Dec 18, 2016 - Garland; Dot Holladay; Jerry Bleckley; Ray Kisiah; Maurice Stone; Judy Blatchley;. Becky Stradley; Joan B
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org
December 18, 2016 – 10:30 am Fourth Sunday in Advent – Wonder
“For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” ~ Oscar Wilde
Bell Peal Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy
Sung Prayer
Gloria, Gloria
Chancel Choir & Congregation
Responsive Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-15 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. Lighting the Advent Candle Candle Lighting Litany Through the unexpected, come, Lord Jesus. Through the miraculous, come, Lord Jesus. With fidelity, come, Lord Jesus. With trust, come, Lord Jesus. * Hymn 105 People, Look East BESANÇON * Call to Reconciliation * Prayer of Confession God of Mercy and Miracles, Waiting is challenging for us. We prefer instant results and clear signs of productivity. We are tired of waiting. We confess a high level of distraction from the things you call us to attend to in this world. Wake us up to who you are calling us to be today, right now, right here. And give us the energy to be actively in your service while we are waiting. Help us to never tire of your kingdom work. Amen. * Assurance of Forgiveness
* Response * Passing of the Peace
And you, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O, rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing. The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Faith Sharing with Children (Please come forward when invited and place your
gifts of diapers and baby items at the manger)
Our Life Together (Please sign the pad located in your pew) Minute for Mission – Partnership for Pastoral Counseling
Anthem
Keep Your Lamps
Prayer for Illumination New Testament The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God!
Andre Thomas
Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon
“Of Wonder and Weary Dreams” Marcia Mount Shoop
Silent Meditation
* Hymn 107
Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
REJOICE, REJOICE
* Affirmation of Faith (from the Confession of 1967) We believe that God has created the world of space and time to be the sphere of God's dealings with humankind. In its beauty and vastness, sublimity and awfulness, order and disorder, the world reflects to the eye of faith the majesty and mystery of its Creator. We believe that God has created us for personal relationship in which we may respond to the love of the Creator. Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage.
Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Offertory Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus setting by John Turner * Doxology Sung to REGENT’S SQUARE Praise the Lover of Creation, Praise the Spirit, Friend of Friends, Praise the true Beloved, our Savior, Praise the God who makes and mends, Strong, surrendered, many-splendored, Three whose Oneness never ends.
* Prayer of Dedication Holy God, Receive and bless these gifts to your kingdom work in this waiting world. Help them to be sources of comfort, encouragement, and transformation. And help us to extend ourselves into your world with generosity and grace. Amen.
Prayers of the People Each section of the prayer will conclude: “God, in your grace”
Please respond: “Hear our prayer”
The Lord’s Prayer
* Hymn 384
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. Soon and Very Soon
* Charge & Benediction * Postlude Wachet Auf
SOON AND VERY SOON
Michael Burkhardt
------------------------------------------------- (For some, the Voluntary serves as festive music to accompany their going back out into the world. Others prefer to remain seated and listen. Please be mindful of these different needs as you depart. Thank you!)
* Please Stand in Body or Spirit. We gather to worship God who is larger than all our imaginations! We encourage all persons to sing the gender nouns and pronouns they prefer in referring to God.
Our Life Together…
Thank You! Head Usher: Bill Wolcott | Liturgist: Mary Lou Nash Thank you to Jeannette Williams for the flowers that decorate our sanctuary this morning, given to the glory of God, with thoughts and prayers for a blessed holiday season.
Deacon of the Week: Melissa Shook, email:
[email protected] The Session has called a Congregational Meeting today, December 18 after the 10:30 worship service, for the purpose of electing Elders and Deacons for the class of 2019 as well as to fill vacancies in the class of 2018.
2017 Stewardship Campaign Update We have received $677,437 in pledges. Thank you! Our goal is to raise $760,000, and we need $82,563 to reach our goal. Please make your pledge by filling out a pledge card or emailing
[email protected]. Feel free to contact Paul Tierney
[email protected], Kate Shem
[email protected], Joe Brumit
[email protected], or Margaret Tierney
[email protected]
Advent Ministry Partner This year we are highlighting the work of our Ministry Partner, Partnership for Pastoral Counseling, during the Advent season. Our Christmas Eve offerings will support their important work. The Partnership for Pastoral Counseling has been providing affordable pastoral counseling that integrates spiritual insights and behavioral science principles to empower healing and growth since 1996. 2017 Flower Chart (on bulletin board next to the elevator) Please consider signing up to give the flowers one Sunday. After signing up, email Sherrie (
[email protected]) your dedication for the Sunday bulletin and send in your check for $40. Thank you from Rebecca Gurney Dear Grace Covenant, Thank you all so much for the warm send-off last week and for the extremely generous parting gift. Evan and I were overwhelmed by your kindness and your care for us, and we are very grateful for your expression of love. Blessings on your Advent season. with love and gratitude, Rebecca, Evan, and the boys
Christmas Eve Services | December 24
5 PM | A Night Like No Other – Service for all ages Calling all angels, shepherds, and wise women and men: This service is truly a treat with carols, stories of the first Christmas, and all the children of Grace Covenant taking part! Kids, arrive a little early to pick out your costume. Hope to see you there! 9 PM | Candlelight Communion Service of Lessons and Carols The 9:00 PM service will include familiar carols, scripture and Holy Communion as we gather to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord. Prelude music will begin at 8:40 PM for those arriving early.
Christmas Day | Sunday, December 25 | 10:30 AM | Sanctuary *There is no childcare on Dec. 25, but all ages are welcome at the service.
New Year’s Day | Sunday, January 1 | 10:30 AM | Sanctuary
*Please note that on 12/25 and 1/1, there is only one service at 10:30 AM and NO education hour.
SERVE Reclaiming Christmas—Gifts That Make a Difference | LAST SUNDAY! For your last minute shopping… Nine Alternative Christmas Gifts that give to more than just the recipient…gifts that makes a difference in the lives of others! Please look for our Reclaiming Christmas Station in the narthex today. Local Ministries: • BeLoved Community, • Food Connection, • Homeward Bound, • Read2Succeed, • Veterans Restoration Quarters, ABCCM, • Wheels4Hope. International Ministries: • Guatemala Scholarship Fund, • Healing Art Missions— Haiti, • Mark Hare and Jenny Bent (PCUSA)—Haiti and the Dominion Republic. Blanket and Camping Gear Drive Do you have blankets or camping gear you no longer need? Our friends at BeLoved Asheville distribute these items to people in our community who must sleep outside during these cold months, and they need help restocking their supply. Bring your gently used blankets or camping gear to the boxes in the Information Station from now through New Year's Day! YMCA Winter Tailgate Market Due to the scheduled renovations at GCPC, the YMCA Winter Tailgate Market has relocated this year. It will be held at Crosspoint Community Church in Montford (119 Cumberland Ave.) This indoor farmer's market will be held every Saturday in January, February and March from 10 AM until 12:30 PM. We look forward to having them back with us next year.
Grow Longest Night Service | TONIGHT, December 18 | 7 PM | Sanctuary On the longest night of the year, we are particularly mindful of all among us who are grieving or struggling this Advent and Christmas, and we set aside time to come together before God in the midst of that pain. All are welcome to gather for prayerful worship of Jesus, the light of the world, who is with us even in the darkness. Childcare available upon request; email
[email protected] by Dec. 11.
Care Prayer List [We are happy to pray for anyone who is in need. Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.]
Jerusalem Church congregation; Bob Keever (Cynthia Keever’s dad); Karen Arrowood (Teresa Stern’s cousin); Margo Steyer (Lynne & Rick Noble’s mother); Natalie DeVito (Karen Rohl’s daughter); Kathy Dowdle (Karen Rohl’s friend); Ann Everett Belk (Margaret Tierney’s mother); Evelyn Milford (Mary Green’s sister); John Richardson (Jim Richardson’s brother); Pete Nigro (Bob Walther’s cousin); Parke Waggoner and family (Heather Brown’s friend); Barbara McLean (Moderator of WNC Presbytery); Barrett & Ali Payne (In Seminary); Craig, Elsa and Josie Plocica (Sheryl Aikman’s family); Betty Smith; Susan Stradley; Virginia Bradley; Hettie Lou Garland; Dot Holladay; Jerry Bleckley; Ray Kisiah; Maurice Stone; Judy Blatchley; Becky Stradley; Joan Bass Our sympathy and support are extended to Val Moncada, following the death of his wife, Mary, on Monday. Please keep Val, Joyce and the rest of the family in your prayers.
Next Sunday, December 25, 2016 Christmas Day
Worship at 10:30 AM One service only – no childcare (service will be family friendly) NO Education Hour
Scripture and Reflection Luke 2:8-20 Marcia Mount Shoop
CALENDAR
Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday
18 20 21 22 24 25 26 27
8:30 AM 9:15 AM 10:30 AM 7:00 PM 6:15 PM 11:00AM 11:45AM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:30AM
Pritchard Park Worship Education Hour Worship Longest Night Service Session Bible Study Sanctuary open for prayer Choir practice APNC Meeting Christmas Eve Service for all ages Christmas Eve Communion Service Worship (no childcare) OFFICE CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED
