15, 2013 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Transcription

1 December 15, 2013 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT The Festival of Nine

2 December 15, :30 & 11:00AM ORDER OF WORSHIP Community Life/Ritual of Fellowship Third Sunday of Advent (In preparation for worship, please silence all cell phones.) (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.) A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Originated 1880, Truro, England Dr. Glenn Ethridge Prelude Sing We a Glad Noel arr. Dale Wood Chiming of the Hour Lighting of the Third Advent Candle from John 1:1-14 Rev. Susan Allen Grady In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We beheld His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Processional Hymn Once in Royal David s City 1 Solo James Armfield, Soprano *2 He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lowly lived on earth our Savior holy. 3 Jesus is our lifelong pattern; day by day like us He grew; He was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us He knew; And He feels for all our sadness, and He shares in all our gladness. 4 And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love. For that child, so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; And He leads His children on to the place where He is gone. 5 Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, We shall see Him, but in heaven, set at God s right hand on high; When like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around. The Bidding Prayer and The Lord s Prayer Dr. Ethridge FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15,17-19 Alexandra Spitale In the Garden of Eden, God establishes our need for a Savior

3 Carol E en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Paul Manz Text: based on Revelation 22; Choral Setting 1953 Peace be to you and grace from Him who freed us from our sin, who loved us all, and shed his blood that we might saved be. Sing holy, holy to our Lord, the Lord almighty God who was and is, and is to come. Sing holy, holy Lord. Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein! Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, for Christ is coming soon. E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, and night shall be no more. They need no light, no lamp, nor sun, for Christ will be their All! SECOND LESSON Isaiah 9:2-7 John Traynelis The prophet foretells the coming of a Savior to a people in darkness Carol All This Night Jess Langston Turner Text: c. 1630, William Austin; Choral Setting 2008 All this night bright angels sing; never was such caroling. Hark! A voice which loudly cries,"mortals, mortals, wake and rise: Lo! To gladness turns your sadness; from the earth is ris'n a Son. (The light) Shines all night though day be done. Wake, O earth! Wake everything! Wake and hear the joy I bring: Wake and joy, for all this night, heaven and every twinkling light, all amazing, still stand gazing; angels, powers, and all that be, wake, and joy this Son to see! Hail! O Son! O blessed light, sent into this world by night; let Thy rays and heav'nly pow'rs, shine in these dark souls of ours. For most duly, Thou art truly God and Man, we do confess: Hail, O Sun of Righteousness! THIRD LESSON Micah 5:1-4 Haley McDaniel The prophet foretells the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem Carol What Child Is This arr. Linda Lamb The Wesley Ringers with Violin Tune: c. 1580, Anonymous FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 11:1-9 Andrew Ethridge The King will come and usher in a reign of justice and peace Carol Midwinter Bob Chilcot Text: Christina Rossetti, 1872; Choral Setting 1995 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; but His mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give Him: give my heart. Our Tithes and Offerings Winter, Third Movement Antonio Vivaldi Jim Campbell, Violin Page 2

4 *Doxology UMH 236 All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace; goodwill hence-forth from heaven to earth begin and never cease, begin and never cease. FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-38 James Unger The angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will give birth to God s promised Son Carol Nova, Nova! Michael Bedford Kristin Ethridge with Women of the Choir and Violin Text: Based on 15th C. English Carol; Choral Setting 1999 The angel, Gabriel by name, unto the Virgin Mary came, with joyful news unto the same. Nova! Tidings of salvation! Then said the angel, Do not fear, I bring glad news for you to hear: You will bring forth God s Son so dear. Then Mary looked unto the sky: Be as it pleases God on high, whose name my soul shall magnify. By her the Christ Child comes to earth, in Bethlehem to have his birth; Let all the world be filled with mirth! Nova! Tidings of salvation! SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7 Kathy Brockman Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus Carol What Sweeter Music John Rutter Text: Robert Herrick, 1649; Choral Setting 1981 What sweeter music can we bring than a carol, for to sing the birth of this our heavenly King? Awake the voice! Awake the string! Dark and dull night fly hence away, and give the honor to this day that sees December turned to May. Why does the chilling winter s morn smile, like a field beset with corn? Or smell like a meadow newly shorn thus on the sudden? Come and see the cause, why things thus fragrant be: Tis he is born, whose quickening birth gives life and lustre, public mirth, to heaven and the underearth. We see him come, and know his mours, who, with his sunshine and his showers, turns all the patient ground to flowers. The darling of the world is come, and fit it is, we find a room to welcome him. The nobler part of all the house here, is the heart, which we will give him; and bequeath this holly, and this ivy wreath, to do him honor; who s our King, and Lord of all this revelling. What sweeter music can we bring than a carol, for to sing the birth of this our heavenly King. SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16 Rev. Louis Miller The angels announce the wondrous news to the shepherds Carol Shepherds, Keeping Watch by Night Derek Healey Text: c. 1840; Choral Setting 2011 Shepherds, keeping watch by night, saw around a glorious light: Alleluia. Soon by many an angel tongue, Glory be to God was sung: Alleluia. Oh, how great His grace and love thus to leave His throne above: Alleluia. Joyful tidings to mankind! Richest grace they now may find: Alleluia! Page 3

