1. family and parenting
2. children

The First Presbyterian Church
1530 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, Florida 33020-5240
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Kennedy M. McGowan, Pastor
Dr. Robert Remek, Director of Music
December 21, 2014
Sanctuary - 10:00 A.M.
Church Office:(954) 923-8209
Fax: (954) 923-8200
CCLI #1836693; CRL034941; CVL503735603
*Please stand if you are able. Please, no applause during the worship service
CALL TO REFLECTION
PRELUDE - The Christmas Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Michael Helman
The Handbell Choir
PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION
*HYMN – Angels We Have Heard on High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . # 23
PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS - (in unison) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adapted from The Exeter Book, c. 950
O just and faithful King, you can unlock the prison-house of fear and all that
draws us away from You and let us out into the glorious freedom of your
love….Open the gate of this prison, and lead us to your kingdom, which is
our true home. Come now, high King of heaven. Come to us in flesh and
bone…Seek us out, who are lost in the darkness… Impart to us all your
everlasting joy, so that we, who are fashioned by your hands, may praise
your glory. In your name we pray. Amen.
A TIME OF SILENCE
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
*Glory Be to the Father (#577)
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
A TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF LOVE
One:
Advent is the time for waiting. Waiting for the Messiah; waiting for love.
Many: We wait for the Lord; our souls wait.
One:
With the birth of the Christ Child comes the rebirth of love for all the world.\
Many: This is how God shows love among us; God sent Gods one and only child
into the world so we might live through Christ Jesus. This is love; not that
we loved God, but that God loved us, and sent God’s child as an atoning
sacrifice for our sins.
One:
O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end
to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly;
Many: Teach us the way of love.
(Singing)
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.
Please, no applause.
SPECIAL MUSIC – A Collection of Christmas Handbell Choir Selections
The Birthday of a King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Derek Hakes
O Come, All Ye Faithful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
arr. Kevin McChesney
The First Noel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
arr. Kevin McChesney
Do You Hear What I Hear? . . . . .
Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne/arr. Douglas Wagner
Three Carol Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Bill Ingram
Joy to the World
Once in Royal David’s City
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
THE NEWS OF THE COMMUNITY
THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD
O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky:
We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page,
A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.
SCRIPTURE READINGS – Luke 1:26-45
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Kennedy M. McGowan
Finding Jesus in the Unlikeliest of Places
Finding Jesus in A Teenage
THIS WE BELIEVE (In unison) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adapted from Luke 1:46-54
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, …. for the
Mighty One has done great things…, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those
who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his
arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought
down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the
hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT – What Child Is This
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #53
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face And the
things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of his glory and grace.
PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER - (Debtors version) (front of Hymnal, pg. 16)
Response - Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me; Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me.
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
(Visitors, in the pew rack you will find a Guest Information card.
Please complete the card, then place it in the offering plate.)
Please, no applause following the offertory.
Offertory Anthem - Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Tom Scott
*THE RESPONSE OF PRAISE – ADVENT DOXOLOGY ( #593)
Praise Christ, the child of Bethlehem, Whom all the world did once condemn;
May our remembrance of His birth Bring peace again to all the earth. Amen.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
*OFFERING OF PRAYER (IN UNISON) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adapted from The Gelasian Sacramentary, c. 500
We marvel at the miracle, Lord, which you wrought when Jesus was born. She
that gave him birth was a virgin, and he that was born was your child. No wonder
the heavens sang, the angels rejoiced, the wise men were transformed, and the
king was seized with fear. He came to be our spiritual food, yet his mother fed
him. He was the bread that came from heaven, yet he was laid in the manger
like fodder…. Thank you, Lord, for the miracle of this gift. May these gifts and
tithes go forth so that all the world may experience the gift of your great love.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*CONCLUDING HYMN – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . # 31
CHARGE AND BLESSING
Congregational Response: God be with you till we meet again; Loving counsels guide,
uphold you, With a Shepherd’s care enfold you; God be with you till we meet again.
*POSTLUDE - Tidings of Comfort and Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen Jane Lorenz
~~~
Visitors, following worship, please join us on the patio
for juice and coffee.
Lay Reader – Dr. Robert L. Lowry
The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Melida Knott
in memory of William Jackson Knott.
The flowers in the narthex are given by Bart & Alice Carlisle
In memory of loved ones.
~~~
We extend our sympathy to Luann Myers and her family following the
sudden passing December 10th in Oklahoma of Luann’s mom, Edna Sullivan.
