PARTICIPATING IN WORSHIP TODAY The Rev. Dr. John Powell, Senior Pastor Don Brenneman, Minister of Music & Business Administrator New Covenant Choir Bryan Verhoye, Pianist and Music Associate Mary Ott, organist Elder Sandra Eagye Deacon Greeter Today: Jan Thomas Ushers for December: Lou Ray Checkert, Zach Flynn, Alyson Flynn, Bill Wilson, Ellen Anderson, Jensen Briley, John Leimbach, Fred Daugherty. Media Ministries Volunteers: Pat Ogle, Tyler Cramer, John Spafford and Hank Copeland. PRAYER is a powerful source of comfort and healing. We invite you to bring to our attention those in need by contacting the church office, or noting your prayer request on a Visitor Welcome Card. Place the card in the offering or hand to an usher.
COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE SANCTUARY FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS are given by members and friends in remembrance, thankfulness, and celebration. PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR OUR DEPLOYED MILITARY: James Watts, Robert Cannon, Gregory White, Rick Nestor, Martin Jacquez, and Scott Castlen. For the addresses to write notes of thanks for their service, contact Tom & Julie Gadzala at
[email protected]. PRAYER QUILT MINISTRY: Prayer Quilts are gifts of love and prayer for someone in special need. Please "tie a prayer" into the quilts, even if you do not know the recipients. To request a quilt, please call Susie Mueller at (619) 224-7070. LIFE EVENTS: Barbara Bois passed away December 23, 2013. A family graveside service will be held December 30, 2013 at 10 am, at El Camino Cemetery with Rev. Karla Shaw presiding.
The Rev. Dr. John Powell, Senior Pastor The Rev. Karla Shaw, Associate Pastor Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church 2128 Chatsworth Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 ■ 619.223.1633 ■ pointlomachurch.org
A Service of Worship First Sunday after Christmas December 29, 2013 9:00 am
Experience Jesus Strengthen Christ’s Church Journey into Deeper Faith Transform Our World
Order of Worship
Please remember to silence your cell phones and refrain from flash photography.
Prelude
Silent Night Bryan Verhoye, pianist
Welcome and Call to Worship *Carol
arr. Marilyn Reimer
Rev. Dr. John Powell
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
No. 157 (1-3)
*Invocation Ministry of Music
O How Joyfully New Covenant Choir Don Brenneman, director
Scripture Reading
Galatians 4:4-7
arr. John Leavitt
Elder Sandra Eagye
Prayer of Confession: (Unison) O God, our Father, we remember at this Christmas time how the eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We thank you that Jesus took our human body upon him, so that we can never again dare to despise or neglect or misuse the body, since you made it your dwelling-place. We thank you that Jesus did a day’s work like any working-man, that He knew the problem of living together in a family, that He knew the frustration and irritation of serving the public and the wearing routine of everyday work and life, and so clothed each common task with glory. We thank you too that He shared in happy social occasions, knew friendships, and had to bear unfair criticism, prejudiced opposition, malicious and deliberate misunderstanding. We thank you that whatever happens to us, He has been there before, and that, because He himself has gone through these things, He is able to help those who are going through them. O Lord, help us, forgive us, and empower us, to live like Him...and for Him. (silent prayers) Amen. (adapted from William Barclay’s Prayers for the Christian Year: Christmas-Day and the Sunday After)
Affirmation of Grace
*Response Lord, I Lift Your Name on High (Children Come Forward) Children’s Sermon (Children to Sunday School)
Cindy Davis
Joys and Concerns *Carol
We Three Kings of Orient Are
No. 185 (1-5)
Sermon
“Christmas Quiz”
Pastor John
Call to Prayer
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
No. 198 (1)
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Christian Stewardship Offertory
Some Children See Him
arr. Dave Grusin
*Doxology (Old 100th) *Prayer of Dedication *Hymn
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
No. 190 (1,4)
*Benediction Postlude
March of the Three Kings Mary Ott, organist
arr. Stewart Landon
All-Church CAFÉ SERVICE resumes next week . Join us today in the Sanctuary for blended worship at 9 am. Then join us next week at 10:15 in the Family Life Center to experience this worship venue that is casual, with a band, visual art, coffee, pastries, and a sermon by video. Contact is Kris McCoy (
[email protected])
Adult Discipleship Sunday Scripture Group — Our next meeting is January 5, at 10 am in the Parlor when we’ll start a 2-parter, “Understanding the Bible,” with Dr. Ken Bailey. Then beginning the 19th, we’ll use the Book-ByBook Series, “The 4th Gospel—John.” Contact is Bob Simoneau
[email protected]. Young Mom’s Bible Study—Resumes January 6. Mondays, 9:1510:30 am, Parlor. Study of Genesis led by Pastor Karla for moms of kids elementary age and younger. Contact Jen Weck jen_weck@ hotmail.com. For free childcare contact Courtney at jandcyates@ gmail.com. Daybreak—Resumes January 7. Tuesdays from 6:40-7:40 am in the Chapel with Pastor John on I Corinthians. The Apostle Paul addresses how much the Church matters in a pluralistic world of many contrary voices and practices. Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study—We will restart on January 7, continuing with the book of Isaiah. For more information, contact Clara Blenis at (619) 223-5950. Men@Work—Resumes January 8. Wednesdays at 8:30 am in the Library we meet with Pastor John then work on campus “fix-it” projects. Contact is Don Griffith at
[email protected]. Wednesday Men’s Bible Study—5:00 pm, Parlor. We’ll resume on January 8 with Chapter 5 of the book of Matthew. Contact is Jerry Heidt at
[email protected]. Wednesday Casual Bible Study—Every other Wednesday in the church Library from 6-7 pm. Next meetings are January 15 and 29. This newly formed, fun group led by Pastor Karla is studying the book of Genesis. No prior Bible knowledge necessary. For more info contact Ryan Swenson at
[email protected]. Wednesday RefresHER and HIM—6:30-8 pm on 1st and 3rd Weds. Contacts are Jim Grisolia at
[email protected], and Carla Stayboldt at
[email protected].
