Trinity Presbyterian Church
4th Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2014 | 8:45 & 11:00 am Worship
watching...
See what great love the
Father has lavished on us
—I John 3:1
4TH SUNDAY in ADVENT
December 21, 2014 | 8:45 & 11:00 am Worship
Advent is the period
of time, just prior to
Christmas, set aside
for preparing for
the birth of Christ.
Advent marks the
beginning of the
Christian year, and
the Biblical texts of
the season speak of
promise and hope.
The liturgical color
of the season is blue,
which evokes the
hope that we have
as we await the
coming of the Lord.
WELCOME
Welcome to all who are worshipping with us. At the 8:45 am service,
childcare for children through PreK is available in building D. At the
11:00 am service, childcare and worship education classes for children through Kindergarten are available in building D; and first and
second graders are invited to start in the sanctuary and leave for Worship Enrichment at the Parting Litany. Consult an usher if you need
an assistive hearing device or a large-print bulletin. As we enter a holy
space and time this morning, please silence your cell phones. Following worship, you are invited for a time of conversation and refreshments in Williams Hall.
The opening voluntary is the call to silent meditation
and preparation for worship.
OPENING VOLUNTARY
8:45
Es ist ein’ ros’ entsprungen
Gordon Young
11:00
In Dulci Jubilo, 2 settings Johann Sebastian Bach
Today’s Advent
candles will be lit
by members of the
Property Committee,
which cares for the
physical structures
that enable and
enrich Trinity’s
ministries. Property
works hard to ensure
that our buildings
are in good working
order and that,
from light bulbs to
signage to paint to
renovations, they
serve the church’s
function of Making
God’s Love Visible.
CALL TO WORSHIP AND
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
One: The poet, George Herbert, wrote: “Love bade me welcome, but
my soul drew back.”
All: It’s hard to take in the enormity of God’s love made flesh in
Jesus Christ.
One: Today we light the fourth Advent candle—the candle of love.
With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds and
fills us at all times and which we recognize in a special way
in the Christmas story. There is no greater power than love.
It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or
despair, stronger even than death.
All: Whatever we face in life, God’s steadfast love surrounds us.
One: As these candles are lit, as we worship God, let us open our
lives to the creative power of hope, the peace that comes from
justice, the kind of joy that cannot be contained, and the love
of God that has the power to transform us.
All: We open our hearts to love, that we may walk in the light of
Christ.
[2] *Those who are able, please stand.
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN #9
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
11:00—INTROIT
Come, Come Emmanuel
veni emmanuel
Lynn Shaw Bailey &
Becki Slagle Mayo
Refrain:
Come, come Messiah, come. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come O Promised One. Come, Emmanuel.
We are your children, you are our Savior.
Lovingly guide us, guide us we pray.
Help us to follow, help us to listen,
Come, Emmanuel, today.
(Cherub Choirs)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
One: Ever present God,
All: Forgive us, for we are too often obsessed with control,
schedules, lists, and explanations. We fail to watch for
the surprising ways you come into the world , and the
unknown frightens us; so we often miss your call to
participate in holy impossibilities.
Silent confession
True repentance is
not a cause of grace,
for grace is already
and always at work.
In announcing God’s
mercy, the call to
confession invites
us to confess the
brokenness of our
lives.
One: Forgiving God,
All: Give us the grace of Mary, who said yes to what seemed
impossible. In the name of Jesus whose love can be born
again into this world through us. Amen.
PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
besancon
People, look East. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the
table. People, look East and sing today: love the guest is on the way.
(may be found as stanza 1 of hymn #12)
CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE Advent is a season
of hope and joy,
anticipating the
fulfillment of the rule
of God in Christ’s
coming in the future.
The Scriptures read,
the liturgical texts
used, the music
sung all convey this
sense of expectant,
joyful longing for the
fulfillment of God’s
promised reign.
[3]
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READING
One: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Gustav Holst (1874
– 1934) was an
English composer
and conductor. He
is most famous for
his ground-breaking
orchestral suite The
Planets. (1917). His
early works show
the influence of
Grieg, Wagner,[2]
Richard Strauss and
fellow student Ralph
Vaughan Williams,[3]
and later, through
Vaughan Williams,
the music of Ravel.
Holst composed
almost 200 works,
including operas,
ballets, choral
hymns and songs.
An enthusiastic
educator, Holst
became music
master at St Paul’s
Girls’ School in 1905
and director of music
at Morley College
in 1907, continuing
in both posts until
retirement.
