November 30, 2014 Bulletin - Abington Presbyterian Church

We are glad you are worshiping with us and invite you to participate in
the ministry and service of Abington Presbyterian Church.
Ushers today are: Eric Gildner, Diana Duggan, Charles Lane, Erma
Yerkes.
Greeters today are: Stephen Kim, Ed Wikoff.
The flowers in front of the lectern are given by the Jack Thomson Memorial Fund, in memory of all the members of APC who have joined the
Church Triumphant. We thank Joanne Bates for delivering the flowers.
In need of special prayers this week: Robert Bromley, Miriam
Whitten, Clem Brown, Julia Stewart (Sally and Lee Bowie’s grandniece), Al Foster, Lauren Pastore (granddaughter of Winifred and Joe
Braim), Jeanne Norrie, Gloria and Ray Gotwals, Stewart Boerner,
Christine Gotwals, Walter Luce, Sharon Herbst, Shirley Palmer, Selene
Bell (great-grand-daughter of Doris Miller), Gina Miller (daughter-inlaw of Ruth and Bill Miller), Jack Waite, Walter Boutcher, Emma Shaubel, Laura Lafferty, Rebekah (friend of Cindi Willis), Shane Metzgar,
Carolyn Stuetz, Hugh Blair (father of Julie Arndt and Rebecca Reape),
Lisa Kupper.
We offer special prayers for all the young men and women who continue to bravely serve our country in the U.S. Forces here and abroad.
A SERVICE OF INSTALLATION
for
The Reverend Diane Jamison Fitch
During Today’s Worship: If you need assistance, please ask an usher
to assist you.
Child care for infants and toddlers is provided in the nursery (Rooms
110, 112). Travel through the door to the left of the chancel and down
the steps.
Children’s bulletins are available at each door.
Large-print bulletins and individual hearing devices are available in
the back of the sanctuary.
Presbyterian Women’s Prayer Chain The names of those in need of prayer who have asked for our prayers. If you have a request to be added or
removed from the Prayer Chain, please call Rev. Brent Eelman (215) 8874530. You may also write your prayer request on prayer request card and
place it in the offering plate on Sunday morning.
We request that cell phones and watch alarms be set in silent mode
while in the sanctuary.
For information regarding baptisms, weddings and funerals, please call
the Church Office at (215) 887-4530.
Lectionary Lessons for today:
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
Lectionary Lessons for December 7
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
ABINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Founded 1714
1082 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
Phone: (215) 887-4530 Fax: (215) 887-5988 E-mail: beelman@apcusa.org
Web Site: www.apcusa.org
The Reverend Dr. Brent James Eelman, Head of Staff
The Reverend Jack Norrie, Minister of Visitation
The Reverend Diane J. Fitch, Associate Pastor
The Reverend Christine Bruce, Parish Associate
Ruth Ideen-Sall, B.M. Director of Children’s Choirs and Ministries
John Sall, M.M. Director of Music Ministries
G. Stanley Powell, Minister of Music, Emeritus
Ethel Geist, M.A. Organist
Janet Tebbel, Director of Handbells
Gary Koch, Business Manager
Abington Presbyterian Church
First Sunday in Advent
November 30, 2014
10:00 a.m.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
First Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2014
10:00 am
GATHERING
We gather to praise God, in God’s sanctuary, to rededicate our lives to the service
of God through music, spoken word and discipleship.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
A time for quiet preparation before worship
Come, Holy One, come! Make a door in the heavens and come to us. Let the
mountains tremble, the seas roar and our hearts open. Come, Holy One,
come! Show your face to us again, echo your name in our hearts and establish peace on earth. Come, Holy One, come! Amen.
PRELUDE
Variations on Puer Nobis Nascitur
Michael Burkhardt
LIFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH
INTROIT
Prepare a Way for the Lord!
Michael Bedford
Rodger, June, Sam and Cameron Perry
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived
in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined... For a child has been
born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is
named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6)
Today we remember the prophets of old, who demanded to be heard, who
dared to speak of a child to come, unexpected liberator of the people, vulnerable incarnation of the Holiest of Holies, a new name for God.
Today we give thanks for the prophets among us, who bring to us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who
show us a future we never anticipated.
On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us of what may be.
People, Look East
THE ORDER OF INSTALLATION (see insert)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (responsive)
OFFERTORY
The Christ who taught us how to forgive continues to forgive us - not
once, but over and over again. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting.
Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
BESANCON
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
God of all time and seasons, how quickly the year spins by, and we are
caught unprepared for your Advent. We are still recovering from Thanksgiving or the latest crisis or the long list of things to do. The demands on
our time seem unending, the tasks seem overwhelming, and our energy
is draining.
Holy God, sing to us in the stillness of this moment; speak to us in the
depths of our hearts. Let there be a space for you in the midst of all the
hurry and rush -- a holy, inner place that cherishes silence and song, that
keeps a candle lit and a manger ready.
God of all time and seasons, create in us a place for your birth. Amen.
Hymn 93 Stanza 3
Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
Let me thy inner presence feel;
Thy grace and love in me reveal.
* SHARING OF THE PEACE
Greet one another with the sign of peace.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
ANTHEM
CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
* HYMN 105
SILENT PERSONAL CONFESSION
Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain
Carolyn Jennings
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
All children are dismissed to Sunday School with their shepherds
following the Children’s Message.
WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Jeremiah 45
Bible OT Pg. 631
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE SERMON
* HYMN 373
Christ hath a garden walled around,
A Paradise of fruitful ground,
Chosen by love and fenced by grace
From out the world's wide wilderness.
Like trees of spice his servants stand,
There planted by his mighty hand;
By Eden's gracious streams, that flow
To feed their beauty where they grow.
Awake, O wind of heav'n and bear
Their sweetest perfume through the air:
Stir up, O south, the boughs that bloom,
Till the beloved Master come:
That he may come, and linger yet
Among the trees that he hath set;
That he may evermore be seen
To walk amid the springing green.
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
God’s Word is read and its message is proclaimed in
scripture, music and interpretation.
SCRIPTURE READING
Christ Hath a Garden
Gerald Near
The Chancel Choir offers an anthem on an Isaac Watts poem which celebrates the nurture
of servants and their gifts so appropriate for an installation and looks to the Advent of
God’s Kingdom in Christ.
Hymn 143 Stanza 4
All creation, join in praising
God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
“Building and Planting”
O Day of Peace
The Rev. Dr. Brent J. Eelman
JERUSALEM
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
from John 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one
thing was created. The life that was in him became light for all people. The
light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. To all
who receive him, who believe in him, he gives power to become children of
God. The Word became flesh, a man named Jesus. He lived among us, full of
grace and truth. From his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. In
his name God has sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and to remind us of all
that he has said. We believe that because he lives, we shall live also, to the
glory of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
EUCHARIST
After the proclamation of God’s Word, we respond by offering prayers, returning our tithes
and offerings, and celebrating the installation of a Teaching Elder.
SENDING
After hearing and responding to God’s Word, we are prepared to go
into the world where we are called to live according to God’s will.
* HYMN 79
Light Dawns on a Weary World
TEMPLE OF PEACE
* THE BENEDICTION
The Rev. Diane Jamison Fitch
* CHORAL BLESSING
Presbytones
* POSTLUDE
Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying
Worship Leaders:
Preacher: The Reverend Dr. Brent J. Eelman
Children’s Message: Ruth Sall
Quartet Singers: Bill Price, Steve Seeholzer, John Sall, John Dean
Choirs: Chime, Crusader, Chapel and Chancel
Choir Directors: John Sall, Ruth Sall
Organ: Ethel Geist
J.S. Bach