*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Verses 1, 6, 7

Proclaim God’s Word

Prayer of Illumination

Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-2518 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Sermon The Biblical Perspective Pastor Mark McIlraith

Give Thanks to God

The Offering*DoxologyPraise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

Offertory Long Ago, Prophets KnewArr. Cathy Moklebust ©2017 Chorister’s Guild Press CCLI #207039

*Affirmation of Faith - The Apostles’ CreedI believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Supper All who seek to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcomed to the Table.

Today’s Worship ServiceDraw Near to God

* = please stand as you are able

Prelude

The Church Alive

Lighting the Advent CandleAmy & Steve Carter (9:30) Brian, Sunny, Julie, Ryan, and Judy Dood (11)

*Call to Worship One: Whatdoweanticipatecomingtothisplace?All: We anticipate the coming of our Lord.One: Whatdowehopeforasweenterworship?All: We hope for the Messiah’s arrival.One: Whatdowewaitforwithjoyaswegather?All: We wait for the long-expected Jesus.One: Let’swelcomehiminthisplace.All: Come Lord Jesus! Amen!

*Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*Prayer of Adoration

Anthem Let Every Heart Prepare A Throne Let every heart prepare a throne for soon the Child of Light will come.Let every voice prepare a song to welcome Christ the Promised One.Let every hand reach out with love to greet this Gift from God above.Make ready now, the Savior comes, the Prince of Peace, the Promised One.So let the flame of Advent glow, each candle shines that all may know,The hope we need, so long foretold will soon be here for us to hold.Let every heart prepare a throne for soon the Child of Light will come.Let every voice prepare a song to welcome Christ the Promised One.Let every heart prepare a throne.ByMarkPatterson©2013ChoristersGuildCCLI#207039

Prayer of ConfessionMighty God, We wait expectantly for your coming by making room for you in our lives. Yet we often find it difficult to make space for you. We are often distracted by our own feelings. We crowd our lives with the world’s preoccupations and find there is little room left for you. Forgive us for not placing you first in our lives. Pardon us for seeking earthly rewards that don’t satisfy. Help us to seek you and your kingdom first so that we would be embrace you as our great reward. (Silence for Personal Confession)

*Assurance of PardonResponseLift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty GatesRedeemer, come! I open wide my heart to thee, here Lord, abide.Let me thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in me reveal

*Passing of the PeaceOne: ThepeaceofChristbewithyou.All: And also with you.

The Lord’s Prayer

Go In God’s Name

*Benediction

Postlude

Please join us in Fellowship Hall after the service for coffee and conversation.

Serving in WorshipPreaching Pastor: Pastor Mark McIlraithAssisting: PastorGraigFlach(9:30AM),PastorLillianPak(11AM)Musicians: Hope Choir,directedbyMaryAnnFoy;ConnieTitterington,piano;Covenant Bells,directedbyLeanneBilstrom;MatthewSmith,piano, organ.

LGPCPraysPrayeristheprimaryworkofGod’speople.ItisavitalconnectiontoGodwherewecanhearfrom,listento,andrespondtotheLord.Herearesomewaysyoucanpraythis week...

PrayerRequestsStrength:HerbKossHealing: KarenLewis, Rod & Diane Gilbert, Ruth Cordon, KrisDunlop,NancyClayton,DonKrahmer,LauraHuchko,IreneTegeler,BruceHesselmanComfort:ForDaveBushnell&familywhosemotherKathyDiehlpassedawayNovember21.MissionPartnersAgros International: PrayforthecitizensofourpartnervillageinNicaragua,LaBendicion,andforourteamvisitingtheminJanuary.Care & Share: WepraytheLordwillprovideenoughfundsforourCare&Shareministrytocontinuetheirgeneroussupporttopeopleinneedoffoodfromourlocalcommunities.

PrayerInformationTo submit a prayer request,writeitonaPrayerCardfoundattheinfodeskanddropitintheboxintheNarthex,callthechurchofficeat503-636-5656,emailprayer@lakegrovepres.org,orsubmitonlineatlakegrovepres.org.Prayer hour... MeetintheCourtyardRoomforanhourofprayeronTuesdaysat8:30 AM, or Sundays in PastorMark’sofficeat 8 AM.

