Assurance of Pardon: God offers salvation and welcomes us into a covenant relationship.

Surely our hearts will know joy, and our voices will ring with laughter.God is faithful and will grant us peace.1

Thanks be to God, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

* Song of Joy, Hymn #145 verse 1: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart! Rejoice, ye pure in heart! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!Your festal banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.Rejoice! (Rejoice!) Rejoice! (Rejoice!) Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

* The Peace: “The Peace of the Lord be with you.” “And also with you.” As a sign of reconciliation please share the Peace of Christ

with your brothers and sisters.

Proclaim God’s Word

Prayer For Illumination: Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.3

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Children's Time: Susie Faas

Ministry of Music: My Soul Cries Out Mark Hayes Karen Mail, soprano

New Testament Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Sermon: My Wife is a Jedi Knight Reverend Kevin Stainton

Respond to God’s Word

* Hymn #3 verses 1 & 3: Comfort, Comfort You My People

Service of Divine Worship3rd Sunday of AdventDecember 13, 2020

Assemble in God’s Name

As you Focus For Worship God of our baptism, whose messengers appear in strange places and unexpected times, keep us from missing the voices in the wilderness that speak your Word. Whether of warning or assurance or challenge, your message is one we would not ignore. May we, like John, help to prepare the way that our world may become a more wholesome and welcoming place for all people. Amen.1

Welcome and Proclamation of the Good News

Prelude: Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Setting, Terry Osman Josh Toth, piano

Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Schumm Family

* Call To Worship: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy.Then it was said among the nations around us, “The Lord has done great things for them!”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed!2

Let us worship God.

* Hymn 9: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Prayer of Confession God of covenant, we confess that our faith has been small. We have doubted your promises, and have denied your power to free us from captivity, and to establish us in security. We have chosen instead to trust in our own ways and strength.By your tender mercy, forgive our unbelief; fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may fully trust and obey you. Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today, by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.2

(Silent Personal Prayer)

*Affirmation of Faith: From “A Brief Statement of Faith”

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer

Life Together

Presentation of Our Tithes and Gifts to GodOffertory: Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Setting, John Carter Josh Toth, piano * Hymn # 592: Doxology * Prayer of Dedication

* Hymnl #2: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

* Benediction

* Postlude: Sing to the Lord a Bright New Song Setting, David Paxton Josh Toth, piano

* Those who are able may stand.

1 Reprinted by permission, Led by Love, Year B, by Lavon Bayler, © 1996 by United Church Press2 From Call to Worship, Year B, Lectionary Aids for 2002-2003, Office of Theology and Worship Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is Association with Geneva Press3 Reprinted by permission from Book of Common Worship, © 1993 Westminster John Knox Press

Order of

Worship

Church Office: 398-7671 Fax: 573-9722 Preschool: 398-7981

Children’s Ministry Director – Susie FaasYouth Director/ Administrator - Patty Schnetzer

Director of Music Ministries – Karen MailAccompanist/Organist – Sarah J. Baker

Business Manager – Susan BrosePreschool Director – Christal Banks

Custodian – Tom SpaethOffice Administrator – Stephanie Martin

e-mail – office@hpcmason.org; website: www.hpcmason.org

Heritage Presbyterian ChurchDecember 13, 2020

College ConnectionEvery Spring we sent our college students an envelope of notes written by our congregation. With all colleges going to online classes, we would still like to support our college students with notes on encouragement and love. If you would like to send a note by email, please send to youth@hpcmason.org. Specify which student it is for in the subject line and I will print out and put it in their envelope. We will mail out envelopes by the end of the month. Below is a list of our college students:

Kyle Barker, Jonah Ewing, Avery Fehrenbach, Michael Fehrenbach, Jack Hayes, Josh Hill, Cole Kinser, Katie Kinser, Matthew LeCras, Holt McNeer, Sarah McNeer, Peyton Mills, Zeb Mills, Lexy Nelson, Tori Nelson, Emma Niehaus, Kevin Peischl, Rachel Perkins, Bradlee Saterfield, Ben Schnetzer, Abby Sherrard, and Max Stainton.

Sandwich Mission Continues….HPC is continuing to provide at least 100 meat sandwiches to Our Daily Bread every week. Sandwiches are placed in the HPC refrigerator each Wednesday, then taken down to 1730 Race Street early each Thursday AMby one of our HPC volunteer drivers. Would you help by providing somemeat sandwiches on a Wednesday or two between now and April 8th?

The Sandwich Mission is needed and appreciated in these times of severe economic trouble for so many of God’s people. If you can participate by making and bringing sandwiches to HPC in a future week, please let Nelson Kennedy know, and he will schedule you for an upcoming Wednesday. (Thanksgiving Wednesday, 11-25-2020, is excluded.) “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,” Matthew 25:35

Virtual Christmas CarolingGrab a cup of hot cocoa, put on your Christmas socks, and join in singing some Christmas carols!Beginning on December 11th, you can enjoy a virtual Christmas caroling party that has been pre-recorded by our children, youth, and HPC singers. Starting December 11, click into the church website at www.hpcmason.org or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/HPCMason to join the party.

Youth Groups will Zoom TONIGHT, December 13 Contact Susie.faas@hpcmason.org or Patty.schnetzer@hpcmason.org for a link to the Zoom Meeting.Kids of the Kingdom 2-3 pmTweens 3–4 pmJunior and Senior High 4:-5:30 pm

Please Pray For:● Annette Brown

In Memoriam:● Mac McKean claimed the victory of the resurrection on December 6th, 2020.

Continued Prayers for: ● Raegan Day - granddaughter of the McCaulous● Tekla Ellis - in rehab● John Focke - Jamey Focke’s brother● Marilyn Johnston● Sarah Nelson - family member of the Zumkehrs - has had some improvement

from surgery● Rhonda Peischl’s dad ● Bonnie Reeves● Steve Ritz - pain● Ineke Rude - awaiting test results● Kevin Stainton - recovery from surgery● Teresa Stanford

Intercessory Prayer: Knox Presbyterian Church

Call the church office, 398-7671, to request the prayer chain be started.

Advent DevotionalsResources for daily meditation and prayer are HPC Atrium or can be sent to your home, digitally or by mail. Please contact Susie.faas@hpcmason.org if you would like a paper devotional mailed to your home.

● Daily Online Devotions have been prepared by the HPC , and are accessible on

the church website www.hpcmason.org or on FaceBook www.facebook.com/HPCMason

● Adults: ○ A traditional resource for adults is published by the Pittsburgh

Theological Seminary and can be downloaded from https://www.pts.edu/devotional_1.

○ Another option for adults is published by the PCUSA. This is also available on-line at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/advent2020/ or paper copies are available at HPC.

● Children, Youth & Families have been given devotional materials by “Illustrated Ministry”. Extra copies are available in the Atrium.

Thank You!HPC Church Family - thank you for all the wonderful gifts and generous monetary donations for the Angel Tree. We were able to provide a very Merry Christmas for many families in our local community!The HPC Deacons

Adult Bible Studies➢ Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am: Lectionary Learnings: Explores the weekly

lectionary scripture. Contact Kevin Stainton pastor@hpcmason.org for a link.➢ Thursdays at 11:00 am: Adult Bible Study: Email Susie Faas at

susie.faas@hpcmason.org for an Access Code. This group is studying First Corinthians..

➢ Wednesdays at 7:30 am: Men’s Bible Study: Email Kevin Stainton at pastor@hpcmason for a Zoom invitation

➢ Thursdays at 8:15 pm: Men’s Fellowship: Email Dave Sherrard dave80sman@gmail.com for Zoom invitation

.

