belong | believe | become
If you are a first-time guest, please complete a guest card from a pew pocket or Friendship Register and drop it in the offering plate so that we may get acquainted with you. Also, text “Explore” to 816-355-4736. We would like to communicate with you via text and email with some brief informational messages over the next few weeks. Please see an usher if you’d like a listening aid. Each Sunday in the Welcome Center (just inside the Kansas Street entrance on Level 1), our Hospitality Team is waiting to help you get connected. This may include finding a Bible study class, showing you where children and student ministries meet, or sharing the day’s activities and schedule. You may also enjoy a cup of coffee at the Welcome Center’s coffee bar and get to know others at Second.
Take a moment to prepare your heart for worship…
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy, it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity. — Henri Nouwen
Children’s worship bags filled with books and activities are available at the Sanctuary entrances. If you’d like an alternative for your children, childcare for birth through Pre-K is available on Level 2 at any point in the service. Our Welcome Center is also available for those with restless infants, and you can view the service on a monitor there. In addition to placing your offering in the offering plate, you can give online at 2bcliberty.org/give or via your smartphone by scanning this QR code. We have “online giving” cards in the pew rack that you can place in the offering plate to represent your gift if you choose.
Jason Edwards, Senior Pastor | Mike Lassiter, Associate Pastor, Missions & Community Care Connie McNeill, Associate Pastor, Administration & Discipleship | Charles Smith, Associate Pastor, Student Ministry Gwen Phillips, Children’s Pastor | Ann Posey, Organist David Fulk, Interim Worship Leader | Don Brown, Interim Choir Director
The First Sunday of Advent | November 27, 2016
Gathering Music
Amy Duncan (11:00)
Invitation to Worship
David Fulk
Prelude
“Saviour of the Nations Come”
+Processional Hymn 81
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
James Brauer PICARDY
Lighting of the Advent Candle and Litany Leader:
Troy Walton Jason Edwards As a reminder of Jesus’s coming and his promise to return again
People:
We light this candle of Hope.
Leader:
Let us go to the house of the Lord; that he may teach us his ways and walk in his paths.
People:
Nation will not take up sword against nation. O let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Children:
Jesus is our Hope!
Leader:
Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly gone and dawn is about to break.
People:
With hope, let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of Light.
Children:
Jesus is our Hope!
Advent Hymn 82 “Light the Light, the Fire of Life” Light the candle of His hope, light the light of prophet’s story Light the candle of His hope, light the light we all must hold. (repeat)
IL EST NE
Light the light, the fire of life, let the candle reveal His glory. Jesus Christ has come to earth and for us shall come again.
Prayers of the People
Angie Fuller
+Hymn 97
“The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns”
Gospel Reading
Matthew 24:36-44
MORNING SONG
Carrie Bartlow (8:30) Heather Lewis (11:00)
(Pew Bible, page, 21, New Testament) Leader: This Is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! Choral Anthem
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Sanctuary Choir Jon Dolton, narrator
Sermon
arr. Dan Goeller
“A Surprising Moment”
Practicing the Presence of God +Hymn of Response 96
Jason Edwards
A time of silent prayer and reflection
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
HOUSTON
The worship of the living God invites our response. Those who wish to profess faith in Christ and/or to unite with the church are invited to come forward and share your decision with the pastor. +Offertory Prayer Offertory
David Fuller (8:30) Sara Langford (11:00) “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
+Presentation of Offerings
Catherine McMichael
“Receive From Us, O Lord”
ST. THOMAS
Receive from us, O Lord, these gifts we return to You. Surprise us now with gifts of Hope, as You make all things new. +A Time of Greeting
Jason Edwards
+Congregational Blessing
Jason Edwards
+The Sending Forth 96
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
In Him there is no darkness at all; the night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is light of the city of God; shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. Copyright © 1970 Celebration
HOUSTON
Postlude
“Oh, How Shall I Greet Thee”
All Songs UBP CCLI #1091036
Arthur Frackenpohl (11:00)
All Video UBP CCVI #502497070
Organ: Ann Posey Sanctuary Sound: Dave Heston, Gary Pennington
