WEBSTER GROVESPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Service for the Lord’s DayDecember 1, 2019

10:30 a.m.

OUR MISSIONWe seek to live Christ’s love,

welcome all people and joyfully serve God.

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Service for the Lord’s DayWhen this symbol precedes an element of the service, please rise in body or spirit.

Prelude: “O Come All Ye Faithful” arr. Berry / Valey Celebration Ringers

WELCOME AND COMMUNITY LIFEAll are encouraged to sign and pass the Friendship Pads at the ends of the pews. As the music begins, let us use this time for quiet reflection and prayer, so that we, individually and as a great crowd of witnesses, may prepare ourselves to reaffirm our faith as the people of God.

~GATHERING FOR GOD’S WORD~

ADVENT SONG “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” TIF IN VELDELE

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Confirmand Elizabeth Patterson Sponsor Sherry Moschner

Leader : The world says, “All is lost.”God says, “All is loved.”The darkness says, “The light is dying.” The light says, “The fire is catching.”Fear says, “Cover your eyes and your ears.” Hope says, “Wait, watch and listen.”As we light our first Advent candle,

All: we pray for holy hope of God.Leader: Come now, O Child of Mary.All: Come now, O Prince of Hope.

HYMN 107 “Awake! Awake , and Greet the New Morn” REJOICE, REJOICE

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CALL TO CONFESSION

Leader: You know what time it is:All: Now is the time to wake from sleep.Leader: Salvation is near!All: Let us confess our sin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God,You set before us the way of goodnessand beckon us to follow you,but we disregard your teachingsand disobey your word.You call people of every land to dwell in harmony,but we sow division and harvest discord.You command us to craft tools that sustain life,but we cling to weapons that damage and destroy.

RESPONSE “Come Now, O Prince of Peace” O-SO-SOChancel Choir

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Leader: Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us forgive one another.The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

All: And also with you.

RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE “Glory to God” Young

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SCRIPTURE CONVERSATION Rev. Edwin Zumwinkel

~PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD~

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 2:1-5 Pew Bible pg. 631

NEW TESTAMENT READING Matthew 24:36-44 Pew Bible pg. 27

SERMON Rev. Ed Zumwinkel

SILENCE FOR REFLECTION

~RESPONDING TO GODS’S WORD~ OFFERING INVITATION

[Loose change in today's offering will be directed to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund.  This fund assists those who call the church in need of groceries or gas money.  It has been used for members and people in our community who needed help with such things as hearing aids, medical devices and prescription medicine.]

OFFERTORY “Keep Your Lamps” ThomasChancel Choir / David Michelson, percussion

~SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION~

INVITATIONLeader: Hallelujah! The Lord our God the Almighty reigns!

Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come.

People: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGLeader: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord.Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.Leader: It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise,

O Lord our God, creator and ruler of the universe.…the prayer continues…

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…who forever sing to the glory of your name:

…the prayer continues… With thanksgiving we offer our very selves to you to be a living and holy sacrifice, dedicated to your service.

…the prayer continues…

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Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,now and forever.

COMMUNION OF GOD’S PEOPLE

COMMUNION MUSIC Meditation on “Veni Emmanuel” MooreShawn Portell, organ

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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, forever. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

HYMN 663 “Awake, My Soul, And With the Sun” MORNING HYMN

CHARGE

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Proclamation on “Wachet Auf” MillerShawn Portell

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Worship NotesSome prayers and liturgical texts for worship are provided by:

BIBLIOGRAPHY Book of Common Worship. (2016). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.Call to Worship. (2018). Louisville: Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Feasting On The Word. (2012). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.

The large red Chancel poinsettias are given to the Glory of God, in loving memory of her husband, her parents and her son-in-law, the gift of Edie Curtis; and in loving memory of Kathy Gerber Porter, Ally Porter and Andrew Romer, the gift of Don and Gretchen Gerber.

THOSE WHO SERVE TODAY

Communion: Becky Clausen, Brandon Thurmon, Donna Bellows,

Servers: Brad Goss, Linda and Jean Magre, Carrie Rao, Dave Morris, Team B

Ushers: Marilyn Kuhn, Jim Gloeckner, Vicki Lane,Dick Peterson, Bill Schwartz, Alan Scott, Donna

Bellows

Greeters: Crystal O’Loughlin, Linda and Bill Schwartz, Melinda and Isaac La Salle

Office Volunteer: Mary Gloeckner, Jim Gloeckner

Liturgist: Elizabeth Patterson

Sunday Snack: Advent Café

WORD OF WELCOME

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CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT WGPC! Worship Activity Bags are located at each entrance to the Sanctuary.

