The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 The Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, :30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Athens First United Methodist Church

2 Welcome Thank you for worshipping with us today. Our ushers and greeters are happy to help you find your way. You may also pick up a map of the church in the narthex, at the front entrance of the sanctuary. We d love to get to know you, so please come for coffee, donuts and conversation beginning at 9:30 every Sunday morning in Hancock Hall! Worship We ask that your cell phones be turned off or switched to silent and that you refrain from using flash photography during worship. Each Sunday, the 11:00 service is broadcast on WRFC 960 AM, and the 9:45 and 11:00 services are streamed live at athensfirstumc.org/webcast. Nursery Availability For infants through four year olds Sundays 8:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays 5:30 8:00 p.m. kindergarten grade 5 Children s Church For children in kindergarten through second grade Wonder of Worship (W.O.W.), or Children s Church, follows the Children s Message during 11:00 Worship all Sundays except for Communion Sundays. Worship activity bags (age appropriate for all preschool and elementary children) are available every Sunday in the narthex and by the south entrance of the sanctuary. Website Please visit our website, athensfirstumc.org, for information about our ministries, to register for events, to give online, to view our church wide calendar, and to listen to sermons from our sermon archive. We encourage you to sign up for our newsletter that is ed weekly by contacting amelia@athensfirstumc.org. Church Office Hours Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. If you need assistance, please call We are happy to help you! Our Ministers and Program Directors Chuck Hodges, Senior Minister chuck@athensfirstumc.org Martha Aenchbacher, Minister of Congregational Care martha@athensfirstumc.org Beth Dickinson, Minister of Discipleship beth@athensfirstumc.org Eric Fessler, Minister of Families with Youth eric@athensfirstumc.org Betsy Butler, Minister of Missions betsy@athensfirstumc.org Robin Stewart, Director of Children's Ministry robinafumc@bellsouth.net Stephen Mitchell, Director of Music smitchell@athensfirstumc.org Carol Reeves, Director of Children s Music creeves@athensfirstumc.org Janis Maxwell, Director of Youth Music and Organist janis@athensfirstumc.org Rusty Wood, Director of Recreation rusty@athensfirstumc.org Worship Bulletin 1

3 The Worship of God on the The Fourth Sunday of Advent Gathering The Prelude Good Christian Men, Rejoice! The Welcome and Parish Notes arr. Whitsett Led by Martha Aenchbacher The Choral Call to Worship 9:45 & 11:00 Prepare the Royal Highway arr. Courtney Sung by the Sanctuary Choir with the Brass Ensemble Praise & Thanksgiving *The Processional Hymn 238 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA *The Lighting of the Advent Candles 8:30 Jerry Guyer & Great-Grandson Walker Bradberry 9:45 Christy & Steven Dasher 11:00 The Frost Family A candle is burning, a candle of love, a candle to point us to heaven above. A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth, for Jesus is bringing God s love to our earth. *The Passing of the Peace Worship Bulletin 2

4 The Prayers of the People and the Lord s Prayer Led by Beth Dickinson 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. Proclamation of the Word The Children s Message 8:30 & 11:00 At the 11:00 service, children in kindergarten through second grade will go to W.O.W. in the Caravans room on the third floor. Parents are to pick up children from the Caravans room at the end of the service. The Offering The Offertory Anthem 8:30 O Holy Night Sung by Julie Caldwell 9:45 & 11:00 Blessed is the Lord Forrest Sung by the Sanctuary Choir This anthem has been placed in the choir library to the Glory of God and in memory of Vicky Cain by The Broadlands Book Club. Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord. Welcome His Incarnate Word. Chosen first among the priests to serve within the temple walls, Zacharias stood in awe when he heard the angel call. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, will come to raise salvation s horn. God incarnate, Word made flesh, shall be born. Christ brings light to sin s dark night: Our Dayspring from on high, Saints and angels sing God s praise. All the earth and heav ns reply: Benedictus, Benedictus, Blessed is our Lord. Welcome His Incarnate Word. *The Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below! Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Worship Bulletin 3

5 The Scripture Isaiah 11: A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. 6 The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder s den. 9 They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. The Message Accept Finite Disappointment, Never Lose Infinite Hope Chuck Hodges The Sacrament of Holy Communion 8:30 Page 9 in the hymnal The Receiving of the Bread and Wine 8:30 At Athens First United Methodist Church, all are invited to commune at Christ s table. If you need to be served in your pew, please call this to the attention of an usher. Note that a gluten free communion station is located at each station. Sending Forth *The Hymn 218 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear *The Blessing CAROL *Please stand as you are able. The congregation speaks or sings the text in bold type. Worship Bulletin 4

