1. family and parenting
2. children

The Service for The Lord’’s Day
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Adult Choir Lessons and Carols
December 21, 2014
10:30 a.m.
Gathering Around the Word
Carillon Voluntary
Jacob Noblett
Welcome and Announcements
Please sign the Ritual of Friendship Pad so those sitting near you may greet you.
10:30 a.m.
*Passing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer Before Worship
The Book of Common Worship, No. 3, p. 177
Who are we, Lord God that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and
redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the
sound of your word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works, through him
whose coming is certain, whose days draw near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prelude
He Is Born!
Dale Wood
Chiming of the Trinity
*Responsive Call to Worship
Leader: Advent is a time to bind up the broken hearted.
People: Come, Lord, and make all things new.
Leader: For past wrongs that prevent us from moving forward.
People: Come, Lord, and make all things new.
Leader: For any bitterness that scratches our soul:
People: Come, Lord, and make all things new.
Leader: For relationships left in decay and neglect:
People: Come, Lord, and make all things new.
Leader: For any action that has wounded us or by which we have wounded others:
People: Grant that we might have the hope of Christ as we wait,
the peace of Christ as we live, the joy of Christ as we serve,
the love of Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.
Sam Warner
*Lighting The Candles
*Hymn No. 41
O Come, All Ye Faithful
(Please use The Presbyterian Hymnal in the pew rack if you wish.)
1)
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
O come and behold him, born the King of angels.
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
2)
Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
'Glory to God, all glory in the highest'.
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
3)
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
ADESTE FIDELIS
*Choral Response
Christ, Be Our Light!
Sanctuary Choir
*Lighting the Advent Candles
Tad, Anne, Rob, Jay and Lida Hixson
This morning we light four candles. The first candle is the light of Hope for those in times of waiting.
The second candle is the light of Peace for those who are wearied by the circumstances of life. The third
candle is the light of Joy for those who are eagerly watching for God’s promised glory. The fourth
candle is the light of Love for those who carry the wounds of life. Today we acknowledge our pain and
the pain we have caused others. As the light shines, we turn to the Savior who came to rescue the lost,
to help the hurting, and to bind up the broken.
*Congregational Response
Christ, Be Our Light!
Farrell/Raney
Unison Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, Advent reminds us that you left heaven’s majesty to walk among wounded people
in a broken world. We thank you that your love knows no boundaries or limitations. No wound
of this earth is greater than the wounds you came to heal. For all who suffer this day, light the
way, O Lord, toward the promise of healing and wholeness made known in you. This we pray
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel!
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
Sam Warner
*Congregational Response
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
HYFRYDOL
Children’s Sermon
Robin Russell
Children come forward as we sing Away in A Manger.
Afterward Preschoolers go to E108 for PAWS (Preschoolers At Worship Service)
There will be no Children’s Church for Kindergarteners through 2nd Graders today.
Sharing before the Word our Joys and Concerns and our Gifts
Joys and Concerns of the Church
Please sign the Friendship Pad so those sitting near you may greet you.
Bidding Prayer
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Sam Warner
Chris VanderMeer
The Lord’s Prayer
The Presbyterian Hymnal, p. 16
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.
Leader:
The Almighty God bless us with his grace: Christ give us the joys of everlasting life: and unto
the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
Offertory
People, Look East
Dale Wood
*The Doxology and Prayer of Dedication
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him, above, Ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Lessons and Carols
*Hymn No. 49
Once In Royal David’s City
Middle School Choir:
1)
Once in royal David’s city Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby And His cradle was a stall.
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child
Congregation:
2)
IRBY
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.
For he is our childhood's pattern, day by day like us he grew.
He was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew;
And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love.
For that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above;
And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
3)
4)
First Lesson
Carol
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People
Matthew Noles
arr. John Ferguson
Sanctuary Choir
“Comfort, comfort now my people; Tell of peace!” So says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness Mourning under sorrow’s load.
To God’s people now proclaim That God’s pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever!
For the herald’s voice is crying In the desert far and near,
Calling us to true repentance, Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valley rise to meet him, And the hills bow down to greet him!
Straight shall be what long was crooked, And the rougher places plain!
Let your hearts be true and humble, As befits his holy reign!
For the glory of the Lord Now on earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token That God’s word is never broken.
Second Lesson
Carol
Isaiah 9:1-7
Lo, How a Rose / The Rose
Sanctuary and High School Choirs
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung.
