A c h u rc h d e d ic ate d to th e g lo ry o f Go d

in th e s e rv ic e o f h u m an ity th ro u g h w o rs h ip ,
c o n g re g atio n al c are , Ch ris tian e d u c atio n
an d th e s te w ard s h ip o f life .

THE WORSHIP OF GOD

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT; RICE BOWL
7 December 2014 at Eleven o’clock in the morning

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS BEFORE GOD

The Music in Preparation for Worship is intended to draw the people from the outside world
into the presence of God. You are invited to remain silent during this time.

Ple as e s ile n c e y o u r c e ll p h o n e .

THE SILENT MEDITATION

Farming success depends on two things: hard work and patience. Even in today’s scientific, large scale,
corporate agriculture, both are critical. They come from a farmer’s capacity and willingness to work hard, as
well as a capacity to understand that some things will be done, or not done, in due time. The ground must
be laboriously nurtured and prepared; a good harvest requires enormous labor. Yet to be successful, the
harvest also requires spring and autumn rains. That is where the patience comes in – to rely on forces
beyond one’s control.
A patient farmer is a good farmer. Patience is not always rewarded. But one who is impatient, and who
fails to see the work that must be done while waiting, will always be unprepared when the rains do come and
the harvest is ready. Advent is like that.
Everett Goodwin

THE RINGING OF THE ANGELUS BELL

The ringing of the Angelus Bell, a three-fold ringing of three, signifies the presence of the triune God: Creator, Christ and
Holy Spirit. In ancient practice it was rung as a noonday prayer calling the whole community to prayers for peace.

THE OPENING VOLUNTARY

“Come, Savior of the Nations” Craig Phillips
(b. 1961)
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

At this time, everyone is invited to sign the friendship register found at the end of each pew. If you are our guest
today, we welcome you especially and ask that you include your address, phone number, and email. If you are
interested in learning more about our church, we invite you to note this on the register. Everyone is invited to
coffee fellowship in Heaton Hall Foyer immediately following worship. We invite our guests to the Welcome
Table in Heaton Hall Foyer for a more personal welcome and to answer any questions you may have about our
church.

THE MOMENT FOR STEWARDSHIP

*THE OPENING SENTENCES (From Psalm 72:18-19)
Leader: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.
People: The Lord alone has done wondrous things.
Leader: Blessed be God’s glorious name forever;
People: may the Lord’s glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.

*THE PROCESSION AND OPENING OF THE BIBLE Number 83

“Rejoice, rejoice, believers” Lan c as h ire

*THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF PEACE Cherie Swarthout and Jenny Yopp,
Mattie Swarthout-Yopp and Zuri Swarthout-Yopp
Leader: We light the second candle of Advent as the candle of Peace,
in memory and in hope of the fulfillment of the prophet’s vision
where “swords will be beat into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks,
and we shall learn war no more.”

(Lighting the Candle of Peace.)

People: (singing)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

+ During the interlude, the 3 and 4 year olds and TK/Kindergarten children will leave
with their teachers and may be picked up in their classrooms after worship.

THE CALL TO CONFESSION

THE SILENT CONFESSION

THE PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, Emmanuel, as we prepare for your coming,
some of us are moving through Advent tethered to our unresolved yesterdays.
Our sense of anticipation has been dulled, our expectations exceed reality
and our desires surpass possibility. In a cloud of confusion and chaos,
we wander through stores in search of Christmas.

God of Light, forgive us. Grant us patience to seek the true meaning of these days.
Grant us hope to wait for the Messiah even when we cannot hear the angels singing.
Be known to us this day through your healing power, God of Christmas,
as we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, who was and is and is to come. Amen.

THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO Glo ria

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

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 THE WORD OF GOD IS PROCLAIMED AND HEARD

THE EPISTLE LESSON James 5:7-11

(See page 7 in the order of worship.)

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8

Leader: For the Word of God in scripture,
for the Word of God among us,
for the Word of God within us.
People: Thanks be to God.

*THE SERMON HYMN Number 70

“Comfort, comfort you my people” Ps alm 42

+ As the interlude begins, children in grades 1-4 are invited to go through the door beside the Lectern
to join adult teachers. Parents may pick up their children in the gym at the conclusion of worship.

THE SERMON The Reverend Dr. Everett C. Goodwin

“The Danger of Impatience”

THE TIME FOR SILENT REFLECTION

THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS TO GOD’S WORD

THE CHURCH AT PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE OFFERING
The Loose Plate Missions Offering for December supports the work of Med Assist.

THE ANTHEM The Chancel Choir

“Before the Marvel of this Night” Carl Schalk
Before the marvel of this night (1933-2010)
Adoring, fold your wings and bow,
Then tear the sky apart with light
And with your news the world endow.
Proclaim the birth of Christ and peace,
That fear and death and sorrow cease:
Sing peace, sing gift of peace!
Awake the sleeping world with song,
This is the day the Lord has made.
Assemble here, celestial throng,
In royal splendor come arrayed.
Give earth a glimpse of heav’nly bliss,
A teasing taste of what they miss:
Sing bliss, sing endless bliss!
The love that we have always known,
Our constant joy and endless light,
Now to the loveless world be shown,
Now break upon its deathly night.
Into one song compress the love
That rules our universe above:
Sing love, sing God is love! (Jaroslav J. Vajda,1919-2008)

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THE RICE BOWL
If you wish to help alleviate hunger in the world through the Rice Bowl Offering, come forward and place
your contribution in the basket at the Chancel steps. The Rice Bowl Offering is designated for Hunger
Relief: Loaves and Fishes (local) and Stop Hunger Now (international).

*THE PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

As the deacons move down the center aisle, the congregation is asked to stand at the moment the deacons pass their pew.
This presentation to God enacts our self-offering and gratitude to God.

*THE DOXOLOGY O ld Hu n d re d th
O Glorious God, to you we bring
All that we are as offering;
Spirit of peace, among us dwell;
Come, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Amen. (Text: Paula Meador Testerman)

*THE PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*THE PROCESSION INTO THE WORLD AND CLOSING OF THE BIBLE Number 69
“Come, Thou long-expected Jesus” Stu ttg art

THE BLESSING AND BENEDICTION

THE POSTLUDE
“Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding” Malcolm Archer
(b. 1952)

* Those who wish may stand.

+ The ushers will seat those who are waiting.

Following worship, you are invited to coffee fellowship in Heaton Hall Foyer.

We invite our guests to the Welcome Table in Heaton Hall Foyer for
a more personal welcome and to answer any questions you may have about our church.

Edith Collins’ book, Sprouting Acorns, will be on sale today in the foyer of Heaton Hall.

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 Leading worship today with The Reverend Dr. Everett C. Goodwin,
are The Reverend Mr. Joseph D. Aldrich, Associate Minister,
The Reverend Ms. Carrie Veal, Minister of Children,
and Beth Resler Walters, Member of the Congregation.

The Chancel Choir leads worship through music with

The Reverend Dr. Jonathan E. Crutchfield, Minister of Music,
and Dr. Matthew Manwarren, Organist.

The acolytes are James Emmanuel, Hudson Brown, and Lucy Clemens.

The sound technician is Eric Roberts.

The webcast technician is John Bambach.

The Deacon of the Week for December 7-13 is

Mack Clark, [email protected], 704.222.6902.

The multi-colored frontals and stoles were designed, created, and given
to this Church by Beth Resler Walters. We thank her for these beautiful gifts.

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 Advent Schedule 2014
Sunday, December 7 – Advent I
• Worship, 11:00 am in the Sanctuary
• Carols in the Round
6:30 pm in Heaton Hall

Sunday, December 14 – Advent III

Service of Lessons and Carols
11:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 17
Wonderful Wednesday Family Dinner
5:45 pm in Heaton Hall
(Reservations by noon on 12/15 by phone
x56 or email [email protected])
Children’s Christmas Pageant
6:45 pm in Heaton Hall (note new location)
Dessert provided by the LGBT Fellowship Group.

Sunday, December 21 – Advent IV

Worship, 11:00 am in the Sanctuary
Rutter’s “Gloria” performed by the Chancel Choir, brass,
percussion and organ

Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve

• Family-Friendly Worship
4:00 pm in the Sanctuary
• The Music of Christmas by Flute, Violin and Organ
5:30 pm in the Sanctuary
• Candlelight Worship with Communion
6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
• Nativity Tableau Service with Communion
7:15 - 8:00 pm “drop in” in the Sanctuary

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 THE READINGS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014

James 5:7-11 (NRSV)

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from
the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient.
Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so
that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience,
beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed
endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the
Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of
sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him,
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair,
with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is
more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. ”

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 THE CHURCH IN WITNESS AND MISSION
TODAY
DECEMBER 7: THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT; RICE BOWL; THE REVEREND DR. EVERETT C.
GOODWIN PREACHING
8:30 Charlotte Community of Mindfulness Meditation Group (also 10:15-11:00am), Room 27
9:30 Preschool Sunday School, Preschool Wing
9:30 God’s Garden, Elementary Wing
9:45 Youth Sunday School, Youth Sunday School Rooms
9:45 Adult Sunday School, Education Building
10:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary
12:00 Coffee Fellowship, Heaton Hall Foyer
12:00 Guest Welcome, Welcome Table in Heaton Hall Foyer
12:00 Edith Collins’ Book Sale ($13 each), Heaton Hall Foyer
12:15 Motet Singers Rehearsal, Heaton Hall
5:00 Youth Choir Rehearsal, Berry Hall
6:00 Youth Supper and Fellowship, Youth Hall and Cornwell Gym (ends at 8:00)
6:30 Carols in the Round, Heaton Hall
CAROLS IN THE ROUND - Tonight is our annual “Carols in the Round” led by The Motet Singers. Please
plan to join us at 6:30pm in Heaton Hall for an hour of beautiful Christmas carols sung by candlelight.
Familiar Christmas hymns will be sung by everyone as we usher in the joy of the season. Bring your
friends and family to this free concert.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY
OUR NEXT WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY WILL BE DECEMBER 17: Dinner Reservations must be received
by noon on Monday, December 15. Registration is available online at www.mpbconline.org or
704.334.7232 x56 or [email protected]. Dinner boxes will be provided by Jason’s Deli as
follows: Adults - Turkey and cheese sandwich on wheat, a pickle and chips $6; Kids (12 and under) -
kid-size turkey sandwich on wheat with a tangerine, pickle, chips and an apple juice box $3; Family
maximum (immediate family only) $21. When making your reservation, please specify if you would like a
vegetarian meal and we will order one for you. Dessert will be provided after the Children’s Christmas
Pageant by our LGBT Fellowship in Heaton Hall Foyer.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: “NO ROOM AT THE HOLIDAY INN” - Join us at 6:45 in Heaton Hall
(note new location) for this heartwarming, family-friendly event. A dessert reception will be provided by
our LGBT Fellowship Group in Heaton Hall Foyer following the pageant. Childcare will be available
for children ages birth through four in Room 105.

FAITH FORMATION
ADVENT MEDITATIONS – Journey with us this season of Advent as we welcome the mystery of the
Christ child into our lives. Daily meditations, written by MPBC members and staff, along with art by Jan
Richardson (www.janrichardsonimages.com), will lead us deeper into our own spiritual journeys this
season. Printed booklets are available at the welcome table in Heaton Hall Foyer, the Narthex of the
Sanctuary, and the reception area of the Church offices. Meditations are also posted online at
www.mpbconline.org in the form of a blog. When you journey with us online, you can post comments
and share the meditations with your own social media accounts (be sure to tag us on Twitter
@MPBaptist, #Advent and Facebook “Myers Park Baptist Church")!

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
PLEASE PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR MPBC FOR 2015 NOW! So far, 371 MPBC members and families
(about 45% of our active member households) have pledged their support to our 2015 budget. 45%
member participation is not enough. 45% member participation is not “all in.” In this time of
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 transition, we must come together as a community to fund our Church. It’s up to us. Not 45% of us, but
each and every one of us. If you still need to make your pledge, please:
• Pledge online at: https://mpbconline.org/make-a-pledge/.
• Call our Church Administrator, Barry Metzger, at 704.334.7232 x16.
• Email Barry at [email protected]. Please include your name and total 2015 pledge amount.
• Complete your pledge card and drop it off in the Church office anytime.

OUTREACH
ROOM IN THE INN (RITI) began last night and continues every Saturday through the end of March. We
open our doors and provide shelter for our neighbors who are homeless. We need your help. Please
volunteer to: be an overnight host, provide a meal or drive the church van. You may sign up on our
website, www.mpbconline.org or on the bulletin board in Heaton Hall Foyer.

