w for t s of a december 17, 2017 |10:30...
TRANSCRIPT
Grounded in the grace of God, we are a vibrant Christian community, disciples of all ages, gathered for worship and nurture, scattered to serve and to love. -MPC Mission Statement adopted by the Session March 31, 2008
WORSHIP for THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 17, 2017 |10:30 A.M.
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Welcome to Morrisville Presbyterian Church WE WELCOME GUESTS AND VISITORS to our service today. If you are not a member, we invite you to consider membership with us. If you would like more information about how we can serve you, please speak to a pastor.
FRIENDSHIP PAD: During the Words of Welcome, please pass the Friendship Pad to the outside aisle and back again to the center. This allows worshipers to recog-nize people in their pew, and helps staff members identify those who may need attention.
THE CHANCEL FLOWERS are offered to the glory of God and are given by Dave and Jan Stoneburner in re-membrance of Robert Stoneburner, Dave’s father. The flowers are also given by Clark and DeeAnn Martin in loving memory of Michael Edward Neagley, DeeAnn’s brother.
USHERING AT TODAY’S SERVICE: Head Usher David Stoneburner, Andy Beidler, Kym Bowser, Tom Evans, Rob Morris, Amy Schnurr and Andrea Wood. Junior Deacons are Jack Fancher, Brandon Schnurr and Evan Wadley.
CHILDCARE FOR CHILDREN UP TO AGE 4 is provided in the Nursery/Pre-School room from 9:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Children, aged 0-2, are welcome in the nursery during our education hour (9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.). Children, aged 0-4, are welcome in the nursery during worship. Visitors, please feel free to utilize our nursery, or keep your children with you in worship.
HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for use anywhere in the sanctuary during worship. These pocket-sized receivers are available from Deacons in either Nar-thex and are to be returned after the service.
HYMNALS, BIBLES, & BULLETINS WITH LARGE PRINT are available during worship each Sunday morning from a Deacon in the Narthex. Please return the Hymnal and/or Bible after the service.
PASTORAL CARE REMINDER—Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach pastor Rachel Rhodes at 267-793-0232, or pastor Debbie Heffernan at 267-342-0089. Thank you for your assis-tance.
WORSHIP NOTE * The asterisk indicates that those who are able may please stand.
PUBLICATION DEADLINES
Please forward any announcements you would like included in the Bulletin by noon Tuesday of each week to
Articles for the February edition of “Currents” are due by January 10.
Send articles to [email protected].
CONTACT US MORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF
771 North Pennsylvania Ave. | Morrisville, PA 19067 | 215.295.4191 | [email protected]
Rachel A. Rhodes, Senior Pastor & Head of Staff (ext. 234) .......................................................... [email protected]
Deborah Heffernan, Interim Associate Pastor for Children, Youth & Family Ministry (ext. 225) ...................................................
..................................................................................................................................................... [email protected]
Jack McAnlis, Minister of Visitation ....................................................................................................JackMcAnlis@MPCusa.net
Timothy Carpenter, Director of Music .............................................................................................. [email protected]
Geoffrey Shoffstall, Principal Organist .................................................................................... [email protected]
Rich Drabb, Property Manager (ext. 231) .............................................................................................. [email protected]
Laurie Jacobson, Bookkeeper (ext. 226) ........................................................................................ [email protected]
Damon Miller, Communication Coordinator ....................................................................................... [email protected]
Diane Toner, Administrative Assistant (ext. 0) ................................................................................... [email protected]
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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
G A T H E R I N G
PRELUDE Christmas Hymns & Carols Brass Ensemble
WORDS of WELCOME Pastor Rhodes
MINUTE for MINISTRY Christmas Joy Offering Reverend Jack McAnlis
LIGHTING of the ADVENT CANDLES The Sumrall & McGuire Family O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer, our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
*CALL to WORSHIP DeeAnn Martin One: Proclaim the good news: All: Forgiveness is coming! One: Shout to the Lord: All: Salvation is here! One: Let us prepare the way of the Lord. All: And let us worship God together!
