DECEMBER 8, 2019 | 11AM | SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT WELCOME TO
GOVERNMENT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GATHERING
Please silence all cellular devices for the duration of the service.
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WESTMINSTER
indicates an invitation to WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS stand as you are able. Please let us know you are here today by signing the Welcome Book located in
PRELUDE | HANDBELL CHOIR Advent Meditation Veni Emmanuel, Picardy, & Aberystwyth Douglas E. Wagner
CALL TO WORSHIP & LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES Guy, Liz, Elizabeth, and Guy Helmsing
the center of each pew. When finished, please pass the book toward the center aisles so we may call each other by name.
Each verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” offers a title of the coming Christ, and appeared in daily Vesper antiphons sung during the week before Christmas; their roots date
at least to the reign of Charlemagne. Both text and tune are the fruit of 19th-century efforts to reclaim Christian treasures from pre-Reformation sources.
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
While we wait for Christ’s coming, we light the candle of hope. We place our hope in the Light of the World. While we wait for Christ’s coming, we light the candle of peace. We pray for peace in our hearts, our homes, and our world. The light of these candles is our prayer for a better world, a prayer for God’s kingdom to come. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Let us worship God. HYMN 88 vs. 1,6,7
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
MARCIA WYATT, LITURGIST
Holy God, we are not ready for your coming. We confess that we do not know how to live in peace. We desire revenge and control. We encourage violence and do not treat all people as your beloved children. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to be instruments of your peace. Let our lives sow seeds of your coming kingdom. Lead us with your truth, and teach us your paths, for you are the God of our salvation. Through Christ, our light, we pray, Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON RESPONSE
While We Are Waiting, Come
Advent is a time of waiting as we prepare for Christ’s coming. Throughout Advent, we will respond to the good news of forgiveness by singing this prayer for Christ’s presence.
PROCLAIMING THE WORD Children ages three through six years are invited to Wee Worship following the Children’s Sermon. Wee Worship is held in the
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST READING The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
children’s classrooms
CHILDREN’S SERMON
located in the hall behind
SECOND READING
the sanctuary, and children may be picked up there following worship.
Matthew 3:1-12
New Testament p. 2
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 11:1-10
Old Testament p. 602
SERMON
Shoots & Roots
This hymn shows how
THANKSGIVING
once-unconnected parts can work together. The
REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR
HYMN 96
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry WINCHESTER NEW
text about John the Baptist was written in Latin in the 18th century and translated into English th
in the 19 century. Similarly, the 17th-century melody was adapted to its present form in the 19th century. The Confession of 1967 invites us to look for God’s active presence in the world, and to respond to God’s coming kingdom through concrete acts of love and justice.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH | CONFESSION OF 1967 The kingdom [of God] represents God’s triumph over all that resists the divine will and disrupts God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgement and redemption. With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God. “Now to him who, by the power within us, is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” GLORIA | HYMN 581
Glory Be to the Father GLORIA PATRI
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION THE 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. “Peace be with you” is a greeting Jesus himself used
THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
with his disciples. The
And also with you.
gesture is simple, but the meaning is profound.
OFFERING
When we extend our hand
ANTHEM | HANDBELL CHOIR
to another, we identify with Jesus, who extended his very life to make peace with humanity.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a Christmas carol based on
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain, Heaven and earth shall flee away, when He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter, a stable-place sufficed. The Lord God Almighty —Jesus Christ. What can I give Him, poor as I am? — If I were a Shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part, — Yet what I can I give Him, —give my heart.
poet Christina Rossetti. The poem was published, under the title "A January 1872 issue of Scribner's Monthly. The poem first appeared
G. Holst; arr. Susan Geschke
In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan; earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, in the bleak mid-winter, long ago.
a poem by the English
Christmas Carol", in the
In the Bleak Midwinter
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow OLD HUNDREDTH
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unison
set to music in The English
Thank you God, for all you have made.
Hymnal in 1906 with a
Your faithfulness never fails.
setting by Gustav Holst.
Take these gifts we offer to further your purpose in the world and to fulfill the promise of the world to come; through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
Harold Darke's anthem setting of 1911 is more
complex and was named the best Christmas carol in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts in 2008.
SENDING Sending—we are sent out to live the Gospel of the
HYMN 105
People, Look East BESANÇON
Lord Jesus Christ. We
BENEDICTION
further commit, as a congregation, to our
POSTLUDE
mission.
Introduction on Veni Emmanuel arr. Metzger/Watts
“People, Look East” was written to provide a new Advent text for an existing carol tune, here named for
GSPC’s MISSION
the city in eastern France where it originated. The author has imaginatively expressed the cosmic implications of Christ’s coming by addressing each stanza to a part of
WE ARE CALLED BY THE SPIRIT TO GLORIFY GOD, SO THAT ALL MAY BECOME JOYFUL DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
creation.
Those Serving Today: USHER SUNDAY ASSISTANTS WEE WORSHIP
NURSERY LECTIONARY FOR DECEMBER 15 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
ASHFORD KETTLER DEWEY PARSONS SUE KING BETH HOLBERT CHARLOTTE CROCKETT BETH MAJURE SADIE WELDON
Christmas Mission Market Sunday, December 15 Mission Market will be next Sunday. You may give donations to some of GSPC’s missions in honor of someone on your Christmas list. More information is available in your pew or at gspcmobile.org/world-mission.
Welcome to Government Street! Childcare is available in the nursery for infants to three-years-old. New members are welcomed by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership. Please speak with the minister for further information.
Seasonal greeting cards are needed for the Meals on Wheels program. Donations may be brought to the church office or to Shelia Smith. Thank you!
GSPC hosts its annual Celtic Worship service next Sunday, December 15. Mobile’s Celtic band “2nd Breakfast” will join the Sanctuary Choir in presenting the service music and hymns. The group will play in the Jackson Street foyer 15-minutes prior to and after the worship service.
GSPC’s choirs, children through adult, will go caroling to Bellingrath Gardens on Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. Those desiring to sing are welcome to join us as we will be singing familiar Christmas carols. Those who wish to attend and tour the gardens only are welcome to do so and may received advance tickets at a discounted rate. Please contact Sally Ericson sally@gspcmobile.org to reserve your tickets. Those participating in the choir should sign-up with Tommy Watts tommy@gspcmobile.org. PLEASE NOTE Barbara Williams’ direct line in the church office is 251.434.9328.
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS
are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Charlotte Eichold, by her daughter, Beth Walmsley. 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist Communications tommy@gspcmobile.org SALLY ERICSON Interim Children’s Ministry Coordinator sally@gspcmobile.org KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org
DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper bookkeeper@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton
CALENDAR Meals on Wheels | Monday—Friday 11:00a SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Cherubs’ & Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:00a Cookies & Chrismons | Jackson St. Foyer 10:30a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 11:00a Worship Wee Worship 12:00p Supper Club Christmas Luncheon | Guesnard MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 7:00a Bible Study | Home of Rudy Nordmann 7:45a Bible Study | Home of Ann Adams 10:00a Bible Study | Frist Room 1:00p PW Coordinating Committee | Library 5:30p Session Meeting | Library WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 12:00p Wednesday Forum | Fellowship Hall 6:00p Men’s Disciple Class | Library 6:30p Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal | Choir Suite THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 9:30a Sunday School (all ages) Cherubs’ & Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:30a Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 10:45a “2nd Breakfast” Celtic music | Foyer 11:00a Celtic Worship Wee Worship