December 11, 2022

Pine Street Presbyterian Church in

the City of Harrisburg

Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.

December 11, 2022 Third Sunday of Advent

GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST

VOLUNTARY Accolade Kathleen Wissinger Alleluia, He Comes to Us Michael R. Keller

† SALUTATION

One: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Many: And also with you.

† HYMN Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

(All of today’s hymns are printed after the order of worship.)

†

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING

One: What brings you joy?

Joanne Book-Coles

Joanne Book-Coles, Ben and Daniel Coles

Many: We find joy in a cup of warm coffee, in sand between our toes, in fresh mountain air.

One: What brings you joy?

Many: We find joy in renewed friendships, in the love of family, in moments of deeper spiritual awareness.

One: Today we light the candle of joy. Its light reminds us of the good news this season brings and many sources of joy in our lives that draw us closer to one another and to God.

Many: With joy, let us worship the Lord.

† Those who are able are invited to stand

Bold text is read or sung by all

ABERYSTWYTH

† CANDLE LIGHTING RESPONSE

O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

† PRAYER OF THE DAY

† PRAYER OF CONFESSION Rev. Matt

Drumheller

God of mercy, we have the opportunity to be gracious, to assume the best in others, to give the benefit of the doubt. We could choose the better way, but so often we don’t. Fear and greed kick in. Assumptions and insecurities take the lead. Forgive us for forgetting that grace and mercy are in our makeup. Give us courage to love even bigger than before, and the wisdom to choose a better way.

† SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION

KYRIE Richard Proulx

†ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: In the name of Jesus, we are forgiven. Many: Alleluia, Amen!

†

READING AND HEARING THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Bob Wilson

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10

Old Testament Page 663 One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God. †

YMN I’ll Praise My Maker OLD 113TH LESSON FOR YOUNG CHILDREN SECOND LESSON Matthew 1:18-25 New Testament Page 1

Rev. Drumheller

†

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Excerpt from A Declaration of Faith Jesus, the long-expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He lived as a Jew among Jews. He announced to his people the coming of God's kingdom of justice and peace on earth. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God's power as was no other child. In the person and work of Jesus, God himself and a human life are united but not confused, distinguished but not

† GLORIA

“

H

SERMON

We Can Choose a Better Way”

separated. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God's promised rule. Jesus is Lord! He has been Lord from the beginning. He will be Lord at the end. Even now he is Lord.

† THE PEACE

One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.

DEDICATORY LITURGY

One: O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!

Many: Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth!

One: Today we dedicate our handbells to the glory of God, the uplifting of spirits, and to the service of the church. We dedicate them to God for the proclamation of the gospel, for the worship of God through music, the expression of the beauty of God's world, and the celebration of God's presence in this sanctuary and all of life.

Many: Praise God in the sanctuary!

One: We dedicate these handbells to the healing of life's discords and the expression of life's joys; to the revelation of the hidden soul of harmony; to comforting those who sorrow and exalting with those who are celebrating the blessedness of life's happy transitions.

Many: Praise God in the highest heaven!

One: In thankfulness for love so graciously expressed by this gift, in gratitude for the labors of all who love and serve Christ through his church here and everywhere, we bless these handbells and dedicate their use to glorify God.

Many: We, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and thankful for the foresight of the one who provided us the means to acquire these tools for worship, dedicate ourselves anew to the worship and service of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DEDICATORY PRAYER

WELCOME (Please sign the Friendship Register)

THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD (Text 267-367-4910 to give)

ANTHEM Magnificat

C. Villiers Stanford

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me, call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him throughout all generations; He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He, remembering His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel, as He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever, forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end, world without end. Amen, amen, amen.

† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

† PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SEALING THE WORD SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

One: The Lord be with you.

Many: And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts.

Many: We lift them to the Lord.

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

Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

… who forever sing to the glory of your name.

Richard Proulx

The prayer continues.

… that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.

Richard Proulx

INTERCESSION, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION

One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.

… now and forever.

Richard Proulx

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.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP

One: The gifts of God for the people of God.

Many: Let us keep the feast.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD

† HYMN People, Look East BESANÇON

† BENEDICTION

† CHORAL RESPONSE Within our Hearts

Tom Fettke

Within our hearts, Your light. Within our minds, Your truth. Within our lives, Your love; living Your hope, spreading Your joy, singing Your beautiful song; singing Your beautiful song, Your song.

VOLUNTARY Recessional F. W. Asper

L EADING IN W ORSHIP TODAY

Rev. Matt Drumheller, Interim Pastor Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship Joanne Book-Coles, Liturgist

Bob Wilson, Lector

Ben Coles, Acolyte Chancel Choir Handbell Choir

FLOWER D EDICATION

The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of the December birthday of Marilyn J. Miller by Gerald Miller.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Sunday, December 11 —4:00 pm Lessons and Carols with percussion and brass Wednesday, December 14 7:30 pm Adult Forum “Rediscovering Christmas” with Pastor Matt Drumheller Friday, December 16 Last day for poinsettia memorial donations

Sunday, December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:45 am Sunday School 9:00 am Café conversations and Bible Study 10:00 am Worship, Rev. Matt Drumheller, Preaching

Wednesday, December 21 7:00 pm Service for the Longest Night online and in person Friday, December 23 Church offices closed

Saturday, December 24 — 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service online and in person

Sunday, December 25 Merry Christmas! 10:00 am Morning Worship, Rev. Matt Drumheller, Preaching Monday, December 26 Church offices closed