divine;

love was born at Christmas– worship we our Jesus-

star and angel gave the sign. but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

love be yours and love be mine;

love to God and neighbor,

love for plea and gift and sign.

-Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), alt.

Wisdom Reading Proverbs 8:22-31

Anthem In the Beginning Was Wisdom Scott Early Christian writings referred to the “Sophia (Wisdom) of God” indwelling Christ, but the prologue

to John’s Gospel recasts the feminine language of Wisdom to the male-oriented language of “Word.”

Today’s singing of John 1 retranslates the text to the more ancient expression, encouraging all persons

to see Christ in themselves – male or female – highly valued, and “full of grace and truth.”

In the beginning was Wisdom, and Wisdom was with God, and Wisdom was God.

The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by her; and without her was not

anything made that was made. In her was life, and the life was the light of the world. The light

shines in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. She was in the world, and the world

was made by her, and the world knew her not. She came to her own and her own did not receive

her. But as many as received her, to them she gave the power to become God’s children, even to

those who believe on her name, who were born not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, but of God.

And Wisdom was made flesh and dwelled among us, and we beheld her glory, the glory of the

only begotten of the Sovereign, full of grace and truth.

-John 1:1-5, 10-14, translation based on ancient Jewish Wisdom tradition

* Hymn (insert) Holy Wisdom Comes to Earth TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM

OFFERING OUR GIFTS

Offertory Statement

Organ Offertory Divinum Mysterium Arr. Wilbur Held

Anthem Exult, O Morning Stars Aflame! Scott The refrain of Timothy Dudley-Smith’s hymn recognizes love as the sole motivation for Christ, and by

extension, for all who seek to live as Christ to others.

Exult, O morning stars aflame! By faith behold the Crucified,

with all the works of God proclaim his arms of mercy open wide,

the Child of Bethlehem who came the Lamb of Calvary, who died

for love and love alone. for love and love alone.

Come earth and air and sky and sea, Let every eye God’s glories see,

bear witness to his deity who was, and is, and is to be;

who lived, the Man of Galilee, who reigns as Christ in Majesty

for love and love alone. for love and love alone.

O world, by strife and sorrow torn,

new hope is yours on Christmas morn,

the Prince of Peace a child is born,

for love and love alone.

-Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1992

RESPONDING

* Hymn (insert) Tomorrow Christ is Coming MERLE’S TUNE

Concerns of the Congregation

Prayers of the People

Anthem That Maiden’s Child Scott This ancient poem offers a humbling contemplation: as Jesus lived, so can we. In that example we can

walk difficult paths and endure. The poem also offers a confession: we trespass when we fail to live as

ones who are Christ to the world.

That maiden’s child Now Christ Jesu,

most meek and mild, of love most true,

alonely for my sake, have mercy upon me:

Love’s holy will I ask thee grace

for to fulfill for my trespass

he came, great pains did take. that I have done to thee.

Such pain and smart For thy sweet name

as in his heart save me from shame

he suffered for his kind and all adversity;

I, too, can take, for thy dear sake

and mourning make to thee me take,

so meekly for a friend. and mourn no more for me.

-John Gwyneth, c. 1530, alt.

* Hymn 138 Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn REJOICE, REJOICE

Benediction

Choral Response See, See, the Word Is Incarnate Scott With references to the nativity stories, these two exclamations celebrate incarnate Love. Visualizing

this incarnation in ourselves calls humankind to live with respect for all persons, bringing hope, peace

and joy to the world.

See, see, the Word is incarnate;

God is made flesh in the womb of a maiden.

Shepherds rejoice, wise ones adore and angels sing:

“Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.”

(Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to persons of good will.)

-Godfrey Goodman, c. 1624, alt. Knees and hearts to Love we bow;

of our flesh and of our bone, Jesus is our brother now,

and God is All – our own!

-Charles Wesley, alt.

* Organ Postlude Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Arr. Gordon Young

* worshipers are invited to stand

Following the worship service simple refreshments are served in the parlor to welcome

visitors. Church members are invited to attend, to visit with each other, and to assist in

welcoming our guests. The hosts this morning are Gene and Theresa Moore.

Our liturgist and offering prayers this morning is our pastor, Nancy Petty. Lighting the Advent

Candle of Joy is Josh Edwards, a regular participant in the young adult group. Offering music for

worship are the Chancel Choir; Members of the Pullen Orchestra with guest instrumentalists; Janice

Hocutt, organist; and Larry E. Schultz, Minister of Music.

