Third Sunday In Advent - Files.constantcontact

Sunday WorshipDecember 17, 201710:30 a.m.Our Mission:Growing in SpiritLiving as DisciplesServing God’s Worldthird sunday inadventPreparation for WorshipGod, our light and our salvation,You bring hope and peace to the lowly and the oppressed.Let us see the world through your eyes,That we may love the hurting and the orphaned,That we may work for justice,That our lives may bear witness to the good news of thekingdom at hand.Be near to us, O God, this day and always. AmenWe Gather in God’s NameWelcome and AnnouncementsPreludeSelections from A Christmas CollectionRay Freeman, Organist Passing of the PeaceLeader: The peace of the Lord be with you.People: And also with you. Please stand if you are able.Lasky

Handbell Prelude‘Twas in the Moon of WintertimeThe Lighting of Advent‟s Third CandleArr. MoklebustShoemaker and FamilyOn this third Sunday of Advent, we again light the candles of Hope and Peace,recalling our longing for God to be with us and to lead us in the way of peace.Today, we also light a third candle, which symbolizes Joy.This candle reminds us that God wants us to know the joy of God‟s presence, evenin our most difficult times.The pink candle, a splash of color amid the purple candles of the Advent wreath, issymbolic of the joy that comes when God abides at the heart of our lives.Let us pray together:Come, O God, and walk with us through this Advent season. Give uscourage to find joy in your presence and spread joy in your world. Amen. Hymn #97Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Prayer of ConfessionGracious God,We too often find ourselves heartsick and world-weary. The times we livein are fraught. Just watching the nightly news can make us feel helplessand angry, causing us to lack gentleness or compassion in our thoughts,words, or actions. We fail to see your grace or presence in others, especially those who vex our spirits. Now, more than ever, we need your lovein our midst. Open us anew to the message of the manger---heal our toosmall hopes, open our closed-off hearts, challenge us that peace on earth isnot just our deepest wish but our highest calling. Forgive us, Lord. Helpus to live differently and to love deeply. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen. Assurance of ForgivenessLeader: Hear this good news of great joy: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.People: Thanks be to God.We Proclaim God’s WordChildren‟s MessageChildren of any age are invited to the front for a time of worship together. Play „n‟ Worship andBridges will be announced following the message see Guest Information on page 7 for details.Children are also welcomed to stay for the presentation of the Cantata.2

A Christmas CantataReading 1Noel FanfareArr. DrennanReading 2All My Heart This Night RejoicesArr. ManorReading 3Shepherds, Run AlongArr. MagerWexford CarolJoyful RingersArr. PhillipsReading 4Carol FestArr. LasterWe Respond to God’s WordSharing Our Tithes and OfferingsOffertoryChristmas Bell SuiteJoyful RingersArr. Behnke Response #110, Verse 3Love has come and never will leave us!Love is life everlasting and free.Love is Jesus within and among us.Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas.Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high! Prayer of DedicationMary HelmantolerPrayers of the People and the Lord‟s PrayerWe Depart To Serve God Parting Hymn #129Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Charge and BenedictionPostludeImprovisation on God Rest You Merry, GentlemenRay Freeman, OrganistRoberts

The Decoration by the Sanctuary Guild isTo the Glory of GodYour Greeters today were the Rogers FamilyMeg, Scott, Lyall, and Stephen.Musicians Today Chancel Choir:Instrumentalists:Soprano Virginia BouchardMaria ClaytonJennifer NeelCheri WeaverBecky YarbroughJim Dunstan - Horn/TrumpetRay Freeman - Piano/OrganDaniel Hill - TrumpetNatalie Hill - TrumpetAndrew Hitz - TubaTiffany Hitz - HornJamie Van Valkenburg - BaritoneAlto Pat FerrellBeth Ann McClellandBarbara NeelJean SmithJoyful Ringers Virginia BouchardMaria ClaytonGerilee DavisonPat FerrellKent FordRob GoldBeth Ann McClellandJohn PearsonJudy RiekseStephen RogersJudy RossLaura SenichMilly SmidtJennifer TreasureDirector: Jim DunstanTenor Rob GoldDave RetherfordGeorge Williams (Reader)Bass Jim DrinkardJim LawsonDave LincolnGreg SuessMusical Director: Dr. Scott SeifriedPlease join the Amigos in Wester Hall for the best brunch you haveever had! Suggested donation: 10/person, 5/child, or 25/family.All proceeds to mitigate hunger in the communitySunday School. After today, all classes are on break until January.4

