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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 pastormark@firstpresracine.org

716 College Avenue

Racine, WI 53403

262.632.1686

www.firstpresracine.org

office@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!

4

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