ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD



ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

December 29, 2019 8:30 & 9:45 A.M.

PRELUDE Christmas Selection Cameron Marvel, piano

WELCOME (Please sign and pass the Friendship Pad in your pew.)

CALL TO WORSHIP:

Leader: Let us go, in heart and mind, to see what has come to pass. Let us go with the shepherds:

People: Let us go to find the Savior!

Leader: Let us go with the wise ones:

People: Let us go to find God’s promise, born for us!

Leader: Let us go with the poor and humble:

People: Let us go to find our King, born in a lowly manger.

Leader: Let us go with all the world, with all the peoples of the nations.

People: Come, let us worship; come, let us adore him:

Christ the Lord!

HYMN Angles from the Realms of Glory (please stand if able)

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UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of love, all year long we pursue power and money, yet You come in weakness. All season long we covet great material gifts, when You alone offer what is lasting. Through the work of this Lord Jesus, who comes among us full of grace and truth, forgive us, heal us, correct us. Then open our lips, that we may sing Your praise with the angels, and remake our lives, that we may witness to Your transforming love. Through Christ, our Lord, we pray… (time for us to offer silent prayers of confession.)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Pastor: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.

People: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please stand if able)

Refrain from “Angels We Have Heard On High”

Glo – ria, in excelsis Deo.

Glo – ria in excelsis Deo.

APOSTLES’ CREED (please stand if able)

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.

THOUGHT FOR CHILDREN (9:45 only)

CONGREGATIONAL GREETING – “The Peace of Christ”

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

……….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.

OFFERTORY HYMN #144 In The Bleak Midwinter (please remain seated)

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DOXOLOGY (please stand if able)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION (from Feasting on the Word)

In this gifting season, O God, we are grateful for the gift of Your dear Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Receive, we pray, these offerings we bring. May they be used in the service of Your grace and truth dwelling among us. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen.

(please be seated)

A CYCLE OF CAROLS, LESSONS, AND REFLECTIONS

Bob Boell, Jean Boell, Jon Frost

HYMN #151 We Three Kings of Orient Are

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SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Jon Frost

(Pew Bible pg. 783-4)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

REFLECTION Mary Jean Boell

HYMN #145 What Child Is This

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SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 2:13-15 Bob Boell

(Pew Bible pg. 784)

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’

REFLECTION Joseph Jon Frost

HYMN #153 In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy

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SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 2:16-18 Jean Boell

(Pew Bible pg. 784)

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

‘A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’

REFLECTION Herod Bob Boell

CLOSING PRAYER

HYMN #136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain

(please stand if able)

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BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Cameron Marvel, piano

| | |

|[pic] |WELCOME VISITORS! We are glad you are here today. To help us welcome you personally, please sign the |

| |Friendship Pad with your name, address, email and/or phone number. |

|Worship Times: | |

|8:30 a.m. |You will find literature about Westminster at the Information Center. If you are interested in knowing more|

|9:45 a.m. |about being a follower of Jesus, have any questions, or desire follow-up information, please speak to one of|

|11:10 a.m. |the pastors. Following worship they can be found greeting at the doors of the sanctuary |

| | |

| |The next new members’ class is Saturday, February 1, 2020, 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Childcare is available |

| |during the class upon request. |

LECTIONARY PASSAGES FOR TODAY are: Isaiah. In addition to Sunday readings, there are lectionary readings for every day. Go to grow/spiritual-practices/daily-lectionary to the box called “Lectionary Reading” and click on the date.

THE BULLETIN COVER:

THE REFLECTIONS from today’s service come from the resource Hay and Stardust published by Wild Goose Publications. Mary and Joseph are written by Lisa Debney and Herod is written by Penny Hewlett.

THE FLOWERS on the pedestals are given:

• In loving memory of Edward and Mae Hilbush from their daughter, Carol A. Rockafellow, and her family

• By Nick and Ann Tortorello in memory of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Marguerite McNally

GREETERS 8:30 A.M.: Pam Rappolt and Carolyn Barr

GREETERS 9:45 A.M.: Betsy McFadden and Sam Blank

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

• 8:30am: Childcare for infants through 4 years of age.