ANNOUNCEMENTS and OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVEGreetings from Our Partners. Fr. Ibrahim and Deacon Wadie received the picturetaken last Sunday and both send greetings. Fr. Ibrahim says, “Thank you so much mydear brothers and sisters. I hope that this Christmas comes to you all with happiness,joy, and blessings.” Deacon Wadie says, “We have already allocated the money [sent byMission Committee] for our different Christmas events and will hold the celebrationsdespite the current situation.” An additional note from MMEPJ, the Nassar family‟sTent of Nations has been awarded a World Methodist Peace Award for 2017.Joy Gift. Each year during Advent, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate theindescribable gift of Jesus Christ. We honor this gift by giving a Joy Gift that will provide for assistance to current and retired church workers in their times of need, and fordevelopment of future leaders at racially ethnic schools and colleges. Please use theJoy envelopes in the pews to make a contribution to this Presbyterian offering.Financial Update. Thank you to all members who have provided their 2018 pledges.To date, we have received 82 pledges totaling 381,730. We need additional pledges toreach last year‟s total of 412,000 so that we can maintain the programs and outreachengaged in here at Grace. Please pledge so that we can plan our budget in time for thenew year. You may drop your pledge card in the offering or in the office. For those whohave pledged, you will find your envelopes in the Narthex today. Please take them.Greeters. If you would like to extend a warm welcome to members and guests, pleasesign up on the schedule at the Station. Needed most are greeters for December 24th.End-of-Year Giving. We are seeking donations for new folding chairs in Wester Hall,a Preschool playground set, and a basketball hoop and backboard for the south parkinglot. Chairs are around 25 each and the play set is several thousand, but any donationwill be gratefully accepted. Thank you for including Grace in your end-of-year giving.Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. The APNC met on Sunday, December 3,following the election of members by the congregation. Due to the holidays and theneed for our Presbytery liaison Diane Hutchins to be present, the APNC will beginmeeting weekly in January. Our first meeting will be January 2.Stocking Stuffers. We have them! Beautiful, holiday green, Grace T-Shirts. Allsizes. 10 for adult sizes and 5 for child and youth sizes. Pick your sizes from thecoat rack, and pay in the red and green box in the office.EVENTS (See Insert for the December 24th schedule of services.)Trail Blazers - Tuesday, December 19, 5:00 p.m. This month, it‟s Paradiso‟s, 6124Franconia Road in Alexandria. Meet for an evening of holiday cheer with dear friends.Future Event. Guests may want to mark the date for a Spring event with WalterBrueggemann, who will be our guest the weekend of April 20-22.5