*HYMN 106 — Prepare the Way, O Zion BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN
*PRAYER of CONFESSION — Unison Pastor Heffernan Refining God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always determined what is best or made way for your reign in our lives, our church, and our society. Like the flowers of the field, our faithfulness wa-vers, blowing with every breeze and withering in the heat. We are inconstant, imperfect. We proclaim compassion, but leave those in the valley low, crying out for bread. We proclaim justice, but leave the lofty high above the lowly. We proclaim the Lord with our lips, but do not prepare the way with our lives. Forgive our hypocrisy, and level our hearts, Lord, that we may serve you.
*SILENT PRAYERS of CONFESSION Here each worshiper may offer silent prayers of confession.
*RESPONSE 601 — Amen (DANISH) Congregation
*PROMISE of FORGIVENESS One: Friends, I am confident of this: if we repent, God is sure to forgive us. The
One who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Grateful for the promise of God’s grace, let us proclaim the good news of the Gospel:
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
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*RESPONSE to GOD’S PARDON (back cover of hymnal) — Glory to the Father GLORIA PATRI
*THE PEACE One: The Peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. One: Let us greet one another with the Peace of Christ.
As a sign of their reconciliation in Christ, the people share the peace of Christ, greeting one another with these or similar words: “The peace of Christ be with you,” “Peace be with you,” or simply, “Peace.”
L I T U R G Y o f t h e W O R D
PRAYER for ILLUMINATION
OLD TESTAMENT READING — Isaiah 40:1-11 (Old Testament, pages 627-628)
ANTHEM — He Comes to Us as One Unknown - Jane Marshall / J.S. Bach, Chancel Choir
He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew Him not.
He speaks to us the same words: "Follow thou me!" and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time.
He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal himself in the toils, the conflicts,
the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience who He is.
-- Albert Schweitzer
O Morning Star, how fair and bright thou beamest forth in truth and light, O Sovereign meek and lowly!
Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son, my Lord and Master, thou has won my heart to serve thee solely! Thou art holy, fair and glorious, all-victorious,
rich in blessing, rule and might o'er all possessing. -- Philip Nicolai
TIME for YOUNG DISCIPLES
Children in grades K-5 may leave for music time with Mr. Carpenter.
GOSPEL READING — Mark 1:1-8 (New Testament, pages 32-33)
One: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON Can I Get a Witness? Pastor Rhodes
*HYMN 92 — While We Are Waiting, Come WAITING (CASON)
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AFFIRMATION of FAITH — (Based on Isaiah 40)
One: I hear a voice in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
All: I believe every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; I believe the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. I believe the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
PRAYERS of THANKSGIVING and SUPPLICATION
THE LORD’S PRAYER (page 35 in the hymnal, debts and debtors)
OFFERING Invitation to Give Presentation of Gifts Offertory Music — Savior of the Nations, Come – D. Buxtehude
*Doxology 606 — Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH *Prayer of Dedication
S E N D I N G
*HYMN 93 — Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates TRURO
*CHARGE and BLESSING
*CHORAL RESPONSE
*POSTLUDE — Prepare the Way, O Zion - arr. Robert Hobby
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Christmas Memorial Contributions - Poinsettias IN LOVING MEMORY OF: BY:
Our parents Carol and Roberta Carroll
Esther and Luther Frey and Frances and Orval Cope The Cope Family
Our parents Beth and Randy Curtiss
Our parents, John and Edith Damiani John and Donna Damiani
Our parents, Charles and Inez Mitchell John and Donna Damiani
Our brother, Mark Damiani John and Donna Damiani
Kempton L. Franke, Lee Forsyth, Rowe and Frances Shirley (Franke) DeAngelis Forsyth, Betty Owens and George Hallowell