Children’s Discipleship NURSERY – On Sundays, care is available in the Nursery for infants to 2-year olds during all worship services. Director is Courtney Yates,
[email protected], or (619) 733-0608. KIDS CLUB meets Thursdays 2nd-6th Grade, 4-5 pm/ 4years-1st grade, 5-5:45 pm Next meeting is January 9. ROUTE 56 meets Fridays from 5-7 pm. Friends always welcome. Our next meeting is January 17. We will talk about Loving One Another. BIBLE MEMORY CLASS—There will be a parent and student meeting for all 3rd through 6th grade students interested in participating in the Bible Memory Class, on Sunday, January 12, in Room 8 at 9:40 am. The class will begin the following Sunday, January 19. Contact Judy Pritchett for more info at
[email protected]
Calendar Sunday, December 29 9:00 am Blended Worship, Sanctuary Monday, December 30 Tuesday, December 31 - Office Closed at Noon Wednesday January 1 - Office Closed 6:30 pm Women’s AA, Room 8 Thursday, January 2 - Office Closed 6:30 pm Men’s AA, Parlor Friday, January 3 - Office Closed at Noon Saturday, January 4 6:00 pm Couples in Recovery, Parlor Sunday, January 5 8:30 am Blended Worship, Sanctuary 10:15 am Café Service, Family Life Center 10:15 am Blended Worship, Sanctuary
Youth Discipleship NEXT MEETINGS: Senior High—Jan. 8; Junior High—Jan. 9 Deleir Georges, Youth Director (619) 223-1633 x216
Men’s Ministry MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR EVENTS IN 2014:
Senior Adult Discipleship RED BRICK SENIOR CENTER Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Singer Oscar Arias. Lunch—Beef stew, vegetable, Jell-O salad, and angel food cake. Please make reservations by the previous Friday by contacting Leslie Hanna at (619) 223-1633 x210.
Preaching Schedule JANUARY 5 “More Than a Febreze Life” 2 Corinthians: 16-17 Rev. Karla Shaw preaching. 12 Sermon on the Mount, Pastor John 19 Pastor Leon from Haiti preaching 26 Pastor John preaching
January 18: Men’s Breakfast with John Hinchman. Walking “The Way” of Camino de Santiago. January 30: 5th Thursday Men’s Breakfast March 15: Men’s Breakfast with John Brand and Deleir Georges. Making the Somalia Video. April 26: Men’s Retreat “Reconciliation” May 29: 5th Thursday Men’s Breakfast June 7: Joint Dinner with Women’s Ministry. Gary Becks of Rescue Task Force. July 31: 5th Thursday Men’s Breakfast October 30: 5th Thursday Men’s Breakfast Covenant Groups are forming to meet on Thursday mornings—1st & 3rd, and 2nd & 4th. Contact Gordy Lutes at
[email protected], or Byron Wear at wearstrategies@ aol.com for more information; also check the Spire and pointlomachurch.org as details become available.
Pointing Ahead—December 29, 2013
JANUARY CLASS FOR NEW MEMBERS AND OTHERS
Good Morning dear friends!
W EDNESDAYS FROM 6:00 TO 7:30 P.M. JANUARY 8, 15, 22 AND 29 FAMILY LIFE CENTER
My, what a week, eh? I am so very delighted that you and yours are here with us, as we gather today more as a family than anything.
W HAT’S COVERED: BECOME ORIENTED TO THE MINISTRY & MISSION OF PLCPC DISCOVER YOUR TOP 5 STRENGTHS FIND YOUR NICHE AT PLCPC LEARN THE ASPECTS OF MEMBERSHIP TELL YOUR STORY; MAKE NEW FRIENDS
I’ve used today’s CHRISTMAS QUIZ over the years with great delight, as I too realize how I’ve sort of let the culture ooze into the story of our Lord in ways that try to fill in the gaps of what we do and do not know. But sometimes, it’s helpful to take a step back to see how our imaginations have been working as it relates to what the Biblical text actually says.
Taught by Pastor John, the classes enable participants to know Jesus Christ as Lord, find and use their strengths, and become engaged in the life of our church and its work. Classes are intended for those who wish to become members, as well as for others who have yet to discover their Top 5 Strengths.
You may have heard how one teacher of God’s Word has described Bible study, with three basic questions: 1. WHAT DOES IT SAY? 2. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 3. HOW DOES IT APPLY...TO US? ..AND TO ME?
Please call Ann in the Church Office to register or if you have questions. Free childcare is offered by reservation (619) 223-1633.
ATTENTION: If you should notice that someone in the congregation is having difficulties, do not hesitate to raise your hand or stand up and call for assistance during the service. It may cause a disruption, but better to err on the side of a possible emergency than not to call attention to it. Our ushers are trained for emergencies.
So, sit back today, delight in God’s goodness and grace, and let yourself have a good chuckle as we rest in the wonderful Christmas story.
POINT LOMA COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2128 CHATSWORTH BLVD. SAN DIEGO, CA 92107 619.223.1633 POINTLOMACHURCH.ORG
AT PLCPC WE SEEK TO EXPERIENCE JESUS, STRENGTHEN CHRIST’S CHURCH, JOURNEY INTO DEEPER FAITH, AND TRANSFORM OUR WORLD.
We have enough to worry about in the coming year. So let’s be refreshed as we thank God for all His blessings, day by day and season by season. Yours and His, Pastor John