Piano: Wanda O’Dell (8:30) Milton Horne (11:00) Media: John Hilton, Kenny Williams
The flowers on the altar this morning are given to the Glory of God and for the first Sunday of Advent: In Honor of: Vonda Gourley by Ray & Colleen Diamond Our grandsons, Tate & Hayes Greason by Greg & Linda Greason In Memory of: John Howell by Ray & Colleen Diamond Harland Ginn by Frances Ginn & Family Dewey, Helen & Joe Hughes by Charlie & Loretta Hughes Lisa Dillon by Charlie & Loretta Hughes and Shae Crane Dr. Harold Lankford by Tom and Erin Lankford Michael O’Rourke by Tom & Erin Lankford
Today, we celebrate these new members’ decisions to join our community of faith this past week. Thanks be to God! Dave and Susie Gamet Benjamin Zahnd
CELEBRATIONS Congratulations to Erik and Kyle Yohe on the birth of their son, on Nov. 15 in Dallas. Grandparents are Kent and Karin Yohe. George Byron Yohe (1 lb, 13 oz and 13.3 in) was not due until February, but is doing fine. Baby George will likely remain in NICU for three months as he grows stronger. CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Christian sympathy is extended to Heather Schumacher in the death of Heather’s father, Robert Lee Flippin, on 11/10. Christian sympathy is extended to Delight Cain and family in the death of Delight’s husband Bill on 11/11. NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL Dorthy Bracewell, health concerns Jackie Keeling, health concerns BENTON HOUSE, Tiffany Springs Tom Sneed OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS Ramsey Bartlow, upcoming surgeries on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 in St. Louis. She will be in the hospital from, at least, Jan. 30 - Feb. 11. Doctors are also working to adjust medications to limit seizures. Kyle Yohe, (daughter-in-law of Kent and Karin Yohe) back in the hospital in Dallas with high blood pressure; running tests to determine cause. Geanina, (friend of Roxann Brenton in Romania), death of husband. Jimmy Nickell, now at home Bruce and Sammie Heavner’s granddaughter in Washington, DC. Twelve years old, rare spinal cancer.
WORSHIP LEADERS TODAY Carrie Bartlow has been attending Second since 2006. She is a senior Account Manager at Kemper & Company in Kansas City. Carrie and Nick have three children, Wakefield, Ramsey, and Deacon. Jon Dolton and wife Melissa have been worshipping at Second since 2013. They have participated on a Wednesday night cooking team along with their daughters Lucy, 6, and Olivia, 8.
Angie Fuller came to Second in 1997. She serves in the Music and Children’s Ministries and on the Arts and Environment Team. She also teaches at Second Friends Preschool. Angie and David are parents to Naomi and Adam. David Fuller joined Second after graduating from William Jewell College. He serves as a deacon and leads the Financial Stewardship Committee. David is Chief of Programs and Administrative Services for the Training and Doctrine Command Analysis Center at Ft. Leavenworth. Milton Horne has been Professor of Religion and Coordinator of Faith and Learning at William Jewell College since 1986. He and Karen have been members of 2BC since that time. Milton is a certified piano technician and is the caretaker of all the church’s pianos. Sara Langford lives, works, and worships in Liberty with family. She is Co-Coordinator of the Stephen Ministry and loves playing the piano for the preschool choir. Professionally, Sara is a teacher for the Liberty Public Schools. Heather Lewis came to Second in 2012. She loves teaching fourth grade Sunday School. Heather and Nathan are parents to Jack and Henry. Wanda O'Dell and Dan have been members at Second since 1986. Wanda participates in MOPS, greets in the Welcome Center and plays the piano for worship services. Troy Walton is the son of Sara and Eric Walton and has completed fourth grade at Lewis and Clark Elementary.
CHURCHWIDE JOB OPPORTUNITY: MINISTRY ASSISTANT FOR COMMUNICATIONS This is a 25 hour per week position, working MondayFriday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Ministry Assistant will initiate, design and produce internal/external communications, including the weekly worship guide, promotional materials, event programs, and others. The Assistant will also manage and produce digital media including the website and social media content and graphics. This person will lead the pastoral staff in developing a 12-month communication plan and manage volunteer teams. Proven experience and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent needed. Visit 2bcliberty.org/ jobs for the complete job description. Send resumes/cover letter to Connie McNeill at cmcneill@2bcliberty.org. ADVENT FLOWERS If you’d still like to make a donation toward the Advent flowers and have your loved one’s name listed in the Weekly, please fill out a form and leave your donation at the Welcome Center desk.
