Troy Larger Parish

First United Presbyterian Church

Third Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2010
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

(*Those who are able are invited to stand)

We Gather In God’s Name

Prelude Largo Staccato from Voluntary X (Op. VII) John Stanley

Words of Welcome and Signing of Friendship Pads

Please add your name to the pad you will find at the end of each pew and pass it
along your row so that we can know each other by name.

Lighting the Advent Candles

“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life”

Why do we light 3 candles?

The first candle reminds us of the light of hope of the prophets. The second candle reminds
us of the dark night when Joseph and Mary found light and warmth in the stable. The third
candle reminds us of the great light and joy which surrounded the shepherds at the
announcement of Jesus’ birth.

*Hymn Prepare the Way (PH 13) Bereden Väg För Herran
verse 1 All
verse 2 Choir
verse 3 All
Call to Confession
Let us turn to God, admitting the mistakes we have made and the hurt we have caused.
Let us pray together.

Prayer of Confession
God of forgiveness and mercy, hear our prayer as we confess our sin. With moments
so critical we let time go by. With deliverance so near we linger in the darkness. With
Christ as our armor, we yet fear the unknown foe. With the night having passed, we still
hesitate to greet the new day. O God, lead us forth, that we may meet the moment you
graciously give us. Dispel the shadows, so that your will may be clear. Clothed with
light and new life in Christ, let us go forth as those awake to your will.
~ silent prayer ~

The Gift of Forgiveness

Jesus said that anyone who hears what he says and trusts in God has eternal life. The time is
coming, indeed it is already here. All who heed God’s voice shall have life and that, indeed,
eternal. Rest in the assurance of God’s grace made known to us in Jesus the Christ.

Thanks be to God; in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

*Response Angels We Have Heard On High refrain only

Gloria

*Peace
Since God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ, let us forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
(Worshippers are invited to greet one another with the words,
“The peace of Christ be with you.”)

Announcements
 We Proclaim God’s Word

Time with the Children and Their Friends

Children may pick up clipboards at the front of the sanctuary after the time with the children.
Please return the clipboards to their boxes after the service.

Prayer

God’s Word to Us Isaiah 35:1-10 O.T. page 633

Lector: Dana Crobok

Anthem Mary’s Magnificat Andrew Carter

Soloist Carolynn Mackey, soprano

Softly a light is stealing,

Sweetly a maiden sings,
Ever wakeful, ever wistful.
Watching faithfully, thankfully,
tenderly her King of kings.

My soul doth magnify the Lord:

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Mary her song to Jesus

Softly, serenely sings:
I will love you, I will serve you,
May my lullaby glorify,
magnify my King of kings.

God’s Word to Us James 5:7-10 N.T. page 231

Sermon “Patience!”

*Hymn Canitcle of the Turning (PCCS) Following page

 We Respond to God’s Word
Sharing Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (debts) page 16

(The Presbyterian Hymnal)

There is a prayer journal at the back of the sanctuary where you may record prayer requests
to be included during the prayers of the people.

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts

Offertory

*Response *Response 591 OLD HUNDREDTH

*Prayer of Dedication
 We Go In God’s Name
*Hymn – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (PH 2) HYFRYDOL  

*Charge and Blessing

*Postlude Trumpet Voluntary Jeremiah Clarke

All are invited to the Social Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshment.
You may quietly exit during the postlude or you may remain seated for the playing of the
postlude.
Music Notes:
Mary’s  Magnificat.  Words  and  Music:  Andrew  Carter,  ©  1986  Oxford  University  Press.  All  rights  reserved.  Reprinted  under  OneLicense.net  
#  A-­‐715745.  
 
The  Presbyterian  Committee  on  Congregational  Song  has  requested  that  First  United  be  a  periodic  “testing  site”  for  hymns  and  songs  that  
are  being  considered  for  inclusion  in  the  new  Presbyterian  Hymnal  that  is  being  developed.    “Canticle  of  the  Turning”  was  sent  to  us  by  the  
Committee.    
 
ONELICENSE.NET  EXAMPLE  if  needed  on  any  given  Sunday  for  hymns  or  anthems  (Maury  will  indicate):  
 
Words:  John  Doe,  ©  1988  ABC  Music  Co.;  Music:  Jim  Brown,  ©  1990  XYZ  Publications.  All  rights  reserved.  Reprinted  under  OneLicense.net  
#  A-­‐715745.  
 
CCLI  EXAMPLE  if  needed  on  any  given  Sunday  for  hymns  or  anthems  (Maury  will  indicate):  
 
“Hallelujah,”  words  and  music  by  John  Smith  and  Mary  Doe  
©1975  John  Smith  Music  Co.  
Used  by  Permission.    CCLI  License  #3058462  

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - December 5, 2010

From Judy Moyer: Continued prayers for my brother, Burt.    

ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 12, 2010
Welcome To First United! It is a joy that you have chosen to enrich this worshipping
community with your presence this morning. We hope you find a spiritual home here, a place
of love, support and service. Following worship, you are cordially invited to gather with the
community for a time of refreshment and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Wear A Name Tag as a sign of warm welcome for newcomers. If you do not have one, or
need a replacement, please make a note on one of the bright orange flyers at the rear of the
sanctuary.
The Deacons thank those who are contributing $1 each week to the work of the Deacons. It
is greatly appreciated as we work to help others. You can either use the gold & white
envelope in the pew rack or make a special designation in your pledge envelope for this
important Deacons fund.
Deacons remind you of the Care Notes in the rack at the back of the Sanctuary. Care
Notes are pamphlets dealing with topics including grief, illness, anger management and
concerns with teens and children. We encourage you to use them for yourself, your family,
friends, or other individuals who might derive some benefit from them.
Parking for Worship is available in the large lot behind the Gurley Building at the corner of
Sixth Avenue and Fulton Street or in the small lot on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fulton
Street and also along Fifth Avenue. Please note: The parking spaces in the alley on the
Grand Street side of the sanctuary are private parking spaces that belong to Franklin Plaza.
Please do not park there.
For families with children: Childcare during worship for children through age 4 is
available in the nursery located between the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. The Respite
Room, at the rear of the sanctuary on the south side, is available for parents or caregivers of
infants and toddlers who may need a brief time away of worship. .
A reminder that there is always a basket for food donations for the Troy Larger Parish Food
Pantry on your way into church. And if you would rather, cash buys more food from the
Regional Food bank. Empty your change into the jars at either sanctuary door.

Joseph’s House, a homeless shelter, has some guests stay overnight at local churches, etc,
in the colder months – called “Inn From the Cold”. There is a need for volunteers to assist
the staff for these overnights. If you want to hear more about this program, let our church
office know or call John Husson 233-0847. (FUPC will host the IFC in February)
• The date for Joseph’s House Meals is December 11-12

FAITH EDUCATION NOTES

TODAY - December 12 – Preparing for Christmas – intergenerational crafts at 11:30.

December 19 – Intergenerational Spontaneous Christmas Pageant - during worship. In

preparation for the “spontaneous Christmas Pageant” on Dec. 19 please take some time to
reflect on what role you would like to “try on” when acting out the scripture of Jesus Birth –
angel, shepherd, magi, sheep, donkey? Other? On Dec. 12, during the Faith Ed Hour, you
will have an opportunity to make a prop that you will use on the 19th. There will also be a
variety of crafts available to make including window stars and cards for shut-ins.

December 26 – no classes

Volunteers Needed: As you may know, because of health reasons, both Dotty and Donna
had to retire as our child care workers. Her daughter Donna had volunteered to be the 2nd
person in the room. We will be needing volunteers from the congregation to work alongside
Donna during the worship service. If you would be willing to help out with the children for one
hour of a particular week, please contact Leslie Kelly or Bonnie McCaig.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES:

January 14-16, 2011- The Gospel According to Harry Potter @ Christ the King Center,
Greenwich, NY. For details check the Albany Presbytery website.

July 9-19, 2011 –educational and fun trip with a spiritual side to Taize, France( with 2 days in
Paris). This trip is for youth and young adults who will be 17 or older in 2011. Details on the
Albany Presbytery website http://albanypresbytery.org Deposit of $250 is due by December 27,
2010 to hold your spot.

Oakwood Church Closing At the November 16 stated meeting of Albany Presbytery, the
closing of the church was delayed until June 30, 2011 to permit the congregation to seek
alternate uses of the building for the benefit of the neighborhood. The Food Pantry will
continue through this time, so please continue to bring in your food items or cash to support
the pantry.

The Festival Celebration Choir, directed by Maury Castro, presents “Arise Your Light Has
Come,” a Christmas Concert of traditional, contemporary and gospel selections, THIS
AFTERNOON, December 12, 2 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, Crumitie Road, Loudonville.
Tickets are adults $15, students/seniors $10. For more information call Ann Schaffer, 439-
1032.
 CALENDAR for December 12-19, 2010

Sunday, December 12
10:00 AM Worship Sanctuary
11:00 AM Refreshments Fellowship Hall
11:30 AM Intergenerational Crafts Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM NA Group Meeting Rose Room

Monday, December 13
6:30 PM Session Meeting Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, December 14
3:45 PM Troy Children’s Chorus Rose Room
5:30 PM MLMT Meeting Offsite

Wednesday, December 15
3:00 PM CHC Rose Room

Thursday, December 16
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Rose Room

Friday, December 17
8:30 AM Joseph’s House Fellowship Hall
Christmas Party Rose Room

Saturday, December 18
10:00 AM AA Meeting 2nd Floor

Sunday, December 19
10:00 AM Worship Sanctuary
11:00 AM Refreshments Fellowship Hall
7:30 PM NA Group Meeting Rose Room