3R D SU N DAY of A DV EN TDecember 11, 2016 ✢ 8:45 & 11:00 am Worship

Trinity Presbyterian Church

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3R D SUNDAY of ADVENTDecember 11, 2016 | 8:45 & 11:00 am Worship

WELCOMEWelcome to all who are worshipping with us. Child care and a worship education program for preschoolers are available in Building D during this service. Consult an usher if you need an assistive hearing device or a large-print bulletin. As we enter a holy space and time this morning, please silence your cell phones.

The opening voluntary is the call to silent meditation and preparation for worship.

OPENING VOLUNTARY 8:45 Meditation on “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” arr. Martin 11:00 Savior of the Nations, Come J.S. Bach

CALL TO WORSHIP ANDLIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

One: Come let us worship and wait together. All: We are waiting together for Christ’s coming, rejoicing

together, for Christ is always coming into the darkness of exile to lead us home.

One: Today, we light a candle in hope and a candle for peace and a candle of joy.

All: When we light a candle of joy, we open all the dark places in our lives to the healing light of Christ and we express our longing for the healing of all creation.

(The cantor will sing the refrain first, followed by the congregation.)

One: Come, let us worship and wait together.

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN #40 antiochJoy to the World

CALL TO CONFESSION

The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday

we celebrate Joy. Known as Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday, the day is

often marked with special hymns and by the use of rose-colored paraments

and vestments. Trinity, along with

some Anglican and Protestant churches,

uses the color known as “Sarum blue” for all four Sundays of

Advent.

*Those who are able, please stand.

Cover: John La Farge. The Three Wise Men. 1878. Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

joy

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PRAYER OF CONFESSIONAll: Gracious God, we confess we are not at all like the wise men

who sought Jesus so long ago. We ignore the signs in our lives that are pointing us toward you. We are reluctant to drop what we are doing to search for you, afraid to embark on a risky journey to worship you, reticent to defy those who are threatened by your love, whenever and wherever it is being born anew in this world.

Silent confession

One: Loving God,All: Forgive us, renew us in your love, show us your light and

grant us the courage to follow wherever it leads us. In the name of the One for whom we wait, we pray, Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE dixAs with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.

(may be found as stanza 1 of hymn #63)

CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE Please sign and pass the Friendship Register.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISMPresentation

Baptismal Covenant and Profession of Faith

Thanksgiving of the WaterOne: The Lord be with you.All: And also with you.One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Baptism

Welcome*(Congregation standing for the reception and hymn)

With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you into Christ’s church;for we are all one in Christ. We promise to love, encourage, andsupport you, to share the good news of the gospel with you, and to help you know and follow Christ.

In the sacrament of baptism we celebrate God’s claim on our lives. As we are marked with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we are marked as Christ’s own. What is often less understood is that this is the moment where each of our lives is interwoven with the lives of the congregation that cares for us. This is why the newly baptized, be they infants or adults, are walked into the midst of the congregation following their baptism. This moment in our worship reveals that in our baptism we belong to God and one another.

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*Congregational Response o waly walyO loving God, unto thy careWe give again this child of thine,Baptized and blessed with faithful prayerAnd sealed with love’s victorious sign.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 2:1-12 One: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

11:00–ANTHEM Bethlehem Down Peter Warlock“When he is King we will give him the Kings’ gifts,Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,Mary for sleep, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

When he is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets,Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,He that lies now in the soft arms of Mary,Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

Here he has peace and a short while for dreaming,Close-huddled oxen to keep him from cold,Mary for love, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

11:00—LITANY OF PARTING For first- and second-graders as they leave for worship enrichment

Congregation: May God be with you there. Children: May God be with you here.

SERMON Waiting with the Wise Men… Pam DriesellIn Defiance of the Powers That Be!

Today’s anthem was composed in 1927

by Anglo-Welsh composer Peter

Warlock (1894–1930) and set to a poem

written by journalist and poet Bruce Blunt

(1899–1957). The pair submitted the

carol to the Daily Telegraph’s annual

Christmas carol contest and won. The

simple and sensitive setting has become increasingly popular

for seasonal use in British and American

churches. The carol also exists as a song for voice and piano.

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*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe that by faith wise ones followed the path of a new star to a strange land, to an undistinguished stable, and in defiance of worldly powers, took a different route home. This same kind of faith might sometimes lead us to defy the powerful, to go down unpaved roads, with people we don’t recognize, to destinations we didn’t plan.

Because we are an Advent people, we are waiting together for One who is always coming to make holy once again all that was, is, and ever will be. We are seeking to find the places in our world where the Christ child is being born again.

In our waiting and in our seeking, while we live with uncertainty, we are bold to act with confidence, walking the star-led path to the heart of everything: God with us, now and here.