Luke 1:26-38
11:00—ANTHEM Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Gustav Holst
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ
our Lord to earth descendeth our full homage to demand. King of
Kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of Lords,
in human vesture, in the body and the blood. He will give to all the
faithful his own self for heav’nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as
the light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the
pow’rs of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six wing’d seraph; Cherubim with sleepless eye, veil
their faces to the presence as with ceaseless voice they cry, Alleluia,
alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high. Amen.
11:00—LITANY OF PARTING
For first- and second-graders as they leave for worship enrichment
Congregation: May God be with you there.
Children:
May God be with you here.
SERMON
“Watching for Love to be Born”
Pam Driesell
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe that Christ is coming among the poor, among the
proud, among the persecuted, among the privileged. Christ is
always coming into the world to make all things new.
We believe that Love is being born within us, among us, before us,
in this place, in every place, for this time, for all time. And so we
watch for the One who is coming to make all things new.
Amen. So be it.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
v
alet will ich dir geben
Love caused your incarnation, love brought you down to me; your
thirst for my salvation procured my liberty. O love beyond all
telling, that led you to embrace in love all loves excelling our lost
and fallen race.
(may be found as stanza 2 of hymn #11)
[4]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND 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.
GIVING OF OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
Lo, How a Rose
Michael Praetorius
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 flow’ret 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.
*DOXOLOGY #592
old hundredth
The Christmas Joy
offering supports
families of active
and retired church
workers. The offering
is shared equally
by the Assistance
Program of the Board
of Pensions and
Presbyterian related
racial ethnic schools
and colleges for
education.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
*CLOSING HYMN #23
Angels We Have Heard on High
gloria
*CHARGE
One: Depart in peace, and take with you the certain knowledge
that God is always coming into the world.
All: We will seek God, not in a long ago stable or ancient
manger, but in the people we meet and the depths of our
own hearts.
One: May the blessing of Christmas make you a blessing to others.
May the peace of the season pervade all that you do.
May the Love that was born at Christmas be born through
you.
All: We will welcome the call of God.
We will offer ourselves as God’s people in the world.
We will go forth in hope, peace, joy, and love.
*BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
CONCLUDING VOLUNTARY
8:45
Voluntary on an English Carol
11:00
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
veni emmanuel
Gordon Young
Keith Chapman
As our time of worship comes to an end, our time of service begins;
we depart to be the church in the world!
Today’s Concluding
Voluntary is by Philadelphia composer,
organist, and educator Keith Chapman.
Chapman, a graduate
of the Curtis Institute of Music, was
a virtuoso organist
and an improviser of
great skill. For many
years he presided
over the world’s
largest playable
pipe organ in the
Grand Court of the
Wanamaker store in
Philadelphia, where
he gave regular recitals and concerts until
his premature death
in 1989.
[5]
LIFE AT TRINITY
Worship Leaders
Preaching:
Rev. Pam Driesell, senior pastor
Liturgists:
Rev. Matthew Ruffner, associate pastor for
mission ministries
Jeannie DuBose, director of spiritual
formation
Music
8:45—Timothy Swaim, tenor soloist
Scott Morris, assistant organist
11:00—Trinity Chancel Choir
Norman Mackenzie, organist and director
Acolytes
8:45— Jake Bradshaw
11:00—Collins Speed
Banner Bearer
service, childcare for children through Pre-K is
available in building D. At the 11:00 am service,
childcare and worship education classes for
children through Kindergarten are available in
building D, and 1st and 2nd graders are invited
to start in the sanctuary and leave for Worship
Enrichment at the Parting Litany. Infants –
D110; one-year-olds – D102; two-year-olds
– D104; three-year olds – D106; Pre-K – D119;
Kindergarten – D110; 1st grade – D118; 2nd
grade – D116.
To Aid in Worship
The church parlor is equipped with sound,
should you or your child need to leave the
sanctuary during the service. Seat cushions,
hearing-assist units, and large-print bulletins,
hymnals, and Bibles may be obtained from the
ushers.
Sermons Online
Wiley Spinner
To hear sermons online, visit
www.trinityatlanta.org/worship/sermons/.
Flowers
Visitors to Trinity
The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Amye
Reece, Michael, and Amye Taylor and Reece
Shelton to the glory of God and in loving
memory of Mrs. Joan Ray Reece and Mrs. Amye
Taylor Ray.
