Order of Worship November 29, 2020 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary

16000 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, AZ 85351-1604 www.scfaith.org

Faith Presbyterian Church

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THE CHURCH AT WORSHIP

November 29, 2020 - First Sunday of Advent

WE GATHER IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

*Please Stand in Body or in Spirit

“I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world."~ Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993), American Protestant religious leader, author.

Prelude “We3”

Nicole Pesce, pianist; Suzanne Lansford, violinist; Renee Grant Patrick, vocalist

Welcome and Announcements

(Please fill in the yellow attendance slip enclosed in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate)

*Call to Worship (Responsive) Rev. Sheryl Campbell

As we begin this Advent Season, we come before God to remember the Promised One who came to a people who waited in faith.

There are times when we wait in the darkness for God to come. In the darkness a candle is lit and the light comforts our waiting.

The light reminds us of the One Who has come and is to come again.

*Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #9, Blue Hymnal

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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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.

Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind

All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and discord cease;

Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Refrain Blessing of the Advent Wreath (Responsive) Rev. Mike Campbell

Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome Him:

That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love. That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin.

That this wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of Christ And Who will lead us into the light of God’s glorious Kingdom.

“Christ Be Our Light”

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Advent Candle Lighting Ray and Judie Larson

Advent is a time for the human heart to wait, while trusting God’s eternal time. How long, O Lord, how long?

For those waiting for answered prayer: Grant your steadfast patience.

For those waiting in the face of uncertainty. Grant unshakable confidence in your Sovereign provision.

For those waiting for justice and mercy to reign. Grant a glimpse of Your glory in our wounded world.

For all of us waiting for God’s Kingdom to come. Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.

This morning we light the FIRST CANDLE which reminds us that throughout history, God’s people have spent time waiting, wandering and wondering about the timing of God’s eternal plan. Like the people of old, we long for God’s presence to illuminate the areas of life where we are called to wait. This morning we echo the words of the Psalmist, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

“Christ Be Our Light”

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Closing Prayer

God of all creation, we declare that You are the eternal One. We confess to You, O Lord, that we easily grow impatient,

when Your Word to us is to wait. Ignite within us a new and everlasting hope.

We pray this in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD

Prayer for Illumination Rev. Sheryl Campbell

We call out to You O God, and listen for Your Word. Your Word is Your very presence among us. We will listen, we will seek,

and we will find that You are calling to us as we are calling to You. Amen. Gospel Reading Mark 13: 24-37 New Testament Page #47

This is The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Special Music “Some Day at Christmas” Renee Grant Patrick Someday at Christmas men won't be boys playing with bombs like kids play with toys. One warm December our hearts will see a world where men are free. Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars when we have learned what Christmas is for. When we have found what life's really worth there'll be peace on earth. Someday all our dreams will come to be, someday in a world where men are free. Maybe not in time for you and me but someday at Christmastime. Someday at Christmas we'll see a land with no hungry children, no empty hand. One happy morning people will share our world where people care. Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears when all men are equal and no man has fears one shining moment, one prayer away from our world today. Someday at Christmas man will not fail, hate will be gone and love will prevail. Someday a new world that we can start with hope in every heart. (Written by Motown songwriters Ron Miller and Bryan Wells. Stevie Wonder first recorded it in 1966)

Sermon “Expecting the Unexpected” Rev. Mike Campbell

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WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

Special Music “Go Tell it on the Mountain” John Wesley Work, Jr. Renee Grant Patrick, We3 and others, trad. Pastoral Prayer Rev. Mike Campbell

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.

Invitation to Serve God in the Church and the World

God’s love for us is unconditional. We give unconditionally in gratitude and for the privilege of providing for

Christ’s mission on earth with our time, talent and treasure.

Offering to the Lord

Offertory

*Doxology (Sung to Old 100th)

“Hope in the God who reigns above, Who holds us all in steadfast love.

Whose Spirit blows across the earth, Preparing us for second birth. Amen.”

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*Prayer of Dedication (Unison) Accept O God these gifts, the portion You have asked us to give as a sign of

our trust in You and our hope in Your promises. Receive these offerings, our free gift of gratitude for all that You have done.

Bless them in Your work in which life triumphs over death and light over darkness. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

“Emmanuel”

“Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called, Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel.”

