Third Sunday of Advent CELEBRATION
The Tie that Binds
Order of Worship and Weekly Newsletter for the week of December 14, 2025
THE WORSHIP OF GOD
December 14, 2025 · 11:00 AM
The Third Sunday of Advent ~ Joy
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice.
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near !
Philippians 4: 4-5
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
WELCOME TO WORSHIPERS.......................................................................
ORGAN PRELUDE
Prelude on IL EST NÉ......................................................................
OPENING LITANY and LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF JOY................The McLendon Family
Each year, we light candles as we prepare for the coming of Christ more and more candles, more and more light, as we watch and wait for Jesus, the Light of the World.
God of promise, come into our darkness. Renew Your hope and peace and joy in us; for You alone bring life out of death.
Receive God’s promise of joy from Psalm 28:
Praise be to the Lord Who has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to the Lord in song.
The color of the candle lighted on the third Sunday of Advent is pink. This Sunday is known as “Gaudette Sunday.” The word gaudette, from the Latin, means “rejoice,” signifying a sense of joy and anticipation as Christmas approaches. This jubilant Sunday r epresents a transition from earlier repentance to celebration. It is reflected in the words written at the top of our order of service: Rejoice (Gaudette) in the Lord always.
YOUTH CHOIR
How Great Our Joy! ...............
Dr. Chris George
Senior Pastor
Diane Bish
INVOCATION .......................................................................................
Rev. Jeremiah Hamby Minister of Youth and Missions
102 Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come......................................................
SRBC Music Friends and Weekday School Students
Little Baby Jesus
Words and music by Naomi King Walker
Baby Jesus Born Today
Words and music by IsaBeall Hudson
Children Choristers
Mary Rocking, Gently Rocking
Music, SUO GÅN, a Welsh Lullaby arranged by Hal H. Hopson Emma Pearl George, soloist; Evan George, flute
Children Choristers and Youth Choir
Calypso Lullaby
Based on Mary’s Little Boy Child; Words and music by Jester Harrison David George, flute ; Brian Weatherby, bass
Evie Moore, Jonathan Bowers, Stephen Murdock, percussion
122
Will is a 12th grader at Brookwood High School
OFFERTORY
DUET
What Child Is This?...................... ..... ..........Music, GREENSLEEVES, Trad. English Folk Song
Gabe Arnold, trombone; Heather Huff, pian o Arr. Frank J. Halferty
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 1:46-55.................................................................
Rev. Rebecca Caswell-Speight Minister of Families and Faith Formation
46And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God!
YOUTH CHOIR
ADVENT BENEDICTION
........................................
Words: J. T. McFarland; Music: James R. Murray
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
ORGAN POSTLUDE
Toccata on ‘Joy to the World’.......................................................Martin Setchell
†All who are able are invited to stand. Heather Huff, pianist; Jason Payne, organist
The altar flowers are given to the glory of God by Dennis and Jane Cummins in celebration of their 69th Wedding Anniversary, December 15, 1956.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 21 · Preparation
Scripture: Luke 2:1-6
Christmas Eve Worship
December 24 · Culmination
Prayer List
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Please let us know if someone needs to be added or removed from this list by calling 770.469.5856
*Indicates new concerns
**Recent surgery or hospitalization
Updated December 11, 2025 at 9:00 am
Deaths
Bill Cates' brother, Ben
Hospice
Jeanie Duvall
Elaine Headley
Dee Dee Poss
Home Care
Gloria Adams
Brenda Brantly
Lillian Gulley
Jim Harris
Sandra McNiel
Ken Underwood
Rehabilitation/Assisted Living/Long Term Care
Martha Albertson
David Bishop, Sr.
Lois Brecht
Lynn Buckhalt
Nancy and Richard Davis
Jim Farmer
JoAnne Frith
Shirley Furr
Jim Griffith
Carol Hand
**Sandra Hawkins
Jan Lammert
Warren Mason
Dixie Meister
Donna Metz
Nita Mitchell
Dennis Nelson
Pat Thompson
Jerry Wade
Don Wells
Martha Wilson
Concerns
Martha Abner's friend, Tom Kunz
Jean Ballew's daughter, Kim
Flora Bargeron
Terry Bates
Janet Benford
Gleason & Janet Benford’s daughter, Jennifer
Joy Bouchard's son-in-law, Charles
Orlando Blancato's sister, Norma Mortenson
**Jimmy Blackmon
Mary Brannon
**Claudie Brown
Marc Burcham
Candace Caswell
Linda Caswell
Bill Cates
Robert Cherry
Joanne Cofer
Ed Cooper
Victoria Crosby’s friend, Nancy Costo
Jane Cummins' son-in-law, Larry Beebe
Carol Densford
Peggy Duke
*Mitzi Ethridge-Cantrell's sister, Sabrina
Ethridge
Lynne Felton's sister, Pat Bass
Mark Gaines
Janet Granade's nephew, Ron Spain
Norma Green
Janie Hart's son, Paul
Steve & Sandy Huff's sister-in-law, Malie Huff
*Harry Jensen
Charlotte Johnson’s son-in-law
John Jones' nephew, Randy Bolling
Bob and Vicki King's grandson, Jack
**Jack Lane
Nathan Langley
Don McChesney’s brother-in-law, Bob Lewis
Nancy Mitchell
Alice Moore’s niece, Deanne Peacock
Ken Morgan’s son-in-law, Brad Dennis
Alli and Randy Nicolais, and their family
Sara Ann Pepper's nephew, Jeff Paul
Joy Platé's sisterin-law and Laura Alyssa Platé's aunt, Sandy Denton
Sara Salvadore’s friend, Hugh Bennawitz
Sara Salvadore’s friend, Erin O'Brian
Debbie Scott
Debra Smith
Nancy Snell
Jean and Mark Sowell's family friend,
Michael Boswell
Mark Sowell
A PEOPLE OF
Prayer
We invite you to pause, pray, and reflect.
**Carolyn Springston
**Debbie Stephenson
Ernie Strauss' son and granddaughter
Nell Thomas
Jan Vreeland
*Thomas Watson's friend, Robert Reeves
Brian Weatherby
Alexis Weaver's aunt, Martha Jones
Bobbie and Jim Wehner
Elizabeth Wells
Michael and Debby Willis’ nephew, Cameron
Willis
Martha Wilson
Academy of Arts teacher, Kim Britt
Academy of Arts teacher, Janet Chadwick
Missionary Partners, Joshua and Amy Pun
Missionary Partners in the Middle East, names withheld for safety
Almighty God,
When our moments seem the most bleak, let our hearts rise in joyous song. For you are with us. For you have wrapped your loving arms around us and walk beside us. You guide us with great love leading us into the gentle understanding of what it means to be truly blessed.
Amen
Coffee and Donuts - 9:00 am
In-Person and Zoom Sunday School - 9:45 am
In-Person and Live stream Worship Service - 11:00 am
*Children and Youth Activities - 5:00 pm
*Dinner - 5:00 pm
*Prayer Concerns - 6:00 pm
*Youth and Children’s Activities - 6:00 pm
*In-Person and Live stream Journeys - 6:00 pm
Sanctuary Choir - 7:00 pm
*Christmas break for Wednesday and Sunday evening activites. They will resume on January 7th and 11th.
December Events
Christmas Break
Sunday and Wednesday evening activities will take a break until the new year.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for our Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner and activities on January 7. We’re also excited to have our children and youth return for Sunday evening activities on January 11.
Grief Support Group
December 21 5:00 PM | Room 308
Our grief support group meets once a month to provide a safe space for sharing, healing, and encouragement. Whether you’re experiencing recent loss or carrying grief from the past, you are welcome here.
Smoke Rise Young Adults
December 20 | 3:00 pm Mint Coffeehouse
Young Adults are invited to Coffee Boat for a time of fellowship each month.
January 8 | 11:30 am Magnolia Room Cafeteria
All men are invited for a wonderful time of devotion, prayer, great food, and fellowship. RSVP to Martha in the church office at 770.469.5856.
Circle Groups
January 12 | 1:30 PM | Room 223
Every month we support a local mission effort and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship. Sadies' Ladies Circle
Fite Circle
January 13 | 10:00 AM | Parlor
All Women are Welcome to Our All our welcome to join us for a time of community and supprt.
December 21 | 9:00-9:45 Fellowship Hall
Christmas Eve Worship
December 24th
Family Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM
Candlelight Communion Service at 7:00 PM
The 7:00 pm service will be available via live stream.
October Financial Update
The SRBC Fiscal Year runs April through March
To learn more visit smokerisebaptist.org/journeys/
Community Ministries Stories
January 7-28
Wednesdays at 6 PM | Fellowship Hall Led by Church-Based Community Partners
FAMILY MISSION WEEKEND
February 27 - March 1
Montreat, North Carolina
Register by January 1
Register at smokerisebaptist.org/children/.
Family Deposit: $100 The second payment will be determined after the Chili Cook-off on February 1.
Individual Full Cost: $100
Disciple Now 2026
January 16-18
Get ready for a weekend of faith, fun, and friendship at our Youth DNOW, In Progress! Join us Friday evening for drop-off between 6:00–6:30 PM at the church. Students will stay in host homes Friday and Saturday night, experience meaningful service projects on Saturday, and wrap up the weekend together after Sunday morning worship at 12 PM.
Cost: $100 Register at smokerisebaptist.org/youth/
Ways to Give
Give the traditional way by check or cash each week through the mail or in the offering plate.
Text
Give through text, by texting "givesrbc" to 73256 followed by the gift amount to give.
Online
Give online at smokerisebaptist.org/ give/. Through online giving, you can set up a recurring gift or tithe.
Stock
To give through a transfer of stock and securities, please contact Fe Williams in our church office at financeoffice@ smokerisebaptist. org or by phone at 770.469.5856.
End-of-Year Stewardship Campaign
November 16 - December 31
We have collected $208,574.48 of our $600,000 goal.
Please prayerfully consider your gift in this season. All gifts are tax deductible and must be received by December 31 to apply to the 2025 tax year. Stock gifts should be initiated at least a week before the last day of the year. If you are planning a stock transfer, we encourage you or your broker to finalize the transfer on or before December 30 to assure timely notice and posting. If you are delivering a check or cash gift to post in the 2025 tax year, the church finance office must receive your gift no later than January 4th to be credited to this tax year. You may drive up and place end-of-year gifts in the secure portico mailbox at any time before that date.
End-of-Year Hospitality Station
On Wednesday, December 31, we will host our End-of-Year Hospitality Station as a drive-up event. We invite all who have participated in our end-of-year offering to drop by the sanctuary portico between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM for hot chocolate or coffee and to pick up a sweet goodie bag from volunteers. You may also drop off any last-minute gifts on this day with the assurance it will be delivered to our finance office in time to support our end-of-year goal.