"Say have I ever got some good news for you1 11

Transcription

1 "GOOD NE~/S II INTRODUCTION MY message this morning will be very brief so relax. The best is yet to come thinking in terms of the children's pageant which will happen shortly, as soon as I receive some signals from the rear of the Church that all is ready. This is the one Sunday of the year when I get to use one of my favorite stories, a story about a six year old boy who l las given a part in his Church's Nativity Pageant. Cast as an angel, he had one line to deliver. This was the line, "Fear not, for behold - I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 11 Nmt that's a lot for a s.ix year old. He did his homework and learned his part well. He would say it for his mother in the morning at the breakfast table, and then again for his father at night before dropping off to sleep. He was well prepared. But, as you might expect, on the night of the performance when he moved out on the stage and saw all the people - his parents and grandparents, his friends, his teacher - his little mind went blank. He just couldn 1 t remember what he was to say. And when it came time for him to do his thing and say: that line, all he could think to blurt out was, "Say have I ever got some good news for you1 11 DEVELOPMENT And friends, that says it all, doesn't it. He got the point across. That little lad sensed the great importance and the deep significance of his line, that there was "Good News" to be shared. It's the "Good News" of a Saviour who can make a difference in our lives and in the life of our world. And th-e children once.iga.ino:~how us the way. Several days before Christmas some time back a strange letter arrived at a radio station in a Rocky Mountain City. It was from a forest ranger who was stationed at one of the most isolated posts in the region. Sometimes there would be weeks when he saw no other htiman being. His violin was a constant companion. He knew it was out of tune, but what could he do about it? An idea came to him which prompted his letter to the radio station. He described his problem and made his request which was, "Would you on Christmas Eve, at midnight, sound an A note over the radio?" Probably many listeners were puzzled at the momentary pause when Christmas Day was ushered in. Just before the traditional playing of "Silent Night" there was a moment of quiet and an oboe sounded the note A. Far away a forest ranger tuned his violin. How well this simple little story expresses'. the real meaning of Christmas - this Jesus - this Child of Bethlehem - has become the tuning note by which we measure our lives If we are at tune to His Spirit, 1-1e live tr iurnphan tly. For in Him we find life's deepest meaning and life's highest hope. And as we b~~sh up against eternal truth in these coming days, may we be willing to

2 tune our lives by His spirit, by His life. May we be willing in these coming days of glory and of wonder to hear once again the song of the angels, "glory to God.in the Highest, and h '" There's an oft-omitted stanza of "It Came Upon the Hidnight Clear" which reminds us that the song of Bethlehem is still valid and it goes like this: "Yet, with the v1oes of sin and strife, The world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring, Oh, Hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing." PRAYER May we be sensitive to Your presence in these moments of quietness Help us to receive the "Good News" of this Holy Season the hope, the peace, the joy and the love of Christmas.

3 PASTCRAL PRAYER: -December 1$, GOD, OUR FATHER - Once aeain you have brought us to this joyous season of the year when "there's a song in the air" and the world around us begins to take on a new look. Because of Bethlehem because of the star and the stable because of Mary and Joseph and the Child in the manger, we know YOU as ONE who is not just "up there 11, or "out there" beyond us but as ONE who is very much a part of our life, here with us and identified with infants as well as with infinity. LORD, we meditate this hour upon that ONE LIFE, born of Mary remembering how she pondered the ~eaning of that Holy Birth - In these quiet moments, we would meditate upon the tremendous meaning of that life, and of what Christmas can and should mean to us. We remember His lowly toil and His lonely way. we remember His gracious words, His deeds of compassion. 1 ;le remember His friendship for the defeated, His care for the outcast. We remember the healing He brought to the sick, the hope He shared with the discouraged. TODAY, let the words of Scripture read to us tell us of the old, yet ever new story of Errrrnanuel, "God with us 11 Let the carols take us back to see again the warmth, the wonder, the tenderness of Your coming. Let the minds comprehend as never before the glory, the joy, the deep meaning of this Event. AND IN THE COMING OF JESUS - Our Lord, You have shown us that Your love is for everyone. That no one is too small or too weak. That no one is too poor or too lrn-tly. That no one is too selfish or too sinful. Melt any hostility we harbor, as we remember the One who came to love. May any bitterness we hold, any resentment we feel, as we remember Him who spoke of forgiveness. NCJvl OPEN OUR HEARTS to YOUR coming, Lord Jesus, that YOU may come into our lives and make them new. Then we shall be able to say about ourselves, "All is calm, all is bright." In the strong name and the loving Spirit of the Christ Child we now pray.

