If you would like to contribute to worship by purchasing a new Presbyterian hymnal, there are three options available for your consideration. A $20 donation will provide for one hym-nal. Please complete the following information indicating how you would like to participate in this ministry and return this form to the church office.

―In Memory of…‖ You may donate hymnal(s) in memory of a loved one. A bookplate

will be placed inside the cover with your memorial indicated. Please print clearly the name(s) you would like to donate a hymnal in memory of a loved one. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Gift— For each hymnal donated, we will provide you with a card from First Presbyterian Church for you to give to the recipient indicating a gift has been given by you in the recipient’s name, i.e. ―A gift of a Presbyterian Church hymnal has been given to First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, in your honor by: your name‖. If you would like the recipient’s name printed inside a hymnal, please print the name(s) clearly for each hymnal._______________________________

Regular Donation-_____________________________________________________

************************************************************************************ I would like to donate the following number of hymnals as indicated below:

# hymnals

In Memory Of: __________ Christmas gift: __________ Regular donation: __________ Total #: __________ @ $20/each = ____________________________

(check enclosed)

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First Presbyterian Church 12/8/2013

First Presbyterian Church-Lincoln

Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2013

As you enter the Sanctuary, we invite you to make the transition from "getting here" to "being here". Take these moments of quiet time to come fully into the presence of God and the faith community. Before worship, speak quietly

to God…during worship, listen to God speak to you…following worship, speak to the world in love.

We Gather To Worship

GATHERING “Prepare Ye” by Stephen Schwartz sung by Ellie Martin

THE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

INTROIT

LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Hoffert Family Leader: During Advent we wait for the coming Savior who is our Mighty God. People: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness endures forever.

Leader: We look to the One in whom we find redemption.

People: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness endures forever.

Leader: We look to the One who forgives our sins.

People: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness endures forever. Leader: We look to the One who overcomes darkness.

People: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness endures forever. Leader: We look to the One who has come to set us free.

People: You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness endures forever.

Advent Prayer

*HYMN #13 “Prepare the Way” Presbyterian Hymnal

CALL TO CONFESSION

God is faithful and asks us to be faithful as well. We seek God’s way, recognizing that we are hindered by the baggage we carry along on the journey. When we confess our sin, we offer that burden to Christ, and make room for the Spirit’s work in our hearts, minds, and lives. Before God, with the people of God, let us confess to our brokenness. Let us pray.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)

Forgive us, Compassionate God, for the times we refuse to listen to those who an-nounce your presence. Forgive us when we ignore the cries that come from the wil-derness. Allow us to understand that, like John the Baptist, we too are unworthy be-fore the God of All. Help us live into our baptisms. Remind us of the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and empower us to be the continuation of that Good News. Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

DECLARATION OF PARDON 1

THIS WEEK

Tuesday Deacons at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday Session at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Congregation Appreciation Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesday Kirk Night: Kids 5:30 p.m./Dinner 6-7 p.m./

Kirk Night Concert with Brian Davis 7-8 p.m.

Matthias Grunewald (1480-1528) one of Germany’s famous artists painted the "Isenheim Altar-

piece” between 1510 and 1515. This tryptic has two movable wings: when both wings are closed, "The Cru-

cifixion" is visual as the main center panel. "The Crucifixion" shows Jesus Christ hanging on the cross: his

excruciating pain is indicated by his constricted, grasping hands and fingers. Even the horizontal beam of

the cross looks tired, noticeably sagging under the weight of Christ’s body.

"The Crucifixion" illuminates the two natures of Jesus Christ. The figures on the left mourn the

death of the human body of Jesus, while John the Baptist points to Christ as the Savior of humanity. These

figures are active, showing emotion, and are noticeably out of proportion with the much larger figure of

Christ. The sheep in the right foreground likely symbolize, "The Lamb of God", while the dark background

alludes to the Biblical darkness on the hill of Golgotha.

Grunewald heavily highlights Mary to draw the viewer into this compositional starting point, mov-

ing the eye in a circular rotation around the piece. Following Mary, we are visually drawn to a white sign

above Christ's head, then to the white pages of the Bible, to the white lamb and back again to Mary. This

visual emphasis, contrasted with the dark background, gives this Mannerist painting intensity and visual

grandeur, which were notably uncharacteristic of preceding Crucifixion paintings.

It is our hope that this image of John the Baptist on the cover of our bulletin will aid us in our Ad-

vent waiting, as we move ever so slowly to the day of Christ’s nativity, pointing towards that which God is

about to do.

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MISSION

The Food Pantry need for the month of December is Dish Soap,

WORSHIP NOTES

December 15, 2013: Isaiah 35: 1-10; Psalm 146: 5-10; Luke 1: 46b-55; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 11: 2-11: December 22, 2013: Isaiah 7: 10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19; Romans 1: 1-7; Matthew 1: 18-25; December 24, 2013: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Psalm 96; Luke 2: 1-20; December 29, 2013: Isaiah 63: 7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2: 10-18; Matthew 2: 13-23;

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Advent Resource: Want to begin a new practice this Advent, but need help doing so? Located in the back of the Sanctuary is a book of daily meditations for the Advent season for all who are interested. There are 20 copies available, and more can be ordered upon request. The book, Preparing for Christmas, offers daily meditations, prayers, Scripture read-ings, and questions for reflection for each day of Advent.

