SECOND SUNDAY OF

A DVENT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Luke 1: 45

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 508 WEST DAVIS STREET BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27215 www.fpcburlington.org

Second Sunday in Advent Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, is a season of preparing for the coming of Christ. During Advent the church claims God’s promise to bring peace and justice by remembering Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and by looking to the future, trusting that we can count on God to keep this promise. The liturgical color of Advent is blue. You will see this color in the advent candles, in the clergy’s stoles and the paraments on the lectern and pulpit. Blue represents the hopefulness of the season and can also symbolize the night sky in which the star appeared to announce the birth of Jesus.

Assemble In God’s Name Welcome Voluntary: Aria from Cantata 93

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Thomas Pappas, oboe

Please join in reading aloud those parts of the service printed in bold.

When this symbol (*) precedes an element of the service, please rise in body or spirit. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. A candle is lighted the first week and an additional candle each week thereafter, culminating in the lighting of the center candle, the Christ candle, on Christmas Eve.

Call to Worship: It is by deepest longing such a mystery happened to Mary – to bear Christ into the world. So too, we are called to bear and to witness. Come, Holy Jesus, we are ready to answer your call!

Adoration and Confession *Processional Hymn - No. 82: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus *Lighting of the Advent Candles

Sonny and Virginia Wilburn (8:30) Jono, Mary, and Josie Bowers (11:00)

*Call to Confession *Corporate Prayer of Confession Living God, Love Incarnate, we confess that we are not perfect. You who are everything, we acknowledge that we are lacking. Child of the manger, we admit that we prefer to be sentimental rather than sacrificial. Hear us now as we confess our faults and admit our frailties. *Silent Prayer of Confession *Congregational Response: One (sung): O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. All (sung): O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. *Assurance of Pardon

hyfrydol

*Congregational Response: Gloria Patri

old scottish chant

*Passing the Peace, Love, and Joy of Christ to Others The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Announcements Moment for Mission: Education Enhancement Task Force

P r o c l a i m G o d’ s W o r d A Time with Children (11:00)

Prayer for Illumination Psalter Reading: Psalm 69:13-18, 29-33

Large Print Pew Bible, pages 653-654 Pew Bible, pages 531-532

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Anthem (11:00): The Angel Gabriel 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 favoured lady.” Gloria!

Basque Carol, arr. Malcolm Archer (b. 1952) For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee, Thy son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold: “Most highly favoured lady.” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, Of her, Immanuel, the Christ was born “To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said, in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, “My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name:” and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say “Most highly favoured lady.” Gloria! “Most highly favoured lady.” Gloria! -paraphrase by Sabine Baring-Gould

New Testament Reading: Luke 1:39-55

Large Print Pew Bible, pages 69-70 Pew Bible, page 57

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: “Seeing Through the Eyes of Mary”

Rev. Lindsay Conrad

Give Thanks to God: God’s People Respond *Hymn of Response - No. 102: Savior of the Nations, Come

nun komm, der heiden heiland

*Affirmation of Faith - from The Belhar Co nfessio n We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ; that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker, that the church is witness both by word and by deed to the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells, that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit has conquered the powers of sin and death, and therefore also of irreconciliation and hatred, bitterness and enmity, that God’s lifegiving Word and Spirit will enable the church to live in a new obedience which can open new possibilities of life for society and the world. Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Invitation to the Lord’s Table Great Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is truly right and our greatest joy…Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celestial choirs and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:

Lord’s Prayer 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. Breaking of the Bread Communion of the People Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication

Acts of Giving and Receiving Offering of Tithes and Gifts Offertory Anthem: Quia respexit (Magnificat) Patty Philipps, soprano

J. S. Bach

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, henceforth all shall call me blessed. *Congregational Response: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

veni emmanuel

Go in God’s Name *Charge and Benediction *Recessional Hymn – No. 314: Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness christ, be our light Stanza 1: Choir Stanzas 2-5: All

All are invited to come forward to receive communion. Please note that at the 11:00 a.m. worship service there are four stations - two on each side. Please advance to the first available station.

Announceme nts A Warm And Cordial Welcome is extended to all who worship with us this Sunday. We hope in this service you will encounter the living Christ and experience the warmth of our caring family of faith. Please take a moment to sign our friendship register when it is passed to you. If you are visiting with us and in search of a church home, we invite you to become a part of our church family here at First Presbyterian Church. Please let us know of your interest by way of the friendship register, or by speaking to one of the ministers. Chancel Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jean and Pat Bell by George Bell. Bulletin Cover: A Visit, John August Swanson Large Print Hymns: Copies of today’s hymns (large print) are available in the Narthex. Worship Leadership: Many thanks to worship leaders Mary Beth Adams, Katie Muhlencamp, and Courtney Jones. Radio Broadcast: The eleven o’clock service is broadcast each week on both WPCM 920 AM and 95.1 FM. Congregational Meeting: The Session has called a meeting of the congregation immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service of worship today. The purpose of the meeting is to elect upon a recommendation of the congregation’s nominating committee to fill 2 vacancies in the roll of Ruling Elder. Hal Bates and Bob Lewis will be nominated to fill terms in the Class of 2016.