We extend our sympathy to Amanda Miles and her family following the
passing on December 8th of her 22-year-old son, Robert, in a skiing accident in
Colorado. Robert and his twin brother, Michael, were baptized at First Church.
~~~
PRAYER FAMILIES — Each Sunday, we include several of our First Church families in our daily
prayers to sustain them in Christian love and support. We will gladly add friends of the church to this.
To be included, please call Lynn in the church office. This week, please pray for: the Hofmann family,
the Hollinshead family, the Houser family, Linda Anderson, Howard Banaszak, Sarah Lee
Banaszak, Patricia Basana, Ken Benoit, Donna Beutner, Peggy Black, Alberta Boughman,
Jackie Brannon, Johanna Clayton, Paula Cronin, Henrietta Curtis, Peter Deibele, Vernetta
Fleegle, Diane Flett, Dorothy Fordyce, Irving Fordyce, Jack Gregory, Chet Hardenburg,
Amber Henderson, Ginger Imel, Marge Karbacz, A. J. Kaynatma, Melida Knott, Paul Lewis,
Migdalia Lopez, Gary Malkin, Ms. Carmen (Mangiante), Tom Mason, Renee McConnell,
Rev. Matthew McGowan, Earl Mohan, Nancy Moore, Carla Nash, Wilma Paquette, Ed
Rasor, Marnie Rivas, Mary Rodriguez, Robert Rus, Grace Ryll, Donny Silvestro, Grace
Silvestro, Sandy Silvestro, Bobby Snatchko, Gail Spooner, Bonnie Springer, Collette
Tindall, Lisa Whyte, Tara Whyte, the Whyte family, Tim Witt
~~~
The church and Learning Center offices will be closed
Thursday, December 25th, and Friday, December 26th, for Christmas.
~~~
OPPORTUNITIES
<The bulletin announcements serve as reminders of church activities.
Please check our website: firstpreshlwdfl.org
for the monthly newsletter and church calendar.
Church office e-mail: [email protected] >
~~~
A CHRISTMAS OFFERING is being collected now through December 28th. Your gifts will be
divided between the Share-A-Meal Ministry (40%), Hollywood Central Elementary (10%), and the church
General Fund (50%). Please use the envelope provided in your bulletin.
Thank you for your support.
CHIDREN AND YOUTH —
The Youth Groups will meet at the church this evening at 6:30 p.m.
to go Christmas Caroling to our shut-in members and friends.
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP —
Adult Sunday School Class — Sundays, 8:00 – 8:55 a.m., chapel
Breakfast and the Bible class, led by Pastor McGowan — Sundays, 9:00 – 9:50 a.m., chapel
~~~
2014 Christmas Week Schedule
December 21
Worship - Bell Concert - 10:00 a.m.
December 24
Christmas Candlelight Service, 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Candlelight Service, 9:00 p.m.
December 25
Merry Christmas!!
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and
wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place
for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
December 28
Worship - Baptism - 10:00 a.m.
~~~
LOOKING AHEAD
January 4
Take down Christmas decorations
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
HOLLYWOOD HEALING HAITI Concert/Fundraiser
in the Hollywood ArtsPark
Sunday, January 11, 2015
1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Please plan to be with us for a day of great music, fun,
and an opportunity to raise money for
Hollywood C.A.R.E.S. (Caribbean AIDS Relief, Education, and Service)
and Project Papillon.
We need volunteers to help make this event the great success we hope it will be,
so please contact Frankie Breslin at 954-925-3189 or email [email protected]
and let her know you can help in planning and getting ready for the big day
and/or can join us on the 11th.
~~~
JANUARY 2015 TRIP TO HAITI
We leave for Port au Prince early in the morning on Monday, January 19
and return home in the late afternoon, Wednesday, January 21.
If you would like to travel to Haiti with the Hollywood CARES group,
please contact Frankie Breslin. Flight information and the cost of the trip
will soon be available. As we do not have a Wish List
from John Dieubon, no donations are being accepted until mid-January.
~~~
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday, December 21 – Advent 4
Adult Sunday School – Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast and the Bible - Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9:00 a.m.
Worship – Bell Concert - Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.
Spanish & Portuguese services - Sanctuary Building . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.; 7:00 -11:00 p.m.
Youth Groups go Christmas Caroling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet at the church at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service - Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight Service - Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 25 – Merry Christmas!
Church office closed
Friday, December 26
Church office closed
Sunday, December 28 – First Sunday after Christmas
Adult Sunday School – Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast and the Bible - Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9:00 a.m.
Worship – Baptism - Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.
Spanish & Portuguese services - Sanctuary Building . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.; 7:00 -11:00 p.m.