First Presbyterian Church PO Box 1608

212 Laurens Street Olean, NY 14760

372-7844

“Where Faith and Family Come Together” December 23, 2018, 11:00AM Worship

If you would like childcare, please see an usher. *All who are able, please stand. Bold type congregation reads.

GATHERING

Prelude Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring JS Bach Welcome and Announcements

Please sign the Ritual of Friendship pad found at the center aisle and pass it to your neighbor

Noisy Cans (A collection of change & small bills to support the food pantry) Choral Introit Greeting God is Good Everyday Call to Worship Leader: Out of little Bethlehem comes one who is to rule in Israel. People: He shall be great to the ends of the earth. Leader: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior. God’s mercy extends from generation to generation. People: Holy is God’s name!

*Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful No. 133 Children’s Time

The Fourth Advent Candle Marlene Levine

Advent Song Light One Candle Natalie Sleeth Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope. He brings hope to ev’ry heart. He comes! He comes!

Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace. He brings peace to ev’ry heart. He comes! He comes!

Light one candle for joy, one bright candle for joy. Ev’ry nation will find salvation in Bethl’em’s baby boy.

Light one candle for love, one bright candle for love. He brings love to ev’ry heart. He comes! He comes!

Prayer of Confession Silence

God our Savior, we ask for your mercy. Though we have heard Mary’s song, we still seek security in pride and pow- er and possessions. Though we know your story, we resist the costs of following you. We pass by those considered low- ly in this world. We turn away from hungry people who still wait to be filled. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to work for the justice you intend. Make us messengers of the peace you bring. As we wait for you, turn our apathy into acts of love and service. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Em- manuel. Amen. Lord, Have Mercy No. 551 Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us. Declaration of Forgiveness Friends, God is for us and not against us. For that very rea- son, God sent the Son into the world— not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Be- lieve the good news: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! *Gloria Patri No. 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.

Opening Prayer Stir up your power, O God, and come to set us free by the righteousness of your birth in our midst, by the light of your face shining upon us, and by becoming our brother, our friend, our salvation. We pray this in the name of Je- sus, Amen. 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 king- dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory No. 143

Offering *Doxology No. 606 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Choral Anthem Manger Child G. Grier

THE WORD

Prayer for Illumination O Mighty One, who scatters the proud and fills the hungry, by your Holy Spirit let your word leap in us and bring to our yearning the joy that comes with new beginnings and renewed lives. Amen.

Scripture Reading Psalm 80 (OT) 665

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Sermon Reading Luke 1:39-56 (NT) 69

Sermon Rev. Dr. Bruce Levine

SENDING

*Hymn Gentle Mary Laid Her Child No. 146

*Charge and Blessing

*Postlude Joy to the World F. Ritter

Today’s Participants - Organist, Rick Snyder Preacher, Rev. Dr. Bruce Levine Greeter and Coffee Server, Diane Trippany Liturgist, Ed Bigley

12/16/18 Attendance: 49 Offering: $2,346.30

Today’s flowers are given In loving of Nora Johnson and Alvina Johnson (Kay’s mother

& grandmother) By Dave & Kay Shults

COME JOIN US

FOR OUR

CHRISTMAS EVE

SERVICE

7:30PM, DECEMBER 24TH

RECEPTION WILL FOLLOW

CHURCH CALENDAR WEEK OF 12/23/18

Sunday - December 23 9:30am Adult Discussion Noisy Cans 11am Worship

Monday - December 24 Noon AA 7:30pm Christmas Eve Service followed by reception

Tuesday - December 25 Merry Christmas Sunday - December 30 11am Worship

Our Church Family Special Prayers for:

Lynn McClure Ross Bennett Carol Weinhold Eli Eade Sylvia Lynch

Sharon Mikolajcyk Emily Kennedy Bob Johnson Julie Barnes Betsy Way

Keith Gassman Avrie Sinesiou Mary Daugherty Gretchen Randon Renee Ensell

Birthdays:

26 ~ Tom Bowersox 27 ~ Ryan Whitney

Please Note: The Church office will be closed from December 21st until January 2nd.

PW Thanks All Who Gave!!!

With your help, 42 items of warmth went from the Mitten Tree to the Olean

Food Pantry!

Session 2019

Punkie Sinesiou Clerk of Session

Lanna Waterman Communications/MEF with Kay Shults

John Weinhold Worship

Sandi Smith Christian Education/Mission

2020

Dave Shults Finance/Stewardship

Ed Bigley Personnel/Nominating

Heather McDivitt Property

Craig Polson Roberts Fund

2019 2020

Susan Garmon Carol Bess

Alexus Fisk Barb Bigley

Lynn McClure Judi Blair

Louie McClure Diane Trippany

Deacons

Ken Stebbins

First Presbyterian Church, Olean, NY Church Office: 716-372-7844

Fax: 716-379-8250 Church Email: Oleanfpc@wny.twcbc.com

Pastor’s Email: sbl_63118@msn.com Website: oleanfirstpresbyterian.com

Presbytery of Western New York: www.pbywny.org

Church Staff Rick Snyder, Organist

Carol McClellan, CE Coordinator Chris Gruver, Custodian

Andrea Oakley, Secretary/Bookkeeper Rev. Dr. Bruce Levine, Pastor (716-378-6773)

Church Office Hours

Monday through Thursday 8:30am until 2:30pm

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH