First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Smithville
300 Burleson, Smithville, TX 78957
(512) 360-5231
As a Church we are committed to:
Glorifying God through worship
Welcoming all as children of God
Serving others in the light of God's love.
The First Presbyterian Church (USA) of Smithville welcomes you to our online ministry. Our Church is a church filled with life, serving the community of Smithville and surrounding areas for over 140 years . . . and just a short, pleasant drive from Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Flatonia, and towns throughout Bastrop County. If you are searching for a Church home, we would be pleased to welcome you into our fellowship. New members are received by our Session upon letter of transfer from another Christian congregation, or by profession of faith or reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Please come and visit us here in our building or on Facebook!
In addition to our cookbook sale, we are conducting an engraved brick sale. Individuals and businesses can have their names and a short message engraved on a brick. Once we see how many we have, we will build something beautiful with these bricks. I hope you will consider buying one for your family and helping us get the word out to Smithville so that others might join in. We have information available about these bricks and will send it out soon.
Announcements:
On the first Sunday in December, December 5, we will be resuming our potluck lunches. We’ll start with a Christmas party themed lunch. Bring your best Christmas contributions
Due to the downturn in the number of Covid-19 cases in our area, we have reinstated our optional mask requirement for fully vaccinated worshipers. However, the upstairs area, above the Narthex, is a mask required area for those who prefer to be in that area, such as those who are immunocompromised, or have young children who have not been vaccinated. Please mask up to protect your friends, family, and fellow worshippers in that area.
MEET PASTOR KRIS AND HER FAMILY - HUSBAND DAVID AND SONS ALEX AND HENRY
We are open in our church building for the 11 AM service but we will continue to provide a Facebook Live video and post the video here.
The videos from Facebook Live will be available here and on Facebook. The video from Nov28th is now available. There are lots of reasons why we are glad it's 2021. One of them is that it is our church's 150th birthday. We had a great celebration on Sept. 19th!
Here is the bulletin for the December 5
Eleven o'clock
k
Second Sunday of Advent
The Gathering
Chiming of the Hour
Prelude and Lighting of the Candles
Welcome and Sharing in the Life of the Congregation
Call to Worship
John came out of the wilderness to preach repentance;
he preaches to us still.
Make straight the paths we know walk and prepare the way
For God’s reign of justice and love.
Invocation
Opening Hymn No. 153 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.
Call to Confession
Confession of Our Sins
Refining God, you have sent us prophets, and we have rejected them. You have shown us the way, and we have turned aside. You have spoken to our hearts, and we have not listened. Forgive us, we pray. (silent, personal prayer) Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
*Gloria Patri Hymn No. 734
The Word
The Prayer for Illumination
The First Reading of Scripture Isaiah 12: 2-6
The Second Reading of Scripture Philippians 4:4-7
A Time for the Children of Our Church
The Passing of the Peace
Hymn No. 581 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service
Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace,
we respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,
equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s in spiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.
Men and Women, richer, poorer, all God’s people, young and old.
blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, in a small or global sense,
help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care,
bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues, free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
that surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,
messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace.
Our Gospel Reading Luke 3: 7-18
Sermon “connecting the dots” Rev. Kris Brown
Our Statement of Faith
The Prayers of the People
The Morning Offering
The Offertory
The Doxology
The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Dedication
Communion
The Sending
Closing Hymn No. 189 – Angels, from the Realms of Glory
Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth;
you who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations, you have seen the natal star:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King
Saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King
Blessing
Postlude