Pine Street Presbyterian Church in
the City of Harrisburg
December 19, 2021 Fourth Sunday of Advent
GATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
VOLUNTARY O Come, O Come Emmanuel arr. Judy Nishimura Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Jocelyn Goranson, flute
SALUTATION
One: This is the day the Lord has made; Many: letusrejoiceandbegladinit.
LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLES
One: God's love is like an open door.
God's love is the streetlight that guides us home.
God's love is a warm bed to fall into.
Many: God's love is a home for all.
One: God's love is a table with room for you.
God's love is a crackling fireplace.
God's love is the sun that streams through the windows.
Many: God's love is a home for all.
Nathan Garman
The Holt Family
One: God's love is the roof over our heads and the floor beneath our feet.
God's love is a home for you and me.
God's love is a home for neighbors and strangers, for family and friends, for enemies and partners.
Many: God's love is a home for all.
One: Today we light the candle of love to remind us of this truth. May it burn brightly in this space and even brighter in our hearts. Amen.
† Those able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
The Rev. Heather M. Sigler God of safe spaces, we wish we were more like Mary, who, in the face of great change, went and sought help. She did not wait for help to find her; she walked to the shelter she needed. Too often, we wait silently for the world to change around us instead of speaking up for the things we need. Forgive us for failing to care for ourselves the way You would care for us. Give us the courage to be more like Mary. God of safe places, we wish we were more like Elizabeth, who greeted Mary with laughter and contagious joy. How many people have crossed our doorstep, and how often have we failed to see them? Give us the courage of Mary and the grace of Elizabeth. Gratefully we pray. Amen.
READING AND HEARING THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Audrey Light
FIRST LESSON Micah 5:2-5a
One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Long Ago Prophets Knew arr. Judy Nishimura
LESSON FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
SECOND LESSON Romans 16:25-27
THIRD LESSON Luke 1:39-56
SERMON "CLOSE TO HOME – Seeking Sanctuary" The Rev. Sigler
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles' Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into
heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
† THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.
PARISH LIFE (Please sign the Friendship Register)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD (Text 267-367-4910 to give)
ANTHEM Canticle of the Turning Hal Hopson
My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest, could the world be about to turn? My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware, for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn. Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SEALING THE WORD
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
One: The Lord be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
COMMUNION PRAYER
…In unending hymns of praise:
The prayer continues. … Great is the mystery of faith:
INTERCESSION, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
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.
One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
† CHORAL BENEDICTION God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me R. B. Colligan (Choir and Congregation)
VOLUNTARY Fantasia 12 in G Minor, 2. Presto G. P. Telemann Fantasia 7 in D Major, 2. Presto
LEADING IN WORSHIP TODAY
The Rev. Heather M. Sigler, Parish Associate Joseph W. Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship Audrey Light, Lector Nathan Garman, Worship Assistant Jocelyn Goranson, flute
The Chancel Choir
R EMEMBER IN PRAYER
Michael Shoemaker
Copyright Notice
Hymns in the bulletin are used with permission under OneLicense.net #A-71074. All rights reserved
Jocelyn Goranson is Instructor of Flute at Messiah University and Contributing Faculty Flute Instructor and wind quintet member at Dickinson College. She holds performance degrees from West Virginia University and Rice University. Goranson has performed solo, orchestral, and chamber music in nine countries, along with Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Apollo Theater. Goranson won the 2006 Frank Bowen Competition, a semifinalist in the 2006 NFA Young Artist Competition, National Winner of 1995 and 1998 MTNA Competitions, and finalist in the 2009 Byron Hester Competition and 2003 Myrna Brown Competition. She has been featured as a concerto soloist with the New Mexico Symphony and other ensembles throughout the mid-Atlantic and Texas.
Ms. Goranson has performed with the Hershey Baroque Chamber Ensemble, Lancaster Symphony, York Symphony, Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, Longview Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Irving Symphony, Plano Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco. Her teachers include Joyce Catalfano, Leone Buyse, and Robert Langevin.
ANNOUNCEMENTSAND NOTICES
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday, December 21 - 7:00 pm Longest Night Service – Online ONLY www.pinestreet.org
Wednesday, December 22 – 7:00 pm Adult Forum via Zoom - The Habit of Love with Deborah Port
Friday, December 24 - 7:30 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service –The Lord's Supper will be celebrated
Sunday, December 26 - NO Sunday School – 10:00 am Informal service of Worship, Carols and Stories
Monday, December27 – Church office closed
Wednesday, December 29 - NO Adult Forum
Friday, December 31 - Church office closed
Sunday, January 2 – 8:45 am Sunday School – 10:00 am Worship, The Rev. Heather Sigler, Preaching - Church undecorating following Worship
COVID-19 UPDATE
In compliance with The PA Dept of Health, the session requests that all individuals, no matter their vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings where there is a substantial or high transmission rate. Session asks worshipers to comply with these guidelines in consideration of the well-being of children, the immunocompromised, and others who are not eligible to receive the vaccine.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS in memory/honor of loved ones. We ask that the poinsettias be left in place to contribute their beauty to our Christmas services until after the service on December 24. If you know of a homebound friend or member who should receive the special greetings of Pine Street Presbyterian Church, we invite you to take one of these poinsettias to them with our best wishes at that time.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND …
In loving memory of my mother Anna Acha by Elena Shu
In loving memory of Joanne C. Alwine by Beth, John, and Tammy Alwine
In loving memory of Esther and John Anderson by the Anderson family
In loving memory of Frederick W. Andrews by his wife, Edna and daughter, Amy and family
In loving memory of Xavia’s nephew, Frank Brett Arndt, by Xavia and Dick Sheffield
In loving memory of Aunts Anna and Susan Julius, Stacy Snyser, and Uncle Francis
Snyser by Mel and Sally Songy
In loving memory of June and Raymond Baker by the family
In loving memory of Lloyd D. and Ruth C. Berger by Estelle Hartranft
In loving memory of Donald and Barbara Clapper by the Kenneth C. Hays family
In loving memory of Donald and Barbara Clapper by the VanNest family
In loving memory of Mr. Clapper by John McCutcheon and Jean McCutcheon Schmier
In loving memory of Doris Coyne by the Coyne family
In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Engel, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hess, Mr. and Mrs. George English by Jane Elizabeth Hess
In loving memory and honor of all the faithful, the resilient, and curious as we journey together to our future by Beth Alwine
In loving memory of Sondra Fertig by Wayne Fertig and family
In loving memory of Sondra Fertig by the Fertig family
In loving memory of Sondra Fertig, a dedicated prayer partner by the Pine Street prayer team
In loving memory of Tony Fierro by Audrey Light
In loving memory of George, our parents, and our brothers and sisters in Heaven by Anna Hall
In loving memory of Chuck Gerdes by the Pearce family
In loving memory of our grandparents Russell and Martha Hummell and Russell and Cleo VanNest by the VanNest family
In loving memory of Henry and Phyllis Grissinger and Sherry Grissinger by Joe and Kay Mazenko
In honor of Estelle Hartranft by Pat Hartranft
In loving memory of Harvey H. and Grace B. Hartranft by Estelle Hartranft
In loving memory of Ronald B. Hartranft by Estelle Hartranft
In loving memory of Ronald B. Hartranft by Pat Hartranft
In loving memory of Chalmers, Eva, and Sara Hays by the Kenneth C. Hays family
In loving memory of Albert Herbert by his daughter Nancy Herbert Roman
In loving memory of Marie Herbert by her daughter Nancy Herbert Roman
In loving memory of Pat and Nelson Higley by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics
In loving memory of Don and Betty Himes by Jay and Judy Himes
