First Presbyterian Church December 2, 2018 10:30 a.m.

First Sunday in Advent “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for

those who keep his covenant and decrees.” Psalm 25:10

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

Prelude

Welcome and Church Life Notes

Introit "Prepare the Way of the Lord" by Rowan Chancel Choir

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

*Hymn “Prepare the Way of the Lord” #95 One: Today we light the first candle of Advent, the Candle of

Hope.

All: We put our hope in the One to come, the promised One who comes from God to bring good news of salvation. We hope in the One who will lead us to walk in the light of the LORD. We hope he will not let us live in dark valleys, but on the high mountain of God.

One: We light this candle in hope. On this day, we remember to look with hope for the coming of Christ.

*Hymn “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” #82

*Call to Confession

*Prayer of Confession: Lord, we wait for some sign of hope. Our world is fractured, and lives are broken. We confess our own role in the troubles of the world. The anger, the argument, the condemnation, the control. O God of all hope, is there hope for us? Forgive us we pray gracious Lord. Restore in us the salvation you offer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(A moment for silent personal prayer of confession)

*Assurance of Pardon One: At the beginning, at the end, and in every time between,

the good news speaks to us of God's tender mercy and love for us.

All: God comes! Not to punish, but to gift us with hope, not to judge, but to save us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*Choral Response “Glory to God” #583 Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!

Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!

*Passing of the Peace One: The peace of the Lord be with you all.

All: And also with you.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD

Time for Small Disciples Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays Anthem "Come, Emmanuel, Come" by Price/Besig

Chancel Choir

Prayer for Illumination Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 (page 738 OT in the pew Bible)

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (page 204 NT in the pew Bible) Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Luke 21:25-36 (page 85 NT in the pew Bible) Leader: The Gospel of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon "Waiting with Hope" Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

*Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #88

*Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed – (Traditional version) (Ushers gather in the narthex at this time.)

One: Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin

Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings

Call to the Offering

Offertory “Shepherd Songs” by Ryan

A Pealing Sound

*Choral Response “The Doxology” #606

*Prayer of Dedication Lord God, we are thankful for the life we have when we gather in your name. Make our hearts joyful; make our hearts generous, that we may share the life you give us with others in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer … “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”

*Hymn “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” #87

*Benediction

*Song on the Way “Wait for the Lord” #90

*Postlude

*You may stand.

Thought for today: “Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him … Christ comes uninvited.” —Thomas Merton

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Ruth Mays Music Director: Billy Meredith A Pealing Sound Director: Elder Bea Mooney Web Site: www.fpcdelhi.org

Liturgist: Deacon Heather Rosa Phone: (607) 746-2155

Fax # (607) 746-2156 4 Clinton Street, Delhi, NY

13753 e-mail: office@fpcdelhi.org

http://www.fpcdelhi.org/mailto:office@fpcdelhi.org

SUNDAY December 2

9:30 am Deacons Meeting (Library) 9:30 am A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Ch & Sanctuary) 9:45 am Sunday School (CR) 10:00 am Choir Gathers (Chapel) 10:00 am Christmas Mission Stocking Collection (N) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Coffee Hour (FH) 3:00 pm Girl Scouts (CR)

MONDAY December 3

8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (RR, BR & N) 9:00 am Kirk work day 10:00 am Monday Bridge (NN)

TUESDAY December 4

Office Working Remotely 9:00 am Little Inspirations Preschool (RR, BR & N) 5:30 pm Weight Watchers (Ch)

WEDNESDAY December 5

7:30 am SPARKS (Library) 9:00 am Little Inspirations Preschool (RR, BR & N) 12:30 pm “Our Gang” (FH) 4:30 pm A Pealing Sound Rehearsal (Sanctuary & Ch) 5:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 6:30 pm Session Meeting (Library)

THURSDAY December 6

$$ due in church office for youth angel shopping 9:00 am Little Inspirations Preschool (RR, BR & N) 9:00 am Kirk Work Day

FRIDAY December 7

8:30 am Little Inspirations Preschool (RR, BR, N) 9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open! 10:30 am Gentle Yoga (Chapel)

SATURDAY December 8

9:00 am – 2:00 pm The Kirk Thrift Shoppe open!

SUNDAY December 9

Poinsettia Orders due 9:45 am Sunday School with Pageant Rehearsal (CR) 10:00 am Choir Gathers (Chapel) 10:00 am Christmas Mission Stocking Collection (N) 10:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 11:30 am Fellowship Christmas Dinner (FH) 4:00 pm Boy Scout Troop Meeting (CR)

RR – Red Room; CR – Conference Room; FH – Fellowship Hall; N-Narthex; BR – Blue Room; Nu – Nursery; NN-New Narthex; Ch – Chapel

BOUNTIFUL GIVING SUNDAYS are the last Sunday of each month. Offerings of sustaining food will be placed in the front of the sanctuary on these Sundays.

