December 21, 2014
Our Mission
In common with all churches we seek to:
Worship God
Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the scriptures
Develop community
Offer nurture through the pastoral care giving of our members and staff
We call people to a life of:
Discipleship
Stewardship
Spiritual development
As a faith community we seek to be:
An inviting church
Offering hospitality and
Encouragement to people in search of God.
Our Vision
We will organize our church as a center for:
Spiritual development
Music and the arts
Urban mission
Ecumenical cooperation
Our Objectives
We have some unique opportunities due to our Germantown location and
congregational history. These include:
Providing special programs for children and families in the local community
Building a healthy, diverse congregation
Developing an urban mission
Developing a ministry of music and the arts
Using our building and endowment creatively and responsibly
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown logo seen on the cover of this bulletin represents the multifaceted life of our energized congregation. The cross on the left symbolizes our Living Lord – the foundation upon which we build our faith. The harp in the yellow square represents our rich musical heritage, for
we enjoy celebrating the gift of music in worship, workshops, and concerts. It is important for us to share
music with our community. The dove symbolizes serving – offering educational and mission opportunities through our many outreach activities. People – active and joy-filled – are represented in the red
square on the right. We welcome all people to this church. We are a diverse congregation of many racial,
ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are, indeed, alive, spirit-filled, and caring.
The colors are reflective of the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. In fact, the colors of the
logo were taken directly from The Christmas Window– “Thy light is come” made by Nicola D’Ascenzo
and seen in the southwest corner of the nave.
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown –
Alive, Celebrating & Serving the Living Lord!
IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SILENTLY TO
GOD. AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE LET US GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH CHEERFULNESS.
PLEASE BE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS TURNED OFF DURING WORSHIP.
December 21, 2014
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM
GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY
Prelude: A Nativity Suite
Wilbur Held
Welcome and Announcements
Introit: Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
Johann Sebastian Bach
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light, and usher in the morning; Ye shepherds, shrink not with
affright, but hear the angel’s warning. This child, now weak in infancy, our confidence and joy
shall be, The power of Satan breaking, our peace eternal making.
†*Call to Worship
The Clever Family
Leader: God above us,
People: God beside us,
Leader: God within us,
People: Creator, Son and Spirit. Trinity of love.
Leader: You come to us in the Christ child,
Mary's babe, born of the Spirit.
People: Born to love us with passion and compassion:
restoring our lives, binding up our broken hearts and communities,
setting us free to love and be loved into a new humanity
in your name.
Leader: We light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of love.
People: Let those who have given up on love take heart in this light.
It shines for all who know the pain of loving,
Of refusing to love or of being unable to love.
It shines to open us to the love of God come among us in Christ.
This is the light of Emmanuel, the candle of love.
†*Hymn 41: O Come, All Ye Faithful
ADESTE FIDELIS
CONFESSING OUR SINS TO GOD
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Lord Christ, we confess our willingness to be loved but our reluctance to
love. We confess our readiness to accept your forgiving love but our
____________________
xxxxxx standing
*congregation
† latecomers may be seated
refusal to forgive. We confess our eagerness to grasp your offer of redeeming love but also our resistance to follow you without question. In this Advent time, forgive us our failure to respond as we should. Come to us anew,
and by your grace, assist us to receive you with joy, as the shepherds; with
gratitude, as Simeon; with obedience, as Mary; with love, as you have
loved us. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen
Silent Meditation
Assurance of Pardon
†*Congregational Response 29: Go, Tell It on the Mountain (Verse 3)
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!
Down in a lowly manger The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!
GO TELL IT
†* Sharing the Peace of Christ
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
(As worshipers, we come from diverse experiences and points of view. We have
different racial, educational, and economic backgrounds. Yet we are all one in
Christ. We symbolize this as we exchange with one another, by words and gestures,
signs of peace and reconciliation such as, “The peace of Christ be with you. And
also with you.”)
Children in grades five and younger may now leave for their classes
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
Prayer for Illumination
Faith Wolford, reader
The First Lesson
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest
from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See
now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan
said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?
I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from
Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle.
Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a
word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd
my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now
therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I
took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all
your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the
name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people
Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the
time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest
from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will
make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever
before me; your throne shall be established forever.
Leader:
People:
God’s Word is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path.
Thanks be to God!
Choir: The Jesus Gift
Gilbert M. Martin
Shall I Gather emeralds, shall I bring Him gold? Shall I shower diamonds, white-hard, brightcold? Shall I spangle jewels like stars above? Give him laughter, bring peace filled laughter,
offer him warm laughter, and love. Simplest of gifts, gentlest of hearts; kindness he’ll use as he
leads. So, give him these gifts, hand him your hearts, honor his birth and you’ll need no emeralds nor rubies, silver nor gold; neither bright diamonds, white-hard, bright-cold. Spangle not
rich jewels like stars above; you’ll have laughter sweet peace filled laughter, simple warm
laughter and love.
