Three Christmas Eve Services

Transcription

1 (USPS # ) Published weekly except Christmas by St. Luke UMC 1104 Second Ave.; Columbus, GA Postmaster: Send address changes to St. Luke UMC P.O. Box 867; Columbus, GA Telephone (706) Fax (706) Ministry Center (706) Prayer Room (706) stluke@stlukeum.com Website: Volume 50 December 21, 2014 No. 51 Three Christmas Eve Services Prepare the Way of the Lord! December 24, :00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. St. Luke Sanctuary Services of Holy Communion, Music, and Word The 9:00 p.m. Service concludes with a Candlelighting Ceremony. 5:00 p.m. St. Luke Ministry Center A Family Christmas Celebration with Holy Communion, Music, and Word, concluding with a Ceremony of Candlelighting. There will be no 11:00 p.m. service at St. Luke this year on Christmas Eve. Please join the many St. Luke families who have made watching this service at home part of their Christmas Eve observance. The Service will be broadcast at 11:00 p.m. on WTVM Channel 9 and streamed at any time on End of the Year Giving If you have not done so, please let me encourage you to return your 2015 pledge of financial support for St. Luke s budget of ministry and mission before the end of the year. To date, 300 individuals/families have pledged $2,148, families/individuals increased their giving, and 70 individuals/families pledged for the first time. We still have 100 families/individuals who pledged last year and in years before who have not returned their cards. If we all pull together in our commitments, we will have those resources which allow us to be fruitful in ministry and bold in our service of Christ in the year ahead. You may make a pledge of your financial support by returning your actual card or by ing St. Luke s Financial Secretary, Renee Wilkinson, at renee@stlukeum.com. Thank you and thanks be to God for the great generosity that has always been at the heart of St. Luke. Robert Beckum rbeckum@stlukeum.com

2 ORDER OF WORSHIP 11:00 a.m. service streamed at and broadcast at FM Tape-delayed on WTVM Channel 9 at 10:00 a.m. December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:25 a.m. & 10:55 a.m. Color: Purple Invitation to Worship The Prelude... Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day...arr. J. W. Krug (Bessie Howard Ward Handbell Choir) Call to Worship (Sean Meara)... The Birthday of the King...W. H. Neidlinger *Hymn... O Come, All Ye Faithful (Stanzas 1,3, & 6)...Number 234 The Lighting of the Advent Candles...(8:25 a.m.) Paul and Shirley Groneman (10:55 a.m.) Shana, Geoff, Bryan, and Christopher Monteith *Sung Response... Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!...verse 3, Number 240 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteouness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King! (BHW Handbells)... Pat-a-Pan... arr. S. Eithum Pastoral Prayer and Lord s Prayer...(8:25 a.m.) The Rev. Cindy Cox Garrard (10:55 a.m.) The Rev. Brett Maddocks 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. The Children s Sermon (10:55 a.m.)...the Rev. Cindy Cox Garrard After the Children s Sermon, children who are in Kindergarten-5th grade are invited to go to Corner Kids for a time of extended worship. Parents pick them up in Stockwell Hall when this service is completed. *Hymn... Away in a Manger...Number 217 The Offertory Prayer...The Rev. Beckum **Offertory (Chancel Choir)... Star Carol... J. Rutter *The Dedication of Offerings... The Doxology...Number 95 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Written Word...Luke 1:26-38 (p.53 NT in pew Bible) The Spoken Word... ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD...The Rev. Robert Beckum *Hymn... Good Christian Friends, Rejoice... Number 224 *The Benediction Benediction Response... O Come to Us...ST. LOUIS Postlude... Fantasia: In Dulci Jubilo...J. S. Bach (Adleyn Scott, Organ) * Standing as able ** Music Box WELCOME VISITORS: We are glad to have you with us today! If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, please ask a church greeter or any member of the church staff. For more information about St. Luke, contact Brett Maddocks at or bmaddocks@stlukeum.com. Thank you for blessing us with your presence.

