WestminsterPresbyterian ChurchA Telling Presence in the City

We enter this church not as strangers, but as children of God.

Third Sunday of AdventDecember 15, 2019

The Peaceable Kingdom, by John August Swanson, serigraph, 1994The Westminster Collection, on view in the Children’s Library

Welcome to WestminsterWe are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in our worship, mission, and programs. Large-print hymnals, hearing assistance devices, and Hearing Loop information available from ushers.

If you are new to WestminsterParking On Sundays, for those without walking difficulties, please park at Orchestra Hall, 11th St. & Marquette. At Orchestra Hall, take a ticket as you enter the ramp; pick up a parking voucher at Westminster; use both your ticket and voucher to exit the ramp. Westminster Ramp may be ac-cessed from Alice Rainville Place between Marquette and Nicollet Mall. There is also a drop-off area at church on Marquette Avenue.Nursery Care is available for infants through age 3 from 8:15-11:30 am on Sundays.Coffee Hour Join us for fair trade coffee and refreshments after worship in the Commons.Education for all ages, Sundays, 9:15 am Church School (ages 3-high school), Adult Education, Social Justice Forum, Virtues & Values.Membership The next new member class is January 26. To learn more, visit westminstermpls.org/membership or contact Rev. Dr. Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org or Janice Teliczan, jteliczan@wpc-mpls.org.

If you seek to deepen your involvement Faith in Action Get involved in serving and seeking justice. Contact Rev. Alanna Simone Tyler, atyler@wpc-mpls.org.Families, Youth, and Children Connect with children’s/youth choirs, youth group, confirmation, parent offerings, and special events. Contact Rev. Dr. Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org. Fellowship Enjoy fellowship with other members of the church. Contact Rev. Sarah Brouwer, sbrouwer@wpc-mpls.org.

Other worship and prayer opportunitiesPrayer Companions Sundays, after 10:30 am worship, ChapelGathered at Five, Sundays, 5 pm, Westminster Hall Centering Prayer, Wednesdays, noon, Bates Rm.Wednesday Evening Worship: Silence & Song, Wednesdays, 6 pm, Westminster HallQuiet Worship, 3rd Saturday of the month, Bushnell Rm.

Westminster Cares Births, Adoptions, Baptisms Contact Janice Teliczan, jteliczan@wpc-mpls.org.For Pastoral Care Notify Deb Wagner of hospitalization, illness, death, or prayer requests, dwagner@wpc-mpls.org. Blood Pressure Screenings 3rd Sunday, 9-10:30 am, Bushnell; 10:30 am–12 pm, BatesThe Westminster Counseling Center offers pastoral counseling for individuals, couples, families, and children. Visit westminstercounseling.org or call 612.332.7743.

Preparing for the WordOur service begins with the Prelude, inviting us to prepare for worship.

Prelude Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn Kenneth Vigne Es ist ein Ros Johannes Brahms Kenneth Vigne, organ Holly and the Ivy British Carol; Recorder Choir, Brad Ollmann, director

Advent Greeting Meghan K. Gage-FinnOne: The Lord be with you.All: And also with you.

As the morning greeting is offered, please complete the friendship folder found in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor.

A Moment for Christmas Joy Offering Ed Martin

*Call to Worship (from Isaiah 11)One: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,All: the leopard shall lie down with the kid,One: the calf and the lion and the fatling together,All: and a little child shall lead them.One: Let us worship God.

*Processional Hymn No. 107 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn

Anthem Starlight, Star Bright/Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star arr. Brad Ollmann Cherub Choir; Brad Ollmann, director; Karen Wasiluk, flute

Lighting the Advent Candle Carlie Owens, Abby Grabowski, Micah Young Sara Donaldson, Song Lee

Sung Response Hymn No. 103 Come Now, O Prince of Peace (vs. 3)

Advent Prayer (Unison) David ShinnAlmighty God, you have made us to serve you, and to prepare the world for your incarna-tion. Come quickly to save us, so wars and violence shall end, and your children may live in peace, honoring one another with justice and love; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns in power with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

December 15, 2019 10:30 am

* Please stand as you are able.

Listening for the WordHymn O Come Little Children Chorister Chime PlayersFirst time through, chimes only; second time, congregation joins in singing.

O come, little children; O come, one and all. O come to the manger in Bethlehem’s stall. And see what our God in heaven above has sent to us all on this earth with great love.

Children are invited to come forward for A Time with Children during the singing of this hymn.

A Time with Children Sonja DziekciowskiThere is no Children’s Church today. Children are invited to remain in worship.

First Lesson Amos 9:11-15 Campbell Martin

*Hymn No. 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Westminster Youth Choir, Haskel Black, director Choir sings vs. 1; congregation joins on vs. 2

Second Lesson Isaiah 11:1-9 Suh Funwi

*Hymn The Friendly Beasts1. Jesus our brother, strong and good was humbly born in a stable rude And the friendly beasts around him stood - Jesus our brother, strong and good.2. “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried his mother up hill and down; I carried his mother to Bethlehem town.” “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.3. “I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed; I gave him my hay to pillow his head.” “I,” said the cow, all white and red.4. “I” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm; He wore my coat on Christmas morn.” “I,” said the sheep with curly horn.5. “I,” said the dove from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep so that he would not cry; We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I.” “I,” said the dove from the rafters high.6. Thus every beast by some good spell, in the stable dark was glad to tell Of the gift he gave Emmanuel - the gift he gave Emmanuel.

Third Lesson Luke 1:5-13 Nate Stearley

Anthem Infant Holy Polish Carol; arr. Carolyn Jennings Seraphim and Chorister Choirs, Brad Ollmann, director

Fourth Lesson Luke 1:18-25 Hailey FeltOne: This is the Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God.

Anthem Angels We Have Heard on High French Carol

Meditation Dare We Hope? Timothy Hart-Andersen

Responding to the Word*Hymn No. 137 He Came Down

BaptismPresentation of the Baptisands Jock Donaldson*Apostles’ Creed (Unison) Sarah BrouwerI believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, 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 on 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.Pastoral Prayer and the Prayer over the WaterBaptism*Congregational Response (Unison)With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you to Westminster and to the fellowship of Christ’s Church, for we are all one in Christ. We promise to love, encourage, and support you, to share the good news of the gospel with you, to serve that gospel alongside you, and to help you know and follow Christ.

Hymn No. 137 He Came Down (vss. 1-2)

Offertory Sentences Alanna Simone Tyler

Offertory Anthem Fum, Fum, Fum arr. Alice Parker, Robert Shaw

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering Received

*Hymn No. 142 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

*Charge and BenedictionThe people respond with “Amen.”

Passing of the PeaceWe invite the children and youth of the congregation to come to the choir loft and watch the organ postlude during the passing of the peace.

Postlude Rhapsodie sur des Noëls Eugene Gigout

This Sunday8:15-11:30 Nursery care, for infants through age 3.8:30 am Worship Service, Chapel; Youth Choir rehearsal.9 am African Choir rehearsal; Blood pressure screening.9:15 am Church School; Family Matters; Social Justice Forum; Adult Choir; Virtues & Values.10:30 am Worship Service, Sanctuary11:30 am Prayer Companions; Blood pressure screening.5 pm Gathered at Five, Westminster Hall

DEATHAleda Muller

November 30, 2019

5 pm Middle school festive sweater party, Youth Rm..Westminster Gallery Waiting for Jesus. Contact Dr. Rodney Allen Schwartz, rschwartz@wpc-mpls.org

Coming UpAll-ChurchThe January All-Church Book Read is Leif Enger’s poignant Virgil Wander. Books avail-able for purchase in Westminster Commons. Discussion groups are Jan 12 & 26, with Leif Enger visiting on Feb 2.

Congregational CareContact Deb Wagner, 612.332.3421 or dwagner@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Grief Support Group, Saturdays, 9:30 am, St. Mark’s Episcopal, 519 Oak Grove St., 612.317.3454 or mplsgriefsupport.org. Dec 21: Service of Remembrance.Magnet Senior Center, Mon & Wed, 9-noon. Contact akingsbury@wpc-mpls.org.

Educational MinistriesContact Mahin Hamilton mhamilton@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Wednesdays: Noon, Centering Prayer; 5:30 pm Living the Faith in the 21st Century.Sunday Adult Ed, Sunday and Wednesday classes resume in January.

