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Friday, May 09, 2008 ..:: Sunday Worship, December 16, 2007 ::.. Register  Login

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Third Sunday of Advent

 
Lessons and Carols
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 Due to the sensitive nature of prayer requests, our prayer list below is available to members only.
 A Note from the Associate Pastor Minimize

  And a great good morning to you!

 

I feel so blessed to announce that the Rev. Dr. Bill Bowers will join our staff in January as our Interim Senior Pastor – affirmed by Central Florida Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry and approved by the CommPres Session, or Board of Elders, last week. God willing, his first day in the pulpit will be January 6.
 
Those of you who attended our annual Savoring the Season event – for which elders and staff prepare and serve a delicious spread of food – had a chance to meet Bill (then a prospective Interim) and his lovely wife Joannie. If you didn’t get to meet him, here’s some quick info.
 
For the last 14 years Bill has served as Senior Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska – a thriving congregation of more than 1,200 members. He serves on the Board at Princeton Theological Seminary and is former president of Presbyterians for Renewal. He’s a fine preacher, and his sermons have been broadcast across four states.
 
While all of those elements make for an impressive resume, I’m more impressed by his approachability. He’s warm and smart and fun – and he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. That last is always a good thing in my book!
 
During get-to-know-you meetings with our Session and staff, we learned of Bill’s passion for men’s ministry as well as for children’s and youth ministry, adult nurture and Stephen Ministry. He’s got a pastor’s heart and he loves the Lord! To a person, our staff voiced an immediate connection.
 
All of us will be learning more about Bill as he settles in Celebration next month and assumes leadership. Please pray for him and dear Joannie … and please remember that he is not and will not be perfect (which means he’ll fit in just fine!). He’ll be finding his way around … learning our “style” … He’ll be growing in his technological savvy … He’ll be learning and forgetting and re-learning names … He’ll do things that feel “different” – and we will all grow together! I’m excited about this next leg of our church’s journey– and eager to learn from my new colleague.
 
As we await Bill’s arrival, please join me in thanking our amazing staff – Karen Cooper, Cheryl Davis, Shaun Hartsell, Marcy Kraft, Greg Schroeder, Susan Silva, Michele Swanson, JoAnn Tennant and our faithful volunteer receptionists Pat Miller, Pam Moeller, Julie DiCicco, Gloria-Ann Ford, Barbara Moran (and several other standby assistants!) – for their extraordinary efforts during the in-between time. They have blessed me – and this church – beyond words.
 
Remember the truth, my friends: You are loved,
 

Nancy Graham Ogne
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 Order of Worship December 16, 2007 Minimize

 

Chiming of the Hour
Call to Worship                                                                                                                 Nancy Graham Ogne
Lighting of the Advent Candles
The Candle of Joy
8:30 Ben and Cindy Smith
11:00 Tom, Mitzi and Meghan Riegler
▲ Hymn No. 251 (vs 1, 2, 4)                                                                 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
▲Reconnecting to God                                                                                                        Shaun Hartsell
God of grace and God of glory, we come this morning and confess our need for You in our lives. From the Hebrew prophets to Your Son Jesus Christ, You have called Your people to live in love with one another, showing justice and mercy along with patience and forbearance. We look at Jesus and are reminded how far short we fall in fulfilling the Great Commandment. We fail to love You, our neighbor, or ourselves. And yet, we look at Jesus and we are reminded how far You reach to wrap us in Your arms of grace and peace. In Your mercy, please forgive us. Let it be. Amen.
Moments with Children                             JoAnn Tennant
After Moments with Children, kids ages 3 years old to 5 are dismissed to Kids Room
Sharing the Story          Quilts for the Homebound               Connie Small
Growing the Family
8:30 Jonathan Andress
11:00 Michele Martinelli
Festival of Lessons and Carols
▲ Carol No. 244                                                                               Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
A Promise to Israel                Isaiah 7.14-16; 11.1-2; 61.1-2                   Nancy Graham Ogne Carol No. 245                                                                                             O Come, O Come Emmanuel
The Annunciation                         Luke 1.26-37                                            Shaun Hartsell
The Song of Mary                     Luke 1.46-57                                                 Laura Stone
Special Music Infant Holy, Infant Lowly                       by Paige               CommPres Handbell Choir
JoyaBellanna Zamora, Accompanist
Jesus Announced to Joseph  Matthew 1.18-25                   Nancy Graham Ogne
▲ Carol No. 249 (vs 1, 2)                                                                O Come, All ye Faithful
The Announcement to the Shepherds      Luke 2.8-20             Shaun Hartsell
Carol No. 277                                                                     Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Visitation of the Magi   Matthew 2.1-12                                 Laura Stone
Special Music     O Holy Night                                                     by Dwight
            Charles Rigby, soloist
Pastoral Prayer                                                                                                    Shaun Hartsell
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever! Amen.
11:00 Congregational Response - All Creation Worships You
The Ritual of Friendship                 
If you are a first or second time guest, we invite you to fill out the Welcome Cards located in the seatbacks. Also, please sign and pass the Friendship Pad at this time.
Offering - Giving to God as God Has Given to Us               
The Offertory                            Christ Came To Bethlehem                                        by Kinyon
    CommPres Vocal Choir
▲The Doxology No. 815

▲ Prayer of Dedication                                                                                          Nancy Graham Ogne

▲ Hymn No. 278                                Angels We Have Heard on High

▲ Invitation & Blessing
▲ Departing in Celebration!            Hymn No. 270 verse 1                                        Joy to the World
  
Go now and be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in a broken and hurting world
 
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