Our Parents The Dickson Family
Nancy Dugan, a wonderful mom and grammy Robb, Elizabeth, Nick and Riley Dugan
Katie Austin Friends
Our parents Maureen and Donal Heffernan Debbie and Patrick Heffernan
Our parents Janis and Ernest Downs Debbie and Patrick Heffernan
Earl and Marion Koose Carol Hernandez and Family
Our daughter, Kristin Huggins Karen and Jim Huggins
Our parents, Henry and Kathryn Houser Karen and Jim Huggins
Our parents, Jesse and Charlotte Huggins Karen and Jim Huggins
Our Grandparents and Richard B. Jacobsen The Jacobsen Family
William R. Jorgensen His Loving Family
Raymond S. Low, Genevieve S. Wagner Larry and Phyllis Low
David R. Slover Larry and Phyllis Low
John Ellis, Jr. Diane and Katey Marseglia
My sister Kaye Patterson Jan Mendrey
My parents, Earl and Elizabeth Rousseau Dolores Morris
My grandfather, Earl Rousseau Robert Morris
My grandmother, Elizabeth Rousseau Robert Morris
My grandmother, Elizabeth Morris Robert Morris
Wife Ellie Mulé and son Tony Mulé Gino Mulé
Our parents, Carolyn and Merrill Smith Tom and David Smith
Our parents, James and Marie Mallory and Otto Ward Gary and Sue Ward
Our sister, Joy Deem Gary and Sue Ward
My beloved husband, Charles Hill Connie Hill
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Christmas Memorial Contributions - Food Baskets IN LOVING MEMORY OF: BY:
Elaine Kreiling and Bonnie Werline Bill Anderson
Our parents, Helen and William Borden and Roger and Nancy Anderson Burtis Anderson
My husband, parents and in-laws-Jerry Ashmen, Joan Ashmen John and Mina Masine and Gerald and Dot Ashmen
Florence and Frances McManus Nancy Barron and Jim Gaston
Phyllis and J.H. Gaston, Jr. Nancy Barron and Jim Gaston
Dot Scheidemantel, friend Rae B. Bennett
Raymond and Bessie Bunting, grandparents Rae B. Bennett
Harry and Edith Bunting, parents Rae B. Bennett
My parents, John and Anna Murray Joanne Broadbent
My husband, Ken Broadbent Joanne Broadbent
Our parents Tim and Carol Carpenter
Our parents Carol and Roberta Carroll
Esther and Luther Frey and Frances and Orval Cope The Cope Family
Our parents, John and Edith Damiani John and Donna Damiani
Our parents, Charles and Inez Mitchell John and Donna Damiani
Our brother, Mark Damiani John and Donna Damiani
Kempton L. Franke, Lee Forsyth, Rowe and Frances Shirley (Franke) DeAngelis Forsyth, Betty Owens and George Hallowell
My brother, Edwin Allen Bernice Donini
Mary and Walter H. Ellis, Sr. J’Ann Burgess Ellis
Loved ones Bob and Sandy Foster
Felicia and Philip Humer Alice and Sara Garcia
Earl and Marion Koose Carol Hernandez and Family
George A. Hunger, Sr. Dorothy Hunger
Our parents, Grace and James Doster Gail and Drew Hunger
Our parents, George and Sally Hunger Gail and Drew Hunger
William R. Jorgensen His Loving Family
Becky Marseglia Diane and Katey Marseglia
Christmas Memorial Contributions - Poinsettias IN CELEBRATION OF: BY:
The Joy of the Season Mark, Amy, Evan and Brandon Schnurr
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF: BY:
Van Ellis, III Diane and Katey Marseglia
My parents, Frank and Myrtle Crawford Jan Mendrey
My parents, Earl and Elizabeth Rousseau Dolores Morris
Rose Michel, Joan and Sandy Newman The Newman Family
Stu and Dorothy Tomkins, Jennifer Newman The Newman Family
Our parents Dave and Nancy Powers
Dorothea and Jack Rimler Curtis E. Rimler
Our moms, Martha Habersaat and Clementine Scarano Barbara and Anthony Scarano
Our parents, Carolyn and Merrill Smith Tom and David Smith
Lewis Speakman, Gladys Northrup Speakman, Donald Speakman William Speakman and David Northrup
Charles and Shirley Wagner and Robert Stoneburner David and Jan Stoneburner
Our parents, James and Marie Mallory and Otto Ward Gary and Sue Ward
Our sister, Joy Deem Gary and Sue Ward
Keith J. Whiteside Keith’s Wife, Children and Grand- children
IN CELEBRATION OF: BY:
Her children and granddaughter, her Church Nancy Ackerman and other loved ones
TO GIVE THANKS FOR: BY:
Mary Ann Johnson and Anne Orazi Bill Anderson
Our granddaughters, Ashley, Sarah, Stephanie and Erica Ross and Alice Gray
Our wonderful Choir, Tim Carpenter and Carolle Maust Geoffrey Shoffstall
IN HONOR OF: BY:
Our loved ones The Neiman Family
Christmas Memorial Contributions - Food Baskets
