ANNOUNCEMENTS

Known hospitalized this past week was Wayne Price, who is now at

Woodside. Ginney Amen has moved into her apartment. Her new address is Woodside

Oaks, 1031 Anderson Dr., Rm. B205, 54304. Her phone number remained the same at 499-4174.

Church Chix will meet at Gippers on December 12. Sign up sheet is on the

bulletin board. The Outreach Committee hopes you can help with the Christmas Prayer

Basket mission. This ministry provides a complete Christmas for three families from Tank School and we collect the items needed until December 15. Each family receives a fleece blanket (which we already have) for every person, as well as a complete Christmas dinner. We have three trees in the back of the sanctuary with a few tags left identifying special gifts. They are labeled Baby Jesus family, Star family, and Angel family. Please feel free to take as many tags as you’d like—just put the tag on an UNWRAPPED gift and return it to the church. The Youth Group will wrap all the gifts during their sleepover December 15-16.

During the worship service on Sunday, December 17, the choir will sing

its annual Christmas cantata. The cantata is titled "The Wondrous Story," by Don Besig. Our narrator will be Shirley Schoffelman.

On December 17 at 6:00 p.m., the confirmation class and their mentors will

gather at Tom and Teresa Schoffelman’s home, 2094 Muirwood Lane, for a Christmas party.

“Oh, come, all ye faithful!” Everyone from our congregation is invited to

join folks from First United Presbyterian Church for a caroling party in their church’s neighborhood. Meet at First United Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, December 20, at 6:30 p.m. Music books and refreshments will be provided, but do bring a flashlight. Contact Julie Mackey at 217-8341 with any questions.

Be sure to join us at the Christmas Eve, December 24, morning service at

10:00 a.m. for a performance by the young people of "The Christmas Carol Special Report", to get the scoop on Christmas carols with a "live" news report from KMAS studios. Join the reporters stationed across the globe and see Christmas carolers broadcast live and learn the story behind some of the most beloved songs. The pageant will again be organized and produced by Mary Steeno, Jill Stenson, and Amy Wittman. The rehearsal schedule is Saturday, December 16 and 23—9:00-11:30 a.m. and Sunday, December 17—9:15 a.m.

Our Christmas Eve, December 24, evening service at 7:00 p.m. will be

based on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and special music. An extended prelude will begin at 6:30 p.m. Music throughout the evening will include congregational singing, organ, brass quartet, harpsichord, flute, and a vocal quartet.

UPCOMING EVENTS December 17 Choir Christmas Cantata December 24 10:00 a.m. Christmas Pageant 6:30 p.m. Christmas Music 7:00 p.m. Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols December 25 Office Closed in Observance of Christmas December 27 Pastor Begins a Week of Vacation

NEW CONCERNS

Don Carmichael, Wayne Price; Joan Lindeman; Lauren, Connie’s friend.

ONGOING CONCERNS

Henry Akerboom, Moraine Ridge; Ginney Amen, Woodside Oaks; Allen Collins, Manor One; Cathy Crelin, friend of Nina and Don Lundin; Marje Crowl, home; Johnny and Tracie Davis, home; Gladys Dehne, friend of Leah Mott; Loren Dunn, home; Marjorie Holmes; Carol Houston; Meredith Ingram; Ruth King, home; Ben and Rita Mach; Maureen McCotter-Grun, friend of Donna Jansen; Carol Mickelson, home; Lauren Miller, great niece of Mary Ginnebaugh; Derek Morrissey, great grandson of a friend of Donna Jansen; LuAnn Nelson, daughter-in-law of Dori Nelson; Ginny Nixon, home; Iner Osgood, home; CJ Olson, South Korea; Kathryn P, fr iend of Donna Jansen; Richard Parkinson, home; Pat Piaskowski, home; Cathy Rennells, home; Shea and Bryan McEwen, Leah’s niece and nephew; Rosa, Connie Greenawald’s cousin; Sherry, sister of Connie Greenawald; Tom, friend of Connie Greenawald; Heather, Megan Siewert’s sister; Marian Turk, Verona; John and Marilyn Van Langendon, home; Keith Wallace; Vivian Wallace, home; Peggy Wolfe, Renaissance; Uraba Presbytery and churches in Colombia, South America; the churches in Gnozdovo and Yartsevo, Russia.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK

Today Hispanic Pentecostal Church 1:00 p.m. Confirmation Class 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 11 Personnel Committee 9:00 a.m. Finance and Administration Committee 6:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12 Staff Meeting 9:45 a.m. Early Headstart/Morning 10:00 a.m. Food Pantry 10:00-12:00 Church Chix at Gippers 6:00 p.m. Christian Education Committee 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 13 Youth Group 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 14 Books and You (Lifelong Learning) 10:00 a.m. The Commoners 11:00 a.m. Esther Circle 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 15-16 Youth Lock-in Saturday, December 16 Pageant Practice 9:00 a.m. Sunday, December 17 Choir Rehearsal 8:45 a.m. Pageant Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Worship/Christmas Cantata 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Hispanic Pentecostal Church 1:00 p.m. Confirmation Class at 2094 Muirwood Ln. 6:00 p.m.