Faith in ActionContact Alanna Simone Tyler, atyler@wpc-mpls.org unless noted.Socks for FEAST guests, Please place new thick, warm socks (preferably cotton or wool) for children and adults in one of the donations

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

The Baptism of children implies a partner-ship between parents and the congrega-

tion in nurturing the faith of a child.Jason Robert Daniel, II

Child of Lindsey & Jason Daniel

Jack Declan Flanagan Child of

Megan & Ryan Flanagan

Silas Aaron Snaza Child of

Lucy & Douglas Snaza

boxes in the church. Our goal is to gather 200 pairs of socks for FEAST on Dec 22.Groveland Food Shelf in Dec, The Hunger Ministry Team requests donations of canned meats, rice, and bar soap. Place donations in Groveland boxes around the church.Social Justice Forum is on break until January.

Families, Youth & ChildrenContact Meghan Gage-Finn, mgage-finn@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Wednesdays, 5:15 pm Dinner; Youth Rm. open; 6 pm Parent-Child Time Together; Choirs/activities; 6:15 pm Confirmation class.Sat, Dec 21, 5 pm High school & college-age Christmas party. There is no church school or Children’s Church on Dec 22 & 29.

Thin PlacesThe Advent/Winter issue of Thin Places is now available on the info table and online.

WorshipA Christmas Quiet Worship, Sat, Dec 21, 9 am, Bushnell Rm, Gather for words from Thomas Merton, quiet music, scripture, and silence.Wednesday Worship: Silence & Song, 6-6:30 pm, Westminster Hall, Hit pause in your hectic week and gather in Westminster Hall for a time of much-needed quiet and beautiful music. Light snacks afterwards. Gathered at Five, Dec. 29, 5 pm, Join us for Dinner Worship and Movie Night—on the screen in Westminster Hall. Pizza, popcorn, and fun for all ages.

Advent & Christmas Worship

Sun, Dec 22, 8:30 & 10:30 am Christmas Festival Sunday

Sundays, 5 pm Gathered at Five Dinner afterward

Wednesdays, 6 pm Silence & Song

Christmas Eve 4 pm Pageant

8 & 10 pm Candlelight Services

Help Build the Beloved Community25% of Westminster’s resources are allocated to justice and mission—be a part of this work! If you haven’t already, please pledge your 2020 support online, and add your thoughts to the Beloved Community Wall in Westminster Commons. Thank you!

Music and the ArtsArts Visioning, On Sun, Jan 5, before and after worship, we will host listening circles to hear your vision for the future of Arts at Westminster. Please plan to attend, and stay tuned for more details. Questions? Contact Amanda Weber, aweber@wpc-mpls.org.

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1200 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis 55403westminstermpls.org

612.332.3421 facebook.com/westminstermpls twitter.com/westminstermpls instagram/westminstermpls

Today’s Worship LeadershipRev. Dr. Timothy Hart-Andersen, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Meghan K. Gage-Finn, Executive Associate PastorRev. Sarah Brouwer, Associate Pastor, Congregational LifeRev. David Shinn, Associate Pastor, Congregational CareRev. Alanna Simone Tyler, Associate Pastor, Justice and MissionKenneth Vigne, Interim OrganistRecorder, Cherub, Seraphim, and Chorister Choirs, Brad Ollmann, DirectorWestminster Youth Choir, Haskel Black, DirectorKaren Wasiluk, fluteSonja Dziekciowski, Director of Children’s MinistriesAdvent Candle Lighters: Carlie Owens, Sara Donaldson, Abby Grabowski, Song LeeLay Readers: Campbell Martin, Suh Funwi, Nate Stearley, Hailey Felt

For full Westminster staff listing and contact information, please visit westminstermpls.org or see the Westminster News.

Westminster Affiliated BoardsWestminster Camp Ajawah, ajawah.orgWestminster Counseling Center, westminstercounseling.orgWestminster Town Hall Forum, westminsterforum.org

Daily Phone Devotions612.332.7087

Dec 15 .............................................Matthew 11:2-1116 .................................................................. Psalm 4217 ...............................................................Jude 17-2518 ........................................ Matthew 8:14-17, 28-3419 .......................................................... Isaiah 7:10-1620 ............................................... Psalm 80:1-7, 17-1921 .......................................................... Romans 1:1-722 .....................................................Matthew 1:18-25