Advent Vespers: A Saturday Night Spiritual Formation Opportunity. Advent Ves-pers: A Saturday Night Spiritual Formation Opportunity. Each Saturday night during the season of Advent (12/14, 12/21), you are invited to participate in the communal practice of contemplative waiting. Centered on silence, with readings from church ancestors, we will gather around an advent wreath to prayerfully and contemplatively ponder that for which we are waiting: the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. The service begins at 5 p.m. and will last 45 minutes. Each service will be held in Union Chapel located inside First Presbyterian Church.

Youth Group News: December 15: All youth are invited to this ―Afternoon Retreat‖ where we will explore the birth narrative of Jesus through discussion and art. Our time together will begin right after worship on Sunday, and extend until 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided! Invite friends to this day of prayer, reflection, and creativity!

Sunday, December 15, is the annual Christmas Cantata.

Sign up for Christmas Poinsettias in the back of the Sanctuary by December 8.

If you are interested in attending Christmas in the Chapel at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, please sign the sheet at the back of the Sanctuary on Sunday, or call the office to sign up. Our group will meet at the chapel at LCU.

The LAMS concert will be on Sunday afternoon, December 22. There will also be a sign up sheet for that event. We will meet at the high school.

Cookie Exchange Sunday, December 15, following worship. See flyer.

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Leader: But do not ignore this one fact, beloved. To God, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. People: God is not slow about God’s promise, but is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. Thanks be to God! We are forgiven! *GLORIA PATRI #579 Presbyterian 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.

*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.

*SHARING OF THE PEACE Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

We Listen To God's Word

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

THE OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 11:1-10 pgs. 640-641

ANTHEM “Prepare Ye the Way” by Michael Barrett

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 3:1-12 pgs. 2-3 Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN – – All children sixth grade and under are welcome to join the children’s sermon in the front of the Sanctuary.

SERMON “To Prepare” Rev. Adam R. Quine

We Respond in Faith *HYMN #2080 “All I Need is You” Sing the Faith Hymnal

SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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

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temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. SHARING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERING

SPECIAL MUSIC “Come Let Us Meet Him” by Lani Smith Debbie Schweitzer-Organ

*DOXOLOGY (Song Of Praise) #592 Presbyterian Hymnal “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.”

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The Invitation to the Lord’s Table ...It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

The Invitation to the Lord's Table

The Great Thanksgiving Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Give thanks to God, for He is good. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

……..We join in the song of your unending greatness: Holy, holy, holy Lord; God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blest is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!

The Words of Institution

The Sharing of the Elements of Bread and Cup As you pass the elements to your neighbor, please offer them by saying, “The Body of Christ” or “The Cup of Salvation,” as appropriate. Please hold the elements, and we will eat and drink them together.

Communion Hymn “God’s Holy Mystery” “This is the bread that came down from heaven,

broken for all as gift of God’s grace. Food from the earth becomes blood and body;

God’s holy mystery, revealed in this place.” The Concluding Prayer

We Depart To Serve

*HYMN #10 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” Presbyterian Hymnal

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CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE HYMN #1 (verse 1) “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” Presbyterian Hymnal

“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee”

DEPARTING “Lift Up Your Heads” by David Paxton *Please stand as you are able. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Ministers: The Congregation Staff: Leo Logan, Sexton

Janis Klockenga, Administrative Assistant

Amanda Miner, Children’s Director Assistant

Julie Kasa, Choir Director

Roger Boss & Debbie Schweitzer, Organists

Adam Quine, Pastor

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janis at office@preslincoln.org or Adam at pastor@preslincoln.org. Office hours are 8-1 Monday—Friday.

First Presbyterian Church

December 8, 2013

If you are visiting, we welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ to First Presbyterian Church. If you have questions or need assistance, please notify a Deacon. They can be identified by blue name tags. You can find the Deacons at the doors either before or after the service. We are delighted you are with us today.

Nursery care workers are Nicky Becker and Kayla Buss. Nursery care is available from 9:45-11:15 a.m. The nursery is located up the stairs just inside the Ottawa Street entrance.

Flowers are given by our Church in honor of all our members past and present.

Deacons in charge are Sandy Blane and Cathy Tiffany with Cari Rohlfs and Connie Boss next Sunday.

CARE AND BENEVOLENCE Please pray for:

In Full Time Care: Emily McElhaney and Shirley Bartelmay

Injury or Illness: Norma Comstock, Joyce Shirley, Gloria Read, Sharon Austin (Mary Wilson’s daugh-ter), Laura Gregson (Presbyterian at Symphony), Dick Logan (Uncle of Karen Graber), Pat Siciliano (Lynn White’s mother), Jane Novak (neighbor of Sandy Blane), Paul Straughn (friend of Clay & Diane Ham), and Jim Ward (friend of Ann & Bi).

Military Service: Michael Vander Wilt (nephew of Jill Apel), Tom Hewes (Glenn & Diane Osborn’s son-in-law), Nick Bell (friend of Tommy Zinser), Brendan Birch (Amanda Miner’s cousin), and Emily Ham (daughter of Clay & Diane Ham)

If you have questions about the prayer list, please ask Cathy Tiffany.

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