3 OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK Sunday, December 21 8:25 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary, Main) 9:00 a.m. The Nine Contemporary Service (MIN) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School/Youth Sunday School Assembly (The Corner, MIN) 10:00 a.m. Youth Sunday School (The Corner, MIN) 10:55 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary, Main) Broadcast over WLTC Lite FM and at beginning at 11:00 a.m. 12:20 p.m. Worship in Spanish (Chapel) 2-3:00 p.m. Hispanic Fellowship (Stockwell Hall, Main) 4:30 p.m. Longest Night Service (Chapel)/Reception for Longest Night (Room 110, Main) 5:00 p.m. Student Ministry High School/Middle School (The Corner) 5-7:00 p.m. Extreme Kids Christmas Caroling Monday, December 22 - St. Luke School and Preschool Closed Tuesday, December 23 - St. Luke School and Preschool Closed 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting (SD, MIN) 11:30 a.m. Lions Club (SD, MIN) 6:00 p.m. Upward Basketball Practice (Gym) Wednesday, December 24 - St. Luke School, Preshool, and ELC Closed; Church Closes at Noon 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Serivce (Sanctuary) 5:00 p.m A Family Christmas Eve Service (Ministry Center) 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service (Sanctuary) Thursday, December 25 - Church, School, Preschool, and ELC Closed Merry Christmas Friday, December 26 - Church, School, Preschool, and ELC Closed Saturday, December 27 Main (main building, where Sanctuary is)/min (Ministry Center). Contact the Ministry Center for information about renting or reserving rooms. Holiday Hours Respite Care Holiday Closings December 22 - January 2 Respite opens January 5, 2015 ELC Holiday Closings December 24, 25, 26 and January 1, 2015 SLS and Preschool Holiday Closings December 19 - January 2 School reopens January 5, 2015 Church Office Closings December 24 (Christmas Eve): closes at 12:00 noon December 25 (Christmas Day) and December 26: closed The Church office closes at 12 noon December 31 (New Year s Eve) and is closed January 1, 2015 STAY-AT-HOME MOMS BIBLE STUDY Begins January 7, 2015, 10:30-12 noon at the home of Nicole Mayne. For information, please contact her at Coley.mayne@gmail.com. We will be studying James Moore s Some Folks Feel the Rain; Others Just Get Wet, led by Rev. Cindy Garrard. Copies available at the church or at the first Bible study, $10. St. Luke Free spirits Ireland Tour Sept. 9-18th, 2015 Once-in-a-Lifetime excursion to Ireland! Join us on a ten day adventure as we explore the famed Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, St. Patrick s Cathedral, the Ring of Kerry and much more. Trip Leaders: Dick & June Reese, Mitch & Tammy Watts and Buddy Cooper. For information, please contact Kym Harden, or kym@stlukeum.com. Early registration is highly encouraged.

4 Music Box Star Carol John Rutter Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem, Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies; bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas Night! Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! Angels bright, come from heaven s highest glory, bear the news with its message of good cheer; Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas Night! Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! See, he lies in his mother s tender keeping; Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep. Shepherds poor, come to worship and adore him, offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary. See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas Night! Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! Let us all pay our homage at the manger, sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night; Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas Night! Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! WORSHIP IN SPANISH: 12:20 p.m. worship in Turner Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Ivelisse Quiñones preaching, El nacimiento de Jesús ; Isaías 7: ALTAR FLOWERS: The beautiful flowers in the chancel area are given to the glory of God by the Altar Guild. OUR KNOW SICK: St. Francis: Mildred Rivers, 406. Hamilton House: Lester Littlefield, 224-A. Open Altar Flower Dates for 2015: January 18 and 25. For other information or other open dates contact Maggie at or maggie@stlukeum.com. cradle roll: The Drs. Cliff and Christy Ruehl announce the birth of a son, Henry Josiah, December 15, 2014, Columbus, GA. Big brother is Maxwell. A rose has been placed in the chancel area in honor of Henry Josiah. prayer calendar for January is included in your worship bulletin. To have one mailed to your home, please contact maggie at or maggie@ stlukeum.com. THE NINE: 9:00 a.m., Ministry Center, the Rev. Brett Maddocks, preaching. Advent 2014, The King is Coming, We begin at the End, Isaiah 25. CONFIRMATION If you are visiting and interested in your child going through Confirmation, please contact Rev. Brett Maddocks bmaddocks@stlukeum.com. The Kick-off Breakfast is January 4th. Please confirm with Brett if your child will be going through confirmation this year. Step by Step class invites you to join us in an Advent study led by Rev. Brett Maddocks. We meet in the Arts & Crafts Room in the Ministry Center. Please contact Brooke Peak with questions at brookepeak@yahoo.com. OUR PHONE NUMBERS Church office, Preschool, St. Luke School, Early Learning Center, Ministry Center, Respite Care Ministry,

