GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH203 N. BEDFORD ST.

GEORGETOWN, DE 19947DECEMBER 27, 2020

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Announcements Pastor JerryMinute for Mission Battle RobinsonIntroduction of Pre-Recorded Service Pastor JerryWelcome Tracy Keenan, Missional Presbyter Prelude

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” ES IST EIN’ ROSSally Waugaman, Music Director at Westminster

RehobothCall to Worship (Psalm 148 and Isaiah 9:6)

Voice 1: Praise the Lord! Praise God from the heavens; praise God in the heights!

Voice 2: All the shining stars praise you, O God, for you commanded and they were created.

Voice 1: Praise God with cymbals and bells, you sun and moon and all creatures on earth old and young together!

Voice 2: For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. Let everyone praise the name of the Lord.

Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” ST. LOUISAlexis Ward, Music Director at Trinity, Wilmington

pianist and soloistO 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 streets shineth the everlasting Light;the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.For Christ is born of Mary and, gathered all above,

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while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth.

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How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. 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.

Prayer of Confession – Unison Book of Common Worship

God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ you came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little, and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of your grace and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

Assurance of PardonBe not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy. God’s grace has appeared for the salvation of all. Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.Please share the peace of Christ with those around you – or text/email/message someone to share the

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message and gift of Christ’s peace today.

Scripture Luke 2:25-38 NRSV

25  Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

26  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27  Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,

28  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29  “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,31`which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 a light for revelation to the Gentilesand for glory to your people Israel.”

33  And the child’s father and mother were amazed

at what was being said about him. 34  Then Simeon blessed them and said to his

mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising

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of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36  There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37  then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.

38  At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

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Sermon “Christmas Hangover and the Hair of the Dog”

The Rev. Dr. Tracy KeenanAnthem

“In the Bleak Midwinter” arr. Brent Edstrom Raquel Faiello Teare, pianist Adjunct Professor of Piano

University of Mount Union, Alliance OH Prayers of Intercession and the 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.

Invitation to Give Please donate to this congregation through online giving or by mailing a donation.

www.georgetownpres.com

Hymn “Joy to the World” ANTIOCHJoy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room,

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and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

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Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 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, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.

Benediction Rev. Keenan Postlude

“Sheep May Safely Graze” J.S. BachDianne Deming, Interim Pastor, Milford, flute;

Ann Whitman, Milford, piano Music Rights

All music performed is in the Public Domain.

COMMUNITY NEWSOffering Envelopes Weekly envelopes for 2021 are available for pickup at

the church. If you would like the packet mailed to you, please notify the church office (302-856-6842).

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Christmas Joy OfferingOur tradition at GPC is to donate to the PCUSA Christmas Joy offering each Christmas season. Please consider sharing with others less fortunate us but no less dedicated to the ministry of Christ. Send your offering payable to Georgetown Presbyterian to the church office. For more information: https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/christmas-joy/  

Support Our Emergency Shelter Our Emergency Shelter is open now through March 15. We can host up to 14 guests (males) per night. We have received sufficient funds and food items to cover ALL days for the To-Go Food Bags. THANK YOU! We are looking for volunteers to stay OVERNIGHT and others to do RESET on Thursdays and Saturdays. Reset begins at 7AM and takes about an hour. For information, call Mari Ellyn 302-390-1629.

First Fruits Cart Thanks to everyone who continues to bring items for the Food Cart. Items delivered to GPC during regular office hours will be taken to the Wesley UMC Food Pantry in town.

Stewardship Campaign Results As of December 17, 31 of 68 Commitment Cards have been returned (about a 45% return rate). The total 2021 commitment now tops $95,000. Our draft budget for 2021 is based on offerings of $105,000. If you haven’t sent your Commitment Card to the church, or if you don’t have a card, simply email the

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church with your financial commitment. office@georgetownpres.com.

Georgetown Presbyterian Church