THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 14, 2014 – LESSONS AND CAROLS

One of the toughest things about the Christmas season is that we heap expectations upon it that it

wasn’t meant to bear. We hope for a white Christmas. We hope to get a particular gift. We hope for peace in our families, and so on. In the church we hope that our plans will be a success. We hope that folks will get along. We hope for good attendance and lots of volunteers.

There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, of course. The problem comes when we project our hopes onto God, and think that we know better than God what we need.

In the Gospel of John, the story of the first Christmas contains only one sentence. It’s in John 1:14: The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John gives us no angels, no shepherds, no “no room in the inn,” nothing. Instead we read of another John, who comes alone. This John also defies expectations. People come to check him out, ask him questions, and all he’ll say is who he’s not. He’s there to point to someone far greater, but that’s about it.

As we begin our 242nd year as a church, the way ahead is far from clear. We all hope that the church will prosper. We hope that the things we love about the church will never change. But John wants us to know that someone is coming who defies all our categories. The one who comes is capable of far more than we can ask or imagine.

TRANSFORMING PITTSBURGH BY AWAKENING A NEW GENERATION

TO LIFE IN CHRIST

WORSHIP SERVICE – 10:45 AM THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Prelude – 10:30 am: Sapphire Strings

Words of Welcome

First Church News Rev. Tom Hall

Time of Welcome (There will not be Children’s Worship today, so that families can use this special service as an opportunity to worship together. We encourage you to engage your young children during the singing of hymns and readings of scripture. This will help them feel a part of worshipping our loving God.) Lighting of the Third Advent Candle

Third Sunday – The Wonder of the Message

Responsive Liturgy: Rich & Amanda Osberg Leader: During Advent we listen for the wonder of God’s Word. People: Speak to us, O Lord, for our hearts are open. Leader: During Advent we reach beyond the noise and distractions of this world. People: Speak to us, O Lord, for our hearts are open. Leader: During Advent we ponder the good news that is our great joy. People: Speak to us, O Lord, for our hearts are open. Leader: During Advent we speak words of hope to those engaged in life’s struggles. People: Speak to us, O Lord, for our hearts are open. Leader: During Advent we offer words of peace to those overcome by life’s fears. People: Speak to us, O Lord, for our hearts are open.

Candle Lighting

Today we light three candles. The first candle calls us to behold the wonder of the season in a fresh way. In a world where too often the familiar becomes commonplace, Advent is a time to ponder the mystery of God’s amazing love. The second candle invites us to hear again the ancient prophecies that, like flames in the darkness, illuminate our world, inspire our faith, and guide our journey. As we light the third candle, we affirm that Advent is a time to hear again the still small voice calling us to behold God’s promise, and embrace the gift of a Savior who is Christ our Lord.

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-7 Bob Panagulias (p. 528-Bible; p. 1155-large print Bible)

Anthem: “People, Look East” Choir Malcolm Archer, arr. (quartet)

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 Malachy Whalen (p. 681-Bible; p. 1497-large print Bible)

*Hymn: “The Hands that First Held Mary’s Child”, vs. 1 & 2 Carol

Children’s Message: “Shepherds” Katie Brown

*Hymn: “The Hands that First Held Mary’s Child”, vs. 3 & 4 Carol

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6 Brynne Swann (p. 726-Bible; p. 1593-large print Bible)

*Hymn: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” Puer Nobis

Meditation: Minimalist Christmas Pageant Rev. Tom Hall John 1:6-8, 19-28 (p. 750-Bible; p. 1646-large print Bible)

*Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Kay Balderose 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; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 Sandra Pack (p. 724-Bible; pl. 1590-large print Bible)

*Hymn: # 225 “Once in Royal David’s City”, vs. 1

Anthem: “He is Born” Quartet He is born, the divine Christ child Play on the oboe and bagpipes merrily He is born, the divine Christ child Sing we all the Savior’s birth

Through long ages of the past Prophets have foretold his coming Through long ages of the past Now the time has come at last. Oh, how lovely, oh, how pure Is this perfect child of heaven Oh, how lovely, oh, how pure Gracious gift of God, to man. Jesus, Lord of all the world Coming as a child among us Jesus, Lord of all the world Grant to us Thy heav’nly peace.

