THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Please sign the friendship pad and pass it to those near you.

PRELUDE “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” setting, Evelyn R. Larter Diane Cattran, flute WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INTROIT “O Magnum Myysterium” Tomás Luis de Victoria *LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES The Murdick and Harvey Families *HYMN OF PRAISE No. 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion *OFFERING OUR BROKENNESS TO GOD

In your presence, Eternal God, we confess our need for repentance. We break your commands against idolatry. We do not seek to live in peace with your creation or with our brothers and sisters throughout that creation. We fail to trust your word and your presence in our lives. Forgive us, restore us, and guide us along your paths each and every day. Amen.

Silent Confession

Response (Hymn No. 579) Lord, Have Mercy

Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Worship On The Lord’s Day

December 16, 2018 11:15 a.m.

Third Sunday of Advent

Boulevard Presbyterian Church 1235 Northwest Boulevard, Grandview Heights, OH 43212

614-486-0267 Fax: 614-486-2342 Office@BlvdChurch.org / www.BlvdChurch.org

Flowers today are given to the glory of God in celebration of Linda Wilton's birthday (12/17).

Worship Leader: Tim Harvey

Greeters: Sally Neff and Mary Ann Stockum

Wee Worship Teacher: Debbie Shealy

Nursery Volunteer: Abbi Menke

Elder of the Month: Melissa Schmidt

Coffee Hour: Carol and Terry McFadden

Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers.

The sound system has hearing assists for those with hearing difficulties and may be used anywhere in the Sanctuary. Please see an usher for help.

Nursery for Children 3 Years and Younger ~ Room 208 (off the Lounge) Wee Worship (3-5 years) ~ Room 301 (upstairs)

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly at the 9:00 am service and the first Sunday of the month at the 11:15 am service.

See Amid the Winter’s Snow Text: Edward Caswall. Public domain. Thank You, God, for Your Creation Text: Anonymous. Public domain.

Today’s congregation continues strong traditions of:

Living faith through worship, mission, education and fellowship with the vision of “Reaching Out to Make Disciples.”

Following the path laid out by God through his son, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit;

Sharing the inclusive love of God to all of God’s children and God’s creation;

Exposing the light of Christ to the world through music, words, prayer and actions.

Staff Pastor: Preston Shealy Office Manager: Carol Fry Music Coordinator: Mary Ann Stephens Building Manager TBD Choir Director: Brady Brennan Preschool Admin: Mikie Bowles Childcare Provider: Nancy Henning

*please stand if able

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

SHARING OUR HEARTS WITH GOD Following each petition, God’s people respond:

Leader: Loving God, People: Hear our prayer.

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.

BRINGING OUR GIFTS TO GOD

Offertory “See Amid the Winter Snow” arr. Dan Forrest

Alleluia.

See amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below, See, the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail, redemption's happy dawn, Sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Lo, within a manger lies He who built the lofty skies, He who, throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn …

Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, Thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn …

Alleluia.

*Offertory Response (tune: Regent Square) Thank You God, for Your Creation

Thank you, God, for your creation; Bless, O Lord, these gifts we bring. Thank you, God, for Christ the Savior, your own precious offering. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Bless, O Lord, these gifts we bring.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN No. 87 Comfort, Comfort Now My People

*CHARGE AND BLESSING *POSTLUDE “The Snow Lay on the Ground” Robert J. Powell

*RECEIVE GOD’S HEALING

*SHARE GOD’S PEACE

Leader: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

People: And also with you. Please share the peace of Christ with those around you.

*SING GLORY TO GOD (Hymn No. 588) Alleluia

Leader: Alleluia, alleluia! People: Alleluia, alleluia!

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE READING (Pew Bible p. 767) Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7

WORD FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES

Children 4 years of age through 3rd grade are invited to attend Wee Worship, a children’s worship-education program. Children go to Room 301 (upstairs) after the Children’s Message, and should be picked up there directly after worship. Children 3 years of age and younger are invited to the Nursery in Room 208 (off the Lounge). All children 10 years and older should return to their seats in the Sanctuary.

