WestminsterPresbyterian ChurchA Telling Presence in the City

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

Second Sunday of AdventDecember 8, 2019

A Visit (detail), by John August Swanson, serigraph, 1995The Westminster Collection, on view in Westminster Commons

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 meets in January. 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 RoomWednesday 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 Adagio Cantabile from Symphony IV Charles Marie Widor People, Look East Kenneth Vigne Kenneth Vigne, interim organist

Advent Greeting Alanna Simone TylerOne: 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. If your child/ren will attend Children’s Church, please fill out nametags for them from the friendship folder.

*Call to Worship (from 2 Peter 3)One: In accordance with God’s promise,All: we wait for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness is at home.One: Let us worship God.

*Processional Hymn No. 87 Comfort, Comfort Now My People

Lighting the Advent Candle Maria Bjelland, Kaighan Stensrud, Abigail Willson Sara Donaldson, Gisele Taylor

Sung Response Hymn No. 103 Come Now, O Prince of Peace (vs. 2)

Advent Prayer (Unison) David ShinnEternal God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand. Keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith, so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may joyfully give him praise, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

December 8, 2019 10:30 am

* Please stand as you are able.

Listening for the WordA Time with Children Sonja DziekciowskiAt this time, children ages 4-1st grade are invited to Children’s Church.

*Hymn No. 92 While We Are Waiting, Come

Prayer for Illumination Terry McEowenBefore the reading of scripture we pray that God will illumine our understanding.

Reading from Holy Scripture Isaiah 5:1-7 (OT, p. 594)One: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Meditation What Are We Waiting For? Timothy Hart-Andersen

Responding to the Word*Hymn No. 105 People, Look East

Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Meghan K. Gage-FinnOur 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offertory SentencesHaving heard the Word, we now respond in gratitude by giving. Please place your offering in the plate, or use the “I give to Westminster” card in recognition of your contributions made online or in another way.

Offertory Anthem The Yearning Craig Courtney Westminster Choir, Amanda Weber, conductor

There is a yearning in hearts weighed down by ancient grief and centuries of sorrow. There is a yearning in hearts that in the darkness hide and in the shades of death abide, a yearning for tomorrow.There is a yearning, a yearning for the promised One, the First-born of creation. There is a yearning for the Lord who visited His own, and by His death for sin atoned, to bring to us salvation.Emmanuel, Emmanuel, within our hearts the yearning.There is a yearning that fills the hearts of those who wait the day of His appearing. There is a yearning when all our sorrows are erased and we shall see the One who placed within our hearts the yearning.Emmanuel, Emmanuel, within our hearts the yearning.

Prayer of Dedication for the Offering Received

*Hymn No. 82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*Charge and BenedictionThe people respond with “Amen.”

*Passing of the PeaceSince the earliest days of the Christian Church, worshippers have greeted each other with a sign of peace. All are invited to offer a verbal greeting, such as: “Peace be with you.”

One: The peace of Christ be with you.All: And also with you.

We 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 In dir ist Freude Johann Sebastian Bach

This Sunday8:15-11:30 Nursery care, for infants through age 38:30 am Worship Service, Chapel; Youth Choir rehearsal9 am African Choir rehearsal9:15 am Church School; Family Matters; Adult Ed; Adult Choir; Virtues & Values10:30 am Worship Service, Sanctuary11:30 am Second Sunday art tour-meet in Gallery; Prayer Companions5 pm Gathered at Five, Westminster Hall5 pm High school house groupsWestminster 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 14: Tom Anderson, Loss of a Child.Magnet Senior Center, Mon & Wed, 9-noon. Contact akingsbury@wpc-mpls.org.

Educational MinistriesContact Mahin Hamilton mhamilton@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Wednesdays: 9 am Devotional chair yoga; Noon, Centering Prayer; 4:30 pm Devotional mat yoga; 5:30 pm Living the Faith in the 21st Century.Adult Ed, Wed, Dec 11, 6:30 pm, Racism: A Barrier to Creating Community, Dr. Amy Marga.Sunday Adult Ed, Final class today at 9:15 am. Classes resume in January.

Faith in ActionContact Alanna Simone Tyler, atyler@wpc-mpls.org unless noted.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, Dec 15, Bethlehem Partnership presentation.

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.

TODAY’S FLOWERS In loving memory of

Marian Thomas by the Thomas family

Madeleine Guillermoby Claudette Guillermo and Myrna Little

Sun, Dec 15, 9:15 am Nursery Lessons & Carols; 5 pm Middle school ‘festive’ sweater Christmas party.Sat, Dec 21, 5 pm High school & college-age Christmas party.

FellowshipContact Sarah Brouwer, sbrouwer@wpc-mpls.org unless noted. Dec. 11, 11:30 am, Women’s Christmas Lunch, RSVP to Deb Wagner, dwagner@wpc-mpls.org by Mon, Dec 9.

Music and the ArtsToday, 11:30 am, Second Sunday Tours series launches with a tour of Waiting for Jesus, in the Westminster Gallery.Westminster Performing Arts Series, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dec 13 (7:30 pm) and Dec 14 (2 pm). Tickets available online, westminstermpls.org/wpas. Dance with James Sewell Ballet! Be a shepherd in Amahl and the Night Visitors Dec 13 or 14. Looking for 6-10 people for each show (all ages/abili-ties welcome). Contact Amanda, aweber@wpc-mpls.org, if interested.

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

WorshipWednesday 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.

Advent & Christmas Worship

Sat, Dec 14, 9 am Christmas Quiet Worship

Sun, Dec 15, 8:30 & 10:30 am Youth Lessons & Carols

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

Sundays, 5 pm Gathered at Five

Wednesdays, 6 pm Silence & Song

Christmas Eve 4 pm Pageant

8 & 10 pm Candlelight Services

Help Build the Beloved CommunityDid you know that 25% of Westminster’s resources are allocated to justice and mission ministries? Be a part of this work! If you haven’t done so already, please make your 2020 pledge of support online today, and add your thoughts to the Beloved Community Wall in Westminster Commons. Your financial gifts expand God’s work in the world. Thank you!

Gathered at Five, Sundays, 5 pm, Westminster Hall, God comes close to us during these sacred Sundays in Advent as we lean into God’s presence through beauti-ful worship, music, and community. Dinner provided every Sunday.

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. David Shinn, Associate Pastor, Congregational CareRev. Alanna Simone Tyler, Associate Pastor, Justice and MissionDr. Amanda Weber, Minister of Music and the ArtsKenneth Vigne, Interim OrganistWestminster ChoirAdvent Candle Lighters: Maria Bjelland, Kaighan Stensrud, Abigail Willson Sara Donaldson, Gisele TaylorSonja Dziekciowski, Director of Children’s MinistriesTerry McEowen, Lay Reader

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 8 .................................................Matthew 3:1-129 .................................................................... Psalm 2110 ................................................... Romans 15:14-2111 .................................................. Matthew 12:33-3712 .......................................................... Isaiah 35:1-1013 .......................................................Psalm 146:5-1014 ...........................................................James 5:7-1015 .....................................................Matthew 11:2-11