Please stand if you are able.

Sunday Worship December 31, 2017

10:30 a.m.

Preparation for Worship

God, giver of every good gift, we gather here by

habit or by accident, from lives frantic or serene.

We gather here, young, old, in middle age, all of

us children whose names you know by heart. On

the brink of a new year, we gather here, each of

us hoping for a new word, a gentle touch, a

nudge in the right direction where you need us

to go. Amen.

(Based on a prayer by Molly Phinney Baskette.)

We Gather in God’s Name

Prelude Meditation on the Birth of the Lord Messiaen

Ray Freeman, Organist

Welcome and Announcements

Passing of the Peace

Leader: The peace of the Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Carol #143 Angels from the Realms of Glory

Call to Worship

One: This is the day that the Lord has made.

Many: We will be glad and rejoice in it.

One: This is the year that the Lord is beginning.

Many: We will rejoice and be glad in it.

One: Because of the Lord‟s great love, we are not consumed, for his

compassions never fail. They are new every morning.

Many: Great is your faithfulness.

One: The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to those who seek him.

Many: Great is your faithfulness, O Lord.

Ou r Mission:

Gro wing in Sp irit

Living as D isciple s

Se rving God’s World

Hymn #39 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Prayer of Confession

Holy God, we open our hearts to you this day,

and offer the truth of our lives:

The fear that stifles us,

The prejudice that blinds us,

The ignorance that hobbles us,

The doubt that plagues us.

Help us, we pray, so that we will

Find courage in unlikely places,

See the world with new and gracious eyes,

Move to those places where love is needed,

Have faith that you are with us.

This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Leader: The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting unto everlasting. As far as the

East is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. In

the name of Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven.

People: Thanks be to God.

We Proclaim God’s Word

Children‟s Message Janet Little

Children of any age are invited to the front for a time of worship together. Play „n‟

Worship will be announced following the message. Bridges will be on hiatus until

January 14. See Guest Information on page 7 for details.

Hymn #26 Earth and All Stars!

Scripture Lessons Isaiah 65:17-25

Revelation 21:1-6a

Meditation New Beginnings Rev. Susan Wisseman

We Respond to God’s Word

Sharing Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory What a Friend We Have in Jesus Jim Lawson

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Response #609 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God all creatures high and low.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Praise God in Jesus fully known:

Creator, Word, and Spirit one.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication Janet Little

Prayers of the People and the Lord‟s Prayer

We Depart To Serve God

Parting Hymn #637 O Sing to the Lord

Charge and Benediction

Postlude “Sinfonia” from The Christmas Cantata Bach

Ray Freeman, Organist

Poinsettias were given to the Glory of God,

and In Honor of many of Grace’s Family

Members and Friends.

Those who dedicated poinsettias may take

them home today after the service.

Your Greeters today were Bob and Virginia Bouchard.

Sunday School resumes on January 7.

...A big thank you to those who brought cookies for the 8:00 p.m. Christ-

mas Eve service fellowship time. I know everyone enjoyed fellowship time

and all the good cookies!

Reecie Ford

Thanks to all the members and staff who made Christmas a warm and

joyous celebration here at Grace.

Your Grace Staff

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ANNOUNCEMENTS and OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Out of Gratitude We Give. The Joy Gift is a PC(USA) special offering with a rich,

almost 140-year history of commitment. The offering, collected nationwide at

Christmastime, is distributed equally between assistance to church workers and

educating leaders from ethnic minorities at Presbyterian-supported colleges and

schools. It is critical to church workers and their families in times of need, and to

new leaders being educated in a way that nurtures their racial and ethnic diversity.

Please continue these commitments of the PC(USA) by putting your contribution in

the Joy envelopes found in the pews.

Financial Update. Please pledge so that we can plan our budget for the new year.

Pledge cards are in the pews, and you can drop them in the offering plate or in the

office. Pledge envelopes for those who have pledged already are in the Narthex for

you to take home. Thank you!

End-of-Year Giving. We are seeking donations for new folding chairs in Wester

Hall and a Preschool playground set. Chairs are around $25 each and the play set

is several thousand, but any donation will be gratefully accepted. A new item

added to the list is a new, integrated AV system for the Family Room at approxi-

mately $1500. Thank you for including Grace in your end of year giving.

Giving and Taxes. Checks received up until January 7, 2018, AND DATED De-

cember 31, 2017, or earlier, will be considered contributions for the 2017 calendar

year. Note: Checks MUST be dated in 2017 for us (and the IRS) to consider them

as 2017 contributions.

Is Steven Speilberg in the Audience? If you‟ve dreamed of working the camera,

you need hands-on experience now! The Grace AV Team needs volunteers to record

services beginning in January, and make copies for the Library. See John

Machado (johnlmachado@gmail.com) for details.

Narthex and Information Station. Please check for the many ways you can give

hands-on service, learn about Grace missions, and sign up for special events. Janu-

ary at Grace is full of life, even in the middle of Winter!

