United
775-5362 • Fax 775-6475
December 21, 2003
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
THE GATHERING TO WORSHIP
PRELUDE
BRINGING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
WELCOME AND PARISH NOTES
CLIP BOARD MINISTRY FOR NURSERY AND SERMONTIME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Let us rejoice in God our Savior, who has done
great things for us, who fills the hungry with good things!
People: Let us open ourselves to the Spirit of life and
new birth.
Leader: Come,
let worship God!
*HYMN OF PRAISE #198
“My Soul Gives Glory to My God”
*SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
ADVENT SONG #242
“Love Came Down at Christmas” vs. 1
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH CANDLE OF LOVE
PRAYER
Dear God,
As our Advent
pilgrimage draws to completion,
grant us the courage
to share you love.
Love for the
unexpected challenge in our lives,
Love for the
vulnerable one in our midst.
Love for the presence
of God in all creation.
Amen.
THE PEOPLE OF GOD PRAYING
PRAYER HYMN #242
“Love Came Down at Christmas” vs. 2 and 3
If you have a prayer joy or concern to be
shared, please fill out
a prayer card and hand it to an usher during
the Prayer Hymn.
UNISON PRAYER
God of the morning light, quicken our mood of
anticipation, yet still our anxious worry about lists and events. Hush the
frantic tone in our voices. Open us to
the joy hidden in every carol, the love tucked into every card, the beauty
nourished in every evergreen.
With Mary, let wonder fill our hearts and blessing be
our song. With shepherds, let us prepare
to hear the flutter of angel wings, see the bright star and kneel in awe and
joy. With Jesus, let us show your light
to the world. God of the morning light and holy nights, we long for you. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE THE
LORD’S PRAYER #895
THE
CHORAL ANTHEM Chancel
Choir
“Will You Know Him”
Arr. Don Besig
SCRIPTURE LESSON NT
p. 56
MESSAGE On
the insert
“A Christmas Greeting” by John and Nina Bates
presented by the Children and Youth of the
Sunday School
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
OFFERTORY INVITATION
OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD
OFFERTORY
*ADVENT DOXOLOGY Tune:
Old 100th
Praise God, for
prophets’ voice of old;
Praise God, for
angels’ message told;
Praise God, for
shepherds in the night
With them we greet the
heavenly light. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in
unison)
With hope in our hearts that we may be caught up, like Mary, in the
great drama of your love, we bring these gifts to you, O God. May those who live on the margins know the
bounty of your grace and mercy through the stewardship of these gifts.
Remembering Jesus’ self-giving, we pray. Amen.
THE SCATTERING TO SERVE
*HYMN OF DEDICATION #219
“What Child is This”
*COMMISSION AND BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
*All who are able, please stand.
Christmas Eve Volunteer Ministry
Acolytes at 7:30 service: Jon Blake and Jacob Farmer
Reminder Next Sunday, December 28
Acolytes: Jacob Farmer and Jacob Perrin
Nursery: Kristin Smith and Sarah Wightman
Sermontime: Katy Huckle
Coffee Hour: United Methodist Women
CHURCH STAFF
Pastor Dale
Ostema
Parish Assistant Judy
Coffey
Coordinator-Children & Youth Ministries Debbie Ostema
Church Secretary Carol
Sharp
Assistant Secretary Karen
Elenbaas
Treasurer Tara
McKibben
Chancel Choir Director Walt
Stump
Bell Choir Director Tonja
Hinkston
Organists Virginia
Pulford, Ann Hunt
Pianist Darlene
Ressler
Choir Accompanist Ann
Hunt
Nursery Care Giver Wendy
Garzon
Custodial Staff Dee
Piltz and NOC Work Crew
Snow Removal Paul
Helton
Today’s Worship Ministry . . .
Liturgist: 8:30 am - Ken Ruppert
11:00 am - Jane Wightman
Organist / Pianist: Ann Hunt
Acolytes: Ethan Hinkston
Nursery: Jack and Sue Simcock
Sermontime: Bill and Sue Allen
Greeters/Ushers 8:30 - Dave and Sally Bassett
Greeters 11:00 - Gale and Charlotte Butterfield
Ushers 11:00 - Gary and Karen Elenbaas,
Jeff and Laura Marion, Terry and Barb Tatarchuk
Coffee Hour: Education Committee
The flowers on the Lord’s Table this morning are presented in loving memory of Richard Hards by Jim and Laura Hodges.
Opportunities for Ministry This Week . . .
Sunday, December 21,
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30 am - Sunday Worship Service
9:30 am -
9:30 am -
11:00 am - Sunday Worship Service & Christmas Program
Coffee Hour Fellowship follows each service
Monday, December 22
7:00 pm - Boy Scouts
Wednesday, December
24 - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Services
7:30 pm - Family Worship Service
11:00 pm - Carols, Candles and Holy Communion
Thursday, December 25
- Christmas Day
Church Office Closed
Promise Keepers will not meet; meetings resume on January 8.
Sunday, December 28, First Sunday after Christmas
8:30 am - Worship Service
9:30 am -
10:00 am - Chancel Choir practice
11:00 am - Worship Service
Coffee Hour Fellowship
follows each service
Info Source 775-4636 - Message #3152
Christmas Eve Worship
Family Worship at 7:30 p.m.
Special Pre-service Music will begin at 7:00 p.m.
offered by Shirley Petersen.
Join with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus at this family orientated worship. The Chancel Choir will sing and the Bell Choir will ring. Worship will also include the singing of carols, lighting of the Christ Candle, the reading of the Christmas story, a special children’s time and reflections by Pastor Dale and the beautiful service of candlelighting. Child care will be available for infants and young children. Come and worship the newborn Child.
Carols, Candles & Holy Communion at 11:00 p.m.
Special Pre-service Music will begin at 10:30 p.m.
offered by Shirley Petersen and Darlene Ressler.
Worship at this lovely,
quiet service as we sing carols, hear special music, light the Christ Candle on
the Advent Wreath, receive Holy Communion and light the Christmas candles as we
sing “Silent Night.” Come, as we welcome
the Christ Child into the world.
Our Christmas
Offering will be divided between the children and family ministry of Eagle
Village; the United Methodist Committee on Relief for the Bishop’s
Appeal for the USA domestic disaster fund and for the Russia Mission in
the Commonwealth of Independent States to be used for church leadership
training and development.
You still have an opportunity to make your Commitment to Christ and the Church for 2004. Commitment cards are located in the pew pockets. They can be filled out and placed in the offering plates. Your commitment and generous response will make a difference as we share together in mission and ministry.
The 2004 Flower Chart is now available. You may place flowers in the chancel in honor or memory of a person or occasion or to the glory of God. The cost is $15.00. Sign-up now to get your desired Sunday for flowers.
The hope, peace, joy and love of this Holy Season bless you throughout the New Year. Your Church Staff