Third Sunday of Advent – Joy
Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Savior of the Nations, Come arr. Melchior Vulpius
Lighting the Advent Candle of Joy
One: How does a weary world practice joy?
All: By making each other laugh and sharing in the excitement of children.
One: How does a weary world practice joy?
All: By decorating Christmas trees and making presents with great love. By singing loudly and noticing the beauty around us.
One: How does a weary world practice joy?
All: By telling the story of Jesus, and showing up for our community. There are a million ways to practice joy.
One: So today we light the candle of joy as a reminder and a charge.
All: With God’s help, may we bring joy into a weary world. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 12* “People Look East”
Scripture Lesson in Unison Excerpts from Exodus 3
God said to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people…I have heard their cry…Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver…The prophet said to God, ‘If I come to your people and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is God’s name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said, ‘I am who I am.’
What’s In a Name: A Christmas Play
Written by Pastor Robin
“The Importance of Learning Students’ Names” (Tamara Glenz)
Knowing and using a students’ name during and outside of class recognizes that a student exists and is important.
Serious Narrator: Alexa Daum
Dictionary Narrator: Benjamin Rutledge
Scripture Narrator: Morayo Akiwowo
Name Narrator: Isa Bradley
Bible Narrator: Sam Kennedy
Two Cents Narrator: Yemi Akiwowo
Mary: Elliana Daum
Joseph: Joshua Rutledge
Gabriel: Jack Bradley
Angel to Shepherds: Scarlett Lohmeyer
Angels: Violet Lohmeyer, Sophia Rutledge
Shepherds: Owen Bradley, Finn deVinck
Songs within the Play: 27 “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”
24 “Away in a Manger”
23 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Passing of the Peace
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
Why It Gives Me Joy to Give to GPC Bob Roe
Offertory “O Come, Divine Messiah” arr. Healy Willan
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn 8* “Lift of Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Benediction
This Week:
Today: Post-Christmas-Pageant and petting zoo fellowship time!
Youth group Christmas Party, 3-5 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Assembly Hall, 73 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Tues, Dec 19, 8:00 am, Men’s Breakfast at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave. Montclair
PNC meeting 7:30 pm at the Manse
Wed, Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Robin’s Women’s Book Study at the manse (chap.4)
Session Meeting online 7:30 pm
Thur, Dec 21, 10:00 am, Rebuild Committee, online
7:00 pm, Blue Christmas Service, Union Cong’s Chapel
7:30 pm, Choir Rehearsal in Union Cong’s Sanctuary
Next Sunday, Dec 24, Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 pm at Union Cong in the Sanctuary (Note there is no worship service Sunday morning!)
Christmas Day, 10:00 am, Worship Service at Union Cong in the chapel
Food for the Little Pantry is always needed. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or given to a Friends of Grace team member at church on Sunday. Donations of socks, hats, gloves and new or gently used and washed blankets are wanted for Friends of Grace. They can bring them to church on Sundays and we will bring them to the manse for storage.