Glory!

The Glory of God
Christmas 2013
Glory!
Sunday Worship
Christmas 2012
Sundays, 9am & 10:30am
Experience MVPC as we gather for the life- and
world-changing act of worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE GLORY OF GOD
Advent 2013 Sermon Series
THE GLORY OF GOD
Christmas 2013
Glory!
Glory!
Revealing the Glory
Sunday, December 1st
Exodus 33:12-23
Expecting the Glory
“Save your people… be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
Psalm 28:9
Sunday, December 8th
Isaiah 40:1-11; 52:13-53:12
Preparing for the Glory
Christmas on the Hill Concert
Saturday, December 14th, 7pm
and
Sunday, December 15th, 4pm
Experience a heart-warming presentation
of new and traditional Christmas music.
Christmas Eve Worship
Tuesday, December 24th, 2013
Family Service - 5:00pm
Bring the family to see “The Light Has Come”, led by the
Praise Kids and Kingdom Kids choirs.
Carol Service - 9:00pm
Let our voices and hearts unite as we sing
carols and praises to God.
Candlelight Service - 11:00pm
Lift up songs and prayers to Jesus,
the Light of the World.
Sunday, December 15th
Colossians 3:1-4
Receiving the Glory
Sunday, December 22nd
Luke 2:8-14
The Glory Incarnate
Tuesday, December 24th
John 1:1-14
Living the Glory
Sunday, December 29th
Colossians 1:25-27
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church
10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga CA • www.mvpctoday.org • 925-376-4800
Pastoral Staff
Rob Perkins, Dave Ricketts
9:00 - 10:05am
December 8, 2013
Prelude
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - Gilbert Martin/Edward Broughton
Call to Worship / Prayer
Pastor Dave Ricketts
Opening Hymn
#135 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Prayer of Confession / Assurance of Pardon
Advent Chorus
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle
The Cereghino Family
Prayer of Consecration
Woody Tausend
Presentation of Pledges and Offering
Little Drummer Boy
Children 1st - 5th grade may go to their classes
Solo
Rejoice Greatly
Jamie Bonetto
Scripture Reading
G.F. Handel
Isaiah 40:1-11
Choir Anthem
Brad Veitch
Every Valley
John Ness Beck
Sermon
Expecting the Glory
Song of Response
Pastor Rob Perkins
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Opportunities to Learn, Connect and Serve
Blessing
Postlude
Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers - Lani Smith
Visit the Prayer Corner – If you would like someone to personally pray for you
after the service, please come to the Prayer Corner sign at the rear of the Sanctuary.
This morning’s prayer partner is Jay Perry.
WELCOME!
MVPC Today
This morning Pastor Rob will continue the Advent
sermon series, The Glory of God, with the message,
Expecting the Glory, from Isaiah 40:1-11 and 52:1353:12. The MVPC family will also present our 2014
pledges of financial support for God’s work in and
through MVPC.
TODAY
Share the Joy of Christmas – Today is your last chance to use the Giving Tree
to provide gifts for the children served by our mission partners in Oakland,
Richmond and Concord. Please choose an angel, purchase gifts and return them
to church with the angel on top.
Welcome! If you are a guest with us, please come to The Gathering Place near
the Resource Center after the worship service. We would love to meet you and
help you get connected.
You’re Invited – Next Sunday, December 15th, Pastor Rob will continue the
Advent sermon series, The Glory of God, with the message, Preparing for the Glory,
from Colossians 3:1-4.
Advent candle lighting – During Advent worship services, we invite families
to light the Advent Candles and read the Scripture and meditation for that
morning. If you have not participated in this event and would like to light the
Advent Candles, please contact Phyllis Parill: x225; [email protected].
Order Your Poinsettias – The MVPC Flower Guild decorates the Sanctuary with
poinsettias during the Christmas season, purchased in memory or in honor of
someone special. Donors and their honorarium will be listed in the bulletins for
all Christmas Eve services. Plants may be picked up following the Christmas Eve
11pm service. Cost: $10.00 per plant. All orders must be received by December
20th. Visit the patio table today or call Mary Anderson: 254-5254.
Beth Moore Believing God Bible Study, Saturdays, 10am-noon, January 4thMarch 8th – In this study we will examine what it means to believe God rather
than only believe in Him. We will spend 10 weeks in small groups combined
with DVD study deepening our trust in God so that what we say we believe is
more closely aligned with how we live. Cost: $35. Register with Suzanne Palmer:
[email protected].
Visit the Resource Center – Christmas is coming and the Resource Center
has great gift ideas! We have the Amazon Top 12 Christian books, chocolate
Advent calendars, children’s books, nativity sets, devotionals and Bibles. CD’s
and DVD’s of the 2012 Christmas on the Hill concert and Mitali Perkins’ books
are also available. And the MVPC Hugs knitting group has beautiful scarves,
shawls and hats for winter, with proceeds benefitting MVPC mission partners.
Respite Night, Friday, December 13th – We will open the Fellowship Hall for
games, movies, crafts, music, and general fun for the children of parents who
need some time away from the challenges of raising a special needs child. Workers
arrive at 5:30pm for a simple meal; children arrive at 6:30pm and are picked
up at 8:30pm. If you would like to help or if you know of a family who would
like a respite please contact Mary Kaye Stephens: 631-0996; grammykaye@
sbcglobal.net.
Thank you for sharing the warmth of Christ’s love! Because of your generosity,
Christine Deane delivered several carloads of blankets, sleeping bags, sheets and
jackets to be distributed among the homeless of Berkeley.
Meals on Wheels – A group of MVPC members have been driving a Meals on
Wheels route in Lafayette every Thursday for a number of years. Starting in
January we will have an opportunity for up to two people to join our team. Time
commitment is about 3½ hours on the first Thursday of each month. Current
drivers would welcome questions or offer an informational “drive along” – please
talk with Frank Bonetto, Jo Hansen, Mary Ostrander, Betty Ready, or Jean and
Bob Warnke.
10:30 - 11:40am
December 8, 2013
“Save your people… be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
Psalm 28:9
Call to Worship / Prayer
Pastor Dave Ricketts
Opening Songs
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
You’ll Come
Prayer of Confession / Assurance of Pardon
Teachers Needed! We need a team of two adults to teach 3’s-5K during the
10:30am service beginning January 2014. Your team will teach twice each month
on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. All materials provided and ready for you. You will
bless our little ones, and they will bless you in unexpected ways. Contact Kathy
Veitch: x245; [email protected]; or stop by Noah’s Nursery.
Advent Chorus
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle
The Wiley Family
Prayer of Consecration
Woody Tausend
Presentation of Pledges and Offering
Little Drummer Boy
Children 1st - 5th grade may go to their classes
Advent Song
Prepare Ye The Way
Open MVPC Staff Position: Administrative Assistant to Adult Ministry Director
– The Adult Ministries department is looking for a part-time (20 hrs/week)
administrative assistant with strong skills related to computers, general office
work, database management and event planning to assist with the administration
of our dynamic ministry. This is an exciting position for an energetic, highlyorganized person with strong communication skills who works well with
multiple projects. For more information and a job description, please contact
Bob Bratton: x252; [email protected].
Scripture Reading
Pictorial Directory Photos – If you had your picture taken but did not order
photos, your free 8x10 will be delivered to the church. Please check with the
church office to see if yours has arrived!
Opportunities to Learn, Connect and Serve
Together in Prayer – Please pray for the people listed here and ask the Lord
how He might invite you to care for them:
Healing: Lauren Branagh; Kevin Dunphy Sr.; Diane Haist; Bill Rust;
Donna Hildebrand;
Grieving: Toni Edwardson and Family upon the death of her mother;
Kara Noe and Family upon the death of her grandmother, Barbara
Chambers; Linda Lee and Family upon the death of her mother, Gertrude Silvas; Melinda Metcalf and Family upon the death of her
father, Merle Loffelbein; Dawn Vineyard and Family upon the death
of her father.