4 NEW MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome into the menbership of our Church the following persons. We trust that this fellowship will be a real blessing to than as it has been to us, and we welcane the contributions which they will make to the richness of our Christian life together. Mr. Janes w. Akers: 411 East 90th Street, SW, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Grace Episcopal Church, Madison, New Jersey. Ms. Barbara Alsen: 185 East 85th Street, 25N, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Grace United Methodist Church, Lindenhurst, New York Ms. Patricia Heru:y Balboni: 363 East 76th Street, 14G, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Wesley United Methodist Church, Dorchester, Massachusetts. Miss Michele Barton: 270 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Bethel AME Church, New York, New York. Mrs. Channane White-Bembucy: 321 East 92nd Street, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Allen Tenple, AME Church, Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Susan Branch: 525 West 49th Street, 4F, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Merrorial United Methodist Church, Austin, Texas Ms. Ann Ellen Cavallaro: 302 East 88th Street, 7H, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First United Methodist Church, Beaumont, Texas. Mrs. Hollis Holder Galgano: 108 East 86th Street, lon, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First United Methodist Church, Rocky Ford, Colorado Dr. Cleon Walton Goodwin: 315 East 64th Street, 12C, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First United Methodist Church, Wilson, North Carolina Mrs. Susan L. Goodwin: 315 East 65th Street, 12C, New York, New. York Transfer of Church Letter. St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Julie K. Hymen: 328 East 93rd Street, 4A, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Castleton-on-Hudson, New York. Mr. Ga:ry R. Klein: 315 East 90th Street, le, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Church of Christ, Cheyenne, Wy'aning. Mrs. Julie R. Klein: 315 East 90th Street, le, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First United Methodist Church, Brocmfield, Colorado. (over)

5 Ms. Jane Tucker-Levin: 130 East 30th Street, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Ohio Mr. Dermis Alexander Lewis: 340 East 34th Street, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Sharon Moravian Church, Jackson, St. Thanas, Barbados, West Indies. Ms. Tula Ponce de Leon: 1025 Fifth Avenue, 20-S, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Canaan Baptist Church, Corona, New York. Miss Tsellang Ram:>tibe: 1144 Old White Plains Road, Mamaroneck, New York Transfer of Church Letter. John Wesley Methodist Church, Springs, Johannesburg, South Africa. Ms. Marianna Reynolds: 131 West 85th Street, 6A, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. Parkwood United Methodist Church, Durham, North Carolina. Ms. Karen Stuckey-Seduski: 1601 Third Avenue, 4KW, New York, New York Associate Member. Hane Church: United Methodist Church, Union, New Jersey Dr. John M. Simns: 1755 York Avenue, SN, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia Mrs. Kathy G. Simns: 1755 York Avenue, 5N, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Virginia Mrs. Dorcas Sirrpson: 340 East 93rd Street, 20M, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. The Ridge Church, Accra, Ghana. Miss Araba Sirrpson: 340 East 93rd Street, 20M, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. The Ridge Church, Accra, Ghana. Miss Efua Sirrpson: 340 East 93rd Street, 20M, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. The Ridge Church, Accra, Ghana. Miss Wendy J. Sorenson: 70 East 83rd Street, New York, New York Transfer of Church Letter. First United Methodist Church, Racine, Wisconsin Mr. Anietie Josiah Utak: 401 East 89th Street, 12C, New York, New York Joining on Confession of Faith. AN INVITATION The coffee hour this rrorning is in honor of our new members. We invite you to care downstairs to the Russell Roan following the service and introduce yourself to our newest members. December 15, 1985

