4th Sunday of Advent LOVE

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1 First United Methodist Church of Greensburg, PA December 24, :00 AM Worship 4th Sunday of Advent Love A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Representing Christ as a Light within the City 4th Sunday of Advent LOVE * Indicates where you may stand if you are able. ** Four-digit hymns are from The Faith We Sing Hymnal. PRELUDE Unto Us Is Born a Son arr. Colin Mawby *LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH 1

2 Advent is a time to celebrate God s love. God s love is pure. We celebrate by loving our neighbors as ourselves. God s love is everlasting. We celebrate by loving the Lord our God with all our hearts. God s love is all-powerful. We celebrate by spreading God s love to a world in need. God s love is freely given to all. *OPENING PRAYER Gracious God, as we ponder your great and eternal love, we think of our own limited understanding. We think of the words of Nelson Mandela: People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. Teach us to love as you have loved, and help us learn to share that love with the world around us. Amen. *HYMN Once in Royal David s City No. 250 *THE BIDDING PRAYER *THE LORD S PRAYER 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. *BLESSING The almighty God bless us with divine grace, Christ give us the joys of everlasting life, and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen. CAROL Of the Father s Love Begotten No

3 FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15, Nevaeh Hirst God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve s punishment for their rebellion and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent s head. CAROL Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus No. 196 SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:15-18 Conner Grant God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth shall obtain blessing. CAROL The God of Abraham Praise (stanzas 1-3) No. 116 THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Nicole Savage The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness. CAROL Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Dan McAfee Bill Hensel, soloist FOURTH LESSON Micah 5:2-5a Bob Bloom The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all of God s creation. CAROL O Little Town of Bethlehem No. 230 FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-35, 38 Gerry Enlow The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God s promised Son whose kingdom shall never end. CAROL Almost There arr. Heather Sorenson Chancel Choir SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7 Jim Swank Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born. 3

4 CAROL He Is Born arr. Richard Hudson *The morning offering will be gathered during this carol. SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16 Peg Wilson The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger. CAROL Infant Holy, Infant Lowly No. 229 EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11 Shirley Neill The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews. CAROL We Three Kings No. 254 *NINTH LESSON John 1:1-14 Pastor Net John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. *HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful (stanzas ) No. 234 *DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING May the Christ who by his Incarnation gathered into One things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Go forth in peace and joy. Thanks be to God. Alleluia! *BENEDICTION Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light J. S. Bach Chancel Choir *POSTLUDE The King Shall Come when Morning Dawns arr. Michael Burkhardt 4

5 THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are given to the glory of God and in memory of James Harris, Sr., by James Harris, Jr. and family. THE BULLETIN is given to the glory of God and in memory of Jim Stu Stewart by Stu s family. WE THANK THOSE WHO ARE SERVING TODAY: ACOLYTE: - Luke Flock ALTAR GUILD: - Mary Lou Fitzgerald GREETERS: - Laurel & Don Sedlacko SOUND SYSTEM: - Riley Hirst TECH TEAM: - Cheryl Lennert USHERS: - George Fagert Family Please lift our friends and church family in prayer: Our shut-ins, those in military service and all with special needs: (Please write prayer concerns on the cards in the pews and place them in the offering plate requests left on for three weeks, unless renewed.) Prayer & Health Concerns: Ellen Grubb; Steve Long; Amber; Lois Wise; Jaretta & husband; Brenda; Tyler; Jeff; Ginny & Dave Grandey; Family of Joe DePrimio and Eileen Trout; Bob; Melonie; Micah; Mike; Rilla Nash; Ken Keiser; Tammy Hay. Please continue to pray for our homebound, nursing home and care center members: Brookdale Latrobe: Greensburg Care Center: Weatherwood Manor: Home: Allan Pierce, Dorothy Rutter Alice Murphy Helen Wolfgang Art Faust, Charleen Ringler EKKLESIA -- A COMMUNION SERVICE OF WORD & SONG SATURDAY - 7 PM - December 30, 2017 FEATURES: : PATTYP FITZPATRICK,, PIANOP 5

6 WEEKLY CALENDAR Office Closed Christmas Day and Tuesday, December 26th Normal Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM-12:00 PM and 12:30-4:00 PM Sun. 12/24 Read - Luke 2: :00 AM - Worship - Sanctuary NO SUNDAY SCHOOL NO YOUTH GROUP 7:00 PM - Christmas Eve Candlelight Family Service 11:00 PM - Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Mon. 12/25 Read - Isaiah 9:2-7 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! CHURCH AND CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Tues. 12/26 Read - Luke 2:21-52 CHURCH AND CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED NO BIBLE STUDY Wed. 12/27 Read - Revelation 7:1-17 NO BIBLE STUDY Thurs. 12/28 Read - Revelation 19: :00 AM - 12 Step Meeting - Fellowship Hall NO MUSIC ACTIVITIES NO KIDS ROCK NO YOUTH BIBLE STUDY Fri. 12/29 Read - Revelation 21:1-27 Sat. 12/30 Read - Revelation 22:1-21 7:00 PM - Ekklesia Worship-Sanctuary - Patty Fitzpatrick, piano Sun. 12/31 Read - Numbers 6: :00 AM - Worship - Sanctuary NO SUNDAY SCHOOL NO YOUTH GROUP 6

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Next Sunday - New Year s Eve - there will be one combined worship service at 10:00 AM. The December Stewardship focus is World Peace. Jesus - and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). There are NO Bible Studies on 12/26 & 12/27. CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS are available for pick up on Wednesday, December 27 from 9 am - noon OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the Sanctuary Hall. If you need envelopes, please sign the provided yellow sheets. Welcome to Greensburg First United Methodist Church We are so glad that you chose to worship at Greensburg First UMC this morning. Greensburg First is a place for real people with real lives to develop and nurture a real faith. We have authentic relationships, relevant messages, and are committed to raising up the next generation as disciples of Jesus Christ.. We want you to know that you are loved and accepted here. Feel free to worship with us regularly and to fully participate in all our activities. If you are new to our community or are looking for a church home, please make it a point to meet one of the pastors before you leave the building. Also, help us get to know you by signing the welcome tablet. We will be happy to help you learn more about Greensburg First UMC. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 15 E. SECOND STREET, GREENSBURG, PA Phone: info@greensburgfirst.org website: Anette V. Gerber.. pastornet@greensburgfirst.org....minister Jill M. Croushore..jcroushore@greensburgfirst.org.....Associate Minister Robert C. Wilson...Minister Emeritus Sandi Foreman sforeman@greensburgfirst.org......secretary Janice Vandenberg and Sean Hirst Custodians Fred Pershing Director of Music Br. Jim Caffrey Jr., OSL......Associate Director of Music Ruth K. Hughes.....music@greensburgfirst.org Organist Laramie Cowan youth@greensburgfirst.org youth Director 7

8 NEW TO FIRST UMC GREENSBURG? Join us for Prelude: Lunch with the Pastors Sunday, January 14th, :15 PM To register, please call the church office at or *************************************************************** NEW MEMBER CLASSES Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library January 30th - March 6th To register, please call the church office at or pastornet@greensburgfirst.org. 8