FAMILY PROMISE DECEMBER 14-18 - Volunteers are needed to help host and serve a meal at the Family
Promise Elizabeth House. Overnight hosts have their OWN room, with separate bathroom; dinner
providers are needed for Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Please find room in your busy holiday
schedule to serve these families in transition. You can sign up on the Church website,
www.mpbconline.org/shelter-programs/ or email Cindy Clemens, [email protected]. If you
would like to help provide "Welcome Baskets" for our families, contact Cindy Clemens.

8TH ANNUAL OATMEAL AND CANNED GOODS DRIVE is going on now through January 15, 2015. We are
collecting all types of canned goods and non-perishables, as well as 5-lbs or larger of: oatmeal, flour,
grits, and sugar (white or brown). Drop off locations are The Cornwell Center and Heaton Hall Foyer.
Monetary donations can be made payable to MPBC (please note “Oatmeal Drive 2014/15” on the
memo line) and send to Barry Metzger at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte,
28207. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information, contact Bob Bishop, 980.613.2573 or
[email protected]. Our goal this year is 100,000 lbs.; so far, we’ve collected 20,560 lbs.

PROPERTY AND GROUNDS

PLANS FOR A MEMORY GARDEN outside the conference room window have been drawn and are
displayed on an easel in Heaton Hall Foyer. This garden will join with the office entrance garden planted
last fall, and wrap around the building, featuring a stone walk and benches. Many people, Sunday school
classes, and committees have contributed to this garden in honor or in memory of friends. If you would
like to know more about the garden, please contact Cathryn Rivers at 704.334.7063.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC

MUSIC TOGETHER® REGISTRATION FOR WINTER SESSION is now open for all interested families.
Classes are available on Monday or Wednesday, 4:00-4:45pm. Winter Session begins on Monday,
January 5 and Wednesday, January 7 and lasts for eight weeks. You can register and pay online at
https://mpbconline.org/music-together/.

LESSONS AND CAROLS - On Sunday, December 14 at 11:00am we celebrate Advent through our annual
Service of Lessons and Carols. Bible stories leading to the birth of Jesus will be read by lay readers;
anthems will be sung by all our choirs; and the congregation will sing Christmas carols. It is a beautiful
and moving worship service. Bring family and friends with you.

THE MINISTRY OF WORSHIP AND MUSIC HAS MANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. Each position
enables our worship services to run smoothly and beautifully. Here are some current openings we hope
you will seriously consider:
• COMMUNION SERVANT LEADERSHIP GROUP needs volunteers to help with Communion. Training
will be provided. Please contact Jeanette Cox at 980.875.9190 or [email protected] for more details or
to volunteer.
• ACOLYTES SERVANT LEADERSHIP GROUP is seeking to enlist and train all 6th graders who wish to
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 become acolytes. Please contact Susan Trammell at 704.442.7313 or [email protected] for
information or to volunteer.
• USHERS are needed. Ushers provide the first personal contact, welcoming anyone attending a service
in the sanctuary and overseeing the logistical needs for a meaningful spiritual experience. Ushering is
an excellent first job if you are a new member. Training is provided. Please contact Charles Dickerson
at 704.367.0916 or [email protected] to volunteer.

THE CORNWELL CENTER

SANTA IS COMING TO THE CORNWELL CENTER on Wednesday, December 10 from 3:30-5:30pm. It’s
never too early to plan for this! While you are there, visit Santa’s Workshop in the Art Studio to create
the perfect gift or holiday decoration. Professional photos with Santa are $10.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ART EXHIBIT, SALE AND SANTA’S WORKSHOP - Come by December 8-January
3 to enjoy this community exhibition and art sale located in the Cornwell Center Gallery. And, in Santa’s
Workshop in the Art Studio, there is still time to create that handmade gift! Art classes for adults and
children are underway Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings with Greg Scott. Check the Art Studio
page at www.cornwellcenter.org for details.

HOLIDAY SPORTS CAMP - Monday-Wednesday, December 29-31 from 8:30-11:30am. This co-ed camp
is for ages 3-5. Registration is required, www.cornwellcenter.org or 704.927.0774.