• 9:45am: Childcare for infants through 3 years of age; Large group Sunday school for 4 years old through 5th grade

• 11:10am: Childcare for infants through 4 years of age; Large group Sunday school for Kindergarten through 5th grade

Checks that are written, mailed and contain a postmark of any date prior to and including December 31, 2018 will appear as charitable deductions on your 2017 statement. The postmark date is the key to determining which year the charitable contribution is recorded. Gifts placed in the offering plate during the first worship service in 2019 will not qualify as a charitable contribution in 2018, even if the check was written in 2018.

* * * * * * * * *

WORSHIP INFORMATION

WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sanctuary

8:30am – Traditional worship with choir

9:45am – Traditional worship with choir

11:10am – Contemporary worship with band

Chapel Service on Wednesday

9:10-9:30am – Prayer and Communion service

CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS is available at all Sunday morning services. BULLETINS FOR CHILDREN, LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND HYMNALS, AND SPANISH AND KOREAN BIBLES are available from ushers or located on shelves above the coat racks.

A REMOTE TV MONITOR is in the church parlor (just outside the sanctuary in the west hallway) to view and hear worship in progress for those with restless children or who need to leave the sanctuary.

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for worship at the Information Center in the Narthex. Additionally, the sanctuary is equipped with an induction loop system that transmits to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils. PEW CUSHIONS also available at the Information Center.

LIVE STREAMING of our 9:45 a.m. traditional worship is now being offered over the internet. A service bulletin for worship may be found through the link on our website or in the weekly update. We invite you to join us at when not able to attend worship.

TEXT GIVING is available. You can give via your phone; it’s easy, secure and instant. Start a new text message to 610-616-2826. Enter the dollar amount of your gift as the text. Send. First time givers are prompted to a link to enter credit/debit card information.

TAIZÉ PRAYER in the Chapel and contemplative worship occurs various times throughout the program year. Visit our website or call 610-399-3377 for dates and times.

Attendance: 12/22/19: 818

Offering Figures for 12/22/19: General Fund: $32,504.64

Capital Fund: $ 127.50

Per Capita: $ 102.00 YTD Per Capita $24,303.00

(representing 715 members)

Joy Offering: $1,195.00 YTD Joy Offering $ 5,330.91

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Attendance: 12/24/19: 3,050

Offering Figures for 12/24/19: General Fund: $44,588.12

Joy Offering: $7,285.00 YTD Joy Offering $12,615.91

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2019 pledges received as of 12/10/19: 774 pledges = $1,945,854.77

Ministers of Jesus Christ All the Members of the Congregation

Pastors Jennifer Clark, Jon Frost, Ann Hatfield, Don Lincoln

Director of Music Bob Morris

Associate Director and Principal Organist Glenn Kinckner

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd. West Chester, PA 19382

610-399-3377 ♦ info@ ♦

LARGE PRINT BULLETIN

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Knowing Christ…..Making Christ Known

December 29, 2019

8:30 and 9:45 A.M. Traditional

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GATHERING THOUGHT

Like every newborn, he has come from very far.

His eyes are closed against the brilliance of the star.

So glorious is he, he goes to this immoderate length

To show his love for us, discarding power and strength.

Girded for war, humility his mighty dress,

He moves into the battle wholly weaponless.

Madeleine L’Engle, “Like Every Newborn”

WORSHIP INFORMATION

WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sanctuary

8:30am – Traditional worship with choir (except July/August)

9:45am – Traditional worship with choir (except August)

11:10am – Contemporary worship with band

Chapel Service on Wednesday

9:10-9:30am – Prayer and Communion service

CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS is available at all Sunday morning services. BULLETINS FOR CHILDREN, LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND HYMNALS, AND SPANISH AND KOREAN BIBLES are available from ushers or located on shelves above the coat racks.

A REMOTE TV MONITOR is in the church parlor (just outside the sanctuary in the west hallway) to view and hear worship in progress for those with restless children or who need to leave the sanctuary.

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for worship at the Information Center in the Narthex. Additionally, the sanctuary is equipped with an induction loop system that transmits to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils. PEW CUSHIONS also available at the Information Center.

LIVE STREAMING of our 9:45 a.m. traditional worship is now being offered over the internet. A service bulletin for worship may be found through the link on our website or in the weekly update. We invite you to join us at when not able to attend worship.

