Announcements 12/08/2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ANGEL TREE: Reminder that your angels are due today!

CHRISTMAS TOYS FOR BEREAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Maybe you missed your chance to choose a Salvation Army Angel?  Well, we’ve got another chance to make children happy! The Berean Presbyterian Church has asked us to donate Unwrapped toys or gifts to be distributed at their Christmas party. Unwrapped toys or gifts for ages 1-14 can be brought to the narthex by Tuesday 12/10, or call Sue Crawford, and she can pick them up from you.

CANTATA LUNCHEON: Head to the fellowship hall after service to enjoy some food, fellowship, and football!

2025 OFFERING ENVELOPES: We have received our envelope box sets for 2025. Please make sure to get one at the welcoming table by the front door.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Mark your calendars! This year’s Christmas Eve service will be held at 6:30p and officiated by JCPC’s first pastor, Rev. Bob Malsbary. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. There are multiple areas of participation in the service. If you would like to do a reading, please see Bob or Briana.

Christian ED: Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Kings, you.  What do these people have in common?  They all have a place at the Manger.  This Advent, Rev. Jan Condren will lead us in a study of the people in the manger scene, and help us to use them as a guide to find our own place at the manger. Lessons can be obtained from Briana, or at the first class.  See you there!!

December 1:        Mary, Bearer of God

December 15:      Joseph, an Unsung Hero

December 22:      The Shepherds and God of the Ordinary

January 5:            Wise Men and the Wisdom of Seeking                                                                                                    

CALENDAR:

12/8 Cantata Worship Service 10:30a

12/9 Playschool Committee Meeting 10:30a

        Outreach Committee Meeting 10a

12/13 Playschool Angel Angel Program 9a



Order of Worship 12/01/2024

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

First Sunday of Advent
 
 

December, 1st, Ten Thirty in the morning

Preacher: CP Ford Dieth        

Liturgist: Cameron Mayfield
 

Boldface indicates congregational participation.

✝Please stand, in body or spirit
 

THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED IN

PRELUDE:     Call to Advent arr.  Jerome Williams 

✝PROCESSIONAL HYMN[BLUE#2] [GTG#352]: My Lord! What a Morning

Refrain:

My Lord! what a morning; my Lord! what a morning;

O my Lord! what a morning,

when the stars begin to fall, when the stars begin to fall.


1 You will hear the trumpet sound to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]


2 You will hear the sinner cry, to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]


3 You will hear the Christian shout, to wake the nations underground,

looking to my God’s right hand, when the stars begin to fall. [Refrain]
 

WORDS OF WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

EXPECTATION FOR MESSIAH

Call to Worship Isaiah 60:2

ONE: For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness, the peoples;

MANY: but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.


LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE 

1st PERSON: Introduction of the Advent Day 

2nd PERSON: Lighting of the Candle

[Light the Candle] 
 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Oh God, we thank you that Jesus brought hope into our world. By the good news of the Bible you are still bringing hope to people. Help us to be ready to welcome Jesus Christ so that we may think good thoughts and do good deeds and that we may be a people of hope in our world. Amen. 
 

✝HYMN  [GTG#86]      The People Who Walked in Darkness

The people who walked in darkness awaken to see a great light.

The people who dwelt in the land of the shadow

rise to a star shining bright.


Chorus:

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God,

Father forever, Prince of Peace.

His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God,

Father forever, Prince of Peace.


For God has enlarged the nation, and prospered the fruit of its land.

God’s people are blest with the harvest of victory,

gift from a bountiful hand. Chorus


The yoke of despair and bondage, the chains of the slave master’s rod

are shattered and scattered like dust in a windstorm,

loosed by the justice of God. Chorus


For us now a child is given, for all the despised and forlorn.

The rule of compassion shall rest on his shoulder.

God’s own Messiah is born! Chorus


How vast is our God’s dominion! How far truth and mercy extend.

The zeal of the Lord will accomplish its purpose:

justice shall reign without end. Chorus


 REPENTANCE

CALL TO CONFESSION                                                                  

SILENT CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of the future,

you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace.

In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, 

and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.


ASSURANCE OF PARDON                    

*GLORIA PATRI [BLUE#579] [GTG#581] 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, 

world without end, Amen, Amen.
 

THE WORD WRITTEN AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE                                        Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.


2nd SCRIPTURE                                1 Thessalonians 3: 6-13

But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you. For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


ONE: Heaven and earth will pass away but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

MANY: Thanks be to God


SERMON        “Thanks and Avanti”         CP Ford Dieth 

 THE WORD MADE FLESH   


✝AFFIRMATION OF FAITH             Apostle’s Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,  and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
 

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY [GTG#89] For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
 

*DOXOLOGY[BLUE#592] [GTG# 606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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.
 

✝HYMN [Blue ] [GTG#88]  O Come, O Come Emmanuel

1 O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily: to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]

3 O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law

in cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain]

4 O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save

and give them victory o’er the grave. [Refrain]

5 O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery. [Refrain]

6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]

7 O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife, and discord cease;

fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]
 

✝PARTING PRAYER

Faithful God,

your promises stand unshaken through all generations. Renew us in hope, that we may be awake and alert as we watch for the glorious return of Jesus Christ, our judge and Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE [GTG#654] In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful

In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful; in the Lord I will rejoice!

Look to God; do not be afraid.

Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

Lift up your voices; the Lord is near.


POSTLUDE                      

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

STAFF

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

For more information, visit our website at www.JohnCalvinChurch.org

 or find us @JohnCalvinMetairie on Facebook and Instagram.




ANNOUNCEMENTS


Announcements 12/1/2024

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY: Party is being hosted by Emily and David Garland on December 6th at 6:30p. Please bring a dish and present to swap!

ANGEL TREE: Reminder that your angels are due back on 12/8. You can team up with another member or have one of our little elves to shop for you.

Christian ED: Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Kings, you.  What do these people have in common?  They all have a place at the Manger.  This Advent, Rev. Jan Condren will lead us in a study of the people in the manger scene, and help us to use them as a guide to find our own place at the manger. Lessons can be obtained from Briana, or at the first class.  See you there!!

December 1:        Mary, Bearer of God

December 8:        Joseph, an Unsung Hero

December 15:      The Shepherds and God of the Ordinary

December 22:      Wise Men and the Wisdom of Seeking                                                                                                    

ADVENT READERS: We are looking for a pair of members to help with the advent readings on 12/15. Please talk to Mary or Briana if you would like to pick up this Sunday.

MUSIC: We need help setting up the cantata risers on Dec 1 after the service. Please plan to stick around for 10-15 minutes if you are able to help! 

CALENDAR:

12/1 Worship Service 10:30a

12/2 Worship Committee Meeting 10:30a

12/3 Playschool Santa Pics 9a

12/5 PW Council Meeting 10a

12/6 White Elephant Party (Garland’s House) 6:30p

12/7 Cantata Lunch Setup 10a