2018 Flower Dedications. Please sign up in the Narthex for a date to dedicate

sanctuary flowers for the upcoming year. The donation is $50, and will support the

beautiful work the Sanctuary Guild does. Place checks in the offering plate or bring

them to the office. If you have questions, please contact Virginia in the office.

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EVENTS

Presbyterian Women - Wednesday, January 3, 9:30 a.m. Circle 6 will gather in

the Family Room for a return to Lesson 3, The Living Word, presented by Yvette

Moy. All women of the church are invited to attend for hospitality, friendship, and

study. Circle 6 meets the first Wednesday of the month, September through June.

Honduras Home Team - Sunday, January 14, 11:30 a.m. As another year ap-

proaches, we are planning for the annual Honduras Mission. There will be a Home

Team meeting in the Family Room right after church to support the Mission Trip

planned for August 4-11, 2018. If you plan to go or just want additional informa-

tion, we hope to see you there.

Trail Blazers - Tuesday, January 16, 5:00 p.m. Singles and couples, young and

old, are invited to the monthly AWG fellowship dinner at House of Dynasty, 7550

Telegraph Road, Alexandria (Hayfield Plaza Shopping Center). This is a first time

visit to this restaurant, which features a full Chinese menu.

Brown Bag Lunch - Wednesday, January 17, 12:45 p.m. Armored trains were

developed prior to the Second World War, but at the war‟s end, were considered ob-

solete. Come learn more about the development of these historic trains with model

builder Doug Carl. Armored trains displayed in Wester Hall for this event will be

actual scale models of trains used in Eastern Europe. Come, bring your lunch and a

friend. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Speaking Peace Together - Saturday, January 27, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. A

team from the Isaac-Ishmael Initiative, a group that promotes shalom to Jews and

Muslims, will be at St. Mark‟s Lutheran Church for a dialogue between a “Jew, an

Arab, and a White Guy”. The three panelists will discuss how they have learned to

listen and relate across ideological and faith lines. This also will be a practical,

hands-on workshop that will provide tools participants can utilize to relate to peo-

ple from Jewish and Muslim backgrounds. Register at https://isaac-ishmail.us/

events/speaking-peace-together-seminar. Enter DC20 for a 20% discount off of the

entry fee of $25, which includes lunch.

Bunco - Tuesday, January 30, 1:00 p.m., in

the Family Room. All are welcomed to join the

BUNCO Squad for two hours of games, snacks,

and prizes. “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”

Proverbs 17:22.

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“Lord, Teach Us To Pray” (Luke 11:1)

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Carrie Hug on the loss of her father.

Members: Jean Ackor, Judy Bernal (Virginia Beach), Cameron Buckley, Carol Byrd (former member), Jeanne Jackson Corns, Char Custer, James

Lawson, Liz Lincoln, Bev Olver, Sam Proctor, and Anne Sedlak.

PC(USA) Missionaries and Our Missionary in Honduras: Pastor Selvin.

The Mothers of: Veronica Crump, Mary Hawkins (Jean), Meg Rogers (Beth), Hiede Sowdon, Phillip Spiess (Dorothy), Dave Treasure (Hilda), and Dwight

Yarbrough (Verla).

The Step-Mother of: Donna Lucas (Jackie).

The Fathers of: Raven Fox, Nancy Machado (Jim), and Penny Newsome (Richard).

The Husband of: Donna Lucas.

The Great-grandmother of: Dennis and Diego Bustillo.

The Daughters of: Rich and Kathy Calahan (Lynn), and Bob and Valerie Patrick (Molly).

The Sons of: Wendy Lawson (Seth) and Dave Retherford (Drew).

The Grandson of: Craig and Judy Crooks (Jackson).

The Daughter-in Law of: Fran and Chet McLaren (Teresa).

The Brothers of: Ed Bryant (Paul), Steve Gretsuk (John), Reecie Ford (Trent), Joe Miller (Jack and wife Karen), Nelson Thurman (Dennis), and Hilde Uffelman (Brian Marsh).

The Sister of: Penny Newsome (Susan).

The Sister-in-Law of: Claire Manger (Bev).

The Uncle of: Scott Rogers (Phill).

The Nephews of: Maria Clayton (Jack) and Claire Manger (Edward and Scott).

The Nieces of: Stan and Susan Wisseman (Averi), and Liz and Dave Lincoln (Meghan).

The Cousins of: John Grimes (Lori), Donna Lucas (Angela), Beth Ann McClelland (Deborah), Katie Machado (Jan), and Valerie Patrick (Virginia).

The Friends of: Cindi Bryant (Anna), Barbarra Chapman (Greg), Craig and Judy Crooks (Liz), Reecie Ford (Kate), Raven Fox (Deanna), Kim Gretsuk (Nancy), John and Wendi Grimes (The Bochtler Family and Douglas), Linda

Hitchens (Leon and Debbie, and Keitha), Rosalie Lawson (Emma and Stephanie), Katie Machado (Jonathan), Penny Newsome (Lisa and Shawn), Bob McClelland (Mark), Sam Proctor (Nicole and Family), Scott and Meg Rogers (Jackie and Dave), Hiede Sowdon (Dylan), and The Yarbroughs (Randy).

