love - amazon s3 · prelude o magnum mysterium lauridsen/arr. dackow the king's strings*...
TRANSCRIPT
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PLEASE NOTE: If needed, large pr int hymnals and sound amplification devices are available in the
Narthex. Please see an usher for assistance in obtaining these items.
Welcome to South Aiken Presbyterian Church! We are very glad that you are here this morning to join in
offering a service of worship to the Lord. We believe all people are children of God. We believe that the
redeeming grace of God can bring each of us into a new day. We believe all people are loved with a love that
has no end in Jesus Christ. Today, may our eyes be opened again to these truths. May we each do our part to
make this a place of grace for all. May the blessings of joy and hope that can only come from the nearer
presence of God fill each of our hearts. Let us worship God!
Nursery & Children’s Church
Children will remain in the Christmas Eve service tonight in order to more fully experience worship with their
families. Worship activity bags for children are available at each entrance. Bags are divided for older children
(blue handle) and younger children (purple handle). Although we encourage children to remain in the service,
childcare is available. If childcare is needed, please take your child to the nursery/toddler room. The nursery/
toddler room is located in another building within the SAPC complex. To find it, please exit the front (main)
entrance to the sanctuary and turn left (towards Security Federal Bank). The entrance to the nursery/toddler
room is around the corner in the next building. You will see the sign for the entrance at the door on the side of
the building.
If you need assistance, please feel free to ask an usher.
REV. FRANK CUNNINGHAM
We welcome the Rev. Frank Cunningham to SAPC. Frank will officiate at tonight’s service. He is a graduate
of Union Presbyterian Seminary where he earned a Masters Degree, Divinity/Ministry. Frank has most
recently served as the Interim Pastor and Pastor (Stated Supply) for Barnwell Presbyterian Church. Being a
minister is Frank’s second career. He spent the first part of his professional life in the banking world. Frank
is no stranger to South Aiken Presbyterian and has long enjoyed a personal association with the church.
LOVE
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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2017 7:00 p.m.
(Please stand, if able, when indicated by an *)
GATHERING
Pre-Service Music
Prelude O Magnum Mysterium Lauridsen/arr. Dackow The King's Strings*
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome & Announcements Shirley Colburn
Choral Introit Love Has Come French Melody
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
*Call to Worship & Lighting of the Christ Candle (Responsive) The Kevin Pethick family
One: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ,
who is called the Son of the Most High,
and of whose kingdom there will be no end.
About the hour of Christ's coming no one knows;
therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come.
Hear the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
With John the Baptist we testify to Christ the light,
so that all might believe through him.
With Mary, we pray: Let it be with us according to your word.
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Now fear not, for there is good news of great joy for all people:
to us is this day in Bethlehem a Savior, the Messiah, the Lord.
All: Heaven and earth will pass away,
but the Word of God endures forever.
*Hymn #95 Prepare the Way of the Lord
Prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord,
and all people will see the salvation of our God.
*Prayer of the Day (Unison)
Good and gracious God, on this holy night you gave us your Son, the Lord of the universe,
wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into
the mystery of your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing your glory on
high. Give us a place among the shepherds that we may find the one for whom we have waited,
Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
*Hymn #133 O Come, All Ye Faithful
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Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer Hymnal Page 35
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 temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
LESSONS AND CAROLS
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read, and
your praises are sung, and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us tonight.
Amen.
First Lesson Micah 5:2-5a Dale Stephens
Carol #121 O Little Town of Bethlehem
Second Lesson Luke 1:26-38
Carol #123 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Third Lesson Matthew 1:18-25
Carol #145 What Child Is This
Fourth Lesson Luke 2:1-20
Carol #119 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Fifth Lesson Matthew 1:1-12
Carol #151 We Three Kings of Orient Are
Sixth Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7
Carol #134 Joy to the World
Homily “Reliving the Story” Rev. Frank Cunningham
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OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD
Offering of Tithes and Gifts
Offertory Gesu Bambino Pietro A. Yon Kendall Lee Driscoll, Flutist: Rita Rostron, Organist
*Doxology Hymnal Page 606
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
SENDING
Litany of Christ’s Candle (Responsive)
One: God of light, in whom there is no shadow, Your gifts to us are from the very beginning of time.
All: They began with creation, when Your Spirit gave form to the chaos of energy and matter, and
when Your Word brought forth light on the face of the earth.
One: They continued with our ancestors, like Sarah and Abraham, whom You blessed with a child whose
descendants, as many as the stars of the sky, were to be a light to the nations.
