Decatur Presbyterian Church, p.c.a.a Community of Grace

For what we proclaim is not ourselves,but Jesus Christ as Lord,

with ourselves as your servantsfor Jesus’ sake.2 Corinthians 4:5

The Worship of Father, Son & Holy SpiritDecember 18, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus! If you are a guest with us, please be sure to sign our Registry when it is passedbefore the service. Children are welcome in our worship. We have a nursery available for children 3 and under. Children4 to 6 years of age may be dismissed to Godly Play prior to the sermon. Thank you for joining us today and may the Lordrichly bless you.

Song of Assembly1

A Light Has Dawned LightA light has dawned, a King has come,

To redeem every heart and soul,Born unto us, Emmanuel, the Savior of the world.

Let us adore and praise His name.

Angels rejoice and shepherds bowAt the sight of the holy Child,

Men from afar searching to find the Savior of the world.Let us adore and praise His name.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna, let us sing.Hosanna in the highest, we give glory to the King,

Glory to the King.

You are the Christ, the Son of God,And the nations will rally to You.

Let every heart come recognize the Savior of the world.Let us adore and praise His name.

Welcome and Preparation for WorshipHe became what we are that he might make us what he is. ~ Athanasius

God became man to turn creatures into sons: not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kindof man. ~ C.S. Lewis

The mystery of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding. ~ Martin Luther

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. ~ The Apostle John

Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent Glenn Fincher Luke 1:26-38

1 All songs used by permission or covered under CCLI license # 391165.

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The Lord Gives Us His PresenceResponsive Call to Worship2 Based on Philippians 4:4-5Pastor: Rejoice in the Lord always!People: I will say it again: Rejoice!Pastor: Let your gentleness be evident to all.People: The Lord is near.Pastor: We rejoice in the hope of Christ’s coming!All: Let us worship God!

Prayer of Confidence Based on Psalm 89

Hymn of Praise

Angels We Have Heard on High TraditionalAngels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains.Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?Say what may the tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song?

Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo, gloria in excelsis Deo.

Meditation: The Song of Mary Luke 1:46-55And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humbleestate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done greatthings for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shownstrength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty fromtheir thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent awayempty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to hisoffspring forever.”

2 We believe that God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with his invitation and command to us to gather in His name.2

The Lord Gives Us His GraceConfession of SinPastor: When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, he became like us in all things but sin. May we who have been reborn in Jesusbe free from our sinful ways. Let us confess our sin to God.

All: Our great God, we pursue power and money, yet you come in weakness. We covet material gifts, when you aloneoffer what is lasting. Through the work of this Lord Jesus, who comes among us full of grace and truth, forgive us,heal us. Then open our lips, that we may sing your praise with the angels, and remake our lives, that we may witnessto your transforming love. Through Christ, our Lord. ...Silent & Personalized Confession of Sin... Amen!

Words of Assurance John 1:29The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Worship with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

O Come All Ye Faithful WadeO 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.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n 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.

Yea, Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning:Jesus to Thee be all glory giv’n;

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.

Agnus Dei SmithAlleluia, Alleluia

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.Alleluia, Alleluia

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.Alleluia, Holy, Holy, are You Lord God Almighty.

Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb,You are Holy, Holy, are You Lord God AlmightyWorthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb. Amen.

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Silent Night! Holy Night! MohrSilent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight!Glories stream from heaven afar, heav’nly host sing alleluia;

Christ the Savior, is born! Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure lightRadiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Petition Elder George Godwin

His Tithes & Our Offerings

Anthem Let There Be Light Joint Choirs

The Lord Gives Us His WordSermon3 Pastor Tommy Lee

Advent: Living in HopeJohn 1:1-14

We Respond

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel McDonaldO 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.

O come Thou Rod of Jesse, free, Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;From depths of hell Thy people save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

3 4, 5, & 6 year-old children may be dismissed before the sermon to Godly Play in room 173.4

The Lord Gives Us His SacramentThe Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperCommunion, also called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committedfollowers of Jesus Christ to share in this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims thegospel, who are at peace with God and their neighbor, and who seek strength to live in a deeper communion with Jesus.If you are not a Christian, or you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer.We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the Church.

Because of Your Tender Mercy Moffitt/SmithBecause of Your tender mercy,

The morning light from heaven is about to shine,Is about to shine.

Because of Your tender mercy,Though we have walked in darkness, You will end our night,

You will end our night.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the angels sing,Let earth receive the King of kings.So holy, so worthy, You come to us.

Because of Your tender mercyTo ev'ry generation You have shown Your love,

You have shown Your love.Because of Your tender mercy,

You are forever faithful, reaching down to us,Reaching down to us.

Because of Your tender mercy. Because of Your tender mercy.

The Lord Gives Us His BlessingBenediction4

Pastor: Jesus is the Word made flesh in our midst. May his incarnation fill your hearts with joy and peace.People: O Lord, give us peace.Pastor: Jesus is the promised Savior, born of Mary. May his birth among us renew your hope.People: O Lord, give us hope.Pastor: Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. May the gift of his presence bring forth rejoicing.People: O Lord, give us joy.Pastor: Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.All: Amen.4 Just as God called us into His presence at the beginning, so now He commands His blessing upon us as we depart. We look up and extend our handsin a posture of thanksgiving as we receive this great gift. Our final response to God’s assurance of His peace and presence upon those who are in Christis a chorus of joyful song.

