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A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD
Second Sunday of Advent
December 9, 2012 - 11:00 AM
�All who are able are invited to stand Chiming of the Trinity The three bells rung at the beginning of the service represent the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the bells ring, let us gather quietly, prayerfully reflecting on the majesty of God in our lives.
Prelude Savior Of the Nations, Come J. S. Bach Welcome and Announcements Paul Lloret, Liturgist
To Praise the Living God Introit Of the Father's Love Begotten Traditional Plainsong Lighting of the Second Advent Candle James Morton and Andy & Diane Harrell An Advent Lighting Carol (tune of Away In A Manger)
A candle is burning, a candle of peace, a candle to signal that conflict must cease;
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay. �Call to Worship A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed; and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
�Hymn 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL
To Confess Our Sins and Receive Forgiveness Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Lord God, forgive our clouded memory; In the dark crevices of our hiding we forget how you
said, "Let there be light." In the confused turns of our choosing we forget how you said, "You
shall have no other gods." In the lonely corners of our living we forget how you said, "to us a
child is born." Fulfill in this place today the truth you spoke so long ago. We pray in the name
of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent Reflection and Personal Confession
Response Hymn 44, Stanza 4 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS Assurance of Pardon Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Alleluia. Amen.
To Experience God's Word Message for Children Anthem Savior Of The Nations, Come J. S. Bach Old Testament Lesson (Page 636) Isaiah 42:1-4 New Testament Lesson (Page 54) Luke 1:39-56
The Word of Our Lord, Thanks be to God!
Sermon "A Tale of Two Crèches" Rev. James Lowry
To Respond in Faith �Hymn 27 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM
�Affirmation of Faith The Apostles' Creed (Traditional) I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only
Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose
again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
�Response, Hymn 22, Stanza 4 Angels from the Realms of Glory The Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (The Presbyterian Hymnal, Page 16) Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Savior Of The Nations, Come Max Reger �Response, Hymn 53, Stanza 3 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; Come, one and all, ot own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
�Prayer of Dedication �Hymn 9 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL
To Go Forth to Serve as God's People in the World �Charge and Benediction �Closing Response Hymn 23. Stanza 3 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA Postlude Improvisation on VENI EMMANUEL
STAFF
Jim Glass - Director of Music and Organist Philip W. Neely - Treasurer Sara B. Hancock, CAP - Administrative Assistant Marlene Sperry - CDP Director
SESSION MEMBERS Robert K. Folks, Clerk
Class of 2012 Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Robert K. Folks Vickie L. Jewell Carolyn C. Hardin Elizabeth W. Gregory Robert F. Stephenson Paul E Smith Jr. William K. Williams
MINISTRY BOARDS
Caregivers Christian Formation Congregational Care Carolyn C. Hardin Vickie L. Jewell Robert F. Stephenson Paul E. Smith Jr. Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Columbarium & Fellowship Hospitality & Memorial Garden Donna C. Connors Outreach Kim M. Moredock Carolyn C. Hardin Vickie L. Jewell Paul E. Smith Jr. Nominating Committee Worship Child Dev. Program Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Vickie L. Jewell Holly C. Furr Elizabeth W. Gregory Paul E. Smith Jr.
SUPPORT COMMITTEES
Pastoral and Property Management Stewardship and Staff Relations Robert F. Stephenson Operational Support
William K. Williams William K. Williams Elizabeth W. Gregory Robert K. Folks Front Cover Drawing by Nicole Anderson.
First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990
Lancaster, South Carolina 29721
www.fpc-lancaster.org
803-283-3329
A Place to Belong, A Place to Serve
"Now you are the Body of Christ , and Individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27
OUR VISION AND MISSION
We, the members
of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ
and members of his universal Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to
WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the Gospel through word and deed;
TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all people by reaching out
in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity
as a loving and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ
OUR VALUES
The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
FAMILIES TO REMEMBER
IN PRAYER THIS WEEK
Amy Saylors
Paul Smith
Charles Stanfield
Christ Steele
PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members and friends of the church are in
need of pastoral care. During office hours, please call the church office (803-283-3329), in order that the elder
under whose care the person or family is assigned may be notified.
