W elcome to Mitchell Road as we Celebrate Christ together this Advent season! If you are visiting with us, we encourage you to fill out a Connection Card located in the back of your bulletin and place it in the offering or return it to the Information Desk. Also, we invite you to join us for our Christmas Eve services this Saturday evening. Details are in the announcements section of the bulletin as well as on our website, www.mitchellroad.org. We’re glad you’re here!

'For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'

Isaiah 9:6

8:45 am Worship Service in Sanctuary Worship Service in Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Biblical Foundations Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service in Fellowship Hall Emmanuel Church Plant Service in Sanctuary 7:00 pm Oratorio Chorus Concert with Orchestra in Sanctuary

December 18,December 18,December 18,December 18, 2016201620162016

Worship In Spirit and Truth *Gathering Song “O Come, All ye Faithful”

*Advent Hymn O Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to Thee, O Israel.

*Call to Worship—Isaiah 11:1-3a There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

*Songs of Worship “Angels We Have Heard on High” “O Holy Night” “All Things New (Rise Up)”

*Prayer of Adoration

A!rmation of Faith –Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

* Please stand if you are able . Parents, please escort underage children leaving the service.

Assisting in Worship today: ANDY LEWIS, Senior Pastor CURTIS DUBOSE, Assistant Pastor JERED McKENNA, Worship Leader

Prayers of Confession

Words of Comfort —Zephaniah 3:14-17

Hearing God’s Word

Tithes and O7ering

K4-K5 Children may leave as we start giving our tithes and offerings, and give their tithe at the exit on their way out.

Scripture Reading Luke 2:8-21

Congregation’s Response Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God!People: Thanks be to God!People: Thanks be to God!People: Thanks be to God!

Sermon—Mark Reed “Waiting for Jesus: Shepherd and Angels

Responding to God

Prayer

Congregational Meeting to Elect O!cers

*Benediction Those who have placed poinsettias in the service in honor or in memory of a loved one may take their poinsettia after the

11:00 worship service today. Dedications are listed later in this bulletin.

Notes:

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest; Yes, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning: Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; “O Come All Ye Faithful” Words: Trad. Latin; Music: John Francis Wade, Public Domain, 1751

“Angels We Have Heard on High”

“Angels We Have Heard on High” Word and Music: Trad. French

“O Holy Night”

“

“O Holy Night” Words: Placide Cappeau, Public Domain, 1847; Music: Adolphe C. Adams, Public Domain, 1847.

“All Things New” Words and Music: Andrew Peterson (C) 2010 all rights reserved

“All Things New (Rise Up)”

Christmas Concert Tonight—7:00 pm The combined voices of the Oratorio Chorus, with soloists and narrator, Dale Gilbert, will join forces with a full orchestra to present a memorable Advent worship event. We will be singing the music of Dan Forrest, John Rutter, Peter Anglea, Trevor Manor, Amy Grant, Craig Courtney, and Norwegian composer, Kim Arnesen. Bring a friend or neighbor to experience a moving Christ-mas message in song. Doors open at 6:30 pm; nursery by reservation.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church

Celebrate the birth of Christ as we revel in the joy of this season! There will be no nursery as we desire the whole family as well as our Children’s Ministry staff to worship together. For those who wish to remain outside the services with their small children, there will be live video streaming in the Library, the Commons, and N105. Christmas Eve Services

4:00 pm4:00 pm4:00 pm4:00 pm————Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall Fellowship Hall A family friendly service led by the worship band 5:30 pm5:30 pm5:30 pm5:30 pm————SanctuarySanctuarySanctuarySanctuary A Candlelight Carol service led by the Chancel Choir 7:00 pm7:00 pm7:00 pm7:00 pm————Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary A Candlelight Carol service led by the Chancel Choir

Christmas Day Services

11:00 am11:00 am11:00 am11:00 am————Fellowship HallFellowship HallFellowship HallFellowship Hall Worship led by the worship band 11:00 am11:00 am11:00 am11:00 am————SanctuarySanctuarySanctuarySanctuary Worship led by the Chancel Choir

There will be no nursery on Christmas Eve. There will be no nursery, Sunday school, Children’s Church, or Evensong on Christmas Day.

The Emmanuel Presbyterian Church plant will worship with MRPC in the Fellowship Hall on Christmas Day.

