The Order of Worship Sunday, December 18, 2011

Transcription

1 The Order of Worship Sunday, December 18, 2011 The Fourth Sunday of Advent Make Christmas Count Congregational portions of prayers and responses are in bold type. To avoid disturbing other worshippers, please silence cell phones and pagers. v Please stand, if standing is comfortable. For hymns, please stand at the beginning of the last line of the hymn introduction. Carillon Chorus Organ Prelude Noel de Saintonge Jean-Fracois Dandriue Jonas Nordwall, organist Organ Chimes Living & Growing in Faith Sonja Connor, Lay Leader Thank Offering You are invited to bring an offering to the front of the sanctuary along with a brief word of thanks. This special offering will go to help support the Goose Hollow Shelter through Portland Homeless Family Solutions. Lighting the Advent Wreath Tait & Nicole, Camden Switzer Will You Come and See the Light? (soloist) Will you join the hope alight in a young girl s eyes Of the mighty put to flight by a baby s cries? When the lowest and the least are the foremost at the feast, Will you hide or decide to meet the light? (congregation) Will you come and see the light from the stable door? It is shining newly bright, though it shone before. It will be your guiding star, it will show you who you are. Will you hide or decide to meet the light? Sonja Connor, Lay Leader What are you expecting? We are imagining all God s possibilities. But what are you expecting? Light in our darkness, peace in our turmoil, love in our hearts. Christmas! Let us be glad; for God has remembered us. Call us happy, for God continues to do great things. And so we have great expectations. Glory! Glory to God in the highest! Amen. Call to Worship v Hymn No. 202 A Conversation with Our Children Children s Story Prayer People Look East... and all God s children said, Amen. Hymn No. 238 Angels We Have Heard on High (verses 1-3) Remembering the Story Luke 1:5-14, Megan Humphreys-Loving Reflections Suddenly Angels! Rev. Donna Pritchard Choral Anthem Gloria Randol Bass Brass & Timpani The Chancel Choir Erick Lichte, conducting Rev. Tom Foster You keep us waiting. You, the God of all time, want us to wait for the right time to discover who we are, where we must go, who will be with us, and what we must do. We thank you, God, for this waiting time. Give us grace, O God, to wait in spiritual expectancy, to practice true humility, to share real love and to live in real hope. Hear us as we pray in silence Congregational Prayers Introit Veni Emmanuel Moment of Silence Intercessory Prayers and the Lord s Prayer Hymn No. 218 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (verse 1)

2 Presenting Our Gifts Offertory Prayer Rev. Tom Foster Offertory Music Adagio Cantabile (Sonata in E ) Francouer Jane Day, cello v Doxology and Presentations of Our Offerings (Hymn No. 230, verse 4) O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Choral Anthem Fantasia on Christmas Carols Ralph Vaughan Williams Jane Day, cello... Benjamin Bell, soloist The Chancel Choir Erick Lichte, director Hymn No. 242 Love Came Down at Christmas Benediction (Please be seated for the benediction and choral response.) Choral Response Seven Fold Amen Lutkin Postlude Swiss Noel L. C. Daquin The altar flowers today are dedicated to the glory of God and presented by Kelly Qualls in memory of Ed Allen. The pulpit flowers today are dedicated to the glory of God and presented by Peggy Rockwood in memory of Bill & Jane Rockwood. Ushers Greeters Coffee Hour Lay Leaders Robert Cannon, Dean Lang, Mark Mason, Jerry Outslay, Daniel Strickland, Cheryl Bittle Carrie Saito, Duane & Corinne Paulson, Betty-Lou Hare, Cal Brockman, Sr. Adult Ministries Sonja Connor, Dan Woodward, Cheryl Bittle