6 ANTHEM: "Domine Fili Unigenite" THE ADVENT WREATH "Only begotten Son of the Father, Jesus Christ, Lord God, Jesus Christ." ANTHEM: "O Magnum Mysterium" "0 great mystery and wondrous sacrament, that animals might see the birth of the Lord as He lay in the manger. 0, blessed Virgin, who wast worthy of bearing our Lord Jesus Christ, Alleluia." ORGAN POSTLUDE The organ postlude - a final offering of our praise to God - is played after the Benediction. Time permitting, we invite you to share in the beauty of it. FOR THOSE WHO SING New members are always welcome to audition to sing in the Choir. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 6:15 in the downstairs Choir Room (south end of the Russell Room). THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 The Oratorio Society of New York, under the direction of Lyndon Woodside, will present Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall on Thursday evening of this week at 8 pm. Include this performance of the Messiah as part of your Christmas celebration. Tickets may be secured at the Box Office. The Advent Wreath with its four red candles is one of the traditions of the Christmas Season. our Advent wreath - made possible through the kindness of one of our members - is on the chancel steps. Today, on the Third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of joy. Today's candle lighters are Christine Heckhart, Anil Melwani and Sybil Mulayantanda. THE CHRISTMAS FLOWER FUND Those wishing to give to the fund for Christmas decorations are invited to use the envelope in the pew. The amount that is received determines what we are able to do in the way of Christmas decorations in the Church in these coming days. CHRISTMAS CARDS Christmas cards are available again this year through the United Methodist Women. Take a moment to look over the selection at the coffee hour. Mary Lou Mc Ganney will be glad to assist you. Today is the last Sunday to place your order. HOLIDAY PECANS Holiday pecans are available at the coffee hour. They're on a table in the rear of the Russell Room. Either Bobbie Heron or Elizabeth. Berg will take your order.

7 "HOUNDS OF HEAVEN" The "Hounds of Heaven" will meet Tuesday evening in the apartment of Leroy Coffman, 303 East 83rd Street at 6:30 pm. The leader of the "Hounds" reports that there will be no meeting on either Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve and that January 7th is the evening of the first 1986 meeting. New friends are invited to join. PICK UP YOUR COPY Pick up your copy of the December issue of our parish news sheet. Copies are by the door in the narthex as well as on the table in the Russell Room. FINANCIAL CANVASS The 1986 Financial Canvass is now in its final moments. To date, 185 pledges have been gratefully received. Our 1986 goal is 225 pledges and $92,000. If you have not yet responded with a pledge for 1986, may we encourage you to do so today. Pledge cards are available in the narthex along with a copy of the budget. Larry Morales, David Kilbride or Rod Hoover will be glad to assist you or answer any questions regarding a 1986 pledge. FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET The Finance Committee will meet on Thursday evening at 7 pm in the Russell Room. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM This morning we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Anietie Josiah Utak will be baptized by Mr. Clarke. THIS EVENING AT FIVE The Annual Christmas Pageant and Party for the entire Church family will be held this evening. It begins around five o'clock with the children's i~terpretation of the Nativity in the sanctuary. It then moves downstairs into the Russell Room for decorating of the trees, the singing of the carols, a visit from Santa Claus and a buffet supper. It's going to be a warm and wonderful evening for the entire parish and all are invited to return later today for it. NEEDED The Yorkville Common Pantry has sent out word that winter overcoats are needed for men and women in their shelter. Call Nancy at if you can help. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE The Christmas Eve Service of Carols and Candles will be held on Tuesday evening, December 24th, at eight o'clock. The sanctuary is usually comfortably filled for this lovely service. If you're in the city on Christmas Eve, plan to come. Invite some friends to come along with you.