*Benediction Live your lives this week blessed by the knowledge that you are shaped by

the hand of God, enriched by the grace of Jesus Christ and kept alert by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We thank We3: Pianist Nicole Pesce, violinist Suzanne Lansford, and vocalist Renee Grant Patrick. We3 performed their first concert together in October 2016 at the Nash in downtown

Phoenix. An undeniable chemistry was recognized, and the group continued to perform sold out shows at the Music Instrument Museum and Phoenix Theatre (New Outdoor Stage) along with recording their first full length CD, “We’ll Meet Again”. They also have a new CD, “A We3 Christmas”. www.we3music.com

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Life at Faith. . . Nov 29

Welcome Visitors! TODAY Faith Presbyterian Church welcomes you to in-person worship in our Sanctuary. All are welcome, distancing and masks required—volunteer-made masks will be available if you don’t have one with you. Fellowship afterwards out-doors—homemade cookies and small bottles of water—stay and chat, or take with you! Online worship livestreamed simultaneously, and then available later as a recording on our website: www.scfaith.org/media-center To All Members: Please remember to wear your name badges. Faith Session (our church council leaders) want to keep our church open for worship safely as much and as long as possible. Thank you for wearing face masks when you come to church—they DO make a difference, scientifically. We have agreed to require them. And yes, the masks must cover both nose and mouth. Nothing is 100%, but that is the only way they are proven remarka-bly helpful.

Welcome to Worship We have enjoyed worshiping with you today and hope you will join us again soon. Please stop at the Welcome Center in the Narthex to receive information about Faith Church.

Your gifts of time, talent and treasure are greatly appreciated.

Additional pledge cards and Opportunities for Service brochures are available in the Narthex on a table or at the Welcome Center. Submit your pledge cards in the offering plate and your Opportunities for Service brochures in the mail slot by the front door, in the collection plate or at the front desk. Thank you! Men’s Bible Study, led by Henry Nave - Thursdays at 9:15 am. Men who are interested to join in the conversation can simply call the church office for details

Presbyterian Women Presbyterian Women are tentatively planning on holding

their December 17th Christmas Gathering in Illingworth Hall when new officers and moderator will be installed. There is to be a boxed lunch at tables of 4 spread wide apart in order to ensure safety for everyone. Hopefully you will be able to attend. Tickets will be on sale next Sunday.

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The Wired Word on Wednesdays, by phone conference. Please call the church office for details. Discussions are led by Betty Wilder using the most recent Wired Word subject materials.

Everyone who wants may receive an advance copy of the materials delivered to their email by the Thursday prior to gathering. Just email: lcollins@scfaith.org or call the church at 623-974-3611 (M-Thu 8am-3pm). Bright Pink Prayer Request Cards are available in the pews. Please fill out your card for prayer requests and put it in the offering plate or give the information to Gerri Crothers. For prayer requests, call or email Gerri Crothers or Judi Jensen or With your permission, these prayer requests and praises will be shared with the prayer team phone conference at 11 am on Saturdays. Contact Gerri or Judi for information on participating also, if you are interested. (Refer to your directory for numbers).

Knitting and Crocheting Group. Meeting on Mondays 12:30-3 pm in the Iona Room. We’re a small group of women who meet on Mondays to have fun, learn new ideas from each other, and do our projects: Or you can work on your own projects. Join us for our Best Library Ever Book Club. Social distancing and masks are required.

Monday, December 14 10:30 am in Illingworth.

The library will be open at 10am.

In American Dirt, Jeannie Cummins unleased a firestorm of criticism. The story centers around Lydia Quixano Pérez who lives in the Mexican city

of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable. The author, not of Mexican heritage is accused of stereotyping. Let’s see what we think.

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PLEASE NOTE: If you are moving, have a change in address, phone number, or email, please inform Louise Collins in the church office so we can up-date our records. In order to serve you better it is IMPORTANT to have your CORRECT information in our files.

