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A Celebration on the Second Sunday A Celebration on the Second Sunday A Celebration on the Second Sunday A Celebration on the Second Sunday

of Advent of Advent of Advent of Advent Chancel Choir and OrchestraChancel Choir and OrchestraChancel Choir and OrchestraChancel Choir and Orchestra

Sunday, December 6, 2015Sunday, December 6, 2015Sunday, December 6, 2015Sunday, December 6, 2015

8:00 a.m. Gideon Blackburn House8:00 a.m. Gideon Blackburn House8:00 a.m. Gideon Blackburn House8:00 a.m. Gideon Blackburn House

10:30 a.m. Sanctuary10:30 a.m. Sanctuary10:30 a.m. Sanctuary10:30 a.m. Sanctuary

Assemble in God’s Name When the prelude begins, let us quietly and prayerfully prepare our hearts and minds to worship the Almighty God.

Prelude A Wreath of Carols Arr. Brian Joyce

String Quartet

Welcome and Announcements

Chiming of the Bell

Choral Introit (10:30) Sing to the Infant Boy (Part I) Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Kaiya Flemons, Elizabeth Wright, Moriah Berry, sopranos Chancel Choir

Sing to the infant boy, sing now with holy joy, Let us our hearts employ to give Him praise, In this our worshipping, we will our tribute bring, Thus to the infant King our voices raise.

Lightning of the Advent Wreath (8:00) Charles and Barbara Bozeman

(10:30) David, Lori, and Harrison Smith

*Processional Hymn 41 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES

Prayer of Confession

Silent Meditation

A Time for Meditation (8:00) Greensleeves to a Ground in G English Folk Song

Claire Ruttembourg and Sue Roessel Dura, Recorders

(10:30) Sing to the Infant Boy (Part II) Marc-Antoine Charpentier Kaiya Flemons, Elizabeth Wright, Moriah Berry sopranos

Chancel Choir

Child of the virgin’s womb, born in a humble room, He takes away our gloom now by His birth. Praise Him o Cherubim, sing forth o Seraphim, Archangels worship Him, God here on earth.

Assurance of Pardon

*Hymn 23 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA

*The Passing of the Peace (8:00) Leader: The Peace of the Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Proclaim God’s Word

First Lesson - Luke 1: 68-79 pew Bible, NT, p. 58

pew Bible (large print), NT p. 70

Readers: Barbara Bozeman (8:00), Roy McCorkle (10:30)

Anthem (8:00) Pastoral from Concerto Grosso, op. 6/8 “Fatto per la Notta di Natale A. Corelli

Claire Ruttembourg and Sue Roessel Dura, Recorders

(10:30) Laudate Coeli Dominum (movement 1) Johan Adolf Hasse James Williams, bass Chancel Choir-Orchestra

Psalm 148:1 Praise the Lord from the Heavens Psalm 112:4 The Lord is above all nations, and His glory above the heavens

Time for Young Disciples (10:30) Dr. Cary Speaker At this time all children will be invited to come to the chancel steps. Children ages KINDERGARTEN AND YOUNGER are dismissed to the nursery. FIRST GRADE AND UP should remain in the sanctuary with parents.

Second Lesson - Luke 3:1-6 pew Bible, NT, p. 60

pew Bible (large print), NT p. 72

Sermon “John of Zechariah“ Dr. Cary Speaker

Respond to God’s Word

*Creed The Nicene Creed (Traditional) Hymnal Page 15

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Presentation of God’s Tithes and Our Offerings

Offertory (8:00) Now is Born the Divine Christ Child Arr. Brian Joyce

String Quartet

(10:30) All Christians Rejoice Today Augustin Pfleger Chancel Choir

Doxology Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD ONE HUNDREDTH

Offertory Prayer

The Sacrament of Holy Communion - see insert (Congregation please partake of the bread when you receive it. Please hold cup until all have been served)

Communion Meditation A Virgin Most Pure/ O Little Town of Bethlehem Arr. Brian Joyce

String Quartet

*Hymn 40 Joy to the World ANTIOCH Benediction (Please be seated)

Choral Response (10:30) Laudate Coeli Dominum (movement II) Johan Adolf Hasse

James Williams, bass Chancel Choir-Orchestra

Psalm 97:3 The Lord has made his salvation known. He has revealed his justice.

Postlude Ding Dong! Merrily on High Arr. Brian Joyce Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

String Quartet

Worship Leaders

Dr. Cary Speaker, Interim Pastor First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir

Dr. Patricia Hacker, Director of Music Acolytes - Mike Hyatt and Margaret Stucky

Orchestra

Frank Contreras, organist Jeff Dortch, Violin I

Charles Hogue, Violin II Chris Lanier, Viola

Veneta Bilmayer, Cello Laura Lay, oboe I Jen Case, Oboe II

David Spencer, Clarino I John Merriman, Clarino II

Joe Cochran, Timpani

* Congregation Standing

Welcome Visitors

We welcome you as a participant in worship today. We pray that you will find this service meaningful. Worship is but one of the many ministries of First Presbyterian Church.

Please remember to turn off cell phones and pagers.

Please sign in: Both members and visitors are asked to “sign in” each Sunday on the friendship folders passed down the pews during the offering. This is our only record of your attendance.