*Hymn: # 201 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, vs. 1-3

Call for the Offering Laura Bentley

Offertory: “Messiah Christmas Suite” Tom Fettke, arr.

Choral Reading Luke 2:8-16 “And There Were Shepherds” J. S. Bach, David Willcocks, ed. Mark Heinbockel, tenor; Emily Swora, soprano

(Evangelist) And there shepherds in the same country, abiding in the field, keeping watch by night over their flock. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and

they were so afraid. And the angel said to them,

(Angel) Be not afraid, Behold, for I bring tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people. For unto you this day a Saviour is born, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light, And usher in the morning; Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,

But hear the angel’s warning. This child, now weak in infancy, Our confidence and joy shall be, The pow’r of Satan breaking, Our peace eternal making.

*Hymns: “The First Noel”

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, vs. 1-3

*Invitation and Charge Rev. Tom Hall

Benediction

*Congregational Response – “Arise, Your Light Is Come” Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey; show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

Postlude:

*Please stand as you are able.

Prayer for Friends Teak Denard Gary, Natalie, Santino, Talia & Orlando

DePalma Dorothy DeVaty Robert DeVere Tom, Kelly & Cameron Dickinson

Raoul Diffo & Enyo Ndinyah Diffo Barbara Dorman Annabelle Haid Jonathan Dublin Nicholas Dublin Mary Duggan

Serving Spotlight

Please pray for Rev. Ken and Carolyn Muckle and their family As they serve with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) in Spain.

Happy Birthday

Dorothy Jean Carl December 15 Carol Evans December 15

Natalie DePalma December 20 Ava Conner December 21

What’s New This Week - See our events calendar online at www.fpcp.org

Sun., December 14 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am Faith Development 9:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry (Chapel) 10:45 am Lessons & Carols Service 12:00 pm Glory Singers Rehearse 12:00 pm Hospitality Hour

Monday, December 15 3:30 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar)

Tuesday, December 16 9:30 am Staff Meeting 12:25 pm Tuesday Boost for Pittsburgh 3:30 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar) Wednesday, December 17 10:30 am Prayer Group 3:30 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar) 7:00 pm Friends and Faith (Bowmans’)

Thursday, December 18 3:00 pm Café Team Meeting 3:30 pm LDI Leadership Pgh. (Chapel) 3:30 pm Youth for Christ (Cellar)

Friday, December 19 7:00 pm Sparks Concert - “Finding Christmas” Sunday. December 21 8:30 am Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am Faith Development 9:30 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry (Chapel) 10:45 am Worship Service 12:00 pm Glory Singers rehearse 12:00 pm Hospitality Hour 1:30 pm Youth at Family House Wednesday. December 24 5:45 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Serv.

Announcements

Mark Your Calendar Christmas Eve Worship will begin at 5:45 pm with a lovely prelude; service starts at 6:00 pm. Our choir and a Brass Quintet will be featured. Plan to join us in celebration of the birth of Christ! FREE Sparks Concert – “Finding Christmas” Surround yourself with the warmth and joy of “Finding Christmas”, a vibrant musical experience performed by Greg & Rebecca Sparks, along with friends and family. On December 19 at 7pm, FPCP will welcome The New City Church musicians for an evening of sacred Christmas music. Bring friends and family to share in this beautiful tradition! Enjoy fellowship and refreshments following the concert. Please bring a donation of non-perishable food for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank! Questions? Contact David & Lisa Williams at 412-508-9284 or dmwlcw@verizon.net.

Youth Volunteering Opportunity The Youth will be volunteering at the Family House at University Place on December 21 at 1:30 pm. It is a “home away from home” for patients and their families who are in Pittsburgh receiving treatment for serious illnesses. We will bake and decorate cookies with the guests who are staying there. See Katie Brown!

