December 3, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church
1605 E. 106th Street, Indianapolis IN, 46280
www.orchardpark.org
317-844-1107
Welcome to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church. We are glad you are worshiping with us today and hope you will explore the many opportunities of learning, serving, and community building at Orchard Park! We are a caring community committed to living the greatest commandment of loving God and loving our neighbors. If you’re new in town and/or are looking for a church home, please accept this welcome as an open invitation to come with us as we worship and serve Jesus Christ!
OPPC office hours: M-Th 9am – 11:30am, 12:30pm – 4pm, F 9am – 3pm.
Prayer Chapel hours: M-Th, 9am to 9pm, F 9am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to Noon.
Please fill out a Visitor card from the pew and place it in the offering plate so we can keep you informed.
Please join us for fellowship & Bible study.
Please silence electronic devices when in the Sanctuary or Chapel.
Nursery care is available during worship in room 126.
Following the morning service, those who would like to do so are invited to greet one another for fellowship in the Lounge.
If you would like to talk to a pastor or notify the pastoral staff of personal concerns, illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths, please call the church at 317.844.1107.
If you have a prayer request, contact Marc Kruithoff (prayer@orchardpark.org).
If you are interested in becoming a member of Orchard Park, email Shelly Wood (shellywood@orchardpark.org).
To learn more about our church, visit orchardpark.org.
Our Staff members are available for you. Please feel free to contact us: Pastor, Rev. Dr. Shelly White Wood, shellywood@orchardpark.org
Parish Associate, Rev. Trish Lisa, tlisa@orchardpark.org
Director of Music, Michael Pietranczyk, mpietranczyk@orchardpark.org
Youth Outreach Director, Dr. Kristin Lehr, klehr@orchardpark.org
Business Administration, Mary Leffler, mleffler@orchardpark.org
Communication Director, Brittany Glass, bglass@orchardpark.org
Technology & Building Superintendent, Joe Delise, joedelise@gmail.com
Bookkeeper, Joe Jansen, jjansen@orchardpark.org
Clerk of Session, Nick Tillema, nick@accessvaluation.com
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude – Sleepers Wake! A Voice is Calling | J.S. Bach
Michael Pietranczyk, organ
Welcome and Announcements – Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
*Call to Worship – Marty Rugh, Deacon
In God’s house, we can be joyful.
We can be grateful. We can be hopeful.
In God’s house, we can be weary.
We can be anxious. We can be grieving.
In God’s house, we can be honest—
inspired or tired, delighted or doubtful, connected or curious, and everything in between.
This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Let us worship our loving God.
*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (v 1,3,6)
[Tune: VENI EMMANUEL] (please see hymnal for musical
notation)
*Call to Confession – Marty Rugh, Deacon
*Prayer of Confession
(unison)
Gracious God, we are weary. For weary bodies that ache and cry out, we pray:
Forgive us for pushing ourselves too hard. Remind us that we deserve Sabbath rest.
For weary minds that feel overwhelmed and saturated with news, we pray:
Forgive us for creating so many distractions. Remind us that in the quiet, we can hear you.
For weary hearts that long to feel the joy of this season, we pray:
Forgive us for being impatient with ourselves. Remind us that healing takes time, and that joy and grief can coexist.
For the weary edges of our faith that struggle to hold onto hope,
Forgive us. Remind us of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Remind us that your good news knows no bounds. Amen.
*Declaration of Pardon – Marty Rugh, Deacon
We are loved. We are claimed. We are forgiven.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
*Sung Response #93, stanza 3
Redeemer, come! I open wide
my heart to thee; here, Lord, abide.
Let me thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in me reveal.
*Passing of the Peace – Marty Rugh, Deacon
Leader: The peace of Christ be with You.
People: And also with you.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – Matt, Katie, Theo and Owen Werner
Children’s Church
During the Passing of the Peace, children grades K-5 are invited to meet Rev. Trish Lisa in the back of the sanctuary for Children’s Church (Seeds).
Song of Praise – Advent Hymn | Christy Nockels
The Orchard Park Band
Scripture – Mark 13:24-37 | Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
Sermon – Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
“Advent Begins in the Dark”
*Hymn 82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus [Tune: HYFRYDOL] (please see hymnal for musical notation)
*The Apostles Creed
(unison)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of the People – Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
The Lord’s Prayer
(unison)
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.
Call of Offering – Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
Offertory – Comfort, Comfort Ye My People | Richard Proulx The Sanctuary Choir
*Doxology (Sung to the tune: VENI EMMANUEL)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him, all creatures here below;
praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen, amen, a-men.
A—men!
