WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WELCOME. In the name of Christ, we offer you welcome to this church. May those who

sorrow, find comfort; the weary, rest; the troubled, peace; the stranger, friends; the unhappy, joy;

and to all, the sense of God’s presence in this Holy Place. If you are new to this parish community,

please give your name and phone number to the Rector or sign our guest register on the stand in

the back of the Church. As our honored guest, we want to welcome you.

THE SERVICE. There are two main books used for our service; the smaller red book is the Book

of Common Prayer and the larger blue book is the Hymnal. There is also a Gray Hymnal. They

can be found in the bookrack on the back of the pew in front of you. A Bible can be found at the

ends of the pew. The page / hymn numbers in the service bulletin help you find your place in

these service books. We invite you to participate fully in our worship.

RECEIVING COMMUNION. Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church is open to all who are

comfortable participating in the Communion of the Lord’s Table. To receive communion come to

the altar rail; kneel or stand with one hand cupped on top of the other hand to receive the

consecrated bread. Please take the chalice and drink from it; or you may intinct the bread by

dipping it in the consecrated wine. Parents are encouraged to determine when a child is ready to

receive communion. All children are invited to the altar rail to receive communion or a blessing.

Please feel comfortable doing what is best for you and your child.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

9:00 A.M.

Prelude

Opening Hymn “How Bright Appears the Morning Star” Hymnal 497

Call to Worship:

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All: and blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Celebrant: Lift up your heads, O gates!

All: and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

Celebrant: That the King of glory may come in.

All: Who is the King of glory?

Celebrant: The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in

battle.

All: Lift up your heads, O gates!

Celebrant: And be lifted up, O ancient doors!

All: That the King of glory may come in.

Celebrant: Who is this King of glory?

All: The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Collect for Purity Prayer Book, page 355

Collect of the Day Insert

First Reading Isaiah 7:10-16 Insert

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Insert

Second Reading Romans 1:1-7 Insert

Gospel Hymn: “Creator of the Stars of Night” Hymnal 60

Gospel Matthew 1:18-25 Insert

Gospel Response “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”

(2 times by Choir and repeated 2 times by congregation)

Sermon The Rev. J. Patrick Peters

Choir Anthem

Nicene Creed Prayer Book, page 358

Prayers of the People (Form III) Prayer Book, page 387

Prayer of Confession and Assurance

Forgive us Lord, when we go our own way, get ourselves in

trouble, and then wonder where you are.

Forgive us when we put ultimate trust in people, ideas, visions,

and things other than you.

Forgive us when we ask you for a sign that you are there,

when you have been there all along,

patiently waiting for us to turn to you to help guide us

throughout life’s twists and turns.

Forgive us, merciful God.

Open our eyes and ears, our minds, and hearts to trust and follow

You today and forever. Amen.

Absolution Prayer Book, page 332

The Peace Prayer Book, page 360

Greetings and Announcements

Offertory

Presentation Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Hymnal 56

Eucharistic Prayer B Prayer Book, page 367

Sursum Corda Hymnal S-120

Sanctus Hymnal S-129

Memorial Acclamation Mass of Creation

The Great Amen Mass of Creation

Our Father Celtic

The Breaking of the Bread Prayer Book, page 364

Communion

Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer Book, page 366

The Blessing

Closing Hymn “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Hymnal 66

Dismissal

Prayer Requests December 18, 2016

Hospitalizations

Homebound

Delores Baker (Saint Anne); Helen Vollmer (Saint Anne); Ethel Edelman (Autumn House West)

Intercessions

Sue Ellen; Buzz; Ruth; Matthew; Bonnie; George; Mike; Shalimar; Sondra; Grace; Davina; Janet

Birthday

12/18 Dee Kaufhold; 12/19 Ralph Jones, Darlene Swartzbaugh; 12/20 Linda Gewiss; 12/22 Rose

Dixon

Anniversary

Thanksgiving:

Departed

Lauren Rousseau; Esther Wood; John Brommer; Sue Brommer; Jean Feltenberger; Robert Kuhns

For Those in Positions of Public Trust President Barack Obama; Governor Tom Wolf; Mayor Leo Lutz; All legislative bodies & all

courts of law; for the leaders of all nations and peoples

For our Bishops, Rector, and Parish Members

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff; The Most Rev. Michael

Curry and his staff; The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan and her staff; The Rev. J. Patrick Peters; the

staff and people of this parish, especially Jonathan and Iris Lutz and children Sophia, Lily and

