FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OF GREENWICH

DECEMBER 20, 2015

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

ORDER OF WORSHIP

DECEMBER 20, 2015 10:00 A.M.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

GATHERING AROUND GOD’S WORD

IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

Knowing God loves us may not save us from fear, nor will it save us from death. And

so it comes down to this: the only way to truly overcome our fear of death is to live

life in such a way that its meaning cannot be taken by death. This sounds grandiose,

but is really very simple. It means fighting the impulse to live for ourselves, instead

of for others. It means choosing generosity over greed. It also means living humbly,

rather than seeking influence and power. Finally, it means being ready to die again

and again to ourselves, and to every self-serving opinion or agenda.

Happiness can be ours if we live for this love. By “love” I am not speaking simply of

the emotion, nor some grand, abstract ideal, but of the life-changing power Christ

speaks of when he says: I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you

gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me… When we live for love we

will be able to meet any challenge that comes our way. We will know peace now, and

at the hour of death. And we will not be afraid.

— Johann Christoph Arnold

PRELUDE Variations Sur un Noël Op. 20 Dupré (1886-1971)

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

WESTMINSTER CHIMES AND THE STRIKING OF THE HOUR

CHORAL INTROIT Angels Song Horman (b. 1946)

Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous songs.

Singing Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, Who unto all his Son hath given

While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year, a glad new year

a glad new year, to all the earth.

See him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise

Mary, Joseph lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise

Singing Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, Who unto all his Son hath given

While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year, a glad new year

a glad new year, to all the earth.

*CALL TO WORSHIP One: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the

authority of his Christ have come.

All: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

One: I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born

this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

All: Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among all.

*OPENING HYMN 40 Joy to the World ANTIOCH

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH The Heike Family

The Lighting of the Candle

The People’s Response Sing to the tune PICARDY

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 powers of hell may vanish

As the darkness clears away.

CONFESSION AND PARDON One: The light has come into the world, but at times we still choose to walk in the

shadows. Yet God beckons to us, inviting us to turn away from what does not

serve us and be welcomed into the light that no darkness can overcome. Let

us pray together.

All: Gracious God, you once used a star to lead the people to Christ, the light

of the world, yet we confess that we do not always let your light shine

through us. We live in ways that do not honor our neighbor, ourselves,

or you. You have given us so much and yet, sometimes, out of fear, we

hold back and do not follow your call upon our lives. Forgive us God,

and grant us courage to do as you ask of us. Forgive us for all the ways

we hide your light, which we bring before you now in silence.

Kyrie Eleison

Assurance of Pardon One: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.

All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

*Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the

beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.

***

HEARING GOD’S WORD

CHILDREN’S SERMON

***

MINISTRY OF MUSIC Selections from MESSIAH Handel (1685-1759)

Recitative for Soprano

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Recitative for Soprano

And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round

about them, and they were sore afraid.

Recitative for Soprano

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Recitative for Soprano

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:

Chorus

Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 1:18-25 One: This is the word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

SERMON Heroes and Saints

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN OF RESPONSE 44 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Prayers of Intercession and Thanksgiving

The 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.

BRINGING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Ritual of Friendship

Offertory Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion Handel (1685-1759)

from MESSIAH

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy

king cometh unto thee.

He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.

*Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

*CLOSING HYMN 23 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

*BENEDICTION

Please be seated to continue worshiping through the postlude

POSTLUDE Fugue from Variations Sur un Noël Op. 20 Dupré (1886-1971)

(*Please stand if you are able. ***Latecomers may be seated.)

WORSHIP AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WELCOME VISITORS: It is a pleasure to have you worshiping with us today. Nametags are

available to help us know each other better. Please sign the fellowship pad (located at the center

aisle of the pews) so that we may send you a personal greeting. Please be sure to join us for

refreshments after the worship service.

INFANT/TODDLER CARE: Infant/Toddler care is in Room #120 and 121 (first floor to the right of

the elevators). Childcare is provided by trained caregivers. Parents will be given a beeper in case of an

emergency.

