Decatur Presbyterian Church, p.c.a.a Community of Grace

For what we proclaim is not ourselves,but Jesus Christ as Lord,

with ourselves as your servantsfor Jesus’ sake.2 Corinthians 4:5

The Worship of Father, Son & Holy SpiritNovember 27, 2011First Sunday of Advent

Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus! If you are a guest with us, please be sure to sign our Registry when it is passedbefore the service. Children are welcome in our worship. We have a nursery available for children 3 and under. Children4 to 6 years of age may be dismissed to Godly Play prior to the sermon. Thank you for joining us today and may the Lordrichly bless you.

Song of Assembly1

By His Wounds PowellHe was pierced for our transgressions

He was crushed for our sinsThe punishment that brought us peace was upon Him

And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrificeIn the life that You gave

We are healed for You paid the priceBy Your grace we are saved

We are saved

What can wash away my sin?Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Welcome and Preparation for WorshipA prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to beopened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The event of Christ is the only event in human history that promises relocation and centering, meaning and purpose. Thispromise and its fulfillment evoke passionate and heartfelt praise and thanks, especially for those aware of their ownbrokenness and the healing which Christ brings into their lives. ~ Robert Webber

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down… ~ The Prayer of Isaiah, the Prophet (chapter 64)

Reading for the First Sunday of Advent Stan Moore Isaiah 64:1-9

1 All songs used by permission or covered under CCLI license # 391165.

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The Lord Gives Us His PresenceResponsive Call to Worship2 Psalm 99:1, 3, 5Pastor: The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! Let them praise yourgreat and awesome name! Holy is he!People: Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

Prayer for Restoration (based on Psalm 80)

Hymn of Praise

Angels from the Realms of Glory MontgomeryAngels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth.Come and worship, come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night,God with man is now residing, yonder shines the infant Light:

Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son;Ever more your voices raising to the eternal Three in One.

Come and worship, come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Reflection: We Wait for the Revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 1:3-9Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you becauseof the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and allknowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritualgift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our LordJesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord Gives Us His GraceWe Confess our SinsMost loving and merciful Father, we confess before you that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed; in what wehave done, and in what we have left undone; and there is no health in us. Have mercy on us according to your greatlove. Blot our sins from your remembrance, and look on us as those who are clothed in the perfect righteousness ofJesus Christ. Stir up our hearts to believe that Christ died for us, rose again for us, and will come again from heaven

2 We believe that God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with his invitation and command to us to gather in His name.2

for us. Pour into our hearts such love for you that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises, whichexceed all we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, oneGod, forever and ever. ...Silent & Personalized Confession of Sin... Amen!

If then you have been raised with Christ... Colossians 3:1-4If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden withChrist in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Worship with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

Lead On, O King Eternal ShurtleffLead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come;

Henceforth in fields of conquest, thy tents shall be our home.Through days of preparation, thy grace has made us strong;

And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,And holiness shall whisper, the sweet amen of peace.

For not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums;With deeds of love and mercy the heavenly kingdom comes.

So lead on, O King, Lead on, O King,Lead on, O King, Lead on.

Lead on, O King eternal, we follow, not with fears,For gladness breaks like morning where’er thy face appears.

Thy cross is lifted o’er us, we journey in its light;The crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might.

In Christ Alone / The Solid Rock TownendIn Christ Alone my hope is found, He is my strength, my light, my song;

This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! Who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe!This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied,My every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, light of the world in darkness slain:Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

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On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand;All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

(Repeat)

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me;From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

Immanuel CardA sign shall be given, a virgin will conceive,A human baby bearing undiminished Deity.The glory of the nations, a light for all to see;

And hope for all who will embrace His warm reality.

Immanuel, Our God is with us.And if God is with us, who could stand against us?

Our God is with us, Immanuel.

You shall be my people, I will be your God,Said He who did not spare His Son, but gave Him for us all.

On earth there is no power, there is no depth or height,Could ever separate us from the love of God in Christ.

For all those who live in the shadow of death,A glorious light has dawned.

For all those who stumble in the darkness,Behold, your light has come.

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Petition Elder Greg Smith

His Tithes & Our Offerings

The Lord Gives Us His WordSermon3 Pastor Steve Coward

A Family TreeLuke 3:23-38

3 4, 5, & 6 year-old children may be dismissed before the sermon to Godly Play in room 173.4

We Respond

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus WesleyCome, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king;Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne.

The Lord Gives Us His SacramentThe Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperCommunion, also called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committedfollowers of Jesus Christ to share in this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims thegospel, who are at peace with God and their neighbor, and who seek strength to live in a deeper communion with Jesus.If you are not a Christian, or you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer.We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the Church.

Beautiful Savior TownendAll my days I will sing the song of gladness,Give my praise to the fountain of delights.For in my helplessness, you heard my cry,

And waves of mercy poured down on my life.

I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer.I will sing of the Lamb that never fails.Of sins forgiven, of conscience cleared.Of death defeated and life without end.

Beautiful Savior, wonderful counselor,Clothed in majesty, Lord of historyYou’re the way, the truth, the life.

Star of the morning, glorious in holiness,You’re the risen one, heaven’s champion

And you reign, you reign over all.

I long to be where the praise is never ending.Yearn to dwell where the glory never fades.

With countless worshippers, will sing one song,And cries of worthy will honor the Lamb.

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The Lord Gives Us His BlessingBenediction4 2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Crown Him with Many Crowns BridgesCrown him the Lord of heav’n, One with the Father known

One with the Spirit thro’ Him giv’n from yonder glorious throneTo thee be endless praise for thou for us has died.

