A SERVICE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

First Sunday of Advent

December 2, 2012 - 11:00 AM

�All who are able are invited to stand Chiming of the Trinity The three bells rung at the beginning of the service represent the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the bells ring, let us gather quietly, prayerfully reflecting on the majesty of God in our lives.

Prelude Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Richard Warner Welcome and Announcements Paul Lloret, Liturgist

To Praise the Living God Introit Of the Father's Love Begotten Traditional Plainsong Lighting of the First Advent Candle Robert & Betsy Folks An Advent Lighting Carol (tune of Away In A Manger)

A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright, a candle of hope in December's dark night;

while angels sing blessing from heaven's starry sky, Our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

�Call to Worship from Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, When I will fulfill my promise to my people. Justice and righteousness will fill the land, And all will live in peace and safety. �Hymn 8 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates TRURO

To Confess Our Sins and Receive Forgiveness Call to Confession Prayer of Confession Lord have mercy on us. We are not ready for your coming. We live in sin, as though

there were no justice. We live in fear, as though there was no grace. Forgive us, Lord.

Show us your mercy and steadfast love. Lead us in your truth, and teach us your paths,

for you are the God of our salvation. Amen. Silent Reflection and Personal Confession Response Hymn 44, Stanza 4 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS Assurance of Pardon Friends, believe the Good News. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Alleluia. Amen.

To Experience God's Word Message for Children Anthem Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence David Johnson Scripture Reading (Page 699) Jeremiah 33:14-16 (Page 81) Luke 21:25-36

The Word of Our Lord, Thanks be to God!

Sermon "Remembering the Future" Dr. William F. (Chip) Summers

To Commune at the Lord's Table �Hymn 513 Let Us Break Bread Together LET US BREAK BREAD Invitation and Words of Institution The Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (The Presbyterian Hymnal, Page 16) Intercessory Prayers

To Respond in Faith �Affirmation of Faith The Apostles' Creed (Traditional) 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. �Response, Hymn 22, Stanza 4 Angels from the Realms of Glory

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Leo Sowerby �Response, Hymn 53, Stanza 3 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES

�Prayer of Dedication �Hymn 63 As With Gladness Men of Old DIX

To Go Forth to Serve as God's People in the World �Charge and Benediction �Closing Response Hymn 23. Stanza 3 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA Postlude Improvisation on DIX

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STAFF

Jim Glass - Director of Music and Organist Philip W. Neely - Treasurer Sara B. Hancock, CAP - Administrative Assistant Marlene Sperry - CDP Director

SESSION MEMBERS Robert K. Folks, Clerk

Class of 2012 Class of 2013 Class of 2014 Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Robert K. Folks Vickie L. Jewell Carolyn C. Hardin Elizabeth W. Gregory Robert F. Stephenson Paul E Smith Jr. William K. Williams

MINISTRY BOARDS

Caregivers Christian Formation Congregational Care Carolyn C. Hardin Vickie L. Jewell Robert F. Stephenson Paul E. Smith Jr. Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Columbarium & Fellowship Hospitality & Memorial Garden Donna C. Connors Outreach Kim M. Moredock Carolyn C. Hardin Vickie L. Jewell Paul E. Smith Jr. Nominating Committee Worship Child Dev. Program Donna C. Connors Holly C. Furr Vickie L. Jewell Holly C. Furr Elizabeth W. Gregory Paul E. Smith Jr.

SUPPORT COMMITTEES

Pastoral and Property Management Stewardship and Staff Relations Robert F. Stephenson Operational Support

William K. Williams William K. Williams Elizabeth W. Gregory Robert K. Folks Front Cover Drawing by Nicole Anderson.

First Presbyterian Church 700 North Main Street/PO Box 990

Lancaster, South Carolina 29721

www.fpc-lancaster.org

803-283-3329

A Place to Belong, A Place to Serve

"Now you are the Body of Christ , and Individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

OUR VISION AND MISSION

We, the members

of First Presbyterian Church, are disciples of the risen Christ

and members of his universal Body, who are empowered by God’s Spirit to

WORSHIP God with joy and thanksgiving; PROCLAIM the Gospel through word and deed;

TEACH the message of God’s love in Christ; SHARE God’s love for all people by reaching out

in hospitality, ministry and mission; WORK together in harmonious unity

as a loving and caring people; and to SERVE one another and others beyond our fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ

OUR VALUES

The values we cherish to enable us to accomplish our vision and mission are the fruit of God’s Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

FAMILIES TO REMEMBER

IN PRAYER THIS WEEK

Sal & Lois Rao

Cameron Ratkovic

Lucinda Ruh

Jeff, Nikki, Hailey & Ashtyn Sanders

PASTORAL NEEDS: The Session desires to be informed when members and friends of the church are in

need of pastoral care. During office hours, please call the church office (803-283-3329), in order that the elder

under whose care the person or family is assigned may be notified.