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed;
Of Jesse’s lineage coming As men of old have sung.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed;
It came a Flow’ret bright,
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need;
Carter Frady
arr. Craig Hella Johnson
Amid the cold of winter
I say love, it is a flower, and you, its only seed.
When half- spent was the night.
It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance;
It’s the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance;
It’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give;
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.
This Flow’r whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong;
Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness everywhere.
True Man, yet very God,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow;
From sin and death He saves us
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.
And lightens ev’ry load.
Third Lesson
Carol
Luke 1:26-35, 38
There Is Faint Music In the Night
Del Poovey
Dan Forrest
Sanctuary Choir
There is faint music in the night, And pale wings fanned by silver flight;
A frosty hill with tender glow Of countless stars that shine on snow.
A shelter from the winter storm, A straw-lined manger, safe and warm,
And Mary singing lullabies, To hush her Baby’s sleepy sighs.
Her eyes are fixed upon His face, Unheeded here is time and space,
Her heart is filled with blinding joy, For God’s own Son her baby Boy!
There is faint music in the night, And pale wings panned by silver flight;
A frosty hill with tender glow of countless stars that shine on snow.
For God’s own Son a baby Boy.
Fourth Lesson
Carol
Luke 2:1-7
The First Noel
Grace Haughton
Dan Forrest
Sanctuary Choir
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
The first Noel, the angels did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay,
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.
Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord,
That hath made heav’n and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Noel…
Fifth Lesson
Carol
Matthew 1:18-21
The Hands that First Held Mary’s Child
Katherine Hamrick
Dan Forrest
Men’s Chorus
The hands that first held Mary’s child were hard from working wood.
From boards they sawed and planed and filled and splinters they withstood.
This day they gripped no tool of steel, they drove no iron nail,
but cradled from the head to heel our Lord, newborn and frail.
When Joseph marveled at the size of that small breathing frame,
and gazed upon those bright new eyes and spoke the infant’s name,
The angel’s words he once had dreamed poured down from heaven’s height,
and like the host of stars that beamed blessed earth will welcome light.
“This child shall be Emmanuel, not God upon the throne,
but God with us, Emmanuel, as close as blood and bone.”
The tiny form in Joseph’s palms confirmed what he had heard,
and from his heart rose hymns and psalms for heaven’s human word.
The tools that Joseph laid aside a mob would later lift
and use with anger, fear, and pride to crucify God’s gift.
Let us, O Lord, not only hold the child who’s born today,
but charged with faith may we behold to follow in His way.
Sixth Lesson
Carol
Luke 2:8-20
Were You There On that Christmas night?
Tom McMeeken
Natalie Sleeth
Middle School Choir
Were you there, were you there on that Christmas night, when the world was filled with a holy light?
Were you there to behold, when the wonder foretold came to earth?
Did you see, did you see how they hailed Him king, with the gifts so rare that they chose to bring?
Did you see how they bowed, as they praised Him aloud at his birth?
Did you hear how the choirs of Angels sang, at the glory of the sight?
Did you hear how the bells of Heaven rang, all through the night?
Did you know, did you know it was God’s own Son, the salvation of the world begun?
Did you know it was love, that was sent from above to the earth?
Did you know it was love, that was sent from above to the earth?
Carol
Medieval Gloria
High School Choir
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!…
(Glory to God in the highest)
Et in terra pax, pax hominibus bonae volunta tis
(And on earth peace, goodwill)
Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.
(Praise Him, Bless Him, Adore Him, Glorify Him)
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!…
(Glory to God in the highest)
Gratias agimus tibi propter magnum gloriam tuam. Domine Deus!
(We thank you Lord for your great glory)
Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo!…
(Glory to God in the highest)
Vijay Singh
Seventh Lesson
Carol
John 1:1-14
Blessed Is the Lord
Mark Noles
Dan Forrest
Sanctuary and High School Choirs
Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord.
Benedictus, Benedictus, Welcome His Incarnate Word.
Chosen first among the priests to serve within the temple walls,
Zacharias stood in awe when he heard the angel call.
Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord.
Benedictus, Benedictus, Welcome His Incarnate Word.
“Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, will come to raise salvation’s horn.
God Incarnate, Word made flesh, to a virgin shall be born.”
Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord.
Benedictus, Benedictus, Welcome His Incarnate Word.
