A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP The Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2009 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. *All who are able may stand. Bold type spoken by the congregation

GATHERING. . .

The Prelude

The Welcome and Announcements

The Introit “Light of Light” Nancy Giffford

Covenant Choir

The Call To Worship Lighting the Advent Candle

The Prayer of Adoration

Holy God, You are our strength and might. You alone are our salvation.

We will call upon Your name and give You our thanks as we make known all

Your deeds. We exalt Your name by telling and retelling the good news of

Your redeeming presence: our holy God, You are great in our midst. Alleluia.

Amen!

*The Hymn 8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”

*The Prayer of Confession

Expectant God, we confess that our first instinct is to flee from grace, from

peace, from generosity. We confess that we are eager to flee from Your desire

that we will plant justice, from Your hope that we will bear mercy, from Your

request that we will feed the world love. Forgive us our cowardice. Fill us

with the fire of Your yearning. Fill us with the refreshing breath of good

news. Fill us with Your own expectation until our repentance is genuine and

our transformation complete. . . . (time for silent confession). . .

*The Choral Response

*The Assurance of Pardon

*The Gloria Patri p. 579 in the Hymnal

*The Peace and Greeting

The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you! (Please exchange this ancient greeting with worshippers seated near you. Please stand to greet one another in the name of Christ.)

TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. . .

The Prayer for Illumination

The Old Testament Lesson: Zephaniah 3:14-20 p. 1073 in the pew Bible

The Psalter Lesson: Isaiah 12:2-6 p. 785 in the pew Bible

The Anthem “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Gustav Holst

The Gospel Lesson: Luke 3:7-18 p. 73 in the pew Bible

A Moment With the Children

*The Hymn 409 “Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice”

The Epistle Lesson: Philippians 4:4-7 p. 242 in the pew Bible

The Sermon “Wish List”

Patrick Dennis

TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD. . . *The Apostles’ Creed p. 14 in the Hymnal

The Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

The Lord's Prayer p. 16 in the Hymnal

The Service of Offering

The Gathering of Our Gifts

The Offertory

*The Doxology and Prayer of Dedication Doxology, p. 592 in the Hymnal

Generous God, receive back these gifts that came first from You. Receive

the second coat, the extra cans of food, the fair portion needed by a sister or

brother. Receive hearts that can become fountains of abundance. Receive

hands that can become builders of hope. Receive minds that can become

havens of dignity for the outcast. Receive mouths that can speak words of

peace. Receive all that we are and all that we can become as Your servant

community. Amen.

TO GO FORTH AND SERVE IN GOD’S NAME.

*The Hymn 15 “Rejoice! Rejoice Believers”

*The Charge & Benediction

*The Postlude

The Presbyterian Church Fredericksburg, Virginia

The Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor

The Rev. Patrick Dennis, Associate Pastor

E. Bruce Harvey, Jr., Coordinator of Christian Education

Sarah Dennis, Director of Youth Ministry

Mary Ann & Larry Casey, Choirmasters

Amy L. Shirk, Organist

The Rev. Terry N. Diebold, Parish Associate

December 13, 2009

Rejoice in the LordRejoice in the LordRejoice in the LordRejoice in the Lord alwaysalwaysalwaysalways

Again I will say, RejoiceAgain I will say, RejoiceAgain I will say, RejoiceAgain I will say, Rejoice

MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES 12/13-20

Today (12/13)

Manse Open House 2:00 - 4:00pm Sacred Dance Advent Study, MH 4:00pm Sacred Dance, U 5:00pm Youth Choir, Choir Room 5:15pm Youth Supper/Groups, Various Rooms 6:00pm Session, MH 7:00pm

Monday (12/14)

Newsletter Article Deadline

Circle of Joy Meeting & Luncheon, CP 10:00am

Tuesday (12/15)

Men’s Breakfast, Bob Evans 7:30am

Wednesday (12/16)

Covenant Group, MH 7:00 am Covenant Group, CP 9:30 am Meditation Group, CP 6:30pm

Thursday (12/17)

Handbells, S 6:00pm

Adult Choir, Choir Rm 7:30pm

Saturday (12/19)

Angel Tree Gift Delivery (Sr. High) 9:00am Community Dinner, FH 2:00pm

Next Sunday (12/20) Sacred Dance Advent Study, MH 4:00pm Lessos & Carols, Sanctuary 4:30pm Sacred Dance, U 5:00pm Youth Choir, Choir Room 5:15pm Youth Supper/Groups Various Rooms 6:00pm 20 Somethings, MH 7:00pm

Location Key:

FH: Fellowship Hall U: Undercroft

CP: Church Parlor MH: Middle House

EB: Education Building CN: Cradle Nursery

B i r t h d a y s this Week

14. Susie Gillespie, Kay Lanceley,

Kevin Pickett, Joanne Robb,

Tristin Fidler, Laura Eubanks,

JoAnn Robinson

15. Joe Cralle, Elizabeth Piersall

16. Barbara Atkinson, Carol

Johnson

17. Caitlin Weinstein, Mitchell

Spinnanger, Gray Dameron, III,

Isabel Steven, Patrick Dennis

18. Sherry Atkinson, Mike

Sidebotham, Kelly Rapkins,

19. Schuyler Sweet,

20. Martha Helmen, Frances Russo,

Stephanie Brown

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 810 Princess Anne Street

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 373-7057 FAX (540) 370-0210

www.fredericksburgpc.org

Stewards of God’s good Earth. Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper

Hospital Visitor 12/13-19

Sally Edwards (373-4694)

Fall/Winter Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am to 4:30pm Friday: 9am to 12noon

Lectionary Readings for Next Sunday, December 20, 2009

Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 80:1-7

Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

December 13, 2009 THE WORSHIP OF GOD 8:30 and 11:00 am

We are delighted to have visitors worship with us!