Helene Adams by her children and grandchildren: Will, Jennifer, Anna Miller, Eliza and

William Adams

Tracy Kormylo Doris Blair

by Jerry and Sandy Blair

Jim Coleman by Judy Coleman and children

Helen Milewski Linda Langel

by Jeff, Jamie, Hollis and Miller Cramer

Joe Crunk by Joyce Crunk and family

Bill Erkes

by Jane and Lindy Erkes and Brantley and Stanton Horne

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fuduric Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fulmer by Tom and Becky Fuduric

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Arledge Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison

by Lynn and Marty Harrison and family

Gene Hatcher by the Hatcher family

Dora Wilkinson Hicks by Jim F. Hicks

Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Hortis

by their children Chris, Scott, Athena, David and Greg

Mrs. Pauline Stevenson by the Hortis family

Carolyn Kilgo

Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Armstrong by John Kilgo

Loiuse Latham by John Latham and

Lyman, Dianne and Matthew Fossett

Bette Barnes Dorothy Halbert

by Harrell and Ann Ligon

Alex Bufton Hope MacDonald

by Jon and Tania MacDonald

Joe and Betty Martin David and Idella Kline

Joey Martin by Tim and Norrine Martin

Merle and Katherine Hess Marion and Ruby McCloud by Ken and Jan McCloud

Joe and Lavinia McElveen

James A. Hughes by Joe and Jennie McElveen and family

Carly Simpson Sawyer Simpson

by Alison, John and Mike Simpson

Richard Tolbert by Linda, Jeremy, Laura, Jeff, Alex, Jack,

Willz and Carrie

Nancy Leigh Wilburn Richard Tolbert Ruth Hamilton

by Nancy and David Wilburn

THE POINSETTIAS THIS MORNING ARE GIVE TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY OF...

Gayle and Tom Stanley by Judy Coleman

Scott and Susan Boulton by Cindy Boulton

Carolyn, David, Tram, and Mellany Bethea

by Peggy and Marion Dorsey

Stan and Connie Beasley Crystal Barbier by Athena Hortis

THE POINSETTIAS THIS MORNING ARE GIVE TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN HONOR HONOR HONOR HONOR OF...

Jonas and Christina Davison Jonathan Meyer Larry and Mary Ellen Puls Bridget Baker Jennie and Patrick Beaudine Gene and Phyllis Danekas Mark and Marilyn Jarriel James and Crystal Warmoth Angela Weinkle Rex and Suzanne Brown Philip and Jessica Van Dyke

Sarah Doyle Brenda Hancock Terri Kittel Brantley and Stanton Horne Tim Martin Mark and Amy Muncy Michelle and Taylor Lewis Trent and Emily Lewis Connor Maser Nicole and Mark Stokes

PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MITCHELL ROAD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH!

2017 Flower Calendar

Sign up on the North Wing bulletin board to provide flowers for the worship service in honor or in memory of a loved one in 2017.

Upcoming Sermon Series On January 8 we will begin “Not To Be Served, But to Serve: A sermon series on the gospel of Mark” on Sunday mornings. This series will run through May. We are so excited to offer a Sermon and Prayer Journal. In this spiral— bound journal you will find the scripture for the sermon, a place for sermon notes, suggested Scripture readings and a corporate prayer for the week, prayer requests for our ministries, and journaling space. Sermon and Prayer Journals will be available beginning on January 1 for $3 each. We hope that these will help enhance your Sunday wor-ship by encouraging continued time in the Word and prayer throughout the week.

Missionary Support O0ering

Please help us meet our offering goal before thePlease help us meet our offering goal before thePlease help us meet our offering goal before thePlease help us meet our offering goal before the 2017 Annual Missions Conference, which will be held February 232017 Annual Missions Conference, which will be held February 232017 Annual Missions Conference, which will be held February 232017 Annual Missions Conference, which will be held February 23----26.26.26.26.

The funds we need to support our 75+ foreign missionaries is $240,000. To date (as of Nov 27), we have raised $139,233, which is $100,000 away from our end goal. We are $40,000 behind. It is only through your generous giving that we are able to support those who are the hands and feet of Jesus in bringing the Gospel to the corners of the earth. Please consider our offering and our missionaries as you prepare for year-end giving. As you give, please designate your gift as “Missionary Support Offering.” Thank you for supporting Mitchell Road’s missionaries in expanding and strengthening the Kingdom worldwide.