Ecumenical Prayer Circle: Together with other Sun City churches who share the Ecumenical Prayer Group for Christian Unity, please pray today for the people and ministries of Faith Presbyterian Church. Each week we pray for members of Faith Presbyterian Church in alphabetical order. Bob and JoAnn Ferrier, Bette Finley, Betty Forsberg, Herb Freewaldt, Steve Fribley, Helen Garwood, Bob Geier. Thank you for your generous giving to all good causes as the Spirit of God guides you. Faith Church Offerings continue to be received by mail, drop-off at the church office south door mail slot, and at our web-site by clicking the button on the Home Page with your charge card, debit card, or PayPal. Prayer Group - SATURDAYS at 11 AM by Phone Conference Call the church office for details (Gerri Crothers, Judi Jensen, Susan Edwards, leaders).

To include your group or commit-tee on the calendar, we ask the chair or leader to submit the time, date, location (and whether it is in-person, Zoom or Phone Confer-ence) to lcollins@scfaith.org by Wednesday 10am. (By submitting by Wednesday at 10 am it will be included in the Thursday emails and also printed in the Sunday bulletin.) Thank you.

A study group is being planned that will focus on the book “The Time is Now” by Joan Chittister.”

Retired pastors Bob Malsack and Ray Larson will lead the group. The number of participants will be limited to 10.

If that number is exceeded consider-ation will be given to a second group. The beginning date will be the first week in January. Those interested may contact the church office for details.

Sunday flowers. Remember loved ones and special moments with a beautiful bou-

quet of flowers. Now through all of 2020, pay only $20 (it’s a fifty dollar value), we have matching funds for the balance - given expressly for this purpose! Please call the church office.

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Please remember Faith Church as Beneficiary in your Will, Trust or IRA.

ACTIVITIES: November 29 - December 5 Sunday, November 29 9:50 a.m .... Special Music 10:00 a.m .... Worship - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m .... Fellowship - Outdoors Monday, November 30 8:00 a.m .... Collection/Count - Westminster Room 12:30 p.m .... Knit/Crochet Group - Iona Room Tuesday, December 1 10:00 a.m .... Advent Class - Illingworth Hall/Conference Call/Zoom Wednesday, December 2 9:00 a.m .... Library Volunteers - Library 10:00 a.m .... HR Personnel - Council Room 9:55 a.m .... Wired Word - Phone Conference 1:00 p.m .... Christian Education - Conference Room Thursday, December 3 9:00 a.m .... Men’s Bible Study - Phone Conference 4:00 p.m .... Bell Choir Practice - Sanctuary Friday, December 4 - OFFICE CLOSED Saturday, December 5 11:00 a.m .... Prayer Group - Phone Conference Call

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CHURCH OFFICE

Office Hours By phone and email 8am-3pm Mon-Thurs

623-974-3611

Pastor Mike: 319-240-7639

Pastor Sheryl: 319-231-9161

GENERAL E-MAIL info@scfaith.org

WEBSITE www.scfaith.org

PASTORAL STAFF Pastor/Head of Staff --------------------- Rev. Mike Campbell revmikecampbell@gmail.com Assoc. Pastor, Director of Music -- Rev. Sheryl Campbell scampbell@scfaith.org

MINISTERS All Members

WELCOMING TEAM

GREETERS ------------------------ Mike and Sandra Baldwin WELCOME CENTER ----------------------------------------------

USHERS

Ushers --------------------------------- Lee and Shirley Engwall --------------------------------------------------- Bob and Bert Blean SOUND AND LIGHTING ----- Paul Willemssen, Bill Hoskins PIANIST ------------------------------------ Rev. Sheryl Campbell -------------------------------------------------- Rev. Mike Campbell STAFF Office Administrator ----- Louise Collins - lcollins@scfaith.org Building Super. ---------- Peter Bugilan - pbugilan@scfaith.org Custodians -------------------------------------------David Bergstrom --------------------------------------------------------- Robert Bergstrom

FAITH CHURCH — MISSION STATEMENT Faith Presbyterian Church is an inclusive, welcoming, caring community, committed to serving Jesus Christ, who calls us to love God and to love one another. We worship, study and grow in understanding as we work for justice and peace in the world, inspired by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, great things are possible. (From Matthew 17:20)

Welcome to those who have no church home, need strength, have doubt, want to follow Christ, or do not believe. Welcome to those who have worshiped in this place for years! Welcome to our first-time guests! Welcome to all generations, single

people, couples, believers, and to questioners, and, of course, to questioning believers!

We hope you find peace and uplift in our worship today.

We are very glad you are here!