To aid you in our liturgy, we want to acquaint you with

our following custom: In the Lord’s Prayer, we use the

words, “Forgive us our debts… our debtors.” We encour-

age you to stand for singing if you are able as the organ

sounds the first note of introduction. When appropriate to

the hymn, the organist and choir will lead the congrega-

tion in singing, “Amen.”

Assistive listening devices (amplified earphones and

telecoilneckloops), large print bulletins and hymnals

are available from the ushers.

Child Care is provided in the Education Building for in-

fants through Kindergarten.

All worshippers are encouraged to sign the Attendance/

Friendship pad, greet your friends, and welcome visitors.

The flowers today are given by The Green Family in loving

memory of G. Graham Green, III, loving husband, father,

grandfather.

Capsule of Concern: Roberta Mealey, Ruth Moffitt, Tillie

Paul, Louise Garrison Monroe, Ann Warner

Service Attendants

Liturgist Sarah Dennis

8:30 AM Sanctuary Guild Linda Spratt

Greeters The Raines Family, John Statler

Ushers Bob Hornbuckle, Marjolijn Bijlefeld, Pete & Jane Kolakowski

11:00 AM Sanctuary Guild Sheila Baker

Greeters Carter & Donna Hudgins, The Rapkins Family

Ushers Gary & Doreen Vaughn, Charles & Tricia McDaniel

Nursery Attendants: Carol Putnam, Judy Han-sen, Scott Fischer, Jacob McAllister, Jacob Coffman, Will Hamilton, Becca Fisher, Jordan Leek

Worship

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received each Sunday of Advent. You will find envelopes

in the pews and in your offering boxes at home. The Joy Offering helps supplement incomes of

retired and disabled church professionals and their families; and provides scholarship and support

to Presbyterian racial ethnic colleges and schools. Please read the insert in today’s bulletin and

listen to the minute for mission.

Missions

The Micah Hospitality Center shopping cart is here. Our 2nd & 3rd grade Sunday School classes

have decorated the cart. The children of these classes along with the preschool through 1st grade

classes invite members to join them in bringing underwear, socks, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine

hygiene, batteries, thermal underwear, hand warmers, soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream,

gloves, and warm hats. The cart will be located on the top floor of the Education building and will

be here through December 20.

Our church has been asked to assist with the refurbishing of a house for Habitat for Humanity.

The closing on the house took place this week and we are ready to proceed. The work will include

flooring, painting, drywall, fencing, general cleanup and more. If you are interested please contact

Bob Snow at 710-2432 or bsnow@hotmail.com. A work day is scheduled for December, 19.

For those who ordered coffee, tea, chocolate, etc from Equal Exchange, the items should be in by

the middle of this week. Orders will be divided out the with your names on them and may be

picked up from Bruce Harvey’s office. The roasted pecans are on back order but hopefully will be

here before Christmas. Extra cans of hot cocoa mix, and 2 lb bags of Breakfast Blend coffee will

be available (these items are only shipped by the case). Peanut orders are in Bruce’s Office.

Youth

Youth Group Meets Tonight:

Senior High will go to Wal-Mart to buy Angel Tree gifts and white elephant gifts. Bring $3

for white elephant and $10 for Angel Tree. Angel Tree delivery will be next Saturday, Decem-

ber 19, at 9:00 a.m. Meet in the church parking lot.

Middle School will stay here at the church. Next week is our white elephant, so bring a gift

and remember, there is a $3 limit on it!

Angel Tree gifts are due today! Please bring them to the sanctuary.

Newsletter

Items for the January 2010 Lamp, are due tomorrow, cjforsing@fredericksburgpc.org.

Thank You

We thank Merry Egge for her work on the Advent Workshop last Sunday. A great time was had

by all who came. We thank all the volunteers who helped with the different crafts.

Christian Education

What We Believe Sunday School Class topic for today: Stewardship. Topic for next Sunday,

December 20: Mission.

Sunday School will follow regular schedule through December 20. Sunday School will recess

December 27 and January 3. There will be a brunch on January 10 to begin a new semester at

9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All food will be provided.

A Year with the Bible booklets are available at a table outside the sanctuary after both services.

The booklets offer daily Bible readings through the year, including the Lectionary passages used

in Sunday worship.

Dishwashers needed for Wednesday Night Dinners February 4 - March 31, time commitment is

6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. or less depending on the number of dinner attendees. Please contact Krista

Samson, kwsamson@gmail.com or 373-4119 to sign up. Come for environmental responsibil-

ity, stay for Fun and Fellowship!

Fellowship Events & Small Groups

The Empty Nesters will gather for a Christmas and welcome back party for Karen & David

Johnson on Saturday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Pete & Jane Kolakowski

(10706 Joshua Lane). Please bring hors d’oeuvres to share along with beverage of choice.

Please let Pete & Jane (374-0476) know by December 13, if you plan to come.

Building & Grounds

Ever wondered who locks up the middle building, church house, and education building after

Sunday's worship is over? Well, we have a small team of volunteers on the Buildings and

Grounds Committee who individually perform lock-up duty, each serving one month at a time.

Our numbers have dwindled, so we can use additional volunteers to perform this important duty.

It only takes about 30 minutes to do the job, and training is available. For further information,

please contact Harry Farley at: vtprosim@aol.com, or via phone at 371-2631. A number of op-

portunities exist including the months of July through December 2010, act quickly or your favor-

ite month might be taken.