Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sunday, December 7, 2008

8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

* * * * * *= * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

GATHERING

Prelude &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Jamie Daugherty

Words of Welcome and Announcements

Good morning! Welcome to our worship service. We are delighted to have those who= are guests or visitors worshipping with us. We remind you of our Green Prayers = and Concerns response card. If you have a concern to share, please have it read= y to hand to an usher who will be collecting it during the last verse of our fir= st Hymn of Praise. What a joy it= is to be in the presence of God in Worship.

Choral Introit (11 a.m.) = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; Chancel Choir

“Advent Prayer”=

Call To Worship

*Lighting of the Advent Candle&= nbsp; 8:30 a.m. The Barbour Family

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = 11:00 a.m. The Williams Family

*Hymn of Praise &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; No. 277

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing= 221;

*Unison Prayer of Confession

Almighty God,= on this Sunday where we are called to bear witness to Your peace, we confess t= hat we are not always peaceful people. In our hearts and in our lives, there are many times that we react before we think. There are many times that we rush= to conclusions without ever considering the circumstances. Forgive us. Teach u= s to stand up for You, for ourselves, and for what is= right – and to do so in the Spirit of Your love and peace. In Christ’= s name we pray. Amen.

*Assurance of= Pardon: People of God rejoice! Through your faith in Christ there= is now peace between you and God. God does not hold your sin against you – your sins are forgiven! Amen!

*Congregational Response = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; No. 812

“Gloria Patri”<= /i>

&= nbsp;

*Ritual of Friendship<= span style=3D'font-size:11.5pt'>: = Let us now celebrate the joy of our fellowship a= nd the good news of our salvation with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

= Anthem (11 a.m.)        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;          Robert Lau

"Is Your Heart Prepared for a King?”

A Moment With Our Children (11 a.m.)= = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;

(Children are invited downstairs t= o the Kindergarten Room or return to their parents in the pews.)

GIVIN= G TO GOD

Prayers of the People (11 a.m.) = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;         The Lord’s Prayer=

Choral Response (11 a.m.)<= /p>
“Love Came Down at ChristmasR= 21;

The Offering

      = ;      Offertory

      = ;      *”Doxology”

      = ;      *Prayer of Dedication

Hymn of Praise   &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =           No. 278

“Angels We Have Heard on High= 221;

=

GOD&#= 8217;S WORD = PROCL= AIMED

=

Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 40:3-11        &= nbsp;            Old Testament page 6= 67

            =             <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>        Mark 1:1-8      &n= bsp;            = ;       New Testament page 3= 4

Sermon: “The Beginning of Good News”        &= nbsp;        Rev. Nathan Esser

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper (8:30 a.m.)<= /b>

= ;     Hymn of Preparation        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp; No. 464

“Come to the Table”

= ;         = Invitation

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;    The Lord’s Prayer

        = Words of Institution

        =     Distribution of the Elements

= ;             =       Bread - Individually     Juice – Together

= ;         = Communion Prayer (unison)

        &= nbsp;           O God, through this bread and this cup You have made us one with You and with each other. May the joy we find at this table = be a gift that we carry out into Your suffering and d= ivided world. Help us find strength = in knowing that You, the God of Peace, will always = be with us.

*Closing Hymn   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         No. 258

“Go, Tell It on the MountainR= 21;

*Benediction

*Prayer Response (Everyone sin= gs)

The time has come, O Lord, for us to = leave this place;

Guide us and protect us and lead us i= n Thy grace;

Wherever life may take us as we go our separate ways;

Help us share with others the things we’ve shared today;

May the peace of God the Father and t= he love of Christ His Son

Guide us in the days ahead and streng= then us each one;

May the blessings of the Spirit fill = us from within;

God bless us and return us to this fellowship once again. Amen.<= o:p>

=

Postlude    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;       Jamie Daugherty

* * * * * *= * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*Please stand, if= able.

Looking ahead:

Dec 14^th – Children’s Christmas Pageant = at 5 p.m.

Dec 21^st – Christmas Cantata by Mars UP Chancel Ch= oir at 11 a.m. worship service (one worship service only that day)

= Dec 22^nd – Christmas caroling at St. John’s and in the community. Everyone is invited! Meet at the Churc= h by 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided.     <= /p>
= Dec 24^th – Christmas= Eve Worship Services.   The first service will begin at 7 p.m. and will be more family oriented. The second worship service will begin at 11 p.m. and will offer communion.   Both services will be candle lighting services.

Jan 25^th - New Member Inquiry Class - Beginning Janu= ary 25^th, we will offer a new member inquiry class for all wishing to join the Church. The class wi= ll be held in the social hall during the Sunday school hour…9:45 a.m. ̵= 1; 10:30 a.m. Childcare is provided. If you are interest= ed in joining the Church and are unable to attend during the Sunday school hour, please contact Rev. Nathan Esser to work out another time to meet.

Mars= United Presbyterian Church

T= oday, December 7, 2008 – Blood Drive Today!

8:30= a.m.        THE EARLY WORSHIP SERVICE - Communion

9:20 a.m. &= nbsp;      Children’s Pageant Rehearsal

9:45 a.m. &= nbsp;      Sunday School for all ages

11:0= 0 a.m.      THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Christmas Photos to be taken after worship services

12:00 p.m. =      Children’s Pageant Rehearsal and lunch (until 3 p.m.)

2:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      Decorate the Church Sanctuary for Christmas (reschedul= e)

7:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      HS Youth Group meets in the Youth Room

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Christmas Photos to be taken after worship services

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      White Envelope Emergency Assistance – Deacons

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Glade Run Food Bank Collection

M= onday, December 8, 2008

6:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      Boy Scouts meet in the Social Hall

6:30 p.m. &= nbsp;      MS Youth Group meets in the Youth Room

T= uesday, December 9, 2008

9:00 a.m. &= nbsp;      A-Team

8:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      A. A. meets in the Social Hall

W= ednesday, December 10, 2008

9:00 a.m. &= nbsp;      Material Girls Sew

6:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      Girl Scouts meet in the Social Hall

7:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      Choir Rehearsal

7:45 p.m. &= nbsp;      Christmas Cantata Rehearsal

Thursday, December 11, 2008

6:00 p.m.            = Stewardship Committee meets in the= church office

6:30 p.m.            = Girl Scouts meet in the Social Hall

7:00 p.m.            = Mars Women’s Club meets in the Social Hall

Saturday, December 13, 2008=

10:30 a.m.            Wedding

2:00 p.m.            = Children’s Pageant Dress Rehearsal

Sunday, December 14, 2008 <= /p>
8:30= a.m.        THE EARLY WORSHIP SERVICE

9:20 a.m. &= nbsp;      Children’s Pageant Rehearsal (and during 11 Worship)

9:45 a.m. &= nbsp;      Sunday School for all ages

11:0= 0 a.m.      THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE

12:15 p.m. =      Christian Education Committee meets in the Board Room

7:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      H.S. Youth Group meets at church

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      Christmas Photos to be taken after worship services

5:00 p.m. &= nbsp;      Children’s Pageant and Christmas Party

  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;              = ;            &n= bsp;

BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for TODAY from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p= .m. in the Social Hall. You must be = at least 17 years old to donate. Give the gift of life!

FLOWERS are provided to the Glory of God in memory of Wayne Jackson, Mr. & = Mrs. Walter Clark, Mr. & Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, Blanche Bauerle, Bertha Taylor, Myrtle Clark, J.R. Held, and Melanie Lewis by Pat Jackson.

TREASURES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM<= /span> unwrapped gifts are due next Sunday, December 1= 4, to ensure delivery for Christmas by the Salvation Army.

H= APPY 80+ BIRTHDAY to Doris McCandless who celebrates December 13.<= span style=3D'font-size:10.5pt'>

CHRISTMAS PHOTOS= Portraits will be taken at church as a Worship Fundraiser after worship today and next Sunday. For $10 you can get: 9 wallets or 4-3.5x5s or 2-4x6 or 1-8x10.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT AND PARTY Our children will present their pageant on Sunday, December 14 at 5 p.m. Immedia= tely following the presentation, all are invited to dinner in the social hall. Main dish, rolls and beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to share and your table service.

C= HRISTMAS SANCTUARY = POINSETTIAS envelopes are included in the bulle= tin today. Please return the enve= lopes with your order by Sunday, December 14.&nb= sp; You may take your flowers with you following services on Christmas Eve. The Deacons will assist = you in getting your flowers.

TARRY and TALK–Please join us following Worship in the Tarry and Talk area = for treats prepared by Sean and Amanda Brubaker. Our hosts are the Karen Davidson, = Paul Bhame and Keith Nichols of the Membership Committee.<= o:p>

GreeterS – = Elder Susan Cox        =         Deacon Ruth Wilson

CRIB ROOM: <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Robyn Beckwith            VAN DRIVER: Jay Wilson

NEXT WEEK CRIB: Jenny Ivory    = ;      VAN DRIVER: Jay Wilson

IN MEMORIUM

James A. Bailey<= /b>

November 26, 1922 – November 30, 2008=

“I am the resurrection and t= he life,” says the Lord. J= ohn 11:25

<= /span>

PLEASE BE IN PRAYER:   Please let us know if someone should be added to this list. We like t= o pray for our church family.  &nbs= p;

Georgia Crawford        =                Jim Govan        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;    Katherine Cooper        =

Norman “PeteR= 21; Edwards        =     Harry Miller        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;        Barbara Ebert

William Champe (Debbie Williams father)      =             &nb= sp;        The Bailey Family     =

Jim Miller (Robyn Beckwith’s father)        Tammy Burk (Barb Gray’s daughter)   &nb= sp;

Parker (Lisa Aaron’s 14 year old cousin)

L= ast Week’s Collection and Attendance:

Current Expense:=             &nb= sp;    $4,288.00       Atten= dance Last Sunday: 167        &= nbsp;

Mission= : =         &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           $394.= 00     Attendance a Year Ago:     144        =             &nb= sp;

Weekly budget requirement: $5,164.90

YOUTH NEWS

<= /span>

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP meets next Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

&nb= sp;

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP meets Monday 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

<= /span>

SEAN   Email: sean@mars-up.org       &nb= sp; Cell phone: 724-591-3663<= /o:p>