5 EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11 Rev. Allen Grady The Magi follow a star to find the Christ child *Congregational Carol The First Noel The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter s night that was so deep. (Refrain) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. (Refrain) And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. (Refrain) This star drew nigh to the northwest, o er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did bothstop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain) Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. (Refrain) NINTH LESSON John 1:1-5,10-14 Dr. Ethridge Saint John unfolds the mystery of Christ s birth Carol O Come, All Ye Faithful arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw Text and Tune: c. 1743, commonly attributed to John F. Wade *Congregation stand on cue to sing verse 6 *6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. *The Blessing and Sending Forth Dr. Ethridge *Postlude From Heaven Above arr. F.W. Zachau *Congregation stand as able UMH: United Methodist Hymnal / FWS: The Faith We Sing Large print hymnals and bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available from an usher.

6 OAK GROVE NEWS December 15, 2013 New Associate Pastor Appointed The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is happy to announce that Dr. Amy Morgan is a new associate pastor at Oak Grove. Amy will work part-time, 10 hours a week, beginning January In June 2014 at Annual Conference, Amy will be appointed full time to Oak Grove to replace Rev. Louis Miller who is retiring after 26 years of service here. Amy is an exceptionally gifted pastor and a person of great character. Glenn and Amy worked together for three years previously. Prior to taking a temporary leave from ordained ministry, Amy served as Sr. Pastor of McKendree UMC. She had the largest worshipping United Methodist congregation of any female pastor in the state of Georgia. She is a gifted preacher, leader, organizer, and a quality person. Oak Grove is very blessed to have Amy join our staff. Amy is married to Dan Morgan, Chief of Rockdale County Fire-Rescue. Dan and Amy have two adult children Hannah Pye, who lives in Athens with her husband Brandon, and Jarrett Morgan, who works in the film/entertainment industry. We invite you to be in a spirit of prayer for Amy s arrival. Please take a moment to write her a note of welcome along with encouragement and prayers. You may reach Amy at amy.morgan@ngumc.net or drop her a note at 2098 Cluster Lane, Grayson, GA Advent Offering Extends Christ s Ministry Many in our Oak Grove Church family have already contributed to the Advent Offering in support of a variety of outreach ministries. Please remember that your first obligation is to fulfill your pledge to the church s annual budget. Then if you have not yet made a contribution to the Advent Offering, you may still do so between now and Christmas. Please use the special envelope for this mailed to you, or get one from a sanctuary pew. Checks should be made payable to Oak Grove UMC and marked Advent Offering. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus birthday, why not make your largest gift of the season to Him through this offering. It will make a positive difference in a world of need. Oak Grove UMC Children s Ministry Ministry of the Christmas Poinsettias You are invited to support the Ministry of the Christmas Poinsettias. Each year, volunteers visit approximately 50 homebound members and present them with a cheerful, fresh poinsettia plant on behalf of the congregation. Additional poinsettia plants will be placed in our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. All contributors and their designees will be recognized in our bulletin on December 22. We invite you to make a gift of any amount in memory of or in honor of someone dear to you. Your generous contributions will offset the cost of the poinsettias as well as other seasonal decorations in the church. Please fill out the form below and place it in the offering plate or deliver it to the church office NO LATER THAN NOON ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16. Your Name: (Use one form for each person memorialized / honored) Please make my contribution: In Memory Of: In Honor Of: Throughout the month of December, the Children's Ministry Team is supporting the United Methodist Children's Home by collecting items on their Christmas Wish List. A tree will be in the parlor with ornaments that our children have decorated in Sunday school. Ornaments will include items on the wish list. Please choose an ornament, shop for the item, deliver it back under the tree and fulfill a Christmas wish! You can find more information about the Wish List or make a donation on our church website: Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Davis (carrieedavis@gmail.com, ) or Kelly Stewart (kelastew@gmail.com). Please indicate your interest in the following: Use my contribution for poinsettias for the homebound and decorations for the church. I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 9:35 a.m. worship on December 22. I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 11 a.m. worship on December 22.

