Fully Alive with the Passion of Christ

DECEMBER 13, 2015THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Original artwork by Julia Lowry Jones

“We must be careful to have no anxiety about anything, but to be joyful before God and kind to our fellow man.”

Martin Luther

ALL ARE WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRISTCELEBRATING OUR 127TH YEAR OF FAITHFUL SERVICE

2035 Highland Ave S - Birmingham, Alabama 35205www.southhighland.org - 205-933-0790

neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/LORD’S PRAYER

OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Anthem “Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe”

Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe.O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;

*DOXOLOGY AT THE PRESENTATION #56 the First Nowell “The First Nowell”Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*HYMN #23 (blue) “Angels We Have Heard on High” Gloria *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE “From Heaven to Earth I Come” Paul Manz

*Those able may stand †*Waiting worshipers may be seated by ushersALL MEMBERS AND VISITORS are invited to stop by after the 11:00am Worship

Service to enjoy light refreshments and each other at our SUNDAY CELEBRATION. We will be in the Courtyard weather permitting.

WELCOME ALL WHO VISIT WITH US - We invite you to consider attend-ing our DISCOVERY class. This class is a basic introduction to the ministry & history of South Highland. DISCOVERY will help you understand church membership in the context of your personal faith journey. If you are interested, make a note on the sign-in sheet or contact Jan & John Bell at (205) 877-3272 or email at jcbvandy12000@yahoo.com. Our next class will be today Sunday, December 13, 2015. Please Join us!

WELCOME OUR STRING QUARTET TODAY - Marilyn Pipkin, violin; John Myrick, violin; Meredith Treaster, viola; and Nancy Lewis, cell

WORSHIP NOTES - Our Advent and Christmas services are focusing on be-loved hymns and carols of the season that shape our faith. “Joy to the World” is the all-time headliner of Christmas carols. It is the most-published Christmas hymn in North America, and has been carried throughout the world in multiple translations. It may be heard equally in shopping malls, popular radio stations, and church services. Though associated with Christmas and the first coming of Jesus Christ, the carol was not originally intended for Christmas at all but for the joyful celebration of Jesus Christ’s promised return at the end of the world to draw the entire creation to salvation. Based on a paraphrasing of Psalm 98:4-9, it praises God’s triumphal conclusion to history. It’s use has however been as a joyful pae-an of praise for the beginning of Christ’s life and is always found in the Christmas sections of Hymn Books. Written by the great father of English Hymnody, Isaac Watts (1674-1748) “Joy to the World” takes the evocations of praise to the Lord as expressed by the Psalmist and renders these with a distinctively Christ-centered focus. Joy is expressed not only within the worshipping community and the life of believers, but bursts forth to all the world and is expressed through the transfor-mation of the natural world, “and heaven and nature sing” of “the wonders of his love.”

SPECIAL MUSIC TODAY, the SHPC Chancel Choir and soloists will present three movements of “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). This composer is best known for his work entitled the Four Seasons, but also for the Gloria, which was rediscovered in the 1920s and received its first modern performance in 1939. In this service, the choir and soloists will perform three of the joyful and well-known movements: Gloria, Laudamus te, and Domini fili genite. The choir will be accompanied by a string quartet and will feature Leland Keller’s harpsichord in the 11am service.

MORE SPECIAL MUSIC NEXT WEEK - On Sunday, December 20, the service will be feature a Lessons and Carols service. This special service was created in the 1920’s and features some of the most well-known music of the Christmas season. A brass quartet will help lead the hymns, along with special anthems and solos by the Chancel Choir.

ChildrenPractice for Christmas Eve Pageant

Wednesday, December 16

Come for dinner then join us in the Whale room. We will have a costume fitting, a brief rehearsal and be

finished at 7:00pm. If you have any questions please contact Katya O’Leary at koleary@southhighland.org

CELEBRATION FOR THE LORD’S DAY 8:30 & 11:00 AM Radio Station AM 850 and FM 92.5 at 11:00 Service December 13, 2015

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PREPARINGWELCOME (8:30) Daniel Killilea (11:00) The Rev. Dr. James J. Truesdell PRELUDE (8:30) “In the Bleak Midwinter” John Amos (11:00) “The First Noel” arr. Cynthia Dobrinski SHPC Handbells

PRAISING

CHORAL INTROIT “Gloria”, from Gloria Antonio Vivaldi Gloria in excelsis Deo

*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 98:4-9 Make a joyful noise to the lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

†*PROCESSIONAL HYMN #22 (blue) “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” reGeNt square Stanzas 1- 3 Entrance of the Word and the Light

*PRAYER OF ADORATION Our souls magnify the Lord! Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior! The mighty One has done great things for us! Holy is God’s name! Let us worship God.For God is our Maker and our Redeemer; from generation to generation God gives mercy. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE Fan Zhu and Yan Li from Let’s Talk (8:30) Confirmation Class with Kathy Tracey (11:00)

CALL TO CONFESSION The Rev. Susan Laney Prepare the way of the Lord! Let us make our confession to Almighty God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things—our hearts are filled with joy. By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin and brought us with joy and laughter into your kingdom.Salvation is your gift to us. But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts. We try to complete what is already perfect; we try to add to what is already full; we try to earn what we already have. Forgive us for our foolishness. Help us to focus on your grace. Help us to live grateful lives in return.For Jesus’ sake alone, Amen.

SILENT CONFESSION

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON —based on Psalm 85:9-13 Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The lord will give what is good,and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him and will make a path for his steps. In Christ, God’s salvation is at hand, and righteousness has come.Thanks be to God!

†*RESPONSE TO PARDON #22 (blue) reGeNt square

“Angels, from the Realms of Glory” All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices

raising to the eternal Three in One. Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

PASSING THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS OF FRIENDSHIP, JOYS AND CONCERNS The Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley (Please sign friendship pad, pass it down the row and return it.) (Children come forward)

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES (11:00) Katya O’Leary (Children ages 3-5 may leave the Sanctuary for Enrichment) (Children’s Worship for grades K - 3 may leave for Godly Play)

PROCLAIMINGPRAYER OF PREPARATION FOR GOD’S WORD John Gleysteen (8:30) Roslyn Archie (11:00)

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Zephaniah 3:14-20 OT, pgs 1073-1074 This is the Word of the lord. Thanks be to God. EPISTLE LESSON Daniel Killilea Philippians 4:4-7 NT, pgs 242-243 PSALTER LESSON Isaiah 12:2-6 OT, pg 785

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the lord God is my strength and my might; He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the lord, call on His name;make known His deeds among the nations; proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

DUET “Laudamus te”, from Gloria Antonio Vivaldi Alli Brascho and Katie Thompson

*GOSPEL LESSON Luke 10:1-9, 17-21 NT, pgs 86-87 This is the Word of the lord. Thanks be to God.

*HYMN #40 (blue) “Joy to the World!” aNtioch

SERMON The Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come!” 3- The Songs That Shape Us

RESPONDING

A TIME OF SILENT REFLECTION AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from a Brief Statement of Faith of PCUSA

In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in God the Holy Spirit, every-where the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and

Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.

We praise thee, we bless thee,we worship thee, we glorify thee