DEEPLY ROOTED IN FAITH (*forthoseabletostand)

PRELUDE

WELCOMEANDANNOUNCEMENTS

ChORALiNTROiT

LighTiNgOfThEPEACEADvENTCANDLELeader:OnthisfourthSundayofAdvent,welooktothesteadfastgod... All: Let us pray: Eternal and all-powerful God, we thank you for the covenant of love that binds us together. Even when we lose hope and turn away from you, you reach out to us; you make whole our brokenness. Even from the fragments of our lives, you weave a tapestry of great beauty. Nothing is impossible with you. You have prepared a place for us—let us not rest until we find our way home and rest in you. Amen.

*OPENiNgSONgHark! The Herald Angels SingPh#31

PRAYEROfCONfESSiON(unison)O Holy Lord of hope, in this season of holy anticipation, hear us as we come to you with humble hearts. You created us to feel the deep joy of your presence and to share in the wonders of your love. You created us to be people of prayer, to be people who discover you in prayer and grow deeper in our love of you through prayer. You created us to be people of awe and wonder who look around our lives and discover your presence everywhere, bringing light and life to everything. You created us to be all of these, yet we can become so wrapped up in the struggles of life that we shut out you and your joy. We can become so busy that we never pray, let alone discover you in prayer. We can become so focused on this and that, that we never look up from our lives to discover your mystery all around us. (continued)

fourthSundayinAdventDecember18,2011

firstPresbyterianChurchencouragespeopletolivetheirlivesfaithfully,daily,wheretheyare,andwithwhattheyhavebeenentrusted,tothegloryofgod.

Ourmissionistoletourlightshineandbebeaconsofhope,equippingpeopleforlifeintheworld.

Touch our hearts this morning so that we can become people of joy, prayer, and gratitude who shine with your presence. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen (silent prayers of confession)

ASSURANCEOfPARDONLeader:friends,believethegoodnewsofthegospel: All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God.

CALLTOOffERiNgOffERTORY

(Please sign the Act of Friendship pad and pass it down the pew)

*DOXOLOgY(No.592)

gREATPRAYEROfThANKSgiviNg(responsive)Leader: TheLordbewithyou.People: And also with you.Leader: Liftupyourhearts.People: We lift them to the Lord.Leader: LetusgivethankstotheLordourgod.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

*hYMNAngels We Have Heard on High Ph#23

The Christmas SongThe Christmas Song

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

My Savior and My Son

A Decree and a Journey

Angel Announcement

A Visit to Herod

Who Would Imagine a King?

Joy Joy with the Christmas Song

*ChARgEANDBENEDiCTiON CongregationalResponse

"Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo"

*POSTLUDE

Welcome!Wearedelightedforyourpresenceinworshiptoday.ifyoudonothaveachurchhome,wehopeyouwillconsiderbecomingapartofthischurch!Pleasecometotheparlorforrefreshmentsandfellowshipfollowingworship.

LightingtheAdventCandlethismorningarenewfPCmembersBrian,Kendi,Madi&MakenziCarlgren.

ThankyoutotheChancelChoirandthemusiciansfortheirparticipationinworshiptoday!

Chancel Choir:StanAmick,A.JayAndersen,JohnBarber,JohnBoyd,Bill&RuthCathcart-Rake,Jameshall,Jimhawley,ConnieJohnson,Denice&RobertJustus,AnnKnowles,CyndyKnutson,RoJeanLoucks,Andy&JanelleMartin,garryMontre,RichardMorrison,MarjMorrow,DickRenfro,JonRichards,BobStinson,glenStovall,MaryAnneWeiner,CarolynWedel,MaralynWilliams;DirectedbyRichardKoshgarian.

Soloists:CarolynExline,Jimhawley,Krishanzlicek,glenStovall,MaryAnneWeiner,AlexWyatt.

Musicians:violins-DougBeyer,MandaDeegan,CortlandMahoney,andWendyMoshierviolas-SarahSchaeffer,CatherineRominger;Cellos-EricaPinkstonandhannahKo-shgarian;flute-PaulaPatterson;horn-BradenBruntzel;Trumpets-JaredandDianaChaseTrombones-AnngeorgeandJacobJohansen;guitar-JesseSmith;Timpani-KeithWhelchel;Drums-DavidWeiner;Keyboard-AngieKoshgarian.

LeadPastor:Jim Hawley Discipleship&CongregationalCarePastor:Tom Reid AssociatePastorofYouth&Mission: Austin AshenbrennerMusicDirector:Richard KoshgarianOrganist: Angie Koshgarian

firstPresbyterianChurch:308S8thSt Salina,KS67401 785-825-0226

visitwww.fpcsalina.orgforrecordedworshipservices,currenteventsandmore!