—Adapted from Advent Affirmations of Faith by Rev. Rebecca F. Harrison, Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church, Sparks, NV,

and Progressivechristianity.org.

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE puer nobisO Jesus, while the star of grace impels us on to seek your face, let not our slothful hearts refuse the guidance of your light to use.

(may be found as stanza 3 of hymn #68)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYEROur 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.

GIVING OF OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY 8:45 Bethlehem Down Peter Warlock“When he is King we will give him the Kings’ gifts,Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,Mary for sleep, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

When he is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets,Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,

Today’s affirmation of our faith refocuses us on the object and center of our faith, Jesus Christ. Drawing on imagery from the stories of wise men traveling to see the infant king, these words remind us that our wisdom often doesn’t reflect the expectations of the rest of society. Instead, we are grounded in a faith that calls us see God at work in unexpected ways and in places we often do not wish to go. Advent is a time of waiting, but an expectant waiting that prepares us to travel, following the light of Christ, following a God who is on the move.

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He that lies now in the soft arms of Mary,Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

Here he has peace and a short while for dreaming,Close-huddled oxen to keep him from cold,Mary for love, and for lullaby musicSongs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

11:00 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Gustav HolstLet all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our Lord to earth descendeth our full homage to demand. King of Kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of Lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood. He will give to all the faithful his own self for heav’nly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the pow’rs of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six wing’d seraph; Cherubim with sleepless eye, veil their faces to the presence as with ceaseless voice they cry, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high. Amen.

*DOXOLOGY #592 old hundredth

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*CLOSING HYMN #12 besançonPeople, Look East

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE veni emmanuelRejoice, Rejoice

CONCLUDING VOLUNTARY 8:45 Carillon on a Moravian Melody Gordon Young

11:00 Toccata Léon Boëllmann

As our time of worship comes to an end, our time of service begins; we depart to be the church in the world!

Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934) was an

English composer and conductor. He is most famous for

his ground-breaking orchestral suite

The Planets. (1917). His early works

show the influence of Grieg, Wagner,

Richard Strauss and fellow student Ralph

Vaughan Williams, and later, through Vaughan Williams, the music of Ravel.

Holst composed almost 200 works, including operas,

ballets, choral hymns and songs.

An enthusiastic educator, Holst became music

master at St Paul’s Girls’ School in 1905

and director of music at Morley College

in 1907, continuing in both posts until

retirement.

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LIFE AT TRINITY

TODAY AT TRINITY Preaching Rev. Pam Driesell, Senior Pastor

LiturgistsRev. Jeremy Jinkins, Executive PastorJenelle Holmes, Director of Young Adult Ministries

Acolyte8:45 - Will Stratton11:00 - Carol Elizabeth Kerman

Banner BearerKate Saxon

Lighting the Advent Wreath8:45 - Charles Nyaga and Doin Kibaara 11:00 - Beverly and Rausey Mason

Music8:45 - Scott Morris, Organist David Blalock, tenor

11:00 - The Chancel Choir of Trinity Presbyterian Church Norman Mackenzie, Organist and

Director of Music and Fine Arts

FlowersThe flowers in the sanctuary are given by B.J., Jayne, and Dick Phillips to the glory of God and in loving memory of Earl and Loraine Riddle, and Joe and Billie Phillips. This morning’s arrangement was created by the Trinity Presbyterian Flower Guild.

BaptismBeing baptized today at 8:45 am is Hayden Alexander Conn, son of Elizabeth and Peter Conn. The rosebuds on the communion table are to welcome Hayden into the Trinity Church family.

Being baptized today at 11:00 am are Catherine Cabyle Williams, daughter of Peyten and Stan Williams; Emma Frances Byrns Hutchison, daughter of Mary Beth and David Hutchison; and Rausey Pryse Mason, the son on Lisa and Kent Mason. The rosebuds on the communion table are to welcome Catherine, Emma, and Rausey into the Trinity Church family.

Child CareAlthough children are always welcome in the sanctuary, child care is available for children, birth through through pre-K: infants, D 100; one-year-olds, D 102; two-year-olds, D 104; three-year-olds, D 106; pre-K, D 119.

Christmas Poinsettias

Again this year, we will be placing memorial/honorarium poinsettias in the sanctuary and Dobbs Chapel for the Christmas services. Today is the deadline for ordering your poinsettia, should you wish to have your donation registered in the bulletin.

There are envelopes in the pew racks for your convenience. You may also order online at www.trinityatlanta.org/register-now. We hope you share your joy of the season with others through this program.

