LOVE FEAST December 3, 2017 United in the Spirit, First United Methodist Church of Belmont exists to be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond REV. GEORGE RAGSDALE, PASTOR 807 South Point Road // Belmont, NC 28012 P: 704-825-2106 // F: 704-825-2176 www.fumcbelmont.org
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS PRELUDE On Christmas Night All Christians Sing Youth Bell Choir arr. Martha L. Thompson *GREETING In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth. Christ dwells among us and is one with us. Highest of all creation, he lives among the least. He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary. Come now, all who thirst, and drink of the water of life. Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things. Come now, all who seek, and encounter the abundant love of the almighty God. *OPENING HYMN No. 184 Of the Father s Love Begotten *OPENING PRAYER Eternal God, you bring light out of darkness and hope out of despair. Share your love with us this night that we may better love each other. Touch our hearts and help our love shine forth in a world hungry to know your love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. SPECIAL MUSIC SCRIPTURE A Home for Jesus Christmas Means Jesus Go, Tell It on the Mountain TAKE TWO Children s Choir Ruth Elaine Schram Ruth Elaine Schram arr. Jeff Reeves This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. HOMILY Rev. George Ragsdale PRAYER OF INTERCESSION Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer THE LOVE FEAST SERVING OF THE MEAL BEGINS The following hymns may be sung as the meal is served. Kristen Surratt
O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, desend 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! It Came upon the Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven s all gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, And ever o er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing. And ye, beneath life s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing! For lo! The days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old, When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
BLESSING Elijah Simpson Come, Lord Jesus, our Guest to be, SHARING THE MEAL Hungarian Christmas Carol Mary s Lullaby Treasures in Heaven Youth Choir HYMN arr. Austin Lovelace Camilla Pruitt, arr. Tom Shelton Pat Messick Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes; I love the, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in they tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there. *HYMN Morning Star, O Cheering Sight Katie Fangman & Madison Pruden, soloists (Congregation sings words in bold type.) Morning Star, O cheering sight! Ere Thou cam st how dark earth s night! Morning Star, O cheering sight! Ere Thou cam st how dark earth s night! Jesus mine, In me shine; In me shine, Jesus mine; Fill my heart with light divine. Morning Star, Thy glory bright Far excels the sun s clear light; Morning Star, Thy glory bright Far excels the sun s clear light;
Jesus be, constantly, constantly, Jesus be, More than thousand suns to me. Thy glad beams, Thou Morning Star, Cheer the nations near and far. Thy glad beams, Thou Morning Star, Cheer the nations near and far. Thee we own, Lord alone, Lord alone, Thee we own, Man s great Savior, God s dear Son. Morning Star, my soul s true light, Tarry not, dispel my night; Morning Star, my soul s true light, Tarry not, dispel my night; Jesus mine, In me shine; In me shine, Jesus mine; Fill my heart with light divine. LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem! Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Off-spring of a virgin s womb. Veiled in flesh the God-head see; Hail th incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Glory to the newborn King!
You are invited to raise your candle as we sing the final verse. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! 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. Glory to the newborn King! *DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING *POSTLUDE He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child arr. Dennis Alexander Advent and Christmas Calendar Sunday, Dec 3 Christmas Cookie Decorating 7:00pm Sunday, Dec 10 Christmas Caroling 5:00pm Tuesday, Dec 12 Pray-Where-You-Are 9:00am Thursday, Dec 14 Primetimers 11:30am Sunday, Dec 17 Lessons and Carols 11:00am Christmas Handbell Concert 5:00pm Annual Christmas Dinner 6:00pm Tuesday, Dec 19 Away In a Manger 5:30pm Thursday, Dec 21 Service of Hope and Consolation 6:30pm Sunday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Nativity Service 5:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion 7:00pm New Year s Eve Regular Worship 8:30am Sunday School 9:45am Sunday, Dec 31 Regular Worship 11:00am