Welcome to Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church
Our Mission is to be a place where the community can come together in Christ and provide, through God and His word, love, comfort and joy to all.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
( * = please stand )
Prelude “Emmanuel”
Opening Prayer David Balmer
Welcome and Announcements Betsy Balmer
Call to Worship
One: God has gathered us to this place,
All: where we hear those stories which show us
what the kingdom of God is like.
One: God summons us to this place,
All: where we can learn how to serve our God
without reservation, or hesitation.
One: God will send us from this place,
All: to tell others of God's hopes and dreams,
so they, too, can choose to follow God.
Lighting of the Advent Candle Mike and Suzanne Burke
Opening Hymn #9 Blue Hymnal “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Scripture Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 (pg. 414)
Hymn #27 Blue Hymnal “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”
Prayer of Confession
One: All too often, we believe God’s vision of justice and peace is only for us, not those around us. We are sure others need to be cleansed and forgiven, but not us. Let us seek to live as if, indeed, the kingdom is coming near, as we offer our prayers to the One who calls us to Advent living, as we pray together, saying,
All: God our Father, we must confess that we have not lived as your children. We muddy the clear waters of baptism with the debris of walking over those we claim we love. We sit in our lonely lives feasting on bitterness, when we could be feasting with those we are told not to trust. We wait for all our desires to be taken care of by you, while you hope we would fill the lives of others with your grace and hope.
(Time of Silent Confession)
Forgive us, God of this holy season, and help us to be as willing to draw near to others, so we might heal their brokenness, touch their loneliness, embrace their grief, and love them as you did when you came to us so long ago, as well as in these moments, in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Assurance of Pardon
One: Here is the good news: speak with the whispers of hope until it silences despair; sing the carols of compassion until all join in the chorus; shower others with wonder and delight and join in God’s dance of grace.
All: Thanks be to God. We are forgiven! So, let us welcome others with open arms, just as we have been embraced in God’s love and laughter. Amen.
*Gloria Patri #577 Congregation
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Sharing the Peace (remain seated) The peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.
(Please pass signs of peace and forgiveness with those seated around you)
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
The Lord’s Prayer (pg. 16, Blue Hymnal)
PROCLAIMING THE WORD
Scripture Luke 1:11-20 (pg. 723)
Anthem “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” Choir
Sermon “ The Presence of God in Advent-
God’s answer to our doubt” Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*The Apostle’s Creed (pg. 14) Congregation
Communion
Prayer
Call to Offering Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
Offertory “Star of the East” Phyliss Miller
*Doxology Congregation
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him,
all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
BEARING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD *Charge and Blessing Rev. Dr. Michael Askew
We leave now in order to follow God into the world.
All: We will go to bring the healing and peace of Jesus to all.
*Sung Benediction (Please face the center) Congregation
All: May the Lord, Mighty Lord bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, and courage in every endeavor.
Lift your eyes and see His face, see His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty Lord, bless and keep you forever.
Announcements
Adult Sunday School
Sunday school will be at 8:00am in a room in the Preschool wing. Everyone is invited to attend.
Chili Supper and Carol Sing – Sunday, December 4th from 4-6pm
Come join us for fun, fellowship and singing of your favorite carols.
Evening Women’s Bible Study-Monday, Dec. 5th at 5:30pm
The evening women’s Bible study will meet in the fellowship area. We share a meal and the word of the Lord together. All are welcome.
Concert Series Mtg.– Wed. Dec. 14th at 9:00am
Fun Friday– December 16th
Fun Friday will meet at the church at 11:00am We will go to Salty Sue’s for lunch.
Christmas Brunch– Sunday, December 18th
We will have brunch following the worship service. The menu will include egg casserole, waffles, fruit and dessert.
BLUE CHRISTMAS/ Longest Night Services
Wednesday, December21st at 5:30pm
Blue Christmas service provides a quiet and contemplative worship service as an alternative to the more traditional gatherings. This is in honor of those who are experiencing grief and struggling with loss. This tradition in the U.S. dates back to 1990.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The session has made the decision to have a full worship and candle light service on Christmas eve, Saturday, December 24th at 5:30PM.
There will be no worship service on Sunday, December 25th. The church will be open from 9-10am for those who wish to come and pray.
Sara Circle Toy Drive
It’s that time of the year again. The Sara Circle Women’s group will have our annual toy drive for the children under the Guardian Ad Litem program. This program ensures that the best interest of a child is represented in a legal proceeding. We will collect toys for children of all ages, boys and girls, thru December 11th. Please help us in making sure that these children have a Merry Christmas this year.
Sara Circle Toy Drive
It’s that time of the year again. The Sara Circle Women’s group will have our annual toy drive for the children under the Guardian Ad Litem program. This program ensures that the best interest of a child is represented in a legal proceeding. We will collect toys for children of all ages, boys and girls, from Nov. 20th – December 11th. Please help us n making sure that these children have a Merry Christmas this year.
Sara Circle– Has been postponed until January
Hutchinson Beach Elementary School
We are collecting Hand Soap for the school. Please place your donations in the red box in the foyer.
Food Pantry-
The number of people the Food Pantry serves has increased over the summer. We are in need food donations so we would like to resume asking the congregation to donate on a monthly basis. The Month of November we will be collecting Spaghetti Sauce, Saltines, Canned Tuna and Chicken to help fill Thanksgiving baskets for needy families. Please place your donations in the box in the narthex. Thank you. As always, monetary donations are welcomed. Write for Food pantry on your envelope.
Men’s Walking Group
All Men are invited to join this group as they meet at Aaron Bessant park parking lot and walk together at 7:00am every Tuesday.
Community Prayer Line
Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church, has established a Community Prayer Line. If you would like to submit a concern, joy, or sorrow, please send your short message to our Prayer email at: Prayers271@gmail.com. All prayers will only be shared with our prayer group, Pastor Doctor Michael and myself, Sarah Waby, unless designated otherwise by the sender.
Sara Circle Cracker Fund Raiser
Sarah Circle Women's Group is continuing its cracker fund raiser to help in our annual donations to the Thornwell Home for Children, Women's Presbytery and the Anchorage Children's Home. You are welcome to the crackers in the Narthex for a donation of $1.00 per pack. If you feel led to make a donation at any time, that would be wonderful too and greatly appreciated.