FOR YOuR INFORMATION:• fPC’sNursery, locatedon thesecondfloor, isavailable for infantsandchil-drenages5andyounger.• fPC encourages children ages 6 andoldertoattendworship.Worshipbagsforchildrenofallagesare located inthelobby.• Bibles and large print hymnals areavailableinthebackofthesanctuary• Amplified hearing aid devices areavailablefromanusher• Ph=Presbyterianhymnal, Sf=Sing thefaithhymnal

DEACON CARE MINISTRY:• Tan “Prayer Request” Cards are used forprayerrequests.Asrequestsarereceived,theBoardofDeaconswillofferprayers.

• Blue“WeCare”Cardsareformessagesofcaretopersonsofthecongregation.Cards are available in the pew racks.Please place the cards in the offeringplate.

Hospitalized & Dismissed: NormMorrow

SuNDAY VOLuNTEERS:Coffee Hosts: Craig&DeannaRenfroGreeters: Clark&AmberRenfrofamily ToniRenfroushers: Terry&PortiaBakker Matt&TriciaCobbfamilyDavid&AnnPayne

Manor Bus Driver:BrandongaryFlower Deliverer: DeaconsWorship Service Recorder:J.R.Lidgett

COMING uP THIS WEEK:Sunday, Dec 18:

following worship...PoinsettiaDelivery,followingworshipinquirer'sClass,ConfRm,11:30amYthgrpgraduateReunion,Shetlar's,7:00pm

Monday, Dec 19:StaffMtg,1:15pmPastoralStaffMtg,2:15pmBoyScouts,Blairhall,6:30pmWedWorshipBandPractice,7:30pm

Tuesday, Dec 20:Cares&Concerns,hopeRm,10:30amfaithMatters,ConfRm,12:00pmLgeWomenvoters,hopeRm,5:15pmCubScouts,Blairhall,6:30pm

Wednesday, Dec 21:WedMeal,Blairhall,5:30pm(bringyourown!)LectionaryClass,hopeRm,5:30pmWorship,Chapel,6:15pmChoirPractice,ChoirRm,7:00pm

Thursday, Dec 22:SrhighYthProgressiveBreakfast,8:00amTrustees,ConfRm,12:00pmCoffeegroup,ConfRm,3:00pm

Saturday, Dec 24:ChristmasEveServices5:00pm&11:00pm

Sunday, Dec 25:Worship,Sanctuary,10:15am

Christian Ed Schedule:AllCEProgramswilltakeabreakovertheholidays.WednesdayProgramswillresumeWed,Jan4andSundayprogramswillresumeSunday,Jan8.

Poinsettias 2011First Presbyterian ChurCh

Our thanks to the persons listed below who have provided the poinsettia plants in the Sanctuary today and for the Christmas Eve services:

JamesR.Allen,inmemoryofJaniceAllenandDestryAllenTerry&PortiaBakker,inhonorofhannahElaine,Jaime&LeeBakker,

andWillBakkerDanny&MarshaBerg,inmemoryofAllysonBerg,andinhonorofLindsey,

McKayla&DerekBerggene&PeggyBihlmaier,inhonorofourchildren,Doug,Steve,Pam,

Sheryl&TinaKayBloom&CheriParr,inmemoryofBarbaraBloomvirgilBowman&children,inmemoryofDorothyBowmanShannon&JoBuchanan,inhonoroftheirfamilyJan&garyDenning,inmemoryofJackhowardandAliceDenningSarah&DavidandCathyDenning,inhonorofShirleyhowardgeorgeE.Dolezal,inmemoryofRuthE.DolezalMary&BobExline,inmemoryofMary’sbrother,Budhannaford,andinhonor

ofRob,Kelli,Will&CarolynExline,DavidExline,AmosBracero,Jean,Scott&Tomfredrickson

Marjoriefackler,inmemoryofLylefacklerandNealfacklervirginiafrederick&family,inmemoryofBobfrederickJim&Marjoriegeisendorf,inmemoryofJackgeisendorf,andinhonorof

Judy&CharlieAdamsRichard&Rosemarygibson,inmemoryofourparents,hallie&JerryPlouffe,

andgenevieve&RobertgibsonRongreen&family,inlovingmemoryofSuegreen,andinhonorofmy

daughters&families,grand-children,andgreatgrand-childrenKris&Marcyhanzlicek,inmemoryofRobertfrederick,MaryLynnfrederick&

