What Are We Preparing For?

Transcription

1 ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LOVING...SERVING...TRANSFORMING LIVES DECEMBER 9, 2018 ~ 8:30 AM 10:30 AM WORSHIP What Are We Preparing For? MISSION STATEMENT Love God and one another, serve our community, and transform lives. VISION A radically inclusive community, empowered to spread God s love throughout the world. BELIEFS We believe all are created in the image of God. We believe God loves everyone and through Christ saves revives renews the world. We believe God through the Holy Spirit changes lives. We believe the church is the body of Christ with a mission. We believe the Bible is the word of God. We believe that God has gifted everyone and the church for the purposes of God. We believe discipleship is a continuing journey.

2 ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 AM WORSHIP = Those who are able may stand AAHH = African American Heritage Hymnal Yellow Hymnal UMH = United Methodist Hymnal Red Hymnal Please use this time for prayer and meditation as we prepare for worship. WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PASSING OF THE PEACE GATHERING PRAISE Lead Me, Guide Me (474 AAHH, verse 1) CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Look to the east. People: Light is dawning this day. Leader: Look to the west. People: Prepare for the journey ahead. Leader: Look to the north. People: God is guiding our steps. Leader: Look to the south. People: God is shinning the warmth of love in our lives. Leader: Look to the heavens. People: Christ is coming soon. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Brighter Day & Bereavement MORNING PRAYER SCRIPTURE READINGS Malachi 3:1 4 (OT Pages ) Luke 3:1 6 (NT Page 60) MINISTRY OF MUSIC Away in a Manger Williams Eugene Thomas (tenor) SERMON INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP PRAYER AND PRESENTATION OF TITHES & OFFERING OFFERTORY What Are We Preparing For? Rev. Dr. Gerard Green, Jr. Greater Washington District Superintendent When Jesus Came to Jordan (252 UMH) Couldn t Hear Nobody Pray Burleigh Eugene Thomas (tenor) OFFERTORY RESPONSE Doxology 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. RECESSIONAL O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (188 AAHH) DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING POSTLUDE 2

3 ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:30 AM WORSHIP = Those who are able may stand AAHH = African American Heritage Hymnal Yellow Hymnal UMH = United Methodist Hymnal Red Hymnal Please use this time for prayer and meditation as we prepare for worship. WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PASSING OF THE PEACE INTROIT Rise, Shine, Give God Glory! traditional Male Chorus PROCESSIONAL Heralds of Christ (567 UMH) CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Look to the east. People: Light is dawning this day. Leader: Look to the west. People: Prepare for the journey ahead. Leader: Look to the north. People: God is guiding our steps. Leader: Look to the south. People: God is shinning the warmth of love in our lives. Leader: Look to the heavens. People: Christ is coming soon. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CHILDREN S MESSAGE HYMN OF PRAISE (Congregants may now enter the Sanctuary) Crocheting for Christ Sunday School Soon and Very Soon (193 AAHH) CALL TO PRAYER Just a Little Talk With Jesus (378 AAHH) MORNING PRAYER PRAYER RESPONSE MUSIC OF MINISTRY He Came Down...Bell Male Chorus Advent Carol...Hopson Asbury Hand bell Choir SCRIPTURE READINGS Malachi 3:1 4 (OT Pages ) Luke 3:1 6 (NT Page 60) Leader: This is the word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. MUSIC OF MINISTRY Heav n, Heav n traditional Male Chorus 3

4 SERMON What Are We Preparing For? Rev. Dr. Gerard Green, Jr. Greater Washington District Superintendent INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP When Jesus Came to Jordan (252 UMH) Worshipers are invited to pray at the altar in private or signal to an Intercessory Prayer member to pray with you. Also at this time, you may come down to join Asbury in Christian Fellowship. PRAYER AND PRESENTATION OF TITHES & OFFERING OFFERTORY Even Now Come F. Smithe Phillip Collins (soloist) OFFERTORY RESPONSE Doxology 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. RECESSIONAL DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING POSTLUDE O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (188 AAHH) We Are Standing on Holy Ground...Davis/Williams Everett Williams The congregation is asked to remain seated for the closing voluntary. WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS Minister of Music & Liturgical Arts Director: Everett P. Williams, Jr. Organist: Earl Hargrove Music: Eugene Thomas (8:30 am) & Male Chorus and Phillip Collins (10:30 am) Liturgists: Kisha Woolen (8:30 am) and Tawana Jackson (10:30 am) Ushers: Women Acolyte: Moses Boyd (10:30 am) Greeters: Marian Tatum Webb, Michelle Tatum, and Judith Hightower (8:30 am) Carol Travis, Marian Lewis, and Rene Carter (10:30 am) Trustees on Duty: Margaret Holmes (8:30 am) and James Gary (10:30 am) 4

5 Asbury s Week At A Glance Sunday, December 9, :30 am Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 9:00 am Asbury Federal Credit Union, Fellowship Hall 9:00 am Adult Sunday School, 1 9 9:30 am Children s Sunday School, 2 8/2 9 9:30 am Youth Sunday School, :30 am The Wonder... (Small Group Bible Study), Chapel 9:30 am Faithful (Small Group Bible Study), Library 10:30 am Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 12:00 pm Christmas Gifts (Small Group Bible Study), :30 pm Annual Seniors Christmas Party, Fellowship Hall 1:00 pm Community Football, Fellowship Hall 5:00 pm The Bridge Contemporary Service, Fellowship Hall Saturday, December 15, :00 am Prayer Ministry Meeting, 2 8/2 9 9:00 am Lay Visitation Ministries Meeting, 1 11/ :00 am Asbury Hand Bell Choir, G 13 10:00 am Altar Guild Winter Cleaning, Sanctuary 10:30 am Prayer Bead Workshop, :00 am Wesleyan Choir Rehearsal, OSH 11:30 am Food Pantry 12:00 pm Angel Tree Party, Fellowship Hall 12:00 pm Altar Guild Holiday Social, 1 11/ :30 pm Male Choir, OSH 2:00 pm Higher Praise, OSH 2:00 pm Christmas Gifts (Small Group), 1 9 Monday, December 10, :45 am Downtown Cluster s Geriatric Ctr., G 1/OSH/1 11/1 12 3:00 pm Asburyan Deadline for submissions Tuesday, December 11, :45 am Downtown Cluster s Geriatric Ctr., G 1/OSH/1 11/ :30 am The Journey (Small Group), Rev. Pierce Home 11:00 am Weekly Staff Meeting, 1 8 6:30 pm Finance Meeting, 1 9 7:00 pm Fitness and Exercise Class, OSH 7:00 pm Disciple Fast Track II, 1 11/1 12 Wednesday, December 12, :45 am Downtown Cluster s Geriatric Ctr., G 1/OSH/1 11/1 1 8:00 am Makin Room (Small Group), Call, # :00 pm Mary Had A Baby Advent Study, Sanctuary 6:30 pm Church Council Meeting,1 11/1 12 8:00 pm Urban Promise Ministries, 2 8/2 9 Thursday, December 13, :45 am Downtown Cluster s Geriatric Ctr., G 1/OSH/1 11/ :00 pm Underdogs & Outsiders (Small Group), 1 8 6:30 pm Trustees Board Meeting, 1 8 6:45 pm Medical Mobile Unit Meeting, 1 9 8:00 pm Urban Promise Ministries, 2 8/2 9 Friday, December 14, :45 am Downtown Cluster s Geriatric Ctr., G 1/OSH/1 11/1 12 From The Senior Pastor s Desk December 2018 Word for the Month: REJOICE Scripture of the Month: Luke 1 2 Thought for the Month: The Mood of Christmas is a book of brief meditations that incorporate the hope, celebration, love, compassion, and blessing of the Christmas season and encourage us to find them throughout the year. Features include the poem, "The Work of Christmas,": "When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone...the Work of Christmas begins..."; and "I Will Light Candles This Christmas,": "Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage for fears ever present, Candles of peace for tempest tossed days..." Emphasis for the Month: Advent/Christmas Pastor s Book of the Month: The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman 5

6 WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS We hope that through word, music, fellowship and prayer you will experience the presence of God today. Please make sure you sign the attendance register as it is passed so that we can share with you about what is happening in the life of this church. Join us for refreshments, resources, and fellowship in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30 10:30 am on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th Sunday. 9:00 am 10:00 am Adults 1 9 Children 2 8/2 9 Youth 1 12 Asbury UMC Live Stream Go to asburyumcdc.org and select the live stream button on the home page to watch the 10:30 am and 5 pm services. Change your browser if there s no connection. SERMON Why The Shepherds? Scripture: Luke 2:8 20 (NIV) Series: The Christmas Story Sunday, December 9, :00 pm (new start time) Speaker: Pastor Matthew Wilke Join us in Fellowship Hall today. 6

7 Rev. Gerard A. Green, Jr. (Gerry) feels humble and blessed to have been called to serve as the District Superintendent for the Greater Washington District. He is a native of Quince Orchard, Maryland which is now a part of Gaithersburg, and growing up going to town meant going to D.C. Rev. Green is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary and an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. During his tenure as a pastor he served two congregations, Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Severn, MD from and Epworth United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, MD from After years of pastoring in the local church Green found himself spending an increasing amount of time counseling with members. He felt the call to a different form of ministry. It was a ministry that addressed not only spiritual needs but also the increasing individual and family counseling needs that arose with folk in their life journey. In 2005 Rev. Green was appointed to attend school in pursuit of a calling to pastoral counseling. In May 2011 he graduated from Loyola University Maryland with his PhD in Pastoral Counseling. From 2011 until 2016 he served in the Extension Ministry as a staff pastor, and pastoral counselor at Asbury Methodist Village, a continuing care retirement community in Gaithersburg. Rev. Green has also served for 38 years in public education. His career in public education began in 1973 where he served as a teacher of sociology, economics and U.S. History at Hingham High School in Hingham, MA until While in Massachusetts Rev. Green earned a MAT in sociology and religion and an M.Ed. in counselor education and counselor psychology from Boston College in 1974 and 1977 respectively. In 1977 he moved to Maryland and continued his work in the public schools in Howard County where he served as a teacher of social studies, guidance counselor and a Pupil Personnel Worker. Rev. Green has been married to his college sweetheart, Rita, for 45 years and they have been blessed with 3 wonderful adult children and 3 active grandsons! Among his blessings he also includes his mother, Ida Pearl Green who is 100 years young. 7

8 ADVENT TO EPIPHANY WORSHIP CELEBRATIONS Sunday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. (Unity Sunday) 1 st Sunday of Advent Preaching: Bishop Forrest Stith, Retired Bishop in Residence Sunday, December 9, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. 2 nd Sunday of Advent Preaching: Rev. Dr. Gerard Green, Greater Washington District Superintendent Sunday, December 16, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. 3 rd Sunday of Advent Preaching: Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor Sunday, December 23, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. 4 th Sunday of Advent Wesleyan Choir Concert Monday, December 24, 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Preaching: Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor Sunday, December 30 1 st Sunday after Christmas Preaching: Min. Heureuse Kaj Milosi (8:30 a.m.) Kwanzaa Celebration led by the Sunday School, Youth, and Young Adults (10:30 a.m.) Monday, December 31, 7:00 p.m. New Year s Eve Service Preaching: Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor Sunday, January 6, 10:00 a.m. (Unity Sunday) Epiphany Sunday Preaching: Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor 8

9 Second Sunday in Advent Reader: "In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people'" (Luke 2:8 10). Reader: Today we remember the shepherds, workers for the common good, steadfast watchmen isolated and alone, far from the warmth of home, doing the job no one wants. And yet God saw them, God valued them, and God declared the greatest news of all to them alone. People: Today we give thanks for the shepherds among us, back breaking laborers on whom our economy stands, those we overlook or rarely see, yet rely on for our very survival, the ones who have much to teach us about watching for God in the darkness. Reader: On this second Sunday in Advent, we light the second candle as a symbol of the shepherds, agents of the gospel and redeemers of the world. (Light two purple candles.) Hymn: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Stanza 2, UMH, 211 9

10 Please Join Us for the Annual Senior Christmas Party Sunday, December 9, :30 pm Asbury s Fellowship Hall G-1 Entertainment, Lunch, Door Prizes, Fellowship Sponsored by United Methodist Women 10

11 THERMAL DRIVE UMW will be collecting donations to purchase thermals for women who attend our Neighbor-to-Neighbor breakfast. Please consider supporting this mission with a contribution of $10 or more. Donations are accepted in G-1 after each service. Your gift will help make Christmas a little merrier and warmer! ANGEL TREE 2018 ANGEL TREE is back! This ministry, coordinated by Asbury United Methodist Women, allows our congregation to share the love of Christ during the Christmas season and through out the year with children whose parent(s) are incarcerated. Asburyans and friends who have participated in this program found it to be a very rewarding experience. THE ANGEL TREE CHRISTMAS PARTY is December 15 th at 12:00 pm. The children, parent and caregivers are invited to meet the volunteers, celebrate the meaning of Christmas, have lunch, play games and receive their gifts. Thank you for supporting this program for needy children. If you would like to be an ANGEL TREE volunteer, please contact Christine McDaniel , Monica McEaddy , Brenda Fortenberry or Lorraine Thompson Orders for poinsettias Orders for poinsettias to be placed in the Sanctuary for the Christmas Service (Dec. 23, 2018) are being accepted by Frankye Warren, Pat Crudup (pacrudup@gmail.com) and Judith Roberts ( ). The deadline will be Sunday, December 16, 2018 for poinsettia orders and payment. Thank you. Frankye Warren, Pat Crudup, and Judith Roberts 11

