Trinity Presbyterian Church Online Worship Service
for December 20, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s online worship service!
If you prefer, you can view this service on our Worship Service Player. In the player, the service plays from start to finish without interruption. To try that version of the worship service, click HERE.
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
2024/04/20-02:30:55-UTC 39th ols; 34woc; 7waro
Trinity has returned to Indoor Worship with LIMITED seating at 10AM on Sundays. In addition to limited seating, there are several details you should know before attending. Please read about them in our Guide to Indoor Worship.
Communion will be celebrated during this online service (and at the Vesper service). If you wish to participate, please have a small beverage and piece of bread available.
An Outdoor Vesper service will be held today, December 20th, at 4:00 p.m. Please join us for Christmas carols and Communion in the Trinity Courtyard.
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
From the Finance Committee: the IRS requires that our financial books for 2020 be closed on December 31. Make sure any monetary offerings are postmarked by December 31 so it will be applied to your 2020 contribution statement. See this week’s bulletin for more information.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
Portions of the liturgy we use in the service are provided by Sanctified Art. Where used, they are identified with a superscript 2 (similar to this2). A copyright acknowledgment is at the bottom of this worship page.
Briefly, a word concerning the technical presentation of this service. If you are having difficulty reading the words, look for your web browser’s “Zoom” settings. The keystrokes are typically ‘Ctrl-Shift-+’ to increase the zoom or ‘Ctrl-Shift-(minus)’ to decrease the zoom. Other devices may have a different mechanism (‘finger pinch’), but most support zoom.
Although you could not be with us in-person today, we hope you will have a meaningful Sunday worship experience!
This week’s bulletin is available at any time by clicking this link. The bulletin will open in a separate tab or window.
Please note the bulletin matches the order of service on this page, but there are additional items that may be of interest to you that are not included on this worship page.
Today’s service contains:
Preparation for Worship
Prelude “Rose of Bethlehem” with “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Call to Worship
Hymn #121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Candle Lighting
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Forgiveness
Anthem “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella”
The Road to Bethlehem
Affirmation of Faith
Responsive Reading
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading
Hymn #113 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Gospel Lesson
Meditation “Hey, Fear Not”
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Sending
Congregational Response (Hymn #306)
Offering
Postlude “Joy to the World”
Preparation for Worship
Let us join together now and prepare for worship.
Dear Family of God – these are trying days in God’s beloved world. As Christ’s Church, sustained by the Holy Spirit, we have gifts and a call by which to care for one another and our neighbors. Worship in which we encounter our living God and know ourselves connected to the body continues. So this day, even though we worship at a distance, we read the same Scriptures, and share in the same prayers, we are held together on this Sunday morning. Let us prepare our hearts and minds to worship the living Lord.
Prelude “Rose of Bethlehem” with “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Heasuk Che, organist.
arr. Page
Call to Worship
Jane Pellmann, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
One: I knew joy, but when I heard the laugh of my child, All: Suddenly, joy was overflowing.
One: I knew love, but when you held my hand, All: Suddenly, love was overflowing.
One: I knew God, but when you showed me grace,
when you forgave me,
when you loved me,
when you raised me, All: Suddenly, God was overflowing.
One: So, let us worship Holy God together
As a reminder that God is here and we are never alone. All: This is community.
One: This is the body of Christ. All: Welcome home.
Hymn #121 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
St. Louise
1 O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
2 For Christ is born of Mary
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king,
and peace to all on earth.
3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
4 O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us; abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
Candle Lighting
Lay readers: Trevor, Brooke, Hailey and Garrett Tucker.
Isaiah spoke to a people called chosen,
to a tribe called Israel, with a light of hope.
Gabriel came to a town called Nazareth,
to a girl called Mary, with a light of joy.
Mary went to a place called Bethlehem,
to a stable called a nursery, with a light of love.
As we light our fourth Advent candle, We rejoice with Mary, for Love has flesh.
Come now, O child of Mary. Come now, O Prince of Love.
Prayer of Confession
Hailey Tucker, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
God of Good News,
You say to me, “You are highly favored,” but I struggle to see how that could be.
You say to me, “Do not be afraid,” but I am afraid all the time.
You say to me, “Even the impossible is possible, just look at Elizabeth!”
But hope slips through my hands like water.
The impossible still feels impossible.
So today I pray,
Today we pray:
Teach us to sing like Mary.
Teach us to laugh like Elizabeth.
Teach us to trust like the angels.