FIRST PREBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY
Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before or after our services and give the name of your prayer request
to our prayer ministry representatives. Their name will be given to our pastor before the
pastoral prayer to be raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are available
to express our corporate love and concern to those remembered in prayer. Please stop by each
Sunday on your way into church to sign these cards. Help us in this way to further our church's
ministry of sympathy, witness, and service to others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please pray for our members: Wilma Williamson; Darrell and Peggy Bell; Tom and Betty
Syfan; Barbara Paul; Nell Perry; Nell Carter; Locketta Stephenson; Teny Kerr; Marie Dixon;
Ann Powers; Cameron Ratkovic; Margaret Marshall; Amy Saylors; Shane Owens and family;
Bill Williams
Friends of the church (recently brought forward for prayer: Dean Williamson; Judy Craig; Randy Craig;
Brenda Robinson; Sean Squires; Tiffany Boatwright; Megan Haupt; Crystal Baker; Peggy Stansell; Kathy
Hayes; Debbie Todd; Bobby Parker; Abby Bunkley; Kathy Harrington; Beth Mobley; Eric Holloway; Annette
Spencer; Jenna Horne; Grant Vosburgh; Chick Harrell; Velta Morris; Allen Steene; Charles Knight; Linda
DeBruycker; Lisa Moore; Catherine Sherpy; Tina Sweatt; Sylvia Dunphy; David Ogburn; family of Marie
Ebanks
Please pray for those serving in our military: Angela Armour, Heath Foster, Ramon McCullough, Gary
Hogan, Vicky Taylor, Cameron Ratkovic Jr., Mitch Maybray; Daniel Byrd
PRAYER MINISTRY TABLE
Today: Amy Saylors
Next Week: Lois Rao/Margaret Steele
WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: Nursery/Preschool Class; K-5th
grade; 6th-7th grade; 8th-12th grade. Adult Classes: Men's Bible Class; Elizabeth Tennant Bible Class;
Friendship Class; Spirit/Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together as a church family!
A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are invited to become a member of our church by making your profession
of faith in Jesus Christ, by making your reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transferring your
membership from the church where you have been active. If you are interested in becoming a member of First
Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office at
283-3329.
CHURCH ACITIVITES: December 9, 2012 - December 15, 2012
Sunday 9:45 AM Sunday School for All Ages
11:00 AM Worship
Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast
11:45 AM Circle #1; home of Jane Mahaffey
Tuesday 11:30 AM Circle #3; home of Peggy Furr
Wednesday 12:00 PM Bulletin Deadline
6:00 PM Bells
7:15 PM Adult Choir
Thursday 10:00 AM Magic Needle Quilt Guild
8:00 PM Al-Anon
BULLETIN DEADLINE: Please submit all announcements to the church office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday
of each week unless noted otherwise in the bulletin. You may also send them via email to
WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the
week ahead. Please come again soon!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY
WEE WORSHIP BAGS are available in the narthex. Please return the bags to the basket
after service.
Our worship leader this morning is the Rev. James Lowry. Rev. Lowry grew up in
Providence Presbytery and has returned to Great Falls in retirement. His last installed
pastorate was Idlewild Church in Memphis, Tenn., and he has served Oakland Avenue
Presbyterian Church as interim twice.
The Administrative Assistant will be OUT OF THE OFFICE on Friday, December 14,
2012.
For those of you who want to contribute locally to provide Christmas gifts to those less
fortunate, we have an opportunity to participate in the CHRISTMAS ANGELS sponsored
by Christian Services located on White Street. We have received 10 names with suggestions
for gifts. These names will be posted on a tree in the narthex. Please sign your name beside
the number on the sheet of paper as you make your selection. Collection date is December
10, 2012. Bring them to the church and they will be taken to Christian Services for you.
Contact Presbyterian Women for more information.
CIRCLE #1 will meet Monday, December 10 at 11:45 a.m. at the home of Jane Mahaffey.
CIRCLE #3 will meet Tuesday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the home of Peggy Furr. Lunch will
be served.
There is a SING-ALONG MESSIAH in Columbia at Washington Street United Methodist Church
on Monday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. More information can be found at
www.singalongmessiah.org. The Spirit/Passage Sunday School class is planning a trip down. More
details will be announced from the pulpit regarding schedule. If you are interested in going, please let
Robert Folks or Holly Furr know.
The annual JOY GIFT offering will be received on Sunday, December 23. Checks may be made
payable to First Presbyterian Church. Be sure to mark your check as "Joy Gift."
The next WORSHIP 4 YOUth event will be January 20, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at Bethelwoods. See
Vickie Jewell or Holly for details.
The NEW ADDRESS for Fran Thomas has been posted on the bulletin board outside the church
office.
With the end of the year approaching, please try to stay current with or catch up on your contributions
to the church. We want to be able to fulfill our pledge to Presbytery regarding General Benevolences
while continuing to fund our current operating expenses which still includes our former pastor's
salary. If you have any questions about the status of your contributions to the church, please let me
know and I will provide you with that information. Thank you for your continuing support of God's
work through First Presbyterian. - Phil Neely, Treasurer
The FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY today are given to the Glory of God and the compassion of
the Holy Spirit in remembrance of a hope unborn by Chandler, Jennifer and Julia Bryan.
____________________________________________
ATTENDANCE for December 2, 2012 SS - 27 MW - 46
GIVING UPDATE
12/02/12 Year to Date
Amount Needed $3,621.14 $177,435.86
Amount Received 3,405.00 160,140.12
Over/(Under) $216.14 ($17,295.74)
Count Team: Doc Moredock; Bill Mahaffey; Holly Furr
Ushers: Andy Harper; John R. Steele; Mark Johnson; Tom Syfan
Church Opening: Andy Harper
Front Door Greeter: Andy & Suzanne Harper
Back Door Greeter: Adele Williams/Peggy Furr
Alternate Greeter: Andy & Diane Harrell
Chancel: Betsy Gregory