Olive; Joel and Ericka Sipe and children Emily and Evan; Bea Warfel

World Cycle of Prayer

12/18 India; 12/19 Indonesia; 12/20 Iran; 12/21 Iraq; 12/22 Ireland; 12/23 Israel; 12/24 Italy

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

12/18 Kilmore; Elphin and Ardagh, The Rt. Rev’d Ferran Glenfield; 12/19 Kimberley and

Kuruman, The Rt. Rev’d Oswald Swartz; 12/20 Kindu, The Rt. Rev’d Zacharie Masimango

Katanda; 12/21 Kinkiizi, The Rt. Rev’d Dan Zoreka; 12/22 The Most Rev’d Kahwa Henri

Isingoma, Archbishop of the Congo and Bishop of Kinshasa; Suffragan Bishop of Kinshasa, The

Rt. Rev’d Molanga Jean Botola; Kisangani, The Rt. Rev’d Lambert Botolome; 12/23 Kirinyaga,

The Rt. Rev’d Joseph Kibuchua; 12/24 Kita Kanto, The Rt. Rev’d Zerubbabel Katsuichi Hirota

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

12/18 Southern Baptist Convention; 12/19 Sovereign Grace Baptists; 12/20 Strict Baptists; 12/21

Two-See-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists; 12/22 Union D’Eglises Baptistes Francaises Au

Canada; 12/23 United American Free Will Baptist Church; 12/24 United American Free Will

Baptist Conference

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and Parish Cycle of Prayer:

St. Thomas, Lancaster and their congregation; Salem United Church of Christ, Columbia and their

congregation

Companion Parish Cycle of Prayer:

Ecumenical:

Rev. Beth J. Costlow and the people of Saint John Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Mark Kopp and the people of Saint James Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Stephen Kelley and the people of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church,

Columbia

Rev. Anthony Swamy Anthappa, MSFS and the people of Saint Peter Roman Catholic

Church, Columbia

Rev. David Powers and the people of The Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia

Rev. Thomas Grubbs and the people of The Columbia United Methodist Church, Columbia

Rev. Patricia McAllister and the people of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Columbia

Rev. Hub Smith and the people of The Columbia Christian Fellowship, Columbia

Revs. Gordon and Angie Misal and the people of Impact Christian Center, Columbia

Rev. Charles Deutsch and the people of Ironville United Methodist Church, Columbia

Rev. Mary Ann Kingsborough and the people of Concordia Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Dione Kleptka and the people of Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community

Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation:

Rev. Gina Barrett and the people of Saint John Episcopal Church, Marietta

Rev. Ingrid Andersen and the people of Saint Luke Episcopal Church, Mount Joy

Rev. Sud Tiwari and the people of Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Manheim

Rev. Tim Small and the people of Hope Episcopal Church, Mt. Hope

Rev. Mark Scheneman and the people of Bangor Church, Churchtown

and the Revs. Beth Mollard, Pete Greenfield, John Emmert, Philip Snyder, Ellie Garner and

Nancy Rementer

Peace and Justice

South Sudan; Nigeria; Iraq; Israel; Kenya; Afghanistan; Palestine; Somalia; Iran; Libya; Syria;

Egypt; Tunisia; Yemen; Ukraine; Venezuela; North Korea

PRAYER CIRCLE

The Prayer Circle is comprised of a group of people who will pray for special and / or

specific intentions and people as requested. If you would like special prayers, call anyone

on the Prayer Circle list and they will pass it to the next person and so on until everyone on

the Prayer Circle list has received the request. If you would like to be a member of the

Prayer Circle, please call the office and give Darlene your name and telephone number.

Please note that the Prayer Circle is in the form of a circle going counter-

clockwise.

Annabelle Vecero………..252-3241

Mary Lynn Geltmacher……684-4241 Janet Herman……………...684-5161

Teresa Allen…………..……799-1321 Beth Runkle……………….684-9204

If you are interested in joining the Prayer Circle, please call the

Parish Office. We could use more people for this important ministry.

