Pine Street Presbyterian Church
in the City of Harrisbur g
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
December 15, 2024
Third Sunday of Advent
G ATHERING IN THE P RESENCE OF THE R ISEN C HRIST
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
O Morning Star, splendor of eternal light and sun of righteousness. Come and shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.
VOLUNTARY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. by Mark Hayes (Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
SALUTATION
Barbara Neff
One: The Lord is in our midst, renewing us in love and rejoicing in us with songs of joy.
Many: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
INTROIT You Are the Light
Tom Fettke You are the Light we see. You are the Truth we know. You are the Life we live. You are the Hope, You are the Joy, You are the Song we sing.
† HYMN 83 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus STUTTGART
† Those able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Pam and Tim Wingfield
One: As the Lord has promised, in days to come, the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
Many: like the crocus it shall bloom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
One: As a sign of the coming light of Christ, we light the candle of joy.
Many: Let us walk in the light of the Lord. Amen.
CANTICLE OF HOPE Come, Come Emmanuel
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
†
† ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: With joy, let us draw water from the springs of salvation. Give thanks to the Lord!
Many: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
† GLORIA
R EADING AND H EARING THE W ORD
PRAYER
FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST LESSON Zephaniah 3:14-20
One: The Word of the Lord.
Many: Thanks be to God.
David Colestock
Old Testament Page 877
† HYMN 107 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn REJOICE, REJOICE
SECOND LESSON Philippians 4:4-7
THIRD LESSON Luke 3:7-18
New Testament Page 198
New Testament Page 60
SERMON “Gathered In” The Rev. Seelman
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Apostles’ Creed
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 at 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.
† THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.
WELCOME
(Please sign the Friendship Register. To sign online, scan the code on the back of the bulletin)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
(Scan the code on the back of the bulletin to give online via PayPal)
ANTHEM Comfort, Comfort John Ferguson
“Comfort, comfort now my people; tell of peace!” So says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them! Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever! For the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near, calling us to true repentance since the Kingdom now is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way! Let the valleys rise to meet him, and the hills bow down to greet him! Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits his holy reign! For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
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:
The prayer continues.
… dedicated to your service:
INTERCESSION, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: O morning star, shine in the shadow of death
Many: O Emmanuel, come and save us.
… now and forever
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
B EARING AND F OLLOWING THE W ORD OF G OD INTO THE W ORLD
† HYMN 93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates TRURO
† BENEDICTION
† CHORAL RESPONSE You Are the Light 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.
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship
David Colestock, Lector
Barbara Neff, Liturgist
Ellen Kamps, Acolyte
The Chancel Choir
Timothy Lupia, percussion
F LOWER 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 L. Miller.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday, December 15– 3rd Sunday of Advent
8:45 am- Sunday School
9:00 am- Choir Warm Up
9:00 am- Café Conversations
10:00 am- Worship
Sunday, December 22– 4th Sunday of Advent
8:45 am- Sunday School
9:00 am- Choir Warm Up
9:00 am- Café Conversations
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Christmas Tea
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net #A-71074. All rights reserved.
Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion—copyright 2013.
Liturgy reprinted and adapted by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
Please use your phone to scan the code to the left and record your visit in our online friendship register.
To donate to Pine Street Presbyterian online through PayPal, you can scan the code to the right.
310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 238-9304 | www.pinestreet.org