FULLY ALIVE WITH THE PASSION OF CHRIST

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM, WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE OUR NEIGHBOR. ALL ARE WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!

2035 Highland Ave S • Birmingham, Alabama 35205www.southhighland.org • (205) 933-0790

SOUTH HIGHLANDPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CELEBRATING OUR 132ND YEAR OF FAITHFUL SERVICE

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CELEBRATION FOR THE LORD’S DAY8:30 & 11:00 AM • Internet/radio AM 850 and FM 101.1 at 11:00 AM

December 27, 2020FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

WELCOME

PRELUDE “In Dulci Jubilo” Johann Michael Bach

*GATHERING Awake from your sleep for night is gone and the dawn of a new day has arrived! Darkness once ruled our lives, but now the light of Jesus brings our salvation to life. You, O God, illumine our world with the light of a new day, the day of our salvation in Jesus’ name. Bring his presence here as we lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light and truth. It is by the eternal hope of Jesus we pray.

†*PROCESSIONAL HYMN “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing” Sussex Carol

Entrance of the Word and the Light

Daniel Killilea

Dr. Jim Dorroh, organist

Words in bold text are spoken in unison by the congregation.

*Those able may stand.

Daniel Killilea

Matthew Grauberger - 8:30Stuart Huddleston - 11:00

*OPENING PRAYERGod of justice, peace and righteousness, come into our midst.Breathe Your breath, Your Spirit of prophecy, Your energy, Your enlivening, Your imagination on us. Wake us up. Open our eyes. Unplug our ears. That we might hear, that we might see, that we might grieve, that we might dream, that we might follow the ways of Your extraordinary kingdom. Amen.

*CALL TO CONFESS

Matthew Grauberger - 8:30Stuart Huddleston - 11:00

Matthew Grauberger - 8:30Stuart Huddleston - 11:00

Daniel Killilea

Anne Kearney Patton and Rachel Ross-Davis

Dr. Jim Dorroh - 8:30Anne Curtis Giovanelli - 11:00

*CONFESSINGGod, You are speaking to us daily, but we exist in a state of slumber. You energize us with Your Holy Spirit, but we are weary – physically and mentally. You call us to love our neigh-bor, but we are self-centered. Break through these falterings, we pray, and break the veil over our minds. Quicken our hear-ing, our seeing, and our desires for You. Awaken our zeal and our love for Your purposes. Awaken our desires for Your King-dom to come here as in heaven, and help us carry that into our everyday activities. Awaken to us, our Lord and our God. Amen.

CONFESSIONAL RESPONSE (11:00) “What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright” Puer Nobis Nascitur

ASSURANCE AND PEACEJesus Christ has called us to lay aside the works of darkness and to con-fess our sins and be reconciled to God. We have confessed our sin in the company of God’s people. Our forgiveness, declared on earth, is sealed in heaven. Siblings in Christ, your sins are forgiven; be at peace.

The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you!

GREETING AND NEWS

SHARING WITH CHILDREN (11:00)

PRAYER OF PREPARATION FOR GOD’S WORD

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Selected verses from Isaiah 51 & 5251:1 Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 4 Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will

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Anne Curtis Giovanelli

Daniel Killilea

go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples.9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord!Awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago!17 Rouse yourself, rouse yourself! Stand up, O Jerusalem,you who have drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath,who have drunk to the dregs the bowl of staggering.52:1 Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion! Put on your beau-tiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for the uncircumcised and the unclean shall enter you no more. 2 Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter Zion!3 For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. 4 For thus says the Lord God: Long ago, my people went down into Egypt to reside there as aliens; the Assyrian, too, has oppressed them without cause. 5 Now therefore what am I do-ing here, says the Lord, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the Lord, and continually, all day long, my name is despised. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name; there-fore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.

EPISTLE LESSON (11:00) Romans 13:11-14a

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 In-stead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-14

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Virginia Barr, Matthew Grauberger, and

Dr. Jim Dorroh

Daniel Killilea

Andrew Messier

TJ Dyer - 8:30Andrew Messier - 11:00

ANTHEM “Sleepers, Wake!” A Voice Astounds us Wachet Auf

“Sleepers, wake!” A voice astounds us; the shout of rampart guards surrounds us: “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”

Midnight’s peace their cry has broken, their urgent summons clearly spoken: “The time has come, O maidens wise!

Rise up, and give us light; the Bridegroom is in sight. Alleluia!Your lamps prepare and hasten there, that you the wedding feast may share.”

