PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Come, Lord Jesus, come

and hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Tune: O Little Town of Bethlehem)

Our Father, Lord, on heav’ns high throne, most holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth - in heav’n the same.

Give us our daily bread; forgiven may we be.

Into temptation do not lead; From evil set us free.

OFFERING – Christmas Joy Offering

A MUSICAL OFFERING Catherine Pelletier, Soloist

O Jesu So Sweet, O Jesu So Mild – J. S. Bach

*ADVENT SONG OF PRAISE (Tune: Doxology) Praise be to God who reigns above, who holds us all in steadfast love;

Whose Spirit blows across the earth. Prepare us for the Savior’s birth.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION Gracious and loving God,

these gifts we offer are our response to the light

which came into the world that first Christmas.

Help us in this Advent season to allow that light to shine through us,

so that the dark areas of people's lives can be pierced by Christ's love.

This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

*CAROL People, Look East Number 105

*ADVENT BLESSING Go forth. Reach out and say to people in darkness,

"Here I am; let me be your companion along the way.” Reach out and say to people suffering in sadness and grief,

“Here I am; let me lighten your burden.” Reach out and say to people lost in the pandemonium,

“He is coming! The Child of Hope,

the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world."

*ADVENT SONG OF BLESSING (Tune: O Come All Ye Faithful)

The Lord bless and keep you through this Advent season.

Prepare, O prepare for the Promised One comes.

Glory to God, Father, Son, and Spirit!

The Savior coming near us, God’s love abiding with us,

Joy, hope and faith within us. Come, Jesus, Come!

*POSTLUDE Toccata on a Noel – Lefevre Pope

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - JOY

A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP December 17, 2017

3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT 11:00 a.m.

(LARGE PRINT BULLETINS, PEW BIBLES AND

ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM OUR USHERS)

*Please stand, if able.

GATHERING AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Janet Winslow

WORDS OF ANTICIPATION Christ is coming!

Christ is coming to make all things new!

PRELUDE Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus – Michael Burkhardt Steve Henley

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Noah Pearcy & Mindy Peters

CAROL O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verse 6) Number 88

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

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

OPENING PRAYER Heather Brannon Almighty God, the time of waiting is almost over.

Like new parents eagerly awaiting the birth of a child,

we impatiently wait with you for the birth of your Son.

We stand in awe,

knowing what the birth of this particular baby means for our lives

yet unable to fully comprehend the depth of your love for us.

We come before you in worship this morning,

hoping that our thoughts, prayers and songs of praise are pleasing to you.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*CAROL Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn Number 107

PRAYERS FOR WHOLENESS AND HEALING God of blessing and love, when the time was right you sent your Son to the world.

Teach us the art of patience and give us an understanding of your wisdom.

Forgive us for making this holy season of anticipation

a whirlwind of lists and activities,

a flood of joyless obligations and heartless generosity.

Forgive our rush as we forgive those who rush past us.

Lead us not into anxiety, but deliver us from pretense.

For your kingdom is coming with the power of love

and the glory of angelic carols now and forever. Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE Come Now, O Prince of Peace (verse 1) Number 103

Come now, O Prince of Peace; make us one body.

Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVING FORGIVENESS God so loved the world that Jesus, God’s only Son,

came into the world to redeem everyone who believes.

Thanks be to God!

We are forgiven through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Amen.

*SONG OF THANKSGIVING Christ Is Coming! (verse 1) Number 360

Christ is coming! Let creation from its groans and labor cease;

let the glorious proclamation hope restore and faith increase:

Christ is coming! Christ is coming! Come, O blessed Prince of Peace.

PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD

CHILDREN’S CONVERSATION Lauren Ramseur Young children may leave for Godly Play with Laura Peters following the conversation.

GOSPEL READING Luke 1:39-45

THE WORD IN MUSIC Chancel Choir Wait, Wait, Wait with the Angels – John Horman

READING FROM THE PROPHETS Micah 5:2-5a

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

ADVENT MESSAGE “Trusting God with Abandonment”

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

*PROCLAIMING OUR FAITH We believe in God Incarnate, in God with Us,

in God who was born to be one of us.

We believe in the God who took on flesh,

who loved and laughed, who wept and prayed.

We believe in the man who was fully human and fully divine.

We believe in the Savior who sacrificed and suffered,

who paid the ultimate price for love.

We believe in the Holy One who triumphed over sin and death

and who reigns eternally with God.

We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and our Savior.

SCRIPTURE READING

GOSPEL READING: Luke 1:39-45

39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where

she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s

greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and

exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your

womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as

soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And

blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the

Lord.”

READING FROM THE PROPHETS: Micah 5:2-5a

2But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall

come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth;

then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4And he shall stand and feed

his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And

they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5and he shall be the

one of peace. If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise

against them seven shepherds and eight installed as rulers.

Songs & Lyrics reprinted under CCLI License #11023707

Rev. Dr. Janet Winslow, Pastor

Rev. Lauren Ramseur, Covenant Pastor

Family, Children, Youth Ministry

Heather W. Brannon, Ministry Intern

Stephen E. Henley, Director of Music

Brenda Norton, Office Manager

Jennifer Smouse, Preschool Director

Dwayne L. Williams, Sexton bonairpc.org

9201 W. Huguenot Rd., North Chesterfield, VA 23235 * (804) 272-7514

Fax (804) 272-9752 * E-mail: office@bonairpc.org

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WELCOME! We’re glad you joined us for worship today. We are a diverse and

engaging community of faith seeking and serving Christ to make a difference. We pray

that you experience Christ’s presence in our midst and that his presence will sustain you

in the week ahead.

If you are a guest, we hope you will consider Bon Air Presbyterian Church as a

community of faith where you belong. Feel free to pick up a welcome folder which

contains information about our church. Copies of our newsletter, Outreach, are available

in our lobby. Our pastors and ushers are delighted to answer any questions you may have

about our ministries and programs.

CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP! Special children’s bulletins and

activity bags are available for children from an usher. Childcare for infants through 2 year

olds is available in our nursery. An usher will be glad to direct you.

ADVENT BULLETIN COVER ART is being prepared by the children of the church.

Today’s cover has been created by Katie Smouse.

Please let us know that you are here today! During the service, please sign the blue friendship pad.

SSUUNNDDAAYY CCHHRRIISSTTIIAANN EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNIITTIIEESS Classes begin at 9:45 a.m.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH Pageant Practice – in the Sanctuary

ADULT

Why Are There So Many Denominations? (Beck Room) There will be a fun culminating review activity (final exam) that even those who have

not been in class will be able to participate in and benefit from. AND … Harold will

sing the George Fox song.

LET’S GO CAROLING! Join carolers and spread a little Christmas joy TODAY!

Carpools will meet at church at 1:30 p.m. Carolers will return to church in time for the

Christmas pageant. Sign-up on the fellowship board in the office foyer to let Carolyn Carper

know you are coming.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - TODAY at 4:00 p.m. “The Innkeeper’s Children” is written

and directed by Bruce Miller. Our choir, bell choir, youth, children and preschool will all be

participating in this inter-generational pageant. There will be a reception following the

pageant. Goodies are welcomed and needed. Join us for this special afternoon!

AS MARY AND JOSEPH FINALLY FOUND WELCOME IN BETHLEHEM, we can

also welcome wayfarers to Richmond. Bring toiletries to the Christmas pageant today to

assist Church World Service support refugees in our community. The offering will support

ReEstablish, Richmond’s refugee ministry.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM - On Sunday, December 31, we will have

single morning worship service as we welcome in the new year.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT - Sunday, December 31, at 7:00 p.m. Join us in the

sanctuary for a concert featuring Organists, John DeMajo from Byrd Theater and Steve

Henley; Soprano, Catherine Pelletier; Bass Baritone, Alan Chavez; Tenor and Pianist, Evan

Heiter; and Pianists, Marty Yeatts and Brian Plante. Come to a reception in the parlor

following the concert for camaraderie with food and beverages. A free will offering will be

received to benefit our Music Ministries.

THIS WEEK AT BON AIR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (December 17-24)

Sunday 8:30 a.m. Worship Celebration (Sanctuary)

9:45 a.m. Pageant Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

11:00 a.m. Worship Celebration (Sanctuary)

1:30 p.m. Christmas Caroling

4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant (Sanctuary)

Monday 9:30 a.m. Yoga (Room 101-103)

6:45 p.m. Boy Scouts (Room 208-210)

7:15 p.m. Walk Away the Pounds (Room 101-103)

Tuesday 5:00 p.m. AA (Fellowship Hall & Room 101-103)

7:30 p.m. Property Team (Library)

Wednesday Noon Staff Meeting (Library)

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir (Choir Room)

Thursday 6:00 p.m. Yoga (Room 101-103)

7:15 p.m. Walk Away the Pounds (Room 101-103)

Friday 5:00 p.m. AA (Fellowship Hall & Room 101-103)

Sunday 10:00 a.m. Casual Morning Service (Sanctuary)

4:00 p.m. Family Carol Sing (Sanctuary)

8:30 a.m. Nativity Concert (Sanctuary)

9:00 p.m. Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATIONS

CASUAL MORNING SERVICE – 10:00 a.m. Pull on your comfy Christmas sweater and join us as we sing our favorite carols

and hear the message of hope that comes to us each Christmas.

FAMILY CAROL SING – 4:00 p.m. Catch a glimpse of the child’s view of Christmas as families join together to sing

familiar carols, tell the sacred story, and celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

NATIVITY CONCERT – 8:30 p.m. Harp and string quartet fill us with Christmas spirit as we prepare to worship

by candlelight.

CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE – 9:00 p.m. Come in from the cold night and feel the warmth of the candle glow as we join

together for traditional carols and an inspiring message. We conclude the service by

transforming our darkened sanctuary with the glow of God’s love.