ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
THE REV. ROBERT M. LESCALLETTE, PASTOR
KEITH SMITH, ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER
JANIE MOHR, JR. CHOIRMASTER
JONAN SHIRK, PARISH SECRETARY
BECKY FLECKENSTEIN, PARISH SEXTON
SUSAN FRANK, YOUTH LEADER
ADVENT III DECEMBER 11, 2005
THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN #26 “Prepare The Royal Highway”
THE OPENING
PASTOR: WHO IS THE ONE WHOM WE SEEK?
ALL: THE ONE WHO WILL COME TO RESTORE US AND RENEW US IN THE MIDST OF JOY AND DESPAIR.
PASTOR: WHO IS THE ONE WHOM WE SEEK?
ALL: THE ONE WHO WILL COME TO HELP US REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
PASTOR: WHO IS THE ONE WHOM WE SEEK?
ALL: THE ONE WHOSE SANDALS WE ARE NOT WORTHY TO UNTIE.
PASTOR: WHO IS THE ONE WHOM WE SEEK?
ALL: JESUS CHRIST, WHO WILL RESTORE,
HEAL, AND UNITE US IN THE MIDST OF GOD’S GLORY – AND BRING A SONG TO OUR HEARTS AND OUR LIPS.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (see insert)
(All sit, following the prayer.)
THE FIRST LESSON – ISAIAH 61:1-4, 8-11
THE ADVENT HYMN - #34 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
(Sing 3 verses only)
(As the carol is sung, the Acolyte gets fire from the right candle on the Altar, which represents Christ, and lights the 3 candles in the window sills and atop the Communion rail, representative of Mary and Joseph’s progress toward Christmas, and ours.)
THE SECOND LESSON – I THESSALONIANS 5:16-24
THE CELTIC ALLELUIA
THE HOLY GOSPEL – JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28
THE HYMN #37 “Hark A Thrilling Voice” (sung to tune of Merton)
THE MUSICAL PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
“HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING” F. MENDELSSOHN
Willy and Denny Weller – Trumpets
“O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL J. WADE
Denny Weller – Trumpet
JUNIOR CHOIR ANTHEMS
“TELL IT” C. BERRY
“BABY JESUS” F. WILSON
“HAPPY HALLELUJAH CHRISTMAS SONG”
J. MCMAHAN-WILSON/T. MCBRYDE
“MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD” J. & C. OWENS
“BALLADE” E. BOZZA
Kelsey Hafer – Bass Clarinet
“MINUET IN C MAJOR” J. LULLY
Amy Chapman – Piano
“ETUDE IN C MAJOR” J. DUVERNOY
Amy Chapman – Piano
SENIOR CHOIR ANTHEMS
“LOVE HAS COME” text by K. BIBLE
“CHRISTMAS IS A FEELING” N. SLEETH
Susan Frank – Flute
“MARY’S LITTLE BOY CHILD” J. HAIRSTON
Rose Barr – Soloist
“SING FORTH GOD’S GLORY” H. HOPSON
“GLAD NOEL” J. KNOX/M. WILSON
C. Franck
THE OFFERING
THE OFFERTORY FOR ADVENT (Sung standing)
“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 HIM MY HEART.” - C. Rosetti
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BENEDICTION
THE DISMISSAL
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN - #39 “Joy To The World ”
THE ORGAN POSTLUDE “Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying” J. G. Walther
PARTICIPANTS IN TODAY’S SERVICE
Morning Lector – Jack Frank
Evening Lector – Joyce Boyer
Acolytes – Gabrielle Thomas
Crucifer – Ryan Boccagno
Head Usher –Charlie Johns
Altar Care – The Vogels
THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR …
…are placed in loving memory of our family members who have gone home to God’s heavenly kingdom! by Betty Henny.
THE BULLETINS…
…are given to the Glory of our loving God who sustains us each and every day of our lives. In thanksgiving we look ahead to the miracle of Christmas! by Betty Henny
THANK YOU…
…to all our musicians this morning for sharing your talents.