Christmas Memorial Contributions - Music IN LOVING MEMORY OF: BY:
Elaine Kreiling and Bonnie Werline Bill Anderson
Our parents, Helen and William Borden and Roger and Nancy Anderson Burtis Anderson
John C. Moyer, friend’s son Rae B. Bennett
Our parents, Charles T. and Frances Burgess Bill Burgess and Betsy Burgess Jurey
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Christmas Memorial Contributions - Music IN LOVING MEMORY OF: BY:
Our parents Tim and Carol Carpenter
Our parents Carol and Roberta Carroll
Esther and Luther Frey and Frances & Orval Cope The Cope Family
Jeanne and Jack Burgess J’Ann Burgess Ellis
Parents, Muz and Dad and big brother Richard B. III Marjorie Ernest
Family loved ones Marjorie Ernest
My “Little Angel” Marjorie Ernest
Frances B. and Charles T. Burgess, aunt and uncle Rae Frances
My wife, Pat and other departed loved ones Jack Glock
Our grandparents and Richard B. Jacobsen The Jacobsen Family
Aggie and Ray Slover, David Slover, Peggy Dougherty Nancy, John and Sarah Kernan
Our parents and grandparents, Lewis and Peggy Kohn The Levan Family and Sarah and Earl Levan
Our parents Clark and DeeAnn Martin
My husband, Francis Mendrey Jan Mendrey
John C. Moyer, sadly missed by his family Mary W. Moyer
Our parents Dave and Nancy Powers
Bruce E. Ranson and Ruth and Russell Fehr Joanne Ranson
Jack Eberly The Rees Family
Louis and Marion Wiegand Louis and Donna Wiegand
Ralph H. Wooden Christine Wooden
IN APPRECIATION OF: BY:
Our inspirational church music The Beidler Family
IN CELEBRATION OF: BY:
Her children and granddaughter, her Church and Nancy Ackerman other loved ones
The Joy of the Season Mark, Amy, Evan and Brandon Schnurr
IN HONOR OF : BY:
Our loved ones The Neiman Family
TO GIVE THANKS FOR: BY:
All my Penn Med Scholarship Girls Marjorie Ernest
Dr. Harold S. Schell Marjorie Ernest
Our grandchildren, Layla, James, Sloane, Gail and Drew Hunger Colin and Benjamin
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YEAR END GIVING To ensure that your gifts appear on your 2017 giving statement for tax purposes, please make sure that they are post-marked or delivered to the church by December 31, 2017.
DEACONS’ ANGEL TREE Please stop by the lounge today and visit our Angel Tree. Angels will be available for several weeks. Please support our “Adopt a Community" Mission this holiday. Thank you!
MPC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SALE The third ornament in a series of four is now availa-ble for sale in the Communication Center. This year's ornament is the rose window in the Chapel. The cost is $10.00 of which $5.00 goes to support MPC Youth in Mission. You may also purchase an ornament by calling or texting Roger Anderson at 215-806-5466. A limited supply of previous years’ ornaments is also available. Thank you for your sup-port of Youth in Mission.
CALLING ALL AGES! TAKE A MOMENT TO RELAX. We, as a congregation, are filling in a 2’ by 6’ banner of the Christmas Story. The banner will be located just outside the lounge every Sunday until Christmas. Pull up a chair and start coloring. Materials are pro-vided. We will display the banner on Christmas Eve. Thank you.
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE? Please consider the MPC Women’s Retreat. The MPC Women’s Retreat will be held March 2–4, 2018 at Emmaus House in Ocean Grove, NJ. Our speak-er, Rev. Abigail Visco Rusert will speak on Joy for the Journey: Cultivating, Practicing, and Naming Joy. Look for the pink brochures with more details and registra-tion forms in the information racks. Space is limited so register early.
2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES Offering envelopes are available for pick up located outside of the choir room. The envelopes are availa-ble to all members and not just to those that have pledged. Please note that your envelope number may have changed from the prior year.
This advent season MPC, Morrisville United Meth-odist and St. John Lutheran Church will share a meal and an advent message. We will meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. for a meal, followed by an advent message at 6:45 p.m. Sign-up will be in the Communication Center or call the church office by noon on the Tuesday prior to the supper you plan to attend.