USHERS SERVING TODAY ARE MEMBERS OF TEAM II: Wayne Branom, Captain, Ron

Dubin, Jack Larkin, Phil McWhorter, Ross Ogden, Rob Rusk, Ron Wilson, Ralph Wyman and

Merle Yoder.

PARTICIPANTS IN TODAY’S SERVICE:

Preaching: The Reverend Erin M. Keys, Acting Head of Staff

Sarah Jessen, Interim Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator

David, Cheryl, Benjamin and Alexander Heike, Advent Candle Lighters

Judy Kelly, Liturgist

Randall Atcheson, Minister of Music & Organist

First Presbyterian Church Choir

Heather Antonissen, Soprano

Lesley Craigie, Soprano

Stephen Steffens, Cantor

Heather Antonissen, Children’s Choir Director

The Children’s Choir

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Please keep these members/friends of our church in your daily

prayers: Barbara Sieber*, Richard Pew*, David Rice*, Ilona Pasternak*, Erin*, Raymond Paluszek*,

Lena Vitolo*, Leslie Blair*, Sabin Streeter*, Therese Russo*, Emily*, Philip Smith, Brady Zeller*,

John Palidino*, Ruth Bromwich*, Zach Rogers*, Jim Thompson*, Tripp Halstead*, Connor

Armstrong*, Wendy Doran*, Angela Hyland*, Dane Conrads*, Jean Marie McLaughlin*, Jessica

Rogers*, Joy Annette Nash*, Arthur Fiore*, Eugene James Mulhearn, Barbara McPeek and those in

caring partnership through Stephen Ministry; those currently serving in the military, especially those in

harm’s way. To be included in this list and the regular Prayers of the People during worship, please call

(203) 869-8686 and notify The Reverend Erin Keys. * friends or family of members

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMBINED CHILDREN’S CHOIR/PAGEANT REHEARSAL, following worship in the

sanctuary.

ATTENTION FISH! Please join us for a shopping trip to Target in Stamford this afternoon from 3-5

pm! We will purchase wish-list items for children served by Kids In Crisis. Please email Lee Ganshaw

at ganshaw@icloud.com if you are coming or if you are an adult who will volunteer to drive.

ADVENT WREATH THANK YOU: Thank you to all who participated in the Advent Wreath

Gift Program. One hundred twenty five lucky children will benefit from your kindness and

generosity. In partnership with the Department of Social Services, we are proud to bring a little

cheer to people in our community with special needs. -Children's Ministry Committee

FIRST FAMILIES SUPPER CLUB: Supper Club will not be meeting during December. First

Families Supper Club will resume on January 13, 2016. Please join us!

CHRISTMAS BLOOD DRIVE, DECEMBER 26, 8:00 AM to 1:15 PM in Fellowship Hall: It’s not

too late to give the perfect gift for Christmas. For a newborn facing surgery, an accident victim, or

a cancer patient, your gift of one pint of life-saving blood this week may be the perfect gift. If you

are seventeen years of age or older, meet height and weight requirements, and are in generally

good health, please make an appointment now to give blood. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-

733-2767) or go online to www.redcrossblood.org. If you can’t give blood, you can still help by

recruiting someone else to donate, or by providing a holiday treat for the drive’s refreshment table.

If you have questions, want to volunteer, or can prepare food, please call or email Ross Ogden

(203-622-9171; OgdenR@optonline.net).

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Next Sunday, December 27, 2015 at 10 am. Bring your pets!

Stuffed animals are also welcome!

FISH... Can Earn GHS Community Service Hours at the YERWOOD Center in Stamford!! YC

has an after school program with 300 children from K to 3rd grade who need tutors and mentors

from high school age on to help with homework and make crafts! Please make a difference and

join the fun! The K-3rd children are dropped off Monday-Friday at 2:30 pm and picked up by 6:00

pm. Come once a week any day, any time. Come when you can and bring a friend. I can provide

transportation from GHS on Tuesdays. Call Yvonne Ferrell - (203)914-5735 or email me at

loubiere@optonline.net.