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GATHERING THOUGHT

“How interesting that God, who could have chosen any genealogy for his Son, chose a long line of brokenness, imperfection, dishonor, and scandal. The perfect backdrop, I suppose, for his beautiful works of restoration, healing, hope, and second chances.”

Debie Thomas

ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

December 22, 2019 1st Sunday of Advent 11:10 A.M.

WELCOME

SONGS OF PRAISE O Come All Ye Faithful

Refrain: O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye. O come ye to Bethlehem,

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels,

Refrain: O come…

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing Refrain: O come…

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above,

Glory to God, all glory in the highest Refrain: O come...

CALL TO WORSHIP, CONFESSION & ADVENT CANDLE

Will Coffey, Lauren Dentone

Leader: In days to come the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.

People: Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.

Lighters: This first Sunday of Advent, we remember that we are a people of hope waiting for the return of our LORD and the renewal of all things.

Leader: Forgive us, O God, for we have not walked in Your paths and have often exchanged hope for despair.

People: God of night and day, there is no shadow that can conceal our sin from You and no secret that You will not bring to light. Forgive our sins, renew us in love, and teach us to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Your name.

Lighters: We light the first candle of Advent for hope. We long for the day when our swords are beaten into plowshares; our spears into pruning hooks; when nations no longer lift up sword against nation; when war will be no more.

Leader: Our feet are standing within Your gates, O Jerusalem.

People: People of God, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

SUNG ADVENT RESPONSE O Come O Come Emmanuel

Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-3, 49:5-6, Luke 1:78-79

O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here,

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come, desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind,

Bid envy, strife, and discord cease,

Fill the whole world with heavenly peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel (2x)

GREETING ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PEACE OF CHRIST

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

SHARING OUR GIFTS Peace on Earth

Arr. by Josh Hoke©2015, CCLI#2254621

It’s a wise man’s call, calling for peace on earth

And a clumsy fall, falling for peace on earth

And the children play – an innocent reminder

For the ones who wait, waiting for peace on earth

A Star shining bright for the World – Good Tidings of Our Great Joy

Refrain: Come and listen, the story of peace on earth

There’s a fresh wind blowing, calling for peace on earth

As the whole earth waits, you can still hear the angels shout

Raising hopeful voice, calling for peace on earth,

Peace on earth

It’s the song we sing, singing for peace on earth

And the loud bells ring, ringing for peace on earth

And the ancient sound – a song for a Newborn King

And the ones here now, waiting for peace on earth

A Star shining bright for the World – Good Tidings of Our Great Joy

Refrain (2x)

Peace on Earth

SCRIPTURE LESSON Matthew 24: 36-44 (pew Bible pg. 806)

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Romans 13: 11-14 (pew Bible pg. 923)

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; 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; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Pastor: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

MEDITATION “Wake Up!” Jon Frost

SONG OF INVITATION Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn

Marty Haugen,CCLI#2254621

Awake, awake and greet the new morn,

For angels herald its dawning,

Sing out your joy, for soon he is born,

Behold, the child of our longing

Come as a baby weak and poor to bring all hearts together,

He opens wide the heavenly door

and lives now inside us forever.

To us, to all in sorrow and fear

Emmanuel comes a-singing,

His humble song is quiet and near

yet fills the earth with its ringing

Music to heal the broken soul and hymns of loving kindness

The thunder of his anthems roll

to shatter all hatred and blindness.

In darkest night his coming shall be

When all the world is despairing

As morning light so quiet and free

so warm and gentle and caring.

Then shall the mute break forth in song,

the lame shall leap in wonder

The weak be raised above the strong

and weapons be broken asunder.

Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night

Though dark the winter and cheerless.

The rising sun shall crown you with light

be strong and loving and fearless

Love be our song and love our prayer

and love our endless story

May God fill every day we share and bring us at last into glory

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

We will partake of the Sacrament by intinction; you are invited to come forward row by row. Take bread, dip it in the chalice, partake of the elements, return to your seat. If you are unable to come forward, please remain seated and elements will be brought to you. (Gluten free/dairy free is served at the far right side.)

Invitation

Prayer of Great Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give thanks and praise.

…. 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.

