Service for the Lord’s Day Unison We confess that we have · PDF file · 2017-12-30COLLECT —“Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your ... and...

Service for the Lord’s Day The Season of Christmas

First Sunday

December 31, 2017 10:30 A.M.

*CONGREGATION STANDS AS ABLE LITURGICAL COLOR: WHITE

— The People of God Gather — Please use the time before worship for silent reflection

and meditation, giving thanks to God for all things.

COLLECT — “Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”

WELCOME “We are glad to be in the house of the Lord— a Loving, Praying, Caring place!”

PRELUDE “The First Noel” - arr., Lloyd Larson

Michael Spresser, piano *CALL to WORSHIP

LEADER: When the fullness of time had come, God acted. Jesus came as a child among God's children.

PEOPLE: In Christ, God reclaims us as heirs. We rejoice in God, who is parent to all humankind.

LEADER: From the mouths of infants, we hear God's truth. Before a child, enemies are silenced.

PEOPLE: How majestic is God's name in all the earth! How amazing is God's transforming power

among us!

LEADER: God makes us stewards and gives us choices. We are entrusted with good news for the world.

PEOPLE: God's face shines on us in blessing. God's favor rests on us and grants us peace.

*HYMN “Angels From the Realms of Glory” No. 22

PRAYER of CONFESSION (and silent confession)

Leader: Praying in one accord, and humbling ourselves before the Lord, let us confess our need for God and God’s unconditional and unending love.

Unison: God of grace and truth, in Jesus Christ You came among us as light shining in darkness. We confess that we have not welcomed the light, or trusted good news to be good. We have closed our eyes to glory in our midst, expecting little and hoping for less. Forgive our doubt, and renew our hope, so that we may receive the fullness of Your grace, and live in the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.

ASSURANCE of PARDON

Leader: God is mindful of you and crowns you with glory and honor. God trusts you to share the good news

of Jesus's birth. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

People: To be given a message to share shows God's ultimate trust. Let us share the divine life of

Jesus Christ who came to share our humanity. Let the light of faith shine in all that we do that our

works may proclaim the glory of Christ Jesus.

*PASSING the PEACE *GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

— The Word of God Proclaimed — ANTIPHONAL READING of the PSALTER 136: 1-9, 26 (p. 447, OT)

GOSPEL LESSON James 1:17 (p. 179, NT)

HOMILY “The OmniPresent: Ephesians 2:8” - Laura Hoyer

— The People of God Respond —

*HYMN “Great is Thy Faithfulness” No. 276

*AFFIRMATION of FAITH - Apostles’ Creed, 3rd century A.D.

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.

OFFERING of TITHES and GIFTS

Offertory ‘While Shepherds Watched’ - arr, Gordon Young Michael Spresser, organ

*Doxology, *Prayer of Dedication

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.

JOYS AND CONCERNS

The Lord’s Prayer (‘forgive us our debts’)

“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.”

— We Go to Serve in God’s Name — *HYMN “As With Gladness Men of Old” No. 63 (Acolytes may extinguish the candles)

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE “Good Christian Men, Rejoice!” - arr., Gordon Young

Michael Spresser, Organ

† LOVELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH †

Council of the Session

Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Mary Frees Darlene Ervin Laura Hoyer Samantha Sears Tim Thornton Tim Thalheimer Hank Westcott

Darlene Ervin, Clerk of Session / Pete Bissman, Treasurer Michael Spresser, Accompanist / Dr. Randy Pennington, Music Director

Jenni Cox, Office Manager / Marilyn Lyle, Custodian Rev. Dr. Lonnie L. Darnell II, Pastor

Phone: 513-683-2525 Mailing: 360 Robin Ave., Loveland, OH, 45140 Prayer Chain Coordinator, Nancy Von Kampen, Phone: 513-793-0246

[email protected] www.lovelandpresbyterianchurch.org

This Week’s Servants 12/31/17

Elder: Laura Hoyer Accompanist: Michael Spresser Music Director: Dr. Randy Pennington Greeters: Jo Funke Liturgist: Darlene Ervin Nursery: Mary Frees Fellowship: Frees Family Children’s Church: no Children’s Church Ushers: Terry Price, Norm von Kampen, Bill Miller, Joe Frees

Next Week’s Servants 1/7/18 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lonnie Darnell Accompanist: Michael Spresser

Music Director: Dr. Randy Pennington Greeters: TBA Liturgist: TBA Nursery: Mary Frees Fellowship: Clark Family Children’s Church: Mary Frees Ushers: John Skinner, Jeff Jamison, Norm von Kampen, Jim Poe Communion: TBA

Birthdays January 5th ~ Tim Nye January 6th ~ Bob Norton

Anniversaries No Anniversaries

Joys and Concerns Joy! for the New Year and the hope that it brings with it! Prayers for safe New Year’s Eve celebrations. Prayers for the family of Jeanette Andrews, LPC’s oldest member (97), who passed away recently. Prayers for Shirley Jones’ brother-in-law, Jim, who is getting an update to his pacemaker, but he is very weak. Prayers for Jerry, co-worker of Jeff Jamison, whose uncle passed away suddenly. Prayers for Don King, recently hospitalized, now at home recovering under doctor’s care. Prayers for friends of Laura Hoyer, Holly & Lucy, struggling with grief, depression, and anxiety. Prayers for Alberta Riley, at home on antibiotics with severe bronchitis and a chronic cough. Prayers for Mike Butler’s brothers, Frank, beginning chemo, and for Conrad, also with cancer. Prayers for Betty Hays’ sister, Fran Allen, whose stepdaughter, Kimmie, passed away suddenly. Prayers for Leslie Westcott, recuperating from foot surgery. Prayers for Dotty King, recuperating from broken leg at Cedar Village in Mason. Prayers for Chuck Gay who will be undergoing chemo treatment due to the return of his cancer. Prayers for Aggie Gay as she helps Chuck through his treatment.

Please keep in your hearts and prayers all the sick and shut-ins of LPC. Please notify the LPC office of the progress and recovery of the individuals

and loved ones named above. Names will appear for 2 weeks unless the office is otherwise notified. Thank you.

Sunday (12/31/17)

9:45 a

10:30 a

11:30 a

Coffee Bar

Worship & Praise

Coffee Fellowship

Thursday (1/4/18)

10:45 a

12:45 p

TY: Stretch & Grow

(Nisbet Hall)

TY: Stretch & Grow (Nisbet Hall)

Monday (1/1/18)

Friday (1/5/18)

10:45 a

12:45 p

TY: Stretch & Grow

(Nisbet Hall)

TY: Stretch & Grow (Nisbet Hall)

Tuesday (1/2/18)

7:00 p

7:00 p

Troop 888 (Nisbet Hall)

Mission Committee (Parlor)

Saturday (1/6/18)

8:00 a

4:00 p

Men’s Breakfast (Nisbet Hall)

Pack 888 – Pinewood Derby Workshop

(Nisbet Hall)

Wednesday (1/3/18)

9:30 a

7:00 p

7:00 p

Tender Years & Head Start Return

Chair Yoga (Nisbet Hall)

Prayer Shawl (Parlor)

A.A. Meeting (Nisbet Hall)

Sunday (1/7/18)

9:45 a

10:30 a

11:30 a

3:00 p

Coffee Bar

Worship & Praise: Holy Communion

Coffee Fellowship (Nisbet Hall)

Girl Scouts (Nisbet Hall)