December 7, 2014The Second Sunday of Advent

Ten Thirty O’clock

First Baptist ChurchGreenville, South Carolina

Advent – coming.

The unwrapping of God’s greatest gift is near.

God will take away the tinsel and decorate

our human hearts in hope so that Christians

can sit laughing in the rain, knowing that the Lord

is going to shine in upon their being.

For no matter how long the darkness,

God will send the Light...

– from Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems

Gathering

Call to Worship “Prepare the Way” Hal. H. Hopson based on the tune BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN

Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!Let ev’ry hill and valley a level way appear.

Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.O blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Christ brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heav’n above.His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth and love.

Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding.O blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior’s rule embrace.And tidings of salvation proclaim in ev’ry place.

All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.O blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

– Mikael Franzen adapted by Charles P. Price, alt.

Prayer for Worship Vivian Hamilton

Almighty God, in whose eternity our lives are held, whose will is our peace, who has come upon us in great humility; make us wise, to wait for you, to watch for you, to wish for you, until the breaking of the day. Amen.

Praising

*Processional Hymn 65 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” REGENT SQUARE

Lighting of the Advent Candles of Hope and Peace Teresa Gray and Melissa Janse

One: Peace is the characteristic of Advent that stills us, calms us and centers us in the purpose of God. The candle of peace is a light of God’s security shining beyond all earthly guarantees.

Many: Itistimewesetflametothiskindofpeace.

One: We are reconciled by the grace of God to Christ. Peace enters our hearts through faith.

Many: We are called to be peacemakers, forgiving, reconciling, going the second mile, then doing it all over again.

All: The peace of God approaches. Behold the Advent of a great new day.

Response to Opening Sentences “Gloria” GLORIA

Celebrating Community We welcome those who are visiting with us today.

Please complete a welcome card located in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. We hope you will consider making First Baptist Greenville your church home.

Listening

*Hymn 57 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VENI EMMANUEL All children first through fifth grades are invited to come to the front during the singing of the last two stanzas of this hymn.

Children’s Sermon Becky Ramsey

Hymn of Illumination “Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness” CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT

New Testament Lesson Mark 1:1-8 Frank SmithThe scripture may be found on page 812 of the Bible in the pew rack.

Pastoral Prayer

Choral Worship “An Advent Alleluia” Douglas E. Wagner based on KANON IN D and HYFRYDOL

Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.

Alleluia.Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King.

Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.Alleluia.

– Charles Wesley

Sermon A Strange Peace Jim Dant

Living

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Consecration

Passing of the Bread

“Come, Lord Jesus” Bobby Huguley Jr.

Passing of the Cup

“Wake, Awake! A Voice Calls to Us” setting by Johann Gottfried Walther

*Hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” ELLACOMBE (Hymn is printed on following page.)

*Offertory Scripture and Prayer Linda GreenYes, the Lord gives what is good, and our land yields its produce. (Psalm 85:12)

Musical Offering Prelude on “Veni Emmanuel” setting by John Ferguson

Introduction of New Members

The Service and Fellowship of the Church

*Doxology (Hymn 32) LASST UNS ERFREUEN

PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow; PraiseGod,allcreaturesherebelow; Alleluia! Alleluia! PraiseGodabove,yeheavenlyhost; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*Benediction

*Congregational Response “Longing for Light” CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT

Peal of the Advent Bells of Hope and Peace

“That ye may abound in hope” – Romans 15:13

“Peace I leave with you” – John 14:27

Postlude “Lord Christ, The Father’s Only Son” J.S. Bach*Please stand if able.Hearing aid receivers and large-print orders of worship are available. Please contact an usher.

Our Service of Worship has ended. Our Worship through Service begins.

The soloists are Sylvia Hodge and Ellen Wilson.The service choir is the Youth Choir.

The accompanist for the Youth Choir is Jahnna Reck.The acolytes are Olivia Dennis and Grace Restine.

The crucifer is Bennett Wright.

Lighting the Advent Candles of Hope and Peace today are sisters Teresa Gray and Melissa Janse. Teresa serves as a deacon. She and her husband, David, are members of the Rose/Grace Class and have two children and a son-in-law. Melissa and her husband, Roy, are members of the Adkins/Bouton Class and have three children.