3 United Methodist Church, Oregon-Idaho Conference Bishop Assistant to the Bishop - Metro Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata The Reverend Dr. Lowell Greathouse First United Methodist Church Clergy and Staff Senior Pastor The Reverend Donna Pritchard ext. 226 Minister of Pastoral Care The Reverend Tom Foster ext. 233 Director of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries Megan Humphreys-Loving ext. 227 Coordinator of Volunteers, Hospitality & Outreach Mark Ohlson ext. 220 Church Administrator Christine Bostick ext. 222 Administrative Assistant David Jenkins ext. 221 Bookkeeper Shirley Blalock ext. 225 Nursery Michelle Green, Andrea Miller, Emily Kunkel, ext. 216 Angie Leon Guerrero, Samantha Cerling Facilities Manager Dwight Dragoo ext. 205 Custodians Robert Ramirez, Charles Siegfried, Wort Evinger, Isaac Schulz, Cole and Seth Giandomenico Music Staff Artistic Director of Music and Organist Jonas Nordwall ext. 218 Executive Director of Music Kelly Qualls ext. 235 Chancel Choir Conductor Erick Lichte Handbell Director Nancy Hascall Chancel Choir Section Leaders Deborah Benke, soprano Carol Young, alto and Assistant Director Mark Woodward, tenor Benjamin Bell, bass Children s Choir Directors Vanessa Unger, Cherub (pre-k-grade 2) Ronnee Edwards, Sound Seekers (grades 3-5) Mark Woodward, Veritas (grades 6-young adult) Karin McDonough, Genesis Ringers and jubellation F THIS WEEK AT December 18-24, 2011 IRST CHURCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 8:30 AM Collins AM, Collins Hall 9:00 AM Changing Christianity, 202 9:00 AM N-YAC Service, Chapel 9:00 AM Church Child Care, Nursery 9:15 AM Faith Links, 134 9:15 AM The ADVENTure, Fireside Room 9:15 AM First Church Library Open, Library 9:30 AM Middle School Sunday School, 209 9:30 AM High School Sunday School, Youth Room 9:30 AM Sound Seekers Rehearsal, 136 9:30 AM Cherub Choir Rehearsal, 206 9:30 AM Chancel Choir, Sanctuary 10:30 AM Sunday Worship, Sanctuary 10:45 AM Children s Sunday School, Various 11:45 AM Children s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary 11:45 AM Commons in Collins Hall 12:00 PM Music Committee, :00 PM Genesis Ringers Rehearsal, 130 MONDAY, DECEMBER 19 9:00 AM Library Volunteers, Library 6:00 PM All Comers Book Group, Library TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20 11:00 AM Bridge, 202 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 6:00 PM Longest Night Service, Chapel 7:00 PM Parish Conference, 110 7:00 PM jubellation Rehearsal, 7:30 PM Boy Scouts Troop 1, 209 & Gym THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 10:00 AM Shovel & Rake, 110 5:00 PM Intergenerational Ping Pong, Gym 7:00 PM Chancel Choir, Sanctuary SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 5:00 PM Children s Christmas Pageant & Service 7:00 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 9:00 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM Communion Christmas Eve Service First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson, Portland, Oregon Phone: 503/ Fax: 503/ office@fumcpdx.org Visit our website at Copies of previous Sunday sermons are available in the church office. Goose Hollow Family Shelter 503/ Brandi Tuck, Executive Director We extend a special welcome to our visitors. Portland First United Methodist Church declares that we will be an advocate for peace in our local communities and world. As a Reconciling Congregation, members of this congregation have pledged to welcome and support all who want to worship with us, regardless of race, gender, class or sexual orientation. We encourage all of you to note your attendance on the communication card enclosed in your bulletin.

