Touching Lives through Christ by Reaching Out, Bringing In, Lifting Up, Sending Forth

Transcription

1 Touching Lives through Christ by Reaching Out, Bringing In, Lifting Up, Sending Forth December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee Phone: Fax:

2 Worship at 10:00 a.m. 1 st Sunday of Advent THE GATHERING Welcome and Announcements Bill Cox Prelude Glory of the Father Egil Hovland/ arr. Pooler Choral Introit Veni, Veni Emmanuel Michael John Trotta PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING *Call to Worship How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the King? With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty. How shall we prepare this house for the coming of eternal Christ? With garlands of pine and fir, whose leaves are ever living, ever green. How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our savior? With wreaths of holly and ivy, telling of his passion, death, and resurrection. How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God? By hearing again the words of prophets, who foretold the saving work of God. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn, but that the world might be saved. Glory to God in the highest *Hymn 196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL Anthem Fum Fum Fum arr. Mack Wilberg Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer Anthem In Dulci Jubilo arr. Matthew Culloton *Gospel Reading Luke 3:1-6 Bill Cox Homily Get Ready Rev. Dr. Adam E. McKee, III

3 Offertory Anthem O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen O great mystery, O wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord, lying in a Manger! Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear our Savior Jesus Christ. Alleluia! *Offertory Response SENDING FORTH Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. OLD 100th *Hymn 204 Emmanuel, Emmanuel McGee *Benediction *Processional (Please remain at your seat until the light of Christ and the clergy exit the sanctuary). *Please stand as you are able. This morning s guest choir, OPUS XIX, is the premiere choir at Collegedale Academy and is under the direction of Roberta Bishop. Significance of the Sanctuary Adornment Hanging greenery in or on the church is associated with everlasting life. The decoration of our sanctuary marks the arrival of Advent. In ancient times the cedar was revered as the tree of royalty. It also signified immortality and was used for purification. We place this cedar branch as a sign of Christ, who reigns as King forever, and whose coming, in justice and righteousness, will purify our hearts. Because the needles of pine and fir trees appear not to die each season, the ancients saw them as signs of things that last forever. Isaiah tells us that there will be no end to the reign of the Messiah. Therefore, we hang this wreath of evergreens shaped in a circle, which itself has no end, to signify the eternal reign of Jesus, the Christ. In ancient times, holly and ivy were considered signs of Christ s passion. Their prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns, the red berries the blood of the Savior, and the bitter bark the drink offered to Jesus on the cross. As we hang the holly and ivy, let us rejoice in the coming of Jesus, our Savior. As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World, we light the Christmas tree. During Advent, wherever you see a lighted Christmas tree, let it call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness, healing to our brokenness, and peace to all who receive him. A Personal Invitation Dear Friends of Brainerd UMC, we appreciate your presence in our worship service! If you need prayer or are considering becoming a member of our church family, please do not hesitate to speak with Pastor McKee or contact the church office. Come Catch the Vision and Join Us in Kingdom Building"

4 Brainerd UMC is glad you re here. Join us for the Preschool s Christmas Program on December 16, at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The children will sing, we will have a slideshow and will have baked goods for sale to raise money for supplies. PRAYER CONCERNS Carolyn Caldwell David Jackson Tee Carr Jackie Frye Anne Lauren Davis Nelda Jarvis Jean Miller People of Kerala Thomas Reed Helen Newman Jean Pracht Ann Sasser Lloyd Stanley Congregation, Children, Youth, Pastor & Staff of BUMC Juanita Thomas Matt Thomas Polly Webb Boyd Webb Carolyn Wescott Bettye Young CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY We offer our Christian sympathy, love and prayers to families of Mae Whitehead and Jack Anderson on their deaths last week. If you still need to make your 2019 giving pledge for Brainerd UMC operating fund and building fund, it is not too late! You can drop it in the collection plate, mail it or call the church office and ask to speak to Debra Wise. She will help you finish your pledge card before the end of the year! All charitable contributions for the year 2018 must be at the church by December 31, If your check is mailed and postmarked by December 31, 2018, you can claim your contribution on your 2018 taxes. A check received in January, bearing a December 2018 date, cannot be posted as a 2018 tax credit (unless it is postmarked on or before December 31.)

5 Christmas Contributions for the Worship Committee December 2018 And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 b

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7 Finance Monthly Need MTD through 11/25/18 Received MTD through 11/25/18 General Budget $43,750 $41,587 $43, % 95% Building Mortgage $13,463 $19,289 $13, % 143% Finance Yearly week 47 FINANCES OF YOUR CHURCH 2018 Need YTD through 11/25/18 Received YTD through 11/25/18 General Budget $474,519 $446,246 $525,000 90% 85% Building Mortgage $146,024 $139,884 $161,559 90% 87% 2 Corinthians 9:7 :Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. If you would like to check your membership information, i.e. address, phone number, address, personal pledging and giving or your photo, go to your Brainerd UMC website ( scroll down to the very bottom of the page to Member Login When the next screen opens, under the sign in box, click on Need a login? Click here Now, this is important.if BUMC does NOT have a current address for you, you will NOT be able to create an account. If you suspect this is the case, call or better yet jbacon@brainerdumc.org and say Update my ! (You can add please if you are feeling cordial.) On this site (Access ACS), you can change information about yourself, check your giving, check the church calendar and view the directory. Give it a try. It ll be fun! Now, if you really want to impress your children and grandchildren, try the church life app on your cell phone. You will never again get lost trying to find that class party or visiting a shut-in. Simply click on the member s address, and a map to their house will pop up right there on your phone! If you need to warn them you are coming, simply push the little green telephone icon, and your phone will begin dialing their number. If you realize that you are showing up on the wrong night, click on the calendar to find the correct night of the gathering. No need to wait until the church office opens to find a phone number. Just tap on Church Life! To the left is a picture of the icon of the app for your phone. To the right is a sample of how the screen will look when using this app. Please wait until the church service is over before you try to download this free app!

8 Sunday, December 2 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship, Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Sunday School, Classrooms 3:00 p.m. Scenic City Chorale The Many Sounds of Christmas, Sanctuary 6:00 p.m. Gospel Jam, McFerrin Chapel 7:00 p.m. USA Dance Benefit, Gym Monday, December 3 9:00 a.m. Preschool, Children s Wing 4:00 p.m. Chattanooga Girls Choir Rehearsals, Various Rooms Tuesday, December 4 9:00 a.m. Preschool, Children s Wing 6:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, Wesley Conference Room Wednesday, December 5 9:00 a.m. Preschool, Children s Wing 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study, Wesley Conference Room 6:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Suite Thursday, December 6 9:00 a.m. Preschool, Children s Wing 10:00 a.m. Prayer & Visitation Meeting, Library 6:00 p.m. CAHA, Library Friday, December 7 5:30 p.m. Parents Night Out, Gym Saturday, December 8 8:30 a.m. Kerala Birdie Team, Gym 12:00 noon Organ Practice, Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. English Country Dance, Gym 5:30 p.m. Language Class, McFerrin Chapel 7:00 p.m. Chattanooga Traditional Dance, Gym Next Sunday, December 9, Church Council Meeting in the Wesley Conference 12:05p.m. Staff of Brainerd United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Adam McKee ~ Senior Pastor ~ amckee@brainerdumc.org Jenny Bacon ~ Executive Assistant ~ jbacon@brainerdumc.org Debra Wise ~ Business Manager ~ dwise@brainerdumc.org Kelcy Chambers ~ Preschool & Children s Director ~ preschool@brainerdumc.org Roberta Bishop ~ Director of Music ~ choir@brainerdumc.org Jeff Scofield ~ Organist ~ traveldesk@mindspring.com Terry Sanford ~ Pianist ~ trsanford@gmail.com Charlotte McKee ~ Ministry of Prayer and Visitation ~ charbmckee@aol.com