First Presbyterian Church

December 8, 2019 • 10:30 a.m.

*Please stand, in body or in spirit. Text printed in bold italics to be read in unison.

Prelude O Come, O Come Emmanuel 15th Century Plainsong/ arr. Martin Welcome

Introit (from hymn 77)

Isaiah the prophet has written of old how God’s new creation shall come. Instead of the thorn tree, the fir tree shall grow; the wolf shall lie down with the lamb. The mountains and hills shall burst forth into song, the peoples be led forth in peace, for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.

Yet nations prey on the meek of the world, and conflict turns parent from child. Your people despoil all the sweetness of earth; the briar and the thorn tree grow wild. God, bring to fruition your will for the earth, that no one shall hurt or destroy, that wisdom and justice shall reign in the land and your people shall go forth in joy.

*Call to Worship and Lighting of the Advent Candles (from Isaiah 11) The prophet writes: In the days to come, a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse. The spirit of wisdom and understanding shall rest upon this One. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the cow and the bear shall graze together. And a little child shall lead them. Today we light the candles of hope and peace as signs of the coming light of Christ. God’s peaceful realm is on its way! Let us worship God.

*Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

*Invitation to Confession

*Prayer of Confession (silent confession) Holy God, you show us the path of righteousness. Yet, we confess that we do not always walk in your light. We are quick to build barriers, rather than work to tear them down. We find it easier to exclude others than to welcome them. Forgive us, we pray. Rekindle in us the vision of your peaceful realm, so that we may be ever more ready to receive the coming Prince of Peace, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Oak Ridge, Tennessee

A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

December 8, 2019 Second Sunday of Advent

*Assurance of Forgiveness

*The Peace of Christ Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you. Let us share Christ’s Shalom with one another.

*Sung Response (hymn 113, refrain) Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Time with the Children Sharon Youngs Children grades 2 and younger are invited to remain in the service or go to First Steps.

Anthem Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming arr. Hopson

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming as men of old have sung. It came a floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind. With Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air. Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. True man, yet very God, from sin and death now saves us, and lightens every load.

Scripture Reading Isaiah 11:1-10

Sermon The Power of Peace Sharon Youngs

Hymn 79 Light Dawns on a Weary World

*Affirmation of Faith

We believe that God is at work in our world turning hopeless and evil situations into good. We believe in the power of peace; that goodness and justice and love will triumph in the end, and that tyranny and oppression will not last forever. One day all tears will be wiped away and the lamb will lie down with the lion. True peace and true reconciliation are not only desirable, they are assured and guaranteed. This is our faith, and our hope. Amen.

Call to Prayer (hymn 92)

While we are waiting, come; while we are waiting, come. Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, while we are waiting, come.

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Prayers of the People - with The Lord’s Prayer (ecumenical) {

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

The Gathering of Our Gifts

Offertory An Advent Prayer Louise Stairs

*Doxology (hymn 606) and Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn 71 Surely, It Is God Who Saves Me

Meeting of the Congregation

*Charge and Blessing

*Sung Response (hymn 71, refrain) Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and God will be my Savior.

Postlude People, Look East Trad. French melody/ arr. Aber

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The poinsettias at the front of the sanctuary for the season

have been given in part by Lou Dunlap to the glory of God.

Worship notes

On this second Sunday of Advent, the word is Shalom. This is a Hebrew word that means peace, harmony, wholeness, prosperity, and tranquility. Shalom is often said when parting company as a kind of farewell. Look for this word, written in Hebrew, on the banner for today.

Hunger Fund offering

Today we receive our final quarterly Hunger Fund offering of the year. Your gifts to the Hunger Fund are distributed to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) to provide food vouchers to clients, as well as to Second Harvest of East Tennessee and other local food pantries. Through the Hunger Fund, FPC also purchases gift cards for Aldi’s to assist those in urgent need of food, and provides the Welcome Table meal the second Thursday of each month.

Please make checks payable to FPC with "Hunger Fund" on the memo line or use the QR code (on the back) to contribute online. Thank you for helping to feed the hungry in our community.

Today’s worship volunteers

Liturgist: Peggy Hilliard Acolyte: Megan Stone Time with Children: Sharon Youngs Sound: Sydney Murray Ushers: Andre Darko, George Darko, Louise Dunlap, Carolyn Krause, Dave Mullins, Walt Porter Counters: Lou Dunlap, Dan Terpstra Flowers: Lou Dunlap Nametags: Daisy Campen, Cathy Goodman Fellowship: Linda Drive, Tonia Hensley Open/Close: Fred Allison, Dan Terpstra

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church (FPC)! No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

We hope you feel the love that is present and our joy in having you with us.

Nursery care is available in the Education building. Ask any of the ushers to direct you, if needed. Children’s worship kits, large print bulletins, and hearing-assistance units are available from the ushers. Audio recordings of sermons and more information on FPC are at fpcor.org. Call the church office [(865)

483-1318] for audio recordings of the entire service.

Help Pack the Pantry! Donations for the food pantry are always welcome. Please place food donations in the red wagon in the narthex. Thank you!

Welcome table this Thursday Our Welcome Table meal is this Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., in the fellowship hall. On the menu: ham, baked beans, coleslaw, succotash, rolls, and cake. An added feature: Christmas carols!

EHS Angel Tree

A reminder to those who have EHS angels that your gifts need to be wrapped and returned to the fellowship hall today so they can be delivered to the children before

they leave for Christmas break.

The Session has called a meeting of the congregation immediately following worship today to elect new elders. See the insert for information about the nominees for the Class of 2022.