8 PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y AT CHURCH DIRECTORY Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke... Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside... Organist-Choir Director Mr. Jack Schmidt... Business Manager Ms. Kathleen Harrison... Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman... Day School Director Mr. Carlos Bernal... Custodian GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference... Mr. Edward J. Brown Mrs. Joyce Gartrell President, Board of Trustees Miss Lynn Bruhn Chairman, Administrative Council... Mr. Leroy Coffman Chairman, Education Committee... Mr. William Bell Chairman, Fellowship Committee Miss Helen Wilkinson Chairman, Finance Committee... Mr. Edward]. Brown Chairman, Church Property Committee.. Mr. Doug Heimbigner Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee... Miss Linda Burtch Dr. John Lombardo Chairman, Outreach Committee... Miss Elizabeth Berg Chairman, Worship Committee... Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School..... Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hughes Chainnan, Ushers... Mr. Larry Morales Superintendent, Sunday School... Miss Anne Davenport PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH No. 6780

9 THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT December 15, 1985 ORDER OF WORSHIP ll A. M. ORGAN CALL TO WORSHIP "Elevazione" Zipoli HYMN NO 382 "Angels, from the Realms of Glory" PRAYER OF CONFESSION (seated) Our Heavenly Father, who didst cause light to shine out of darkness in the advent of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we humbly confess our transgressions and implore Thy forgiveness. We are ashamed of that within us which maketh neither for good will to others nor for growth in goodness in our lives. We beseech Thee that the spirit of Christ may be born anew within us, and that we may glorify His nativity with hearts of compassion, deeds of kindly service, and the spirit of good will toward all mankind, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. SILENT MEDITATION - WORDS OF ASSURANCE - LORD'S PRAYER *** LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE *** SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM CONFIRMATION AND RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS *** ANTHEM SCRIPTURE PASTORAL PRAYER PARISH CONCERNS "Domine Fili Unigenite" LUke 1: No. 829 Poulenc Page 887 ANTHEM "0 Magnum Mysterium" Victoria PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 388 "Hark~ the Herald Angels Sing" MEDITATION "Good News" Mr. Clarke HYMN NO. 390 "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" A GIFT FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BENEDICTION ORGAN "Voluntary" Croft LAY READER We welcome Holly Galgano as our Lay Reader today. A native of Colorado, a graduate of Oral Roberts University, Holly is mother of two-year old Alexandra. Her professional background is in fashion retailing. She worked in Dallas before coming to NYC where she met her husband, Dennis, who is an investment banker. A new member, Holly has been worshipping with us since last Easter. A GIFT FROM THE CHILDREN Today, after the closing hymn, the boys and girls of our Sunday School will present their interpretation of the Nativity. We invite you to stay to enjoy this brief but beautiful gift from the children. ALTAR FLOWERS The flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Ophelia and Wilmertha Barton by Michele Barton. USHERS The ushers today are James Padilla, Richmond Bates, Lucy Dinnes, Gary Kunishima, Ernest Nieratka, Yoshito Oda, and John and Pat Tucker. AN INVITATION Coffee and tea will be served in the Russell Room following the service. Members and friends are invited to share in these moments of warmth made possible for us today by Deborah Cox-Riches, Jacqueline Notestine, Karen Kluge, Elizabeth Kashey, Frances Ellison, Bobbie Heron and Florence Long. ADULT BIBLE CLASS The Adult Bible Class meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 in Fellowship Hall. New members are always most welcome. '

10 PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y AT CHURCH DIRECTORY Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke... Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside... Organist-Choir Director Mr. Jack Schmidt... Business Manager Ms. Kathleen Harrison... Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman... Day School Director Mr. Carlos Bernal Custodian GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference... Mr. Edward J. Brown Mrs. Joyce Gartrell President, Board of Trustees... Miss Lynn Bruhn Chairman, Administrative Council... Mr. Leroy Coffman Chairman, Education Committee... Mr. William Bell Chairman, Fellowship Committee... Miss Helen Wilkinson Chairman, Finance Committee... Mr. Edward J. Brown Chairman, Church Property Committee.. Mr. Doug Heimbigner Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee.... Miss Linda Burtch Dr. John Lombardo Chairman, Outreach Committee... Miss Elizabeth Berg Chairman, Worship Committee... Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School... Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hughes Chairman, Ushers Mr. Larry Morales Superintendent, Sunday School... Miss Anne Davenport PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH No. 6780