6 *The Choral Response Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and fellowship each other now embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. *The Postlude Toccata on O Come All Ye Faithful Mahnke The flowers in the narthex are given to the glory of God and are from the wedding of Gini Eldridge and Rett Reeve who were married in our sanctuary on December 21. The poinsettias on the alter this morning were given in honor and in memory of loved ones by members of our congregation. To see a list of those honored and remembered, pick up a poinsettia booklet in the narthex. December Ushers 8:30 a.m. Jim Belger, Ann Brown, Paul Brown, Larry Deal, Hugh Larkey, Mack Lowery, Jim Lyons, Candler Meadors, Olan Moore, Bob Noble, Grace Rabek, Ken Reece, Keith Wilson, Michael & Sharon Broun 9:45 a.m. Chris Bostdorff, Tom Cooper, David and Jane Disney, Mark Ellison, Mark Firth, Tom Hedges, Dan Lasseter, Jim Lyons, Sharon Milton, Tom Milton, Al Rogers, Bill Trigleth, Michelle McNeill, & Reeves McNeill 11:00 a.m. Al Hawley, Charles Grimes, Henry Folsom, Tom Henson, Henry Garrard, Jim Lyons, Jake Riley, Frank Thornberg, Mike Scott Attendance on December 15 Sunday School Total Worship...1,358 8:30 a.m :45 a.m :00 a.m Online...0 Greeters Joe Abell, Donna Bowdoin, Joy and Jack Davis, Jerry Guyer, Melanie Merhar, Marty and Mitch Mitchell, and Jennifer Stewart First Light Acolytes 8:30 Glynn Chesser, James Chesser 9:45 Joseph Mahoney, Annie Miller, Charles Cunningham 11:00 Barrett McLanahan, Charles Clarke, Jack McLanahan Financial Report Budget for 2013 $2,431,217 Amount Given YTD $2,493,194 Goal for December $432,693 Amount after 2 Sundays $145,477 Current Debt Balance $127,190 Total Debt Reduction YTD $986,921 Offering Stewards Bob Booth and Charlie Grimes, co chairman; Jim Lyons, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III Worship Bulletin 5

7 THE SEASON OF ADVENT Christmas Eve Services 4:00 p.m. Candlelight service led by the Children s Music Ministry 6:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion service with music from the Wesleyan Youth Choir and a message from Chuck Hodges 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion service with music from the Sanctuary Choir and a message from Chuck Hodges. Pre service music begins at 10:30 p.m. The Steeple 6

8 Announcements New Members On December 15 we welcomed Marianna Barbrey, Liz Curtis, Elizabeth Klass, Sam Guthrie, and Peggy and Don Law to the Athens First United Methodist Church family. Sympathy Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Grace Ruff in the loss of her husband and to Betty and Bill Ruff and Dianne Morrison and family in the loss of their father, Bill Ruff, on December 7. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Jeff Cass and family in the loss of his mother on December 8. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Tom Cooper and family in the loss of his son, Cameron Cooper, on December 9 in Baltimore. Church Office Holiday Schedule The Church offices will be closed on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. Contact: Katherine Hodges katherine@athensfirstumc.org Wesleyan Youth Choir Alumni December 24 All Wesleyan Youth Choir Alumni are invited to sing O Holy Night with us at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Please come and visit with old friends and rehearse the piece in the Music Suite at 5:30 p.m. You may sit with your families during the service and join us in the choir loft when time to sing. We hope to see you! Contact: Janis Maxwell janis@athensfirstumc.org Souper Supper Thursdays January April Souper Suppers are a warm meal served once a week on Thursday evenings January April at 5:00 p.m. in Hancock Hall to those in need in the community. Individual and group volunteers are needed. Individuals are needed to offer hospitality and groups (such as Sunday School classes, small groups and United Methodist Women Circles) are needed to prepare the weekly meal. Serving a weekly meal for four months requires many volunteers, so please considering serving. To sign up, please visit athensfirstumc.org/soupersupper or contact Glenda Greenhaw at sweetpea2glenn@gmail.com for hospitality, and Suzanne Rutledge at suzannerutledge@gmail.com or Amy Lou Reynolds at scottandamylou@charter.net for meal preparation. The Steeple 7