Be Thoughtful

Be Silent

Be Reverent……..

for this is the House of

the Lord

Before the service,

speak to the Lord

During the service, let

the Lord speak to you

After the service, speak to

one another

COLLECTION COUNTER SCHEDULE: December 18, 2016 – Beverly Euculano

December 25, 2016 – Beverly Euculano

Amount needed each week to meet the 2016 income budget: $2,976.00

Amount budgeted each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1,496.00

Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet income budget: $1,480.00

Amount needed each week to meet the 2016 expense budget: $4,011.00

Amount expected each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1,496.00

Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet expense budget: $2,515.00

12/11/16 12/13/15

St. John Herr Estate 17 14

8:00 a.m. 24

9:00 a.m. 41

10:15 a.m. __ 23

58 61

Pledge and Plate: $2,042.00 $1,242.00

Weekly Attendance – 12/11/16 – 457

December 24, 2016

4:00 p.m.

Eucharistic Ministers: Alf/Bill

Crucifer: Bill

Server: Andra

Prayers of the People: Mary Lynn

Usher: George

Greeters: George/Pat

Verger (open) Alf

December 24, 2016

6:00 p.m.

Lectors: Teresa/Bev

Eucharistic Minister: Shirley/Danielle

Crucifer: Noah

Server: Noah

Gospel Bearer: Father Patrick

Prayers of the People: Bev

Usher: Ralph

Greeter: Ralph/Evelyn

Verger (close): Tracy

December 25, 2016

10:00 a.m.

Lectors: Janet/Bea

Eucharistic Minister: Kathy

Server: Kathy

Gospel Bearer: Father Patrick

Prayers of the People: Bea

Verger (open and close): Father Patrick

THIS WEEK AT SAINT PAUL

Sun: 8:50 AM – Sunday School in the Holy Communion Chapel

9:00 AM – Eucharist – Church – Preacher, Father Patrick.

10:15 AM – Coffee Hour in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

10:30 AM – Hanging of the Greens (with pizza)

Mon: 7:00 PM – Christmas Walk-A-Mile beginning here at St. Paul

Tue: 6:00 PM – Daisy Scouts meet in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal in the Choir Room

Wed: 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer and Healing Service in the Rector’s Office

Thu:

Fri:

Sat: -CHRISTMAS EVE-

7:30 AM – Free Community Breakfast sponsored by Impact Christian Center

2:30 PM – Youth Christmas Pageant Rehearsal and Birthday Party for Jesus

4:00 PM – Christmas Eve Family Eucharist with Youth Pageant

6:00 PM – Christmas Eve Solemn Festive Choral Eucharist

Sun: -CHRISTMAS DAY- 8:00 AM – Free Community Christmas Breakfast in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

10:00 AM – Contemplative Christmas Eucharist

PRAYER AND WORSHIP

THE SANCTUARY CANDLES ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN

LOVING MEMORY OF: Lauren Rousseau by the Evelyn Martin Family and Esther Wood by

her daughter Jan.

The Altar Flowers are available for the week of January 8, 15, 22, 29.

The Sanctuary Candle is available for the week of December 25; January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

The Bread and Wine are available for the weeks of December 25; January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: On Christmas Day (12/25/2016) and New Year’s Day

(1/1/2017) the service time will be at 10:00 a.m. The New Year’s Day service was accidentally

listed for 9:00 a.m. in the newsletter.

Advent Meditation Materials: Please use your Advent Meditation Book “Peace, Hope, Light”

for prayer, meditation, and activities for the days leading up to Christmas. You are urged to take

the time to prepare for the holidays with prayer, meditation, and activities that will help remind

you of what we are really celebrating. There is also an Advent Calendar with Daily Scripture and

Reflections in Preparation for Christmas. In addition, our Sunday School children were given a

devotional booklet “Look Around the Manger”, and our teens devotional booklet is entitled “See-

Son.”

Sunday, December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

8:50 a.m. – Sunday – Holy Communion Chapel – Sunday School

9:00 a.m. – Sunday – Church - Eucharist

10:30 a.m. – Church – Hanging of the Greens and the decorating of the church

Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve

2:30 p.m. – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center – Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal &

Birthday Party for Jesus

4:00 p.m. – Church – Family Christmas Festive Eucharist / Children’s Christmas Pageant

6:00 p.m. – Church – Christmas Festive Choral Eucharist

Sunday, December 25 – Christmas Day

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center – Free Community Christmas Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – Church – Christmas Eucharist (note time)

No Sunday School

Saturday & Sunday, December 31 & January 1 – First Sunday After Christmas

5:30 p.m. – Saturday – Saint John Herr Estate Chapel – Eucharist

10:00 a.m. – Sunday – Quiet Eucharist (note time)

All are invited to share our table to be fed, nourished, and sustained during this Christmas and

Holiday Season. Come to the Table of the Lord to be nourished in Word and Sacrament! Come to

our table for Christmas Breakfast to be nourished in body and fellowship. All are invited! All are

Welcome! All are Expected! Bring a friend!