Words of Institution

Sharing the Bread and Cup

SONG OF COMMUNION Everything Is New

Joel and Amy Davis,CCL#2254621

COMMUNION PRAYER

SONG OF RESPONSE Everlasting God Isaiah 40:28-31

B.Brown&K.Riley,©2005ThankyouMusic,EMIChristianMusicPub,

CCLI#2254621

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.

Our God, You reign forever, our hope, our Strong Deliverer

Refrain: You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God

You do not faint, You won’t grow weary

(repeat from beginning)

You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God, You reign forever, our hope, our Strong Deliverer

Refrain: You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God

You do not faint, You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

From everlasting, to everlasting, God, You are everlasting

BENEDICTION

SONG OF SENDING Everlasting God Isaiah 40:28-31

B.Brown&K.Riley,©2005ThankyouMusic,EMIChristianMusicPub,CCLI#2254621

| | |

|[pic] | |

| | |

| |You will find literature about Westminster at the Information Center. If you are interested in knowing more |

| |about being a follower of Jesus, have any questions, or desire follow-up information, please speak to one of |

| |the pastors. |

| | |

| |The next new members’ class is Saturday, February 1, 2020, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Childcare is available upon |

| |request during the class. |

LECTIONARY PASSAGES FOR TODAY are: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44. In addition to Sunday readings, there are lectionary readings for every day. Go to grow/spiritual-practices/daily-lectionary to the box called “Lectionary Reading” and click on the date.

THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS are:

• In loving memory of Edward and Mae Hilbush from their daughter, Carol A. Rockafellow, and her family

• By Diana Forrest in loving memory of her aunt, Florence Diemma.

•

CARING FOR OUR SANCTUARY: Thank you for continuing to refrain from bringing food and drink into the Sanctuary to protect our new carpet.

WORSHIP BAND: Jon Frost and Andy Reid, acoustic guitar, Trey Collins, bass guitar, Tyler Lindblade, drums, Becky Johnson, keyboard, Becky Johnson and Lauren Dentone, vocals

USHERS: Brian Miller (head usher), Eric Emrich, Ryan Emrich, Andy George, Grant Merrill

GREETERS: Susanne Perkins

KIDS CONNECT LEARN AND SERVE

• 11:10am: Large group combined Kindergarten through 5th grade.

WORSHIP INFORMATION

WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sanctuary

8:30am – Traditional worship with choir (except July/August)

9:45am – Traditional worship with choir (except August)

11:10am – Contemporary worship with band

Chapel Service on Wednesday

9:10-9:30am – Prayer and Communion service

CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS is available at all Sunday morning services. BULLETINS FOR CHILDREN, LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND HYMNALS are available from ushers or located on shelves above the coat racks.

A REMOTE TV MONITOR is in the church parlor (just outside the sanctuary in the west hallway) to view and hear worship in progress for those with restless children or who need to leave the sanctuary.

HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES are available for worship at the Information Center in the Narthex. Additionally, the sanctuary is equipped with an induction loop system that transmits to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils. PEW CUSHIONS also available at the Information Center.

LIVE STREAMING of our 9:45 a.m. traditional worship is now being offered over the internet. A service bulletin for worship may be found through the link on our website or in the weekly update. We invite you to join us at when not able to attend worship.

text giving is available. You can give via your phone; it’s easy, secure and instant. Start a new text message to 610-616-2826. Enter the dollar amount of your gift as the text. Send. First time givers are prompted to a link to enter credit/debit card information.

TAIZÉ PRAYER in the Chapel and contemplative worship occurs various times throughout the program year. Visit our website or call 610-399-3377 for dates and times.

* * * * * * * * *

Ministers of Jesus Christ All the Members of the Congregation

Pastors Jennifer Clark, Jon Frost, Ann Hatfield, Don Lincoln

Pastor Emeritus Robert D. Young

Director of Children and Family Ministries Sue Spotts

Director of Youth Chris Clark

Director of Music Bob Morris

Associate Director of Music/Organist Glenn Kinckner

Handbell Director Ron Bellamy

Church Administrator Gerry McShane

Financial Administrator Donna Harrison

Communications Director Lynn George

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd. West Chester, PA 19382

610-399-3377 ♦ info@ ♦

LARGE PRINT BULLETIN

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Knowing Christ…..Making Christ Known

December 1, 2019

11:10 A.M. Contemporary

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GATHERING THOUGHT

“In a very real sense, the Christian community lives in Advent all the time. It can well be called the Time Between, because the people of God live in the time between the first coming of Christ, incognito in the stable in Bethlehem, and his second coming, in glory, to judge the living and the dead. In the Time Between, 'our lives are hidden with Christ in God; when Christ who is our life appears, then we also will appear with him in glory' (Col. 3:3-4). Advent contains within itself the crucial balance of the now and the not-yet that our faith requires.”