Larryhanzlicek,andinhonorofvirginiafrederick&EllenhanzlicekRandyhardy,inmemoryofRev.DavidP.hardyThehogartyfamily,inmemoryofMarlana&StevehogartyBill&MarilynholgersonShirley&family,inmemoryofJackhowardharry&AnnJett,inhonorofoursons,daughter-in-lawsand“grands”ConnieJohnson&family,inmemoryofgeorgeJohnsonTheJohnsonfamily,inmemoryofMerlSturd&Montyfey

Robert&DeniceJustus,inhonoroftheirwonderfulchildren,Sophie,Lexie,Addie&Barkley

PhilKrug,Katie,Ashley&JackJarvis,andAlana&AlexKrug,inmemoryofglendaKrug

TheLandesfamily,inmemoryofJohn&MargaretLandesandDon&verdaJones

Bud&gwenLarson,inmemoryofourparents,helen&WarrenPickardandAgnes&OscarLarson

ClaraD.Leiker,inhonorofallofmyfamilyJimmie&MitzieLewis,inhonorofourfamilyNancy&AubreyLinvilleBeth&DennisLull,inmemoryofLinton&RuthLull,andTerryS.BrownBeth&DennisLull,inhonorofMillsKincaidO’Rourkeborn11-18-11,sister

Maeve,CousinsCade,Kasdan,harper&EvaBeth&DennisLull,inhonorofK.C.&RyanO’Rourke,BrianandLindseyLull&

KevinandJamieLullJanMcAninchWhite,inmemoryofveraMcAninch,andinhonorof

LeRoyMcAninch(93yearsold,inK.C.nursinghome)gary&KathyMelander,inmemoryofJim&DoloresMcKim,andCarol,

Everett&ChristopherAbercrombieTodd&AmandaMichaelis,inhonorofCarson&MollyMichaelis&

hectorQuezadaClaire&NateMiller,inmemoryoftheirformerbabysitter,LucilleMeltonSissy&RogerMorrison,inmemoryofJack,Michael&NathalieMaloney,and

MiltonMorrison,andinhonorofgagaSarah,Dave,Amanda,Abby&MacKenzieMorris,inmemoryof

Esther&AmosMorrisLillianMowery,inmemoryofBill,andinhonorofTrey,Kim&hunterBarbNeustrom,inhonorofAlbertaParamorePat&BarbNeustrom,inmemoryofWillys&gerryNeustrom,andin

honorofElliot,Max&grahamTheKenNordboefamily,inmemoryofKenNordboefrank&JeanneNorton,inhonorofourchildrenandgrandchildrenDave&AnnPayne,inmemoryofMaxine&howardCoyneandBarbara

Payne,andinhonorofElla,Sam,Tom,Jackson,Sophie,Watson,Owen&EmeryPayne

Sid&SusyReitz,inmemoryofRalph&LucilleReitz

Clark,Amber,Addison,Mallory&ClaireRenfro,inmemoryofRichard“giddi”henry,Walter&fernPfanenstiel,andCol.John&MaxineKindlesparger(grandparents),andinhonorofDick“Papa”andToni“Sitti”Renfro

Dick&ToniRenfro,inhonorofAddison,Mallory,Claire,Katie&CodyDick&ToniRenfro,inhonorofCraig&DeannaRenfro,CaryRenfro,

andClark&AmberRenfroDick&ToniRenfro,inmemoryofgene&BerniceRenfro,andLizzie&

DickhenryMarthaRhea,inhonorofAndieglennaRheaDave,Ellen&BruceRobb,inmemoryofMildredh.RobbBob&LindaSalem,inmemoryofBobSalem,Sr.andRayMoederLeonardSchmidt,inmemoryofDannetteE.SchmidtJim&BetsyScholten,inhonorofkindandcaringfriends&familyRosalieShort&families,inmemoryofgeorgeW.ShortBillSiebert,inmemoryofMr.&Mrs.O.A.SiebertBillSiebert,inhonorofSgt.TimSiebertEleanorSmith&family,inmemoryofMaxSmithBillveitch,inmemoryofWilliamJ.&francesveitchMaryAnne&garyWeiner,inhonoroftheCaresandConcernsCommittee

offPCwhichincludesAnnCoddington,JoyMansfield,ivyMarsh,AnnNordboeandMargieWilson

SearaWeir,inlovingmemoryofJohn,andinhonorofmygrandchildren&greatgrandchildren

MaralynWilliams,inhonorofmyfamilyBruce&MargaretWyatt,inmemoryoffannieWhitneyCharlie&BevZizumbo,inhonorofourchildren,grandchildrenand

greatgrandchildren

Help is needed in assisting the Deacons in delivering the poinsettia plants to designated members and friends of the church following the service. If you can help, please come to the steps of the Chancel follow-ing the service. If you are traveling out of town and would be willing to deliver a plant, please come to the chancel area following worship and inform one of the Deacons. Thank you!