POINSETTIAS
Included in this bulletin is an order form for poinsettias to beautify our Christmas Altar. Please fill one out and help us out. Each plants costs $6.00 and we need about 50-60 for our display. So far, only 15 have been ordered.
THE C.I.A. CHILDREN’S YOUTH GROUP
On Saturday December 17th the C.I.A. youth group will be going to Christmas Candy Lane in Hershey. We currently are planning on leaving around 4:30 from the church. There will be more details in next weeks bulletin. This is a family event. We like to know how many “C.I.A.” members are going with us or with their family. You may call Vicki #426-2773 or Charlie (alias Cross Trainer) 426-3164.
ATTENTION ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Your report for the Annual Bulletin of Reports is due on JoNan’s desk no later than December 11. If your group maintains a checking account or savings account, the activity also needs to be reported. Reports have not been received from:
WORSHIP AND MUSIC SYG
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SOCIAL MINISTRY FELLOWSHIP CIA
SUNDAY SCHOOL PLAY REHEARSAL
The Christmas play which will be presented by our Sunday School on December 18th will be rehearsed next Saturday from 10 til noon. Church will provide pizza for lunch to all actors and actresses. Kids and parents – please take note. We need you there.
DECORATORS NEEDED!
Your help is needed in readying our church for Christmas. You can help in the following ways:
1. Donate money for one or more of the following:
4 small wreaths for the Queen Street doors
2 larger wreaths for the balcony
50 yards of pine roping for the rail etc.
2. Help decorate the church on Saturday, December 17th
so we can be ready for the Advent 4 service and Open House. At least 20 people are needed to decorate and clean-up. Please help! No experience necessary!
STEWARDS OF ST. JOHN’S!
Pastor asks that all member households who can afford to do so, come to the aid of our church Treasury. We are about $15,000 in the “red” as we enter December. You can help by giving your regular weekly offering to current and benevolence (not building fund) and by giving an extra $100 to current and $20 to Benevolence. We can catch up, if we all help. Last year, we gave $25,000 in December, which is $15,000 more than our usual monthly giving of $10,000. Thanks for caring about our church’s financial well being!
NOTE: Pastor has asked that, rather than giving a Christmas gift to him this year, you instead give it to our church. Maybe that can help.
LOOKING FURTHER “DOWN THE ROAD”
December 13 – MHS Christmas Party at Getz’s all members are
invited.
December 17 – 10:00 Play rehearsal/church decorating
- 4:30 CIA Candy Lane trip
December 18 – 10:30 Sunday School Christmas Play
- 1:00 Church Open House
December 19 – 7:00 All church caroling party
December 24 – 6:30 pm Young Families’ Christmas Eve
- 10:30 pm Festival Christmas Eve Service
December 25 – 9:00 am Christmas Service (New time)
No Contemporary Service
December 28 – Social Ministry Christmas Party (at Brownstone)
January 1 – 10:30 am Traditional service
No Contemporary Service
January 3 – 6:30 Evangelism Christmas Party (at Roosevelt Tav.)
MUSICIANS/SINGERS
Keith is still looking for volunteers of all ages to make music for church on Christmas Eve, at 6:30 pm.
Pastor is still looking for volunteers to perform at the open house on the 18th, in the 3:00 – 4:00 time slot.
Everyone in the congregation is invited to go caroling in Maytown’s streets on Monday, the 19th, at 7:00 pm. Bring a flashlight or a lantern, and your friends, and we’ll carol for an hour and then go back to church for hot chocolate and cookies. Let’s have 50 or more singers this year! INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS
THE FLOWER CHART FOR 2006…
…has been posted in the lower tower narthex. Please sign up for one or more of the available dates and beautify our Altar. The church routinely orders flowers from Janet’s Flowers in Columbia for $30.00. You are welcome to order them from any florist (provided that florist can deliver them and has a church key.) Tell Jo what you want in the bulletin the Sunday before. Thanks!