NURSERY CARE While some children prefer to stay with their parents in worship, others enjoy the opportunity to meet new friends, play and learn stories from the Bible. Mrs. Robin is ready to greet your child with a happy smile and a generous spirit. The nursery is open from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If there are no children in the nursery by 11:30 a.m., the nursery room will remain open for parents and children to enjoy together. There will be no nursery attendants on duty.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES Children and youth are not forgotten at WGPC! Classes, activities and fellowship opportunities designed with them in mind happen most Sunday evenings. Please refer to the calendar for ages and times, or contact Cherstin Byers at chb@wgpc.org for more information.

LARGE-PRINT BULLETINS AND HYMNALS, hearing devices, and cushions are also available. One of our ushers would be happy to assist you.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN THE FRIENDSHIP PADS located at the end of each pew.

WATER AND LOZENGES Got a tickle in your throat? Relax. Just head to the Narthex (back of the sanctuary) where the ushers have water and lozenges for your comfort.

MINISTRY STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Edwin Zumwinkel IIIAssociate Pastor: Rev. Hannah ZylaPastoral Assistant for Congregational Care: John RawlingsDirector of Music Ministries/Organist: Shawn PortellMusic/Organist Assistant: Ted CronbaughDirector of Youth and Family Ministries: Brian KuhnInterim Director of Youth and Family Ministries: Summer KohringDirector of Early childhood Center/ Nursery Coordinator: Robin CannonMission Outreach Coordinator: Beth KazlauskasConnections Coordinator: Tracey RapisardoBusiness Administrator: Jan ScheurerSenior Staff Assistant: Valerie HamptonAssistant for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries: Cherstin ByersCustodial Supervisor: Pete Brennan

efz@wgpc.orgParental Leavejdrtsn@gmail.comspp@wgpc.orgted.cronbaugh@gmail.comOn Sabbaticalslk@wgpc.orgrwc@wgpc.orgbok@wgpc.orgtar@wgpc.orgjls@wgpc.orgvph@wgpc.orgchb@wgpc.org(314)-962-9210 ext 3212

45 West Lockwood AvenueWebster Groves, MO 63119

www.wgpc.org(314)-962-9210

OUR UPCOMING COMMUNITY LIFE TOGETHER

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Lessons and Carols

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What Sweeter Music is a sumptuous feast of fifteen English, German, and French carols plus several new songs from the pen on one of this generation's master composers, Mark Hayes.  The joyous Opening Medley sets the stage for the many exceptional

moments to come, from the powerful new setting of the Magnificat for soprano solo (Cherstin Byers) to the charming Cradle Medley.  Between carols a variety of

congregation liturgists will share the beloved Christmas story.  To add to the festivities, the congregation will join the choir to sing in several of the carol medleys.  

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Please join us for a Christmas Luncheon in Fellowship Hallon Wednesday, December 11, 2019. Entertainment will be provided by the Joyful Notes, a choral group that began as St. Luke’s Hospital Chorus in 1994 and has since become an independent music group,

comprised of senior citizens who love to sing. RSVP to Donna Bellows.

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A Message From Environmental Stewardship…

Christmas Tree History

Evergreen – a symbol of renewal. Long before the advent of Christianity, evergreen plants held special meaning in wintertime. Many ancient peoples believed that the sun was a god and that winter came every year because the sun god had become sick and weak. The people celebrated the Winter Solstice because thereafter, the days would become longer and brighter; the sun god was getting well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of the green that would emerge as the sun god strengthened. For example, at the Solstice, when the sun god Ra began to recover from his illness, the ancient Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes, symbolizing the victory of life over death. In honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, early Romans celebrated the Saturnalia feast at the time of Solstice. The Romans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs, to mark the coming green fields. The Scandinavian Vikings believed evergreens were the special plant of the sun god, Balder. Scandinavians decorated the house and barn with evergreens to scare away the Devil and also set up a tree for the birds during the dark winter solstice. Sources: Encyclopedia Britanica, “Christmas tree, Holiday decoration,” www.Brittanica.com; History of Christmas Trees, Original October 27, 2009, updated September 12, 2018, History Channel, www.history.com.

Recycle your Holiday Lights!Environmental Stewardship is collecting holiday lights for recycling again this year.  There’s a  bin inside the Hale entrance to place strands of lights and will remain there until Jan. 6.  Please help keep plastic and copper wire out of our landfills. Thank you!  Happy Thanksgiving!

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NOW ACCEPTING POINSETTIAS ORDERS!! Order forms are available in the pew pockets, the bulletin, church office and Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10. Deadline to order is Sunday, December 8th. You may order flowers for the sanctuary and your home. Poinsettias for your home (which benefit the Nicaraguan scholarship fund) must be picked up, Thursday December 12th from 3 to 7pm in Fellowship Hall.

Flowers purchased for the sanctuary may be picked up and brought home after the 11pm service on Christmas Eve.

When paying by check, indicate “poinsettia order” in the memo line. You may also order and pay online – if you do, please indicate the number of plants, whether they are for the sanctuary, the home/ scholarship fund, or both. If your order is for the sanctuary and you’d like, please indicate whether it’s in memory of or in honor of someone special.