12 Sisters in Grace will hold it's final meeting for 2018 Sunday, December 30, :30 AM to 9:55 AM In the Chapel (prior to the 10:00 AM service) Monday, December 31, :00 p.m. Sanctuary The Daniel Fast Begins Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2019 Prepare your heart, body, and soul for this special time in the Lord. 12

13 Feb. 8 10, 2019 Youth interested and planning to attend this powerful and fun filled weekend in Ocean City, MD Please see or contact Vanessa Williford at williford_v@hotmail.com Stewardship Corner Stewardship Meditation Invest! Many people have problems with giving money, yet most of them enjoy investing. Investing offers a promise of return; we experience excitement at the possibility our money will grow. We invest in the things that are important to us: our marriages, other meaningful relationships, our children s educations, national and personal security; our homes and neighborhoods. Some of us invest in the arts, or in cancer research, or in animal protection because these things are dear to us. When the church asks us to give, we are really being asked to invest, to invest in ministries and programs that change people s lives. Often these are programs that have changed or enhanced our own lives: meaningful worship, education, mission in places close by and far off. Our investment enables us to reduce the suffering of the poor and marginalized, open new options for the downtrodden, and offer new hope for those who feel lost. It is hard not to feel good about such investments. Who could resist? The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff Bishop of Maryland, Retired 13

14 Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday 9:30 AM/ $14 Mr. Harris Rm :30 AM/ Free Rev. Pierce Rev. Pierce s Home 8:00 AM / $10 C. Travis / # Noon / $9 R. Scarbrough Rm 1 8 2:00 PM / $11.50 V. Williford Rm 1 9 9:30 AM/ $11 V. Williford Library 12 Noon / $11 Rev. Mills Sanctuary ADVENT SMALL GROUP STUDIES Starting Tuesday, November 27, :30 PM / $11.50 Min. Milosi Rm

15 Our Pocket Change for Kidz Campaign was a huge success! You donated $1, worth of pocket change to this campaign. A check will be delivered to the principal at Thompson Elementary School within the next few weeks. Thank you all very much for your kindness and generosity! A special thank you to Sylvan Curtis and her counting team for undertaking the daunting task of counting all those coins! Ruth Scarbrough Thank you to those who responded by submitting your pledge cards on Consecration Sunday, November 11, Your commitment will give us needed financial information that will help us as we plan our ministry activities for the upcoming year. If you have not submitted your card, it will still be accepted. After completing your pledge card, you can place it in the offering basket on Sunday, bring it to the office, or mail it to the church to the attention of the Finance Office. Extra cards can be found outside the Main Office and in the Narthex. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) The Stewardship Committee 15

16 Join Us for Our Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24, :00 p.m. Sanctuary Sunday, December 9 Luke 2:8-20 Monday, December 10 Matthew 25:34-40 Tuesday, December 11 Psalm 13:1-6 Wednesday, December 12 Exodus 39:32-43 DAILY WORD Thursday, December 13 Matthew 4:18-22 Friday, December 14 Luke 6:43-45 Saturday, December 15 Jeremiah 29:10-14 GETTING AROUND There is an elevator in the Education Building that accesses all levels of the church the sanctuary, the fellowship hall, and all the Sunday School rooms. Free parking is available Sundays in the garage adjacent to our 11th Street entrance. Pick up a parking pass from the 11th Street reception desk. Restrooms are on the lower level on either side of the narthex and on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Asbury United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor Rev. Alexis Brown, Howard University UM Chaplain Min. Matthew Wilke, Contemporary Worship Pastor Tawana Jackson, Stephen Minister Bishop Forrest Stith, Retired Bishop in Residence Sandy Adams & Darryl Wyles, Lay Leaders Rev. Gerard A. Green, Jr., District Superintendent Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, Episcopal Leader of the Baltimore Washington Conference Visit asburyumcdc.org for information about our ministries. Find us on Facebook and Twitter th St., NW, Washington, DC ~ ~ asburymail@asburyumcdc.org Monday Friday ~ 8:00 am 4:30 pm 16