All: At last, You sent Your light into the world in the form of a tiny child, fragile and vulnerable,
Who grew up to be the very light of light, full of grace and truth, revealing Your glory on earth. We
thank You, O God, that You have sent Jesus Christ to bring life and immortality to light. Help us
receive Your gift with joy and humility. Be born among us, that we may give Christ's love to the
world, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Sharing of Christ’s Light (Officers light their candles at the Christ candle)
*Candle lighting (The light is shared from person to person)
*Candle Hymn #122 Silent Night, Holy Night!
*Benediction & Dismissal
*Postlude Joy to the World arr. Davis/Longfield
*The King’s Strings:
Violins - Kendall Driscoll, Dan Fetterolf, Regan Gregory, Liam Culp, Savanna Dale, and Joyce Culp
Violas - Sharde’ Hawkins and David Culp
Cellos - James Dale and Marlee Hare
Bass - Bishop Hare
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Those Serving in the Military
Daniel Bartlett - grandson of Ron & Sandy Bartlett
Kris Cloud - son of Ed & Robin Coward
Ian Fields - husband of Tracy Kelly-Fields
Robert Kocis - son of Andrew & Jodi Kocis
Tom Kocis - nephew of Andrew & Jodi Kocis
Ben McCullough - son of Lisa McCullough
Louis Wilson - son-in-law of Brenda Martin Morgan
The family of Tom Pons as they mourn his loss
Jan Auernheimer as she heals from a hip fracture
Steve Kuhl as he continues to recover
Katie (Pam & Dave Pethick’s daughter ) as she receives treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma
The family of Kimberly Craig (Sandy & Ron Bartlett’s niece) as they mourn her loss
Wayne Durden (Brenda Martin Morgan’s brother-in-law) as he continues to fight cancer
Chris Parnell (Emma Parnell’s son) as he deals with multiple health issues
Joe Lookabill as he continues to recover at home
LaVerne Price as she heals and undergoes rehabilitation at Anchor Rehab after a fall
Prayer is a powerful force for those in need of
healing, comfort, strength, and encouragement. It
can also be a blessing for those offering prayer. If
you have a prayer request after office hours, on
weekends, or during holidays or would like more
info, contact Emily Lockard. You can either call
Emily at (803) 649-0473 or email her at:
[email protected]. If you have a prayer
request during office hours (M-TH; 8am-5pm),
please contact Denise at the church office at 648-
9574 or at [email protected].
2018 Giving Envelopes are available in the narthex
for pick-up. They have been placed (more or less!)
in alphabetical order. If you don’t find your
envelopes in one of the boxes, please contact Denise
and she will provide you with a packet.
Also, if you plan to mail your tithe to the church this
month, please ensure that you place it in the mail so
that it arrives in the office no later than December
31st. Payments that are dated and/or postmarked
after December 31st will be credited to your 2018
giving statement. Also, it’s not too late to make your
pledge for 2018! Pledge forms are available in the
narthex and church office.
Thank you for your support!
The church office will be closed from Monday,
Dec. 25th, through Monday, Jan. 1st. The office
will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd.
The SAPC Session, Diaconate, and staff wish
everyone a wondrous Christmas and happy
New Year!
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Dec 24th No Youth - Christmas Eve
Dec 31st
No Youth - New Years
Jan 7th-Feb 25th - Worship Class for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd graders
A LOOK AT THE WEEK AHEAD Sunday, Dec 24th
8:45a - Worship Service (Sanctuary) 10:00a - Sunday School (Campus) 7:00p - Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Monday, Dec 25th
Merry Christmas! SAPK Christmas Holiday - No School/Office Closed
No activities are currently scheduled
Tuesday, Dec 26th
SAPK Christmas Holiday - No School/Office Closed
6:00p - Basketball Practice (Gym) 6:00p - Girl Scouts (F207/209/212) 6:45p - M’Aiken Music Practice (Choir Room) 7:00p - Boy Scouts (F205)
Wednesday, Dec 27th
SAPK Christmas Holiday - No School/Office Closed
6:00p - Basketball Practice (Gym)
Thursday, Dec 28th
SAPK Christmas Holiday - No School/Office Closed
6:00p - Basketball Practice (Gym) 7:00p - Swingsation Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, Dec 29th
SAPK Christmas Holiday - No School/Office Closed
No activities are currently scheduled
Saturday, Dec 30th
No activities are currently scheduled
If you haven’t been in the church library lately, take
a minute and stop by. We have a whole new
collection of books on the Red Cart. Take one and
pass it on, no need to return. We also have some
Christmas books with great holiday decoration
ideas!