Poinsettia Order Form Name of

purchaser:_________________________________________________ _____ Number of poinsettias @ $10 each for SANCTUARY (please fill in information below) _____Number of poinsettias @ $10 each the Home / Nicaraguan scholarship fund

In Honor of: ___________________________________________________________________

In Memory of: __________________________________________________________________

Please place the form and your payment in the offering plate or in Valerie Hampton’s mailbox in the church office.As an alternative, you may order and pay online. Please indicate all information above when placing the order.

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DEADLINE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

FAITH FORMATION INFORMATIONCHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES meeting today

Infant – PreK:

Nursery 8:15 a.m. - noon 1st floor nurseryPre-K – 8th Grade:

Advent Pageant Rehearsal 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary9th – 12th Grade:

Agape 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Youth Lounge

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Visit wgpc.org or contact Cherstin Byers (chb@wgpc.org) for more information and to receive newsletter emails about children’s and youth activities.

Webster Groves Presbyterian Church2019 Christmas Wish List

Boy Scout Storage Roof Repair-Our Boy Scout Troop 310 stores equipment in the small building at the end of the Moody parking lot. Last Spring’s significant rain caused a leak and some of their equipment was destroyed. Plans are being made to repair the roof so this does not happen again.

Gift $500 AEarly Childhood Center-Our ECC is making changes to better serve children and would like to update some of its classrooms. Your gift will help the ECC make those updates fresh and welcoming to new families and children choosing to come spend time at our church.

Gift $1200 BWGPC Christmas Decorations-As we pulled out our Christmas decorations we noted this would need to be the last year for some of them as they have worn out. Obviously celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is “our thing”! Replacement of some of the decorations is needed.

Gift $475 CWGPC Connector-The new format of the WGPC connector has proven to be very popular! We think it is a great way to tell our mission story. Let’s keep it going in 2020!

Gift $5000 DWeb Site -In the 21st century our website is the front door of our church. It does not require paint and polished brass kickboards but it still requires maintenance. Your special gift will help us continue to look our best for visitors who come to our door.

Gift $6000 E

To make a gif in any amount :1. Go on line to WGPC.org and click the blue “give” button.2. Select special fund and choose “Special Gift”.3. Type the corresponding letter (A, B,C,D, E) in the optional memo field.

or If you write a check, write special gift and the corresponding letter in the memo. Give Jan Scheurer a call in the office if you have any questions. Thank you!

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WGPC Audit PerformedOn October 14, 2019 the board of trustees received the following financial opinion from the firm of Anders CPAs and Advisors: "In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Webster Groves Presbyterian Church as of December 31, 2018 and the

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changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America." In other words, the results are "clean" which is what you want! Special thanks to Business Administrator Jan Scheuerer and financial assistant Joyce Kimmons for the many hours coordinating with the audit firm.

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Sunday, 01 December

8:30 a.m. – Informal Worship 9:30 a.m. – Advent Cafe10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship4:30 p.m. – Celtics4:30 p.m. – Children’s Choir4:30 p.m. – Celebration Bell Ringers5:15 p.m. – Pageant Rehearsal7:00 p.m. – Agape

Monday, 02 December

10:30 a.m. – Ely Ringers4:00 p.m. – Prayer Ministry5:30 pm – Endowment Committee Meeting

Tuesday, 03 December

6:30 a.m. – Tuesday Prayer Meeting9:00 a.m. – ECC Committee Meeting9:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting

Wednesday, 04 December

9:00 a.m. – Mom’s Group9:00 a.m. – Kids Day Out7:00 p.m. – Worship Arts7:00 p.m. – Evangelism7:00 p.m. – Faith Formation7:00 p.m. – Mission Commission7:00 p.m. – Personnel7:00 p.m. – Praise Ringer Alum

Thursday, 05 December

8:30 a.m. – Men’s Bridge Group10:00 a.m. – Disciples Bible Study12:00 p.m. – Noon Choir Practice7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir

Friday, 06 December

12:00 p.m. - Rotary

Saturday, 07 December

9:00 a.m. – Al Anon

Sunday, 07 December

8:30 a.m. – Informal Worship 9:30 a.m. – Advent Cafe10:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship: Christmas Pageant4:30 p.m. – Celtics7:00 p.m. – Agape

Give-A-Meal-A-Month December Menu

Donation towards a holiday turkey($2.50 or any amount to WGPC memo Turkey)Canned Sweet PotatoesCanned Peas – no or low saltCanned Mixed Fruit – lite or in fruit juiceBox of au gratin potatoes

Additional NeedsBaby foods

(fruits, vegetables, cereals, meats)

“I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

CHILDREN'S OFFERING:.

This winter, the children's offering will be collected to purchase two trees through Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Our goal is to gather $50 -

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enough for two 3 gallon 4-6' tall trees to be planted in Missouri to make a community healthier, safer, and greener.

Total collected for Piglets was $210.00. Thank you so much!

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