Sunday, December 25, 2011

Sing with Joy

 Visitors:  Welcome to our church.  Please sign our guest book!  If you do not have a church home, we pray that you will find one with us.  We have large-print bulletins available, as well as hearing assistance devices.  Please ask an usher if you require either of these.  Restrooms are located in the church school building.  Go through the door next to the choir loft, and straight ahead.  We also have restrooms downstairs in Fellowship Hall.  Again, exit through the door next to the choir loft, turn left down the hall, and go down the steps. 

 We Gather To Worship

Preludes:  Lydia, Eric, and Diane

 Announcements

Chime Interlude

 *Call To Worship

Leader:    Do not be afraid!  I bring you good news.

All:         We who are poor in spirit.

Leader:    Take heart, Jesus Christ is born today.

All:         We who falter under worldly rulers.

Leader:    Take heart, a new ruler has come.

All:         We who long for peace.

Leader:    Take heart, the prince of peace has come.

All:         We who yearn to be close to God.

Leader:    Take heart, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.  Do not be afraid, this good news is for all the earth.  Lift up your hearts and sing with joy!  Jesus Christ is born!

 *Hymn:  “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child” ……………………..#177

*Opening Prayer (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    We offer a prayer of thanks to God.  God, you have heard the people,

All:         and we are thankful.

Leader:    You have not forgotten your creation, but continued to love and care for it,

All:         and we are blessed.

Leader:    You choose to work through humans who doubt, are afraid, feel unworthy,

All:         and we are forgiven.

Leader:    You reveal yourself to us in Jesus, so we might find our way back to you,

All:         and we are the sheep of your flock.

Leader:    God is faithful and kind,

All:         and we thank you and love you with heart, mind, and strength.  Amen.

 *Response:  “Sing We Now of Christmas”……………… ….…#159, V 1

 Prayer Of Confession

Leader:    Generous God, you give us the greatest gift of all, yourself, but often we find it hard to take notice; we are caught up with our own gifts, given and received.

People:   Forgive us, generous God, for the casual way we treat your gift of love.  Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.   (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Mary’s Little Boy Child.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

Leader:    I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town ofDavida Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Affirmation:    “Jesus, Name Above All Names”. . . ………………..#106

 We Hear The Word

 Reading Of The Scripture:    Isaiah 52: 7-10

 Anthem:    “Somewhere in Bethlehem”…………………………..Denglar

Reading Of The Gospel:    John 1: 1-14

Message For This Day

*We say what we believe:  The Nicene Creed……………………..#15

Pastoral Prayers And 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.)

 We Respond To God

 Our Offering

Offertory:   “Worship the King”…………….Solo byLydia

Accompanist:  Eric

 *Doxology:  “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ………………#809

*Prayer Of Dedication

 Holy Communion:  

During the distribution of the bread, we will sing  “Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming”..#163, vs 1-2

During the distribution of the cup we will sing “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”……#145, vs 1-2

Post Communion Prayer

All:…….. Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word:  Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

*Closing Hymn:  “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” …………….#156

*Blessing

Leader:   As you go, make a joyful noise to God with all the earth, sing joyous songs of praise, let the trumpets ring, the seas roar and the mountains sing for God has come among us, and love is born within us.  Hallelujah!  May God be the song you sing, Jesus Christ be the melody on your hearts, and the Spirit the breath in your lungs.  Go in the peace of Christ.  Amen.

 *Choral Benediction:  “Emmanuel, Emmanuel ”……………#140

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able. 

  

December’s  Proverb:

If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.        Proverbs 21:  13

 New Year’s Worship Schedule:    (Next Sunday)  Worship 10:00 a.m.; no Sunday School

Thank You to everyone who participated in our community night at Hoss’s.  We made $106.83 which will go to Hoffman Homes.

Our Next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, January 15, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Please consider getting a team together and joining us for an evening of fun and fellowship!  Any questions, contact Gina.

Report Information from committees, ministries, and Sunday School is requested as a Word document by January 5, 2012.

Soup Kitchen Update – the last Soup Kitchen of the year will be held on Saturday, 12/31/11, with a special post-Christmas  and pre-New Years’ menu being planned.   Donna has so very graciously donated a turkey for the occasion; the balance of the menu will include all the holiday fixings’ associated with the Christmas holiday. While everyone is caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, please keep in mind the need of those who attend the Soup Kitchen – any effort is always appreciated.  Note – all food will be picked up on Saturday, 12/31/11, by 9:30 a.m.   Any questions and/or concerns or if you need donated food to be picked-up directly, please call Pam.   A special thank you to everyone who has helped with the Soup Kitchen this year.  Enjoy the holidays and have a truly Blessed holiday season.

Scarves For Special Olympics.   The organizers of the Special Olympics are interested in providing handmade scarves to the participants in this year’s winter games.  The scarves may be knitted or crocheted in any pattern, but they must use Red Heart Yarn #319 Cherry Red and #387 Soft Navy.  Each scarf must be 6 inches wide and 54-60 inches long, and must use both colors of yarn.   Completed scarves should be returned to Valerie by February 1, 2012.  Please see Valerie if you would like additional information.  

 All Church Contributions to be recorded in 2011 need to be received by December 31, 2011.

The Food Pantry item for December is coffee, tea, and hot chocolate; January, laundry detergent.

Habitat For Humanity.  The Gettysburg Habitat house still needs volunteers for every Saturday through at least January 7, 2012.  The work day is from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; but if it only suits for part of the day, that would also work.  Anyone interested in working on any Saturday should please contact Roger.

 2012 Greeters Needed for most Sundays.

 2012 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for most Sundays.

 Coming Up Next Week:

Dec. 28, Choir Practice, Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Dec. 31, Soup Kitchen, Prince of Peace, 10:45 – 1 pm

Dec. 31, Habitat for Humanity,Gettysburg, 8 am – 4 pm

Looking Forward:

Jan. 1, Worship,  (no Sunday School; pushing worship time back one hr.),         10:00 am         

Jan. 4, Bible Discovery, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Jan. 7, Consistory Retreat,ZionHse,    9-1 pm

Jan. 8, Communion and consistory installation, 9:00 am

Jan. 14, Consistory/Staff dinner

Jan. 15, Trivia Nite, 6:00 pm

Jan. 23, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm    

Jan. 26, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Jan. 30, CEST Mtg, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm