Welcome
to Norcross Presbyterian Church
Come as you are. You won’t be a stranger long.
Celebration of Worship - December 16, 2018
Celebration of Worship—December 16, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent
Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements
† Passing of the Peace
Prelude
Call to Worship - Philippians 4.4-5
One: Rejoice in the Lord; again, rejoice!
All: Be gentle to all: the Lord is near.
Let us worship God.
† Hymn #143 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
A time for meditation
† Response to meditation (hymn # 581—Glory To God Hymnal)
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.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
We await the coming presence of God incarnate, for we hope in the promises of God, who
promised to bring light into the world, even in the darkest corners of our world. We acknowledge that the presence of God incarnate is currently present in our world and we experience it in many ways if we are open to it. It may be in the smile of a friend or in the kindness of a stranger. It may be in the familiar sights, sounds and smells of the season. Or it may be in a new tradition, starting this year. So let us both wait for and experience today and everyday the presence of God incarnate.
Decorating the Jesse Tree
liturgy of the Word
† Prayer for Illumination (unison)
As we hear your Word, Lord, send your Spirit among us. After we hear it, send us to live your Word in this world bravely and boldly. Amen.
† Hymn #128 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
First Reading
Philippians 4.4-7
Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7 Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Second Reading
Luke 3.7-18
Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.”
10 The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
11 He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.”
14 Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?”
He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.”
15 The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. 16 John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” 18 With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people.
Third Reading
Isaiah 42.1-9
But here is my servant, the one I uphold;
my chosen, who brings me delight.
I’ve put my spirit upon him;
he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He won’t cry out or shout aloud
or make his voice heard in public.
3 He won’t break a bruised reed;
he won’t extinguish a faint wick,
but he will surely bring justice.
4 He won’t be extinguished or broken
until he has established justice in the land.
The coastlands await his teaching.
5 God the Lord says--
the one who created the heavens,
the one who stretched them out,
the one who spread out the earth and its offspring,
the one who gave breath to its people
and life to those who walk on it--
6 I, the Lord, have called you for a good reason.
I will grasp your hand and guard you,
and give you as a covenant to the people,
as a light to the nations,
7 to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners from prison,
and those who sit in darkness from the dungeon.
8 I am the Lord;
that is my name;
I don’t hand out my glory to others
or my praise to idols.
9 The things announced in the past—look—they’ve already happened,
but I’m declaring new things.
Before they even appear,
I tell you about them.
Sermon The Servant Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #138 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Who Would Think That What Was Needed
† Affirmation of Faith (unison)
The Apostles’ Creed
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; 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.
Pastoral Prayers
Silent Prayer
Corporate Prayer
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.
liturgy of the eucharist
Offering
(At this time, please take a moment to sign and pass the Friendship Register, then pass it back down the aisle so that we may match names with faces. Please include your address, email address, and telephone number.)
Offertory
† Doxology # 605 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Praise to God the Father; praise to God the Son;
Praise to God the Spirit; praise to the Three-in One.
Sing praise, sing praise to the Lord on high.
Praise to God Almighty; praise to the Holy One.
† Prayer of Thanksgiving (responsively)
Leader: Let us give thanks to the LORD our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
You gave us your Son, the great servant. We are truly thankful. May we learn from his life; his actions as well as his words, so that we might be servants as well, seeking the same justice that servants do, and that Christ did. Amen.