Praise! Welcome John George Kroger born November 26th to parents
Suzanne and Matt Kroger and grandparents Janice and George
Nickelson and Robbin and Fred Kroger! Welcome Owen Thomas
Almada born November 22nd weighing 7lbs. 11oz. to parents Megan
and Ricardo Almada and to grandparents Judy and Bob Harmon!
Welcome Luke Daniel Tausend born November 19th weighing 7lbs. 5
oz. to parents Marc and Erin Tausend and to grandparents Julie and
Woody Tausend and Cyndi and Dan Chiles!
Visit the Prayer Corner – If you would like someone to personally pray for you
after the service, please come to the Prayer Corner sign at the rear of the Sanctuary.
This morning’s prayer partner is Susan McGill.
Isaiah 40:1-11
Ray Witbeck
Song of Response
Save The People
Dave Evans
Sermon
Stephen Schwartz
Pastor Rob Perkins
Expecting the Glory
Song of Response
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Blessing
Generosity: It’s a Journey!
“Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
This is a special Sunday in the life of MVPC as we dedicate our financial
pledges for 2014. During the “Presentation of Pledges and Offering” please
come forward as you are ready together with everyone from your household
and place your Gift Box containing your pledge on the table near the
manger. You may also place your offering for today in one of the offering
plates. If you forgot to bring your pledge with you, extra pledge cards are
available in the pew racks for your use. These may be placed near the manger
or directly in one of the offering plates. We pray that this Sunday will be
an important step for all of us in our Journey of Generosity.
120813
Meet Dr. George Sabra
President, Professor and Academic Dean
of the Far East School of Theology
Meet Dr. George Sabra
President, Professor and Academic Dean
of the Far East School of Theology
Meet Dr. George Sabra
President, Professor and Academic Dean
of the Far East School of Theology
Sunday, December 15th
9am, MVPC Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 15th
9am, MVPC Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 15th
9am, MVPC Fellowship Hall
The Impact of the Arab Spring on Christians of the Middle East
The Impact of the Arab Spring on Christians of the Middle East
The Impact of the Arab Spring on Christians of the Middle East
Dr. George Sabra, President of the Near
East School of Theology (NEST), was
born in Beirut, Lebanon. He received
a Bachelor of Philosophy from the
American University in Beirut, a Master
of Divinity from Princeton Theological
Seminary, and a Master of Arts in
Medieval Studies from the Pontifical
Institute of Medieval Studies at the
University of Toronto, Canada. In 1986,
he was awarded the Doctorate of
Theology from the Faculty of Theology
in the University of Tubingen, Germany. Dr. Sabra currently serves as Professor
of Systematic Theology and has been the Academic Dean at NEST since 1995.
Dr. George Sabra, President of the Near
East School of Theology (NEST), was
born in Beirut, Lebanon. He received
a Bachelor of Philosophy from the
American University in Beirut, a Master
of Divinity from Princeton Theological
Seminary, and a Master of Arts in
Medieval Studies from the Pontifical
Institute of Medieval Studies at the
University of Toronto, Canada. In 1986,
he was awarded the Doctorate of
Theology from the Faculty of Theology
in the University of Tubingen, Germany. Dr. Sabra currently serves as Professor
of Systematic Theology and has been the Academic Dean at NEST since 1995.
Dr. George Sabra, President of the Near
East School of Theology (NEST), was
born in Beirut, Lebanon. He received
a Bachelor of Philosophy from the
American University in Beirut, a Master
of Divinity from Princeton Theological
Seminary, and a Master of Arts in
Medieval Studies from the Pontifical
Institute of Medieval Studies at the
University of Toronto, Canada. In 1986,
he was awarded the Doctorate of
Theology from the Faculty of Theology
in the University of Tubingen, Germany. Dr. Sabra currently serves as Professor
of Systematic Theology and has been the Academic Dean at NEST since 1995.