Christ brings light to sin’s dark night: Our Dayspring, Jesus from on high,
Saints and angels sing God’s praise. All the earth and Heav’ns reply:
Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord.
The Blessing
Sam Warner
The Lord be with you.
And also with you. Let us pray.
O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only son, Jesus Christ: Grant
that as we joyfully receive him for our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he
shall come to be our judge; who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without
end. Amen.
May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of
inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Bearing and Following the Word Into the World
*Hymn No. 56
The First Nowell
THE FIRST NOWELL
1) The first Nowell the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay a-keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
2) They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
3) And by the light of that same star, Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.
Refrain
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
4) This star drew nigh to the northwest; O’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay, Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
*Extinguishing the Candles
*Benediction
*Chiming of the Trinity
*Postlude
*Carillon Voluntary
Sam Warner
This Day Is Filled with Joy
__________________________________
*Please stand as you are able.
J. S. Bach
Mary McFarland
Church Staff
The Rev. Samuel P. Warner, Pastor
The Rev. Daria L. Ragan, Associate Pastor
Suzanne M. Fairbairn, Director of Music/Organist
Robin H. Russell, Director of Christian Education
Cindy Hammer, Weekday School Director
Heather Moore, Weekday School Assistant Director
Sherri Smith, Office Administrator
Jeannie Sigmon, Financial Administrator
Catherine S. P. Carstarphen, Presbyterian Psychological Services Counselor
The Rev. Kent Tilley, Presbyterian Psychological Services Counselor
Debbie King, Housekeeper
Lunelle Durham, Nursery Caregiver
Courtney Lester, Nursery Caregiver
Deanna Matthews, Nursery Caregiver
Officers of the Church
THE SESSION
Samuel P. Warner, Moderator
Jim Stallings, Treasurer
Daria L. Ragan, Vice-Moderator
Marty R. Barnes, Records Clerk
Mike Holder, Clerk of Session
Ron Barnes, Assistant Clerk of Session
Class of 2013
David W. Cloninger, Personnel & Admin.
Beth Geddis, Weekday School
Gwen Hall, Worship
Beth Howe, Property
William Howe, Commitment & Finance
Mike Pate, Fellowship
Class of 2014
Carissa Burns, Commitment & Finance
David A. Cloninger, Property
Tad Hixson, Coordinating & Planning
Margaret Packard, Education
Jeff Rhyne, Property
Mary Randall Rhyne, Worship
Class of 2015
Jay Carpenter, Stewardship
Harold Fite, Missions & Denom. Relations
Donna Grant, Fellowship
Ann Brittian Green, Coordinating & Planning
Laurie Maultsby, Personnel & Administration
Lissa McMeeken, Missions & Denom. Rel.
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
Steve Burleson, Moderator
Katherine Boiter, Secretary
Class of 2013
Mary Barron, New Members
Mark Biggs, Greeting & Ushering
Steve Burleson, Coordinating & Planning
Shane Davis, Outreach
Lisa Neisler, Outreach
Caroline Sheppard, Congregational Care
Amy VanderMeer, Weekday School
Andy Stalder, Vice Moderator
Patrick Lane, Assistant Treasurer
Class of 2014
Mary Austin, Congregational Care
Jeff Biggerstaff, Greeting & Ushering
Dana Frady, New Members
Patrick Lane, Commitment & Finance
Andy Stalder, Coordinating & Planning
Donita Stewart, Congregational Care
Kim Watson, Congregational Care
Class of 2015
Katherine Boiter, Outreach
Patricia Burke, Congregational Care
Andy Cheshire, New Members
John Kines, Greeting & Ushering
David Minnich, Outreach
Megan Price, New Members
THE CORPORATION
Tad Hixson, President
Ann Brittian Green, Vice-President
Jim Stallings, Treasurer
First Presbyterian Church
102 South Central Avenue
Post Office Box 1
Belmont, NC 28012
www.fpc-belmont.org
(704) 825-3357
Mike Holder, Secretary
December 21, 2014
From the Pastor
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We especially welcome all guests and visitors and invite you
to sign the Friendship Pad with your address, phone number, email address and any other contact information.
We are glad you are here!
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and marks the beginning of a new church year with the Season
of Advent. The liturgical color is Purple until Christmas Eve and the Sundays following Christmas through
Epiphany when the liturgical color will be White.