Week at a Glance

Sunday, December 13, 3rd Sunday of Advent9:00 am: Lectionary Learnings10:00 am: Election of Officers via Zoom10:15 am: Worship www.facebook.com/HPCMason and https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hpc+mason 11:30 am Guiding Team Meeting2:00 pm: Kids of the Kingdom Zoom Meeting3:00 pm: ‘Tweens Zoom Meeting4:00 pm: Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group Zoom Christmas PartyMonday, December 147:00 pm: Finance TeamZoom Meeting7:00 pm: Deacon’s MeetingTuesday, December 157:00 pm: Women’s Evening Circle7:00 pm: Mary HavenWednesday, December 167:30 am: Men’s Bible Study Zoom MeetingThursday, December 178:15 pm: Men’s Fellowship Zoom MeetingFriday, December 18Saturday, December 19Sunday, December 20, 4th Sunday of Advent9:00 am: Lectionary Learnings10:15 am: Worship www.facebook.com/HPCMason and https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hpc+mason 2:00 pm: Kids of the Kingdom Zoom Meeting3:00 pm: ‘Tweens Zoom MeetingCancelled: Jr. & Sr. High Youth GroupsWorship Leader: Susan BroseCongratulations to Chris and Kassidy Fann on the birth of Hailey Sophia Fann at 12:42pm on 12/6/20. She was 20.5” long and 8 pounds, 5.5 ounces. Baby and mom are doing well!Birthdays: Dorm Carney, Gage Manis, Greg Mills,, Owen Niehaus, Brandon Huang, Lois Ross, Karen Mail, Kelly Simmons, Nancy Keller, Kathy WellsSanctuary Flowers: The flowers in the Sanctuary today are from Russ & Carole Phillips in memory of beloved lost ones, and in celebration of their 27th wedding anniversary.

2020 Stewardship CampaignYou should have received letters about this year’s Stewardship Campaign in the mail. Please remember to return your Pledge Card as soon as possible. If you need a Pledge Card, please contact the Church office: 513-398-7671. Thank you for your faithful financial support of Heritage as we continue working to serve the Congregation and Community in difficult times.

Christmas Joy Offering 11/29-12/20/20God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need.

Staying Connected Our updated website is still www.hpcmason.org Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/HPCMason Our YouTube Channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hpc+mason➢ Weekly worship is live streamed on both platforms at

10:15 am each Sunday morning.

Children and Youth may are connected in a variety of ways.Private social media group pages: ➢ Children’s Ministries: www.facebook.com/groups/heritagechildrensministries➢ Heritage ‘Tweens: www.facebook.com/groups/heritagetweens➢ Heritage Youth Groups:

○ FaceBook: www.facebook.com/groups/hpcmasonyouth○ Instagram: www.Instagram.com/youth_group_hpc○ Twitter: www.twitter.com/Youth_Group_HPC

Virtual meetings are held through Zoom. Request invitations to those groups by contacting:➢ Susie Faas susie.faas@hpcmason.org, or ➢ Patty Schnetzer pschnetzer5@gmail.com

Pledges & Gifts may be made at http://bit.ly/2WjfB2m

Scan this QR Code with your smartphone’s camera, then tap the link that appearsto record your attendance and prayer requests!

Church Office: 398-7671 Fax: 573-9722 Preschool: 398-7981

Children’s Ministry Director – Susie FaasYouth Director/ Administrator - Patty Schnetzer

Director of Music Ministries – Karen MailAccompanist/Organist – Sarah J. Baker

Business Manager – Susan BrosePreschool Director – Christal Banks

Custodian – Tom SpaethOffice Administrator – Stephanie Martin

e-mail – office@hpcmason.org; website: www.hpcmason.org

Heritage Presbyterian ChurchDecember 13, 2020

Announcements 6546 S. Mason-Montgomery Rd.

Mason, Ohio 45040

hpcmason.org Kevin Stainton, Pastor

9:00 am—Sunday School10:15 am—Worship