Forgive us when we can only do one at a time, or none at all.
Amen. (Silence for Reflection)
Declaration of Forgiveness
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.
I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
May the God of mercy, who forgives us all our sins, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the
power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Anthem “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella”
Handbell Choir: Martha Gioielli, Kathy Link, Janet Schaaf, Barbara Davis, Marilyn Paris, and Liz Monaco. Directed by Lillian Warner.
arr. L. Warner
The Road to Bethlehem
Brooke Tucker, Director of Faith Formation.
Affirmation of Faith
Lay readers: Madilyn May, Garrett Tucker, Addie Alred, Zoe Alred, and Delia Burgos.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
We believe that this world is hard—
Harder than it has to be.
When the world falls apart around us,
We believe in listening for the angels that say, “Do not be afraid,”
And in seeking out the Elizabeths in our lives—
Those who laugh with joy at our arrival
And throw open the doors to their homes.
We believe that healthy relationships can offer healing,
Through the laughter of cousins,
The joy shared between siblings,
And the home found in partnership.
Therefore, we believe in church families,
In chosen families,
And in the love that extends beyond family.
We believe in friendships,
In neighbors,
And in leaning on each other when the going gets tough.
We believe in the Triune God—
Lover, Beloved, and Love itself—
Inherently relational, always connected, and never alone.
We believe that that same belovedness exists for us.
We believe that we are loved and claimed,
Never alone.
Thanks be to God for a love like that.
Responsive Reading
Jane Pellmann, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. 2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. 3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” 19 Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: “I have set the crown on one who is mighty,
I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him; 21 my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him. 23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. 24 My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted. 25 I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation!’
Prayer for Illumination
Jane Pellmann, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
Holy God,
Before you could speak, you were speaking—
Leaping in wombs, kicking, stretching, jumping for joy.
You have always found a way to show up in our midst,
Particularly on our fearful or lonely days.
So today, as we crack open our Bibles,
Fluttering through these old beloved pages,
We ask that you would move again.
Stir in us.
Speak to us.
Fill us with the Holy Spirit.
And if we are not able to hear your Word clearly,
Then give us Elizabeths
Who will point out your presence in delight and joy.
Before you could speak, you were speaking,
So here and now, Creator God, we are listening.
Amen.
Old Testament Reading
Jane Pellmann, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 – God’s Covenant with David. Listen for God speaking to you today.
1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.”
4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.
16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
Hymn #113 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
Gloria
1 Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply come,
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
3 Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gospel Lesson
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Luke 1:26-45 – The Birth of Jesus Foretold. Listen for God speaking to you today. 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Meditation “Hey, Fear Not”
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Communion Prayer
Holy God, we praise you.
Let the heavens be joyful, and the earth be glad.
We bless you for creating the whole world, for your promises to your people Israel,
and for Jesus Christ in whom your fullness dwells.
Born of Mary, he shares our life.
Eating with sinners, he welcomes us.
Guiding his children, he leads us.
Visiting the sick, he heals us.
Dying on the cross, he saves us.
Risen from the dead, he gives new life.
Living with you, he prays for us.
With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cup
and proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.
Receive our sacrifice of praise.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be
a communion in the body and blood of our Lord.
Make us one with Christ and with all who share this feast.
Unite us in faith, encourage us with hope, inspire us to love,
that we may serve as your faithful disciples until we feast at your table in glory.
We praise you, eternal God, through Christ your Word made flesh,
in the holy and life-giving Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Prayer After Communion
Let us pray: We thank you, O God, that through Word and Sacrament you have given us your Son, who is the true bread from heaven and food of eternal life. We lift up to you, this day, the joys and concerns of our hearts. Strengthen us in your service that our daily living may show our thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sending
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Congregational Response
Heasuk Che, organist.
Hymn #306
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Offering
Please continue to give your offering.
God calls us to give all of who we are, and all of what we have to be used in and thru the Church. So let us present our lives. Let us present our gifts unto God. Offerings can be received in the church by mail or you may use online banking options.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.
If you’d like to see alternatives to online giving, please take a look at our Contribute page.
Postlude “Joy to the World”
Heasuk Che, organist.
Antioch
The Service has Ended
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
Thank you for joining us online! We hope you will join us again as long as we need to be apart. We pray for the day when we can all meet again and worship God in the sanctuary and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
1 ALL COPYRIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGED
2 Prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org Cover Art: Design by Lauren Wright Pittman; Photography by Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
separate tab or window.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.