The Second Lesson
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee
called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said,
“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed
by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said
to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now,
you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord
God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the
house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to
the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son
of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a
son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing
will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the
Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from
her.
Leader:
People:
God we thank you for your Word;
The Story of your grace.
*Hymn 16: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Sermon: THE HOUSE OF DAVID
GABRIEL’S MESSAGE
Pastor Randal L. Bremer
RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
*Affirmation of Faith: A Brief Statement of Faith
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust
in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and
serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, Fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed
the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the
sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned
for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of
human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this
Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin
and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
Prayers of the People
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 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.
Offering of Our Gifts and Lives
Offertory: Love Came Down at Christmas
Leo Sowerby
Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate love divine; worship we our Jesus: but wherewith, wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be
our token, love be yours and love be mine; love to God and all men, love for plea and
gift and sign.
*Congregational Response 36: In the Bleak Midwinter
What can I give Him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: Give my heart.
*Prayer of Dedication
CRANHAM
GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME
*Hymn 38: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
CAROL
*Charge and Benediction
Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you
may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
*Congregational Response 585: Threefold Amen
*Postlude: Angels We Have Heard on High
McNeil Robinson II
FRENCH CAROL
Arranged by Diane Bish
IN MEMORIAM
The flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of
Michael Parks
WELCOME: If you are visiting with us today, please sign the Fellowship Pad at the end of
your pew. We pray the hour will be meaningful to you and you will come and worship with us
again. Everyone is cordially invited to a time of fellowship in the Longstreth Auditorium following the worship service.
THIS WEEK’S COFFEE HOUR HOST: Daniel Conner. Next week’s host: Worship and
Music Committee.
COFFEE HOUR: The Congregational Development and Fellowship Committee would like
to thank the Administration and Finance Committee for supplying the munchies and helping
with setup and cleanup for last Sunday's coffee hour. The new year is coming, so let’s start it out
right with a bang and fill the sign up sheet for coffee hours. You provide the goodies/munchies
of your choice. The Congregational Development and Fellowship Committee provides the Half
and Half and juice. A member of the committee will make the coffee and assist you with setup
and cleanup.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: We are doing something new on Christmas Eve this year.
There will be a Family Service at 5:30 PM as well as the Nativity Concert at 10:30 PM and Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols at 11:00 PM.
DECEMBER CHALLENGE OFFERING: The Christmas Joy Offering has been collected in Presbyterian churches for almost seventy years. Half of the monies collected in this offering are used to support Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges. The other half is distributed by the Presbyterian Board of Pensions in its assistance programs which help retired church
workers and their spouses through difficult times. Please give generously to this important mission.
STAFF APPRECIATION CHRISTMAS GIFT: Today is our last opportunity to contribute to the fund which will be used to show our appreciation to the staff for all they do during the year to serve our congregation and community. Most of us have experienced the
“extra” each of these staff members put into their job. Staff Appreciation Christmas Gifts
will be given to Kevin, Eileen, David, Christian, Heidi, Jesse, Terry, Illya (JR) and Melissa
just prior to the holiday. Elder Daniel Conner will be at the coffee hour today to accept your
appreciation gift.
KICK START THE NEW YEAR: The young families invite you to join them on
First Tuesday for a Credit Seminar. Find out things you never knew about how your credit
score is calculated and how decisions you make may affect your credit –negatively or positively. Wells Fargo will host us for a light meal, a tour of its historic Germantown branch
(including the vault) before the workshop. It all starts at 6:00 pm Tuesday January 6,
2015. Parking is available in the bank parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is on the
right side of Schoolhouse Lane just before Germantown Avenue. We will enter through the
back door of the bank off of the parking lot. After the food and tour of the vault, the children will ride with Lois Nafziger in the church van and play at her house during the seminar. Sign up during coffee hour.
FROM THE LEAD THE WAY BEYOND TEAM: The first monthly Congregational
Conversation will take place Saturday, January 17, 2015. A lite continental breakfast will
be available from 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM with the conversation set to occur from 9:30 AM to
11:00 AM. The first topic for discussion will be Worship, Music & the Arts. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
HELP WANTED: Volunteers to launder the cloth napkins from this year's Christmas Dinner. Please pick up a bag at today's coffee hour. The Congregational Development and Fellowship Committee thanks you!
