1

Worship ServicesDecember 11, 2011

8:30 and 11 a.m.6:30 p.m.

2

Greeters – These Elders welcomed you as you entered the services today:Mike Merwin, Mike Harris, Stan Smith, Phin Hitchcock .............................................. 8:30 a.m.Billy English, Chip Fisher, Tom Harley, Steve Hubbard .................................................... 11 a.m.Charlie Green, David Whitcomb, Matt Willis, Skip Wiggins ........................................6:30 p.m.

To Our Guests,We especially welcome you today! More information about our church is available in our Welcome Center, located through the doorway to the right of the high pulpit. You can also visit our website at firstpresaugusta.org.

Children’s WorshipWe offer a specially designed program for children in pre-K through fourth grade during the morning services. A leader will escort children from the sanctuary to their classrooms during the hymn of preparation. Parents are welcome to accompany them to observe where to pick them up after the service. Parents of children in pre-K through second grade are asked to pick up their children following Sunday School or the 11 a.m. worship service.

Nursery Nurseries are provided for infants and toddlers during the worship services and Sunday School. We also provide a Mother/Infant Room equipped with audio located beside Nursery 1. Ushers are available to direct you.

Spiritual CareIf you would like to speak to someone about what it means to know Jesus Christ or you have any spiritual need or question, please use one of the prayer cards in the pew rack to contact one of our pastors. Our church elders are also available to speak with you. An elder will be standing next to the pastor following the service.

WelcomeWe are very glad to have you worshipping our gracious God with us today.

Sanctuary Flowers – The Sanctuary flowers are given today to the glory of God and in memory of G.E. Williamson by the Dr. Don Williamson family.

As stewards of God’s resources, we try not to print an excess of bulletins.We invite you to bring this bulletin with you when you return for the evening service.

3

The Morning Service

(† Indicates the congregation standing)

The Prelude - Good News Is In the Air.. .......................................................... HasslerLadies Ensemble

The Third Sunday of AdventTheme: New Creation

Good news is in the air, O hear the singing. New joy to earth this Child is bringing.The dark of night is ended, we are a folk befriended.Let bells now ring, all Christians sing, be joyful.

† The Peace

Welcome & Announcements .........................................................Rev. Mike Hearon

The Call to Worship ..............................................................................from Psalm 34† I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; Let the humble hear and be glad

O Magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt his name together

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Let us worship God!

4

(All Verses)The Hymn of Praise - Lift Up Your Heads ........................................................Truro†

© Based on Psalm 24, Georg Weissel, 1642 | Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789

(11 a.m.) .....................Laura and Matt Farmer The Lighting of the Advent Candle - Love (8:30 a.m.) .. Jenny and Bruce Long and Family

The Invocation (Please lift hands)†

5

Q. What benefits in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

A. The benefits that in this life go with or come from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: the assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, and growing and persevering in grace to the end of our lives.

The Confession of Faith ......................Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 36†

(11 a.m.) .................................................... Laura Margaret Ensleydaughter of Mary and David Ensley

The Sacrament of Baptism (8:30 a.m.) .................................Zoey Elizabeth Bramhalldaughter of Cindy and Ian Bramhall

Baptism Response (Sung by All)

© Words: Carolina Berg, 1855 | Traditional Swedish tune

The Response The grass withers and the flowers fall,But the Word of our God stands forever.

The Old Testament Lesson ..................................................................Genesis 12:1-7page 17 in the pew Bible

6

The Assurance of Pardoning Grace ............................................................. John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Doxology ......................................................................................................... Gloria†

The Confession of Sin (Please kneel if able to do so)

Loving Lord Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save the lost, who invites the weary and the overburdened to rest, and who heals the hurting: we confess that we have lost our way. Forgive our wayward and willful disobedience. Lead us back to you. Forgive us for every thought, word, or deed that has brought hurt to others, harmed ourselves, or dishonored your name. Heal the pain we have caused. Grace us with your Holy Spirit and lead us once again in the way that leads to life. Amen.

7

The Offering* (Please take a moment to sign the attendance register.)

*Online giving is available at firstpresaugusta.org and at the giving kiosk in the Narthex.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. “All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,All generations laud and honor thee,Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold. Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.” Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

And lo, Emmanuel, the Christ was bornIn Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,And Christians now throughout the world will celebrateThe birth of our Redeemer, Gloria!

The Offertory - The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came ....................................Prower

The Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s PrayerOur 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.

†

8

The Hymn of Preparation - Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming .................. Es Ist Ein Ros’(All Verses - Children in K4 through fourth grade exit at this time)

†

© German hymn, ca. 1500 | German melody, 15th cent.

9For audio copies of today’s sermons, you may visit the Welcome Center or the church website at firstpresaugusta.org.

The Silent Prayers of God’s People

Sermon - Necessary for our New Birth ..................................... Dr. George Robertson

1. God Saves

a. Creates

2. God Sanctifies

The New Testament Lesson ....................................Luke 1:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:17page 1588 and 1799 in the pew Bible

The Response This is the Word of God,Thanks be to you, O God.

b. Recreates

a. Breaks

b. Leads

10

The Benediction (Please lift hands) (Please be seated following the benediction)†

The Postlude - Morning Star .......................................................................... HardingPaul Roberts, Director of Music and Arts

The Hymn of Response - Good Christian Men, Rejoice ...................In Dulci Jubilo†

© Medieval Latin Carol | German melody, 14th cent.