St. Luke’s Bags12:00 pm, Gym

Join in the annual tradition of assembling lunch bags in the gym following 11:00 am worship today. These bags will be given on Christmas Day to the homeless served by St. Luke’s Community Kitchen.

Christmas Market9:30 am - 1:30 pm, Gym

The Christmas Market will be open today from 9:30 to 1:30 in the Gym. The Global Mission Committee invites you to stop by and stock up on gifts to benefit our global mission partners. Featured this year are a range of virtual “Gifts for Good,” from tuition for seminary students in Cuba to MARTA passes for refugee families here in Atlanta. Plus, we’ll have inexpensively priced, family-friendly tangible gifts, including African chocolate and Haitian coffee, olive oil from Galilee, artwork, ornaments, and Trinity member crafts. Please come and shop! We take cash, check, and credit/debit cards.

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NEXT SUNDAYSunday, December 18“Waiting with Herod: Christmas in Aleppo”John 1:1-5; Matthew 2:13-18Rev. Dr. George Stroup preaching

WORSHIP & MUSICCongregational Carol SingMonday, December 197:00 pm, Williams Hall

Join us on Monday night and enjoy an evening of holiday singing and merriment for the whole family led by Norman Mackenzie. Bring a plate of goodies to share after the singing.

CHURCH SCHOOLAdult Church SchoolClasses meet at 9:45 am. For a complete description of each class, visit www.trinityatlanta.org.

BIBLE The Mystery of the New Testament: Exploring the Epistle to the HebrewsB104

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND ACTIONFree Markets, Economic Justice, and the Human ConditionB110

PERSPECTIVES ON LITERATURE, THE ARTS, AND SCIENCEJane Austen’s “Mansfield Park”B112

ONGOING CLASSESCoffee and ConnectionsWilliams Hall C

SerendipityA116

WORSHIP CREATIVELY

LEARN PURPOSEFULLY

WELCOMEWE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE! JOIN US FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION IN WILLIAMS HALL AFTER THE SERVICE.

New Member Class

If you are interested in learning more about Trinity Church or in becoming a member, you are encouraged to attend one of the New Member classes held throughout the year. Classes are held in the Chapel Parlor from 9:45 to 10:45 am on Sunday. Child care is available. The next class series meets January 22, 29; February 5, 12.

For more information, contact Gay Gunter at 770-432-1090 or gayhgunter@charter.net.

MISSIONAMIS DinnerTuesday, December 206:00 pm, Williams Hall

Trinity will host the Christmas International House supper on Tuesday, December 20, at 6:00 pm, for 40 students of the Atlanta Ministry for International Students (AMIS) program. Trinity members are encouraged to attend.

Reservations: mclerveaux@trinityatlanta.org.

FINDING SUPPORTPastoral CareNotify the church of illness, hospitalization, birth, death, or prayer request

Veronica Ridenhour, 404-495-8440vridenhour@trinityatlanta.org

Stephen MinistersTrinity’s Stephen Ministry offers confidential, one-to-one Christian care to those who are experiencing difficult life circumstances.

WELCOME INTENTIONALLY

SERVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY

CARE COMPASSIONATELY

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Meredith Daniel, 404-869-0025 msdaniel@bellsouth.net

Marc Krause, 404-713-0629 mtkphoto1@gmail.com

CounselingMary Lisa Henry, Ph.D., LCSW 404-869-3707

CONGREGATIONAL LIFETrinity at the TableThursday, December 8 4:45 - 6:30 pm, Williams Hall

Join us for fellowship, fun, and food on Thursday nights with Trinity at the Table. Dinner is served between 4:45 and 6:30, and activities for children are available between 4:45 and 5:45. Everyone is welcome. Cost: $8 per adult, $5 per child; $25 maximum per family

Menu: baked potato bar, chili, broccoli, mixed fruit, garden salad, brownies

Reservations: www.trinityatlanta.org or 404-237-6491

CHILDREN & FAMILY Preschool PageantSunday, December 189:45 am, Dobbs Chapel

The Preschool (2’s to PreK) Christmas Pageant is next Sunday from 9:45 am to 10:45 am in Dobbs Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend. There is no registration needed, and preschool children will come to the Chapel for the event from their Sunday School classrooms.

YOUTHYouth GroupSunday, December 11

“Study Break” 6:00-7:30 pm

We’ll combine middle and high school tonight for the annual “Study Break.” Come eat tacos, then bring your books to study in a quiet room or take a break to play games and hang out.

GATHER JOYFULLY

TRINITY MENMen’s BreakfastFriday, December 167:27 am, Williams Hall

Join the group for this weekly opportunity to enjoy great fellowship, a lively program, and a really good breakfast. We will enjoy our annual Christmas carol songfest and All Yule program.Reservations are not required; $7 per person.

