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RESPONDING TO THE WORD
PASSING THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All: And also with you.
*SONG OF RESPONSE “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” [2]
OFFERING/OFFERTORY “Ave Maria”
by Charles Gounod on the Prelude by J.S. Bach, arranged by Georges Bizet
Alejandro Alumbreros
(Please pass the blue attendance pads.)
OFFERING PRAYER All: God of Love, we give thanks for the promise of this Advent season. May our
gifts and tithes be used to restore hope, offer peace, bring joy, and share Your
Love, in Jesus name, Amen.
*DOXOLOGY 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
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.
GOING FORTH TO MINISTER
*CLOSING HYMN “O Little Town of Bethlehem” [44]
*BENEDICTION
*SUNG BLESSING [41 v.3] 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.
*POSTLUDE “Toccata on ‘Adeste Fideles’”
by John Francis Wade, arr/Ruth Elaine Schram
Alejandro Alumbreros
Please stand as you are able.
[Bold type] indicates text to be spoken or song to be sung by the congregation.
First Presbyterian Church December 23, 2018
9:30am
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GATHERING WITH PRAISE
As we listen to the beauty of the music in this sacred place of
Sanctuary, let us silently prepare ourselves for worship.
FIRST THOUGHT
"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14
PRELUDE “Il est ne” - French Carol, “Brightest and Best” arr/Peter Seibert
Recorder Quartet
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Felix Mendelssohn, arr/Keith Chapman
Alejandro Alumbreros
One: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you.
CALL TO WORSHIP Debbie Yale
One: Long ago the people were given a sign of God’s presence. All: The angel proclaimed, “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they
shall name him Emmanuel, ‘God with us.’”
One: God’s promise to us remains steadfast and true: God’s anointed Son will soon
walk among us, to lighten our darkness, to reconcile our brokenness, and to
restore the joy of our salvation. All: The time is almost here when the love of God takes on human form. Make
ready our hearts for the baby’s birth, for the coming of Christ, Emmanuel.
Let us gather together to love and praise the Lord!
HYMN “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” [376]
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Royce & Barbara Earnest
Reader 1: Today we light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of love. We witness
the faith of Mary who said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me according
to your word.”
Reader 2: Mary heard God's voice and said yes. Her song was a prayer that would uplift
the downtrodden. Her lyrics shattered the proud and called the world to
change. She would bear within her the promised child, Jesus, the Light of the
world. This Advent, may we hear God's beckoning call to us and respond with
willing hearts. All: Holy God, fill us with Your Spirit. Bring the good news of the Gospel to life
within us. Open our hearts that Your Love may have a place to dwell.
Give us courage to carry Your Love and Your Light into the shadows of
this world. ~ Amen
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CALL TO CONFESSION Elaine Jacobson All: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. But if we confess our sins,
God is loving and just. God will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. In humility and faith let us join together to confess our
sins to God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION All: O Holy God of Promise, You come to show us the way of love, yet we continue
to love only what we deem lovely and care for what we name as “ours.” Help
us to see others as you do— as beloved children of God. Forgive our selfishness
and guide us to serve the poor, the lonely, those who are marginalized and all
in need. In your mercy, forgive us for the ways we fall short. Renew our spirits
and enable us to go into the world with love, offering our gifts and sharing our
talents that we might be an answer to someone’s prayer. We offer these prayers
in the name of your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. ~ Amen
(Let us continue to pray in silence.)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: Friends, God's love and faithfulness are at work in you. Rejoice in God's
love! You are forgiven. All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
*ACT OF PRAISE [41 v.1]
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
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.
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
CHANCEL CHOIR “The Nöel Carol” by Mary E. Caldwell
SCRIPTURE Luke 1:39-45 [N. T. 57]
Amy Schaal
MARY’S SONG “Be Born in Me”
Megan Griffith
SCRIPTURE Luke 1:46-55 [N. T. 57]
Evelyn Alumbreros
READING “Annunciation”
Jennifer Humphreys
SONG “Mary, Did You Know?”
Mark Paffrath
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NEEDS?
Soap * Soap * And More Soap!
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE:
Dec. 26th –5:00PM to 7:00PM
(Fourth Wednesday Volunteers)
Dec. 27th -2:00PM to 4:00PM
(Fourth Thursday Volunteers)
Please pray for Peggy Taylor, Elie Hunt, Mary Johnson, Bill & Lissy Blandford, Nancy
Ritter, Ed Hunt, Darrell Sutton, Nancy Tobias, David & Cathy Perkins, Larry & Ellen
Cardwell, Mary Jane Johnston.
As they go through difficult times, we ask for continued prayers for all who have
lost loved ones.
Prayers for Mary—sister of Carrie Massey, Christi—friend of Music & More, Evie—
granddaughter of Bill & Lissy Blandford, Autumn—granddaughter of Bev Eifert,
Dave—brother of Patt Reitsma, Lucille—mother of Diane Lehmann.