ORDER OF WORSHIP

December 10, 2017 10:00 A.M.

Bold indicates congregational participation *Indicates congregation standing, as you are able.

WELCOMING

GATHERING MUSIC “Prelude on Picardy” – John Jordan “Creator of the Stars of Night” – Michael McCabe “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” – J. S. Bach WELCOME

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” – Gordon Young LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLES Zack Wittman, Wyatt and Elliott Stenson Reader 1:This is the second Sunday in Advent, the time of preparing for the coming of Christ our Savior. Today our word is “prepare.” Not only do we wait for our Savior, but we use this time of waiting creatively. We prepare for Christmas with gift purchases, tree trimming, home decorating, card mailing. We prepare for Christ with prayer, quiet contemplation, resolutions to be better people than we are now. Reader 2: Isaiah 40:1-5 Reader 1: We light the first Advent candle, remembering that we wait for Christ. We also light today’s candle, remembering that we must prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. Reader 2: Let us pray. PRAYER OF THE DAY Gracious God, help us to prepare not only our homes but also our hearts and lives for the coming of Emmanuel. Let us make our way straight, that Christ may come to us in the fullness of time, as we wait and prepare a place in our lives. Amen. *HYMN: (see inser t) "Lord, We Long for Words of Comfort" CALL TO CONFESSION……………………………………………..Deb Shober PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) ………….………………….Deb Shober Faithful God, we confess that we have not led lives of holiness. We suffer from impatience, apathy, and greed; we have not been at peace. We repent of these offenses and turn to you in love. Forgive our iniquity and pardon our sins, that we may walk in righteousness to the glory of your name. Amen. SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE *RESPONSE IN SONG #95 Prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord, And all people will see the salvation of our God. *THE PEACE Jesus said: “As the Lord has forgiven us, let us also forgive one another.” The peace of the Lord Jesus be with you. And also with you. We exchange signs of peace. (Children leave for Sunday School)

NOURISHING

CHANCEL CHOIR “Will We Know Him” – Don Besig and Nancy Price

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION………………………………………..Deb Shober PSALM 85: A RESPONSORIAL SETTING

Refrain Verses 1-2 Refrain Verses 8-9 Refrain Verses 10-13 Refrain OLD TESTAMENT READING…………………………Isaiah 40:1-11 (responsive) Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. All: Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice calls out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. All: Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Women: A voice says, “Cry out” and I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. Men: The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. Women: The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Men: Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings, All: lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. All: He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. EPISTLE READING……………………………………….2 Peter 3:8-15a (Pg. 238) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL LESSON……………………………………………….Mark 1:1-8 (Pg. 34) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON "The Advent Voice" Pastor Randy Argall *THE APOSTLES’ CREED, pg.17 *HYMN #88………….………………………"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Vss. 1, 6, 7 – All Vss. 2, 4 – Pulpit Side Vss. 3, 5 – Lectern Side PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD’S PRAYER, pg. 35

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING…………………………………Deb Shober OFFERTORY MUSIC “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” David Cherwein *RESPONSE #717 For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known, with these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own: here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and strength we bring; give us grace to love and serve you, living what we pray and sing. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION……………………………………….Deb Shober

SENDING

*HYMN #82 ……………………………"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE “People, Look East” – Kristina Langlois

WORSHIP LEADERS

Reader: Deb Shober Audio: Kyle Thomas Lock Up: Fellowship Committee Ushers: Bill Klass and Harland Merrell Nursery: Judy Exl Choir Director: Allan Russell Organist: Robert Nickel Greeters: Phil and Sue Mikulsky WELCOME

We welcome families with children and infants to worship. Worship bags

with activities are available for children in the narthex. If your child becomes uncomfortable during worship, please feel free to leave the sanctuary and return at an appropriate time. Our nursery is room 205.

Assistive Listening Devices are available for the hearing impaired. We have two kinds: ear speakers and neck loops (for T-coil compatible hearing aids). Speak to the audio person for help.

Pastor Randy can be reached after hours either by phone at 309-2761 or by email at rargall@firstpresgreenbay.org. You can also leave a confidential voicemail at the church’s number, 437-8121, ext. 113.

We ask guests (and members) to sign our friendship pad. Guests please include your address and phone number. If you are sitting at the end of your pew, please tear off the sheet and place it in the collection plate. We greatly appreciate your assistance.