Lighting the Advent Candle of Love will be Tad, Anne, Rob, Jay and Lida Hixson.
The Christmas Joy Offering continues to be received this morning and throughout the Sundays of
December. Special offering envelopes are in the pew racks and a handout explaining the offering is available in
the Gathering Area.
A Christmas Ornament depicting our church in 24 Kt. gold and attractively gift boxed (perfect for
giving to family and friends) is available for purchase following Worship in the Gathering Area. The cost of the
ornament is $15 and receipts will be used to support our Youth and College Age mission trips.
Christmas Eve Services once again this year will include a special Children’s and Family Service at 11
a.m. and Traditional Candlelight Communion at 5:30 p.m. A Birthday Cake for Jesus will be served to
children in the Gathering Area following the 11 a.m. service and several of our college-age members will serve
as lay readers at 5:30 p.m. This year’s loose offering from both services on Christmas Eve will go to support
the outreach ministry of the Belmont Community Organization (B.C.O.).
As 2014 draws to a close we continue to receive our Time and Talent Pledge cards and Financial
Pledge cards for next year. If you have yet to complete one or both Pledge cards, please do so as the offering
plate is passed today. Extra Time and Talent and Financial Pledge cards and “confidential” envelopes are
available in the Gathering Area. Please be sure to complete the back of the Time and Talent Pledge card and
update individual and family contact information.
2014 Charitable Gifts need to be received by the church by Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Any checks
received on January 1, 2015 will be considered a 2015 contribution. A backdated check received in 2015 cannot be
deducted in 2014. There is one exception; checks that are mailed and postmarked in 2014 are deductible in 2014
even if not received until 2015. Jeannie will be in the office until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. Please
call Jeannie as soon as possible if you need information regarding your 2014 pledge balance.
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
God’s Grace and Peace to you!
Sam
Special Worship Notes …
•
If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family please speak to one of the elders
standing at the doors following Worship. Elders greeting are Lissa McMeeken and Chris VanderMeer.
•
A Changing Table and Rocking Chair are available in the Bride’s Room adjacent to the Parlor and
Women’s Rest Room for parents attending Worship with young children.
•
The Harbinger Church Newsletter for this week (December 21) is available in the Gathering Area.
•
The Joys and Concerns of the Church shared during Worship are available in leaflet form in the
Gathering Area as a daily devotional guide that includes The Order for Daily Prayer.
•
Thank you for turning off cell phones during Worship. Please also refrain from taking flash pictures
and using video equipment. CDs and DVDs of Worship ($2 each) are available by contacting the
church office.
The Frank P. Hall Spiritual Enrichment Series
Jesus
in
the
Gospel
of
Mark
!
After an eight-year hiatus, The Frank P. Hall Spiritual
Enrichment Series returns with two special events in
which we can experience Jesus in unique ways,
come to a deeper understanding of him and
ourselves, and strengthen our faith.
SUZANNE WATTS HENDERSON, PH.D
Adult Sunday School - January 11 and 18
Dr. Suzanne Watts Henderson is an Associate
Professor in Philosophy and Religion at Queens
University and widely published in the field of
New Testament studies. Her latest book, Christ
and Community: The Gospel Witness to Jesus, has
been called “fresh, illuminating, accessible” and “a
delight to read”. Engaging and down-to-earth, Dr.
Watts Henderson considers teaching “her greatest
joy.” She will teach us on the topics, “Mark’s
Apocalyptic Story: The Mission of Christ and
Community” and “The Destiny of Christ and
Community.”
MARK’S GOSPEL LIVE - REV. JOSEPH MORRIS
January 24 at 7:00 pm
Before the gospels were written, early Christians
learned about Jesus by hearing the stories of
eyewitnesses. Ordained Catholic priest Reverend
Joseph Morris invites us to enter into Mark’s
gospel as our ancestors did - through dramatic
storytelling. Not a reading or a talk, these are the
actual words of the Gospel enacted in a moving
and powerful solo performance that brings us into
the story and experience of Jesus.
6:00- 6:45: Hors d’oeuvres
7:00: Performance
Intermission with light dessert
This performance may be too intense for children
younger than middle school. BY RESERVATION ONLY,
there will be childcare for infants - 4 years and
planned activities for kindergarten - 5th grade. There
is no charge. The performance is about 2 hours long.
CHILDCARE: 704-825-3357, [email protected]