SCRIPTURE READING (Pew Bible p. 834) Luke 3:7-18

SERMON Our Christmas Gift Rev. Preston Shealy

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

*HYMN No. 144 In the Bleak Midwinter

*PROFESSING OUR FAITH Nicene Creed (Ecumenical Translation)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

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Announcements December Newsletters can be found by the Northwest doors, on the table in the Lounge, and on the website: www.blvdchurch.org.

Order Your Poinsettias for Christmas! ~ Absolute Last Day TODAY If you would like to donate a poinsettia, we will accept orders through TODAY. The poinsettias will be on display beginning December 23, and may be taken home following the 8:00 pm Candlelight Lessons and Carols service on Christmas Eve. The cost of each plant is $10.00. Envelopes are available on the table in the Lounge.

Hymnal Donations Still Welcomed ~ TODAY only If you were not able to donate toward the new hymnals before the initial order, funds will still be accepted through TODAY, so an additional order can be placed before Christmas.

Child Protection Training ~ TODAY, December 16 and Sunday, January 6 at 10:00 am The next Child Protection Policy Training Classes will be held on Sunday, December 16 and January 6. Both classes will be held at 10:00 am in room 111. If you have not yet taken this class, please consider doing so. If you would like to chaperone any youth activities, help in the nursery, assist in Wee Worship, or work in VBS next summer, you will need to take the training, so check your calendar. There is no need to pre-register. Thank you for helping us keep our programming viable and vibrant.

Book Club Meeting ~ Tuesday, December 18 at 7:00pm - in the Church Lounge Book: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham Volunteer Leader: Debbie Shealy The book club will meet once a month on the 3rd Tuesday of the month Each meeting will have a new volunteer leader chosen in advance to lead the discussion. The leader will also provide snacks. Books chosen and discussions about them will center on topics that provide a forum for thoughtful discussion. The books can either be fiction or non-fiction. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 15 and the book under discussion will be The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Christmas Caroling ~ Saturday, December 22 at 4:00 pm Meet at Boulevard for Caroling in the church neighborhood followed by a simple soup supper in Fellowship Hall.

Filling, Placing and Lighting Luminaries ~ Monday, December 24 at 4:00 pm Our Christmas Eve luminaries are a beautiful addition to our neighborhood. Help is needed to place, fill and light the Christmas Eve Luminaries. Luminary activities will begin at 4:00 pm and we will be finished in time to warm up before the 5:30 pm service. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Alex McCormick at 614-747-1082.

CALENDAR Today

Third Sunday of Advent 9:00 am Worship: Chapel Session will receive new members following the service. 10:00 am Child Protection Training: Chapel Property Committee:300 11:15 am Worship: Sanctuary 12:30 pm Delivering Christmas Boxes Tuesday, December 18 6:00 pm Lion Den: 107 7:00 pm Book Club: Lounge 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop Committee: 111 Wednesday, December 19 9:30 am Quilters: 111 6:00 pm Bear Den: 107 6:00 pm Wolf Den: 111 7:00 pm Arrow of Light: 308 Thursday, December 20 6:00 pm Music Team: Chapel Friday, December 21 6:30 pm Choir Party and Rehearsal at Brennan’s Saturday, December 22 4:00 pm Christmas Caroling followed by a simple soup supper Sunday, December 23

Fourth Sunday of Advent Food Mission Sunday

9:00 am Worship: Chapel 11:15 am Worship: Sanctuary ———————–———————————–— STEWARDSHIP IS . . . sharing God’s love through delivering Christmas boxes to their special recipients! We Rejoice and Give Thanks Sunday, December 9, 2018 General Sunday Offering: $3,509.00 God’s People Gathered: 120

Please call the Church Office or Pastor Shealy to include someone on this Prayer List.

(614-486-0267) Prayers for Healing and Strength Betty Sikking Chuck Rout, Westminster -Thurber rehab Kay Trammell, lung cancer (friend of Preston Shealy) Paula Cranford, member of Carol Fry’s choir in hospice Rich and Lisa, member s of Carol Fry’s choir with cancer Bruce “Smitty” Smith, at home Amelia Hamilton, Charmaine and Mike Hamilton’s granddaughter Julie Wall, Kyme Rennick’s mother Barbara Frautschi Nancy Robbins, cancer (Fred Agler ’s sister) Tim McLane, Mikie Bowles’ brother Kate Whitmore, cancer (Marty Grimm’s daughter) Jerry Braun, cancer (Mike McKinney’s brother-in-law) Mark Nelson, for healing, comfor t, and peace (Mikie’s Bowles son-in-law) Prayers for Our Special Care List Evelyn Clark, Mill Run Assisted Living Mary Ferris, at home Evelyn Hannaway, at home Brita Knapp, for continued remission Norman Knapp, for healing and strength Leni Leypoldt, at home Becky Metzler, hospice care at home Peggy Pasko, Woodview Care and Rehab Dorothy Rout, Westminster -Thurber Assisted Living John and Virginia Schlitt, Whetstone Assisted Living

All Are Invited to an Open House at Shealy’s Home ~ Tuesday evening, December 26 Come meet and greet Paige and Michael Price and rejoice in this holiday season. Church Office Closed The office will be closed December 25-January 1. Our normal office hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. Help Us Match a Grant to the Property Fund by December 31, 2018 Boulevard has been offered a $5000 matching gift grant to the Major Property Fund if we can match it by December 31, 2018. Our building continues to age (as do we all!) and the Major Property Fund helps provide funds for special and unexpected property needs. Please prayerfully give out of your abundance without using this opportunity as an alternative to your regular giving to the General Fund. Do you need a little extra tax write-off for 2018? Thank you in advance for your generosity to your church home. Youth Laser tag and Bowling ~ Wednesday, January 2 from 1:30-4:30 pm Ten Pin Alley in Hilliard. Meet at the church at 1:00 pm. Please bring $15 which will cover: 1 hour of laser tag, 1 hour of bowling and 1 $10 game card. Parents - if you can drive and/or chaperone, please let Charmaine Hamilton know at 614-488-4710 or charmainehamilton@hotmail.com. Youth - Invite your friends! We need a headcount asap to ensure we have enough transportation and chaperones. Bean Soup Project ~ Sunday, January 20 at 10:00 am All are invited to help assemble the bean soup mixes on Sunday, January 20, in Fellowship Hall. They are delivered to the NNEMAP food pantry, and are very well-received by the clients there.

All ages can come and enjoy this wonderful winter mission project! You can also help by bringing in dry beans on Jan 6 and 13. We need bags of pinto beans, Great Northern beans, black beans, red kidney beans, and green split peas. We are making a layered mix, so please no bean mixtures. There will be a soup pot in the lounge for your donations. Thank you all and see you then. If you have any questions, contact Jan Plas (614-486-7510). Use Your Amazon Purchases to Benefit Boulevard Presbyterian Church Boulevard is registered with Amazon Smile as a charitable organization. That means Boulevard will receive a 0.5% charitable donation based on the price of all eligible purchases made through Boulevard’s link to Amazon Smile. You can use the link on the upper left side of Boulevard’s webpage: Support Boulevard Presbyterian Church / Shop at smile.amazon.com or google Amazon Smile to support Boulevard in your shopping..

Christmas Season Worship Schedule

Sunday, December 23 — Fourth Sunday of Advent

Casual Service at 9:00 am in the Chapel Traditional Service at 11:15 am in the Sanctuary

Celebrate the last Sunday of Advent in the morning. Prepare with hymns, scriptures, and communion for the birth of Jesus who comes to save us all.

Monday, December 24 — Christmas Eve

Family Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 pm

This service will feature a worship experience where the whole family is invited to participate. Please plan on bringing your family and join us for this service of story and carols!

Cookies, Cocoa, and Caroling at 7:30 pm

More celebrating of the season with fellowship time in the Lounge.

Candlelight Lessons and Carols Service with Communion at 8:00 pm

Join us for a joyful and intimate candlelit service as we celebrate the birth of Christ. This year's service will be filled with scripture, carols, choir, and traditions that highlight our Christmas season.

Sunday, December 30 — First Sunday after Christmas Day

One Morning Service at 10:00 am

Prepare to ring in the new year with our morning service, which will include communion, continuing the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Savior!