“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” WELCOME Richard Aylor LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Stephen Ministers Parker Stevens, Carolyn Stokley and Karen Gibson PASSING OF THE PEACE The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. “Waiting Here for You” “O Come O Come Emmanuel” PRAYER WITH CHILDREN AND OFFERING [Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering

in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Children’s Worship in Room 208]

COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FIRST LESSON Mark 13: 24-37 SECOND LESSON Isaiah 64: 1-9 SERMON Dan Lewis

“O That You Would...”

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER “Everlasting God” CHARGE & BENEDICTION

Contemporary Worship Gilmour Hall 9:00 AM First Presbyterian Church

Growing in Faith and Love

First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2017

125 S. 3rd Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910) 762-6688 www.firstonthird.org

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

The music of the Opening Voluntary draws us from the outside world into the presence of God. In preparation for worship, you are invited

to use this time for prayerful reflection.

OPENING VOLUNTARY John Tabler "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland: Savior of the Nations, Come" Hugo Distiler/Paul Siefert/Helmut Walcha WELCOME Hannah Vaughan (8:45)

Richard Aylor(11:00) [Please pass the friendship register down the row for each person to sign.]

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE Stephen Ministers Salena Warlick and Barbara Jamison (8:45) Parker Stevens, Carolyn Stokley and Justine Lerch (11:00) +HYMN 106 “Prepare the Way, O Zion” BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN CALL TO CONFESSION (from Romans 8)

For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now, hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes in what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Let us confess our sins to God…

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND SILENT PRAYER Holy God, we confess that we have so often failed to look for signs of your coming and failed to prepare for your arrival. We have not listened to the prophets as they called us to repentance; we have not established justice and righteousness; we have not worshipped you with pure hearts. Cleanse us, O God, and rehabilitate our hope. Teach us to eagerly await your arrival and prepare for it with diligence and grace, as we pray... (our silent prayers of confession) We pray in the strong and merciful name of Jesus Christ, and let all the people say, Amen.

[+You are invited to stand. For each hymn, please stand as the last line of the introduction is played.]

WEEKLY UPDATES

Ordination Service- Richard Aylor The ordination service for Richard Aylor will be this afternoon, December 3, 2017 at 3pm in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in Gilmour Hall.

Lessons and Carols Two Lessons and Carols services will be held next Sunday, December 10, at 9am and again at 11am. There will be no 8:45am Chapel service.

Christmas Eve Services 11am- Joint Morning Worship, Sanctuary 4pm- Family Worship Service 7pm- Candlelight Communion, Soloists & Instrumentalists 10:30pm- Prelude 11pm- Candlelight Communion, Chancel Choir & Instrumentalists

Pledge Cards The Stewardship Committee continues to work on making a strong finish to our pledge season in preparation for an exciting 2018! If you haven’t done so, please consider making a financial pledge for 2018 so

that our leadership can plan effectively for the year ahead. Pledge cards are available from ushers, and may be turned in to the church office or left in the offering plate.

Knitting Ministry Help The Knitting Ministry is in need of toothbrushes, small toothpaste, and soaps as part of a charity project for the Salvation Army. Donations can be left in the church office.

Stephen Ministry But those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Stephen Ministers are care givers. Consider allowing one to walk with you on your journey to wholeness. Call Janice Clark, 228- 8584 or the church, 762-6688.

Later Today Ordination and Reception- 3pm Top Dogs Carriage Ride- 3pm Carols and Choir Sing- 5pm

Open Signups Online (Call the office if you need assistance.) Acolyte Signup (on member page) Batch Cooking Class #2, Dec 10 3-5pm College Exam Kits -Submit your student’s mailing information online. February 2018 Women’s Retreat Interfaith /Family Promise Hosts, Dec 7-10

Scheduling Information Please call the church office or email Lorene Walsh (lorene@firstonthird.org) and Amy Osborne (amy@firstonthird.org) to reserve a room or change a reservation. If you have any joys or concerns to share, please call the church office (762-6688). Want the ‘Weekly Update’ email? Send a message to amy@firstonthird.org.

+AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from the Nicene Creed) We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. Amen.