The vocalists today are Sylvia Hodge and Ellen Wilson. Sylvia is a member of the Crazy Eights Circle and sings in the Sanctuary Choir. She and her husband, David, have two grown children. Ellen serves as the director of the Archangel Choir and sings in the Sanctuary Choir. She and her husband, Reed, are members of the Koinonia Class and parents to two daughters: Abby and Caroline. The deacon assisting in worship today is Linda Green. Linda is a GAIHN volunteer and next year will serve on the Missions Committee and as secretary of the Diaconate. She and her husband, Wofford, are members of the Carson Class and have two children and four grandchildren.

Members of the Communion Committee scheduled to prepare today include John and Martha Burwell.

The Advent banners were designed by Charlie Pate and crafted by a committee of FBC members.

The wreaths on the gates of the Remembrance Garden are given in loving memory of Dr. William Mitchell by Patsy Mitchell.

The garlands are given in loving memory of Edna and Tom Hartness by Becky and Bobby Hartness.

The Nativity set in the Narthex is given by Janice and John Johnson in honor of the First Baptist staff and members.

The illustration on the cover of the order of worship is of the Christmas Window at the back of the baptistry side of the Sanctuary. The Christmas Window was given by Buck and Margaret Welling in honor of their children.

Audiovisual technical crew members include Stewart Caldwell, Randy Childers, J.R. Christy, Lee Coates, Bootie Cothran, Will Dodson, John Michael Dunn, Mike Fuller, Mason Garner, Boyd Gaskin, Rob Hanley, John Jones, Christopher Matthews, Brown Miller, Sam Ramsey, Heath Rogers, Jack Rollins, Woods Russo, Peyton Mills and Reed Wilson.

Music selections include: “Prepare the Way” by Hal H. Hopson, The Sacred Music Press, 1995; and “An Advent Alleluia” by Douglas E. Wagner, Hope Publishing Company, 1994.

Looking AheadDecember 1-28 – MinisTREE for Mission Backpack and Just Clothes And Love

in the Reception area

December 7, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Children’s Ministries Lunch and Christmas Caroling

December 7, 4:00 p.m. – Preschool Gingerbread House Decorating(Children in 2- through 5-year-old Sunday School Classes)

December 7, 6:30 p.m. – Youth Pack College Care Packages (AYMC Terrace Level)

December 9, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Holy Rollers to Madison, Georgia, Tour of Homes

December 14, 10:30 a.m. – The Third Sunday of AdventSanctuary Choir and Chamber Orchestra present Handel’s Messiah

December 14, 5:30 p.m. – Children’s Choir Christmas Program (Sanctuary)

December 14, 6:30 p.m. – Youth White Elephant Gift Exchange (AYMC Terrace Level)

December 17, 4:30-7:30 p.m. – First on Main

December 18, 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Roadrunners to Pendleton, SC, for Christmas at Ashtabula Plantation

December 18, 5:00-6:30 p.m. – College Drop-in at the Home of Kendra Plating(240 Pimlico)

December 21, 10:30 a.m. – The Fourth Sunday of AdventJim Dant, proclaimer

December 21, 6:30 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

December 24-27 – AYMC and Church Offices Closed

December 24, 5:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service of Communion

December 28, 9:15 a.m. – Church Family Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)Reservations required by December 21. $8/adult, $3/child

December 28, 10:30 a.m. – The First Sunday after ChristmasJim Dant, proclaimer

A Community of BelieversEach Member A Minister

Bootie Cothran, Media and TechnologyJim Dant, Senior Minister

Vivian Hamilton, Music and WorshipPriscilla Harris, Children’s Music

Kyle Matthews, Worship ArtsJuli Morrow, Preschool

Rosemary New, Infant-Toddler ProgramKendra Plating, Interim to Youth

Becky Ramsey, ChildrenJeanie Reed, Youth Music

Matt Rollins, Spiritual Formation and OutreachFrank A. Smith, Neighborhood Partnership and Christian Fellowship

Kathy Stewart, KindergartenLaura Stout, Missions

Charles Tompkins, OrganistBaxter M. Wynn, Pastoral Care and Community Relations

The Sunday morning worship service is broadcast on WLFJ-AM 660 and FM 92.9.The radio broadcast can also be heard via the World Wide Web.

On the media page of www.firstbaptistgreenville.com are links to the radio and Livestream broadcasts. Links to view or listen to previous services are also available.

First Baptist Church847 Cleveland Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601-4495

(864) 233-2527 www.firstbaptistgreenville.com©2014 First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC (all rights reserved)