7 Small Group Study Library Did you know that we have a library of small group Bible studies to check out? Browse through hand selected studies which have been completed by small groups in our congregation. Groups of books, along with leader guides and DVDs, can be checked out through the church office. The Small Group Study Library is located in the corridor area just outside Room 204. Contact Rachel Fullerton at rfullerton@ogumc.org to check out studies. For questions or study suggestions contact Jessica Bandy at jessicabandy@mac.com As a church, Oak Grove UMC has given and received much during this past year. We have seen the successful launch of our new small group ministry and have experienced very meaningful worship services. We have seen our missions outreach to local and international mission projects continue to be well planned and successfully carried out. We have seen an explosion in the growth of our children s and youth ministries. As the year comes to a close, it is important that we Finish Strong by meeting all our current financial obligations, by laying a solid foundation for our upcoming building campaign, and by funding the immediate needs of our campus. Please give generously to the growth and vitality of Oak Grove UMC by paying the remainder of your pledge and considering a second mile gift that goes beyond your pledge. An extra gift at year-end will make a tremendous difference in our ministry. We want to Finish Strong and continue to be the community center and the leading witness of God and Jesus Christ in the Oak Grove area and beyond. Revelation Revealed God s Eternal Plan A Bible Study of the End Times Wednesday Evenings January 8 May 21, 2014 Led by Church Member, Tony Frilingos Does the Bible address what is happening in our world now? Coming this January 2014 is a study devoted to biblical prophecy and the end of the age. Has God revealed to us in his word what the days ahead have in store for humanity and this world? Are the prophecies in Daniel, Jesus Olivet Discourse, and the book of Revelation too difficult to understand? Do you ever wonder what the apostle John wrote about in the book of Revelation? Let s explore in God s word together what God is telling us through his prophets. All you need is an open mind, a prayerful heart, and your Bible. Please register with Rachel Fullerton in the church office ( ). Contact Tony Frilingos if you have questions ( or ajfrilingos@comcast.net). Oak Grove Memorials TO THE BUILDING FUND IN HONOR OF Joye & Tony Callaway by Martha Jane & Ben Callaway IN MEMORY A gift to The Blessing has been made: In Honor of our Teachers Bill Beagle, Jack Gilbert Phil McGinty, Bill Peck Louis Miller by The Faith Sunday School Class the Blessing IN HONOR TO THE MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF Joe Brooks, Jr by Ron & Kathleen Everett & Decatur School of Ballet TO THE CHURCH MISSION TRIP FUND IN MEMORY OF Kontz Mitchell by Hugh Adams Rebuilding Divorce/Relationship Recovery Workshop for Women When: Sundays, 5:00-6:30 p.m.; January 12 March 2, 2014 Where: Oak Grove UMC, room 219 Who: Any women experiencing loss through divorce, separation, death of a spouse, or the ending of any love relationship Sponsored by: Oak Grove UMC and Care and Counseling Center of Georgia Facilitated by: Karon Ferguson, MS, NCC, LAPC (Care and Counseling Center of Georgia) Cost: $25 includes all materials and the best-selling book Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends by Dr. Bruce Fisher as the workshop resource Registration: Online at limit 16 people. If you have questions, please contact Karon Ferguson at , ext. 407 or kferguson@cccgeorgia.org. Fidelis Circle The next Fidelis Circle Meeting will be held January 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 114 at the church. All women are invited to attend.

