The Presbyterian Church in Leonia ORGANIZED 1899 AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF FAITH

December 16, 2018

GOD IS CALLING US TO LET OUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS,

SO THAT THEY MAY SEE AND GLORIFY GOD. Matthew 5:16

The Rev. Dr. Leah Fowler, Pastor Renée Guerrero Harris, Organist/Choir Director Patricia Major, Church Administrator

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3rd Sunday of Advent 16th of December 2018 10:30 a.m.

Preparing for Worship Please silence cell phones. An asterisk (*) in the bulletin means please stand if you are able. Speak in unison at the bold face areas. Newer English speaker? English copies of the sermon are available from the ushers to help you follow along. LARGE-TYPE editions of the Hymnal are available from the ushers, as well as Chinese/English, Spanish/English, Korean/English and Japanese/English Bibles. You may share joys and concerns to be shared during the Prayers of the People by filling out a blue prayer card and leaving it in the offering plate. Nursery care is available in the room adjacent to the rear hallway. Kindergartners to fourth graders remain in worship through the children’s sermon; they then may go to the activity period. Parents may also sit with restless children in the Tower room, which is located off the rear of the sanctuary. Children are welcome to remain for the entire service. Sunday School and Adult Classes meet from 9:30 to 10:15 am.

PRELUDE “Menuet in G Major” by Petzold Rena Shim GREETING Rev. Dr. Leah Fowler INTROIT “O Come, Little Children” Kai Gajilan Fowler & Mineko Yajima

Gathering as God’s People

*CALL TO WORSHIP Surely God is our Salvation! We will trust and not be afraid! For God is our strength and song and salvation. With joy we will draw water from the Wells of Salvation. And we will say in that day, “Give thanksgiving to God! Call upon God’s name! Make known God’s deeds among all the nations— proclaim the power of God!” Sing praises to God for all the marvelous things; let them be known in all the earth. Sing and shout for joy, O people of God! For great in our midst lives The Holy One of God.

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*INVOCATION *OPENING HYMN #107 “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” CALL TO CONFESSION A voice is crying out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the reign of heaven is about to break upon you!” Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Your prophets speak of hope, telling us of new branches that will spring forth and of your rule drawing near. Yet our anxieties keep us awake at night and we bow to fear as our ruler. You promise to send us one who will guide our feet into the ways of peace. And yet we feel safer with the tools of violence than the gestures of compassion, empathy, and justice. You tell us that with joy we will draw from the waters of salvation, but we ignore the living water before us and complain of our thirst. We confess that we suspect angels and disbelieve good news. Forgive us God; we want to believe in what you are trying to do for us and with us; help our disbelief.

Time for silent meditation

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The wilderness will rejoice! The dry land will blossom. The people of God will

return with joy and singing. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God. Amen. *SUNG RESPONSE #90 “Wait for the Lord” (sing twice) Passing of the Peace

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Listening for God’s Word to Us

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ whom we await. Amen.

A READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Isaiah 12:2-6 (page 641 or page 784)

A READING FROM THE GOSPELS Luke 3:7-18 (page 60 or page 73)

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

CHILDREN’S SERMON Rev. Dr. Leah Fowler LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Judy and Venge Nyirongo, Wanangwa, Mexon and Sekani

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:3-4) It’s getting closer. We feel it! The days are shorter, but the lights burn brighter. We’re listening. We’re eager to hear good news. We’ve gathered together in the House of Joy. We’re here to praise God with our voices. We’re here to praise God with beautiful music. We’re here to praise God with all we have.

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Today we light the candle of Joy. (Light the third candle.) We worship God with exceeding joy!

SUNG RESPONSE #137 “He Came Down” He came down, that we may have light! (3x’s) Hallelujah, forevermore. He came down, that we may have joy! (3x’s) Hallelujah, forevermore.

THE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHARING OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS ANTHEM Beethoven’s “Sonata” Leo Shim

*DOXOLOGY Old Hundredth Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all people here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost! Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE WITH LORD’S PRAYER Our 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.

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*HYMN “Star Child” (reprinted with permission)

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CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Presbyterian Church in Leonia Sunday School Children #121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! #136 “Go, Tell It on the Mountain!” Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. v. 1 While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night Behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. v. 2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! Above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviors birth. v. 3 Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

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#115 “Away in a Manger” Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down hi sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with the there. #134 “Joy to the World!” Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing. (3x) No more let sins and sorrows grow; nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found. (3x) He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness And wonders of his love. (3x)

Going Forth in Dedication and Service

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “Night of the Tarantella” by Faber Lily VanDeWeert

Our liturgist, Betsy Voreacos is helping lead our worship today. Leahn Even-Ezra is helping with the Call to Worship. The second reading is led by our Sunday School Teachers: Keyla Garcia, Suzanne Broffman, Tara Coleman, Joe VanDeWeert, Vicky Li, Judy Nyirongo, and Lisa VanDeWeert.