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O Come All Ye Faithful WadeCome 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.

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Advent: Living in HopeJohn 1:1-14

Pastor Tommy Lee

1. The World’s Hope

2. Christ, Our Hope

3. The World’s Meaning

4. Christ, Our Meaning

5. A Hope Rejected, A Hope Received

Sermons are available at the church web site www.decaturpca.org

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December 24 Christmas Eve Service December 25 Christmas Morning Worship January 8, 2012 DPC Breakfast January 8, 2012 Photo Sessions for DPC Directory January 11, 2012 Mid Week Ministries Resume January 22, 2012 Newcomers’ Lunch @ the Lees’ February 3-4, 2012 Common Ground Marriage Weekend February 17-19, 2012 Winter Youth Retreat March 2-3, 2012 Iron Men Retreat (held right here at DPC)

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

7:00pm YBR Christmas Party @ at the Schmidts’

TODAY

Wednesday, 11:30am Men’s Bible Study @ ADTRAN 6:00pm Kid's Choirs: 5 Year Olds - 2nd Grade / Kids of the King 3rd Grade - 8th Grade / Dare 2 Declare 6:15pm Worship Choir Practice 7:45pm Praise Band Practice Thursday, 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study @ Neighborhood Christian Center Friday, 6:30am Men’s Bible Study @ Temple, Inc. Saturday, 6:30pm Christmas Eve Service Sunday, 10:45am Christmas Morning Worship

THIS WEEK

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DPC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve ServiceDecember 24, 6:30pm

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! Howtouching to have the meaning of Christmasbrought to us by cola, fast food, and beer.... Who’dhave ever guessed that product consumption,popular entertainment, and spirituality would mixso harmoniously?” ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news ofgreat joy that will be for all the people. For untoyou is born this day in the city of David a Savior,who is Christ the Lord.” ... “Let us go over to Beth-lehem and see this thing that has happened, whichthe Lord has made known to us.” ~ Luke 2

Youth Winter

February 17th-19th@ Camp McDowell

Cost: $95Registration & Payment Due By December 18th

ANNOUNCING THE2012 DPC PHOTO DIRECTORY!

There will be two ways to submit a photo: You couldjust e-mail a photo of you(r family) todirectory@decaturpca.org. Or you can have a phototaken on Sunday morning, January 8 (see the DPCBREAKFAST announcement below!). All membersand regular attenders are urged to participate!

DPC BREAKFASTOn Sunday morning January 8, DPC will meet forbreakfast together at 9:30am. After breakfast, therewill be two photography stations where everyone canget their pictures taken for the 2012 DPC PHOTODIRECTORY! (See the announcement above.) Sun-day School or Christian Education Classes will notmeet on that Sunday.

Midweek Ministries will not be meetingagain until Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

On Christmas morning we will meet to wor-ship the Lord Jesus Christ at 10:45am. Sun-day School and Christian Education Classeswill not meet. Nursery will not be provided.

Thank YouIsn’t the church beautiful this Advent & Christmasseason? Be sure to thank the ladies whose labors oflove made it so! Jean Colquitt, Natalie Cook, CarolGodwin, Cindy Johnston, Hope Schmidt, & Faye Tem-ple — we appreciate your love for the church!

NEWCOMERS TO DPC!Please put this on your calendar: NewcomersLunch at the Lees’ home on Sunday, January22 (not the 15th, as originally announced in the

calendar).

DPC 101If you're interested in exploring

membership at DPC, please see Tommy.

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All ladies over the age of 18 are invited to partic-ipate in Secret Sisters. What is Secret Sisters? Itis a fun way of providing encouragement to an-other sister in Christ. More information on whatit is and what is required of you is on the desk inthe Gathering Room. Sign up is going on nowthrough the end of the year. We will begin inJanuary and end in May. See Elizabeth Lee if youhave questions.

Missionary SpotlightRay & Michele Call (and their 6 children: Rebecca,AnnaGrace, Jeremiah, John, Daniel, & Christina) livealong the U.S. / Mexico border, ministering mainlyin the cities of San Diego and Tijuana. The focusof their work is evangelism and church-planting.We're working towards a time when the Call familymight come visit DPC in 2012! This family's workis supported by DPC Faith Promise.

Thank YouThank you DPC family for coming out and sharing theMajesty & Glory of Christmas with us last Sunday evening.It was so encouraging to us to look out and see all of youthere! Thank you again for supporting us, we hope it addedto your Christmas Season.

All the DPC Choirs & Stu

Please join us for aBridal Teahonoring

Leah Pranger WingardWife of Zach Wingard

Sunday, January 15, 20122:00pm

at the home of Lisa Eyster1614 Brookmeade Road SE

Selections at Bed, Bath & Beyondand Macy’s

Please Pray for IndonesiaEach month, churches are shut down and Christiansforced to worship elsewhere.A Muslim mob attacked the Batak Christian Protes-tant Church on August 8, 2010. The believers re-sponded by proclaiming, “Hallelujah!” Pray for thischurch and for many others in Indonesia that havebeen closed, attacked and harassed.

Category:HostileReligion:Muslim 80.3%Christian 16%Ideology:Islam

Head of State:President SusiloBambang Yudhoyono

O come, O come, EmmanuelAnd ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appearRejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people saveAnd give them victory o’er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheerOur spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of nightAnd death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,And close the path to misery.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,In ancient times did’st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

Translated from an ancient Latin hymn by John Neale, 1851