FPC SUMMER MISSION TRIP TO HAITI! – JULY 2-9, 2016: Open to graduating

Confirmands, high school and college students. Praying Pelicans Mission, will take us Carrefour

and St. Claire. Nonrefundable Trip cost: $695 due January 15. Airfare due March 2, 2016.

For trip financial assistance, contact Erin Keys at erin.keys@fpcg.org. For trip information,

contact Sarah Jessen at sarah.jessen@fpcg.org or Bonnie Hann at bhann@optonline.net.

THE WOMEN’S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP will be discussing Between the World and Me, by Ta-nehisi Coates on Friday, January 22, in the church library. Come for coffee at 9:15 a.m.; the

discussion will take place from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Questions? Suggestions? Call Colleen Giambo

at (203) 622-0269 or Linda Kennedy at (203) 869-1459.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OF GREENWICH

2015 CHRISTMAS GREENS

& FLOWER DEDICATIONS—

Donors may take a plant from the floor after the

10:00 p.m. worship service on December 24.

In honor of their daughter-in-law MAJ Sandra N. Branom USA and their son CPT Wayne T.

Branom III USA, given by Helen Louise and Wayne Branom; in honor of LT Andrew

S. Hotchkiss USN, given by his brother Tom and his parents Stephanie and Bob

Hotchkiss; and in honor of her daughter RDML Cynthia M. Thébaud USN and son-in-

law CAPT Michael R. Fierro USN (Ret.), given by Sally Thébaud.

We give thanks for Sunday School Teachers, given by Lilly & Whit Armstrong.

In loving memory of Reverend Charles Koomruian, beloved brother of Gloria Aslanian, Bob,

Claire, and Grace, husband of Sylvia Koomruain, father of Ruth and Charles.

In loving memory of Dana Aydelotte, given by Tom Aydelotte.

In loving memory of our parents, grandparents, and brother, given by Carol & Bob Barber.

In loving memory of The Reverend & Mrs. C. John L. Bates, and Margaret Fawcett, given by

The Bates Family.

We give thanks for all our wonderful friends and family at Christmastime and always! Given

by the Binnie family.

Wishing you joy and all the blessings of the season! Given by Joe & Ginger Boldt and family.

In loving memory of David and Kathryn Braun, given by The Bylow Family.

In loving memory of John Fletcher Prudden, Shirley Smails, and Wally & Austin Clark, given

by Pam & Hal Clark.

We give thanks for our children, Kaia & Christian Close, given by Gretchen Carlson & Casey Close.

In loving memory of Robert A. Long, given by his sister Mary Lou Conner.

In loving memory of our brother Peter Slinn, given by Barb & John Costas.

In loving memory of Louise & Pete Costas, given by The Costas Family.

We give thanks for Carole & Bob Nichols, given by Blair, Beth, Katherine and Emily Crump.

In loving memory of William L. Culbert III, given by Sandra Pray Culbert.

In loving memory of Diane Elizabeth Wassman Darst, Ph.D., given by David Martin Darst,

Elizabeth Mathews Darst Leykum, Charles Syl Leykum, Diane Elizabeth Leykum,

Charles Mathews Leykum, Lucy Rockefeller Leykum, David Martin Darst, Jr.,

Elizabeth Leigh Proctor Darst, and Harrison Elizabeth Darst.

In loving memory of Elizabeth & James H. Howe III, and Juliette & Harry Dubin, given by Ron &

Susie Dubin.

In loving memory of Nancy Wharton Duryea, given by her family.

We give thanks for friends and family, given by Kimberly & Jack Foster.

In loving memory of Anne L. Frye, John R. Frye and Holly Frye Allen, given by Robin Lynne Frye.

In loving memory of Charles Robert Hacker, given by the Hacker Family.

In loving memory of Jean Rogers Hahn, given by Philip M. Hahn and Carolyn Hahn-Re.

In loving memory of Bob Harper, given by Betsy, John, Haley, Toby, Katrina and all 8 grandchildren.