In loving memory of Rev. Robert F. Hostetter by Keith H. Parago
In loving memory of Samuel Tom Kohr Sr., Kim M. Kohr Geesa, and other family members by Georgia Kohr
In loving memory of Pop and Janet Koozer by Jim, Norrine, Douglas, Cheri, and Kailynn Koozer
In loving memory of Robin J. Koozer by Jim, Norrine, Douglas, Cheri, and Kailynn Koozer
In loving memory of Emma Light by Audrey Light
In loving memory of loved ones by David Binkley and Don Potter
In loving memory of loved ones by Shirley Leisure
In loving memory of E. Edward and Evelyn N. Luckenbaugh by their daughter Norrine
In loving memory of Carol Mader by the family
In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kenneth McLaughlin by Heather M. Sigler
In loving memory of Kenneth Lee McLaughlin by Heather M. Sigler
In loving memory of Robert N. McMeans by the Weigel family
In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. R. Russell McMeans by Dr. Jesse Weigel
In loving memory of Marilyn J. Miller by Gerald L. Miller
In loving memory of Peter Milletics by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics
In loving memory of Bill Neff by Barbara Neff
In loving memory of my father John Ngwa by Elena Shu
In loving memory of Vernon E. and Elizabeth M. Norris by Jay and Judy Himes
In loving memory of our parents by Nevin and Kathy Montgomery
In loving memory of our parents, Edwin and Margaret Julius, Ione and Percy Songy by Mel and Sally Songy
In loving memory of Rick Paternel by Lisa, Tim, and Austin Milletics
In loving memory of Marion, William, and Ellen Pearce by the Pearce family
In loving memory of our beloved pets: Boomer Lane and Sully Wingfield by Pam Wingfield and Greg Lane
In honor of the dedicated Pine Street Staff and laity who serve the Lord and our congregation every week. Thank you! by Anonymous
In honor of the fine Pine Street Staff by David Binkley and Don Potter
In honor of Pine Street's Interim Pastor Search Committee by the congregation
In honor of Pine Street's Transition Team Members by the congregation
In loving memory of my parents Ezra and Dorothy Ranck, and Jack's parents Frances and Elizabeth Taylor by Barbara Taylor
In loving memory of Jane K. Ratcliff by her daughters Carol Shaw and Nancy Buckwalter
In loving memory of Joseph H. Ratcliff by his daughters Carol Shaw and Nancy Buckwalter
In loving memory of Margaret Ratcliff by her grandsons Stephen and Jeffery Shaw, and great grandsons Tyler and David Shaw
In loving memory of Rev. D. Rayborn and Lois Higgins by the Kenneth C. Hays family
In loving memory of wife and mother, Dorothy D. Schuette by Phil Schuette and family
In loving memory of The George Seiders family by Heather M. Sigler
In loving memory of Jane and Earnest Shaw by Michael and Carol Shaw
In loving memory of Earl Stahl by Jay E. Stahl
In loving memory of Ida Stahl by Jay E. Stahl
In loving memory of my father-in-law Aaron Shu by Elena Shu
In loving memory of Rev. Dr. Richard E. Sigler by Heather M. Sigler
In loving memory of friends, Paul Stohler and Dewin Dunlap by Mel and Sally Songy
In loving memory of Jack M. Taylor by Barbara and our family
In loving memory of Jack Taylor by Beth, John, and Tammy Alwine
In loving memory of Brett A. Terry by Kenneth, Joan, and Jonathan Hays
In loving memory of Jerome and Honor Jane VanNest by the VanNest family
In honor of Samuel, Grace, and Shelda VanNest by their aunts
In loving memory of John R. Weaver by the Anderson family
In loving memory of Janet M. Weigel by Jesse, Karen, Kevin, and Jennifer
In loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. John E. Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel
In loving memory of Dr. A. Linn Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel
In loving memory of Dr. John (Jack) Weigel Jr. by Dr. Jesse Weigel
In loving memory of Rev. Rea S. Weigel by Dr. Jesse Weigel
In loving memory of my parents, John W. and Mary R. Young by Jacqueline M. Young
In loving memory of our brother, Charles T. Young by Jacqueline Young and John Young Jr.
310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 238-9304 | www.pinestreet.org