Service for the Lord’s Day The Season of Advent

Fourth Sunday December 21, 2014 10:30 A.M.

*CONGREGATION STANDS AS ABLE LITURGICAL COLOR: PURPLE

— The People of God Gather — Please use the time before worship for silent reflection

and meditation, giving thanks to God for all things.

COLLECT — “Almighty God, appear to us as if in an angelic visitation, speaking Your will and purposes for our lives, and make us not afraid, but help us to embrace the workings of your Holy Spirit within us and through us,

to the glory and praise of Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns forever and whose kingdom has no end . Amen.”

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE “The First Noel” Arr., A. Leone

Kwi-im Kim, piano

CHORAL INTROIT “O Come O Come Emmanuel” - Chancel Choir

*CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Let us sing of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations! Ps 89:1

People: The Lord, our Rock and Salvation, is with us wherever we go! Ps 89:26; 2 Sam 7:9

Leader: Blessed are the people who know the Lord, who walk in His light, who exult in His name, and who extol His righteousness. From of old the Lord has been with them! Ps 89:15f,19

People: May we find favor with God Most High, with whom nothing is impossible! Lk 1:30,35,37

*HYMN “Angels From the Realms of Glory” No. 207

— LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH —

THE CANDLE OF LOVE

(The Jamison family)

LEADER — The ADVENT message is that Christ has come and will come again. This gives us hope for

better days to come, a peace knowing that our lives and world can change, and joy because God is faithful and true. We light again the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY, as we receive these precious gifts of God.

FAMILY — The fourth candle of ADVENT is the CANDLE OF LOVE. God’s love is complete; it holds nothing

back—even saving us from sin and death. God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, said: “Let this same love be in you, which ye have seen in me.”

LEADER — There are no limits to the height, length, depth, and breadth of God’s love. Whoever receives

God’s love in Jesus Christ will not perish, but have eternal life. The Lord Jesus, born humbly in a manger and dying bravely on a cross, is God’s perfect and abiding love.

CHURCH — Today we light the CANDLE OF LOVE. It reminds us that Jesus, Lover of our souls, loves us to

the end. O Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down! (The CANDLE OF LOVE is lit.)

LEADER — The world needs Love. With this fourth candle we celebrate God’s love for His creation.

UNISON — Thank You, God, for Your love, and Your indescribable gift of love born in Jesus Christ. Help

us to let Your love grow in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, so that we may love You more and love our neighbors as ourselves, to Your glory and praise, now and forever. Amen.

SONG — “A candle is burning, a candle of love. A candle to point us to heaven above.

A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth. For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.”

- ‘A Candle is Burning’ by Sandra Deam (1986) tune of ‘Away in a Manger’ by James Murray (1887)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (and silent confession)

Leader: Praying in one accord, and humbling ourselves before the Lord, let us confess our need for God and God’s unconditional and unending love.

(Unison) God Most High, before the dawn of creation You favored us, and never have You stopped watching over us. The story of our lives is the story of Your providence and care. Yet we sin and doubt that You are near. Lord, we are ashamed and sorry. Forgive us, help our unbelief, and stir a fire within us to be passionate disciples, for Your glory and Your kingdom’s sake! Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Romans 16:25-27)

Leader: The grace, mercy and love of God be with us all.

People: To Him who is able to strengthen us and establish our faith, to the only great and wise and eternal God be glory forevermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

*PASSING THE PEACE

*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.

— The Word of God Proclaimed — (Time with Young Children)

CHORAL ANTHEM “What Child Is This?” - Chancel Choir

GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 1:26-38 (p. 53, NT)

STORYTELLING: “Old Fashioned Christmas Memories” - Youth & Adults

— The People of God Respond —

*HYMN “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” No. 211

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH From A Brief Statement of Faith (1991)

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve . . . We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves, and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers, in the one body of Christ, the Church . . . In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks, and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God's new heaven and new earth, praying, "Come, Lord Jesus!" With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. [Amen] (lines 1-6, 52-57, 64, 72-79)

OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS Offertory “My Soul Magnifies the Lord” Arr., C. Thomlin, D. Carson

- Bob Norton, guitar;

Kwi-im Kim, piano

*Doxology, *Prayer of Dedication

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

JOYS AND CONCERNS, Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer: (Unison, ‘debts’)

“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.”