FIRST PREBYTERIAN'S PRAYER MINISTRY

Please come by the Prayer Ministry Table before or after our services and give the name of your prayer request

to our prayer ministry representatives. Their name will be given to our pastor before the pastoral prayer to be

raised to God in corporate prayer. At the Prayer Table cards are available to express our corporate love and

concern to those remembered in prayer. Please stop by each Sunday on your way into church to

sign these cards. Help us in this way to further our church's ministry of sympathy, witness, and

service to others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please pray for our members: Wilma Williamson; Darrell and Peggy Bell; Tom and Betty

Syfan; Barbara Paul; Ned and Bobbi Funderburk; Nell Perry; Nell Carter; Locketta Stephenson;

Teny Kerr; Marie Dixon; Ann Powers; Cameron Ratkovic; Margaret Marshall; Amy Saylors;

Shane Owens and family; Bill Williams

Friends of the church (recently brought forward for prayer: Dean Williamson; Judy Craig; Randy Craig;

Brenda Robinson; Sean Squires; Tiffany Boatwright; Megan Haupt; Crystal Baker; Peggy Stansell; Kathy

Hayes; Debbie Todd; Bobby Parker; Abby Bunkley; Kathy Harrington; Beth Mobley; Eric Holloway; Annette

Spencer; Jenna Horne; Grant Bosburgh; Chick Harrell; Velta Morris; Allen Steene; Charles Knight; Linda

DeBruycker; Lisa Moore; Catherine Sherpy; Tina Sweatt; Barbara Rutledge; Sylvia Dunphy; David Ogburn

Please pray for those serving in our military: Angela Armour, Heath Foster, Ramon McCullough, Gary

Hogan, Vicky Taylor, Cameron Ratkovic Jr., Mitch Maybray; Daniel Byrd

PRAYER MINISTRY TABLE

Today: Teresa Anderson/Joy Williams

Next Week: Amy Saylors

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND one of our Sunday School classes: Nursery/Preschool Class; K-5th

grade; 6th-7th grade; 8th-12th grade. Adult Classes: Men's Bible Class; Elizabeth Tennant Bible Class;

Friendship Class; Spirit/Passage Class. Come join us as we explore God's Word together as a church family!

A SPECIAL INVITATION! You are invited to become a member of our church by making your profession

of faith in Jesus Christ, by making your reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transferring your

membership from the church where you have been active. If you are interested in becoming a member of First

Presbyterian, please speak to the pastor, indicate this on the Friendship Register, or call the church office at

283-3329.

CHURCH ACITIVITES: December 2, 2012 - December 8, 2012

Sunday 9:45 AM Sunday School for All Ages

11:00 AM Worship

5:00 PM PWCT

Monday 7:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast

Tuesday 9:00 AM St. Fiacre

Wednesday 12:00 PM Fellowship Lunch

12:00 PM Bulletin Deadline

6:00 PM Bells

7:15 PM Adult Choir

Thursday 8:00 PM Al-Anon

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Please submit all announcements to the church office by 12:00 noon on Wednesday

of each week unless noted otherwise in the bulletin. You may also send them via email to

firstpres@comporium.net.

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

May you feel God's presence, may the message be a blessing in your life and may the grace of God go with you and strengthen you for the

week ahead. Please come again soon!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

WEE WORSHIP BAGS are available in the narthex. Please return the bags to the basket

after service.

Our worship leader this morning is the Rev. Dr. William F. (Chip) Summers who recently

retired after serving the Bethesda Presbyterian Church of Camden, South Carolina, for the

past fifteen years. He and his wife, Lynne, continue to live in Camden.

Today is the last day to contribute to the THORNWELL CHILDREN'S HOME

OFFERING. We've collected $80.00 thus far. Envelopes are available in the narthex and

outside the church office. Be sure to designate "Thornwell Children's Home" on your check.

FROM THE CHANCEL COMMITTEE: Christmas traditions are a special part of our

worship at First Presbyterian. While keeping these traditions, the Chancel Committee is

offering members the opportunity to participate in the funding of the greens. You may

designate these donations in memory or honor of someone. You may make a donation for a

poinsettia ($12/each). These memorial and honorariums will be listed in the bulletin insert

on Christmas Eve. Forms are available in the narthex and outside the church office.

Deadline: December 2.

This month's FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON will be December 5 at noon. The cost is

$4/person. Sign up outside the church office.

The Administrative Assistant will be OUT OF THE OFFICE on Friday, December 7, 2012.

For those of you who want to contribute locally to provide Christmas gifts to those less

fortunate, we have an opportunity to participate in the CHRISTMAS ANGELS sponsored

by Christian Services located on White Street. We have received 10 names with suggestions

for gifts. These names will be posted on a tree in the narthex. Please sign your name beside

the number on the sheet of paper as you make your selection. Collection date is December

10, 2012. Bring them to the church and they will be taken to Christian Services for you.

Contact Presbyterian Women for more information.

CIRCLE #3 will meet Tuesday, December 11 at 11:30 a.m. at the home of Peggy Furr. Lunch will

be served.

The annual JOY GIFT offering will be received on Sunday, December 23. Checks may be made

payable to First Presbyterian Church. Be sure to mark your check as "Joy Gift."

With the end of the year approaching, please try to stay current with or catch up on your contributions

to the church. We want to be able to fulfill our pledge to Presbytery regarding General Benevolences

while continuing to fund our current operating expenses which still includes our former pastor's

salary. If you have any questions about the status of your contributions to the church, please let me

know and I will provide you with that information. Thank you for your continuing support of God's

work through First Presbyterian. - Phil Neely, Treasurer

The NEW ADDRESS for Fran Thomas has been posted on the bulletin board outside the church

office.

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ATTENDANCE for November 25, 2012 SS - 21 MW - 42

ATTENDANCE for November 26, 2012 Men's Prayer Breakfast - 33

GIVING UPDATE

11/25/12 Year to Date

Amount Needed $3,621.14 $173,814.72

Amount Received 2,398.00 156,735.12

Over/(Under) ($1,223.14) ($17,079.60)

Count Team: Doc Moredock; Bill Mahaffey; Holly Furr

Ushers: Andy Harper; John R. Steele; Mark Johnson; Tom Syfan

Church Opening: Andy Harper

Front Door Greeter: Andy & Suzanne Harper

Back Door Greeter: Adele Williams/Peggy Furr

Alternate Greeter: Andy & Diane Harrell

Chancel: Betsy Gregory