Be thou, O Lord, thro’ endless days Adored and magnified!

4 Just as God called us into His presence at the beginning, so now He commands His blessing upon us as we depart. We look up and extend our handsin a posture of thanksgiving as we receive this great gift. Our final response to God’s assurance of His peace and presence upon those who are in Christis a chorus of joyful song.

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A Family TreeLuke 3:23-38

Pastor Steve Coward

1. A Brief Excursus

2. A Dysfunctional Family Tree

3. A Magnificent/Extraordinary/Incredible/Awesome/Stupendous/Wonderful/Astounding/SpectacularFamily Tree

Sermons are available at the church web site www.decaturpca.org

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December 4 Dads’ Prayer Meeting December 11 The Majesty & Glory of Christmas December 24 Christmas Eve Service February 3-4, 2012 Common Ground Marriage Weekend February 17-19, 2012 Winter Youth Retreat March 2-3, 2012 Iron Men Retreat (held right here at DPC)

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

4:00pm Mercy Ministry Meeting

TODAY

Tuesday, 6:30am Iron Men Bible Study @ DPC 9:30am Fall Ladies Bible Study (nursery provided) Wednesday, 11:30am Men’s Bible Study @ ADTRAN 5:30pm Dinner / Guests Welcome 6:00pm Kid's Choirs: 5 Year Olds - 2nd Grade / Kids of the King 3rd Grade - 8th Grade / Dare 2 Declare YBR Small Groups (9th - 12th Grade) 6:15pm Midweek Bible Study Worship Choir Practice 6:30pm 4 Year Olds & Kindergarten / Kid's Quest 1st -2nd Grade / Discovery Club 3rd -5th Grade / Discovery Club Stampede (6th - 8th Grade) 7:45pm Praise Band Practice Thursday, 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study @ Neighborhood Christian Center 7:00pm Ladies’ Christmas Show & Tell Dessert Friday, 6:30am Men’s Bible Study @ Temple, Inc. Saturday, 9:00am Children’s Advent Workshop

THIS WEEK

Ladies’ Christmas PartyThis Thursday @ 7:00pm.

Christmas Show and Tell DessertPlace: Home of Melissa McMahan

Come enjoy an evening of fellowship and share withothers some of your favorite Christmas gifts givenor received. Some ladies will be showing us some funand creative gift ideas. If you would like to bring adessert see Elizabeth Lee.

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DPC ANNOUNCEMENTS

DPC 101If you're interested in exploring

membership at DPC, please see Tommy.

ThisSaturday

9:00-11:00AM

Come enjoy a pancake breakfast as we preparefor Christ’s birthday with crafts, ornamentmaking and storytelling. Children ages 4 - 11bring your families for some merry making fun!

Christmas Eve ServiceDecember 24, 6:30pm

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special!How touching to have the meaning of Christ-mas brought to us by cola, fast food, andbeer.... Who’d have ever guessed that productconsumption, popular entertainment, andspirituality would mix so harmoniously?” ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news ofgreat joy that will be for all the people. Forunto you is born this day in the city of David aSavior, who is Christ the Lord.” ... “Let us goover to Bethlehem and see this thing that hashappened, which the Lord has made known tous.” ~ Luke 2

Youth Winter

February 17th-19th@ Camp McDowell

Cost: $95Registration & Payment Due By December 18th

The Youth Winter retreat is open to all of our YBR& Stampede youth. Please encourage your youthto go and to invite their friends.

FallLadies Bible Study @ DPC

Tuesdays @ 9:30amStudy concludes on November 29

(nursery provided)

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MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDYDavid: Anointed King / Desperate Outlaw

Meal: 5:30pm Study: 6:15pmDavid has defeated the giant Goliath. Now hemust deal with the giant Saul. It's time to choosebetween what is easy and what is right. Again andagain and again.

Beef Roast / Mashed Potatoes w/Brown GravyEnglish Peas / Rolls

Tea & LemonadeKids: Nuggets

Tear here and place in the offering plate

Please e-mail your dinner reservations and/or changesto debbie@decaturpca.org or call the church office @351-6010 ext. 2.

Name: ________________________________________

No. of meals: Adult _________ Kids ________

Name: ________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________

No. of meals: Adult __________ Kids ________

DADS' PRAYER MEETINGSunday, December 4 @ 8:45amMeeting in the Church Parlor

“Each family is designed to be a culture — with alanguage, customs, traditions, and countless un-spoken assumptions. God has made the world insuch a way that children who grow up in theculture of the family are to be shaped and moldedby it. The duty of the husband and father is toensure that the shaping is done according to thestandards of the Word of God.” ~ Douglas Wilson

Advent is a season of preparation. For centuries Christians have used themonth prior to the celebration of Christ's incarnation to ready theirhearts and their homes for the great festival. While we moderns tend todo a good bit of bustling about in the crowded hours between Thanks-giving and Christmas, that hardly constitutes the kind of preparationAdvent calls for. Indeed, traditionally Advent has been a time of quietintrospection, personal examination, and repentance. It is time to slowdown, to take stock of the things that matter the most, and to do athorough inner housecleaning. Advent is, as the ancient teaching of thechurch asserts, a time of fasting, prayer, confession, and reconciliation.All the great Advent stories, hymns, customs, and rituals - from themedieval liturgical antiphons and Scrooge's Christmas Carol to the light-ing of the Advent candles are attuned to this notion: that the best wayto prepare for the coming of the Lord is to make straight His pathway inour hearts."- from Christmas Spirit: The Joyous Carols, Stories, Feasts and Traditions of theSeason, by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur