December 8, 2024

YNE W PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Sharing the Ministry of Jesus Christ through worship, growing, serving and caring.

i s t H n e o v pe d A Hope in a Hairshirt

December 08, 2024 Second Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S EDUCATION & FELLOWSHIP OFFERINGS Bible Study with Dr. Joe Modica Fireside Rm | 9:30AM

Confirmation Class Knox Rm | 9:30AM

Sunday School: 9:30AM Pre-K (2, 3, 4-year-olds) | Rm 103 Kindergarten & 1st Grade | Rm 304 2nd & 3rd Grades | Rm 301 4th & 5th Grades | Rm 306 6th & 7th Grades | Rms 208/209 High School | Rm 204

Coffee Hour Fellowship Connector | 10:30AM

Westminster Youth Choir Rehearsal Music Rm | 5:00PM

Fellowship of the Bean Library | 9:30AM

Youth Group Rms 208/209 | 6:00PM

Childcare for Infants and Toddlers Rm 101/102 | 9:30 & 11:00AM

PRAYER REQUESTS Please hold the following in prayer: Bethany, Carl, Craig, Debby Jones, Diana Whaley, Dorothea Behr, Jacklyn, Jane, Jess and family, Jill, Johnson, Lauren, Mason, Nancy, Peter Forrest, Richard, Sarah Foster, Sarah Stewart, and the family of Yvonne Gabel. *Following worship, please sign the Letters of Compassion located in the Connector.* If you have a prayer request, please call the church office at (610) 688-8700, go to our website at waynepres.org and click the Prayer Request link, submit a request via the WPC app, or share your request using a prayer card found on the back of the pews. All requests will be kept confidential. If you or one of your family members is in the hospital, please call the church office so we can provide pastoral care.

COFFEE HOUR FOOD DONATIONS Members are asked to bring treats for Coffee Hour Fellowship held in the Connector on Sundays in-between Worship services.

Date of Donation by Surname Dec 15 | S - Z, Dec 22 | A - F, Dec 29 | G - L, Jan 5 | M - R Please contact Marian Hollingsworth with any questions. mhholling@gmail.com OR (484) 557 - 5733

ORDER OF WORSHIP Sunday, December 08, 2024 Prelude | John Grecia, piano Joy

Second Sunday of Advent Based on “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J. S. Bach George Winston (1949-2023)

+ Call to Worship God of our salvation, for you we wait.

Night and day we pray for your return.

Come and fulfill your promise to us.

Come and deliver your people! + Hymn 106: Prepare the Way, O Zion

BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN

Advent Candle Lighting | 9:00AM The Lindvall Family | 11:00AM The Coetzee Family + Call to Confession + Prayer of Confession Refining God, you have sent us prophets and we have not listened. We have not always determined what is best, or made way for your reign in our lives, our church, and in our society. Forgive us, we pray, and renew your covenant within us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen + Declaration of Forgiveness Grateful for the promise of God’s forgiveness, know that you are forgiven, and be at peace. Thanks be to God. + Response of Praise: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (V. 2)

+ Passing of the Peace The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

Words of Welcome & Announcements

STUTTGART

Musical Offering | 9:30AM Westminster Youth & Children’s Choir | Ryan Fleming, director Prepare Ye the Way Mark Burrows (b. 1971) A voice in the distance, a song in the night, a whisper of wonder, as angels take flight.

A bright star that turns all our darkness to day, Emmanuel. Prepare ye the way! “Make way, a Savior is coming,” the prophets all declare. The child of hope, the promise of peace, the answer to our prayer. The voice ever stronger, the song loud and clear, the whisper a “welcome,” God’s true light is near. A bright star that turns all our darkness to day, Emmanuel. Prepare ye the way! Venite adoremus (O come let us adore him), Dominum (Emmanuel).

Prayer for Illumination Scripture Reading | Malachi 3:1-4 + Hymn 100: My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout

STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

Scripture Reading | Luke 3:1-6 Anthem 9:30AM | Westminster Youth Choir Jimmy & Carol Owens Christmas Isn’t Christmas Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart; somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts. So give your heart to Jesus; you’ll discover when you do that it’s Christmas, really Christmas for you. Jesus brings warmth like a winter fire, a light like a candle’s glow. He’s waiting now to come inside as he did so long ago. Jesus brings gifts of truth and life, and makes them bloom and grow, so welcome him with a song of joy, and when he comes, you’ll know.

11:00AM | Quartet Genevan Psalter, 1551 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Settings by Claude Goudimel (1510-1572) and Claude LeJeune (c.1530-1600)

Sermon | The Rev. Ryan Balsan | “Hope in a Hairshirt” Time for Reflection + Affirmation of Faith | from The Theological Declaration of Barmen “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber . . . I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” Jesus Christ, as he is attested for

us in Holy Scripture, is the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death. We reject the false doctrine, as thought the Church could and would have to acknowledge as a source of hits proclamation, apart from and besides this one Word of God, still other events and powers, figures and truths, as God’s revelation.

Invitation to Gratitude

Text the word GIVE (not case sensitive) to our church's Giving Number: (610)-819-4483, or scan the QR code on your phone.

Please feel free to give in-person as well.

Offertory Anthem 9:30AM | Westminster Youth Choir Bring Us Hope by Ruth Elaine Schramm Bring us hope, bring us hope, bring us love; Bring us peace, peace and joy from above.

Bring us hope, bring us love, peace and joy from above, Bring us hope, bring us hope, bring us hope. Bring us light, take our darkness away. Bring us light, turn our night into day. Bring us hope, bring us love, peace and joy from above. Bring us hope, bring us hope, bring us hope. Hope to replace our hopelessness, love to refill our emptiness, Peace in the midst of our destress; oh, how we need Your joy!

11:00AM | Chancel Choir Soon and Very Soon

Trad. Spiritual/Arr. Rollo Dilworth (b. 1970)

+ Doxology (Hymn 606) and Prayer of Dedication Orison | 9:30AM Chancel Choir | 11:00AM Quartet + Choral Scholars Hal H. Hopson (b. 1933) Give Ear Unto Our Prayer, O God Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer + Hymn 105:

People, Look East

BESANÇON

Benediction | 9:30AM Chancel Choir | 11:00AM Quartet + Choral Scholars Anna Laura Page (b. 1943) Come, Lord Jesus Postlude | John Grecia, organ Melismata Variations

Richard Proulx (1937-2010)

WAYNE ORATORIO SOCIETY CONCERT TONIGHT! You’re invited to return to our Sanctuary this evening from 7:30-9:30PM for the concluding 2024 performance of Handel’s Messiah. Complete with 150-voice choir, professional orchestra and soloists. Come early for best seating and parking. A free will offering will support the Society. We hope to see you!

MISSION PARTNER OF THE WEEK PC(USA) MISSION PARTNER Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintron-Olivieri & the Rev. Jose Manual Capella Pratts As regional liaisons for the Caribbean, Vilmarie and Jose Manuel listen and accompany church partners in ministry in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and other island nations in the Caribbean. They work with the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission, an organization that enables mutual mission among churches.

EMAIL | JM.Capella-Pratts@pcusa.org

LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP JOINS US ON SUNDAYS IN THE SANCTUARY AT 9:30 & 11:00AM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Sunday, December 15 Advent 3 & Baptism Sunday Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching Sunday, December 22 Advent 4 Rev. Katy Shevel Preaching

Tuesday, December 24 | continued Pageant & Family Service w. Children’s Choir 4:00PM | Led by Kelli Masters Worship w. Brass, Westminster & Chancel Choirs 7:00PM | Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching

Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Services Overflow seating available in the Chapel.

All services will be livestreamed.

Worship w. Brass & Octet 10:00PM | Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching Sunday, December 29 10:00AM Service Only | Communion Join us for a special Hymn Sing!

Rev. Ryan Balsan Preaching

ANNOUNCEMENTS CHANCEL POINSETTIA DEDICATION PROGRAM | Memorialize, honor, or celebrate a special person in your life by purchasing a poinsettia which helps to build the poinsettia tree display in the Sanctuary. Dedications will be published and distributed by December 24. All poinsettias will be available to take home with you following the 10:00PM Worship Service on Christmas Eve. Please purchase online by midnight on December 11. Contact Lani Fabere for assistance at: lanifabere@gmail.com or (610) 368 - 4300. Thank you!