Christmas Joy Offering
The Christmas Joy Offering provides assistance
for those who have dedicated their lives to the
service of the church and supports leadership
development and education at Presbyterianrelated racial ethnic schools and colleges. Please
make use of the specially marked envelopes
available in the pew racks
Wear a Name Tag
Name tags are available at every entry point in
the church and in the Friendship Registers. We
encourage all members and visitors to wear a
name tag every Sunday.
Child Care
Although children are always welcome in the
sanctuary, childcare and children’s classes
are available during worship. At the 8:45 am
[6]
If you are interested in learning more about
Trinity Church or in becoming a member,
you are encouraged to attend one of the New
Member classes held throughout the year.
Classes are held in the Chapel Parlor during
the church school hour (9:45 to 10:45 am). The
class is informal, giving visitors the opportunity
to know one another, as well as clergy, staff,
and lay leaders that rotate in during the series
to highlight different programs and ministries
at Trinity. Child care is available. The next
class will be held on January 25, February
1, 8, and 15. There is an opportunity to join
the church on the last Sunday of each class.
For more information contact Gay Gunter at
[email protected] or at 770-432-1090.
Worship & Music
Congregational Carol Sing
Sunday, December 21
7:00 pm, Williams Hall
404-713-0629 or [email protected].
Pastoral Care
Come and enjoy an evening of holiday singing
and merriment for the whole family led by
Norman Mackenzie. Bring a plate of goodies to
share after the singing.
To notify the church of illness, hospitalization,
birth, death, or prayer request, contact Veronica
Ridenhour at 404-495-8440, or vridenhour@
trinityatlanta.org. If you need pastoral care after
church hours, page the pastor on call by dialing
404-237-6491.
Christmas Eve Worship
Counseling
Worship for Children and Families
4:00 pm, Sanctuary
This will be a lively celebration with families
and young children all worshiping together
and will feature the 2nd grade class as worship
leaders, the Primary and Junior choirs, and the
Hosanna Ringers.
Family Service of Lessons and Carols
6:00 pm, Sanctuary
A service of lessons and carols, with music by
the Youth Choir and brass quartet
Festival Service of Lessons and Carols
9:00 pm, Sanctuary
The service will feature a homily by the Rev.
Pam Driesell, music by the Chancel Choir and
brass quartet, and congregational singing.
Candlelight Worship
11:00 pm, Dobbs Chapel
A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service
with homily and communion.
“Following the Light”
Luke 2:1-20
Rev. Pam Driesell preaching
Finding Support
Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry of Trinity Presbyterian
Church offers confidential, one-to-one
Christian care to those who are experiencing
difficult life circumstances. Stephen Ministers
are available in Williams Hall following the
worship service.
Contact: Meredith Daniel at 404-869-0025
or [email protected], or Marc Krause at
Counseling services are available by appointment
at Trinity Church with Mary Lisa Henry, Ph.D.,
LCSW. Dr. Henry can be reached through her
confidential voicemail at 404-869-3707.
Groups
Men of Trinity
Friday, December 26
There will be no Men’s Breakfast on Friday
December 26.
Youth
Presbyterian Youth Connection
Sunday, December 21
5:00 pm, Youth Choir
6:00 pm, Youth Supper; 6:30 pm, PYC
Meet us in the Youth Lounge for supper tonight
at 6 p.m. We will put on a Christmas movie and
enjoy some free time and games together until
the Congregational Carol Sing begins at 7 pm.
College Student Gathering
Sunday, December 21
6:00 pm, Youth Lounge
All college students are invited to the Youth
Lounge for pizza and to catch up with their
church friends, John and Olivia, and youth
advisors.
Mission
AMIS Dinner
Tuesday, December 23
6:00 pm, Williams Hall
Trinity will host the Christmas International
House supper on Tuesday, December 23, at
[7]
6:00 pm for 40 students of the Atlanta Ministry
for International Students (AMIS) program.
Trinity members are encouraged to attend.
Reservations: [email protected].
RHINO
January 26 – 31
Trinity has participated with St. Charles
Ave. Presbyterian Church, in New Orleans
since 2006, helping to Rebuild Hope In New
Orleans. Trinity volunteers will journey again
to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build
with RHINO January 26 – 31, 2015. If you
have questions please contact John Shepard or
Matthew Ruffner.
To register, visit www.trinityatlanta.org.
Next Sunday
December 28
There will be only one worship service at 11:00
am. Church school classes will not meet.
