Decatur Presbyterian Church, p.c.a.a Community of Grace

For what we proclaim is not ourselves,but Jesus Christ as Lord,

with ourselves as your servantsfor Jesus’ sake.2 Corinthians 4:5

The Worship of Father, Son & Holy SpiritDecember 11, 2011Third Sunday of Advent

Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus! If you are a guest with us, please be sure to sign our Registry when it is passedbefore the service. Children are welcome in our worship. We have a nursery available for children 3 and under. Children4 to 6 years of age may be dismissed to Godly Play prior to the sermon. Thank you for joining us today and may the Lordrichly bless you.

Song of Assembly1

Revelation Song RiddleWorthy is the, Lamb who was slain Holy, Holy, is He

Sing a new song, to Him who sits on Heaven’s Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God AlmightyWho was, and is, and is to come. With all creation I sing:

Praise to the King of Kings! You are my everything, And I will adore You…

Clothed in rainbows, of living color, flashes of lightning, rolls of thunderBlessing and honor, strength and glory and power be to You the Only Wise King,

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder at the mention of Your NameJesus, Your Name is Power, Breath, and Living Water such a marvelous mystery

Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent Nancy Smith John 1:6-8, 19-28

Welcome and Preparation for WorshipThe Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity-hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope ofglory-because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hangon a cross. ~ J. I. Packer

The Lord Gives Us His PresenceCall to Worship2 Psalm 126When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” TheLORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sowin tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shoutsof joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

1 All songs used by permission or covered under CCLI license # 391165.2 We believe that God always initiates with sinners, so we begin worship with his invitation and command to us to gather in His name.

1

Prayer

Hymn of Praise

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing WesleyHark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;

With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord!Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings.Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth,Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sentme to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to thosewho mourn in Zion-to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, thegarment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that hemay be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair theruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make aneverlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst ofthe peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoicein the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me withthe robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adornsherself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, sothe LORD GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.

2

The Lord Gives Us His GraceCall to Confession 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every formof evil.

Confession of Sin A Puritan PrayerLord Jesus, I sin. Grant that I may never cease grieving because of it, never be content with myself, never think I can reacha point of perfection. Kill my envy, command my tongue, trample down self. Give me grace to be holy, kind, gentle, pure,peaceable, to live for you and not for self, to copy your words, acts, spirit, to be transformed into your likeness, to beconsecrated wholly to you, to live entirely to your glory.

Deliver me from attachment to things unclean, from wrong associations, from the predominance of evil passions, from thesugar of sin as well as its gall, that with deep contrition and earnest heart searching I may come to you, cast myself on you,trust in you, cry to you, be delivered by you. Amen.

Assurance Psalm 103:10-13He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens areabove the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does heremove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to thosewho fear him.

Worship with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

A Light Has Dawned LightA light has dawned, a King has come,

To redeem every heart and soul,Born unto us, Emmanuel, the Savior of the world.

Let us adore and praise His name.

Angels rejoice and shepherds bowAt the sight of the holy Child,

Men from afar searching to find the Savior of the world.Let us adore and praise His name.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna, let us sing.Hosanna in the highest, we give glory to the King,

Glory to the King.

You are the Christ, the Son of God,And the nations will rally to You.

Let every heart come recognize the Savior of the world.Let us adore and praise His name.

3

Away in a Manger LutherAway in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

Glory In The Highest TomlinYou are the first, You go before, You are the last, Lord, You’re the encore

Your name’s in lights for all to see, the starry host declare Your glory

Glory in the highest, glory in the highest, glory in the highest

Apart from You there is no God, light of the world, the bright and morning starYour name will shine for all to see, You are the one, You are my glory

And no one else could ever compare to You, LordAll the earth together declares.....

Glory in the highest, glory in the highestGlory in the highest to You, Lord, to You, Lord

All the earth will sing Your praise, the moon and stars, the sun and rainEvery nation will proclaim You are God and You will reign

Glory, glory Hallelujah, glory, glory to You, LordGlory, glory Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The heav’nly host proclaim Your birth, “Glory to God, and praise be on the earth!”Your name is near, Emmanuel, “God with us here, God pleased with us to dwell.”

Prayers of Thanksgiving & Petition Elder George Godwin…Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is inheaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not intotemptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

His Tithes & Our Offerings

4

The Lord Gives Us His WordSermon3 Pastor Steve Coward

“Real Joy”Luke 2:21-40

We Respond

How Great our Joy TraditionalThere shall be born, so He did say, in Bethlehem a Child today.

How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!Praise we the Lord in heaven on high! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

There shall the Child lie in a stall, this Child who shall redeem us all.

This gift of God we’ll cherish well, that ever joy our hearts shall fill.

The Lord Gives Us His SacramentThe Sacrament of the Lord’s SupperCommunion, also called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committedfollowers of Jesus Christ to share in this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims thegospel, who are at peace with God and their neighbor, and who seek strength to live in a deeper communion with Jesus.If you are not a Christian, or you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer.We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the Church.

The First Noel Traditional CarolThe first Noel, the angel did say,

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accordSing praises to our heav’nly Lord,

That hath made heaven and earth of naught,And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

3 4, 5, & 6 year-old children may be dismissed before the sermon to Godly Play in room 173.5

The Lord Gives Us His BlessingBenediction4 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be keptblameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

O Come All Ye Faithful WadeCome and behold Him born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

4 Just as God called us into His presence at the beginning, so now He commands His blessing upon us as we depart. We look up and extend our handsin a posture of thanksgiving as we receive this great gift. Our final response to God’s assurance of His peace and presence upon those who are in Christis a chorus of joyful song.