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2018 Begins with This Week’s Calendar

For complete details, including locations and descriptions of events, please visit

www.gracepresby.org; or call the Church Office, 703-451-2900.

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

JANUARY 1

OFFICE CLOSED

8:00 p.m.

Outside Group

2

10:00 a.m. Outside

Group

7:00 p.m. APNC

7:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry

Preschool Returns

3

9:00 a.m.

Grand

Involve

9:30 a.m.

Circle 6

9:45 a.m.

Preschool

Chapel

4

7:30 p.m. Chancel

Choir

5

6

7

9:15 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Worship

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WE ARE VERY GLAD YOU CHOSE TO WORSHIP WITH US TODAY! PLEASE SIGN OUR FRIENDSHIP REGISTER SO THAT WE CAN GREET YOU BY NAME AND CALL ON YOU IF YOU WISH.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE PRAYER REQUESTS. You may do so by completing prayer cards found in the pews and placing them in the offering plate.

TRUST YOUR CHILDREN TO OUR NURSERY CARE AND CHILDREN’S WORSHIP LEADERS. We provide childcare for infants through 3-year-olds in the Nursery Suite (Rooms 3 & 5) downstairs. Worship Bags are available in the Narthex for preschoolers through third-graders. After the Children‟s Message, children go downstairs for their own worship time. At the conclusion of worship, 4- and 5-year olds will be in Room 3, and older children in the Bridges to Worship Room (Room 14). Please return worship bags to the basket in the Narthex, and pick up children before meeting in Wester Hall for a time of fellowship.

“GRACE INSIGHTS” - LEARNING ABOUT PRESBYTERIANS AND GRACE CHURCH. Classes for those who want to learn more about our denomination, our church, and our mission form throughout the year. If you would like to attend an introductory class or have an interest in membership at Grace, please speak to one of our pastors or contact Elder Joe Miller, jsmeda@hotmail.com.

FUTURE EVENT - Visitors may want to mark the date for a Spring event with Walter

Brueggemann, who will be our guest the weekend of April 20-22.

PLEASE ASK ANYONE FOR HELP OR DIRECTIONS!

The Church Office will be closed on New Year‟s

Day. If you experience an emergency, leave a

message, and a pastor will return your call.

OFFICE STAFF

YVETTE MOY Aging With Grace Director

Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9:00 am -

3:00 pm 703-451-2900 ext. 4

aging@gracepresby.org

VIRGINIA BOUCHARD

Office Manager Office Hours:

Mon.-Thurs.: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Fridays: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

703-451-2900 ext. 1 manager@gracepresby.org

VERONICA CRUMP

Treasurer vlcrump@gmail.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott Anckner

Craig Crooks

Kent Ford, Chairman

Rob Gold

Scott Rogers

Peter Smith

E-mail: gpcbod@gmail.com

S E S S I ON

Coleen Austin Care Ministries

Cindi Bryant Human Resources

Ed Bryant Nominating/Stewardship

David Retherford Missions

Maria Clayton Preschool

Kim Hatfield Youth Ministry

John Machado Communications

Nancy Machado Children’s Discipleship

Joe Miller Evangelism

Pat Ferrell Worship

Michael Phillips Finance

John Sowdon Fellowship

Nelson Thurman Adult Discipleship

Greta Miller, Clerk Ben Trawick, Moderator

Session and Board contact information is posted in the church office and on the

church website.

GRACE WEEKDAY

PRESCHOOL

The Preschool is a Christian-based ministry and developmental program for children aged 2 to 4. Classrooms are designed as learning centers, of-fering students a unique “hands-on” learning adventure. Call the Pre-school for information or a tour. Registration begins on January 2. An Open House is on January 19.

JUDY PHILLIPS Preschool Director

HOLLY COOK Administrative Assistant

703-451-3314

preschool@gracepresby.org

PASTORS

BEN TRAWICK Pastor

Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 am -

2:00 pm 703-451-2900 ext. 2 ben@gracepresby.org

SUSAN WISSEMAN Associate Pastor

Office Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9:30 am -

3:00 pm 703-451-2900 ext. 3

susan@gracepresby.org

MUSIC STAFF

SCOTT SEIFRIED Music Director

sseifried@yahoo.com

RAY FREEMAN

Organist/Pianist/Accompanist

rayfreeman1029 @gmail.com

JIM DUNSTAN

Joyful Ringers Director moonmanjimd @hotmail.com

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HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

7434 BATH STREET

SPRINGFIELD VIRGINIA

22150

703-451-2900 WWW.GRACEPRESBY.ORG

OFFICE HOURS: MON-THU 9:00 - 4:30; FRI 9:00-3:30