“When the Time Comes”
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Luke 2:22-40
Rev. Matthew Ruffner preaching
This Week at Trinity
Sunday, December 21
8:45 am
9:45 am
11:00 am
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
Worship
Church School
Worship
Youth Choir
PYC/College Gathering
Congregational Carol Sing
onday, December 22
M
9:30 am VisitationCommittee
Tuesday, December 23
8:30 am Yoga
6:00 pm AMIS Dinner
7:00 pm Chapter 3C
Wednesday, December 24
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
9:00 pm
11:00 pm
Children’s Service
Family Service
Service of Lessons and Carols
Candlelight Service
Thursday, December 25
The church office is closed.
F riday, December 26
e church office is closed.
Th
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POINSETTIAS
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
Deborah Dunn
Judy Garland
Sally McDaniel
Allison and Jo Williams
IN HONOR OF
Our granddaughters, Eva, Alison, and Rose
by Shirley and Gene Mills
Trinity’s Middle Moms
by Amy Schwarz
Dabney Adams Hart
by Tom and Anita Adams
Pat Lander
by Cissy Smith
Madeline and Howell Adams
by John Adams
Mary Locke, Bennett, and Collins
by Mary Kelly and Forrest Speed
Linda and Tim Balch
by Laura Balch
Trinity Acolytes
by Emily Wood
Marilyn and Fred Jefferson
by Laura Balch
Bettye Sue Wright
by Becky Callahan
Laurel Wilkinson MacKenzie
by Janet Davenport
Sarah Catherine Dobbs
by Ed and Elly Dobbs
Our family and friends
by Kathryn and Weston Edmunds
G.G. Gunter
by Gay Gunter, Jen and Sally Runge
Julia Hunter
by Rosemary Kittrell
Jeannie DuBose
by Rosemary Kittrell
The marriage of Gary Glover
and Greg Duncan
by Rosemary Kittrell
Grandchildren, Sara and Jackson Allaman,
Foster Lander
by Patricia Lander
IN MEMORY OF
Emmy and John Bellmann
by Tom and Anita Adams
Crenshaw and Howell Adams, Sr.
by Tom and Anita Adams
Madeline Dabney Adams
by Tom and Anita Adams
Madeline Dabney Adams
by John Adams
Margaret Jones
by John Adams
Rusty Dubberly
by Mickey and Doug Benn
Marsh and Cynthia Douthat
by Mickey and Doug Benn
Lt. Thomas L. Gibson, Jennifer’s brother
by David and Jennifer Black and Family
Our fathers, James L. Caldwell
and John P. Kennedy
by David and Caroline Caldwell
Thomas H. Callahan, Jr.
by Becky Callahan
[9]
POINSETTIAS
Bruce McBrayer
by Ron and Laurie Coleman
Cindy’s brother, Danny Couch;
Our grandparents
by Cindy and John Ferguson
Our beloved son, Daniel
by Sally and Reynolds Couch
Drew R. Fuller, Sr.
by Betty Fuller
Virginia Davenport
by Sally and Reynolds Couch
George Fuller
by Betty Fuller
Virginia Margaret Davenport
by Janet Davenport
Hugh Gunter, Emily Dunn, and Stuart Sims
by Gay Gunter, Jen and Sally Runge
Daniel Couch
by Janet Davenport
Our parents: Carl Leland and
Anne Chadwich Gibson
by Lucinda A. Gibson and Thomas A. Myers
Drema Feazell; Tom Feazell, Jr.; Ceil and
Harry Dhue; Dr. Ray Suh
by Hutton and Bob Dhue
Hendricus and N.W. “Mia” Kuypers;
Glenn W. Dobbs
by Ed and Elly Dobbs
Our parents: Alvin Sebastian and
Ruth Sisson Myers
by Lucinda A. Gibson and Thomas A. Myers
Marilyn and Ike Straughn
by Allison, Hank, Jordan, and Lindsay Hall
Emily Elizabeth Dunn
by Deborah Dunn
Glennie Barrett Hawks
by Barrett and Kitty Hawks
Our mothers, Margaret Jones and
Molly Edmunds
by Kathryn and Weston Edmunds
Paul Kingsbury Hawks
by Barrett and Kitty Hawks
Our parents: Jack and Elva Erwin
by Alex and Roxanna Erwin
Our parents: Lewis and Bennie Hayworth
by Alex and Roxanna Erwin
Mrs. Camille Roberts
by Cam and John Fenton
Ms. Lucille Frohling
by Cam and John Fenton
Mr. Pat Curtiss
by Cam and John Fenton
[10]
Mildred Chappell Pafford
by Barrett and Kitty Hawks
M.F. Pafford
by Barrett and Kitty Hawks
Joan Whitehead
by Patti and Charles Heinz, Heather and Brooke
Dick Whitehead
by Patti and Charles Heinz, Heather and Brooke
Bill Heinz
by Patti and Charles Heinz, Heather and Brooke
Thomas Henderson Strachan
by Elsie and Jim Henderson
POINSETTIAS
Anne Alexander Irvin
by Mac and Jan Irvin,
Elizabeth, Lindsay, and Kate
Hubert Vance Taylor
by Mac and Jan Irvin,
Elizabeth, Lindsay, and Kate
Mrs. Joyce Thorson, Mrs. Deborah Keller, and
loved ones
by Keith and Wendy Jackson;
Peter and Julia Grimm
Margaret Wardle Jones
by Bob Jones
James A. Jones
by Florence Jones
John Michael Jones
by Florence Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Jones, Sr.