*Prayer of Dedication
(unison)
May our gifts go forth into our world, so that where people hunger, they may be fed; where there is war, peace might be welcomed; where families are broken, they might be made whole. Then others will be as blessed as we have been by your love, grace, and compassion. In Jesus’ name, we offer our gifts and this prayer of gratitude. Amen
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming [Tune: ES
IST EIN ROS ENSPRUNGEN] (please see hymnal for musical notation)
*Benediction – Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood
*Sending Music – Waiting Here for You | Passion
The Orchard Park Band
TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS
Greeter: Robin Pemberton
Ushers: Nancy McDonald & Marty Rugh Coffee Corps: Joe McDonald & Ellison Escocio
COME PRAY WITH US
ONGOING CONCERNS: Judie Spanenberg, Fred Lindsay, Janet Kooy, Joe Miller, Lisa Freihofer, Matt Haugk, Nancy Simms, Sue Andrews, Bob Sherer, first responders, and our military personnel (and their families) including Jack Herider, and Ross Ochs.
TODAY AT ORCHARD PARK
10:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. After Service Fellowship (Lounge)
11:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study (North Chapel)
11:15 a.m. Middle School Fellowship (Youth Rooms)
11:15 a.m. Mind the Gap (115)
11:15 a.m. Sprout (205 & 206)
11:15 a.m. Parents in Prayer (212)
11:30 a.m. Music Rehearsal (Music Room)
4:00 p.m. Young Families (115)
6:00 p.m. Confirmation (Youth Rooms)
THE WEEK AHEAD AT ORCHARD PARK (12/4 – 10)
MONDAY
9:30 a.m. Quilters (208)
6:00 p.m. MW Miriam Circle (Lounge)
TUESDAY
6:15 a.m. Men’s Bible study (Lounge) 9:30 a.m. Shepherd’s Center Together Today (Lounge)
WEDNESDAY
9:30 a.m. Together Today (Lounge) 10:00 a.m. Bible Study (Zoom)
6:00 p.m. Vespers Series (North Chapel, Lounge
7:00 p.m. Youth Group (Youth Rooms) 7:00 p.m. Bells (Music Room)
THURSDAY
9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study (Zoom &
Lounge)
7:00 p.m. Choir (Music Room)
FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. Old GOAT Group (115)
1:00 p.m. Special K Group (115)
SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. IBA (Pavilion)
9:00 a.m. Bible Study (Library)
SUNDAY
10:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary) 11:00 a.m. Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)
11:00 a.m. After Service Fellowship (Lounge)
11:15 a.m. Blood Pressure Screening (Office)
11:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study (North Chapel) 11:15 a.m. Middle School Fellowship (Youth Rooms)
11:15 a.m. Mind the Gap (115)
11:15 a.m. Sprout (205 & 206)
11:15 a.m. Parents in Prayer (212)
11:30 a.m. Music Rehearsal (Music Room) 12:00 p.m. 3rd – 5th Grade Fellowship (205 & kidsZone)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
A congregational meeting has been called for December 10 at 10:50 a.m. for the purpose of electing church officers.
ADVENT VESPER SERIES
Join us this advent season every Wednesday in December (6, 13, 20) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. leading up to Christmas. The Vesper Series is for all ages. We will start in the North Chapel for a service of scripture, reflection, and music. We will then move to the Lounge for some Advent activities. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 317.844.1107. Hope to see you there!
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
December 17th, at 10:00 a.m. This year’s Christmas Cantata will feature a piece called Christmas Canticles: A Cantata of Carols in Four Suites, by Benjamin Harlan. After the Cantata a Christmas Cookie Reception will be held at 11:15 a.m. in the lounge. We hope you bring your favorite Christmas cookie as we celebrate this year’s Advent theme of generation to generation.
COOKIES AFTER THE CANTATA
Do you have a family cookie recipe that hits all the right notes? Where sugar and spice are in perfect harmony. Or have you recently baked a new cookie recipe that is off-the-charts delicious? We want to try it! Bring in two dozen of your most treasured cookies. Sign up on Main Street or contact Rachel Rewerts (rachel.rewerts@gmail.com). No recipe, but love cookies? No problem! All are welcome to join in the sweet treats after the Cantata on Dec 17! We will have plenty of cookies, coffee, and a hot cocoa station.
2023 SHARE THE LIGHT CHRISTMAS MARKET
The OPPC Annual Alternative Gift Market is now through December 17. Make donations to the organizations you select, then give cards to friends and family telling them about the
gift you have given in their honor. This year’s gift options are
Camp Pyoca, CUMC Food Pantry, Haiti Teachers, Haiti College Scholarships, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Youth Caravan. See you at the market!
NEW ART IN THE ART GALLERY
The Sparks Family is showing their work in the Art Gallery. Eleanor Sparks, who attends Together Today at church on Wednesdays, her late husband, James, daughter, Julie, and son, Jay are sharing their diverse talents with us through acrylic paintings, watercolor, and photography. Eleanor shared that often times at family gatherings one of them would make a line on a blank piece of paper and hand it to the next person, and then another line was made and so on. She remarked that it was always a delight to see what they created together.
2024 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Thank you to all households who have already made their pledge to the 2024 Operating Campaign!! As of 11/27/2023 we stand at 129 pledge units received, totaling $853,767 which represents 62% of our preliminary operating expenses. The Stewardship Committee asks those households who have not pledged to do so by December 3rd as we move into budget finalization in early December. Pledging provides the greatest level of financial forecasting to guide the Session’s final budget recommendations. We are grateful for your responsivity and support.