The Near East School of Theology (NEST) is a Protestant seminary serving
evangelical churches of the Middle East. Its primary purpose is to train pastors
and church workers for ministry in churches and other evangelical organizations
in the Middle East. It is also concerned with continuing theological education
for pastors and church workers and in the theological education of the laity.
NEST welcomes candidates seeking to learn about Protestant theology and
faith irrespective of his or her religious affiliation. Students from beyond the
Middle East who have a special interest in Biblical studies against the cultural
background of the Middle East, Islamics or Oriental and Orthodox churches are
also welcome. NEST is a member of the Association of Theological Institutes
in the Middle East (ATIME) and cooperates closely with the Fellowship of the
Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) and the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC).
The Near East School of Theology (NEST) is a Protestant seminary serving
evangelical churches of the Middle East. Its primary purpose is to train pastors
and church workers for ministry in churches and other evangelical organizations
in the Middle East. It is also concerned with continuing theological education
for pastors and church workers and in the theological education of the laity.
NEST welcomes candidates seeking to learn about Protestant theology and
faith irrespective of his or her religious affiliation. Students from beyond the
Middle East who have a special interest in Biblical studies against the cultural
background of the Middle East, Islamics or Oriental and Orthodox churches are
also welcome. NEST is a member of the Association of Theological Institutes
in the Middle East (ATIME) and cooperates closely with the Fellowship of the
Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) and the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC).
The Near East School of Theology (NEST) is a Protestant seminary serving
evangelical churches of the Middle East. Its primary purpose is to train pastors
and church workers for ministry in churches and other evangelical organizations
in the Middle East. It is also concerned with continuing theological education
for pastors and church workers and in the theological education of the laity.
NEST welcomes candidates seeking to learn about Protestant theology and
faith irrespective of his or her religious affiliation. Students from beyond the
Middle East who have a special interest in Biblical studies against the cultural
background of the Middle East, Islamics or Oriental and Orthodox churches are
also welcome. NEST is a member of the Association of Theological Institutes
in the Middle East (ATIME) and cooperates closely with the Fellowship of the
Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) and the Middle East Council of
Churches (MECC).
NEST is located in the western part of Beirut, near major educational and
cultural institutions, in a section of the city that has a long history of ChristianMuslim coexistence. It houses a library of 42,000 volumes in English, Arabic,
Armenian, French and German.
NEST is located in the western part of Beirut, near major educational and
cultural institutions, in a section of the city that has a long history of ChristianMuslim coexistence. It houses a library of 42,000 volumes in English, Arabic,
Armenian, French and German.
NEST is located in the western part of Beirut, near major educational and
cultural institutions, in a section of the city that has a long history of ChristianMuslim coexistence. It houses a library of 42,000 volumes in English, Arabic,
Armenian, French and German.
NEST is engaged in both ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, mainly
Christian-Muslim. Besides hosting many activities, seminars and workshops,
NEST has its own Forum of Christian-Muslim Thought which invites Muslim
and Christian speakers to dialogue with each other and with the larger
audience on theological and doctrinal issues.
NEST is engaged in both ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, mainly
Christian-Muslim. Besides hosting many activities, seminars and workshops,
NEST has its own Forum of Christian-Muslim Thought which invites Muslim
and Christian speakers to dialogue with each other and with the larger
audience on theological and doctrinal issues.
NEST is engaged in both ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, mainly
Christian-Muslim. Besides hosting many activities, seminars and workshops,
NEST has its own Forum of Christian-Muslim Thought which invites Muslim
and Christian speakers to dialogue with each other and with the larger
audience on theological and doctrinal issues.
For more information, visit the website www.theonest.edu.lb
For more information, visit the website www.theonest.edu.lb
For more information, visit the website www.theonest.edu.lb