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing that is come to pass.
The poinsettias in the sanctuary are in memory and
honor of our loved ones and friends.
George and Julia Abbott
Robert M. Aiken, Sr.
Robert M. Aiken, Jr.
Jamie Alexander
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Asher, Sr.
Dorothy Ayers
Mr. and Mrs. Earl J. Ball, Jr.
Mrs. Eleanore S. Berrington
Doris Bindrim
Joan Brown
Romeo Cascarino
Captain Michael P. Cassidy, U.S.A.
Robert and Vera Cato
John A. Chandler
Clifford C. David
Edward M. David
Mr. and Mrs. William M. David
Samuel and Vera Deas
Mrs. Elma Devine
Ann DiNardo
Mattie Drum
Roy H. Fahs, Jr.
Martha H. Egly
Virginia Von Frankenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Geiger
Sandra Cato Gohr
Mr. and Mrs. James Gregg
Margery W. Guenthoer
Jason Guggolz
Betty A. Henze
Mercedes H. Irwin
Mrs. Annie Jackson
The Reverend Freddie Jackson
Mr. Reginald A. Jackson
Mr. William Jackson
Charles and Ora Kaylor
Mary & Paul W. Keibler
Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Kleiser
The Reverend Charles F. Krimmel
Mr. and Mrs. Miles W. Krimmel
Constance A. Lane
Joseph J. Leube, Sr.
Linda M. Leube
Margaret M. Leube
Virginia Linden
Albert G. McClay, Sr.
Jessie E. McClay
McIlvain Loved Ones
Mr. and Mrs. R. Lincoln McNeil
Virginia Miller
Rose Neuringer
Carolyn Nagel
Betty Oldach
Eleanor C. Parker
George and Margaret Parker
Michael R. Parks
Reimann Loved Ones
Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Reisse
Mr. and Mrs. Garrett H. Rentrop
Mr. and Mrs. Jack H. Rosensteel
Ethel Odgen Royce
Jeannette S. Schwartz
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin P. Smith
Miss Edith Stewart
Joanne M. Stroh
Elizabeth H. Thompson
George Paul Thompson
H. George Thompson
Hilma E. Thompson
Patricia K. Thompson
Eleanor Welsh
Gee Gee White
Mr. and Mrs. William G. Young
In Honor of
David C. Daugherty
Winnie Fahs
Bea Gardner
From the FPCG Staff
WINDOW ON THE WEEK
Sunday, December 21
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
11:10 AM
11:10 AM
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Worship Service—The Rev. Randy L. Bremer, preaching
Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium
Children’s Choir—Music Room
Adult Education
Sunday School
Chancel Choir—Music Room
Basketball Practice—Gym
Monday, December 22
Tuesday, December 23
Wednesday, December 24
5:30 PM
10:30 PM
11:00 PM
Thursday, December 25
Friday, December 26
Saturday, December 27
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
Sunday, December 28
8:45 AM
10:00 AM
11:10 AM
11:30 AM
11:30 AM
Christmas Eve—Church Office Closed
Christmas Eve Family Service
Nativity Concert
Lessons and Carols
Christmas Day—Church Closed
Christmas Holiday —Church Closed
Keystone State Boychoir
Readers’ Choice
Celebration Sunday
Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Worship Service—The Rev. Kevin L. Porter, preaching
Coffee Hour—Longstreth Auditorium
Adult Education
Sunday School
Church Officers
Elders
2015
Sherry Archer
Carolyn Ballard-Freeman
Madeline Valentine
2016
Denise Cowie
Contina Lundy
Lois Nafziger
Faith Wolford
2017
Andrew Hood
Christopher Scott
2016
Delores Solomon
David Wolford
2017
Randy Clever
Susan Mills Farrington
Madeline Valentine
Clerk of Session
Deacons
2015
Sarah Andrews
Donald Carlin
Ruth Cato
Veda Gibbs
Evadney Miller
First Church Staff
Interim Pastor
Director of Adult Education and Community Life
Director of Urban Ministry
Director of Music and Communication
Director of the Gospel Choir
Director of Christian Education
Parish Visitor
Facilities Superintendent
Administrative Assistant
Bookkeeper
Sextons
Randal L. Bremer
Kevin L. Porter
Eileen Jones
David C. Daugherty
Sara Carter-Blanford
Christian Heyer-Rivera
Heidi Mercado-Littles
Jesse Jacobs
Joan Harris
Cindy Osborne
Terry Boyer, Melissa Forrest, Illya (J.R.) Pasture
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown
35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone 215-843-8811 FAX 888-333-5032
www.fpcgermantown.org