The Chancel Choir and Instrumentalists

Soprano: Carol Ashcraft, Cathy Corbin, Sylvia Edwards, Lois Gibbon, Carol Hodge,

Jane Hutchby, Oppie Jordan, Becky Overstreet, Jane Rhudy, Abby Sandling, Pam Woodall;

Alto: Mary Cochran, Beth Ragan Gad, Sue Kearney, Amelia Mahan, Nadine Martin,

Pat Thomas, Sharron Underwood; Tenor: Neal Braswell, Edward Famer, Gary Oyster,

Bo Reece, Thom Solomon, Ben Stockdale; Bass: Jeff Cherry, John Corbin, Vic Correll,

Shayne Gad, Ed Gibbon, Ellis Gurry, Jim Hodge, Andrew Marteka, Phil Miller, Ned Yellig;

Vocal Soloists: Sylvia Edwards, Jane Rhudy; Organist: Janice Hocutt; Trumpet: Lisa Burn,

Renee Todd; Horn: Robin Gorham, Philip Norris, John Price; Trombone: Henry Kilcup,

Frank Longino; Percussion: Sawyer Harris; Minister of Music: Larry E. Schultz.

The crafting of the mirrored worship guide cover by a host of volunteers was led by Pam Woodall

and Carol Aschraft. The Advent paraments on the lectern, table and pulpit were created by Carol

Hodge and Pat Thomas.

Worship Assistants: Derrick Davis, Heidi McLean, Mike Amburn, Eddie Cash, Muriel

Henderson, John McLean, Hyach Rahlan, Jimmy Smith, Betty A. Adkinson,

Cathy Wagoner, Steve Edwards, Sally Walton and Garry Walton.

Acolytes: Azaria Anderson and Porter Neiley.

Exult, O Morning Stars Aflame! by Timothy Dudley Smith ©1997 Hope Publishing Company.

All rights reserved. Used by permission. OneLicense.net # A-701723

Christmas Poinsettias & Greenery Given in Honor of: Alice Baryenbruch, by her daughter-in-law Laura Ford

Steve Braun and Ruth Pardue, by Robert and Noelle Schofield

Warren Chesson, by Pat Hielscher and Brooks Wicker

Mary Ruth and Roger Crook, by Renee Keever

Anne Dahle, by Sarah Benbow

Walker Ford, by his daughter Laura Ford

Trudy Fox, by her daughter Holly Harris

The Handy Corp, by Brooks Wicker

Marinel Harris, by her son Bob Harris

Sylvanda Judd, by Mary Lou Eycke

Pullen Staff, by Hilda and Larry Highfill

Pullen Staff, by Cheryl Stallings, Mark and Charlie Crampton

B.J. Welker, by Pat Hielscher and Brooks Wicker

Brooks Wicker, by her colleagues at Pullen

Christmas Poinsettias and Greenery Given in Memory of:

Wilton and Virginia Abbott, by their grandson Roger Adkins

William and Florence Adams, by their son John Adams

William Adkins, by his son Roger Adkins

William and Nellie Adkins, by their grandson Roger Adkins

Porter and Beatrice Averill, by their granddaughter Carolyn Sexton

Dick Baryenbruch, by his daughter-in-law Laura Ford

Beau, beloved pet of Ruth Pardue and Steve Braun, by Robert and Noelle Schofield

Eugene Benbow, by his wife Sarah Benbow

Minerva Bright, by her granddaughter Eleanor Fleming

Jimmy Cirilo, by Roger Adkins

Chuck & Mary Lynne Crampton, by Mark & Charlie Crampton and Cheryl Stallings

Burton de Wolfe Davis, by his son Derrick Davis

Sarah Blanche Davis, by her son Derrick Davis

Carmen Ford, by her daughter Laura Ford

Leo Fox, by his daughter Holly Harris

Mary Beth Hall, by Anne Dahle

Tom Harris, by his son Bob Harris

Earl Herring, by his son Brian Herring

Vonceil and Norman Hielscher, by their daughter Pat Hielscher

Roy and Minnie Hilliard, by their daughter Loretta Allen-Adams

Frances McQuaid, by Rita and Erich Rakestraw

Ernest and Emily Miller, by their granddaughter Carolyn Sexton

Daniel Mitchell, by his aunt Holly Harris

Claxton & Dorothy Stallings, by their family Cheryl Stallings, Mark & Charlie Crampton

Donna Steely, by Pat Hielscher and Brooks Wicker

Ed Sumpter, by his wife Jeanne Sumpter

Isaac J. Wicker, by his daughter Brooks Wicker

George Pugh Williams, by his brother Gaston Williams

Betsy Wooden, by her granddaughter Chris Wooden-Hand

Warren Wooden, by his daughter Chris Wooden-Hand

Large print bulletins, hymnals and hearing assistance devices are available in the foyer.

Pullen Memorial Baptist Church 1801 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, North Carolina 27605

www.pullen.org | @PullenChurch

919-828-0897