8 Horace Ball December 6, 2013 In the Hospitals... Arbor Terrace Jerry Spratte Cobblestone Fred Lott, Carolyn Tomlinson Heritage Health George Nash, Marianne Roper Manor Care Fran Roure At Home... Steve and Sara Bowles, Kathy Brooks, Jamalyn Cannon, Foye Chapman, Erik Dahlen, Joe Daniels, Ann Deryck, Nancy Dickey, Jeannine Nash, Bill Peacock, Ray Roper, June Row, Marion Smith, Betty Ann Thompson Continued Prayers... Bill Barfield, Edna Bryan, Jim Carson, Mary Disbrow, Bob Garlow, Chuck Green, Doug Guedry, Matt Hudson, Betty Lanman, Burke Linder, Ornette Lord, Pauline Pullen, Jack Sims, Jackie Smiley, Alan Smith, Joy Trotti, Rob White, Nancy Woodall Serving in Our Armed Forces... Captain George Parks Bunch, LTJG Alexander Cody, Petty Officer Steven Jones, Captain Bryan Lee, Lt. David Lee, Karen Lee, Lt. Michael Lee, Lt. Col. Chuck Parks, Sgt. Josh Portwood, Col. Janet Seufert, Col. Steve Thomas, Lance Cpl. Cory Thompson New Baby... Congratulations to Betsy and Louis Oliver on the birth of their son, Hank Oliver, on October 1, Sympathy... Oak Grove extends its deepest sympathy to Jerry and Marijo Culwell and family on the death of Jerry s brother, Fred Culwell. Community Prayer Service of Hope Sunday, Dec. 22, 4 p.m. The holidays are difficult when you have suffered a significant loss. We gather around all kinds of celebrations with family and friends, but the closer Christmas gets, the harder it is for many of us to feel the joy of the season. Come to the Service of Hope on December 22 to experience a time of prayer and reflection with prayers, music, and candlelight and to lift your spirit to prepare for the Christmas holiday. This is a Community Prayer Service and will be held in the Sanctuary at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 22. Childcare is available upon request. Contact kcody@ogumc.org. Mid eek Resumes onwednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 Chapel Service Holy Communion will be held Wednesday, December 18 at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Share Through Angel Tree! You and your family can make Christmas a happier time for less fortunate children in our area through participation in our Angel Tree ministry. We are lending support to DFCS, the United Methodist Children s Home, the Carrie Steele Pitts Home, Murphy-Harpst Children s Centers and RRISA plus others that may need our help. You can help sponsor children by visiting the booth in the portico commons this Sunday or by contacting Philip Perry( or philipperry@ bellsouth.net). AngelTree Poinsettias for the Homebound If you have volunteered to deliver a poinsettia to one of our homebound members, it may be picked up at the church on Saturday, December 14, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or on Sunday, December 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you have a question, please contact Ann Rouquie ( or ann.rouquie@att.net) or Louis Miller at the church. THIS WEEK S ACTIVITIES Oak Grove Office Hours 9 a.m. 5 p.m. M F Sunday, December 15, :00pm Youth Choir Choir Rm-201 6:00pm Youth Renew BBQ Pit Parking Lot Monday, December 16, :30am Disciple II Rm :30am AARP Meeting Fellowship Hall 7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting Rm 217 7:30pm Adult Volleyball Heritage Hall Gym Tuesday, December 17, :30pm Aerobic Exercise Class Heritage Hall Gym 6:30pm Grief Sharing Group Rm 219 6:30pm Disciple III Rm 216 7:00pm Venture Crew 77 Scout Hall Wednesday, December 18, :30am Disciple I Rm :00am WOW (Weekly Oxygen for Women) Rm :30 Staff Christmas Lunch Away 5:00pm Chapel Communion Service Sanctuary 6:30pm Disciple IV Rm 216 6:30pm Disciple x2 Rm 218 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Choir Rm-201 7:30pm Boy Scout Troop 77 Scout Hall Thursday, December 19, :00pm Rebuilding Support Group Rm 219 6:30pm Aerobic Exercise Class Heritage Hall Gym 7:00pm Sanctuary Singers Rehearsal Choir Rm-201 7:00pm Evening WOW Parlor 8:00pm 935 Band Rehearsal Fellowship Hall Honduras Mission Trip Meeting Jan. 12 Reach the World! Honduras Mission trip July 5 through July 12. Join us on January 12 following the 11a.m. service in room 217 to learn more about the 2014 Honduras trip. Please contact Rob Brawner at rbrawner@minspring.com or Gus Pounds at or guspounds@gmail.com with questions. ************************************* Record of Our Faithfulness Our Presence December 4, 2013 Chapel Communion 32 Our Presence December 8, 2013 Church School 478 8:30 Service 121 9:35 Service :00 Service 556 Total Worship this Week /8/ Our Offerings Month-to-Date Year-to-Date Operating Budget (fund 001) Actual Income $128, $2,273,072.47

9 Today s Worship Servants Sound: (8:30) Billie Williams Offering Counters: Saxon Dasher, Bob Driskell, Ken Houghton, Dan Riedford, Richard Stratford Ushers: Jeanine Andrews, Tony Callaway, Carolyn Casarella, Greg Casarella, Bill Cole, Scotty Gordon, Ofelia Gordon, Jack Graves, Sam Howard, Tim Howard, Scot Macrae, Alec Morris, Max Neese, Davis Peacock, Phil Perry, Neil Sampson, Kirby Smith, Hodgson Thomas, James Trotti, Rob Welch Altar Guild: Ann Benton, Ofelia Gordon, Nancy Harte, Regina Haynes, Sally Houghton, Brenda Toebben, Diane Young Children s Church: Amy Merrill, Johnthan Merrill OUR WORSHIP TIMES 8:30am Traditional Worship Sanctuary 9:35am Sunday School Various 9:35am Contemporary Worship Fellowship Hall 11:00am Traditional Worship Sanctuary OUR CHURCH INFORMATION Church Office Emergency Contact After Hours ext. 9 Dr. Glenn Ethridge Senior Pastor ext. 211 Director of Administration Dale Smith ext. 225 Children s Ministry Kim Cody ext. 218 CDC (Child Development Center) YCS (Young Children s School) Rev. Susan Allen Grady Associate Pastor ext. 212 Rev. Louis Miller Nurture and Service ext. 210 Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert Senior Adults Music Ministry Janet Johnson ext. 226 Organist Leanne Herrmann Youth Ministry Robin Merrill ext. 203 Contemporary Worship Leader Atticus Hicks ext. 208 Director of Sanctuary Singers Greg Matteson