Concerns of the Church
Welcome to GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Visitor and Member cards are located in the pew racks and may be completed during the Ritual of Friendship and returned with the offering. Childcare is available for infants to three years old in the nursery. New Members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. We invite you to speak with our minister for further information.
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are given to the glory of God and in honor of their children and grandchildren, by Charles and Missy Jones. If you would like to place flowers in the sanctuary, please contact Ann Adams or the church office. Sundays, January 6, and 13, 2019 are available to be filled.
Worship Volunteers
Usher Captain: Sunday Assistant: Nursery: Wee Worship: Sanctuary Preparer: Prayer Chain Contact: Next Week’s Sunday Assistant:
Ashford Kettler Abbie Bowron | Ed Bowron Jennifer Weed Susan Ashbee Harriet Boster Charlotte Crockett 478.1003 / 591.7902 Sara Bryan | Frank Trice
Calendar
SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 23, 2018 | 11AM
Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11AM GSPC is an equal opportunity provider. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 | Advent IV 9:30a Sunday School 11:00a Worship MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 Church Office Closed 5:30p Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:30a Sunday School 11:00a Worship MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 Church Office Closed TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019 Happy New Year! Church Office Closed
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 Merry Christmas! Church Office Closed
Known as the mother of Presbyterianism in southern Alabama, GSPC was founded in 1831. Worship has continued on this site since 1836 when the sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark, was completed. Member PC (USA).
Office Hours
Rev. Paul Phillips
Monday—Thursday 8AM-2PM
pastorpaul@gspcmobile.org
Friday 8AM-12PM
Director of Music & Organist
Interim Pastor
Tommy Watts tommy@gspcmobile.org
Lois McNorton Office & Property Manager lois@gspcmobile.org
Dawn Hearn Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org
Shawn Walker Director of Children’s Ministry shawn@gspcmobile.org
300 GOVERNMENT STREET | MOBILE, ALABAMA 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Called to SERVE WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
GATHERING
DECLARATION OF PARDON
CHIMING OF THE HOUR | 11AM
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
THE PEACE
PRAYER OF THE DAY SILENT
THE LORD’S PRAYER UNISON
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Who are we, Lord God, that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. VOLUNTARY
Piano & Organ Duet
O Little Town of Bethlehem with Reverie
McKechnie/Debussy
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rev. Paul Phillips
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
And also with you.
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,
THE PEACE MAY BE EXCHANGED WITH THOSE AROUND YOU.
RESPONSE
as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be, with God as creator, brothers and sisters are we, let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel RESPONSIVE LITANY
VENI EMMANUEL
Martha Tissington & Bligh Jones
THE PEOPLE’S RESPONSES ARE IN BOLD.
OFFERING | RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP PLEASE COMPLETE THE VISITOR AND MEMBER CARDS LOCATED IN THE PEW RACKS AND RETURN WITH THE OFFERING.
CHORAL ANTHEM
FIRST READING
Micah 5:2-5a
Old Testament p. 815
Luke 1:26-38
New Testament p. 53
OLD HUNDREDTH
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON MUSICAL REFLECTION
Advent is a time for God’s people to reawaken their longings.
The Sanctuary Choir
RESPONSE | DOXOLOGY
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
vs. 7
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
In the Bleak Midwinter
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
ADVENT HYMN 88
but deliver us from evil.
MILLER/JACKSON
I Wonder as I Wander SECOND READING
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.
The Word of the Lord.
When we longed for the silence to be broken,
Thanks be to God.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. SERMON
When we longed for the light that shines in the darkness,
Greetings, Favored Ones!
Rev. Paul Phillips
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO REFLECT UPON GOD’S WORD.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.
THANKSGIVING
When we longed for the peace that surpasses understanding,
HYMN 132
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
CANDLE LIGHTING
THE APOSTLES’ CREED UNISON
PRAYER UNISON
HYMN 143
God of love, you come to us in the smile of a baby who only had a manger for a bed. We see you in the joyful play of children. We hear you in the retelling of the stories of Mary, Joseph and the baby, and the community of believers who followed them. We feel your awesome presence as we sing carols, walk through the stillness of winter nights, and experience the smells of love in the baking of special Christmas confections. Thank you, glorious God, for coming to us, taking on our limitations and humanity, so that we may learn more fully about your wondrous love for us. Amen.
IN DULCI JUBILO TRADITIONAL
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
God of grace, you so loved the world that you gave your one and only Son to all who believe. Jesus is the true gift of Advent, shining forth your glory and grace. As the light has grown brighter through the season, we pray that you would shine forth the promise of your hope, peace, joy and love within our lives and within our world. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING UNISON
SENDING CHARGE AND BLESSING
HYMN 136
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
VOLUNTARY
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Prelude on “Joy to the World”
was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,
Angels, from the Realms of Glory PRAYER OF CONFESSION UNISON
REGENT SQUARE
Linda Dealy
Great God, we behold the gift of the child once again, yet we are also mindful of how we have failed to receive the fullness of that gift. The story of this day points us to your glory, yet we struggle daily to join in the angels’ song. We are distracted and confused, so focused on things that matter little that we have overlooked the good news of great joy. Tell us again that the Savior is born. Tell us again that we are forgiven. Tells us again that life can be abundant in faith and hope and love, not because of who we are, but because of what you have given us in Jesus Christ. Amen. A TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION.
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
INDICATES AN INVITATION TO STAND AS YOU ARE ABLE.
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE DURATION OF THE SERVICE.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. RESPONSE | HYMN 113 Angels We Have Heard on High REFRAIN ONLY Gloria in excelsis Deo!
GO TELL IT
GLORIA
arr. Nara/Watts