The Lord's Day -- The Second Sunday of Advent -- December 9, 2018; 11AM
PRELUDE Enter to Worship
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS & LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH
OPENING HYMN # 203 "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 40:2-5
Elder: "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.”
All:The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Elder:Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;
All:The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
INVOCATION, CONFESSION, ASSURANCE OF PARDON
HYMN # 208 "O Come, All Ye Faithful"
SCRIPTURE READINGS:Malachi 3:1-5; Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:Westminster Larger Catechism, Q&A. 165(back)
Q. 165. What is baptism? A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s. WORSHIP OF GOD IN TITHES & OFFERINGS OFFERTORY:
DOXOLOGY pg. 731
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE (Children are invited forward; afterward, they may return to their seats or to children's church.)
PASTORAL PRAYER, PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, LORD'S PRAYER
SERMON:"JOHN THE BAPTIST IS COMING TO TOWN"
Text: John 1:6-9, 15, 19-35
CLOSING HYMN # 194 (vs. 3)"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
BENEDICTION & THREE-FOLD "AMEN"
POSTLUDE Depart to Serve (congregation stands if able)
We extend a warm welcome to our visitors!We invite you to note your presence and/or any prayer concerns on a card located in the pews. Please place it in the "prayer box" or give to an usher. God bless you!
Congregation Information
JOIN US every Sunday morning before our Worship Service at the 10 o'clock hour for Sunday School classes for children, youth, and adults!
WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR SERVICE TODAY! Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Each time we examine the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, we learn more of God's glory in salvation. May our hearts be properly stirred by God's word and Spirit to embrace the Savior.
TODAY, AFTER THE SERVICE, OUR ANNUAL CONGREGA-TIONAL MEETING WILL CONVENE: Our 2019 Budget will be approved, congregational offices filled, and a brief overview of 2018. All are welcome to attend this information meeting.
THE LADIES AM BIBLE STUDY will still meet twice this month on the dates of 12/10 and 12/17, at 9:30AM in the conference room.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FAMILY SUPPERS! Thank you to all who participated last Wednesday -- we have much for which we are thankful! This Wednesday is our last Family Supper for 2018! Just like last week, our wonderful crew will supply the main course and families will provide a side and a tray of favorite cookies for exchange. BONUS: We will be shipping "care packages" to troops deployed overseas! If able, please bring extra cookies that will be immediately shipped after Wednesday night! THE WOMEN'S MINISTRY BOARD will meet after this Wednesday night's supper in order to "restructure" and elect new officers. Meeting will take place in the conference room. THANK YOU to all who attended and especially those who helped serve at the Rosemark Christmas Tree Lighting event last Sunday. It was great!
OUR MONTHLY CALENDAR & NEWSLETTER is available on-campus and online at: RichlandARP.org (see "Calendar and Events")
WANT TO LEARN MORE about our church, ministries, and membership? Please speak with any elder of the church for information!
CALENDAR: 12/9 - Annual Congregational Meeting at Richland ARP; Noon 12/12 - Wednesday Night Christmas Meal & Cookie Exchange; 6PM 12/16 - The congregation is invited to the Brighton ARP Cantata; 6PM 12/24 - Christmas Eve Service at Richland; 5PM 12/30 - NOTE: We are moving our 5th Sunday luncheon to January, 2019 1/3/2019 - Millington Prayer Meeting; 11:45
Have a need or prayer concern? An Elder or Deacon is available after the service, standing to the left of our chancel steps. May God bless you and your household!
On this Second Sunday of Advent, we re-light the Prophecy Candle --reminding us of the time of preparation for the coming of the Christ.
Reflecting on what the Prophets foretold, we light the second candle, which is the Bethlehem Candle. This Candle reminds us of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." -- Micah 5:2
"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered." -- Luke 2:1-6
During this Advent Season, our community care offering will be directed to the ministry of Camp Joy. Presently, there is a campaign to bring this vital camp for campers with disabilities to the Memphis area. All donations in 2018 are being matched; meaning each dollar donated is automatically doubled. Information about Camp Joy has been provided in our Informer church newsletter, and designated offering envelopes are being provided for these special contributions. God bless & Thank you!