Sending
† Hymn #147 (Glory To God Hymnal)
The First Nowell
† Charge and Blessing
Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, December 16, 2018
9:30 A.M. NPC Sunday School
11:00 A.M. NPC Traditional Worship Service
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, December 17, 2018
6:30 P.M. Boy Scouts
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
6:30 P.M. Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Counseling Class
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
6:00 P.M. Wednesday Night Dinner (Geerlings)
And Bible Discussion
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, December 20, 2018
6:30 P.M. Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya English Class
Friday, December 21, 2018
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Serving in the Church this Sunday, December 16th
Counters: Ushers: Lay Readers: Advent Readers:
Diane Lewis Bob Norman Diane Lewis The Kuhn Family
Joseph Crymes Diane Lewis (Philippians 4:4-7)
Wesley Henderson TBD Acolyte:
(TBD) (Luke 3:7-18) Ken Birmingham
Refreshments: Kerrie & Jason Bernardo
Ringing of Hour: Jonathan Bartlett and Bob Peterson Nursery Volunteers: TBD
Serving in the Church next Sunday, December 23rd
Counters: Ushers: Lay Readers: Advent Readers:
Dan Buis Tim Rado Kate Geerlings The Crymes Family
Jan Garland Bill Brown (Micah 5:2-5a)
German Correa Cal Bernardo Acolyte:
Cynthia Correa (Hebrews 10:5-10) BJ Steele
Refreshments: Beth and Brian
Ringing of Hour: Jonathan Bartlett and Bob Peterson Nursery Volunteers: TBD
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let’s get Festive! There will be a POTLUCK BRUNCH on Sunday, Dec 23 before worship service. Food and fellowship will begin at 9:30am. Bring your favorite holiday recipes to share!
Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible Discussion this week! We continue to read and discuss the book “Fearless Dialogues”
We are forming a Nominating Committee to get a head start on picking a slate of elders to begin service in mid-2019. Current Nominating Committee members are Jan, Kate and Matt. We need one more.
Show your commitment to NPC! It is your generosity that makes everything we do here possible. Thank you! As we plan for 2019, it is a great help to know what kind of income we can expect, please take a moment to fill out a 2019 Pledge Card today. Cards are available on the table in the Sanctuary.
NPC’s Adult Sunday School Class is ongoing. All are welcome to join us at any time. We are working our way through the whole Bible using “The Bible for Dummies” as a guide. Sunday School Class meets every Sunday beginning at 9:30am.
December Birthdays:
Kathy Fluehr – 12/1, Alison Buis – 12/2, Nancy Caldwell – 12/24, Katie Badeaux – 12/31
Third Sunday of Advent
Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements
† Passing of the Peace
Prelude
Call to Worship - Philippians 4.4-5
One: Rejoice in the Lord; again, rejoice!
All: Be gentle to all: the Lord is near.
Let us worship God.
† Hymn #143 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
A time for meditation
† Response to meditation (hymn # 581—Glory To God Hymnal)
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.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
We await the coming presence of God incarnate, for we hope in the promises of God, who
promised to bring light into the world, even in the darkest corners of our world. We acknowledge that the presence of God incarnate is currently present in our world and we experience it in many ways if we are open to it. It may be in the smile of a friend or in the kindness of a stranger. It may be in the familiar sights, sounds and smells of the season. Or it may be in a new tradition, starting this year. So let us both wait for and experience today and everyday the presence of God incarnate.
Decorating the Jesse Tree
liturgy of the Word
† Prayer for Illumination (unison)
As we hear your Word, Lord, send your Spirit among us. After we hear it, send us to live your Word in this world bravely and boldly. Amen.
† Hymn #128 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
First Reading
Philippians 4.4-7
Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7 Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Second Reading
Luke 3.7-18
Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.”
10 The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
11 He answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13 He replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.”
14 Soldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?”
He answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.”
15 The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. 16 John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” 18 With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people.
Third Reading
Isaiah 42.1-9
But here is my servant, the one I uphold;
my chosen, who brings me delight.
I’ve put my spirit upon him;
he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He won’t cry out or shout aloud
or make his voice heard in public.
3 He won’t break a bruised reed;
he won’t extinguish a faint wick,
but he will surely bring justice.
4 He won’t be extinguished or broken
until he has established justice in the land.
The coastlands await his teaching.
5 God the Lord says--
the one who created the heavens,
the one who stretched them out,
the one who spread out the earth and its offspring,
the one who gave breath to its people
and life to those who walk on it--
6 I, the Lord, have called you for a good reason.
I will grasp your hand and guard you,
and give you as a covenant to the people,
as a light to the nations,
7 to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners from prison,
and those who sit in darkness from the dungeon.
8 I am the Lord;
that is my name;
I don’t hand out my glory to others
or my praise to idols.