First Presbyterian Church of Delhi, New York

Church Life: December 2, 2018

A blessed Advent to you! Today as we worship, we begin the season of anticipation, hope and preparation for the coming Messiah. Welcome.

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made ... ’” (Jeremiah 33:14, NIV). Thanks, God, that we can depend on your promises.

A special welcome is extended to all who are visiting with us this morning. We hope that your worship experience will be meaningful and enjoyable. If you are interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church or becoming a member of this congregation, please speak with Pastor Lisa Ruth, the Church Office or any Elder.

THE FLOWERS today are given as a gift to the church by Don and Bonnie Fleming.

COFFEE HOUR will be held today in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the Worship Service. Our hosts this morning are Toni Weaver and Toni Jetter with coffee maker Harry Bell. Please join us this morning!

The TRUSTEES responsible for counting today are Bruce Burr and Steve McKeegan. The Trustees responsible for counting on December 9 are Art Maxwell and Tom Leo.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP BAGS are available in the hospitality room on the shelves. Children are welcome to select a bag & items of their choosing to use during worship. CHILDREN’S BULLETINS are also available. The CHILD CARE ROOM is available to parents during worship.

Our prayer focus for December: those displaced or seeking shelter

A Christmas card wall has been set up in the Boyd entrance for those wishing to send Christmas greetings to the entire congregation.

Mission Emphasis for December – Angel Tree/Envelopes and Christmas Joy Offering

Ladies Lunch at Crossroads is the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm. Please join us on December 19.

Children's Sunday School is seeking people to sign up for winter classes which begin February 3, 2019! Sign-up sheets are in the church office.

Thoughts on Giving: “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” LUKE 21:28 We celebrate Advent each year in preparation of the birth of Jesus, His first coming, as we await his second coming. In this Advent season, use the Advent season to strengthen your relationship with Jesus. It’s never too late. Stewardship Prayer: That we strengthen our relationship with Jesus as we await His coming.

Please join us on Sunday, December 9th after church for our Annual Christmas Dinner. We will be having chicken and biscuits which the Fellowship Committee will provide. The congregation can bring a dessert. Those interested will be going caroling afterwards.

The Per Capita amount for 2018 has been set at $37.83 per member.

Attendance week of 11-25-18 61 The amount needed each week The amount given week of 11-25-18

$2,774.27 $1,433.00

The amount needed year-to-date The amount given YTD as of 11-25-18 Fuel Fund given YTD as of 11-25-18

Kirk Receipts week of 11-18 to 11-24 Mission giving week of 11-25-18 Mission giving YTD as of 11-25-18

$129,390.69 $81,881.85

$4,473.00

$830.27 $6.00

$5,787.00

Apportionment Needed 2018 Apportionment received YTD as of 11-25-18

$6,960.72 $2,213.65

Remember the MITTEN TREE is ready for donations of mittens, gloves, socks, scarves and hats & the ANGEL TREE now has angels! If you would like to select an angel and have the youth do the shopping, money and angels must be turned into the office by December 6. The mitten tree is located in the Chapel narthex. The Angel Tree is located in the narthex off the sanctuary and Boyd entrance. Angel Gifts must be returned to the church by Sunday, December 16th and should not be wrapped.

Looking ahead - Mark your calendars! 2nd Sunday in Advent – December 9, 10:30 am Christmas Dinner & Caroling – December 9, 11:45 am Poinsettia Orders Due – December 9 Taizé Prayer –Thursday, December 13, 7:00 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church Wreath Orders Due – December 14 3rd Sunday in Advent – December 16, 10:30 am Breakfast in Bethlehem – December 16, 10:30 am Living Nativity – December 22 & 23, 6:30 pm 4th Sunday in Advent with Holy Communion – December 23, 10:30 am Candlelight Service – December 24th, 7 pm music, 7:30 pm worship

The Living Nativity will be held December 22nd and Sunday, December 23rd from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Anyone wishing more information or to sign up to take part in this event should contact the church office at 607-746-2155 or call Tom at 607-746-8265. CE Is preparing the Christmas play for December 16 and we would like to invite you on our journey into Bethlehem. Worship service will take place that day in the fellowship hall. Free breakfast will be served. Request to the Congregation, who are able, please bring a dessert to share.

The children have decorated their stockings for the sanctuary and we are asking if you could include them when writing your Christmas cards again this year. This was a great way last year to share a story or thought with the children and we are hoping you will wish them well again this year. Stockings are for cards only. No gifts please. Stockings will be hung from December 2 to the 16th.

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting (TCF) Oneonta Region Chapter will host a candle lighting ceremony to remember our departed children at 7pm at the UU Church, 12 Ford Avenue in Oneonta.