6

7

“Real Joy”Luke 2:21-40

Pastor Steve Coward

1. The Waiting

2. The Peace

3. The Sword

4. The Real Joy

Sermons are available at the church web site www.decaturpca.org

8

December 16 Stampede Christmas Party December 18 YBR Christmas Party December 24 Christmas Eve Service December 25 Christmas Morning Worship January 8, 2012 DPC Breakfast January 8, 2012 Photo Sessions for DPC Directory January 11, 2012 Mid Week Ministries Resume January 22, 2012 Newcomers’ Lunch @ the Lees’ February 3-4, 2012 Common Ground Marriage Weekend February 17-19, 2012 Winter Youth Retreat March 2-3, 2012 Iron Men Retreat (held right here at DPC)

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

4:00pm Mercy Ministry Meeting 5:00pm The Majesty & Glory of Christmas

TODAY

Wednesday, 11:30am Men’s Bible Study @ ADTRAN 6:00pm Kid's Choirs: 5 Year Olds - 2nd Grade / Kids of the King 3rd Grade - 8th Grade / Dare 2 Declare 6:15pm Worship Choir Practice 7:45pm Praise Band Practice Thursday, 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study @ Neighborhood Christian Center Friday, 6:30am Men’s Bible Study @ Temple, Inc. 6:00pm Stampede Christmas Party @ the Cowards’ Sunday, 7:00pm YBR Christmas Party @ at the Schmidts’

THIS WEEK

9

DPC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve ServiceDecember 24, 6:30pm

“Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special! Howtouching to have the meaning of Christmasbrought to us by cola, fast food, and beer.... Who’dhave ever guessed that product consumption,popular entertainment, and spirituality would mixso harmoniously?” ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news ofgreat joy that will be for all the people. For untoyou is born this day in the city of David a Savior,who is Christ the Lord.” ... “Let us go over to Beth-lehem and see this thing that has happened, whichthe Lord has made known to us.” ~ Luke 2

Youth Winter

February 17th-19th@ Camp McDowell

Cost: $95Registration & Payment Due By December 18th

NEWCOMERS TO DPC!Please put this on your calendar: New-

comers Lunch at the Lees’ home on Sunday,January 22 (not the 15th, as originally

announced in thecalendar).

ANNOUNCING THE2012 DPC PHOTO DIRECTORY!

There will be two ways to submit a photo: You couldjust e-mail a photo of you(r family) todirectory@decaturpca.org. Or you can have a phototaken on Sunday morning, January 8 (see the DPCBREAKFAST announcement below!). All membersand regular attenders are urged to participate!

DPC BREAKFASTOn Sunday morning January 8, DPC will meet forbreakfast together at 9:30am. After breakfast, therewill be two photography stations where everyone canget their pictures taken for the 2012 DPC PHOTODIRECTORY! (See the announcement above.) Sun-day School or Christian Education Classes will notmeet on that Sunday.

Midweek Ministries will not bemeeting again until Wednesday,January 11, 2012.

On Christmas morning we will meet to wor-ship the Lord Jesus Christ at 10:45am. SundaySchool and Christian Education Classes willnot meet. Nursery will not be provided.

Thank YouThank you so much for the prayers, phone calls,emails & gifts helping me celebrate the arrival ofmy new grandson, Jaxen. It is a privilege to servesuch a loving and thoughtful church family!

In His Love, Debbie Bell

10

If you would like to contribute to gift bags forthe nursery workers, please see Adriane Cow-ard. There are 7 workers this year so pleasebring 7 of an item (stationary, bath products,gift cards etc.) to help fill the bags. Pleasehave the items to Adriane today.

All ladies over the age of 18 are invited to partic-ipate in Secret Sisters. What is Secret Sisters? Itis a fun way of providing encouragement to an-other sister in Christ. More information on what itis and what is required of you is on the desk inthe Gathering Room. Sign up is going on nowthrough the end of the year. We will begin inJanuary and end in May. See Elizabeth Lee if youhave questions.

Missionary SpotlightRay & Michele Call (and their 6 children: Rebecca,AnnaGrace, Jeremiah, John, Daniel, & Christina)live along the U.S. / Mexico border, ministeringmainly in the cities of San Diego and Tijuana.The focus of their work is evangelism and church-planting. We're working towards a time when theCall family might come visit DPC in 2012! Thisfamily's work is supported by DPC Faith Promise.

Faith Promise UpdateAt DPC our support of world missions comes from a separate fundthan that of the general budget. Our global missionaries are sup-ported from the Faith Promise budget. If you’d like to make a gift toFaith Promise, just designate it so on your check.

Pledge Total: $66,920

Given YTD: $21,366

Unpledged Given YTD: $26,640

Advent is the official beginning of the new year in the church calendar.It is a season of longing and expectation as we await the coming ofChrist. We remember Jesus’ first coming in the past as we read God’spromises in the Old Testament to deliver Israel from sin, exile, and theoppression of her enemies, and to bring salvation to the whole worldthrough the king (Messiah) who would establish God’s kingdom onearth. Those accounts of Jesus’ first coming also point us to the future,reminding us that, like Israel of old, we too are awaiting the coming ofJesus in his second advent. Advent calls us to pray with longing andincreasing passion for the return of Christ and for the world’s liberationfrom sin and death. It also calls us to wait for Christ’s coming withpatience and with confident hope.