Please silence cell phones and quiet your voices, giving our attention to the presence of God in our midst

Childcare is available in the nursery Large print hymnals available—see usher

*Indicates that those who are able may stand

Ringing of the Church Bell

Prelude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Ancient Plainsong Melody arr. Lynn Arthur Koch

Welcome Curtis Fussell Call to Worship and Litany for the Lighting of the Advent Candle

Ann: The first candle of Advent represents hope; the hope of God’s coming to us in Jesus Christ. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.”

Isaiah 9:2 Ann: If only the heavens would tear open and God would come down! Duncan: The mountains would shake and tremble. Ann: All the earth would stand in awe! Duncan: Come, O Lord, to break open our hearts, Ann: and pour your love into our lives. Duncan: Give us confidence in you again as we worship you.

based on Isaiah 64:1- 9

The Greenlee Family *Processional Hymn 83 Stuttgart

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Call to Confession Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, we have looked for signs of gloom and doom, rather than looking for signs of your hope and presence among us. Forgive us, merciful God, when we seek the darkness of fear, turning our backs on the light of possibilities and peace. Focus our attention on ways in which we can be a healing presence in times of trouble. Open our hearts once again to your redeeming love and transforming peace, filling us with the hope we have in Jesus Christ. (A moment for silent confession) Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel. People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

*Passing of the Peace Leader: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. People: And also with you.

Anthem An Advent Prayer Allen Pote

Chancel Choir

Come, holy Jesus, come to free us from our sin. Come, holy Jesus, and make us pure within.

Inspire each heart with illumined surprise, enkindle a flame anew. Increase our faith and strengthen our lives,

show us the joy of living life in you. Come, holy Jesus, come to free us from our sin.

Come, holy Jesus, and make us pure within. Amen. Scripture Readings Romans 5:1-5; 8:22-25 Sermon “Living in Hope” Curtis Fussell *Affirmation of Faith

The Christian Church is the congregation of people in which Jesus Christ acts presently as the Lord in Word and Sacrament through the Holy Spirit. As the church of pardoned sinners, these people testify in the midst of a sinful world, with its faith as with its obedience, with its message as with its order, that it is solely the property of Jesus Christ, and that it lives and wants to live solely from his comfort and from his direction in the expectation of his appearance.

The Theological Declaration of Barmen, 1934

*Gloria Patri Truro

Redeemer, come!

I open wide my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide. Let me thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in me reveal.

Hymn 93

Celebration of Ministry and Membership Emily Wilmarth

(Please sign and pass the friendship registry pad and then return it so you can know your neighbors in God’s household today.)

Prayers of God’s People Offering Our Gifts for the Work of God’s Kingdom

Gather in God’s Name

Proclaim God’s Word

Give Thanks To God

Dedicated to the Glory of God on September 13, 1885 Highlands, North Carolina

DECEMBER 3, 2017

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

11:00 A.M.

The poinsettias are given by Don and Betty Fisher to the glory of God and in loving memory of Lee and Violet Fisher, our parents.

WE WELCOME GUESTS who are worshipping with us today.

If you are seeking a church home and would like to follow Jesus Christ through the fellowship of this congregation, we invite you to full or affiliate membership. For more information, please speak with one of the ministers.

after worship, or call the church office.

Please keep in your prayers these members and friends of the congregation: Frances Boggess (Sally Copeland’s niece),

Ned Case (Betty Fuller’s son-in-law), Shirley & Bill Cochran, James H. Crawford, Jr. (Betty Fisher’s brother), William Creswell,

Cam Dowdle (Nancy Lowe’s nephew), Marc Good (Frances Hicks’ brother), Dallis Joiner (Sally & Dallis Copeland’s grandson),

Al Lancaster (Michael Lancaster’s father), Ethan Lassiter (grandson of Marianne & E.G. Lassiter), Mary Langham,

Bill Lewis (Jane Lewis’ son), Celia McCullough, Wilbur McDuff (Scott McDuff’s father), Terry McMahon,

Arnall Page (son of Dr. & Mrs. John Page), Pat Patrick, Mae Potts, David Proctor (Ken Proctor’s brother), Ken Proctor, Veda & Jimmy Sherard,

Anne Thomas and family upon the death of George Thomas, and Kevin Tietze.