by Elinor and Tom Jones
Joseph B. Gill
by Elinor and Tom Jones
Sumner E. Baker
by Elinor and Tom Jones
Tom and Drema Feazell; Tom Feazell, Jr.
by Nancy and Bob Kent
Hugh Hunter
by Rosemary Kittrell
Grandparents, Sara Lander,
Edith and Roy Smith
by Patti Lander
Margaret and Abner Towers
by Valerie and Terry Love
Charles S. LeCraw, Jr.
by Valerie and Terry Love
Patsy and Harold Love
by Valerie and Terry Love
Bona (Monie) Sam Purswell
by Valerie and Terry Love
Charles M. McDaniel
by Sally McDaniel
Carol and Jim Sellers
by Temple McDaniel
Mary Louise and Frank Philips
by Susan Moore
Marie and Charles Moseley
by Brenda and Charlie Moseley
Sue and Robert Breedlove
by Brenda and Charlie Moseley
Robert Allen Breedlove, Jr.
by Brenda and Charlie Moseley
Our loved ones
by Sid and Bummie Nurkin
Becky Pope
by Jimmie G. Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winburne King, Jr.
by Libby and Ernie Prickett
Mr. and Mrs. James Griffin Prickett
by Libby and Ernie Prickett
Louise Freeman
by Nell Robinson and Libby Goetz
Janie McGahan
by Amy Schwarz
Lucille and Sidney Smith
by Cissy Smith
Richard D. Edwards
by Mary Kelly and Forrest Speed
[11]
POINSETTIAS
G. William Speer
by Ann Speer
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Stair
by Debra and Jeff Stair
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Deason
by Debra and Jeff Stair
Peter John and Mary Ellen Taylor Stelling
by Peter Stelling
Shirley Greer
by Peter Stelling
Marguerite and Allen Moger
by Esther and Jim Stokes
Doris and James Stokes
by Esther and Jim Stokes
Caroline and Dean Roberts
by Adair and Dick White
Geraldine and Richard White
by Adair and Dick White
Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Williams;
Mr. and Mrs. Brice D. Culp
by Allison and Jo Williams
L. Neil Williams, Jr.
by Sue Williams
Virginia Davenport
by Neal and Virginia Williams
Brock Sinkler
by Neal and Virginia Williams
Jeanette Neal
by Jeane Withorn
Tom Withorn
by Jeane Withorn
Tom Neal
by Jeane Withorn
[12]
CHRISTMAS EVE
CELEBRATE THE
BIRTH OF
WORSHIP FOR
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
4:00 pm, Sanctuary
This will be a lively celebration with families and young children all worshipping
together and will feature the 2nd grade class as worship leaders,
the Primary and Junior choirs, and the Hosanna Ringers.
FAMILY SERVICE OF
LESSONS AND CAROLS
6:00 pm, Sanctuary
A service of lessons and carols, with music by the Youth Choir and brass quartet.
FESTIVAL SERVICE OF
LESSONS AND CAROLS
9:00 pm, Sanctuary
The service will feature the Chancel Choir and brass quartet and congregational singing.
Homily: “Sing!” by Rev. Pam Driesell
CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
11:00 pm, Dobbs Chapel
A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service with homily and communion.
“Following the Light”
Luke 2:1-20
Rev. Pam Driesell
On Sunday, December 28, there will be one worship service at 11:00 am.
Church school classes will not meet.
[13]