FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A community of faith committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ with a hurting world through words and actions

DECEMBER 24, 2006                               FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT                               9:30 A.M. SERVICE

We welcome you to this service of praise and adoration.   Let God speak to you through the songs and the message, and enjoy the fellowship of those who are seeking the Lord and the spiritual help that we need for daily living.

WELCOME                                                                                                                                                                           

 

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE – THE CANDLE OF PEACE

 

WORSHIP IN SONG: ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains,

and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing;

come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! (1964 Abingdon Press)

 

SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS  (by Martin Shaw)

Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here!  Hear our grateful praises to the babe so dear.

Refrain: Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!  Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

 

Angels called to shepherds, “Leave your flocks at rest, journey forth to Bethlehem, find the child so blest.”  (refrain)

 

In Bethlehem they found him; Joseph and Mary mild, seated by the manger, watching the holy child. (refrain)

 

From the eastern country came the kings afar, bearing gifts to Bethlehem, guided by a star. (refrain)

 

Gold and myrrh they took there, gifts of greatest price: there was never a stable so like paradise.  (refrain)   (Oxford University Press)

 

MARY'S BOY CHILD  (J. Albert Music)

Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day.

Chorus:  Hark now hear the angels sing, a new King born today

that folks may live forever more because of Christmas day.

 

Now Joseph and his wife Mary went to Bethlehem that night

and found no place to lay their head not a single room was in sight. (chorus)

 

While shepherds watched their flocks by night they saw a bright new shining star. 

And from the East there came three men bearing gifts from afar. (chorus)

 

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

I WONDER AS I WANDER (Appalachian Folksong)  VERSES 1, 2 &4

I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus, the Savior, did come for to die. 

For poor, ornery people like you and like I - I wonder as I wander, Out under the sky. 

 

When Mary birthed Jesus, 'twas in a cows' stall, With wisemen and farmers and shepherds and all. 

But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, And the promise of ages It then did recall.

 

I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus, the Savior did come for to die.

For poor, ornery people like you and like I - I wonder as I wander, Out under the sky.  (1934 G. Shirmer, Inc.)

 

CHILD IN THE MANGER (Traditional Gaelic Melody)

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary, Came as a stranger born in the stall;

Sweet little Jesus send down from heaven,  God's gift of new life offered to all.

 

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder, Angels behold Him there on His throne;

Worthy the Savior of all our praises, Happy and ever blest are His own.  Amen.  (1974 Fred Brock Music Co.)

 

OFFERING  (by Paul Baloche)

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star while angels sang to lowly shepherds. 

Three wise men seeking truth traveled from afar hoping to find the Child from Heaven. 

Falling on their knees they bowed before the humble Prince of Peace.

Chorus:  I bring an offering of worship to my King.  No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing.  Jesus may You receive the honor that You’re due, O Lord, I bring an offering to You, I bring an offering to You.

 

The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love; There is no shadow in Your presence. 

No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne, before the Holy One of Heaven. 

It’s only by Your blood and it’s only through Your mercy, Lord, I come.  (chorus)

Tag:  O Lord, I bring an offering to You, O Lord, I bring an offering to You. 

O Lord, I bring an offering to You, I bring an offering to You.  (2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)

 

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

 

PRAYER RESPONSE:  SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT (by Joseph Mohr)  Verse 3

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light; radiant beams from thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.   (Public Domain)

 

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering 

 

SHARING THE WORD:  Scripture:         Luke 1:39-55

                                                  Message:       “Come and Worship”                                    Pastor Steve Donat

 

CLOSING HYMN 220ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY (by James Montgomery)

Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth;

ye who sang creations's story now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

 

Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light:  (refrain)

 

Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar;

seek the great Desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star:  (refrain)

 

Saints, before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear;

suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:  (refrain)  (Public Domain)

 

 

GOING FORTH:  The Benediction                                        

 

A NOTE TO PARENTS:  Child care is provided for infants and children up to 4 years old in the Education Building during Sunday school and worship hours. 

 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK:    Worship: 756     Sunday School: 148

ACOLYTE: Cole Mentzer

USHERS: Ed Florida, Ruth Florida, Tom Kulp, Greg Kincaid, Carlos Mocelo

 

PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Faye Sienkiewicz, Mary Louise Shingleton, Kathleen Barnwell (mother of Leslie Proctor), Jean Janssen (sister of Sue Adams), Lidio Zezza (Lucy Vogt’s father), Gary Falis (Lucy Vogt’s brother-in-law), Christine Crane, Michael Zayas (friend of The Nachsin’s), Maryellen Martin (Debra & Ed Vernier’s sister-in-law), Pat & Gary Rutledge (niece & nephew of Hugh & Marion Hamilton).

SERVING IN IRAQ:  Mark Dougherty, Jr., grandson of Marilyn McClendon, David Wichmann, friend of Rick & Linda Young, Scott Berner, grandson of Ray & Jean Berner, Michael Gala (cousin of Sue Lewis, nephew of Chris Fisher), Phillip Daniels (grandson of Harris Fister), Capt. Heather Schopf (friend of Ruth & Ed Florida).

 

The Staff of First United Methodist Church

                            Stephen Donat, Senior Pastor                              Joan Armstrong, Administrative Assistant

                            HeyYoung Horton, Associate Pastor                 Karen Halligan, Membership Secretary

                            Glenn Rodgers, Director of Music                      Sue Harris, Parish Nurse

                            Karen Murray, Director of Christian Ed.            Curt Diehl, Property Maintenance Coordinator

Church Office Contacts

                                Phone: 856-235-0450                                 Fax: 856-235-2722        

                             E-mail: church@meetwithGod.com                 Website: www.meetwithGod.com

                                                                                                                                                         (CCLI License No. 782839)