Worship and Fellowship Assistants Today Next Sunday

BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR Bonnie Bush CHOIR DIRECTOR/ORGANIST Ellen Bristol CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR Donna Metherell

Greeters Kelly, Jackson & Jonathan Hinett Diana Inman

Ushers Anne & Bob Wallace Sandy & Jim Frieday

Liturgist Cindy Anderson Roger Howlett

Fellowship OPC CHRISTMAS PARTY Tim & Pat Rowe

SS Teacher NO SUNDAY SCHOOL (Cantata) Christmas Lesson

Nursery Bonnie Howlett Cindy Anderson

Writing of Joys and Concerns There is a prayer request card in the pew.

Please write down your prayer or praise request for us. (Please print legibly). Please put the prayer card into the offering plate during the offering so the pastor will include your joys

and concerns in Prayers of the People.

Trustee of the Month — December Jim Frieday — 260-0175

One trustee is assigned per month to take care of any building issues that may arise. Please call the designated Trustee if you

have something that needs to be addressed. Thank You!

***DEADLINE FOR 2018 GIVING***

In order for me to provide each of you with a complete statement of your giving during 2018, please be aware of

the following: All pledge monies or other monetary giving must be in my possession before Noon on

Monday, December 31st to be applied toward your 2018 giving. Any monies received after then will be applied to your 2019 statement. This deadline is necessary so that I can

properly close the financial books for 2018.

NOTE: This is also a good time to double check to make sure your pledge will be paid up for the year. If you are not sure of your status, I welcome any questions regarding

this matter.

Dennis Dupree, Treasurer dennis.dupree71@gmail.com (585) 352-1824

2019 OFFERING ENVELOPES are now available for

pickup. Dennis will have them in the Fellowship Hall.

If you did not order a set, but would like one, Dennis does

have extras available.

Welcome to Ogden Presbyterian Church Sunday, December 16, 2018 — 3rd Sunday of Advent

GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

CAMBRIDGE CHIMES WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS GREETING EACH OTHER Ringing of the Bell

PRELUDE “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” ~BELL CHOIR Lighting of the Candles

*CALL TO WORSHIP L: Sisters and Brothers, your God is coming! That is reason to rejoice with all your heart! P: Let us sing a song to the One who fills our lives with wonder and joy. L: Sing aloud to God who brings love and peace. P: Let us sing a song to the One who hears our words and our hearts. L: Our God comes to gather us in! Is that not good news this day? P: That is the best news, so let us sing a song to the One who graces us with hope, peace

and joy.

*LIGHTING OF THE JOY CANDLE L: Today we light three candles – the first represents our HOPE, which is in God’s presence

with us. P: The second Candle represents PEACE; God's gentle loving peace in our hearts and

our world. L: The third Candle represents JOY, because we rejoice this day: P: We are filled with Joy that God is in our midst. L: God exults over each of you with loud singing! P: God is in our midst! L: God is here to gather us in; P: Joy is ours today as we celebrate God’s coming to us in Jesus.

*HYMN #8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) It is getting more and more difficult, Lord, for us to keep our attention on the holy things. Our lives are caught up in planning, parties, and presents. We get side-tracked easily. Exhausted, we fall into restless sleep. Those in need abound and we are overwhelmed by the needs. Too often we turn a deaf ear, feeling we just can't meet all the needs presented to us. That is confusing and painful. Heal our hearts and spirits, Lord. Help us understand that you do not ask us to fix everything, but rather to find simple ways in which we might lighten someone else's burden. Strengthen us to rejoice in the wondrous things that you have done. Teach us to use our gifts for the common good, where all find great and abundant joy. In Jesus' Name, we pray.

(silence is observed for reflection and prayer)

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON L: This is the good news proclaimed to us: the Lord is coming, the Lord who is our salvation. P: We give thanks to God, who has come bearing hope, bringing peace, and carrying

joy into our lives. Amen.

TIME WITH YOUNG CHRISTIANS

CHOIR CANTATA PRESENTATION

1) Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord ~from “Godspell” Grace Alessi, soloist

2) Prepare, Make Room ~Schwarz 3) Glory Hallelu ~Besig 4) The First Noel/Pachelbel’s Canon ~Clawson 5) Ring the Bells ~Wilson 6) Et In Terra Pax (And On Earth, Peace) ~Purifoy

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD

OFFERING INVITATION OFFERTORY “Silent Night” ~BELL CHOIR

*DOXOLOGY #542 v.4

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) We rejoice, O God, that you lovingly give us so much. In response, we offer these gifts and the service of our lives. We pray that they will bear fruits worthy of Jesus, and that you will use them to bring your joy to all people. Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

PASTORAL PRAYER

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*HYMN #23 “Angels We Have Heard On High”

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” ~BELL CHOIR “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

All are welcome to join us for our Annual OPC Christmas Party Fellowship Hour after worship this morning!