2BC Weekly | December 18, 2016 | The Fourth Sunday of Advent

ADVENT AT 2BC ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SPECIAL SCHEDULES Dec.18 : 8:30a & 11a A Surprising Pregnancy 5:00-7:00 pm 2BC Christmas Party, The Edwards’ home 6:00 pm Student Christmas Party, Student Area 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 New Year’s Day: 9:30a Churchwide New Year’s Breakfast Social Room 11a Worship NOTE: 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. No Wednesday activities on Dec. 21 & 28. Choir WILL meet at 7:00 on Dec. 21.

Advent Devotional Available 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.

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.

300 E. Kansas | Liberty, MO 64068 | 816-781-2824 | 2bcliberty.org Social media: @2bcliberty WiFi: 2BC-Guest Password: 2bcguest#01

December 18, 2016 Second Baptist Church belong | believe | become

COMING UP AT 2BC...

WELCOME TO WORSHIP! If you are a first-time guest, we invite you to 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. Your information is private and will not be used for any other purpose than to keep you informed about 2BC. Please see an usher if you’d like a listening aid.

GETTING CONNECTED AT 2BC 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.

MEDITATION Take a moment to prepare your heart for worship…

Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited. ― Thomas Merton Openness to God demands our growing acceptance that we cannot create blueprints for our own lives.

Though God’s character is unchanging, the ways of God are unpredictable, and there is a difference between arbitrariness and unpredictability. ― Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent

Your Entire Family is Welcome!

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.

CHURCHWIDE

CHILDREN

2BC Christmas Party

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.

Dec. 18 | 5 – 7 p.m. | The Edwards’ 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.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES We hope you and your family will join us for one of the two Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services scheduled at 5 pm and 9 pm.

ANNUAL CHURCHWIDE NEW YEAR’S BREAKFAST 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.

STEPHEN MINISTRY ONE EVENING RETREAT Friday, January 6 with Sonya Richardson-Thomas.

Details Coming..

ONLINE/SMARTPHONE GIVING

SENIOR ADULTS

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.

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

Our Ministry Team 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

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!

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS EVE MUSIC Children are invited to begin preparing two Christmas carols appropriate for Christmas Eve worship on the piano or other instruments. Questions? Contact Ann Posey, 816-507-2744.

WELCOME NEW SUPPORT STAFF Welcome to Janet Hill who is serving as our part-time Interim Ministry Assistant for Communication and Marketing. Janet has served Baptist churches throughout Missouri as a Children’s Minister. Most recently she was on staff at University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield as Minister to Families. She and her husband, Jerry (both WJC grads), recently returned to the Kansas City area. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. We welcome Janet and her many gifts.

MANY HANDS FAIR TRADE SHOP What a wonderful seven months we have had in the community with the Many Hands Fair Trade Shop! Thank you for being encouragers, shoppers, supporters. We are closing the doors for the winter months, but plan to re-open in the spring. Looking forward to continuing the ministry!

Sign-up at the bottom of our home page at 2bcliberty.org to receive our regular communications via email. Or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

PRAYER REQUESTS

The Worship of God

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Christian sympathy is extended to Janet Sealock and her family in the death of husband Steve on Monday, December 12. Arrangements are pending at this time.

Nick Bartlow has been a member of Second since 2000. He currently serves on the Research Team at 2BC . He is the Senior Director of Insights and Analytics for Smithfield Farmland.

LIBERTY HOSPITAL Allene Franck’s son George, health concerns.

Leslie Bunch and Alan have been members at Second since 2005. They have two children, Daniel and Audra, and a beautiful grandson, Gideon.

HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL Dorthy Bracewell Bill Riggs

Kate Fisher is a third grader at Doniphan Elementary. She is the daughter of Brooke and Hadley Fisher.

VALLEY MANOR REHAB, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS Margaret Yoakum (Roland’s mother), ongoing recovery OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS Laura Sears, health concerns Cassidy Paul, Linda Davis’s granddaughter; health concerns Ramsey Bartlow, upcoming surgeries on 1/31/17 and 2/7/17 in St. Louis.

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.

Beth Canuteson, wife of Greg Canuteson and daughter-in-law of John and Laura Canuteson, recovering following a stroke and heart surgery.

Allen Zugelter, lead pastor of LUMC, leukemia treatment.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent | December 18, 2016

WORSHIP LEADERS TODAY

Brooke Fisher has been part of the Liberty community since she was a young child. She graduated from LHS in 97', and William Jewell in 01', and while growing up at Second Baptist she enjoyed participating in a number of activities. Brooke and her husband Hadley are the proud parents of Grace (11) & Kate (8), and they all enjoy worshiping with Brooke's parents, Wes & Debbie Blanton, each week. Brooke is a former teacher, who now provides in-home childcare for children of Liberty teachers. She has a passion for music and anything creative, and has enjoyed working on the Christmas Store team this year.

Steve Hemphill is a retired diplomat with the U.S. State Department as well as an earlier career as a Missouri Prosecutor. He remains active in an area business as well as international and local charitable organizations, but mainly William Jewell where he has a nephew and niece from Pennsylvania in attendance.