THANKS TO ALL…
…for your cards, phone calls, and prayers during the passing of my sister Wanda. God Bless you. – Rose Leas
CAROLING, MONDAY EVENING…
…December 19, 7:00 – 8:00 PM, rain date Tuesday, December 20th. Refreshments to follow back at the church. Let’s take time out of our busy holiday schedules and put smiles on the faces of those who hear us sing.
TODAY – GREAT FEAST!
Everyone is invited to share in our Holiday Banquet immediately after this morning’s church service. The Social Ministry Committee hosts the event, which includes roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn. Diners share “covered-dish” salads, side-dishes, and desserts. The meal is free, but free-will offering baskets will be available. If you forgot to make a food dish – come anyway! There’s lots of food, join us! Visitors welcome!
THANKS AND APPRECIATION...
from Michael and Sonia Ross for the kindness of our WELCA and Social Ministries committees. They, along with the Reform Church donated $130.00 so that we could make Christmas a little brighter for 4 little girls who have been, or are currently staying in our shelter. We appreciate your help so much, we and the kids look forward to "playing Santa"!
CHURCH OPEN HOUSE! NEXT SUNDAY!
Ever wonder what neighboring churches look like inside, during the holidays? Interested in hearing our own musicians and singers perform? Hungry for some great baked goods and no cost? Want to show your church to a friend or neighbor in a very appealing and non-threatening way?
If you said yes to any of the above, then come to our church open house anytime between 1 and 4 PM next Sunday afternoon.
Churches featured on the tour are St. John’s, The Maytown U.C.C. Church, Church of God, The Reich’s Church, and The Donegal Presbyterian Church. The Maytown Museum Gift Shop will also be open.
Check out your local newspapers for articles and photos during the coming week.
A SPECIAL THANKS…
…to George McConnell, for donating a new light and safe ladder to his church.
…to the Property Committee for obtaining a new stainless steel table for our church kitchen. The table was paid for by the sale of the old “butcher block” table to Steve Johns and a donation from Social Ministry. Paul Purnell and Jim Leonard delivered it to church form the supplier. This helps us maintain a clean and healthy kitchen. Thanks everyone!
…to Dick Baker for obtaining liquid wax for our candles.
…to Mike Cassidy, our neighbor, for helping clear our sidewalks of snow.
Sunday morning December 25th will be the last offering collection included in the current tax year and listed on 2005 Giving Statements. All offerings or additional gifts to be counted towards 2005 must be received by the church no later then the end of that Sunday morning service; Contributions received after that service may not be acknowledged until next year. Please contact Laura Wolfe (Treasurer) or Jim Landis (Assistant Treasurer) if you need to request an extension.
PARTICIPANTS IN 12/18/05 SERVICE.
Morning Lector – Joyce Boyer
Evening Lector – Pat Vogel
Acolytes – Willy Weller
Crucifer – Paul Rehkugler
Head Usher –Charlie Johns
Altar Care – The Vogels
Altar Flowers – Skip & Tina Nell
Bulletins – John & Rose Leas
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:
Today Noon Holiday Banquet
4:30 pm SYG
6:00 pm Contemporary Communion
7:00 pm Food n’ Fellowship
hosts – Barb and Terry Stephens
Monday 6:30 pm Praise Band Practice
7:00 pm Property Committee
Wednesday 10:00 am Bible Study (Longwood)
7:30 pm Senior Choir Practice
Thursday 7:00 pm Christian Education Committee
Saturday 10:00 am Sunday School Play Rehearsal
10:00 am Church decorating
Next Sunday 9:00 am Sunday School Play Rehearsal
10:30 am Service w/Children’s Play
1:00 pm Open House begins
4:00 pm Open House concludes
6:00 pm Last Contemporary Service of 2005
7:00 pm Food n’ Fellowship
hosts –