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NewsEvents

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LGPC Special Events Calendar

DECEMBER 1 | 9:30 + 11 AM

WELCOME TO LAKE GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Real. Active. Faith.

We’repleasedyou’rehereandhopeyoufeelathomeencounteringGodinworshipwithus. We are a church

partnering with Christ who transforms the world one life at a time. Ifyou’dliketoknowmoreaboutus

oraboutarelationshipwithGod,oneofourpastorswouldbeprivilegedtotalkwithyou.Feelfreetocall

(503-636-5656)oremail(info@lakegrovepres.org).

candles&carolsan advent celebration for all ages

DEC 2 | 10:30am-1pm | Fellowship Hall

candles&carolsan advent celebration for all ages

DEC 1 | 10:30am-12:30pm | Fellowship HallJoin us as we cra� candles, enjoy carols, andprepare our hearts for the Christmas season.

LGPCServesCARE & SHARE - Foodboxescostonaverage$65,butalldonationsarewelcome.HelppackthefoodinboxesonDecember13anddelivertheboxesonDecember14.ThisisanexcellentwaytoinvolveallfamilymembersinameaningfulChristmasmission.PleasefillouttheCare&ShareformtoletusknowhowyouwanttohelporcontactDonnaSooterat503-635-2569.Youmayalsogiveonlinethroughthechurch website.LIBRARY RECOMMENDATIONS - “I Wonder As I Wonder” is a daily Advent devotionalbookletavailabletoyou,yourfamilyandfriendsasagiftfromourlibrarycommittee.PreparetocelebrateGod’slovegifttouswithajoyfulandthankfulheartthisChristmas.BookletscanbepickeduptodayinFellowshipHall.DEACON’S PANTRY - Cannedsoups,broth,chicken,refriedbeans,fruits,vegetables(exceptgreenbeans),spaghetti-o’s,breakfastcereal,instantoatmeal,rice,pastasauce,pasta,saladdressing,condiments,sugarandflour,papertowels,andcleaningproducts.Weonlyprovideunexpiredfoodstoneedyfamiliesinourcommunity.Otheritemsarediscarded.Thankyouinadvanceforcheckingtheexpirationdates.

This Week1December

Simple Meal – Join us following the 5 PM service for a simple meal. We will be serving tacos, along with chips & salsa. We welcome contributions of sides or dessert to share.

4December

Advent Afternoons – Preschoolers and grown-ups, join us in the Courtyard Room for stories and songs as we prepare our hearts for Christmas and countdown the days until Jesus is born! Wednesday afternoons, December 4, 11 & 18 from 3:30 to 4 PM. Space is limited. Please RSVP to kids@lakegrovepres.org.

5December

MOPS/MomsNext – 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Fellowship Hall. We welcome all mothers of a preschoolers (infant through kindergarten) to come and find encouragement, support, relevant teaching, and opportunities to develop relationships with other women who are in your same season of life.

6December

PrimeTime – Join us for an afternoon exploring Pittock Mansion and marvel at all the beautiful Christmas decorations! Bus leaves LGPC at 11 AM. There will be a no-host lunch at Rosswood Restaurant. Cost is $25 per person. RSVP to Joyce Cox at 503-939-8491.

7December

Men’s Advent Breakfast – 8 AM. Fellowship Hall. Our guest speaker will be Anthony Kollias, Clackamas County Sheriff SWAT Commander, who has an inspiring faith story to share. There is no charge for admission but a freewill offering will be received. Please RSVP in Fellowship Hall or through our website by Dec. 4.

Upcoming 8December

Worship Through Music – The 8 AM service will be blessed by a mini concert, featuring violins & piano. 5 PM service will celebrate with Christmas worship & praise. At 9:30 & 11 AM as the Sanctuary Choir sings for joy with members of Northwest Community Gospel Choir and our own Pam Baker.

15December

Bells & Brass – 1:30 & 7:30 PM. Sanctuary. This annual concert has become our favorite way to kick off the Christmas season! Brass from the Oregon Symphony will join our Covenant Bell Choir in sharing your favorite joyful carols.

16December

Poinsettia Contributions Due – Help us get our church ready for guests or remember a loved one by contributing to our Christmas poinsettias. Envelopes available on Dec. 8. Contribute by Dec. 17.

18December

Noah’s Ark Christmas Pageant – 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary, followed by a cake reception in Fellowship Hall.