Please pray for these Grace Family Members and Friends.Congratulations to the Callahans. Ed and Mary have a new baby boy.Lucas Orion CallahanBorn - November 24, 2017Members: Jean Ackor, Judy Bernal (Virginia Beach), Cameron Buckley,Char Custer, Pat Ferrell, James Lawson, Liz Lincoln, Sam Proctor,Anne Sedlak, and the Preschool’s Holly Cook.PC(USA) Missionaries and Our Missionary in Honduras: Pastor Selvin.The Mothers of: Veronica Crump, Mary Hawkins (Jean), Meg Rogers (Beth), Hiede Sowdon,Phillip Spiess (Dorothy), and Dave Treasure (Hilda).The Step-Mother of: Donna Lucas (Jackie).The Fathers of: Raven Fox, Nancy Machado (Jim), and Penny Newsome (Richard).The Husband of: Donna Lucas.The Great-grandmother of: Dennis and Diego Bustillo.The Daughters of: Rich and Kathy Calahan (Lynn) and Bob and Valerie Patrick (Molly).The Son of: Ed and Mary Callahan (Lucas), and Wendy Lawson (Seth).The Brothers of: Ed Bryant (Paul), Steve Gretsuk (John), Reecie Ford (Trent), Joe Miller(Jack and wife Karen), Nelson Thurman (Dennis), and Hilde Uffelman (Brian Marsh).The Sister of: Penny Newsome (Susan).The Sisters-in-Law of: Claire Manger (Bev).The Step-Sister of: Becky Yarbrough (Nancy).The Uncle of: Scott Rogers (Phill).The Nephews of: Maria Clayton (Jack) and Claire Manger (Edward and Scott).The Niece of: Stan and Susan Wisseman (Averi).The Cousins of: John Grimes (Lori), Donna Lucas (Angela), Beth Ann McClelland (Deborah),Katie Machado (Jan), and Valerie Patrick (Virginia).The Friends of: Cindi Bryant (Anna), Cindy Chapman (Margie and Emma), Craig and JudyCrooks (Liz), Reecie Ford (Kate), Raven Fox (Deanna), Kim Gretsuk (Nancy), John andWendi Grimes (The Bochtler Family and Douglas), Linda Hitchens (Leon and Debbie, andKeitha), Rosalie Lawson (Emma and Stephanie), Katie Machado (Jonathan), Penny Newsome(Lisa and Shawn), Bob McClelland (Mark), Sam Proctor (Nicole and Family), Scott and MegRogers (Jackie and Dave), Hiede Sowdon (Dylan), and The Yarbroughs (Randy).Our sympathy is extended to Dave Little on the loss ofhis sister-in-law Joan Marie Little, and to Ed Callahan onthe loss of his grandmother.6

This Week’s CalendarFor complete details, including locations and descriptions of events, please visitwww.gracepresby.org; or call the Church Office, 703-451-2900.Mon187:00 p.m.JoyfulRingersTue1910:00 a.m.OutsideGroup8:00 p.m.OutsideGroup1:15 p.m.ChancelChoir2:00 p.m.WadeServicesWed209:00 a.m.GrandInvolve7:00 p.m.NVDECS7:30 p.m.OutsideGroupThu217:00 p.m.LongestNightServiceFri22Sat2312:00 p.m.OutsideGroup8:00 p.m.ChancelChoir5:00 p.m.Trail BlazersParadiso’sSun2410:30 a.m.Worship4:15 p.m.Children’sChoirRehearsal5:00 p.m.FamilyService8:00 p.m.CandlelightServiceWE ARE VERY GLAD YOU CHOSE TO WORSHIP WITH US TODAY!PLEASE SIGN OUR FRIENDSHIP REGISTER SO THAT WE CANGREET YOU BY NAME AND CALL ON YOU IF YOU WISH.WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE PRAYER REQUESTS.You may do so by completing prayer cards found in the pewsand placing them in the offering plate.TRUST YOUR CHILDREN TO OUR NURSERY CARE AND CHILDREN’S WORSHIP LEADERS.We provide childcare for infants through 3-year-olds in the Nursery Suite (Rooms 3 & 5)downstairs. Worship Bags are available in the Narthex for preschoolers through thirdgraders. After the Children‟s Message, children go downstairs for their own worship time.At the conclusion of worship, 4- and 5-year olds will be in Room 3, and older children inthe Bridges to Worship Room (Room 14). Please return worship bags to the basket in theNarthex, and pick up children before meeting in Wester Hall for a time of fellowship.“GRACE INSIGHTS” - LEARNING ABOUT PRESBYTERIANS AND GRACE CHURCH.Classes for those who want to learn more about our denomination, our church, and ourmission form throughout the year. If you would like to attend an introductory class orhave an interest in membership at Grace, please speak to one of our pastors or contactElder Joe Miller, jmeda@cox.net.PLEASE ASK ANYONE FOR HELP OR DIRECTIONS!7