4 The Commons In Collins Hall meeting people, meeting needs! ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS & WORLD BAZAAR Come to the Commons in Collins Hall after worship and explore and Alternative Christmas. LET S MAKE CHANGE Let s Make Change involves collecting change and small donations on the third Sunday of each month to benefit a specific community project supported by First Church. This is now done as a Thank Offering by all who wish to give in celebration of anything for which they are especially thankful. During this morning s service the Rev. Donna Pritchard will explain how you can participate. The beneficiary of today s donations is the Goose Hollow Family Shelter, which opens to homeless families each night here in the lower level at First Church. SERVE AS A CHRISTMAS EVE GREETER! Greeters are still needed for the 5:00 PM Family Christmas Eve Service and the 11:00 PM Communion Service. You can volunteer as an individual, couple, or you can even greet people as a parent/child team! All ages are needed to welcome everyone to worship on this special Eve. Today, you ll find a sign-up sheet at the Volunteer/Outreach table after church in The Commons during coffee hour. One is also posted on the window just opposite the church office in the front of the building. This year, be the first to share the joy of the Christmas spirit with everyone coming to worship at First Church on Christmas Eve! FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS TODAY When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? It s easy. It s painless. And best of all, at First Church, it s always free! Stop by the table at the rear of Collins Hall after worship during coffee hour for your complimentary check up. UPDATE ON THE FIRST CHURCH FINANCIAL CAMPAIGN Our Goal... $881,360 Estimates of Giving Received to Date... $741,729 (84%) Estimates of Giving Cards thus far Thank you for your support of First Church. If you have not yet turned in your Estimate of Giving, please do so soon! With everyone s help we can make it to the top! Christ our Blessed Saviour now in the manger lay He s lying in the manger while oxen feed on hay Baritone Solo: On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring (News of great joy, news of great mirth. News of our merciful King s birth) When Sin departs before thy grace then life and health come in it s place. Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the newborn King (All for to see the newborn King) God bless the ruler of this house and long on may he reign (From out of darkness we have light Which makes the angels sing this night) Many happy Christmases he live to see again (From out of darkness we have light Which makes the angels sing this night) God bless our generation who live both far and near (Glory to God and peace to men) And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year (Both now and evermore Amen) God bless the ruler of this house and long on may he reign Many happy Christmases he live to see again God bless our generation who live both far and near And we wish them a happy, a happy New Year Oh we wish you a happy, a happy New Year. (Both now and evermore. Amen) Brass and Timpani James Smock... trumpet 1 Michael Hankins... trumpet 2 Andy Harris... trombone 1 David Bryan... trombone 2 Steve Hayworth... horn 1 Jennifer Harrison... horn 2 Mark Vehrencamp... tuba Greg Henion... timpani

5 ANTHEM Gloria by Randol Bass Text Translation: Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to all those of good will. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We glorify thee. We give thanks to thee according to thy great glory. Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father almighty. Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou alone art holy. Thou alone art the Lord. Thou alone art the most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit in glory of God the Father. Amen. ANTHEM Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams Baritone Solo: This is the truth sent from above, The truth of God, the god of love Therefore don t turn me from your door, But hearken all both rich and poor The first thing which I will relate, Is that God did man create The next thing which to you I ll tell, Woman was made with man to dwell Then after this was God s own choice to place them both in paradise There to remain from evil free, Except they ate of such a tree And they did eat which was a sin, And thus their ruin did begin Ruined themselves, both you and me, And all of their posterity Choir: Thus we were heirs to endless woes, Till God the Lord did interpose And so a promise soon did run, That he would redeem us by his Son (That he would redeem us by his Son) By his son Come all you worthy gentlemen that may be standing by Christ our blessed saviour was born on Christmas day. ADVENTure For All ADVENTure is a fun way to explore Advent and will include art, story telling and music in playful learning. The ADVENTure will begin at 9:00 AM in the Fireside Room each Sunday of Advent. Nursery is available during this time, and all ages are welcome to come before choirs start. Come to one or come to all! JOIN THE GREAT ADVENTURE NATIVITY PAGEANT REHEARSAL TODAY The children of First Church will be presenting a Nativity Pageant in the 5:00 PM Christmas Eve service. All children are invited to participate! We will have an all-cast dress rehearsal today after worship. Contact Megan Humprheys-Loving if you would like your child to participate: mhumphreys-loving@fumcpdx.org or 503/ ext. 227 DECK THE HALLS TODAY We need a few willing friends today after worship, to help decorate the Chapel and Collins Hall trees with Crismons for the Christmas season. If you can help, see Beth Iverson. LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE We all know Advent and Christmas is supposed to be about joy, festivity and high-spirited celebration, but not everyone is happy all the time. Not everyone revels in the Christmas spirit in the same way. For some, the darkness of the solstice feels more real than the promised light of Christmas. Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many reasons: concerns about the state of the world around us, struggles with depression, grief, addictions, fears, anxieties, or memories. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, or a job, a home or a dream, please do not think you are alone. Join us in the Chapel at 5:00 PM on the Longest Night - Wednesday, December 21, Together we will acknowledge our feelings with people of compassion and empathy. There will be time for prayer, for silence, for music and for hope. For more information, contact Rev. Tom Foster or Rev. Donna Pritchard.

