3rd Sunday of Advent: Joseph

Westport Presbyterian Church 1835 – present
Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023

(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here afterward.  If the video doesn’t load properly here, you should be able to click on the Watch on Facebook link and watch as a guest, even if you don’t have Facebook)

PRELUDE: O Come , O Come, Emmanuel Bradley Sowash
OPENING HYMN:   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel   GTG#88
ADVENT SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 1: 18-25
LIGHTING OF THE 3RD CANDLE OF ADVENT – Karen Elmer & Riva Capellari

Leader: This 3rd Sunday of Advent we relight the two candles in memory of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Mary and her visitation with Elizabeth. Then we light the third candle in memory of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father and husband of Mary.
Joseph, an ordinary person, was a righteous and caring person, caught in a double bind at the news of Mary’s pregnancy. What should Joseph do? What would Joseph do?
In the midst of these concerns, Joseph was chosen by God’s invitation, thru the angel Gabriel speaking in a dream, assuring Joseph that Mary’s child was thru the Holy Spirit, according to Isaiah’s prophecy to be Emmanuel God With Us. And, that Joseph
was needed to be the protector of Mary and the child. Joseph was also asked to name the child Jesus, which means The Lord Saves, for Jesus will save the Lord’s people from their sins.
Joseph was a person who struggled to do what was right and loving; a person who was able to change his/their mind about what he/they had been taught was right, and who trusted the angel’s message that what seemed like a disgrace was actually a blessing– to Joseph and the world. Joseph was a person who found that Divine Love can conquer human fear and bring grace to rigid religious laws.
Joseph followed through and did as the Lord asked. Joseph got married and protected Mary and Jesus. Two more times the Angel called upon Joseph in dreams. First after the Magi’s visit, to escape Herod’s plan to kill the child and flee to Egypt.
Second, several years later, after Herod’s death, to return with Mary and Jesus to Nazareth.

LIGHT TWO PURPLE & ONE PINK CANDLE
UNISON PRAYER:

Holy and Loving God, may we dream with Joseph about the incredible ways and workings of God. May we believe with Joseph in the purposes of God that are more than the face value of human events, and have the courage to change our minds and follow through in loving ways. May we trust you. O God, in the changes and chances of our lives. Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE: Prepare the Way of the Lord (SING TWICE)   GTG#95
PASSING OF PEACE:

Pastor: The grace, peace, love and joy of Jesus Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us share the peace of Christ with each other.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:

Pastor: Let the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
Pastor: Be acceptable to You,
People: O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Hebrew Bible: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11
New Testament: 1 Thes 5; 1-6a, 16-25

CHORAL ANTHEM: Watchman, Tell Us of the Night arr. N. Joseph Lowe, Jr.
SERMON – Pastor Susan Wesley Hartley
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:   Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine  Insert from Sing the Faith #2099
WELCOMING, NEWS IN AROUND AND BEYOND THE COMMUNITY
SUNG PREPARATION FOR PRAYER:   Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (SING TWICE)   GTG#851
MORNING PRAYER, LORD’S PRAYER (Mother Father God)
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
                 Offering link
OFFERTORY: Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive Handel; O Thou that tellest Good Tidings to Zion (from MESSIAH); Emma Witbolsfeugen, mezzo soprano
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
CLOSING HYMN:   The Hands that First Held Mary’s Child  W&R #237
BENEDICTION
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE: While We Are Waiting, Come   GTG#92
POSTLUDE: Prepare the Royal Highway Timothy Shaw

A WESTPORT WARM WELCOMING!

• WELCOME! MEMBERS! NEWCOMERS! FRIENDS! We are so glad you could join us for worship today!
• VISITORS, please take a moment to let us know you were here by picking up an attendance card (in the pews) and filling out whatever information you would like to share with us.
• WELCOME FAMILIES! Children’s Sunday School is back in action in the redesigned 2nd floor Children’s Space, teaching & learning will emphasize Care for the Earth, Sky and all God’s creation. Sunday mornings during the 1st half of worship, beginning at 11:00 am.
• Thanks to everyone who helped with our HOLIDAY COOKIE SALE yesterday! This is an annual fundraiser for our Westport Concert Series & Music Program. If there are any leftovers they will be boxed up and available for sale after church today!
• CHRISTMAS EVE AT WESTPORT PRES: Sunday, Dec. 24 we will have a CAROL SING during our morning Worship Service at 11 a.m. and a special CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE that evening at 7 p.m.
• The church office will be closed on CHRISTMAS DAY and NEW YEAR’S DAY and will be open very limited hours during the week of Christmas to give our office manager some time off to spend with her family. If you need pastoral care, please call or email Pastor Susan.

MISSION & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:

• Bread, Buns, Fruit, Water, Meat, Peanut Butter, Cheese are always needed for our INTERRUPT HUNGER work.
• WESTPORT SHOWERS happens on Sundays & Thursday nights. Men’s boxer brief underwear needed. Men’s and Women’s shoes. Backpacks! Jackets, Sweatshirts, Warm Clothes for this cold weather!
• WESTPORT SHOWERS will be taking a break from our weekday Lunch Bag program and Thursday Night Showers the week of Christmas and on New Year’s Day (Mon. Dec 25-Mon. Jan 1). Sunday morning showers and breakfast will still be open on Dec. 24 & Dec. 31.

INREACH & OUTREACH IN THE COMING WEEK: (All Events are at the Church, 201 Westport Rd – unless noted)

• Monday, Dec. 18 4:30 p.m. FREDitation – a centering prayer experience – 20 min (Chapel)
  • • 6:30 p.m. Men’s AA Meeting (Storefront)
    • 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 60 (Westport Rising Room)
• Tuesday, Dec. 19 6:00 p.m. Irish Dance (Westport Rising Room)
• Wednesday, Dec. 20 7:00 p.m. Zoom Bible Study – contact church office for link (Online)  *meets every other week*
• Thursday, Dec. 21 5:30 p.m. Westport Showers – For Women, Trans, & Gender Non- conforming people (Basement)
• Saturday, Dec. 23 8:30 a.m. Living Integrated (Men’s Support Group) (Storefront)
• Sunday, Dec. 24 8-9:30 a.m. Westport Showers (Fellowship Room & Basement)
  • • 11:00 a.m.  Carol Singing Service   – No Children’s Sunday School today
    • 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Monday, Dec. 25-Monday, Jan. 1 CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEARS DAY (Church Office Closed)
  No Lunch Bags or Thursday Night Showers
  Church Office Open Only Limited Hours