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HopeHelp and

For the person who has every-thing stop by our Living Gift Market in the parlor during Advent and “purchase” alter-natives to commercial gifts. You will receive a card that you can give to the people you have honored.

We would like to be able to contribute $5000.00 to Heifer this Christmas. To read more about Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org. If you prefer to make a monetary do-nation, it can be placed in the collection plate or given to the church office.

The Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will be distributed equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to support student scholarships at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Look for the offering enve-lopes located in the pews.

The Social Justice and Mis-sion Committee is excited to present a new opportunity to make a real impact in the Sa-lina community all year long. Each season of the year we'll have a new mission project. This Advent season, we will collect diapers, socks, toi-let paper and other winter clothing items that will ben-efit the families at the Ashby House.

We hope that you will join in our excitement as we look for ways to offer help and hope to others in our community each and every month.

Intentional Christmas from Social Justice & Mission Committee

This is the last Sunday for the Heifer International table in the Parlor, so get your items today! We'd also like to be able to deliver the much

needed items to the Ashby House as soon as possible. Bring your donated items in by this Friday, Dec 23! As always, you may make a monetary contribution to any of these offerings.

Call the church office if you have any questions! Merry Christmas!

For the person who has every-thing stop by our Living Gift Market in the parlor during Advent and “purchase” alter-natives to commercial gifts. You will receive a card that you can give to the people you have honored.

We would like to be able to contribute $5000.00 to Heifer this Christmas. To read more about Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org. If you prefer to make a monetary do-nation, it can be placed in the collection plate or given to the church office.

The Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will be distributed equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to support student scholarships at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Look for the offering enve-lopes located in the pews.

The Social Justice and Mis-sion Committee is excited to present a new opportunity to make a real impact in the Sa-lina community all year long. Each season of the year we'll have a new mission project. This Advent season, we will collect diapers, socks, toi-let paper and other winter clothing items that will ben-efit the families at the Ashby House.

We hope that you will join in our excitement as we look for ways to offer help and hope to others in our community each and every month.

Intentional Christmas from Social Justice & Mission Committee

This is the last Sunday for the Heifer International table in the Parlor, so get your items today! We'd also like to be able to deliver the much

needed items to the Ashby House as soon as possible. Bring your donated items in by this Friday, Dec 23! As always, you may make a monetary contribution to any of these offerings.

Call the church office if you have any questions! Merry Christmas!

This material is from the weekly "Feasting on the Word" Lectionary class led by Discipleship and Congre-gational Care Pastor Tom Reid. This Wednesday's class will be held at 5:30pm, and there will be no class on Sunday, Dec 25, Wed Dec 28, and Sunday, Jan 1.

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press

AdultResource Sheet 1

6

Focus on Luke 1:26–38

2 Sam. 7:1–11, 16Luke 1:46b–55Rom. 16:25–27Luke 1:26–38

DECEMBER 18, 2011

WHAT is important to know? — From “Exegetical Perspective,” Lewis R. Donelson

In many ways, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of the coming miraculous birth of Jesus reads almost exactly like the announcements of the wondrous births of Ishmael (Gen. 16:7–13), Isaac (Gen. 17:1–21; 18:1–15), Samson (Judges 13:3–20), and most obviously John the Baptist (Luke 1:8–20). This announcement is, of course, the second announcement of miraculous birth in the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel appears not only to Mary but, in 1:8–20, to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Thus, this passage is part of Luke’s careful interweaving of John the Baptist and Jesus, in which John serves largely in the role of Elijah preparing for the day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5). Luke emphasizes John’s special calling and high status, while carefully elevating Jesus above John.

WHERE is God in these words? — From “Theological Perspective,” Cynthia L. Rigby

Mary has the reputation of being in perfect sync with God, responding to God’s command in absolute obedience. She is the “blessed one” who is called by God to bear the Christ child, the “servant of the Lord” who desires that God’s will come to fruition, even in and through her. Mary recognizes what all Christian believers must recognize—that we, creatures before the Creator God, are incapable, in and of ourselves, of accomplishing God’s will, but we can be instruments of God’s will.

SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? — From “Pastoral Perspective,”

Ashley Cook Cleere

Mary’s puzzlement grants permission to take time to adjust to astonishing news, to question whether or not trials and tragedies, or God’s magnificent promises, are for real, and to contemplate potential repercussions. The query “How can this be?” is a reverberating refrain that shapes our faith by reminding us how much is hidden from us. The exclamation of these four words may well signify the nearness of God. Perhaps Mary’s words deliver God’s Christmas wish, that followers of Christ will believe that nothing is impossible with God, and invite the Holy Spirit to work through them to attain miracles. NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do? — From “Homiletical Perspective,”

Kimberly Bracken Long

God’s coming reign of justice and favor for all people is embodied in God’s choosing to pour out the divine Spirit upon Mary, even within her, to bring about salvation for the whole world. That’s the sort of good news that we can hardly conjure up on our own. Dare we proclaim that God breaks in, to restore, reveal, and redeem the mess we have made of the world? Dare we proclaim that God’s gospel of justice and peace may turn our world upside down—and that this news is very, very good?

This material is from the weekly "Feasting on the Word" Lectionary class led by Discipleship and Congre-gational Care Pastor Tom Reid. This Wednesday's class will be held at 5:30pm, and there will be no class on Sunday, Dec 25, Wed Dec 28, and Sunday, Jan 1.

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press

AdultResource Sheet 1

6

Focus on Luke 1:26–38

2 Sam. 7:1–11, 16Luke 1:46b–55Rom. 16:25–27Luke 1:26–38

DECEMBER 18, 2011

WHAT is important to know? — From “Exegetical Perspective,” Lewis R. Donelson

In many ways, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of the coming miraculous birth of Jesus reads almost exactly like the announcements of the wondrous births of Ishmael (Gen. 16:7–13), Isaac (Gen. 17:1–21; 18:1–15), Samson (Judges 13:3–20), and most obviously John the Baptist (Luke 1:8–20). This announcement is, of course, the second announcement of miraculous birth in the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel appears not only to Mary but, in 1:8–20, to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Thus, this passage is part of Luke’s careful interweaving of John the Baptist and Jesus, in which John serves largely in the role of Elijah preparing for the day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5). Luke emphasizes John’s special calling and high status, while carefully elevating Jesus above John.

WHERE is God in these words? — From “Theological Perspective,” Cynthia L. Rigby

Mary has the reputation of being in perfect sync with God, responding to God’s command in absolute obedience. She is the “blessed one” who is called by God to bear the Christ child, the “servant of the Lord” who desires that God’s will come to fruition, even in and through her. Mary recognizes what all Christian believers must recognize—that we, creatures before the Creator God, are incapable, in and of ourselves, of accomplishing God’s will, but we can be instruments of God’s will.

SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? — From “Pastoral Perspective,”

Ashley Cook Cleere

Mary’s puzzlement grants permission to take time to adjust to astonishing news, to question whether or not trials and tragedies, or God’s magnificent promises, are for real, and to contemplate potential repercussions. The query “How can this be?” is a reverberating refrain that shapes our faith by reminding us how much is hidden from us. The exclamation of these four words may well signify the nearness of God. Perhaps Mary’s words deliver God’s Christmas wish, that followers of Christ will believe that nothing is impossible with God, and invite the Holy Spirit to work through them to attain miracles. NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do? — From “Homiletical Perspective,”

Kimberly Bracken Long

God’s coming reign of justice and favor for all people is embodied in God’s choosing to pour out the divine Spirit upon Mary, even within her, to bring about salvation for the whole world. That’s the sort of good news that we can hardly conjure up on our own. Dare we proclaim that God breaks in, to restore, reveal, and redeem the mess we have made of the world? Dare we proclaim that God’s gospel of justice and peace may turn our world upside down—and that this news is very, very good?

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press

AdultResource Sheet 2

7

DECEMBER 18, 2011

The Birth Announcements of John and Jesus

Note where the following occurs in each story: Luke 1:5–23 Luke 1:26–38

Appearance ofdivine �gure

Fear or confusionof recipient

Reassurance/Message ofdivine �gure

Objection of recipient

Concluding message ofdivine �gure

Response of recipient

Respond to the following questions:

What are the similarities and differences between the two stories?

What signi�cance do you �nd in the similarities and differences?

How does Elizabeth’s pregnancy serve as a sign to Mary? (See Luke 1:36–37.)

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press

AdultResource Sheet 2

7

DECEMBER 18, 2011

The Birth Announcements of John and Jesus

Note where the following occurs in each story: Luke 1:5–23 Luke 1:26–38

Appearance ofdivine �gure

Fear or confusionof recipient

Reassurance/Message ofdivine �gure

Objection of recipient

Concluding message ofdivine �gure

Response of recipient

Respond to the following questions:

What are the similarities and differences between the two stories?

What signi�cance do you �nd in the similarities and differences?

How does Elizabeth’s pregnancy serve as a sign to Mary? (See Luke 1:36–37.)