6 Christmas Eve Services The shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place... We encourage you to attend three of four Advent services and bring someone to a Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve Services 5:00 PM Family Friendly worship with the Children s Nativity Pageant 7:00 & 9:00 PM Candlelight and Carols and a variety of special music 11:00 PM Communion Candlelight service in the Chapel PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGES CURRENT Alternative Christmas! around the world Alternative Christmas giving will focus this year on First UMC s three covenant missionaries and projects in each of their countries through the remaining Sundays of Advent (December 11 and 18), the Global Mission committee will staff a table in the Commons, at which you may purchase gift certificates to benefit Shade and Fresh Water (Brazil), Garbage Dump Ministry (Cambodia) and Wadi Fukin Community Center (Palestine). We will also make available Planet Church s popular Chinook Books, Guatemalan crafts to benefit a day care center for street children in Guatemala City, and Palestinian olive oil to benefit Palestinian farmers. Finances Year to Date Remember Christmas Day is the last Sunday of 2011 for contributions to support your church. Adult Sunday School Classes CHANGING CHRISTIANITY This class meets each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM in Room 202. The class is discussing Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, by Karen Armstrong. FAITH LINK: A NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS This class meets each Sunday from 9:15 to 10:15 AM in Room 134 This weekly study analyzes current events from a Methodist perspective. FaithLink is a study for individuals or groups who want to apply their United Methodist beliefs to current faith issues and world events. This essential guide motivates Christians to consider their personal views on important contemporary issues. FaithLink also encourages action for beliefs. Please join us each Sunday for lively discussions and inspiration. CALL FOR FIRST UMC ARTISTS The January through February art displayed in Collins Hall will be by church artists other than photographers. Art must be framed and able to be hung on the wall. A limited number of small artwork pieces that do not lend themselves for wall hanging will be accepted for display in the Fireside Room. These pieces must be small enough to be displayed inside of the locked display cases. If you have original artwork you wish to display, contact Larry Sawyer at 503/ or LARRY_SAWYER@ COMCAST.NET. PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER & WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM On Tuesday, January 10, 2012 the First Church Travelers will visit the Oregon National Primate Research Center and Washington County Museum Tour. Aging; unlocking the secrets to a long and healthy life is the theme of a tour including talks from scientists about new treatments for age-related conditions as osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer s disease. This event will take place at the Oregon National Primate Research Center in Beaverton, a cutting edge facility, one of eight nationwide supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Within the tour will be a stop at the outdoor animal facilities; dress for cool weather and wear comfortable shoes. A catered lunch will be served at the Center. Following lunch the day will conclude with a special tour of the Washington County Museum including a display by Print Arts Northwest. We meet at the church at 9:00 AM and carpool to both sites, returning to the church by 3:45 PM. Registration is limited to 25 with a deadline of December 27, 2011; the cost is $12.00/person including lunch and museum fees. Register with Christine Bostick in the church office. 503/ ext 222 or cbostick@fumcpdx.org. Registration information needed is name, address, phone number, and address.