$240,000

$180,000 Where we

should be

$139,233

2016 Year-End Tithes & O0erings We are thankful for the faithfulness of God’s people in supporting the ministry of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church with Tithes and Offerings throughout the year. As a reminder, contributions must be postmarked by Saturday, December 31 in order to be included on the 2016 contribution statement. Visit www.mitchellroad.org/give to give on-line and to learn how your gift to Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church puts our ministry plan into action. To log-in to your account, go to our website, www.mitchellroad.org, and select myMitchellRoadmyMitchellRoadmyMitchellRoadmyMitchellRoad in the top right corner, proceed to give or view your 2016 contribution history. Your contributions (General Fund, Missions Support Offering, Deacon’s Benevolence Fund, or Building Fund) support the various ministries of the church as we seek to Celebrate Christ in our brokenness, Equip the Church in making disciples, and Engage the World with the Gospel of love and hope!

Connect with us...

I want to receive more information about I want to receive more information about I want to receive more information about I want to receive more information about Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church!Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church!Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church!Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church! Check all that apply:

□ I am new to church

□ I am new to MRPC

□ I am a regular attender of MRPC

□ I am a visitor from the Greenville area

□ I am a visitor from outside the area

If you would like to join one of our mailing lists, or if you would like to update your information, please fill out the following information.

Children:

Email:

Spouse’s Email:

Preferred Phone:

Mailing Address:

Name:

DOB: ___/___/_____

Spouse:

DOB: ___/___/_____

Weekly Opportunities for Discipleship

We believe that discipleship is experiencing Jesus’ love for me in community, loving Jesus with all of me, and growing in this truth so that I might share him with others. We invite you to find an opportunity for discipleship today!

Please visit mitchellroad.org for a calendar of current schedules.Please visit mitchellroad.org for a calendar of current schedules.Please visit mitchellroad.org for a calendar of current schedules.Please visit mitchellroad.org for a calendar of current schedules.

Community Community Groups: Community Groups: Community Groups: Community Groups: Sunday evenings in homes around Greenville. To find a group email mreed@mitchellroad.org. Sunday School classes: Sunday School classes: Sunday School classes: Sunday School classes: For a list of classes stop by the Information Desk or visit www.mitchellroad.org/adult-classes. Evensong: Evensong: Evensong: Evensong: Sunday evenings in the Sanctuary.

Children Nursery: Nursery: Nursery: Nursery: During worship services and Sunday School for birth— K3. Children’s Church (K4Children’s Church (K4Children’s Church (K4Children’s Church (K4----K5): K5): K5): K5): Children are dismissed during the worship services for a child-friendly time of songs, games, and a Bible lesson. Sunday School: Sunday School: Sunday School: Sunday School: Classes for K4—grade 4.

Youth Sunday School: Sunday School: Sunday School: Sunday School: Classes for grades 5-12 Senior High Night: Senior High Night: Senior High Night: Senior High Night: Sunday evenings in the Youth Center Tuesday Morning Prayer: Tuesday Morning Prayer: Tuesday Morning Prayer: Tuesday Morning Prayer: Tuesday in the Youth Center Junior High Night: Junior High Night: Junior High Night: Junior High Night: Wednesday evenings in the Youth Center

Other Discipleship Opportunities: Journey Groups for Men or WomenJourney Groups for Men or WomenJourney Groups for Men or WomenJourney Groups for Men or Women: These small groups meet throughout the week. Email mreed@mitchellroad.org. Mentor MomsMentor MomsMentor MomsMentor Moms: Weekly group meeting for moms. Email pjtemplefam@yahoo.com. Women’s Bible StudiesWomen’s Bible StudiesWomen’s Bible StudiesWomen’s Bible Studies: Wednesday mornings or Wednesday evenings. Contact cdubose@mitchellroad.org.

I would like to receive more information about:

□ Learning about Christianity

□ Joining a Community Group

□ Becoming a Church Member

□ Serving on Sunday Mornings

□ Women’s/ Men’s Ministry

□ Mitchell Road Christian Academy

Please add me to the following Email Mailing Lists:

□ This Week at Mitchell Road (weekly)

□ Children’s Ministry

□ Youth Ministry

□ The Intercessor (weekly prayer letter)

□ Senior Adult Ministry

□ Young Adult Ministry

Questions or Prayer requests

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Contact us: 207 Mitchell Road Greenville, SC 29615

864.268.2218 info@mitchellroad.org www.mitchellroad.org

Please place in offering or return to the Information Desk in the commons.

Check Us Out Online:

mitchellroad.org (main site)

mitchellroadym.org (youth)

mitchellroadcm.org (children)

mitchellroadmissions.org (missions)

mitchellroadchristian.org (Christian Academy)

greenvillefellows.org (Greenville Fellows)

cogreenville.org (Campus Outreach)