OFFERING OFFERTORY ANTHEM (11:00)

“O Thou The Central Orb” - Charles Wood O Thou the central orb of righteous love, pure beam of the most High. Eternal Light of this our wintry world, Thy radiance bright awakens new joy in faith, hope soars above. Come quickly, come and let Thy glory shine, gilding our darksome heaven with rays Divine. Thy saints with holy luster round Thee move, as stars about Thy throne, set in the height of God’s ordaining counsel, as Thy sight gives measured grace to each, Thy power to prove. Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of sin, our nature all shall feel eternal day, in fellowship with Thee, transforming day to souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen. - H. R. Bramley

+RESPONSE (143) REGENT SQUARE All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the King of Kings!

+PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE 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.

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

WE GO IN GOD’S NAME

+HYMN 93 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” TRURO

+CHARGE & BENEDICTION CLOSING VOLUNTARY "King of Glory" Wayne L. Wold

RESPONSE (121) ST. LOUIS O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Brothers and Sisters, hope does not disappoint us, Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts Through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Let us all believe this good news! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

+RESPONSE (583) GLORIA

Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

THE PASSING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! And also with you!

PRAYER WITH CHILDREN (11:00)

[Three year olds through second graders are invited to come forward, place their offering in the plate and have prayer with the minister before leaving with their teachers for Children’s Worship. Ages 3-K meet in Room 208; Grades 1 & 2 meet in Room 311]

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (8:45) Nicole Diane Jeffreys

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON Mark 13: 24-37 The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible PP. 50-51

Thanks be to God. SECOND LESSON Isaiah 64: 1-9

The Word of the Lord. Pew Bible PP. 694-695 Thanks be to God.

SERMON Dan Lewis

“O That You Would...”

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+HYMN 100 “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

TODAY’S SERVICE

Welcome to First Presbyterian Church! We are so glad you are worshipping with us this morning and hope that you find your experience of worship to be uplifting and meaningful. We invite all of our guests to visit our Welcome Center which is located near the central staircase in the building near the door facing Orange Street. Any Usher (designated with a name tag) will be glad to answer your questions and help you find your way around. For help finding ways to connect with the ministries and people in this community of faith, or for information about joining our church, contact Allison Cockrill, Membership Coordinator, at allison@firstonthird.org. We offer a nursery for infants and toddlers during the worship services (8:30am - 12:30pm). Children 3 years old through 2nd grade begin in the main service, and then go to “Worship and Wonder,” a worship experience designed especially for children which is offered during the 9am and 11am worship services. Children who remain in worship (3rd grade and older) are encouraged to pick up a Kids’ Worship Sheet as they enter the sanctuary. Each child can use this sheet to help follow along in the worship service. Please feel free to ask an usher or greeter if you need wireless audio receivers, large-print bulletins and hymnals, directions to the nursery, children’s worship classrooms, restrooms, or access ramps. Nicole Diane Jeffreys will be baptized at the 8:45 am worship service today. We rejoice with her and her family! Today we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during worship. We invite all those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to join us in sharing this communion meal. Lighting the Advent Candle today are the Stephen Ministers: Parker Stevens, Justine Lerch, Carolyn Stokley, Karen Gibson, Salena Warlick, and Barbara Jamison. Stephen Ministers are trained lay caregivers within our congregation that provide high quality, confi-dential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. If you would like to learn more about the work of the Stephen Ministers, please speak to any Stephen Minister or Pastor, or call Janice Clark at 228-8584.

Leading in Worship this morning:

Dan Lewis, Pastor Richard Aylor, Interim Associate Pastor Hannah Vaughan, Liturgist John Tabler, Director of Music Benjamin Horrell, Asst. Dir. of Music Jennifer Mueske, 9am Worship Leader

*Please leave your bulletin at the end of the pew to be collected-thank you!

REMINDER: Please be sure to silence all electronic devices upon entering the sanctuary.

Passing of the Peace: Today in worship we are invited to share signs of peace and reconciliation with one another as a response to God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ. This act of worship is a tangible reminder of our unique calling as God’s reconciled children. We are called to be reconciled to one another and to be agents of reconciliation in the world. What a privilege! So take someone’s hand and say, “The peace of Christ be with you” – or reply “and also with you.” And as you do so remember: In this moment, you have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18).