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The art on the bulletin is a depiction of the Nativity, and the artist is First Grader Mexon Nyirongo, a child of our church. A Prayer Practice for Home: Make an Advent Play List Create a list of songs that remind you of the themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love… and also songs that speak of God’s presence here among us. If more than one generation lives in your family, it is a way you can share your music tastes for one another; each person gets to add a song for every theme. The songs can be religious; they can be Christmas carols; or they can be secular or pop songs too if you can name the connection to our faith. As the music fills your ears, let it also fill you with the knowledge of Immanuel, God-With-Us. TODAY:

USHERS: Linda McGarry, Vicky Li, Maryellen Neu COUNTERS: Anne Stebbins, David Voreacos GREETER: Nancy Salvati NURSERY: Linda McGarry We welcome all visitors in the name of Jesus Christ. We invite you to sign the guest register in the entry room and to join us for coffee in the entry room following the service. Readings for Sunday December 23, 2018 Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalms 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) GREETER Month of December: Nancy Salvati SECOND READERS December 23: Gretchen Harders December 30: Venge Nyirongo

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USHERS December 23: Gretchen Harders, Eulalia Cabrera December 24: Karen Peters, Jack Peters, Susan Dindial

December 25: Wanangwa Nyirongo, Jihyun (Julia) Kim December 30: Roberta Toolen, Eulalia Cabrera

COUNTERS December 23: Hyung Shim, Fumio Ito

December 24: Olivia Taylor, Jonathan Phillips December 25: Pete Shanno,

December 30: Hyung Shim, Fumio Ito

NURSERY December 23: Judy Nyirongo December 30:Vicky Li

COMMUNION SERVERS December 25: Susan Shanno, Pete Shanno

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK After Worship Today Christmas Joy Offering Received Wednesday, 12/19/18 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Al-Anon Meeting Thursday, 12/20/18 3-6:00 p.m. Private Music Lessons 7:30 p.m. Bottles and Badges Meeting Next Sunday, 12/23/18 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all 10:30 a.m. Worship

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEDGE YOUR 2019 STEWARDSHIP TO THE CHURCH! We have $122,278 pledged so far and hope to get a total of $132,000 for our 2019 budget. There are still several households that have not yet pledged. Please consider your stewardship, which helps to fund our many ministries of worship, education, music, outreach, and mission, and also helps to keep our building as a warm and safe space where many groups can gather. Pledge forms are on the Ark.

2019 PLEDGES For those who have pledged for 2019, your personal box of envelopes for 2019 are available and will be in the Fireplace Room with your name on the box. Any questions or concerns, contact Pat Major or Rev Leah. SUMMER MISSION TRIP We are excited to announce a Summer Mission Trip to Atlantic City, where we will cook and serve food at Sister Jean's Kitchen, a Presbyterian mission that feeds 175-350 hungry people daily. There may also be opportunities to do home repairs for people still suffering from Superstorm Sandy's devastation. We will be staying and cooking our meals at Brigantine Presbyterian Church. The costs are very low- $10/per person per day, plus shared food expenses. Please email pastorleonia@gmail.com if you're interested, as we are trying to decide on the dates that will work best for our congregation.

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WE GIVE TO OTHERS

At Christmas, we celebrate a great gift to us, and one of our responses is giving gifts to others. We have three distinct opportunities for such giving through our congregation: The annual Alternative Christmas Gift List is available on the Ark. With it, you

can support one or more particular ministries. Gift Tags describing the gift requests from the women and children sheltered

in the Oelhaf House will be available. You may purchase one of the indicated gifts and offer it — wrapped for Christmas—during worship on the 16th.

You may also make a donation using the Christmas Offering envelope in your

box of weekly envelopes. These gifts will be split between the Presbyterian Joy Offering, which benefits training for racial/ethnic leaders in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as supporting retired PC(USA) clergy (see insert in today’s bulletin), and the Healing Space Sexual Violence Resource Center to provide for immediate care, counseling services and legal support for survivors of sexual violence.

As you have been blessed, share with others.

CHURCH OFFICE: 201-944-1358 181 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ 07605 Web Site www.leoniapres.org The Rev. Dr. Leah Fowler, pastorleonia@gmail.com

Office Administrator, Patricia Major, secretaryleonia@gmail.com