LOOKING AHEAD
DECEMBER 14: THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT; THE FESTIVAL OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
8:30 Charlotte Community of Mindfulness Meditation Group, Room 27
9:00 Children and Youth Choirs Rehearsal, Sanctuary
9:30 Preschool Sunday School, Preschool Wing
9:30 God’s Garden, Elementary Wing
9:45 Youth Sunday School, Youth Sunday School Rooms
9:45 Adult Sunday School, Education Building
10:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary; The Third Sunday of Advent; Lessons and Carols
12:00 Coffee Fellowship, Heaton Hall Foyer
12:00 Guest Welcome, Welcome Table in Heaton Hall Foyer
12:15 Children’s Christmas Pageant Family Lunch, Heaton Hall
1:00 Children’s Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal, Heaton Hall
5:00 NO Youth Choir
6:00 Youth Christmas Parties

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DRAW NEAR TO GOD

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 THE MYERS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH COVENANT
We, the members of the Myers Park Baptist Church, are a people on a journey of faith. By God’s grace
we are experiencing God’s love through Jesus Christ and in the community of the faithful.
We are discovering in this experience our freedom to become new creatures and our responsibility to
be faithful stewards of our lives and of this world.
We will be open to all new light, strengthened by God and each other in our faith.
We will sustain a critical examination of Scripture, belief and ritual as interpreters of God’s active
presence in the world.
We will accept controversy as a reality of life together and an opportunity for growth toward maturity.
We covenant to be a community of God’s new creation and affirm that we are open to all and closed to
none.
We covenant to nurture this church as a community of faith and as an instrument for reconciliation in
this world: by worship, by Christian education, by the dedication of our personal and material resources and
by all the other ways we express the significance of our lives with God and one another.
We covenant together to be priests celebrating God’s presence in community and in the world,
believing we are participants in God’s kingdom on earth.
THE 2014-2015 BOARD OF DEACONS
BARBARA LINNEY, Ch air • TODD RUBENSON, Ch air-Ele c t • LYNN TRENNING, Se c re tary
CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2016 CLASS OF 2017 ACTIVE LIFE DEACONS
Rick Bahnson Dale Allison Kathy Bahnson Bonnie Banks
Angie Byers Britt Canady Nancy Culp Gloria Gibson
Mack Clark George Currin Scott Haenni Skip Gribble
Steve Cornwell Gene Doar Richard Harris Ed Hinson
Dave Dougherty Paul Hanneman Tom Jones Tom Holmes
Charley Faulkenberry Vikki Hunley Patsy Kinsey Jane Lucas
Ophelia Garmon-Brown Barbara Linney Debby Love Ted Lucas
Charles Melvin Lisa Rubenson Regan Miller Barbara Mishoe
Janet Miller Jeanne Steele Cathryn Rivers Richard Pearsall
Tommy Odom Marji Tate Chris Skardon Bob Thomason
Jinny Sullivan Lynn Trenning Tobie Steele Tillie Tice
Jeff Trenning Ed Williams Steve Woodard Dan White

THE MYERS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH

1900 Queens Road • Charlotte, North Carolina 28207-2582
Office: 704.334.7232 • Website: www.mpbconline.org • CCLI License #1864926

MINISTERS
As priests to one another, all members of the congregation are ministers. Some are called out for particular places of service:

THE REVEREND DR. EVERETT C. GOODWIN, Interim Senior Minister

THE REVEREND MR. JOSEPH D. ALDRICH, Associate Minister
SHARON BREMER, Director of Stewardship
THE REVEREND MS. ROBIN PATERSON COIRA, Executive Minister
THE REVEREND DR. JONATHAN E. CRUTCHFIELD, Minister of Music
MARIAH B. CURRIN, Director of New Member Ministry
BELINDA GEUSS, Director of Through-The-Week School
THE REVEREND MR. R. CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, Minister of Youth
CHERI LINDBLOM, Director of Outreach
DR. MATTHEW MANWARREN, Organist
THE REVEREND MR. BARRY Z. METZGER, Church Administrator
FRANCES L. MORRISON, Associate Minister of Music
DEBORAH A. STEINER, Music Associate for Children
THE REVEREND MS. CARRIE VEAL, Minister of Children
THE REVEREND MS. CHRISSY TATUM WILLIAMSON, Minister of Faith Formation
JENNY YOPP, Director of The Cornwell Center

Printed on recycled paper