17 Dec. 2006 Bulletin

Third Sunday of Advent

The poinsettias gracing our altar in celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 2006^th birthday and in memory of family and loved ones of our historic and beloved church! Your donations are given to the Christmas Restoration Fund in lieu of fresh poinsettias this year.

OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
Introit "A Nativity Prayer"

Welcome and Blessing of the Creche

The Lighting of the 3^rd Advent Candle - John Henry Cardinal Newman
May each Christmas, as it comes,
FIND US MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM.
Who at this time became a little child,
FOR OUR SAKE.
More simple-minded,
MORE HUMBLE.
More affectionate,
MORE RESIGNED.
More happy,
MORE FULL OF GOD!

*Hymn 155 "Once in Royal David's City"

Let us be before our God in silence.

Unison Prayer: FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS, EVER FAITHFUL TO YOUR PROMISES, YOUR SON'S FUTURE COMING WAS PROCLAIMED BY ALL THE PROPHETS. THE VIRGIN MOTHER BORE HIM IN HER WOMB WITH LOVE BEYOND ALL TELLING. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS HIS HERALD & MADE HIM KNOWN WHEN AT LAST HE CAME.  IN HIS LOVE CHRIST HAS FILLED US WITH JOY AS WE PREPARE TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, SO THAT WHEN HE COMES HE MAY FIND US WATCHING IN PRAYER, OUR HEARTS FILLED WITH WONDER AND PRAISE.

Kyrie (sung)
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.

A Word of Assurance

The Summary of God's Law (Mark 12:29b-31)
This is the first commandment:
HEAR O ISRAEL,
THE LORD OUR GOD,
THE LORD IS ONE! 
THEREFORE YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
WITH ALL YOUR HEART,
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL,
WITH ALL YOUR MIND,
AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.
This is the second commandment:
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
There is no greater commandment than these.

Anthem "The Birthday of a King" W. Neidlinger

THE WORD OF GOD
*Responsive Reading: Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificant

*Gloria Patri (Hymn No. 623)
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY GHOST. 
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW AND EVER SHALL BE,
WORLD WITHOUT END,
AMEN, AMEN!

The Greeting of Peace
Announcements
*Hymn 160 "Lo, How A Rose E'r Blooming"

Scripture Lessons:
Jewish Scriptures: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7
The Celtic Allelulia!
Gospel: Luke 3:3-18
Sermon

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
Hymn "In the Bleak Mid Winter"
*The Offering, Doxology (625) and Prayer
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW;
PRAISE GOD ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW;
PRAISE GOD ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS;
PRAISE FATHER (CREATOR), SON (CHRIST) AND HOLY GHOST. AMEN.

A Time of Giving Thanks & Praise
The Prayer of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn 125 "Joy to the World"
*The Benediction
*Choral Response
Postlude

*Please stand if you are able.

With many thanks to Elder Louise Fabiszak and so many helpers and actors who brought the meaning of Christmas to life in Bensonhurst through yesterday's Living Nativity! Thank you! Thank you!

Please join us for Christmas Eve service next Sunday the 24th at 11 AM!