Please see the note on the Christian education page about class schedules

during Advent and Christmas.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK December 8-15, 2019

Sun. 12/8 Second Sunday of Advent

9:00 a.m. Sunday school (see next page)

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:30 a.m. Meeting of the Congregation and Fellowship time

1:00 p.m. AAUW Christmas tea (Rm. 102, Activities bldg.)

5:30 p.m. FPC youth group

Mon. 12/9

11:30 a.m. Men’s lunch (The Soup Kitchen)

12:00 p.m. Women’s lunch (Dean’s Restaurant)

5:15 p.m. ADFAC board meeting (Rm. 102, Activities bldg.)

6:00 p.m. Scouts BSA Troop 42

(Fellowship hall & Rm. 102, Activities bldg.)

Tues. 12/10

12:15 p.m. Centering prayer (Sanctuary)

6:30 p.m. Guitar workshop (Rm. 102, Activities bldg.)

Wed. 12/11

11:00 a.m. Staff meeting (Sharon’s office)

11:30 a.m. Al Anon (Rm. 100, Activities bldg.)

7:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal

Thurs. 12/12

5:00 p.m. Welcome Table (fellowship hall)

Fri. 12/13

Sat. 12/14

5:00 p.m. Oak Ridge Pokemon Go

(Rm. 102, Activities bldg.)

Sun. 12/15 Third Sunday of Advent

9:00 a.m. Sunday school (see next page)

10:30 a.m. Worship

11:30 a.m. Cider & Cookies & Music (fellowship hall)

11:45 a.m. Worship training (fellowship hall)

4:30 p.m. Christmas caroling (meet in the fellowship hall)

Looking ahead

Sun., Dec. 15—All-church Advent study, 9:00 a.m., fellow-ship hall

Sun., Dec. 15—Cider & Cookies & Music, worship training, and caroling

Tues., Dec. 17—Service of Memory and Hope, 6:30 p.m.

Tues., Dec. 24—Christmas eve candlelight & Communion Services, 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 29—Fifth Sunday celebration after worship

Celebrations this week Birthdays...

12/10 Jenny Lindsey 12/12 Micah Bostick

and anniversaries... 12/8 Bill & Debbie Bostick

Remember those who are …

in healthcare and retirement communities:

Connie Book, Bob Clausing, Boyd Coker, Lois Lacy, Anna & Marvin Randolph, Alex Stuart

homebound: Sandra Edwards

Midweek Bible study

The midweek Bible study is taking a break during Advent and the beginning of the new year. The class will resume meeting on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., beginning Jan. 8.

The FPC youth (grades 4-12) meet on Sunday evenings for dinner and an activity, 5:30-7:00 p.m., in the fellowship hall. Check it out:

• Today—making Christmas cards for church family

• Sunday, Dec. 15—Meet at the church at 4:30 p.m. to go caroling

• Friday, Dec. 20—Youth movie night 6:00-9:00 p.m.! We’ll meet in Room 102 to watch The Grinch. Pizza and popcorn will be provided. Movie nights are a great time to bring friends.

Sunday school—9:00 a.m.

Nursery—(through age 3, first floor, Education building)

KidzZone/Youth—(ages 4 years through grade 12) 2nd floor, Education building, 2nd room on right. Prayer, music, lessons, and skits.

Rise ‘n’ Shine—(adults, room 6, Sanctuary building) Prayer, conversation, and Bible study. Current focus: The Book of Romans. Teachers: Cheryl Barr, Sue Byrne, Hannah Tippett

Early Birds—(adults, parlor, Sanctuary building) Prayer, conversation, and Bible study. Current focus: the Apocrypha. Teachers: Anne Backus and Rosalyn McKeown-Ice

Let’s Talk About It—(adults, room 102, Activities building) A video-based topical conversation. Current focus: “Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe.” Teacher: Dan Terpstra.

Advent and Christmas schedule Next Sunday, Dec. 15, will be the final session of the churchwide Advent study, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., in the fellowship hall. Come join in! The KidzZone/Youth class will not meet on Sundays, Dec. 22 or 29, due to Christmas break. Class will resume on Jan. 5, 2020.

First Presbyterian Church—A PC(USA) Congregation

Sharon Youngs Pastor Bob Cantrell Parish Associate for Pastoral Care

Anna Thomas Director of Music Ryan Tilley Director of Children & Youth Ministries

Peggy Hinkle Organist Omer Breeden Custodian

Adrienne Potter Office Manager

P.O. Box 6106 ❖ Oak Ridge, TN 37831 ❖ (865) 483-1318 ❖ fpcor.org Located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike on the corner of Lafayette

Church Office Hours: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. give online

worship volunteers—December 15

Liturgist: Wes Tilley Acolyte: Willow Tilley Time with Children: Sharon Youngs Sound: Sydney Murray Ushers: Anne Backus, Bill Bostick, Pat Clark, Joe Gray, Matt Lindsey, Lewis Phillips, Tammy Pietrzak, Susan Sharp Counters: Bill Bostick, Colin Colverson Flowers: George & Irene Darko Nametags: Lewis & Phyllis Phillips Fellowship: Darlene Sanders & Elaine Wilson Open/Close: Fred Allison, Dan Terpstra

Church office holiday hours The church office will be closed Dec. 25-26 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Office hours the week of Dec. 30-Jan. 3 will be 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Year-end contributions Contributions for 2019 must be received by Dec. 31. If you your contributions, please allow plenty of time to account for any holiday-related postal delays. If you send in a contribution early for your 2020 pledge in order to deduct it from this year’s taxes, please note on the memo line the year for which the pledge is intended.