Collingswood Presbyterian Church

December 23, 2018

4th Sunday of Advent

30 Fern Avenue, Collingswood, New Jersey 08108

Telephone: 856-854-4523

Website: www.collingswoodpres.com

E-mail: collspres@verizon.net

William Powell, Director of Music

Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education

Janis Danielewicz, Secretary

Paul Ciarrochi, Church Caretaker

“This will be a sign for you: you

will find a child wrapped in bands

of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2: 12

COLLINGSWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

December 23, 2018 4th Sunday of Advent

ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME

Morning Reflection

“God became a real man, had a real birth, and had a real, physical body. This is an essential point of the Christian faith”

― Henry Hon

Advent Gathering Songs Rain Down GTG #48 Angels (Sing Gloria) by Matt Redman Of the Father’s Love Begotten GTG #108 Welcome and Announcements We welcome you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Please sign the guest book in the narthex so we can send you a welcome packet or fill out a yellow welcome card located in the pews. The card can be placed in the offer-ing place. Gathering of Prayer Concerns and Joys Please raise your hand to share your joys or concerns to be included in the prayers of the people this day. You may also write your concern on the pink sheets and hand to the Pastor. Please mail a prayer card from the narthex to your loved one. (Please stand for items marked with an asterisk. GTG is the purple “Glory to God” hymnal. STF is the “Sing the Faith” smaller blue hymnal)

Lighting of Advent Candle (Love) Ellis Family (The fourth candle is lit)

Advent Leader: People of love, God desires people who are not afraid to risk everything and respond to the invitation of God’s kingdom. People: Make us those loving people! Advent Leader: God longs for people to overcome prejudice and fear. God wants bold and loving companions on the way. People: Make us those loving people! Advent Leader: God yearns for people who find creative ways to invite others into loving community. People: Make us those loving people! Advent Leader: Let’s pray together... People: God of love, we thank you for the invitation to live in your love. Bring light to our path as we await the Lord of love. Amen.

Hymn - “People Look East” (verse 4) GTG #105 tune - Besancon

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together People, look east: Love, the Star, is on the way.

Call to Worship Leader: Come, let us rejoice this day in the God who is near in everyone around us. People: We will sing glad songs of the One who is rebuilding neighborhoods in our midst. Leader: Come, let us rejoice always in Jesus who baptizes us with hope and compassion. People: We will join in choruses of praise of the One who brings justice to the forgotten in our midst. Leader: Come, let us rejoice again and again in the Spirit who offers us new life in every moment. People: We will sing full throttle of the One who fills us with gifts to share with everyone in our midst. Leader: With prayer and praise, in scripture and in song, together let us worship the Living God! Hymn - “Prepare the Way, O Zion” GTG #106 tune - Bereden Vag Fortleran Call to Confession Every notion we have about power, success, wealth and achievement, God takes and tosses out the window. More importantly, God comes to us, to upset our idea that we must save ourselves. In Jesus, God comes to us, removing our sin, our failures, our expectations, so we might have life. Please join me as we pray together, saying, Prayer of Confession (unison) We confess we are not the people you hope us to be, Advent God. The very ones you favor? All too often, we ignore them, or worse fill them with ridicule. The ones you knock off their pedestals? We continue to admire them, seeking to emulate their ways. The drumbeat for more and more? We give into the rhythm so easily, we risk being sent away empty. (continued on next page)

Prayer of Confession (continued) Forgive us, Mighty God who comes in the weakness of a baby. Look with grace upon us, so we might see your love shining down. We could live secure in your hope, we could be the ones of peace for our world, we could learn to do your will, if we but welcome Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into our hearts and into our lives. (Moment of silence) *Words of Assurance Leader: God passes the heirloom of mercy down from generation to generation, always loving, always forgiving, always calling us to new life. People: As we open our hearts to God, we are filled with the joy that was sung at the Birth, with the Hope that walked among us, with the Grace which is always with us. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen. *Sharing of the Peace Leader: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

Prayer for Illumination Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen. Old Testament Reading - Micah 5:2-5 (pages 849-850) Hymn - “O Little Town of Bethlehem” GTG #121 tune - St. Louis sing verses 3 and 4 Gospel Reading - Luke 1:39-55 (page 932)

Prayers of the People Leader: God of mercy, People: Hear our prayer. Leader: Prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, petition

All: 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, for ever. Amen.

Offering (Please come forward with your offering and decorate the tree with your ornament) Musical Meditation - “King of Kings” by Betsy Lee Bailey Kelly and Bob Higgs *Doxology - “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” GTG #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 Prayer of Dedication Leader: In these moments, God who comes, remind us of those who are yearning to be lifted to their feet, those who hunger for hope, those who look for peace, and may our gifts be used to serve them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. People: Amen.

The Christmas Story

Presented by the children of Collingswood Presbyterian Church

In the town of Nazareth in the district of Galilee. After Mary exits, please join us in singing: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” GTG # 88 O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel After Mary & Joseph settle at the Manger, please join us singing: “Away in a Manger” GTG # 115 Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. After the Shepherds see the manager, please join us in singing:

“Angles We Have Heard on High” GTG #113 Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

As wise people give gifts to the Baby Jesus, please join us in singing: “We Three Kings of Orient Are” GTG # 151 We three kings of Orient are: bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! Everyone, please sing “Go Tell It on the Mountain” GTG #136 Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and every where; Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Repeat Chorus

“The First Nowell” GTG #147 The First Nowell, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell

Born is the King of Israel!

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” GTG #119 Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” “Joy to the World” GTG #134 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

GO IN GOD’S NAME

*Hymn - “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” GTG #107 tune - Rejoice, rejoice *Benediction and Blessing for the Meal *Postlude

Go Forward and Serve! Be a part of God’s work through CPC

Please join us in the lounge for

coffee and fellowship time.

Thank you for your service!

Worship Leader: Candace Lowden Greeters/Ushers: Liliana Stevens

Sunday, December 23, 2018

We would like to welcome our visitors. We are glad to have you here and hope you will feel as if you are among family. Children are welcome to remain in the service. There are activity bags and children’s bulletins available in the Narthex.

Large print bulletins and hymnals are available for your convenience. If you have difficulty hearing, personal amplifiers are available in the narthex.

PLEASE BRING THE HEARING AIDS BACK TO THE DEACON OF THE DAY.

We also provide a nursery for children– infants through age three (3). Our nursery worker is Jenny Calderone.

Our Children’s Church program for children ages Pre-K through 5th grade begins following the Children’s Sermon. They will return during communion.

Rev. Bob Higgs

Sunday morning service time will change to 10:30 beginning

January 6th

Christmas Poinsettias Given with love by:

Ray & Catherine Burns in memory of loved ones Dan Graves, Danielle & Kaitlyn in memory of Jo Voss and Ted Currier The Herzog Family in memory of loved ones on Christmas. Fred & Lorrie Heuser in honor of Mrs. Jeanne Heuser-Fink and in memory of loved ones. June Lattimore in memory of loved ones passed and in honor of loved ones with us today Candace Lowden, Kim & Mike, Jessica & Chuck in memory of Bob Lowden and loved ones Mazak, Berkelbach & Ortiz Families in memory of Mom Mom and Pop Pop Miller, Smentek and Cash families in memory of Nolan, Nevin, Grace, Marie and Bruce Carolyn Moffett in loving memory of Arthur Moffett Alison, Rob, Lilian & Jake Smentek in memory of Nolan Miller and Jeffrey Smentek Vicki Vail in honor of Olga Vail

Ministry Opportunity

Please consider becoming a part of a Prayer Chain within our congrega-tion, What do you need to do? Answer the phone, listen carefully to learn about the prayer concern. Lift the concern up in prayer and then call the next person on the list. If you are interested in hearing more about this ministry, please contact Urmila Malvadkar or the church office.

The banner at the front of the sanctuary this morning was made by Rich Herzog. It is also on the cover of our bulletin this morning. Each week our bulletin cover will be a banner from the Advent series Rich made for our Church.

Following Coffee Hour In the Lounge

Lead by Dan Graves

Session Highlights The Christmas Eve service will be at 7:00 pm. The Sunday morning service time will change to 10:30 am beginning Jan. 6. The church's Annual Meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 3, after the service. Annual reports from staff and committee chairs should be sent to Janis by Jan. 6. Bill Ostrem will send text from last year. Ava Ostrem and Emma Standring will attend Triennium.

December 24th Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm December 25th Merry Christmas - Office Closed December 26th Office Closed December 27th Community Dinner 6:30 pm December 29th Choral Arts of Southern NJ Music Concert 7 pm

December Missions Please consider giving to one or more of our December mission projects. Fair Trade coffee and tea gift baskets of various amounts are on sale in the church lounge. By buying a gift you are also helping to support a small farmer. The Noisy Collection in December will be given to Heifer International emergency relief funds. Food collection - We collect food for St. Paul's Food Pantry on an ongoing basis. This month consider adding donations of canned meat and fish. Joy Offering - look for those special envelopes in the pew racks and consider a gift which supports the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related racial-ethnic schools and colleges.