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S SCHEDULE

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Sunday School: Sunday School is for young people ages 4 through 3rd grade. It begins at 8:50 on

Sunday mornings and continues through the Prayers of the People of the 9:00 a.m. Sunday

Eucharist. The children will then come into church for the rest of the service. It is held in the

Holy Communion Chapel. Jenny Bair and Ericka Sipe work with our young people in this age

group. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their children receive an education in the faith

– to pass on to the next generation – the Good News of Christ.

Please note: There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, December 25 and Sunday, January 1.

Monday Night Adult Forum:

December 19 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WALK-A-MILE

(WALK #1)

Saint Paul Episcopal Church

The Columbia Presbyterian Church

Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church

Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)

Saint John Lutheran Church (ELCA)

A light Reception in the narthex will follow service at St. John

December 26 NO CLASS— CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

January 2 NO CLASS— NEW YEAR’S HOIDAY

January 9 REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SERVICE OF PRAYER AND

REMEMBRANCE

Mt. Zion A.M.E

227 S. 5th Street, Columbia

7:00 PM

OUTREACH MINISTRY

Food Donations: You are reminded to bring your food items to church each week so that on

the last Sunday of the month we can present them to the Lord for blessing and then give them to

our food bank. Whenever you go shopping, please add extra non-perishable items to your order

for this parish outreach ministry. Jesus never forgot the last, the lost and the least in his ministry

and neither can we.

Adult Cereals (less sugar) Peanut Butter Jelly

Soups Rice Boxed Potatoes

Spaghetti Sauce

Anything you can do to help would be deeply appreciated.

Food Bank Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Food Bank

is closed on holidays.

Angel Tree: Once again, this year we are participating in the Angel Tree Project. There is an

Angel Tree in the back of the church with angel tags on it. Each tag has a need of the

Columbia Clothing Bank – an outreach ministry of The Columbia Presbyterian Church. Their

needs are for new socks for both men and women, new underwear for both men or women, and

new blankets. Please take as many tags as you can and then return the item (unwrapped) to under

the tree no later than Sunday, January 8. This is a very concrete way to help those in need.

Christmas Day Free Community Breakfast: Next Sunday, December 25, Saint Paul will host

its 13th Annual Free Community Christmas Breakfast from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the Mary

Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. This breakfast is open to anyone who wants to come together for

conversation, friendship, and food. Donations of food and time will be appreciated. There is a

sign-up sheet in the parish hall on which you can indicate what items and/or time you will donate.

This way we will know what needs to be bought.

STEWARDSHIP

Declaration of Faith Cards: If you have not already returned your Declaration of Faith Pledge

Card, please do so as soon as possible!! Thank you.

ADMINISTRATION

Parish Office Hours: The Parish Office hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – 8:00

a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Office is closed on holidays. Please Note: The Parish Office will be

closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3,

2017.

Use of St. Paul’s Facilities: If you are planning to use the Church, Groome Room, Parish Hall,

Kitchen or Conference Room, you must reserve with the Parish Office. This will avoid conflicts

and the overlapping use of the facilities. Thank you.

Christmas Flowers and Greens Envelopes: Please return your envelope no later than today,

Sunday, December 18, 2016 in order to have your memorial listed in the Christmas bulletin. Extra

envelopes are on the table in the back of the church.

OTHER EVENTS

Hanging Of The Greens And Christmas Decorating Of The Church: Each year during the

Advent Season a dedicated group of volunteers work to accomplish the “hanging of the greens” in

the church in preparation for Christmas. This year, the “hanging of the greens” and the decorating

of the church and Altar will take place today, Sunday December 18 at 10:30 a.m. immediately

following the Sunday Eucharist. Please come and help us prepare. Many hands make the work go

fast. Father Patrick is treating to pizza for those who help.

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY VISITOR’S CENTER EVENTS

For additional information call SVCC at 684-5249

Sunday - December 18 (1 – 5 p.m.): Train Open House – Columbia Historic Preservation Society,

19 South 2nd Street, Columbia

Saturday, December 31: New Year’s Eve at Noon – National Watch and Clock Museum, 514

Poplar Street, Columbia – visit www.museumoftime.org

From Saint Paul Staff Father Patrick

Darlene Bev Margaret Tom