-Fleming Rutledge,

Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Poinsettia Dedications 2019

Frank and Barbara Burdine

In loving memory of Kay and Bob Gale and

Lucy and Ben Burdine

Tony Cistone

In loving memory of his wife, Janet Cistone

Cathy, Stephen, and Susan Cistone

In loving memory of their mother, Janet Cistone

Betsy Collier and Family

In loving memory of Harry Collier

Barb Drain

In loving memory of her husband, Don Drain

Michelle and Zach Holman and James Drain

In loving memory of their dad, Don Drain

Wendy Dubois

In loving memory of her husband, Bob

Edwards and Wesner Families

In loving memory of Nina and Ralph Crandall

Edwards and Wesner Families

In loving memory of Dick and Delores Edwards

Jon and Rachel Frost

In loving memory of Douglas Bare and

Margot Rosemary Gross

Thomas and Doris Green, Sr.

In loving memory of Loved Ones Lost

Ann and Jim Hatfield

In loving memory of her mother, Mary Harnwell

Jim and Ann Hatfield

In loving memory of his parents, Jack and Betty Hatfield

The Hawkins Family

In loving memory of G. Michael Hawkins

The Hawkins and Koetz Families

In loving memory of Paul Rusek

Barry and Ruth Kershaw

In loving memory of their dear friend, Caroline Krieg

Barry and Ruth Kershaw

In loving memory of Barry’s sister, Muriel Shaw

Ernest and Gabrielle Kimmel

In memory of Verna and Ernest Kimmel

Ernest and Gabrielle Kimmel

In memory of Edith and Stevan I. Stevens

Jack and Nancy Kirk

In loving memory of their parents

Jack and Nancy Kirk

In loving honor of their granddaughters, Ally and Ashley Kirk

Diane and Russell Koetz and Sarah Rusek

In loving memory of Mike Hawkins

The Linzeys

In honor of Bob and Glenn

Larry and Sandy Lucker

In loving memory of our parents

Cathy and Bill Magel

In loving memory of their parents, Johanna and J. Malcolm

Todd and Emmy and Theodore Magel

Debbie McCormack and family

In loving memory of her husband, Alan McCormack

The McCool Family

In loving memory of Linda White, Betsy Jordan and Len

Wasmanski

Diane and Ed McFalls

In memory of her parents, Art and Ruth Leidheiser

Their Family

In loving memory of Robert E. and Anna Mae McFalls

Ginny McFalls

In loving honor of Dan, Heather, Eden, Ryder,

Chase, Austin, and Quinn

Ginny McFalls

In loving honor of Barbara Drain

Perk Musacchio

In loving memory of Jim and Peg Metzgar and Antonio and

Helen Musacchio

Gregg and Carol Nelms

In loving memory of her parents, Millard and Beverly

Brown

Gregg and Carol Nelms

In loving memory of her brother, Robert C. Brown

His Family

In loving memory of John Kyle Novotny

Laurie Peiffer

In memory of Becky Conzelman, sister and sister-in-law of

Courtney and Kyle Peiffer

Laurie Peiffer

In Honor of Ryan, Meredith, Kyle and Courtney Peiffer

Laurie, Ryan, Meredith, Kyle and Courtney Peiffer

In honor of Pat and Jerry Kemmerer

Andrew Reid and Rebecca Johnson

In memory of Verna Banks Johnson

Andrew Reid and Rebecca Johnson

In memory of Jim Johnson

Andrew Reid and Rebecca Johnson

In memory of Evelyn Lembach

Clara Riddagh

In loving memory of her husband, Edwin and Loved Ones

Gary and Carol Rockafellow and Family

In loving memory of parents Edward and Vivianne Mae

Hillbush

Gary and Carol Rockafellow and Family

In loving memory of parents Lambert and Dorothy

Rockafellow

Sarah Rusek

In loving memory of the Rusek and Dixon Families and

Joseph Ianuzzi

His Family

In loving memory of Paul Rusek

Cathryn and Eric Schenk

In loving memory of our fathers, Kent and Paul

Cathryn Schenk

In loving memory of her sister, Rachel

The Schenk Family

In loving memory of those gone too soon, Michael, John,

Maggie and Matt

Jackie Sharpless

In loving memory of her darling husband, Bill

His Children and Grandchildren

In loving memory of our dear Dad and Granddaddy,

Bill Sharpless

David and Dorothy Shearer

In loving memory of Dorothy L. Schmidt

David and Dorothy Shearer

In loving memory of Harold W. Shearer

Robert and Marian I. Stevenson

In loving memory of their daughter, Marilyn Evelyn

Stevenson

Edie Taylor and Chris Price

In loving memory of their fathers, Richard N. Taylor and

Edgar E. Price

Dorothy ‘Skip’ Taylor