Zion hears the watchmen singing; her heart with joyful hope is springing; she wakes and hurries through the night.

Forth he comes, her Bridegroom glorious in strength of grace, in truth victorious: her star is risen, her light grows bright.

Now come, most worthy Lord, God’s Son, incarnate Word, Alleluia!We follow all and heed your call to come into the banquet hall.

Lamb of God, the heavens adore you; let saints and angels sing before you, as harps and cymbals swell the sound.

Twelve great pearls, the city’s portals: through them we stream to join the immortals as we with joy your throne surround.

No eye has known the sight, no ear heard such delight: Alleluia!Therefore we sing to greet our King; for ever let our praises ring.

MESSAGE “The Great Awake-ing”

*AFFIRMING OUR FAITH (11:00) The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR US & OTHERSOur 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.

SHARING OUR GIFTS Offertory Dr. Jim Dorroh

TJ Dyer- 8:30Anne Kearney Patton and Rachel Ross-Davis - 11:00

HYMN AT THE PRESENTATION (11:00) “What Child is This” Greensleeves

THANKSGIVING

CLOSING HYMN “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Go Tell It

Daniel Killilea

Dr. Jim Dorroh, organist

SENDING INTO THE WORLD

POSTLUDE “In Dulci Jubilo” Johann Sebastian Bach

IN MEMORIAM

Calvin Jackson December 19, 2020“Christ is the Resurrection and the Life”

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What’s Happening At South Highland!Sunday, December 27, 2020

WE WELCOME ALL WHO WORSHIP WITH US most warmly, and we invite you to deepen your life of faith in Jesus Christ! We invite you to consider membership in this faith community and to attend our Discovery Group class. If you’re interested in beginning or continuing your personal faith journey with us, please contact Polly Edwards (205-213-4870, pereader24@gmail.com) or Laura Chapman (205-910-7689, LLLChapman@aol.com).

HEARTFELT PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY are extended to the family and friends of Calvin Jackson at his death on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

HEARTFELT PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY are extended to the family and friends of Carol Runnels at her death on Monday, December 21, 2020.

THANK YOU ALL for the wonderful response to our pageant, “Do Not Be Afraid”. We were thrilled to have so many families participate. Thank you one and all; and thank you, too, to my wonderful co-workers who helped with everything

from acting to videoing to moral support. Daniel Killilea, you are the best producer EVER!! Thank you!! Please be sure and check out our YouTube at https://youtu.be/lvUwnjtQzAE if you have not yet seen our production. Happy New Year to you and yours!! Love, Katya

THANK YOU so much, South Highland! Our generous Angel Tree donations helped make Christmas a little merrier for over 40 children (from 12 families) and 52 adults this year! Christmas blessings to you all!

CHURCH WILL BE CLOSED on Friday, January 1, 2021. Wishing you a Happy New Year from the Staff!

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDY for Sunday, January 3 is Matthew 2:1-15 with Abby Gatliff preaching.

IN MEMORIAM

Carol Runnels December 21, 2020“Christ is the Resurrection and the Life”

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YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE: Please read the special announcement by Daniel Killilea, Director of Youth Ministry, by going to www.southhighland.org/youthblog and looking for the link at the top of the page. All of the staff and volunteers wish our youth and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

LIVE, IN-PERSON, WORSHIP SERVICE at 8:30am on Sunday, January 3 in the Sanctuary. You must have a reservation for everyone in your party to attend. To make your reservation, email them at reservation@southhighland.org. Please list all names of those wanting a reservation on the email or you can call Brenda Keith in the church office at 205-933-0790 to make your reservation. Reservations must be in by 12:00pm on Saturday, January 2 as space is limited. THERE WILL NOT BE CHILDCARE AT THIS SERVICE. Face masks and social distancing are required. This service will not be live streamed.

END OF YEAR GIVING. Remember for your 2020 tax giving, all contributions must be in by Thursday, December 31, 2020. By mail: Postmarked on or before Thursday, December 31, 2020. Online: Completed by midnight Central Standard Time, Thursday, December 31, 2020. Hand Delivered: Received at the church office no later than 12:00pm Noon on Thursday, December 31, 2020. Any gifts dropped off after that time will be treated as 2021 gifts.If you plan to make a stock donation, please allow extra time for processing.

