FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Montrose, Pennsylvania
Rev. Chuck Link, Pastor
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
10:00 AM December 6, 2009
OUR PREPARATION “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
PRELUDE Meditation on “Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine” Gilbert M. Martin
“Ductia on Riu, Riu, Chiu”
WORDS OF WELCOME
JOYS, CONCERNS, AND PRAYERS
*PASSING THE PEACE
Liturgist: The peace of Christ be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
(Please greet those sitting around you, especially taking the time to
welcome our visitors.)
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Children of our Sunday School
CONGREGATION, JOIN IN SINGING “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Pres. Hymnal) 23
*WE SHARE IN OUR CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for the Lord has come to the Lord’s people to set them free.
All: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
Liturgist: to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
All: and to guide our feet in the way of peace.
*HYMN “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” (Presbyterian Hymnal) 2
*WE SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy Savior, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. But who can endure the day of your coming? We confess you as Lord, yet our paths remain crooked, our ways, rough.
Show us the tender mercy of our God; break in upon us from your holy heights. Refine us with the fire of your Spirit, that we may live as people of light, and walk in ways of peace, to your glory and praise.
*PERSONAL REFLECTION AND PRAYER
*WE ARE ASSURED OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
If anyone sins we have an advocate with God through Jesus Christ. He is the expiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. May God who loves us and gives us eternal life through grace, comfort our minds and hearts and give us the assurance of forgiveness and steadfast love both now and forever. Amen.
*WE SING “Glory Be to the Father”
ANTHEM “Sleepers, Wake! A Voice Is Calling” Mendelssohn-Williams
SCRIPTURE Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4 Page 1490, NIV Pew Bible
Epistle: Philippians 1:3-11 Page 1825, NIV Pew Bible
Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 Page 1593, NIV Pew Bible
MESSAGE “In the Wilderness” Rev. Chuck Link
*HYMN “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (Presbyterian Hymnal) 5
*APOSTLES’ CREED (Found on page 14 in the front of the Presbyterian Hymnal)
PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES, OUR GIFTS AND OURSELVES
(Our December Mission offering will go to David and Cheryl Coleman and their ministry with Sun Loft Studio.)
OFFERTORY “To Hear the Angels Sing” Noel Rawsthorne
*DOXOLOGY
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Invitation
Prayer of Thanksgiving (See insert)
The Words of Institution
Sharing the Sacrament
*HYMN “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Presbyterian Hymnal) 44
*BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne”
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou cam-est to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee.
*POSTLUDE “From Heaven Above” Wilbur Held
*Please stand if able.
We welcome all who worship with us on this Lord’s Day. Visitors are invited to sign our Guest Register located in the back of the sanctuary. If anyone has a prayer request, a concern, or any other comments, please share them during our Prayer and Concerns Moment prior to the Introit. Any notes placed in the offering plates will be shared the following Sunday.
TODAY’S SERVICE
Johanna Masters: Director of Music and Organist
Tim Masters: Choir Director
Liturgist: Beth Karpov
Greeters: Larry and Alexis Churm
Head Usher: Doug Overfield
Today’s Money Counters are John Hawley and Helen Jones.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS: The Kinch Family, Millie Peterson’s Family, The Sparks Family, The Gregory Family, Caroline Link, Joseph Feuerherd, Robert Kogut, Mary Lee Caterson, Bob Marz, Margaret Garrison, Dorothy Abbott, Dave Thomas, Jennifer Jones, Pattie Jenkins, Kathryn Wolfe, Emily Donovan, Roger Valentine, Mandy Gambal, John Blachek, Gabrielle Hughes, Cora Groover, Wayne Morgan, T. J. Coursen, Lorraine Vassallo, our shut-ins, our country, and our military
OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK
(Visitors are cordially invited to participate in our activities.)
TODAY 9:00 AM – Choir practice
10:00 AM – Worship Service followed by Fellowship Time
11:15 AM – Sunday School
3:00 PM - Montrose Community Chorale Program at MAHS
7:30 PM – Broadcast of this morning’s service over WPEL
MONDAY Deadline for ordering poinsettias.
TUESDAY 11:00 AM – Bible Study
WEDNESDAY Noon – Our first Advent Organ Meditation will feature Martha
Denkenberger, Organist. A homemade soup luncheon will follow.
5:00 PM – Handbell Choir rehearsel
THURSDAY 8:00 AM – Men’s Prayer Breakfast at the Stables Restaurant
NEXT SUNDAY 9:00 AM - Choir practice
10:00 AM – Worship Service followed by a Congregational Meeting to elect officers and receive the 2010 budget. A covered dish luncheon (please bring a dish to pass) will follow the meeting and a brief time of singing Christmas carols while the kitchen crew is getting things ready.
5:00 PM – Vespers Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
JESSE TREE The Jesse Tree gifts are due back this Wednesday, December 9.
LOOKING AHEAD December 16 – Advent Organ Meditation with Sarah Bertsch,
Organist. Homemade soup luncheon follows.
December 20 – The Sunday School children will be presenting a Christmas musical, “One Starry Night”, during the 10 AM worship service. The Handbell Choir will also play. Our traditional birthday cake for Jesus will be served during Fellowship Time.
December 24 – 7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service