DINNER & A MOVIE: POLAR EXPRESS | Join Children’s Ministry in the Chapel on December 13 from 6:00-8:00PM, to climb aboard the Polar Express! Children in Grades K - 5 will enjoy a special screening of this magical adventure, pizza and snacks with friends, all while learning about friendship, bravery & the spirit of Christmas. Sign-up on our website & contact kelli@waynepres.org with questions.

ALTERNATIVE GIFTS | An alternative to giving a material gift! Give a donation to a mission partner of your choice in the name of someone you love or appreciate! By December 15, you can make your donations online, and in return, receive specially-designed cards to gift, explaining your donation and the mission you chose. Learn more & sign-up at waynepres.org. Contact lanifabere@gmail.com for assistance.

WPC BOOK CLUB | SUNDAY, DEC 15 at 10:45AM | FIRESIDE RM | Get in the Advent spirit with Rev. Katy for a discussion of Stay Awhile: Advent Lessons in Divine Hospitality by Kara Eidson. As the world around us rushes busily through the holidays, take a pause as we consider how to slow down and enjoy our time with loved ones. Please register online by December 8.

LENTEN DEVOTIONALS | Calling all writers! We’re creating our very own Wayne Presbyterian Church devotionals written by members and staff, and shared with our church family during the 2025 Lenten season. Writers will have access to writing workshops in January and plenty of help from your pastors along the way.

Reach out to Pastor Katy at katy@waynepres.org by December 22 if you are interested in writing with us!

MUSIC TRANSFORMS | CHRISTMAS IN THE COLONIES | Please join us on Sunday, January 5 at 4:00PM for a concert featuring American Christmas music of the 18th and 19th centuries, performed by an octet including our Director of Music Ministries, John Grecia. This is a free benefit concert supporting the Cornerstone Christian Academy Orchestra in Southwest Philadelphia. We hope to see you there!

PASTORAL & WORSHIP LEADERSHIP Senior Pastor & Head of Staff Rev. Ryan Balsan | Ryan@waynepres.org | ext. 214 Associate Pastor of Congregational Life Rev. Katy Shevel | Katy@waynepres.org | ext. 219 Interim Pastoral Care Associate (Wednesdays and Fridays) Rev. Timothy Pretz | TPretz@waynepres.org | ext. 228

A FULL STAFF DIRECTORY CAN BE FOUND AT WAYNEPRES.ORG. WITH QUESTIONS, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE AT (610) 688-8700.

Phone: 610.688.8700 | Website: waynepres.org | Address: 125 E. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087

DEACON’S WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHRISTMAS ANGELS

YOU ARE INVITED ...to provide a meal & seasonal items to a family in need for the holiday. How does this work? 3 easy steps!

1. SELECT YOUR FAMILY 2. SHOP FOR YOUR FAMILY 3. PACK & DELIVER YOUR GIFTS

NEED ASSISTANCE? Visit our volunteers in the Connector on Sundays during Coffee Hour OR contact Bill Pentz at: willpentz@gmail.com.

DROP OFF TO WPC PARKING LOT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 BETWEEN 8AM-9:30AM OUR GOAL IS TO HELP 100 FAMILIES THIS SEASON! Scan the QR code to select a family to support, access shopping suggestion materials, and learn how to pack your items for drop-off, all online.

WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2025

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it” Psalm 24:1

We are in the final days of our Stewardship Campaign, and we are so grateful for the 221 pledges of support we have received for 2025, each averaging a 10% increase from last year, and totaling $1.36M! So far, your compassion and generosity have enabled us to come just $135,000 shy of our $1.5M financial goal. While we are close, our goals are not yet met, and additional support will enable us to do more in 2025.

Everyone’s participation matters! We ask every family who has not yet pledged, to prayerfully consider their gift to our church family.

If you haven’t yet submitted your pledge, you can easily do so online, or visit our Stewardship Page to learn more about the important work your donations will support, all by scanning the QR code. Thank you!

GIVING AND RECEIVING GOD’S ABUNDANCE.