9 Discipleship Leader Luncheon January 5 All current and past small group, adult Sunday school, and Bible study teachers and leaders are invited to a luncheon in Hancock Hall on January 5, following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Future leaders are invited as well. If you want to lead a small group at Athens First Methodist, please attend! Families are invited and childcare for children four and under is provided. Please R.S.V.P. by December 23 by completing the form located at athensfirstumc.org/ discipleshipleaderluncheonrsvp or contacting Beth. Contact: Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org Women s Ministry Retreat January Please join us at Athens First United Methodist on January for time away to be refreshed and inspired at the 2014 Winter Women s Retreat. The theme this year is This Is My Story: Living a Life of Gratitude...By the Grace of God. Come and be blessed as women from our church share the stories of how God has worked in their lives. We ll have a chance to respond and get to know each other better through small group discussion, worship, meals, and fellowship. It will be a great way to start 2014! Contact: Julie Caldwell julie@athensfirstumc.org Freeway Bible Study Begins January 5 Freeway: A Way to be Free is an eight-week study built upon God s amazing grace, conversations with friends, and a personal exploration of our pain and loss. This study leads participants to greater experience God s love and freedom in their life. Freeway will meet Sunday evenings at 5 p.m., beginning January 5, and will be is facilitated by Tiffany Fessler. The cost of this study is $15. Register online, athensfirstumc.org/registration, or at the reception desk. Contact: Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org A Disciple s Path Begins January 8 A Disciple s Path is for both new and existing members to learn how we uphold the membership vows of supporting the church by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Each session will be taught by a different pastor of Athens First United Methodist. If you are interested in being a part of a small group, this is a perfect place to begin! This study costs $15. Register online, or at the reception desk. This study meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, January 8-February 19. Contact: Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org The Steeple 8

10 This Week For a detailed calendar see our website, athensfirstumc.org/calendar. Maps of the church are located in the narthex, at the front entrance of the sanctuary. Sunday, December 22 United Methodist Men Retreat March Join the United Methodist Men at their annual retreat, March The cost for this retreat is $50. This retreat will be local, and there will again be barbeque. Additional details about this retreat will be announced as available. Register online, athensfirstumc.org/registration, or at the reception desk. Contact: Mason McWhorter masonmc64@gmail.com Souper Supper Store Thursdays January April The Souper Supper store is an opportunity for guests at the Souper Supper meal to receive necessary personal care and household items. For a complete list of items, visit athensfirstumc.org/soupersupper. Please bring any donations to the basket behind the reception desk. Contact: Kate Kelly kate@weequahic.com or Mary DeLoach Marymdeloach@yahoo.com Contribute to Children s Consignment Sale As you re cleaning out your closets this winter break, please consider donating your gently used children s items to the second annual Children s Consignment Sale. We will accept: gently used fall and winter children s clothes in good to excellent/new condition, sizes 3 months to youth 16; toys in good condition and complete with all pieces; miscellaneous baby & child supplies, furniture, saucers, bouncy seats, swings, pack & plays, and strollers; and maternity clothes. Please bring donations to Diana Zylow s office, behind the reception desk. Donation receipts are available upon request. Contact: Julie Caldwell julie@athensfirstumc.org Sack Lunches for Smart Lunch, Smart Kid December 27 & January 2 Individuals of all ages are invited to make sack lunches for the Smart Lunch, Smart Kid program in Hancock Hall on Friday, December 27 and/or on Thursday, January 2 from 10 a.m. until noon. Smart Lunch, Smart Kid is a branch of Action Ministries. Contact: Betsy Butler betsy@athensfirstumc.org Isaiah 7: :30 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary) Preschool Nursery and Sunday School The Steeple 9

11 9:45 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary) Sunday School Classes 11:00 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary) 11:30 a.m. Children s Church (Caravans) 12:00 p.m. Route 56 Octane Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 1:00 p.m. Volley Performance (Gym) 3:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 1 (Scout Hut) 3:45 p.m. Agape Rehearsal (Room 163) 4:30 p.m. Wesleyan Youth Choir Rehearsal (Room 163) Monday, December 23 Psalm 80:1 7, :30 a.m. Fashion Fitness (Room 126) 7:00 a.m. Men s Bible Study (Hull Dining) Tuesday, December 24 Romans 1:1 7 Christmas Holiday Church Office Closed 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Wednesday, December 25 Matthew 1:18 25 Thursday, December 26 Christmas Holiday Church Office Closed Isaiah 9:2 7 8:00 a.m. REACH International Florida Christmas Conference Transport Friday, December 27 Psalm 96 7:30 a.m. Young Life Basketball 8:00 a.m. Tijuana Mexico Mission Trip Departs 10:00 a.m. Make Lunches for Smart Lunch, Smart Kid 5:00 p.m. Children s Basketball (Gym) 6:30 p.m. REACH Bible Study & Dinner (Adult Sunday School Hall) Saturday, December 28 Titus 2: :00 a.m. Children s Basketball (Gym) The Steeple 10

12 Worship Bulletin ( ) Published weekly Athens First United Methodist Church 327 N. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA Telephone Fax Website athensfirstumc.org Periodicals Postage Paid at Athens, GA Vol. LV No. 76 Postmaster Send address changes to: Worship Bulletin ( ) AFUMC P.O. Box 1109 Athens, GA