Looking for a church home? You may talk to Dr. Speaker or an elder standing in front of the sanctuary following the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship. A Stephen Minister, Doug Madison, will be available for prayer or to answer any questions you might have.

Ushers serving this morning: 8:00 a.m. - Mary Adams and Libby Brown; 10:30 a.m. - Mary Adams, Leslie Ecklund, and Michael Lastovic.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be observed this morning at all worship services. Our elders who will be serving communion at the services are: 8:00 a.m. service - Tam Bevel, Leslie Lockhart, Bill Lummus, and Lucinda Schreeder; 10:30 a.m. service - Harriet Bibb, Patty Conley, David Galloway, Bo Lundy, Houston Matthews, Anne Peters, Marilyn Schild, Nicole Schroer, Jay Stowe, and George Van Kirk.

The flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of William E. Penney, Sr. by Jean and Jerre Penney.

The flowers are given to the Glory of God in honor of Anna Gray Holliday on her 2nd birthday, by her parents, Hamilton and Lauren Holliday.

Christmas Eve windows are available for memorial/honorary flower dedications. Forms and envelopes are on the bulletin board downstairs.

The skirt under the Chrismon Tree was designed and made by Pat Kyser and given to First Presbyterian Church to the Glory of God.

Announcements

Christmas Eve Communion Servers needed! If you are an ordained elder (active or not), we need volunteers to serve communion on Christmas Eve, especially at the 3:00 p.m. service. This year, communion servers can be seated with their families and come forward to serve so that there is no conflict with family time. Contact Angela Rawls at angelasrawls@gmail.com with questions or if you would like to volunteer.

The Presbyterian Women’s Christmas Gathering will be Monday, December 7th beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The circles will be providing a potluck lunch and we will have a special Christmas program for you all to enjoy. Mark your calendar!

The First Christmas: A Christmas Pageant will be presented by our LOGOS Youth and Children Choirs on Wednesday, December 9th at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Please sign-up at the bulletin board.

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone that has completed and turned in a pledge card. If you have not turned in your pledge card, please drop it off at the church office as soon as possible. Thank you for supporting the ministries and missions at FPC!

Rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant is TODAY after the 10:30 a.m. service. Lunch will be provided.

Catch a Shining Star! Following annual tradition, the adults and youth (9th-12th grade) are asked to pray for our children (birth-8th grade) throughout Advent. Please “Catch a Star” in the Fellowship Hall, and pray for your FPC Child/Children each day.

Bells Rehearsal TODAY at 4:00 p.m.

All the angels from our Salvation Army tree have been adopted, but you can still help. Go to http://salvationarmyalm.org/huntsville/services/christmas-programs/information/ and select “Click here to adopt an angel this year”. You may then choose what type of angel you and your family would like to adopt (children, homeless, nursing home adults or special needs adults).

The Youth Ski Trip is scheduled January 1st-4th. Deadline to sign up is December 13th. Please contact Norm Nelson with any questions at nnel-son@fpchsv.org.

PYC (Presbyterian Youth Connection) will meet tonight from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All Youth are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: Please join us on December 10th at 12:00 p.m. in the library for our Christmas celebration. Dress in your festive Christmas apparel and bring your lunch. We'll have a special Christmas dessert and lots of conversation. Bring your favorite pictures of Christmases past if you would like to share.

Christmas Eve Services will be held in the Sanctuary at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

The Christmas Joy Offering will be taken at all services on Christmas Eve.

Prayer and Care Concerns (Names in bold type indicate new prayer concerns)

Members: Anne Boles, Irmie Hamner, Lorinne Lilly, Steven Jones, Anne Speake, Cay Lambert, J. R. Howard, Sage Lyons, III, and Sanders Pair.

Others: Mel Beam (son of Gene Beam), Dorothy Burke (mother of Patsy Van Kirk), Conte Family (friends of the Cooper’s), Ellison Family

(friends of the Cooper’s), Chris Gattis (son of Jerry and Carlotta Gattis), Brandon Greiner (grandson of Cay Lambert), Brian and Debbie Greiner (son

and dauther-in-law of Cay Lambert), Lisa Heffington (niece of Betty Dunaway), Carla King (friend of Lucinda and Marshall Schreeder), Beverlee

Leo (mother of Lori Smith); McGrath Family (friends of the Cooper’s), Shannon Midkiff (friend of Ginger Bryant), Sandra Noblin (sister of Willie Cor-

lew), Diana Rose (mother of Serena Neely), Cynthia Park Shady (friend of Marilyn Schild), Patricia Smith (mother of David Smith), Billy Roy Smith

(father of Rick Smith), Jean Weatherly (mother of Charlotte Wessel), Alicia Whitley (friends of the Cooper’s), Tom Wilson (father of Elaine Stowe),

and Melanie Winter (Friend of Irmie Hamner).

Specialty Care: Annabell Aust-Regency Village, Mildred Branson-Brookdale Place, Kathleen James-Redstone Village, Lorinne Lilly-Magnolia Cot-

tage, Darwin Perkins-Brookdale Place, Ernestine Roberson-Brookdale Place, Ray Rose-Diversicare of Big Springs, Virginia Rowe-Whitesburg Gar-

dens, Marge Sharp-Brookdale Place, Phil Skidmore-Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home, and Teensie Stroupe-Belmont Village, Memphis.