Thanks to all who have donated books throughout
the year!
Merry Christmas to our church family.
Myra and Leo
I wish to express my deep gratitude to the congregation for all the generous acts of kindness shown to me and all of the staff during the Christmas season. We are grateful and blessed to serve Christ with you.
- Allison Kelly
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IN HONOR OF
Klaehn, Kaeli, Breanna, and Kylie Burkes. Given by Lynn & Greg Burkes
Wayne Culp. Given by David, Joyce & Liam Culp
Alice Kierspe. Given by Lynn & Greg Burkes
Our children and grandchildren. Given by Ken & Jenny Chase
Our friend who lost her home to a fire. Given by Ken & Marilyn Hofstetter
Our granddaughter, Grace. Given by Leslie & Jim Johnston
Our grandparents. Given by Regan & Collyn Gregory
Our parents. Given by Kevin & Carey Pethick
The SAPC choir. Given by Dot & Felder McLaurin
SAPC. Given by Johnnelle Ramsey
IN MEMORY OF
Gene Bagwell. Given by Flo & Jim Carroll
Albert and Vestal Butler. Given by Jerry & Karen Butler
Millie Carroll. Given by Flo & Jim Carroll
Ellen M. Dennis. Given by the Dennis family
John Empie, my dear and beloved husband. Given by Maureen Empie
John Empie. Given by Dot & Felder McLaurin
Tom Fall. Given by Jane Fall
Blair and Lorene Geisler. Given by Jerry & Karen Butler
Scott Gregory. Given by Regan & Collyn Gregory
Marianne Harden - my wife & my love. Given by Jim Harden
Mary & Bill Ice. Given by David Ice
Bob and Marilyn Kierspe. Given by Lynn & Greg Burkes
Marlene Morgan. Given by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Morgan
Our grandparents. Given by Kevin & Carey Pethick
Michael Padgett. Given by Regan & Collyn Gregory
Our parents. Given by Darrell & Patricia Pluff
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Polatty. Given by Mr. & Mrs. Donald Morgan
Lisa Paxton Raabe. Given by Linda & Steve Hook
Polly and Carl Simpson. Given by David, Joyce & Liam Culp
Jack H. Smith. Given by his family
Robert Taylor. Given by your family with love
Pamela Vaughn. Given by Dot & Felder McLaurin
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SAPC STAFF
Vacant, Pastor : ext. 104
Erin Morgan, Assoc. Pastor for Youth/Outreach: ext. 106
Allison Kelly, Dir . of Children & Families: ext. 105
Phillip Hare, Director of Music
Scott Chappell, Pianist/Accompanist
Tracie Toulson, Financial Manager : ext. 103
Denise Underwood, Secretary: ext. 100
Michelle Lorio, Kindergar ten Director : 648-9895 ext. 107
Cissy Kelley, Assistant Kindergar ten Dir ./ Childcare Coordinator 648-9895 ext.110, Cell (803) 270-5808
ATTENDANCE LAST SUNDAY
Worship Service: (8:45) - 129
(11:00) - 150
VOLUNTEERS FOR TODAY
Flowers: To His Glory, for Jesus’ birth
In honor of the special births of Graham and Teagan. Given by Haley Culp
Pulpit Assistant: Shir ley Colburn
Sound System: (8:45) Alan Riechman (7:00 p.m.) Larry Hinson
Ushers: (8:45) Br ian Marra (H), J im Marra (A), Julie McCrum, Martin McCrum
(7:00 p.m.) Steve Hook (H), Linda Hook (A), Larry Hinson, Mary Ann Hinson, Don Morgan,
Brenda Martin Morgan, John Kelly, Sue Kelly, Dale Stephens
VOLUNTEERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
Flowers: In memory of Kim Craig and with love for Sandy & Ron Bartlett. Given by Lynn Shepard
Pulpit Assistant: Andy Goslen
Sound System: (8:45) Larry Hinson (11:00) John Kelly
Ushers: (8:45) J im Shaw (H), Shir ley Shaw (A), David Filler , Sharon Filler
(11:00) Phil Lockard (H), Emily Lockard (A), Will Erwin, Shannon Erwin
(H) Head (A) Assistant
CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION
Church Office: 803-648-9574
Fax: 803-648-7972
Web Site: www.southaiken.org
Email: [email protected]
Follow SAPC activities on Facebook.