Doing and Being the Gospel

Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Stephen Smith, from First Presbyterian Church in Washington.
 
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.
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Gathering  Around  the  Word
Prelude                                                                   Choir         
ANNOUNCEMENTS     

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE         
                                                                  
CALL TO WORSHIP    
Leader: Clear away the unnecessary.
PEOPLE: Put aside the unimportant.
Leader: Lay down the unrealistic.
PEOPLE: Keep your ears open for angel songs.
Leader: Cut the lists in half.
PEOPLE: Practice saying, “no thanks.”
Leader: Look for the moments of stillness.
PEOPLE: Keep your eyes looking for a star, your hands ready to 
                give, your voice  filled with song and your heart longing 
                for joy.

INVOCATION                                                      Rev. Smith
HYMN                            Angels from the Realms of Glory                                  190

CALL TO CONFESSION
Gracious God, we welcome you to our house, the sacred space we have built to gather together as your people. Hear now our prayers of confession:
 
 PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                       (UNISON)
Compassionate, forgiving God, we trespass on your mercy and take your favor for granted. There are times we think only of ourselves. We forget the lessons of those who came before us, and ignore our responsibility to those who will follow us. We forget those in need and favor those who have. We do not see how we distance ourselves from you in our blindness to the staggering need all  around us.  We do not recognize your hunger for justice and what our part we play to bring it about in a world that so sorely needs it. Forgive, us, we pray. Give us a clear mind, and heart, merciful God to do your will. AMEN
*Time of silent prayer.
Assurance of Pardon
The Holy One forgives and bestows favor on each of us, even and especially when we are lowly in spirit. We are blessed from generation to generation by the Mighty One, whose strength and mercy are forever. AMEN 
*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
P: And also, with you. 
    
*Response – Gloria Patri

CHOIR ANTHEM
 
CHILDREN’S CHAT                                                        Rev. Smith

                    The Word of God

Prayer for Illumination
Scripture reading                                                                                  LUKE 3: 7-18

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

L: The Word of the Lord
P: Thanks be to God ! 

Sermon                           “Doing and Being the Gospel”
         
                Responding to the Word

HYMN                        Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus                                  168
*Apostles Creed (found inside the back cover of the hymnal) 

Presentation of our tithes and offering

Offertory                                                                 Choir                          
Doxology (Hymnal page 382)
Prayer of dedication

Concerns and Celebrations

BIRTHDAYS        Nicole King, Sam Jackson, Sue Gregg, Addison Miklic, Susie Cummings, Lynn Kalich, Dan Kalich, Buc Walther, Brian Bell, Jean Westfall
            
ANNIVERSARIES      Bill and Carol Stough

JOYS AND CONCERNS -  Please keep the Durila Family in your prayers as they are in isolation, Susie has COVID and Debbie is suffering with a bad back.  Susan West has recovered from the COVID and has the ok to return to work.      

SYMPATHY        To the Family of Abby Rhoades
            To the Family of William (Billie) Tamulinas
            To the Family of Eileen Miller
            To the Family of Bob Crowe

Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks,  June and Keith McGill, Glenn Miles,  Roger Riggs, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank Baker, Michael Durila Sr., Justin Hagon, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Elaine Belcascro, Lisa Marshall, Sandy Stone, Diane Bednarski, Matt Petrola, Ray Dyson, Diana Donaldson, Rob Logsdon, Laura Davis, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Carol and Ed Horne.  

Prayers of the People                                                             Rev. Smith

The Lord’s Prayer

HYMN                                     Lo, How a Rose                                                    174
 
Benediction 
May the Creator who gives birth in the heart of a servant give birth within you. May the Christ who comes to live with us walk beside you.
May the Spirit who sang within Mary’s heart also sing within your own. AMEN
Postlude                                                                     Choir

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We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please come again.  If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family. 

​REMEMBER OUR FOOD COLLECTION:  And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”  Mark 6:37. Please remember our food pantry is available to anyone in need.  Replenish with your hands and listen for the need with your ears.    
               
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
Thank you to Carol Smith for the music today! 

“Special Sunday School Hour for Christmas! 
On the Sunday before Christmas  (December 19) we’ll have a special time together!  We’ll gather at 10:00 in the sanctuary and we will have a Christmas Carol Hymn Sing with a reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible!   A relaxed fun time for all as we prepare for morning worship and the final week of Advent.  Everyone is welcome!” 

Missionary Meeting at 9:30 AM Tuesday, December 14th.    

The choir will be practicing at 7:00 PM on Thursday evening if you would like to join them please come - sing praises to our Lord!   

Christmas Cards and envelopes are on the table in the back; they are free or if you would like to make a donation it will go to our Women’s Missionary Group.

Envelopes for 2022 are in the vestibule.  There are names with new numbers.  We are using boxes from this past year, so we don’t need to buy new ones.  The DATES will be WRONG.  If you have any questions, please ask Garnet. 

We are planning to do shopping for shut-ins again this year.  Please give donations to Garnet or online.  Thank you.