In memory of her husband, Wally and daughter, Nancy

Jeanette M. and Julia L. Verbiar

In loving memory of all their grandparents

Jeanette M. and Julia L. Verbiar

In loving memory of their mom, Debra Lou Verbiar

Their Children and Grandchildren

In loving memory of Harvey and Betty Worthington

ENDOWMENT FUND DONATIONS

Rick and Lee Grunwell

In loving memory of his dad and her husband, Wayne (Duke)

Grunwell

Clerk’s Corner

During its December 17th meeting, the Session:

• Authorized the observance of the Lord’s Supper in 2020 on all first Sundays, Contemporary services in Lent and Advent, Chapel services, Taizé services, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Sunrise and 11:30 services on Easter, 11 pm service Christmas Eve, quarterly at Crosslands, several evening services, the annual Women’s and Men’s retreats, Youth retreats and as an extension of worship services in nursing homes or to the homebound;

• Elected Donna Harrison as Treasurer for 2020;

• Elected Edward McFalls as Clerk of Session for 2020;

• Endorsed 3 Endowment Fund grants: 1) $10,000 to the Kennett Square Area Community Service; 2) $5,000 to Family Promise for a Back to School program; and 3) up to $4,000 for Westminster Youth presentation of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”;

• Received great news from Trustees that Westminster’s debt on the land purchase has been paid off AND Westminster should end the year with a modest surplus;

• Reviewed the draft budget recommended by the trustees, learning that 100% of the needed funds have been pledged thereto, and voted to approve the budget as presented;

• Approved 4 Motions from the Youth Vision Team for 1) Middle School Night of Awesome, 2) High School Laser Tag, 3) Honduras Trip 2020, and 4) Souper Bowl offering collection and promotion;

• Approved 2 Motions from Outreach: 1) adding Becca Boorse as a member and 2) a Mission Trip to Estado 29 Orphanage in Mexico;

• Approved a proposal from Rev Jon Frost to host “The Brilliance” Concert and Workshop – on April 17 & 18, 2020;

• Endorsed the Home Team’s plan to launch a New Beginnings Fund through the CC Community Foundation to support affordable housing in Chester County;

• Carefully reviewed and endorsed for presentation to the congregation the proposals from Personnel Committee regarding adjustments to Terms of Call for the four ordained pastors, giving thanks for the talent, dedication and inspired leadership they all provide our church; and

• Shared congregational cares, concerns, joys and celebrations and lifted all these in prayer at the conclusion of its meeting.

Ed McFalls, Clerk of Session

CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE 2019

Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve

A Christmas Meditation will be delivered at the

3:00, 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 P.M. Worship Services

11:00 P.M. will be Lessons and Carols

10:00 A.M. Family/Young Children’s Worship

* 3:00 P.M. Family Candlelight Worship with Worship Band

* 5:00 P.M. Family Candlelight Worship with Youth Choir

* 7:00 P.M. Traditional Candlelight Worship with

Chancel Choir & Brass

9:00 P.M. Traditional Candlelight Worship with

Chancel Choir & Brass

11:00 P.M. Candlelight Worship with Communion

* Childcare provided (5 years and under)

Financial

Year End Contributions: Checks that are written, mailed and contain a postmark of any date prior to and including Dec. 31, 2019 will appear as charitable deductions on your 2019 statement. The postmark date is the key to determining which year the charitable contribution is recorded. Gifts placed in the offering plate during the first worship service in 2020 will not qualify as a charitable contribution in 2019, even if the check was written in 2020.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHRISTMAS EVE TRAFFIC PATTERN. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, December 24, and continuing until 9:00 p.m., there will be a right turn only out of the church parking lot onto W. Pleasant Grove Road. We will have police assistance at our entrance to facilitate more efficient entrance to and exit from the parking lot. Thanks for your help!!