In loving memory of Russ Herman, given by his wife Sandy & the children.

Merry Christmas to All! Given by Steve & Anne Hoffman.

In loving memory of Beatrice and Shantarum Singh, given by Maya Singh Hyland & William

S. Hyland.

I give thanks for this wonderful church, given by Bev Jomo.

In loving memory of John and Marion Kennedy, given by John, Grace & John, III Kennedy.

Given by Louise Lamont.

In loving memory of Margaret (Peggy) Larkin, given by John I. Larkin and family.

In loving memory of my family- mother, father, sisters, brother, husband, son; given by Trudi Larsh.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!!! From The Micki & Jerry Lee Family.

In loving memory of Tony Lomazzo, beloved husband and father; and Lawrence Lomazzo,

beloved son, given by their family.

We give thanks for family, friends, good health and blessings, given by The Loveless Family.

In loving memory of Judith Anderson Helliwell, given by The MacFaddin Family.

I give thanks for Bridget and Danielle MacKimm, given by Dan MacKimm.

In loving memory of Mrs. Katherine Glatfelter Costello, and Mr. & Mrs. Theodore McClellan

Glatfelter, given by Mr. and Mrs. Hank Minchin, Hank, Teddy and George.

In loving memory of Paul McWhorter, given by Phil & Linda McWhorter and Uncle Paul’s

many nieces and nephews.

In loving memory of Geraldine Betts, beloved sister, given by Winona Mullis.

In loving memory of James Bertae Zwack and Stanley Hiram Munger, given by Linda &

Steve Munger and family.

We give thanks for all our family and friends at FPCG! Given by Carole & Bob Nichols.

In loving memory of Mary Ingalls Mathewson, given by Lori and Chris Niehaus and their family.

In loving memory of Catherine Hyder Ogden, given by Ross Ogden.

In honor of Theodore & Elinda Ongaro, and John E. Stine, given by The Ron Ongaro Family.

In loving memory of Daupinot Derek Piper, given by The Piper Family.

In loving memory of Julia Penney-mother, given by Marcia Preston.

We give thanks for Geoff, Todd, Courtney and their fantastic families, given by Gil & Nancy Raker.

We give thanks for Gil & Nancy Raker, from their adoring children and grandchildren.

We give thanks for Gil & Nancy Raker - the best grandparents ever! Given by Luke and Jake Spada.

In loving memory of Michael Courtney, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Riddle, Sr., Grandma

Rose, and Dottibob Andes, given by The Riddle Family.

In loving memory of John R. Roberson, and David H. Roberson, given by Charlene & Kathy

Roberson.

In loving memory of Peg Larkin, given by Sondra D. Rudy.

We give thanks to the sextons and support staff that help to make everything work like clockwork,

given by Kathryn Shorts and Daoud Awad.

Blessed holidays for First Presbyterian Church, given by Nancy Smith.

I give thanks for the Spirit of Christmas, given by Philip J. Smith.

We give thanks for the birth of our newest grandchild, Caroline Soto MacLaggan, given by

Judy and Ray Soto.

In loving memory of Marion Groot Waters and Jean Nethercott Reeve, given by Sandy &

Steve Waters.

We give thanks for family and friends, near, far and wide, given by Peter and Gail Wilson.

In loving memory of Toni Wyman, Charles Wyman, Henry Wyman, and Thomas Wyman, given by

Ralph Wyman.

In honor of our friends at First Presbyterian, given by Alona Ayer-Ziegler and Ona Ziegler.

In honor of Victor & Aileen Zimmermann, and E. Randolph Dale, given by The

Zimmermanns.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREENWICH One West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

Phone: (203) 869-8686 Fax: (203) 869-1745

Website: www.fpcg.org

The Ministers: All Members of the First Presbyterian Church

Erin M. Keys, Acting Head of Staff

Randall Atcheson, Minister of Music

Sarah Jessen, Interim Children and Youth Coordinator

We are a Stephen Ministry Church