YOUNG ADULTSChristmas PartySaturday, December 17 7:00 pm

Young Adult Christmas Party at the Heberton House (4097 Oberon Court SE, Smyrna, GA 30080) on Saturday, December 17. BYOB and Cheer. RSVP to Jenelle at jholmes@trinityatlanta.org or 404-495-8455.

THIS WEEK Sunday, December 11 8:45 am Worship 9:30 am Christmas Market 9:45 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 12:00 pm St. Luke’s Christmas Bags

Assembly 12:00 pm Youth Sunday Planning 5:00 pm Youth Choir 6:00 pm Youth Supper 6:30 pm Junior & High School Youth

Monday, December 12 8:00 am Fit in Fifty

Tuesday, December 13 6:30 am High School Bible Study 8:30 am Yoga 10:00 am Women’s Link Circle 4 10:30 am Women’s Link Circle 1 11:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Chapter 3C2 7:00 pm Men in Transition A 7:00 pm Men in Transition C

Wednesday, December 14 7:00 am Awakening 10:00 am Senior Adult Planning Committee 10:00 am The Third Act 12:30 pm Silent Meditation 4:45 pm CFM K-1st Grade Recreation 6:00 pm Howell Mill Complete Street

Public Meeting

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6:30 pm Men in Transition B 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 8:00 pm AA Meeting

Thursday, December 15 10:00 am Writing as a Spiritual Practice 4:00 pm CFM Arts and Crafts 4:00 pm CFM Gym Time 4:00 pm Hosanna Bell Choir 4:00 pm Primary Choir 4:45 pm Trinity at the Table 4:45 pm Cherub Choirs I & II 5:00 pm Junior Choir 7:00 pm Women’s Link Circle 5 7:00 pm Nonfiction Book Club

Friday, December 16 7:27 am Men’s Breakfast 8:00 am Trinity School Christmas Program

COMMITMENTYear-End Contributions

Below are guidelines and information you may find helpful for year-end giving:

• Cash and check contributions can be mailed, placed in the plate at any service, or hand-delivered to the church reception or finance offices. A contribution must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2016, in order for it to be considered a 2016 tax deduction. If you plan to hand- deliver your contribution, please note that the church offices are closed all day on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31.

• Stock transfers must be received in the church’s account by December 31, 2016. It is important to initiate the transfer early enough to allow for any year-end delay in transfers being completed. To obtain transfer information and notify the church of your gift, please contact Diana Ross-Miley at 404-495-8441 or dross-miley@trinityatlanta.org. Your stock gift does not come to us with your name attached. We do not know who the donor is unless you tell us.

Please know that your gifts in support of the mission and ministries of Trinity Presbyterian Church are always received with great appreciation.

GIVE GENEROUSLY

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STAFF

Pam Driesell Senior Pastor404-495-8421 | pdriesell@trinityatlanta.org

Andrew Esqueda Director of Youth and Family Ministries 404-495-8446 | aesqueda@trinityatlanta.org

Tom Farmer Pastoral Associate for Senior Adult Ministries 404-495-8438 | tfarmer@trinityatlanta.org

Richard Floyd Senior Associate Pastor for Engagement 404-495-8436 | rfloyd@trinityatlanta.org

Jenelle Holmes Director of Young Adult Ministries 404-495-8433 | jholmes@trinityatlanta.org

Jeremy Jinkins Executive Pastor404-495-8425 | jjinkins@trinityatlanta.org

Norman Mackenzie Director of Music and Fine Arts404-495-8430 | nmackenzie@trinityatlanta.org

Erin McGee Associate Pastor of Children and Family Ministries 404-495-8448 | emcgee@trinityatlanta.org

Scott Morris Assistant Organist, Director of Primary and Junior Choirs 404-495-8434 | smorris@trinityatlanta.org

John Ryan Interim Director of Adult Education and Engagement404-495-8456 | jryan@trinityatlanta.org

George Stroup Theologian in Residence404-495-8458 | gstroup@trinityatlanta.org

Emeriti

P.C. Enniss, Theologian in Residence EmeritusBettye Sue Wright, Director of Christian Education Emerita

LEAD HUMBLY

TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH3003 Howell Mill Road, NW | Atlanta, Georgia 30327404.237.6491 | www.trinityatlanta.orgOffice hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

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This will be a lively celebration with families and young children all worshipping together and will feature the 2nd-grade class as worship leaders, the Primary and Junior choirs, and

the Hosanna Ringers. Children of all ages are welcome.

A youth-led service of lessons and carols, with music by the Youth Choir and brass quartet

The service will feature the Chancel Choir, brass quartet, and congregational singing.

A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service with homily and communion