Please stand if you are able. Sunday Worship December 24, 2017 10:30 a.m. fourth sunday in advent Preparation for Worship Give us, O God, the vision which can see thy love in the world in spite of human failure. Give us the faith to trust the goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts, and show us what each one of us can do to set forth the coming of the day of universal peace. Amen. Frank Borman‟s prayer from the Apollo 8, Christmas 1968 We Gather in God’s Name Prelude Ray Freeman, Organist Welcome and Announcements Passing of the Peace Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Praise Song Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King Praise Band Our Mission: Growing in Spirit Living as Disciples Serving God’s World
Transcript
Please stand if you are able.
Sunday Worship December 24, 2017
10:30 a.m.
fourth sunday in
advent
Preparation for Worship
Give us, O God, the vision which can see thy love in the world in spite of
human failure. Give us the faith to trust the goodness in spite of our
ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue
to pray with understanding hearts, and show us what each one of us
can do to set forth the coming of the day of universal peace. Amen.
Frank Borman‟s prayer from the Apollo 8,
Christmas 1968
We Gather in God’s Name
Prelude Ray Freeman, Organist
Welcome and Announcements
Passing of the Peace
Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Praise Song Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King Praise Band
Ou r Mission:
Gro wing in Sp irit
Living as D isciple s
Se rving God’s World
The Lighting of Advent‟s Fourth Candle Jim, Wendy, and Cherish Lawson
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the morning of Christmas Eve, we again light
the candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy.
We also light a fourth candle, the candle of Love.
This candle reminds us of the power of God‟s love for us, shown in the birth of a
wondrous child, Emmanuel, God with us.
As we look upon its light, we are reminded that God‟s love is in us and shines
through us.
Let us pray together:
Gracious God, these candles are a symbol of your warmth, light, and pres-
ence. Give us courage to spread your love in the world, even when it is
costly do do so. Amen.
Hymn #111 From Heaven Above
Prayer of Confession
Loving God, too often Christmas is wrapped in sentiment for us, and we do
not permit ourselves to be touched by its true power. A savior comes, but
even hearing his calls for justice and peace, we do not contemplate our
contributions to injustice or warfare. A savior comes, yet we persist in old
patterns, cling to old angers, and resist transformation. Forgive us, O
Lord, when we cling to the very things from which we need to be saved.
Cleanse us, restore us, and make us new according to your will. In Christ’s
name we pray, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Leader: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting unto everlasting. As far as the East
is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Friends,
believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God.
We Proclaim God’s Word
Children‟s Message Kathy Drinkard
Children of any age are invited to the front for a time of worship together. Play „n‟ Wor-
ship will be announced following the message−see Guest Information on page 7 for de-
tails. Bridges will be on hiatus until January 14.
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Anthem I Hear the Prophet Calling Choplin
Chancel Choir
Hymn #123 It Came upon the Midnight Clear
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7
Meditation An Un-Stable World Rev. Dr. Ben Trawick
We Respond to God’s Word
Sharing Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory The First Noel (Holy Is the Lord) Praise Band
Response #609
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer of Dedication David Buckley
Prayers of the People and the Lord‟s Prayer
We Depart To Serve God
Parting Hymn #136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Charge and Benediction
Postlude Ray Freeman, Organist
All Sunday School classes are on break until January.
Your Greeters today were Joe and Greta Miller.
Poinsettias were placed to the Glory of God
and dedicated by Grace Members
(Please see the following page…)
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Donor In Loving Memory of… Penny Newsome Loved Ones in Heaven
Gene Williams Loved Ones
Donna Lucas My Mom
Judy Smith George Towery
Pat Ferrell Alan Ferrell Bonni & Tom Astorino Loved Ones
Mary Helmantoler Loved Ones
Scott & Laura Peterson Parents
Sharron Dreyer Stan
Clara Gipson Francis
Stewart & JoAnn Holmes Andrew Holmes
Judy Ross My Mother Barbara and My Sister Deborah
Vivian Martin My Husband, Allan “Ike” Edward Martin, Greg and Cherylen’s Father, Tom’s Father- in-law, and Sean’s Grandfather
Kim & Steve Gretsuk Parents of Steve and Kim
Mark & Mary Shoemaker Our Grandparents
Kathy Drinkard Loved Ones
Bob McClelland Elizabeth
The Bryant Family David Wester
The Bartlett Family Betty Vassel
Amy & Ben Trawick Jack E. Trawick
Amy & Ben Trawick Gayle Tate Sink
Judy Bernal Pat Bernal and Our Parents
In Honor of… Donor
Lauren Miller My Children and Husband
Maria & Warren Clayton Amy & Ben Trawick and Family
Virginia Bouchard My Husband
Glenda Etchison Circle 6 and Grace-Ful Knitters
Bob & Valerie Patrick Our Family
Joe & Greta Miller Our Families
Mankin Sisters Pastor Ben and Pastor Susan
Dear Grace Church,
Thank you so much for everything. You all rock!!! There were so many gifts
from the Giving Tree for families and so many gift cards as well. We truly
appreciate your support of the Parenting Education Program and everything
you do for our families!!! [Note: 852 Families are served by PEP.]