9 The things announced in the past—look—they’ve already happened,
but I’m declaring new things.
Before they even appear,
I tell you about them.
Sermon The Servant Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry
† Hymn #138 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Who Would Think That What Was Needed
† Affirmation of Faith (unison)
The Apostles’ Creed
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; 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.
Pastoral Prayers
Silent Prayer
Corporate Prayer
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.
liturgy of the eucharist
Offering
(At this time, please take a moment to sign and pass the Friendship Register, then pass it back down the aisle so that we may match names with faces. Please include your address, email address, and telephone number.)
Offertory
† Doxology # 605 (Glory To God Hymnal)
Praise to God the Father; praise to God the Son;
Praise to God the Spirit; praise to the Three-in One.
Sing praise, sing praise to the Lord on high.
Praise to God Almighty; praise to the Holy One.
† Prayer of Thanksgiving (responsively)
Leader: Let us give thanks to the LORD our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
You gave us your Son, the great servant. We are truly thankful. May we learn from his life; his actions as well as his words, so that we might be servants as well, seeking the same justice that servants do, and that Christ did. Amen.
Sending
† Hymn #147 (Glory To God Hymnal)
The First Nowell
† Charge and Blessing
Postlude
This Week at NPC
Sunday, December 16, 2018
9:30 A.M. NPC Sunday School
11:00 A.M. NPC Traditional Worship Service
12:00-1 P.M. Kwang-Ya Bible Study, Covenant Room
1-2:30 P.M. Kwang-Ya Worship, Sanctuary
Monday, December 17, 2018
6:30 P.M. Boy Scouts
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
6:30 P.M. Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Counseling Class
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
6:00 P.M. Wednesday Night Dinner (Geerlings)
And Bible Discussion
8:00 P.M. Kwang Ya Bible Study
Thursday, December 20, 2018
6:30 P.M. Community YOGA Class
7:00 P.M. Kwang Ya English Class
Friday, December 21, 2018
8:30 P.M. Kwang Ya Prayer Meeting
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Serving in the Church this Sunday, December 16th
Counters: Ushers: Lay Readers: Advent Readers:
Diane Lewis Bob Norman Diane Lewis The Kuhn Family
Joseph Crymes Diane Lewis (Philippians 4:4-7)
Wesley Henderson TBD Acolyte:
(TBD) (Luke 3:7-18) Ken Birmingham
Refreshments: Kerrie & Jason Bernardo
Ringing of Hour: Jonathan Bartlett and Bob Peterson Nursery Volunteers: TBD
Serving in the Church next Sunday, December 23rd
Counters: Ushers: Lay Readers: Advent Readers:
Dan Buis Tim Rado Kate Geerlings The Crymes Family
Jan Garland Bill Brown (Micah 5:2-5a)
German Correa Cal Bernardo Acolyte:
Cynthia Correa (Hebrews 10:5-10) BJ Steele
Refreshments: Beth and Brian
Ringing of Hour: Jonathan Bartlett and Bob Peterson Nursery Volunteers: TBD
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let’s get Festive! There will be a POTLUCK BRUNCH on Sunday, Dec 23 before worship service. Food and fellowship will begin at 9:30am. Bring your favorite holiday recipes to share!
Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible Discussion this week! We continue to read and discuss the book “Fearless Dialogues”
We are forming a Nominating Committee to get a head start on picking a slate of elders to begin service in mid-2019. Current Nominating Committee members are Jan, Kate and Matt. We need one more.
Show your commitment to NPC! It is your generosity that makes everything we do here possible. Thank you! As we plan for 2019, it is a great help to know what kind of income we can expect, please take a moment to fill out a 2019 Pledge Card today. Cards are available on the table in the Sanctuary.
NPC’s Adult Sunday School Class is ongoing. All are welcome to join us at any time. We are working our way through the whole Bible using “The Bible for Dummies” as a guide. Sunday School Class meets every Sunday beginning at 9:30am.
December Birthdays:
Kathy Fluehr – 12/1, Alison Buis – 12/2, Nancy Caldwell – 12/24, Katie Badeaux – 12/31