(All Verses)

CCLI License Number 425646

11

The Evening Service

Jazz Prelude - What Child Is This?Stacey Wade, alto sax

(† Indicates the congregation standing)

Welcome & Call to Worship ....................................................... Mr. John Barrett

The Shorter Catechism, Question 14:

Q: What is sin? A: Sin is disobeying or not conforming to God’s law in any way.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

12

Meredith Williams, Worship Leader

© Charles Wesley, 1739, 1753 | Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, 1840

† Song - Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

13

© Words and Music by Twila Paris | 1982 New Spring

† Song - We Will Glorify

14

© 1983 Word Music, LLC | Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith

† Song - Christmas Hymn

15

Mary did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water?Mary did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boyHas come to make you new, This Child that you delivered Will soon deliver you?

Mary did you know that your baby boy Would give sight to the blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy Would calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boyHas walked where angels trod, And when you kiss your little baby You’ve kissed the face of God

Oh Mary did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation?Mary did you know that your baby boy Will one day rule the nations?Did you know that your baby boy Is heaven’s perfect Lamb,And the sleeping child you’re holding Is the great I Am?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, The dead will live again.The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, The praises of the Lamb.

Offertory - Mary Did You Know? ..................................................................... LowryMeredith Williams

Offering and Prayer of Dedication

Receive New Members

© 1991, 1993 Word Music, LLC | Rufus Music Buddy Greene | Mark Lowry

The Sacrament of Baptism ......................................................................Audrey Longdaughter of Jenny and Bruce Long

Prayer for Nunziato Family

16

© 1998 Words and Music by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo | Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

† Song - Be Unto Your Name(Children in K4 through second grade exit at this time)

17

Psalm 121

The Silent Prayers of God’s People

Sermon - Protection for Head and Heart ....................................Dr. George Robertson

1. Source (v. 1, 2)

2. Strategy (v. 3, 4)

3. Shepherd (v. 5-8)

a. Supreme Power

a. Vulnerable

a. Watches

b. Supreme Wisdom

b. Unconscious

b. Keeps

18

CCLI License Number 425646

Benediction

© Words: John Francis Wade, 1751 | Tune: Adeste Fidelis, Cantus Diversi, 1751

† Song - O Come All Ye Faithful

19

Diaconate

Sam AcevedoLee BakerJulian BattleDavid BlairAllen BlalockRandall BoutwellChuck BrownTodd BrownMark BruckerMichael ByarsChris CawleyTommy Day

Mark FulcherJustin HalversonGlen JohnsonDennis JonesDave Kassner, chairJeff LeeJason LongScott MartinJohn MasseyJason MedlinTony MusgroveJohn Price

David RobertsBill RogersFrank StaffordEric SwierskiJason VitalDexter WalkerJeff WestergreenPalmer WestmorelandDon Yarid

Deacon Emeritus:James O. Brady

Session

Matt AitkenGary BeaudreauGene BettsJim BoddenDan BooneJim CarrollEric ChouJim ClarkTom HarleyMike HarrisPhin HitchcockSteve HubbardRon JeffcoatGerald KillianKen Lanclos

Dale MartinBill McCartneyByron MorrisAshley PaulkBruce Van PeursemRon SkenesMike WattsDavid WhitcombSkip WigginsMatt WillisElders Emeriti:W. Hunter Baggs, Jr.Hal D. Beman, Jr.Philip E. Hedges, Jr.C. Barry Whitney, Jr.

Ministry Directors

Chris White .............................................................................................Director of Ministry Operationscwhite@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8837

Mike Hearon ............................................................................................... Associate Pastor, Outreachmhearon@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8846

John Barrett .......................................................................................... Executive Director of Discipleshipjbarrett@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8852

Chris Drinkard ............................................................................... Regional Director of Campus Outreachchrisdrinkard@campusoutreach.org, ext. 8844

Emily Freeman ....................................................................................... Director of Women’s Discipleshipefreeman@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8853

Rick Keuroglian ....................................................................................................Director of Evangelismrkeuroglian@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8843

Clark Newton .................................................................................. Director of Medical Campus Outreachclark@mcoaugusta.org, ext. 8841

Paul Roberts ....................................................................................................Director of Music and Artsproberts@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8826

Jessica Tatro ...............................................................................................Director of Children’s Ministryjtatro@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8832

Glenn Wilkins ............................................................................................... Director of Vision Pathwaysgwilkins@campusoutreach.org, ext. 8900

George Robertson .............................................................................................................Senior Pastorgrobertson@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8822

Pastors

John Franks ........................................................................................ Associate Pastor, Family Nurturejfranks@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8849

Peter Letchford ....................................................................................Pastoral Associate, Pastoral Carepletchford@firstpresaugusta.org

Robert Vasholz ....................................................................................Pastoral Associate, Pastoral Carebvasholz@firstpresaugusta.org, ext. 8900

20

CLass CLass desCription LoCation

College In college or of college age Greene Street Building, first floorMedical Medical professionals/students 623 BuildingYoung Adults For those in their 20s Old Medical College, first floorSingle Adults For those in their 30s and above Telfair RoomYoung Married Young married couples Young Married RoomStudent Families Parents of elementary – high school students Telfair HallAdult Families Parents of college students and older St. Andrew’s HallCovenanters Parents of college students and older Geneva RoomTrinity Those with grandchildren and older Eve Room

Adult Sunday School Classes The fall season of adult Sunday School is now underway. A guide to navigating our campus is available in the Welcome Center and in the Sanctuary narthex, and ushers are available to help direct newcomers and guests.