And continued prayers for our military—Kyle Sondergaard, Lt. Col Jay Brooke,
Chad Lawrence, Jordan Smith, Mary Workman.
And healing prayers for all those individuals going through rough
times—emotionally, physically or spiritually.
A huge THANK YOU to all those who volunteer
their time at our FOOD PANTRY. We couldn't
do it without each and every one of you!
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Welcome to this sanctuary.
Welcome to this time of worship and wonder.
Welcome to this family of faith.
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church
We’re glad you’re here today and pray that your experience
with us in worship is both challenging and uplifting!
9:30AM—Worship
Fellowship to follow
Bridge Pastor
Rev. Dr. Mark McDonough [email protected]
716 College Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
262.632.1686
www.firstpresracine.org
GET THE WEEKLY EVOTIONAL
To receive our weekly Evotional, along with news about what’s going
on in the church, call or email the office and ask to be added to the list!
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 23, 2018
GREETERS: Jerry & Nancy Ritter USHERS: Dennis Reeser, Bill Anderson, David Griffith, Michael Griffith
PERK-N-POUR: Ken Schacht, Todd & Jen Seversen
Please join us at 8:00PM tomorrow evening—
December 24th for our Christmas Eve Service REV. DR. MARK MCDONOUGH
and
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH FOR 9:30AM WORSHP
REV. SUSAN BOWEN, GUEST PASTOR
Sun., Dec. 23 9:30AM Worship
Mon., Dec. 24 8:00PM Christmas Eve Service
Tue., Dec. 25 Merry Christmas
Wed., Dec. 26 12:00PM
5:00PM to 7:00PM
Brown Bag Bible Study
Food Pantry
Thu., Dec. 27 2:00PM to 4:00PM Food Pantry
Fri., Dec. 28
Recorder Quartet
Jennifer Seversen, soprano recorder
Ken Nakayama, alto recorder
Pat Badger, tenor recorder
Matt Oscarson, bass recorder
Mark Paffrath, percussion
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IN HONOR OF GIVEN BY
Our beloved children—Rick, Johnny & Adam .........................................Ellen & Larry Cardwell
Our children and granddaughters ......................................................... Armin & Juanita Clobes
Our children and grandchildren .................................................................. Bud & Mary Eastman
Our parents and children ........................................................................... Steve & LuAnn Hansen
Our children and grandchildren ............................................................................ Sandra Hopkins
Steve Fringer & Sharon Rose........................................................... Mac & Marilyn MacCaughey
Our children and grandchildren ................................................................................ John Reitsma
Marlene Wilson and Carrie Massey Wilson ................................................................. Kathi Wilson
IN MEMORY OF GIVEN BY
Ken Aiello ............................................................................................................................. Tony Aiello
Our parents ......................................................................................................... Lissy & Bill Blandford
Our parents ..................................................................................................... John & Linnea Brooke
Jerry Buck, Suzanne & Gregg ....................................................................................... Nancy Buck
Ken Clark ........................................................................................................................... Vivian Clark
Gib & Ruth Easley, Campbell & Eleanor Stuckeman ................................. Dave & Ellen Easley
Our loved ones................................................................................................. Bud & Mary Eastman
Our loved ones............................................................................................... Jim & Bonnie Eastman
John Eifert ........................................................................................................................... Eifert Family
My parents—Ken & Cindy Gleason .......................................................................... Kate Gleason
George Herrera, Betty Leavell, Lee Leavell.............................................. Herrera Leavell Family
Trudy Gibson ......................................................................................................... Georgia & Jim Hall
Ellen Smith ........................................................................................................................ Georgia Hall
Oliver Hopkins ............................................................................................................. Sandra Hopkins
Norm Jacobson and Patty Jacobson Ciha ....................................................... Elaine Jacobson
June Hewlette ................................................................................... Mac & Marilyn MacCaughey
Our loved ones................................................................................................. Jeff & Shelley Maurer
Our loved ones................................................................................................................... Muir Family
Our parents ......................................................................................................... Andy & Denise Park
Our loved ones............................................................................................ Dennis & Nancy Reeser
Patt Reitsma and our parents ..................................................................................... John Reitsma
David Rowland and our parents .............................................................................. Judy Rowland
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Keebler ...................................................................................... Karen Ruggaber
Our parents ....................................................................................................... Vic & Linda Schubert
Paul Schuler, Janet Archer, George Carlisle ..................................................... Mary Lou Schuler
Robert & Maggie Seater .......................................................................................... The Seater Girls
Jim Shufelt, Ricky Shufelt, Bev Shufelt ............................................................................... Vi Shufelt
Don Tredwell ................................................................................................................. Anne Tredwell
Bruce & Eileen Wortley ............................................................................................... Wortley Family
Christmas Poinsettias