MISSIONS SEVERAL CHRISTMAS STORE TAGS STILL NEED TO BE CLAIMED! Please return your purchased items by Dec. 7 | The Christmas Store allows families experiencing financial hardship to shop for gifts at a reduced price. Pick up a gift tag, purchase an item requested on the tag, and return it to the church by Dec. 7. Gift tags are near Tutt Chapel, in the narthex and wrapped around the pole in the Welcome Center. If you could benefit from shopping at the Christmas Store, call the Christmas Store line at 816-7812824. x 311. STUDENTS STUDENT FUN NIGHT: WINTER FUN! Friday, Dec. 2 | 6-10p | Crown Center ice Skating Rink and 2BC | Cost: $10 | We’ll meet at the church, then go ice skating at Crown Center and finish with a night of games and ACG’s back at the church. We will also spend some time decorating our student space, so we’d like everyone to bring a few holiday decorations! Register and pay online at 2bcliberty.org/students. Students will need to fill out a 2BC Medical Info form if they have not already for a 2016 event.
Gather in the Sanctuary as we start the season of Advent by singing the songs of Advent and Christmas and listening to our children’s choirs sing. Then we’ll move to the Social Room for fellowship with treats and fun songs of the season.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT/ CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, Dec. 9 | 6:30 – 9 p.m. | We are providing a FREE Parents’ Night Out for all children birth through 5th grade. Parents will have the opportunity to be child-free so they can shop for Christmas, take in a movie, go out to eat, sit in the tub and vegetate for two hours … their choice! We will entertain the children and provide some Christmas cheer. There are registration/permission forms at the Welcome Center desk and online at 2bcliberty.org/parentsnightout. Questions? Ask Gwen Phillips at gphillips@2bcliberty.org.
Children are invited to begin preparing two Christmas carols appropriate for Christmas Eve worship on the piano or other instruments. Advent Orchestra will play each Sunday of Advent, with a warm up rehearsal at 8:42 a.m. Instrumentalists, 9th grade to 90 are invited. Questions? Contact Ann Posey, 816-507-2744. WED. NIGHT MENU: Nov. 30 | Cashew chicken with green beans, salad, bread and pumpkin cheesecake bars prepared by the WOCA Team. Make reservations by Monday at noon with the church office or at 2bcliberty.org/Wednesdays. MSG free/vegetarian options available.
2BC's talented team of writers and editors have been busy preparing the 2016 Advent Daily Devotional for you! You'll be able to access the devotionals three ways: Receive the devotionals each morning via email. If you already receive the weekly eblasts, you'll get these emails too. Sign up on the homepage at 2bcliberty.org to get on the list. Visit 2bcliberty.org/advent to read them on your computer or device. Pick up a hard copy at the Welcome Center desk.
Dec. 4 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Leader 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Nov. 27-Dec. 14 | Social Room Under Wraps is our churchwide intergenerational Wednesday night Advent experience. After the fellowship meal, we will stay around our tables in the Social Room as families and friends (children and student activities will not meet). There are many surprises and things we keep “under wraps” as humans during this season. If we don’t pay attention, we may miss some of what God has intended for us, so we are going to help each other pay attention and unwrap treasures that give us a fuller, more meaningful Advent experience. We wait. We are surprised. And we share joy.
Dec. 11 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Question Dec.18 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Pregnancy Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) : 5p & 9p A Surprise Delivery Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) : 11a only The Element of Surprise January 1 (First Sunday after Christmas): 11a only
Jan 20: 5:30-8 p.m., Jan. 21: 9 a.m.-noon | at 2BC Led by Sonya Richardson-Thomas Early bird registration price of $100 ends Dec. 1 (bring your parenting partner for free!)
To register: squareup.com/store/sonya-richardson-thomas Online payment available AND if childcare is needed, please indicate that in the "merchant note" with ages of children 300 E. Kansas | Liberty, MO 64068 | 816-781-2824 | 2bcliberty.org Social media: @2bcliberty WiFi: 2BC-Guest Password: 2bcguest#01