Explore FPC: Whether you are visiting or have recently joined First Presbyterian Church, welcome to our community of faith! We would like for you to have an opportunity to further explore what it might mean for you to be a part of our faith community. So we invite you to come, taste, and see the life and ministry of our church as we “Explore FPC” on Sunday, December 6 immediately following the eleven o’clock worship service in Room 122. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: 5:00 p.m. – Sanctuary This marks the 53rd year this congregation has celebrated Christmas with A Festival o f Nine Lesso ns and Caro ls. The choirs of FPC will be joined by a chamber ensemble, organ, harp and timpani. Carols for choirs and congregation will fill the sanctuary with music of the season! A prelude of carols for handbells, harp, and strings will begin at 4:30pm. An offering to support the Music Fund will be received.

In Memoriam Bruce Floyd Harris, Sr. J u n e 2 9, 1 9 2 7 - N o v e mb er 2 4, 2 01 5 “I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord.” John 11:25

Ronald L. Shive, D. Min., Pastor Peter Thompson, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Student and Family Ministries Lindsay Conrad, M. Div., Associate Pastor for Young Adults, Missions, and Congregational Care Norman Whitney, M. Div., Parish Associate for Pastoral Care J. Patrick Murphy, MM, Organist-Choirmaster Charlotte Allbright, C.C.E., Church Educator

CALENDAR December 6-12 Sunday, December 6 8:30 a.m. Worship Service - Sanctuary 9:15 a.m. Coffee Fellowship in the Welcome Center 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:00 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary 10:45 a.m. Session meets for prayer 11:00 a.m. Worship Service - Sanctuary Noon Explore FPC - Room 122 4:00 p.m. Incoming Officer Training - Room 402 5:00 p.m. Carol and Covenant Choir Rehearsals 5:00 p.m. Middle and High School Youth Group- Stocking Stuff Activity 6:00 p.m. Dinner for Youth and Families 6:45 p.m. One Worship (Music, Motivation and Matzo for the whole family) 6:00 p.m. PW Circle #1 - John Knox Room Monday, December 7 9:45 a.m. Presbyterian Women’s Coordinating Council Meeting - Room 122 7:00 p.m. Young Life -Williams High School Chapter - Garrison Joyner Activities Building Tuesday, December 8 6:45 a.m. Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 7:30 a.m. Dough Devotions - Biscuitville (S. Church Street) 10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting Noon Book Club - Room 122 6:00 p.m. Tuesday Night Trivia at The Blend 7:00 p.m. BSA Troop #17 - Garrison Joyner Activities Building Wednesday, December 9 7:00 a.m. Dough Devotions - Skid’s (Elon) 8:00 a.m. Meditation Group - Room 201 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 5:00 p.m. CDC Board Meeting - Room 122 6:00 p.m. BSA - Garrison Joyner Activities Building 6:45 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 10 6:45 a.m. Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study - Witherspoon Room 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Gathers - Room 229 5:45 p.m. Carillon Choir Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. CDC Family Night - Calvin Hall Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. Fruit Basket Delivery 9:00 a.m. - Noon Rehearsal for Nine Lessons and Carols - Sanctuary Minister on Call:

December 4-6 December 11-13 December 18-20

Lindsay Conrad (260-8219) Peter Thompson (269-7270) Ron Shive (263-1884)

2015 Advent Worship First Presbyterian Church Burlington, North Carolina Theme: “Through Their Eyes” I am

sure that you have heard it said, “He is going through life ‘wearing rose colored glasses.’” “Seeing life through rose-tinted glasses” is an old idiom that means a person is viewing life with an attitude that things are better than they really are. They see only good things, only the best parts of the view, only the positive attributes. Some of us attempt to live life this way. At the end of the day, though, we are left with a life and a world that are no better than when we first put on our rose-tinted glasses. Our Advent and Christmas preaching series brings us face-to-face with key players in the Advent and Christmas story and invites us to take off our rose-tinted glasses and to see life through their eyes, through the eyes of faith, and ultimately through the eyes of God. This sermon series will lead us to see the world and our lives as they really are and then to see God’s dream for them. 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 “Through the Eyes of Joseph” - Dr. Ron Shive Anthems: Comfort, Comfort – Kenney Potter The Cherry Tree Carol – Stephen Cleobury 4th Sunday of Advent December 20 Gospel: Luke 2:8-20 “Through the Eyes of the Shepherds” - Dr. Ron Shive Anthems: What Is This Lovely Fragrance – Gerald Near Guest musicians: Market Street Brass