(Acolytes may go prepare for putting out the candles)

— We Go to Serve in God’s Name —

*HYMN “As With Gladness Men of Old” No. 219

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Gloria” - Chancel Choir

POSTLUDE “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” Arr., D. Palm Kwi-im Kim, Piano

360 Robin Avenue • Loveland, OH 45140 www.lovelandpresbyterianchurch.org

lovelandpresbyterian@gmail.com (513) 683-2525

LOVELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Serving You in Worship Today 12/21 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II Pianist: Kwi-im Kim

Music Director: Dr. Randy Pennington Greeters: Jamison Family

Liturgist: Sharon Ward Children’s Moment: Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II

Acolytes: Ruthie Bruning & Sarah Rhoades Ushers: Terry Price, Don King, Jack O’Sullivan

Welcomers: TBA

Christmas Eve Servants 12/24

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II Pianist: Kwi-im Kim

Music Director: Dr. Randy Pennington Greeters: Norton Family

Liturgist: Hank Westcott Children’s Moment: Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II

Acolytes: TBA Ushers: Terry Price, Don King, Jack O’Sullivan

Welcomers: TBA

Next Week’s Servants 12/28

Guest Preacher: Reverend Larry Bechtol Pianist: Kwi-im Kim

Music Director: Dr. Randy Pennington Greeters: Sears Family

Liturgist: Roger Hoyer Children’s Moment: Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II

Acolytes: TBA Ushers: Terry Price, Don King, Jack O’Sullivan

Welcomers: TBA

Birthdays Anniversaries

December 21 Shirley Jones No Anniversaries

December 24 John Anderson

December 24 Kwi-im Kim

December 29 Pete Bissman

December 30 Andy Hartle

Please bring your family and friends to church this Wednesday evening at 7pm for a special Christmas worship service of Music, Lessons and Carols and Cadlelighting.

Announcements

Luminaries - Please save your translucent-type gallon jugs (milk, cider, etc.) for luminaries

for Christmas Eve. Please make sure they are rinsed out, and place them in the coat room by

the Mission table.

New Practice – To help preserve the sanctity of worship, announcements can now be

found printed in the weekly bulletin insert and the Connection newsletter. Please have

announcements in the church office by Friday morning to be approved and included.

New Practice – In order to reduce paper and ink costs, the Connection newsletter will no

longer be placed in member mailboxes. To stay informed about LPC news you are

encouraged to pick-up a printed copy in the Narthex or go online to read a digital copy.

New Practice – To reduce clutter and make the church office more presentable, please

place oversized items that do not fit in member mailboxes on the top shelf of the coat

rack. Please put the name of the reciepient on the item.

Cell Phone Number - Pastor Lonnie can be reached 24/7 on his cell phone: 513-713-5195.

Joys and Concerns Joy! The legal issues are improving for a family known to Sharon Ward. The children are now able to attend church. Joy! A new school and new beginning for Matthew Benick! Prayers for peace for his parents.

Prayers for Tara Eisinger as she transitions to full time work. Prayers for Dede Benick’s grandmother who is ill and not favorable to treatment. Prayers for Jim Downey who has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Prayers for the family and friends of John Ebbeler who recently passed away. Prayers for Terry Price’s brother Tim who has been hospitalized with pneumonia. Prayers for Tedi’s grandson’s mother-in-law who has diagnosed with lymphoma.

Prayers for the family and friends of Evelyn Flynn who passed away December 14th. Evelyn and her daughter Cathy are “fence neighbors” to LPC.

Prayers for Jeff Jamison as he is recovering from surgery. Prayers for Doris Goddard who is adjusting better to living at The Lodge. Prayers for Tedi's sister Sharon who is gravely ill and requesting no visitors.

Prayers for Donnie who is trying to awaken from his coma, which is a dangerous time, due to complications. He is a patient at Drake.

Prayers Jeff Jamison’s cousin who had Cystic Fibrosis and has passed away.

Prayers for the family of Mary Bowerman who passed away December 3. A memorial service will be held at LPC January 10.

Please keep in your hearts and prayers all the sick and shut-ins of LPC.

Please notify the LPC office of the progress and recovery of the individuals and loved ones named above. Names will appear for 2 weeks

unless the office is otherwise notified. Thank you.