CHRISTMAS EVE USHERS!!! Still needed for the 5pm and 7pm services. Please see the sign up clipboard at the Information Center if you are able to volunteer.

WESTMINSTER JOB OPPORTUNITY. We are searching for a full-time Administrative Assistant to work with our staff and ministry leaders. This candidate must have excellent communications skills and be technology-savvy with a proficiency in Microsoft Office. Interested candidates should send their resumes to Gerry McShane at gmcshane@

VOLUNTEERS Monday, Jan. 6th. 9:30am. Volunteers are needed to take down and put away all our beautiful Christmas decorations. Please contact Larry Graves at lvg139@, or Betsy Ballantyne at bkemh201@ if you feel you can help. With enough help we should be able to get most of it put away that day.

DIRECTORY OF MUSIC MINISTRY SEARCH TEAM UPDATE. The Committee charged with identifying our next Director of Music Ministry began meeting in late September. A Job Description has been drafted and posted on several websites used for such purpose. CVs/Resumes have begun being submitted. A subcommittee will review these and prioritize them for the full Team’s consideration. An interview process will then be initiated. We will keep you updated as appropriate and as progress warrants. We covet your prayers through this important process. Karen Goldsborough and Ed McFalls, co-chairs

save the date

MLKJ Day Service Project January 20, 9-11:30am

in Spellman Hall. Help pack lunches and decorate lunch bags for Safe Harbor and WCU Resource Pantry. We will also enjoy other fun activities in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life of ministry and service to others. Childcare provided for children under 5. $10 donations appreciated to cover the cost of the lunches. Questions? Contact Sue Spotts at sspotts@ or. signup at  news-events/upcoming-events/mlkj-day-service-project/

CELEBRATE RECOVERY Season kickoff is Thursday, January 9 @ 7:00 pm……Are you seeking freedom from your hurts, habits and hang-ups? Would you like God to move into your life with healing and growth? CR is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone who is struggling with life’s challenges. Our kickoff on January 9th is designed to give you a taste of CR without any obligation. Enjoy refreshments, stories of life change and more. This could be your first step to real freedom. You can e-mail westminsterpresCR@gmail with any questions about this valuable ministry. Hope to see you on January 9th. It is a great way to make a positive change in your life for 2020.

SIGNUP FOR THE WOMEN’S RETREAT, March 27-29 at Pendel Hill in Wallingford, PA. Join us for a weekend of fellowship and spiritual growth. This year’s theme is Grounded: Growing with God. Brochures can be found in the

church office or at the Information Desk. Questions or for more information: Contact Jennie Clark at jclark@.

THRIFT SHOP: The Westminster Thrift Shop Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers wish you all a very Merry Christmas. The thrift shop will be CLOSED starting Monday, December 23 thru Thursday, January 2, 2020. The shop will reopen on Friday, January 3, 10am – 4pm and Saturday, January 4, 9am-1pm. The week of January 6-11, 2020 we will resume our regular donation and business hours. Blessings of the season!

Christmas Lights Recycling

Starting December 8 through Epiphany on January 6, we will be collecting old, broken Christmas lights for a recycling program. If the idea of all those lights ending up in a landfill does not feel right to you, here is how to participate:

1. Bring all your old, broken Christmas lights and deposit them in one of the collection bins, located in Spellman Hall or near the main entrance under the portico.

2. We will ship the lights to a recycling company.

3. Any proceeds from the recycling process will be used to buy books, educational games, and puzzles, which will be donated to Toys for Tots.

JOURNEY CLASS

COMING IN JANUARY

In SPELLMAN JR. or SPELLMAN

January 5 & 12 11AM in Spellman Jr.