December 20
Morrisville United Methodist Church
Rev. Wendy Bellis
Advent Supper Series This Holiday Season designate MPC as the Charitable Organization for Amazon Smile
Just go to smile.amazon.com, select Account and Lists, Your Account, Your Amazon Smile to desig-nate Morrisville Presbyterian Church as the charity. It costs the Amazon user nothing, and it will earn 0.5% from every purchase for the Deacons' Food Basket Program.
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New Christmas Eve Services Schedule 4:00 p.m. Children and Family Service
This early service will be crafted for children and their families. The foundations of our faith begin at home,
and we hope to encourage families to attend this worship service together, participating as a family (and a
family of faith) in the journey toward Bethlehem and the joy of Christ’s birth. Musical anthems will be of-
fered by our children’s singing and bell choirs, children will be involved in the liturgy, and hymns and liturgy
will be accessible for a variety of ages.
7:00 p.m. Choirs, Carols & Candlelight Service
(Sign Language Interpretation Provided) During this service of celebration, we will journey together toward Bethlehem, mindful of the prophesies of
old, the Gospel stories that lead us toward Christ’s birth, and the hope of the light that is coming into the
world. Through Scripture lessons, carols, and candlelight we will journey into the stillness and beauty of this
night as we prepare our hearts to receive our Savior. Musical offerings throughout the service will feature
our Chancel Ringers, Chancel Choir, and Teen Choir. Sign Language interpretation will also be provided.
10:00 p.m. Carols, Communion & Candlelight Service During this service we invite you to experience the stillness and quiet of this holy night, when God’s Word
became flesh and dwelt among us. Join us in song, in scripture, in candlelight, and around Christ’s table as
we rejoice in Christ’s birth, and remember the God whose love for us was so abundant that God burst into
the world on this holy night to be Emmanuel, God with us. Musical offerings throughout the service will
feature soloists and small choral ensembles.
You may also join us for the 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service
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MPC Weekly Calendar
M O R R I S V I L L E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H 771 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE | MORRISVILLE , PA 19067
215.295.4191 | WWW .MPCUSA .NET
‘Tis the Season for Boy Scout Troop 3’s Annual Christmas Tree Sale
Fresh Cut Trees, Wreaths, Grave Blankets & Pine Roping will be for sale
Helpful Boy Scouts with awesome knot skills will carry your tree carefully to your car. This annual fundraiser helps Troop 3 Scouts to achieve goals for themselves and their community.
While Supplies
Last!
6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Weeknights
and Saturday 12/23 till Noon
SUNDAY, December 17 - 3rd Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. God’s Thunder Chapel 9:30 Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 Fellowship Time Reception Lounge Host: Clothing Center 11:45 Teen Choir Music Room 12:15 p.m. Worship Committee Room 202
MONDAY, December 18 6:30 p.m. Outreach Committee Conference Room 7:00 Board of Trustees Room 200 7:00 Boy Scout Troop 3 Fellowship Hall 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Rooms 220/222 7:00 Cub Pack 3 Committee Mtg. Chapel 7:00 Food Center Bag Packing 7:30 Session Meeting Conference Room 7:30 Mostly Motets Music Room
TUESDAY, December 19 9:00 a.m. Food Center Set-Up Fellowship Hall 10:00 Clothing Center 2:15 p.m. Staff Meeting Room 200 6:30 GSEP Senior Troop 2030 Room 210 7:30 Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220
WEDNESDAY, December 20 9:00 a.m. Food Center Fellowship Hall 6:00 p.m. Advent Supper Series MUMC 6:00 Youth Club Rooms 220/222 7:00 Cub Scout Pack 3 Fellowship Hall
THURSDAY, December 21 11:00 a.m. Food Center Stocking Room 4 Noon Alcoholics Anonymous Room 220 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir Music Room 8:15 Chancel Chimes Chapel
FRIDAY, December 22 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Lounge
SATURDAY, December 23 8:00 a.m. Deacons’ Food Basket Distribution 9:00 Children’s Christmas Sanctuary Service Rehearsal
SUNDAY, December 24 - 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Eve 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Sanctuary 4:00 p.m. Children & Family Service Sanctuary 7:00 Choirs, Carols & Sanctuary Candlelight Service 10:00 Carols, Communion & Sanctuary Candlelight Service