5 Children s Ministry Nickie Tillery, Director of Children s Ministries, ntillery@stlukeum.com Corner Kids@The Nine in Stockwell Hall, K-5th grade. Corner Kids@11 in Stockwell Hall, K-5th grade. December 21: Happy Birthday, Jesus!! During the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. We will Skype with Naomi s village during Sunday School. Please ntillery@stlukeum.com to volunteer. CHRISTMAS CAROLING on December 21st. We will be at Spring Harbor main lobby at 5:45 p.m. We are leaving St. Luke Ministry Center promptly at 5:00 p.m. Please let me know if your child can come and if you can volunteer. Choir Performance Dates December 24th at 5:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center. Please arrive at 4:30 p.m. We meet in the Small Dining Room. Please Mary Pat Beckum at jrbeckum@aol.com for more information. St. Luke School opens its doors for kindergarten roundup for the school year at 9:00 a.m., Monday, Jan. 5, Children who will turn five by Sep. 1, 2015 are eligible. All parents interested in their child attending kindergarten at St. Luke School should come in and fill out a waiting list card and pay the non-refundable fee of $25. Roundup continues until Jan. 9th at 3:30 p.m. After that time, priorities will no longer apply, but we still encourage you to put your child on the list. There will be 64 slots for Please see the school website ( for more information, or call the school at The Longest Night A SERVICE OF LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS St. Luke United Methodist Church Turner Chapel Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, 4:30 p.m. The Longest Night is a special service of scripture, music, silent reflection, communion and prayer a service offering a special time of hope and healing a service of consolation for many who move through the holidays with great difficulty due to grief, loss of a job, illness, divorce, or any calamity. We worship on the longest night of the year in recognition that sometimes the holidays bring sadness in the midst of celebration, but faith can bring hope. On Dec. 21st, the winter solstice, we will gather to acknowledge this darkness, to share our hurts with God, and open our hearts to the light God has promised us in the Christ Child. All are welcome.

6 Abiding Gifts Memorials and Honorariums received after December 15 will appear in the January 4 bulletin. If you wish to honor or remember someone, please attach to your check the name of that person and the address to which you wish the acknowledgement sent and mail or bring to the Church Office. Contact maggie@stlukeum.com. Food Pantry: In honor of The Bridge Club, Mrs. Betty Pearson, Miss Dee Rainey and Peg by Mrs. Carolyn Mitchell. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. David Dunaway by Mrs. Ruth Laney. In memory of Mr. Roy Terry and Mrs. Charlotte Esther Miller by the Discovery Class. Memorial Maintenance Fund: In honor of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Amos, III by Mr. Evan Fishman. In memory of Dr. Donald Stewart by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lester, Ms. Stacy Watson, and Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Coogle. In memory of Mrs. Meis Boers by Dr. and Mrs. Bill McWhirter. In memory of Mr. George Dudley by Judge and Mrs. William J. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dickson. In memory of Mrs. Regena Bennett, Mrs. Frances Brooks, Mr. George Dudley, and Mrs. Libba Neal by Mrs. Becky Grose. In memory of Mr. Max Burgdorf by Mrs. Joan Mainor. Music Scholarship Fund: In honor of Mr. Doyle Register by Rev. Cindy Garrard. In memory of Mrs. Frances Brooks by Ginny, Melanie, and Steven Bentley. In memory of Mrs. Frances Brooks, Mr. Robert Thompson, Dr. Donald Stewart, and Mrs. Regena Bennett by Mrs. Carol Orr. In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Erling Pedersen and in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register by Ms. Nancy Pedersen. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sigmund, and Ms. Christi Schiffman by Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register by Mrs. Joanne Cavis. UMCOR: In honor of Mrs. Carol Boers, Mrs. Geraldine King, Mrs. Mary Bass, Mrs. Mary Lewis Walsh, Mrs. Sybrina Wooten, Mrs. Alice Perrin, and Mrs. Diane Hett by Mr. and Mrs. Don Williams. In memory of Mrs. Regena Bennett by Ms. Carolyn Gambill. First Saturday December: In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Huff and Family by Mr. and Mrs. John McClelland and Family. Respite Scholarship Fund: In memory of Mr. George Dudley by Mr. and Mrs. Don Williams. In honor of Mrs. Mary Williams by Ms. Nancy Pedersen. Respite Care: In memory of Mr. George Dudley by Mrs. Mildred Rivers and Ms. Barbara Rivers. In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lamb and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Boers by Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Graham. In honor of Mrs. Mary Williams by Mrs. Nancy Powell. In honor of Mrs. Diane Hett, Mrs. Geraldine King, and Mrs. Mary Williams by Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register. Samaritan Fund: In honor of St. Luke ministers, staff, and retired ministers by Mr. and Mrs. John D. Cartledge. Rebuilding Fund: In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Booth by Mr. Frank Romeo. Bill Turner Scholarship Fund: In honor of Mr. William B. Turner, Sr. by a friend. Altar Guild Fund: In memory of Mrs. Regena Bennett by Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dickson. Naomi s Village: In memory of Dr. Donald Stewart by Mr. and Mrs. Trey Jinks. -Respite Care- Caring for loved ones and caregivers.. Diane Hett, Director of Respite Ministry, or dhett@stlukeum.com As you gather with friends and family for holiday celebrations, you may notice that the caregivers in your circle are struggling with the challenges of caring for loved ones. This could be a good time to mention St. Luke Respite Care Ministry as a possibility to give Caregivers a break in the New Year. Respite Care will be closed from December 22 thru January 2; we will reopen on January 5. the Corner Jonathan and Lisa Moore, Directors of Student Ministries, jmoore@stlukeum.com SIGN UP FOR SOULED OUT WINTER THE CORNER'S SKI RETREAT RIGHT COM!!!