Please join us for a holiday perfor-mance from Choral Arts of

Southern New Jersey. We are happy to host this group on

December 29th 7pm

in our Sanctuary

Today is the Christmas Pageant. All children will remain in Service. Children in the pageant will sit with the pageant participants. After the pag-eant children will return to their parents.

Also, if you have a child in Sunday School, please join our Facebook page: Collingswood Presbyterian Church Sunday School.

SAVE THE DATE for January 13, 2019 6:30pm. We will be watching “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” the Fred Rogers documentary. (Yummy snacks included). This event is open to EVERYONE.

If you have not done so already, please join our Youth Group Facebook Page: Collingswood Presbyterian Youth Group. It is a good way to keep in touch and up to date on youth group info and activities. YOUTH THIS MEANS YOU TOO!

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CPC THIS WEEK

Sun 12/23 8:45 am - Choir Practice 10:00 am - Worship & Christmas Pageant Mon 12/24 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service Tues 12/25 Merry Christmas Office Closed Wed 12/26 Office Closed 5:30 - 6:15 Advanced Youth Bell Choir Practice 6:30 - 7:15 Intermediate Choir Practice 7:15 pm Adult Bell Choir Practice Sun 12/30 8:45 am - Choir Practice 10:00 am - Lessons and Carols WEEKLY COMMUNITY USE

Collingswood Insight Mediation 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Monday

Al-Anon 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Wednesday

LEADING US IN WORSHIP

December 24th - Rev. Bob Higgs December 30th - Will Powell - Lessons and Carols

January 6th - Rev. Marianne Robbins

KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Birthdays: Ajay Ostrem (25), Nancy Celebre (27) Those who serve in government, our military personnel, those who work in other countries, and our country, our president, and our leaders.

Those at home or in care facilities Robert Johnson

Eleanor Kelley

Prayer Requests Ray Burns Bob Burns Bob Marks David Kolecki Ruth Hanson Sal Ferraro Julia Kline Marion Mills Kathy Moran Dorothy Woods Bud Cartright Please pick up a prayer card in the narthex

and mail it to these loved ones for whom we pray.

Rev. Debby Brincivalli & Staff of West Jersey Presbytery Jethro Memorial Presbyterian Church, Atlantic City, NJ

Our PCUSA mission in Angola Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church, Cardenas, Cuba

Njikob Presbyterian Church, Cameroon

If you are going into the hospital or would like a pastoral visit, please call

or have a family member call the church office or one of the deacons or elders. If you don’t call, we are going to assume you don’t want a visit!

Please remember to fill out a new pink form. with each update for the prayer list.

CHURCH STAFF AND OFFICERS - 2018 William Powell, Director of Music

Gretchen Kolecki, Director of Christian Education Janis Danielewicz, Church Secretary

Paul Ciarrochi, Church Caretaker Maryann Kelly, Bookkeeper

THE SESSION

(Meets second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.) William Ostrem, Clerk of Session

Candace Lowden, President, Board of Trustees Barbara Bockmann, Financial Secretary & Treasurer

BOARD OF DEACONS

(Meets fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.) Moderator Vice-Moderator

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Mike Amato Jennifer Giordano Shawn Ellis

William Ostrem Lorrie Heuser Daniel Graves

Marta Jane Caldwell-Bates Carol Longmire

Committees of Session Chair

Christian Education Carol Longmire

Finance and Stewardship

Mission and Outreach Martha Jane Caldwell-Bates

Personnel Dan Graves

Property Shawn Ellis

Worship and Arts Lorrie Heuser

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020

Dennis Kolecki Lilianna Stevens Susan Wilson

Karen Mazak Tom Wolfe

Joshua Wolfe Megan Standring

Peter Herzog

Our Vision Statement (What we want to be)

We seek to become:

A church that witnesses to the community

and the world by sharing and demonstrating our relationship

with Christ.

A church that encourages all people to know God’s great love

revealed in Jesus Christ.

A church that faithfully listens for God’s will for our lives and

our community

A community of God that is an open, inviting, caring family of

faith where all are embraced, accepted and loved.

Our Mission Statement

(How we will accomplish this vision)

The Collingswood Presbyterian Church Congregation, as part of the

Christian Church, Presbyterian Church USA, is called to Worship and

Serve the Lord by:

Constantly seeking renewal through God’s Grace and Wisdom.

Welcoming and reaching out to all of God’s community.

Providing for education in Christian and Presbyterian principles

Ministering to everyone through community and worldwide

mission.

Sharing the Christian message as expressed in the Gospel.