Eleanor Speaker maintains the church archives holding the papers and objects related to the church's history. From time to time, she plays for the Gathering and teaches Bible and mission studies.

Paul Twenter joined Second in 2008 with wife, Julie, and daughters Paige and Mallory. Paul excels in outdoor grilling.

He begins serving as a Trustee in 2017.

Gathering

Orchestra (11:00)

Invitation to Worship Prelude

Charles Smith “Oh, How Joyfully” Student Bells Christie White, Director

+Processional Hymn 119

Cathy Moklebust (11:00)

“His Name is Called Emmanuel”

LASST UNS ERFREUEN

During the processional, 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

Leader:

Because God so loved us, enough to send his only son,

People:

We light this candle of Love.

Leader:

How long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

Restore us, O God, that we may be saved.

People:

Give us life and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord, that we may be saved.

Children:

Jesus is Love!

Leader:

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and will bear a son.

People:

And she will name him Immanuel (God-With-Us)

Children:

Jesus is Love!

Advent Hymn 82

“Light the Light, the Fire of Life”

Kate Fisher (11:00) Jason Edwards

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. (repeat at end) Light the candle of His love, light the light of Bethlehem’s stable, Light the candle of His love, light the light by which we see.

The Students Sing

“Jesus is the Reason” Student Choir Ron Whited, Director

Ron Whited

Prayers of the People

Steve Hemphill

+Hymn 90

“People Look East”

Gospel Reading

BESANCON

Matthew 1:18-25

Nick Barlow (8:30) Brooke Fisher (11:00)

(Pew Bible, page, 1, New Testament)

The Students Sing +A Time of Greeting

Jason Edwards

+Congregational Blessing

Jason Edwards

+The Sending Forth 96

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God. Choral Anthem

Lloyd Larson

“A Surprise Pregnancy”

Practicing the Presence of God +Hymn of Response

“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.

“Come to Us, O Promised One” Sanctuary and Student Choirs

Sermon

Student Choir (8:30)

Jason Edwards

A time of silent prayer and reflection

“Now the Heavens Start to Whisper”

HARLAN

Copyright © 1970 Celebration

­Postlude

“Gloria”

J.H. Schaffner (11:00)

All Songs UBP CCLI #1091036

All Video UBP CCVI #502497070

Organ: Ann Posey Sanctuary Sound: Dave Heston, Gary Pennington

Piano: Leslie Bunch Media: John Hilton, Kenny Williams

CELEBRATION OF NEW MEMBERS Today, we celebrate these new members’ decision to join our community of faith this past week. Thanks be to God! Jerry and Janet Hill

Now the heavens start to whisper, as the veil is growing thin.

Earth from slumber wakes to listen to the stirring, faint within: Seed of promise, deeply planted, child to spring from Jesse’s stem!

Like the soil beneath the frost line, hearts grow soft to welcome Him.

FLOWERS IN WORSHIP

Heavy clouds that block the moonlight now begin to drift away.

Diamond brilliance through the darkness shines the hope of coming day.

Christ, the morning star of splendor, gleams within a world grown dim.

Heaven’s ember fans to fullness; hearts grown warm to welcome Him.

The flowers on the altar this morning are given to the Glory of God and for the fourth Sunday of Advent:

Christ, eternal Sun of justice, Christ, the rose of wisdom’s seed, Come to bless with fire and fragrance hours of yearning, hurt, and need.

In the lonely, in the stranger, in the outcast, hid from view; Child who comes to grace the manger, teach our hearts to welcome You.

Carolyn, David & Davis Fulk by Marcia Duke Bill Riggs by Marcia Duke Loreta Moore by Marcia Duke Lindsey and Emmy Gregory by Ellen & Larry Gregory Una Grubbs, Ellen’s mom, by Ellen & Larry Gregory

In Honor of:

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

Paul Twenter (8:30) Eleanor Speaker (11:00)

Offertory

“Come Redeemer of the Earth” Orchestra

+Presentation of Offerings

“Receive From Us, O Lord”

Catherine McMichael (11:00) ST. THOMAS

Receive from us, O Lord, these gifts we return to You. Surprise us now with gifts of Love, as You make all things new.

In Memory of: Kathy, Dora Alice, & Lyman Berndt by Patsy & Dan Triplett Dong K. Chung by Eun Dobbins Ron Frazier, Sue Ellen Dorsel, & Robert E. Dorsel Sr. by Leanne Frazier & June Dorsel Gene & Betty Graeff by Max & Jeanne Mason Leonard & Louetta Gregory, Larry's parents, by Ellen & Larry Gregory James Grubbs, Ellen’s dad, by Ellen & Larry Gregory Dorothy Head by Gil Head Virgil & Mildred Mason by Max & Jeanne Mason Margaret, Hugh, & Kate Triplett by Patsy & Dan Triplett David Nelson Duke by Marcia Duke David O. Moore by Marcia Duke