Invitations in Aging: Deepening Faith and Practice

Growing older involves change and re-evaluation of our lives as we live most fully the life God has given us. As we and those we love grow older, there are opportunities for spiritual growth and for deepening our spiritual lives: accepting change, seeing miracles, expressing gratitude, slowing down and blessing others. Come explore issues of growing older and share spiritual wisdom and insights as we travel together the journey of aging. People of all ages are welcome!

Susan Scott, author of the book, Still Praying After All These Years, will facilitate. She is an ordained UCC pastor and a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Chaplains. She completed Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program. She has a spiritual direction practice in Southern Chester County. A copy of her book is in the WPC library.

January 5 - 12:15-1:45PM in Spellman

Lunch & Conversation:

Follow Up to Presbyterians & the Afterlives of Slavery

Gather in Spellman for lunch and conversation as a follow up to the 2019 fall presentation: Taking the Middle Way: Presbyterians, the Bible, Liberia and the Afterlives of Slavery. People expressed interest to process with others what we heard regarding Presbyterians and slavery. We will reflect and wrestle together with our blind spots and ignorance of systemic racism and consider where we might go from here. All are invited. Pastors Don Lincoln, Jennie Clark, Jon Frost and Ann Hatfield will facilitate our conversations. To help us order enough food, please register by January 3 at:

January 19 - 11AM in Spellman

Church Without Boundaries: Developing Christianity in Unexpected Places “Mission means inviting all the peoples of the earth to hear the music of God’s future and dance to it today.”- Christopher JH Wright

In the midst of global and national unrest and chaos, God’s kingdom is growing and thriving in obscure regions. Where in the world is this happening? Who is involved? And how can a Western church participate in this movement? Elaine Vaden will help us to explore some answers.

Dr. Elaine Vaden has lived and taught in Zambia, the Philippines, Iraq, India, Lithuania, Nepal and Mexico. She serves with The Antioch Partners (TAP) as a theological-missiological educator. She holds a Doctor of Missiology from Fuller School of Intercultural Studies and is a ruling elder in the PCUSA.

January 26 – 9:45AM in Spellman Jr.

Eric Liddell: Olympic Champion, Missionary to China, Christian Martyr

Dr. John Hurt will share with us the remarkable life and witness of Eric Liddell. At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, Eric Liddell refused to run in the heats for his favored 100 meters because they were held on a Sunday. Instead, he competed in the 400 meters midweek and won gold. His Olympic racing and his Christian faith that guided him is depicted in the film, Chariots of Fire. After his Olympic victory, he returned to China to serve as a missionary. There he died in a Japanese civilian internment camp in 1945.

John Hurt is a WPC member. He was a professor of European History at the University of Delaware for 45 years, specializing in early modern French history and military history. He edited and published in collaboration with Steven Sidebotham, “Odyssey of a Bombardier: the POW Log of Richard M. Mason,”.

Financial

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November 2019

General Fund – Mission and Church Operations

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Tithes & other revenue $2,131,165 $2,103,150 1%

Expense $2,163,101 $2,180,518 -1%

We want to sincerely thank you for keeping your General Fund pledges up to date; as you can see, revenue is ahead of budget. We encourage you to keep up consistent giving, so that we can achieve 100% of our pledged support. Please consider electronic giving. Setting up your giving is simple through the “Donate” button on the “Give” page on the church website, or pick up an authorization form in the church office.

Thank you for your commitment to the mission and ministry of Westminster.

Attendance: 12/15/19: 828

Calendar for week of December 22, 2019

Sunday, December 22

5:00 P.M. Family Candlelight Worship with Youth Choir

7:00 P.M. Candlelight Worship with Chancel Choir & Brass

9:00 P.M. Candlelight Worship with Chancel Choir & Brass

11:00 P.M. Candlelight Worship with Communion

Thursday, December 26

OFFICE CLOSED

THRIFT SHOP CLOSED

Friday, December 27

THRIFT SHOP CLOSED

Food For Our Neighbors –

December – Hot Cereals,

Oatmeal and Grits

News and Events

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December 22, 2019

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Knowing Christ,

Making Christ Known

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd. West Chester, PA 19382

610-399-3377

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Year To Date Actual Budget Budget

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