Call for Volunteers Are you an early riser? Have a knack for coffee brewing? If so, we want you! We’re looking for helpers to arrive at 9 am to make sure hot coffee is available to our Sunday School classes and other 9:30 am start activities. Interested in helping, even occasionally? Contact Judee Rooney. Pew Art Cards Pew Art Cards are new and available in the pew racks. The Faith Development team designed a card for children to draw and color during worship. Children are an important part of our worshiping body. They have a capacity for awe and wonder that adults have somewhat lost. We know that children are taking in much more than we give them credit for. Perhaps they can interpret the Word of God as it is proclaimed through art. We want to celebrate their creativity. Calendars Calendars are still available! The children and youth are offering the calendars for $8. $4.50 from each calendar will go towards their Mission Offering of support for Rachel Weller, a FPCP member and mission co-worker in Ethiopia, as she helps provide transportation to women with traumatic birth Injuries to get corrective health care. What a great idea for a Christmas gift! Café Team The Café Team would like to thank all of the members who attended last Sunday’s Informational Meeting. Your input and questions are so valuable to the future of the café project. Thank you also to all who contributed to our Soup Luncheon. It was a huge success, and all of the soup was devoured! First Night First Presbyterian will participate in the activities of First Night here in downtown Pittsburgh with an Open House on December 31 from 6-9 pm. Features include bagpipe concerts by the Balmoral Pipes and Drums, and church tours. This event is held in conjunction with Pittsburgh’s official celebration. Join us! The Church Office In celebration of Christmas, the church office will be closed Dec. 25, 2014-Jan. 1, 2015, opening at 8:30 am on Friday, January 2, 2015. Walk-In Ministry First Presbyterian Church will serve next January 5-11, 2015 for the Walk-In Ministry. Save the Date! January 18, 2015 will be the annual LCCC Scholarship Fundraising Lunch following worship. This year, chili will be served. Details to follow.

First Church Staff

SENIOR PASTOR Tom Hall thall@fpcp.org ASSOCIATE PASTOR Kay Balderose kbalderose@fpcp.org STUDENT PASTOR Laura Bentley lbentley@fpcp.org MUSIC DIRECTOR Anne Smith asmith@fpcp.org DIRECTOR OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES Katie Brown kbrown@fpcp.org

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Barbara Friend bfriend@fpcp.org COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Diane Wuycheck dwuycheck@fpcp.org BOOKKEEPER Marlaena Cochran mcochran@fpcp.org WEDDING COORDINATOR Megan McFarland mmcfarland@fpcp.org

MINISTERIAL ASSISTANT Mary Jane Snyder mjsnyder@fpcp.org DIRECTOR OF FAITH DEVELOPMENT Jana Hall jhall@fpcp.org ART DIRECTOR Thad Bobula tbobula@fpcp.org PIPER IN RESIDENCE George Balderose george@bagpiping.org MAINTENANCE STAFF Michael Klacic Robert DeVere

Church Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 412-471-3436, www.fpcp.org. For pastoral emergencies after office hours, please call 412-913-7010. The Sanctuary is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The deadline for receiving information for the bulletin is 12 days prior to the date of the bulletin’s issue.

Bulletins: If you would like to receive your weekly bulletin via e-mail, please contact Mary Jane Snyder at mjsnyder@fpcp.org, or call 412-471-3436. Want more FPCP news during the week? Watch for your FPCP newsletter via e-mail! The e-newsletter provides project updates and photos, news between bulletins, and ways to get involved! Not on our e-mail list? Just send a message to mjsnyder@fpcp.org. Deadline for submitting news: Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. Music sung at First Presbyterian Church is reprinted by permission of CCLI License #3071786. Quality Nursery Care is on the ground floor during Sunday School and worship. Interested in a tour? Inquire w/ushers or guides at the Welcome Center either before or after the service to arrange a tour. Today’s sermon will be available on our web site on Monday: www.fpcp.org Sunday School/Faith Development offers a variety of educational classes to encourage thoughtful discussion for adults, youth, and children. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interested in membership, or learning about the church’s beliefs? Let us know: 412-471-3436, or mjsnyder@fpcp.org. Visit the Inquirers Group on Sundays - 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. around a chapel table. Hearing Devices, large-print Bibles, and children’s bulletins are available from our ushers. Cell Phones: Please turn your cell phones to vibrate during worship.

Sunday Services:

Sunday School – 9:30 am Worship – 10:45 am

Join us at noon for Hospitality Hour! Coffee, Cookies, Donuts and more!

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Need Validated Parking? Sundays only, get your parking ticket stamped at the FPCP Welcome Center in the Narthex (front lobby). See the person in the payment booth at Mellon Square or Smithfield Street garage to pay $1 for parking.