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. 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.
Take a moment to prepare your heart for worship…
An Advent Prayer, by Walter Brueggemann In our secret yearnings we wait for your coming, and in our grinding despair we doubt that you will. And in this privileged place we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we and by those who despair more deeply than do we.
Look upon your church and its pastors in this season of hope which runs so quickly to fatigue and in this season of yearning which becomes so easily quarrelsome. Give us the grace and the impatience to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes, to the edges of our fingertips. We do not want our several worlds to end. Come in your power and come in your weakness in any case and make all things new. Amen.
Jason Edwards, Senior Pastor | Mike Lassiter, Assoc. Pastor, Missions & Community Care Connie McNeill, Assoc. Pastor, Administration & Discipleship | Charles Smith, Assoc. Pastor, Student Ministry Gwen Phillips, Children’s Pastor | Ann Posey, Organist David Fulk, Interim Worship Leader | Don Brown, Interim Choir Director
The Third Sunday of Advent | December 11, 2016 Gathering Music
Orchestra (11:00)
Invitation to Worship
Gwen Phillips
Prelude
“While By My Sheep” Sanctuary Bells
+Processional Hymn 102
Kevin McChesney (11:00)
“Joy to the World”
ANTIOCH
On the last stanza of the hymn, children in the pews are invited to join the pastor and other children at the Advent Tree for the lighting and the litany. Lighting of the Advent Candle and Litany
Naomi Fuller Jason Edwards
Leader:
With glad and happy hearts,
People:
We light this candle of Joy.
Leader:
Cheer up! The eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
People:
The lame will leap like a deer and the voiceless will break into song.
Children:
Jesus is our Joy!
Leader:
Happy are those who trust in the Lord. He brings justice to the oppressed, food to the hungry, and sets prisoners free.
People:
To them, everlasting joy will crown their heads and they Will receive gladness and joy.
Children:
Jesus is our Joy!
Advent Hymn 82
“Light the Light, the Fire of Life” Stanza 3
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. (repeat at end) Light the candle of His joy, light the light of shepherds’ coming, Light the candle of His joy, light the light that shows the way.
IL EST NE
The Children Sing
“Go, Go, Go to Bethlehem” Combined Children’s Choirs Angie Fuller, director; Marianne Neth, pianist
Prayers of the People
Karen Rogers
Choral Anthem
“Shout for Joy, Ye People” Sanctuary Choir
+Hymn 87
“Arise Your Light is Come”
Gospel Reading
Jospeh Martin (11:00)
Matthew 11:2-11
arr. Joseph M. Martin
FESTAL SONG
Steve Ritter (8:30) Kristin Wooldridge (11:00)
(Pew Bible, page 8, New Testament) Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon
Practicing the Presence of God +Hymn of Response 310
“A Surprising Question”
Jason Edwards
A time of silent prayer and reflection “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
HYMN TO JOY
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 the decision with a pastor.
+Offertory Prayer Offertory
+Presentation of Offerings
Curt Walther (8:30) Eric Zahnd (11:00) “What Child is This” Sanctuary Bells
John Behnke (11:00)
“Receive From Us, O Lord”
ST. THOMAS
Receive from us, O Lord, these gifts we return to You. Surprise us now with gifts of Joy, as You make all things new. The Children Sing
Combined Children’s Choirs (8:30)
+A Time of Greeting
Jason Edwards
+Congregational Blessing
Jason Edwards
+The Sending Forth 96
“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
HOUSTON
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
-Postlude
“Joy to the World”
All Songs UBP CCLI #1091036
Craig Phillips (11:00)
All Video UBP CCVI #502497070
Organ: Ann Posey Sanctuary Sound: Dave Heston, Gary Pennington
Piano: Wanda O’Dell (8:30) Marianne Neth (11:00) Media: John Hilton, Kenny Williams
The flowers on the altar this morning are given to the Glory of God and for the third Sunday of Advent: In Memory of: Betty Lou Anderson by Martha Reppert Betty Lou Anderson by Keith & Mary Margaret Oberkrom Frankie Baker by Rolland, Barbara, Elliott & Mitchell Yoakum Rose Calder by Bob & Carol Calder Dorothy Head by Gil Head Frank, Peggy & Bill Millen by Norman & Marianne Neth Raymond Neth by Norman & Marianne Neth Bill & Marilyn Oberkrom by Keith & Mary Margaret Oberkrom Art & Louella Reppert by Martha Reppert Art & Louella Reppert by Keith & Mary Margaret Oberkrom Frances Thompson by Bob & Carol Calder George Thompson by Bob & Carol Calder Irvin R. Williams by Alice, Kenny & Cheryl Williams
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Christian sympathy is extended to Sheryl Stalma and her family on the death of Jackie Keeling, Sheryl's mother, who passed away on Saturday Dec. 3.. Her graveside service was held on Tuesday, December 6 at 3 PM at Glenridge Cemetery. LIBERTY HOSPITAL Alleen Franck’s son George, health concerns. NORTH KANSAS CITY HOSPITAL Margaret Yoakum, Roland’s mother, health concerns HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL Dorthy Bracewell Kyle Yohe, daughter-in-law of Kent and Karin Yohe. OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS Stephanie Swanson, health concerns. Cassidy Paul, Linda Davis’s granddaughter, health concerns.