Krissa Slone, Dept. of Family Services
ANNOUNCEMENTS and OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Out of Gratitude We Give. The Joy Gift is a PC(USA) special offering with a rich,
almost 140-year history of commitment. The offering nationwide is distributed equally
between assistance and educating leaders. It is critical in supporting church workers
and their families in times of need, and in education that nurtures racial and ethnic
leaders. Please continue these commitments by filling the Joy envelopes in the pews.
Financial Update. Please pledge so that we can plan our budget for the new year.
Pledge cards are in the pews, and you can drop them in the offering plate or in the of-
fice. Your pledge envelopes are in the Narthex today for you to take home. Thank you!
Greeters. If you would like to extend a warm welcome to members and guests, please
sign up on the schedule at the Information Station.
End-of-Year Giving. We are seeking donations for new folding chairs in Wester Hall,
a Preschool playground set. Chairs are around $25 each and the play set is several
thousand, but any donation will be gratefully accepted. For tax purposes, all checks re-
ceived up until January 7, 2018, can be counted towards 2017 charitable giving. Thank
you for including Grace in your end-of-year giving.
Stocking Stuffers. We have them! Beautiful, holiday green, Grace T-Shirts. All
sizes. $10 for adult sizes and $5 for child and youth sizes. Pick your sizes from the coat
rack in the outer office, and pay in the red and green box marked “T-Shirts”.
Is Steven Speilberg in the Audience? If you‟ve dreamed of working the camera, you
need hands-on experience now! The Grace AV Team needs volunteers to record services
beginning in January. See John Machado ([email protected]) for details.
EVENTS
Help the Homeless - Saturday, December 30, 9:30 a.m. Please come sort, pack, pre-
pare, and deliver necessities to the area‟s homeless population. Wester Hall.
Presbyterian Women - Wednesday, January 3, 9:30 a.m. Circle 6 will gather in the
Family Room for a return to Lesson 3, The Living Word, presented by Yvette Moy. All
women of the church are invited to attend for hospitality and friendship.
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In Honor of… Donor
Lauren Miller My Children and Husband
Maria & Warren Clayton Amy & Ben Trawick and Family
Virginia Bouchard My Husband
Glenda Etchison Circle 6 and Grace-Ful Knitters
Bob & Valerie Patrick Our Family
Joe & Greta Miller Our Families
Mankin Sisters Pastor Ben and Pastor Susan
Please pray for these Grace Family Members and Friends.
Members: Jean Ackor, Judy Bernal (Virginia Beach), Cameron Buckley, Char Custer, James Lawson, Liz Lincoln, Sam Proctor, and Anne Sedlak.
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), Dave Treasure (Hilda), and Dwight Yarbrough (Verla).
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: Wendy Lawson (Seth).
The Grandson of: Craig and Judy Crooks (Jackson).
The Daughter-in Law of: Fran and Chet McLaren (Teresa)
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 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) and Liz and Dave Lincoln (Meghan).
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 Judy Crooks (Liz), Reecie Ford (Kate), Raven Fox (Deanna), Kim Gretsuk (Nancy), John and Wendi Grimes (The Bochtler Family and Douglas), Linda Hitchens (Leon and Debbie, and Keitha), Rosalie Lawson (Emma and Stephanie), Katie Machado (Jonathan), Penny Newsome (Lisa and Shawn), Bob McClelland (Mark), Sam Proctor (Nicole and Family), Scott and Meg Rogers (Jackie and Dave), Hiede Sowdon (Dylan), and The Yarbroughs (Randy).
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This Week’s Calendar
For complete details, including locations and descriptions of events, please visit
www.gracepresby.org; or call the Church Office, 703-451-2900.
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
25
OFFICE CLOSED
8:00 p.m.
Outside Group
26 OFFICE
CLOSED
10:00 a.m. Outside
Group
27
28
29
30
9:30 a.m.
Help the
Homeless
Meetup
31 10:30 a.m.
Worship
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WE ARE VERY GLAD YOU CHOSE TO WORSHIP WITH US TODAY! PLEASE SIGN OUR FRIENDSHIP REGISTER SO THAT WE CAN GREET 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 pews and 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 third-graders. 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 in the Bridges to Worship Room (Room 14). Please return worship bags to the basket in the Narthex, 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 our mission form throughout the year. If you would like to attend an introductory class or have an interest in membership at Grace, please speak to one of our pastors or contact Elder Joe Miller, [email protected].
FUTURE EVENT - Guests may want to mark the date for a Spring event with Walter
Brueggemann, who will be our guest the weekend of April 20-22.
PLEASE ASK ANYONE FOR HELP OR DIRECTIONS!
The Church Office will be closed in observance of
Christmas on December 25 and December 26. If you experience
an emergency, leave a message, and a pastor will return your call.
Session and Board contact information is posted in the church office and on the
church website.
GRACE WEEKDAY
PRESCHOOL
The Preschool is a Christian-based ministry and developmental program for children aged 2 to 4. Classrooms are designed as learning centers, of-fering students a unique “hands-on” learning adventure. Call the Pre-school for information or a tour. Registration begins on January 2. An Open House is on January 19.