CELEBRATING SHARING TOGETHER! Thank you for your continued support of South Highland Presbyterian Church in our 2020 Stewardship and its ministries. We currently have 132 pledges for $1,124,200 for our 2021 ministry work. If you have not done so yet, we encourage you to mail your pledge into Gary Harden, Financial

Assistant, to P.O. Box 55933, Birmingham, AL 35255, email Gary at gharden@southhighland.org or send in your pledge on our website at southhighland.org/pledge and take care of it on-line.

SHOW YOUR SOUTH HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN PRIDE and support the SHPC Youth Group with the purchase of a church sweatshirt! These cold-weather, must-haves are navy blue, Gildan midweight sweatshirts in a 50/50 blend with a crew-neck style. Each one is $25.00, and all money directly supports the ministry of the church’s youth! To order yours, visit https://forms.gle/qeUV3i4Dx9GwH1mZ9.

YOUR STAFF IS AVAILABLE TO YOU! All the staff want to assure you that we are available to serve our congregation and can be contacted any time by email and cell phone. Contact information for all staff is below. Be sure to let us know immediately of any pastoral emergency or special needs. During limited business hours of 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Thursday, some church staff are present in the building. If you need to come to the building please call in advance at 205-933-0790 as the doors remain locked and you will need to be let in. Masks are required at all times. If you need to visit with a staff member please make an appoint-ment in advance. Your church is OPEN for you and for the community, only in a different way. While we must work differently in order to maintain the safety of all, your church is here for you.A listing of the staff on call: Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley ehurley@southhighland.org Cell: 205-873-4729 Rev. Dr. Larry Michael lmichael@southhighland.org Cell: 205-492-9992 Brad Hale bhale@southhighland.org Cell: 205-908-3534 Cort Gatliff, MDiv cgatliff@southhighland.org Cell: 734-788-5887 Abby Gatliff agatliff@southhighland.org Cell: 901-679-5360 Dina Glass dglass@southhighland.org Cell: 205-616-1940 Brenda Keith bkeith@southhighland.org Cell: 205-383-5972 Gary Harden gharden@southhighland.org Cell: 205-222-1288 Katya O’Leary koleary@southhighland.org Cell: 205-873-0039 Daniel Killilea dkillilea@southhighland.org Cell: 205-532-1746 Matthew Grauberger mgrauberger@southhighland.org Cell: 757-848-8496

WE PRAY FOR YOU! If you have a prayer request, please email it to prayer@southhighland.org. The list will be compiled then given to the staff who will pray for these requests at our scheduled meeting and throughout the week. These will only be seen by the staff unless we are told to add to the official Prayer Sheet for South Highland. As always your Staff cares about you and your family!

WORSHIP SERVICES ARE BROADCAST AT 11:00AM FOUR WAYS: 1) click the “Worship with Us Online” button on SHPC’s website (www.southhighland.org);2) visit SHPC’s Facebook page (facebook.com/southhighlandpresbyterian); 3) visit SHPC’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/southhighland);4) on the radio at 850AM and 101.1FM. All of this new and ongoing communication is made possible through the generous gifts of the late E. Keith and Maxine Williams.

WORSHIP THROUGH GIVING. As we worship, let us not forget that the church’s work continues. May we all honor our pledge and be faithful in presenting our offerings. Contribu-tions can be mailed to P.O. Box 55933, Birmingham, AL 35255 or made on our website at www.southhighland.org/giving/electronic-giving.

THE CHRISTIAN LECTIONARY SERIESSunday, December 27Pss. 34; 150; 19; 121Isa. 62:6–7, 10–12Heb. 2:10–18Matt. 1:18–25

Monday, December 28Pss. 2; 145; 110; 111Isa. 49:13–23Isa. 54:1–13Matt. 18:1–14

Tuesday, December 29Pss. 96; 146; 132; 97Isa. 12:1–6Rev. 1:1–8John 7:37–52

Wednesday, December 30Pss. 93; 147:1–11Isa. 25:1–9Rev. 1:9–20John 7:53—8:11

Thursday, December 31Pss. 98; 147:12–20; 45; 96Isa. 26:1–62 Cor. 5:16—6:2John 8:12–19

Friday, January 1Pss. 98; 148; 99; 8Gen. 17:1–12a, 15–16Col. 2:6–12John 16:23b–30

Saturday, January 2Pss. 48; 149; 9; 29Gen. 12:1–7Heb. 11:1–12John 6:35–42, 48–51

Sunday, January 3Pss. 111; 150; 107; 15Deut. 33:1–51 John 2:12–17John 6:41–47