Ramsey Bartlow, seizures and upcoming surgeries. George Byron Yohe, newborn grandson of Kent and Karin Yohe, will remain in NICU after his early birth, as he grows stronger. Bruce and Sammie Heavner’s granddaughter in Washington, DC. Twelve year old, rare spinal cancer . Becky Tucker, wife of Dr. Jeremy Tucker, Superintendent of Liberty Public Schools, health concerns.
WORSHIP LEADERS TODAY Curt Walther was employed by Farmland Industries for over 30 years. He and his wife Gerry have four children and seven grandchildren. Karen Rogers has been a member of Second Baptist since the first Sunday she visited the church 12 years ago. She is involved in numerous church activities and especially appreciates the music, missions and training opportunities available through 2BC.
Steve Ritter and his wife Tammy have two sons and three grandchildren. Steve is retired from GE Energy. The Ritters have been members of Second since 1989. Eric Zahnd joined 2BC in 1987 while he was a freshman at William Jewell College. He currently teaches middle school Bible study and serves on the Personnel Committee. He is the Platte County Prosecuting Attorney, and he and his wife Tracy are the parents of Benjamin and Luke. Kristin Wooldridge completed her Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in May. Currently, she is discerning her call to ministry, practicing self-care and focusing on her family. She is married to Amon and they are the parents to Ian, Kaylee, and Rhett. She enjoys serving Second as a volunteer. Naomi Fuller is a fifth grader at Shoal Creek Elementary. She is the daughter of Angie and David Fuller. 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. 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 the parents of Naomi and Adam.
Marianne Neth enjoys serving at Second in many ways. She and her husband Norman have been members since 1995.
CHURCHWIDE We hope you and your family will join us for one of the two scheduled Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services scheduled at 5 pm and 9 pm. Sunday, Dec. 11 | 4:30 p.m. (Meet at 4:15) | Our Lady of Mercy Country Home | Help the Deacons spread some Christmas cheer at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home this Sunday, December 11th, at 4:30 pm. Several members of our church family are residents there, and this will be a special treat. We’ll informally sing some carols while the residents eat their evening meal. Anyone who loves to carol is invited to join us, and singers of all ages and levels of experience are welcome! Song sheets will be provided. Come by yourself or bring the whole family—the more the merrier! We’ll have some jingle bells for the children to ring. Our Lady of Mercy Country Home, 2115 Maturana Dr, Liberty. Any questions? Contact Amy Duncan at 816-868-1156 or amyduncan@marykay.com.
6:30-7:15 p.m. | Nov. 30-Dec. 14 | Social Room Come join the human chain of service! Our chain needs people of every age.
Dec. 18 | 5 – 7 p.m. | Pastor Jason’s Home | Jason and Christy Edwards and our Deacons will host this churchwide Christmas Party, and you all are invited! The Edwards’ address is 431 Arthur, Liberty. A shuttle will be available from the 2BC parking lot from 5–7 p.m. as limited parking space is available at the Edwards’ home. If you do park on Arthur Street, please park on the opposite side of the street from their house.
SENIOR ADULTS COFFEE & CONVERSATION There will NOT be a Coffee & Conversation on Dec.19. Mark your calendars for Friday Jan. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Epiphany Lunch in the Social Room.
STUDENTS STUDENT CHRISTMAS PARTY Sunday, Dec. 18 | 6 p.m. | Student Area | We'll have festive decorations, games, food, and the always hilarious White Elephant gift exchange! CHILDREN MINDFUL PARENTING RETREAT AT 2BC January 20, 5:30-8p and Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-noon | Sonya Richardson-Thomas, LPC, RPT will lead this community-wide retreat for parents of 0-7 year olds. As of Dec. 2 the cost is $125 and you can bring your spouse or partner. Register at squareup.com/store/sonya-richardson-thomas, or find the link on Sonya’s Facebook page. Thank you for your generous support of this year’s Christmas Store. This Wednesday you and your family can participate in an hands-on contribution by staying for a few minutes after the Under Wraps Advent Experience to help us set-up. The families in our Community who benefit from the store are very grateful for your help. There is still time to volunteer to help at the store. Visit 2bcliberty.org/ christmasstore to sign-up. Sign-up to receive our regular communications via email at the bottom of our home page at 2bcliberty.org. Or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to have you.
Dec. 11 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Question 4:15p Churchwide Christmas Caroling with the Deacons at Our Lady of Mercy Dec.18 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Pregnancy Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) : A Surprise Delivery Candlelight Communion at 5p and 9p Please Note Adjusted Schedule Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) : 11a only The Element of Surprise January 1 (First Sunday after Christmas): 9:30a Churchwide New Year’s breakfast Social Room 11a Worship
You can 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/device. Pick up a hard copy at the Welcome Center desk. Jan. 1 | 9:30 a.m. | NO 8:30 a.m. worship service or Bible study this morning | Please join us for a casual continental breakfast featuring fresh pastries, muffins, fruit, juice, and specialty coffees. Breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by our 11 a.m. worship. YEAR-END NOTES: CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE: The deadline for contributions is Dec. 31, 2016. If you’d like to bring your contribution to the church office in person, you must do so by 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30. If you choose to mail a contribution, the letter must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2016. OFFICE CLOSURE: The Church office will be closed Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas. The office will be open Dec. 27-30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 300 E. Kansas | Liberty, MO 64068 | 816-781-2824 | 2bcliberty.org