Please keep in your prayers these members in the community and beyond: Wendy Davis, Bob Heim, K.C. Hembree, Herb James, Jeff James,

Linda James, Frank Jemison, Donna Kneeland, Cherry Martin, Jim Shearon, Sandra Simmons, Yancey Stribling, Ivy Stubbs, and Ashlyn & William Tipton.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Dec. 3 11:00 Morning Worship Service Monday, Dec. 4 8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast —Eckerd Living Center Tuesday, Dec. 5 4:00 Book Club—Kelemo’s Women by Molara Wood —See announcement 6:00 Community Dinner —Community Building Wednesday, Dec. 6 10:15 Women’s Studies —See announcement 11:30 HCCDC Children’s Church 3:00 Staff Meeting 4:00 Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 Choir Rehearsal Thursday, Dec. 7 7:00 First Thursday Bible Study —See announcement Friday, Dec. 8 3:15 Sonshine School Music Program

Sunday, December 10, 2017 9:30 Advent Study - Coleman Hall —See announcement

11:00 Morning Worship Service Lessons & Carols

Christmas Luncheon

Guest Musicians: Jillionna Bailey, Harpist Linda Lancaster, Flutist Andrew Parker, Oboist

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Elder for the month of December is Carol Hughes.

Special thanks to Jacob Plaisted for his solo in today’s service. Jacob is from Charlotte, NC and is a senior Vocal Performance major at Western Carolina University. At WCU, he sings in the Concert Choir and the Early Music Ensemble. Jacob has been singing in choirs since he was a sophomore in high school, beginning with his high school Men’s Ensemble. He became president of that ensemble during his senior year, and at the same time, participated in Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. Jacob also plays guitar and several other instruments. He plays in his home church’s praise band and also enjoys playing guitar and singing for a campus ministry at WCU. Jacob serves as an Intern in our choir. Curtis and Emily will facilitate an Advent Study each Sunday during the 9:30 a.m. Adult Education hour leading up to Christmas. The meetings will be held in Coleman Hall with the last class on Sunday, December 24th. Women’s Studies - We will meet Wednesday, December 6th in the library at 10:15 to wrap gifts for our Christmas Angel family. Our Christmas Luncheon will follow. All ladies of the church are welcome. Come and bring a friend. First Thursday - The First Thursday Horizon’s Bible Study group will meet on December 7 at 7:00 P.M. in the parlor. We will discuss Lesson Five, Who Is Jesus According to Paul? Ladies of the church are cordially invited to attend. The Highlands Community Christian Chorale concerts, hosted by Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, will take place at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation at 5pm on Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10. Mary Beth Brody is serving as Artistic Director for the concerts this year. A reception will follow the Sunday, December 10 concert. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. Presbyterian Hunger Drive Christmas Giving: Look for the World Hunger Fund forms in the Ravenel Room and the Narthex. You can honor loved ones through a donation to the Presbyterian Hunger Fund. Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church—and designate for World Hunger. Names will be published in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Grateful Thanks - We are so thankful for the hard work Jill Wolfe and her talented helpers invested in decorating the sanctuary for the Christmas holidays. We would also like to extend a very special thanks to Dot Lewis. Because of her creative diligence, our Christmas tree is abundant with new chrismons. Chrismons are Christian Symbols that bring to remembrance Christ and the birth of Christ. The chrismons are all done in the traditional white and gold. White is the liturgical color for Christmas and symbolizes that Jesus was pure and perfect. Gold symbolizes his majesty and glory. Please take a moment to appreciate Dot’s generous gift of time and talent. An Ecumenical Blue Christmas Worship Service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation Church on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 6:00pm. The holidays are often the loneliest time of the year for those who have experienced loss in their lives. These losses can be the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, death of a dear pet, loss of health, or any of the other losses people deal with. The Blue Christmas service allows us to grieve the losses, to acknowledge our pain, and to take comfort in God’s abiding love and care for us. Everyone is welcome to attend this ministry of our local churches.

Offertory My Lord, What a Mornin' Spiritual Jacob Plaisted, Baritone arr. Frank Ponzio

Refrain:

My Lord, what a mornin', my Lord, what a mornin', O my Lord, what a mornin', when the stars begin to fall.

You'll hear the trumpets sound to wake the nations underground.

Lookin' to my God's right hand when the stars begin to fall. Refrain. *Doxology Cranham

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Hymn 144

*Prayer of Dedication Sacrament of Holy Communion Litany Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give thanks and praise. Prayer of Great Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer (insert) David Haas Words of Institution Communion of the People (We serve gluten free bread & grape juice) Ministry of the Farthest Pew

*Hymn 105 Besancon “People, Look East”

(vss 1,3,5) *Charge and Blessing

*Postlude March in G Major G.F. Handel

Participating in Today’s Service: Michael Lancaster, Director of Worship/Music

Angie Jenkins, Organist/Music Coordinator

Our Greeters today are: Carol & Skip Hughes and Suzy & Jim Tamplin

First Presbyterian Church of Highlands 471 Main Street, P. O. Box 548, Highlands, NC 28741

828-526-3175, Fax: 828-526-0784, www.fpchighlands.org

Go In God’s Name To Serve

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjug9WysqzJAhWM6iYKHYvFCcIQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartbest.com%2Fadvent-candle-clip-art&bvm=bv.108194040,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNGa_9FhF3Zg68dZ732xMPDPsGs-BQ&ust=1