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 2, 2007 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9:30 A.M. SERVICE

HOLY COMMUNION

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

WORSHIP IN SONG: O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL (verses 1 -2)

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things

far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show and cause

us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

(1989 United Methodist Pub. House)

LIFT UP YOUR HEADS (by Steven L. Fry)

Lift up your heads to the coming King. Bow before Him and adore Him, sing.

To His Majesty let your praises be pure and holy, giving glory to the King of kings. (1974 Birdwing Music)

SING UNTO THE LORD (by Leon Patillo)

Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let His praises fill the temple.

He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Bow down before Him.

Sing unto the Lord a new song. For He loves to hear our praises.

Let all of creation sing, "Glory to our God!" Bow down before Him.

Chorus: Hallelujah! Glory to God! Hallelujah! Glory to God! (1984 Word Music)

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Isaiah 64)
Eternal God, O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!
In ages past, you did awesome deeds that no one expected.
You came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence,
the nations trembled at your feet.
Rather than rejoice in our salvation, we fell into sin.
Rather than exult in your glory, we gave ourselves over to iniquity.
O how your anger burned against us for our transgressions.
Let your holy fire purify us of all wrong,

that we might be reshaped by your hands into something wonderful and new.
Through Christ we pray. Amen.

PRINCE OF PEACE YOU ARE (by Robert Gay)

Prince of Peace You are, You're the Bright and Morning Star;

Wond'rous, royal King, You have made my heart to sing.

I worship You in spirit and in truth, lifting my praise Your name

in song I raise; I give to You my life, I offer up my sacrifice,

I pledge my love to You, my God and King. King, my God and King. (1988 Integrity's Hosanna! Music)

PEOPLE, LOOK EAST (by Eleanor Farjeon)

People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able,

trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there. Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Rose, is on the way.

Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way.

Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way. (Oxford University Press)

EL SHADDAI (by Michael Card & John Thompson)

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai;

age to age you're still the same by the power of the name.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Er-kahm-ka na Adonai; we will praise and lift you high, El Shaddai.

(1981 Whole Armor Pub. Co.)

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL (Verses 6 – 7)

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

(1989 United Methodist Pub. House)

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

PRAYER RESPONSE: EMMANUEL, EMMANUEL (by Bob McGee)

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel. (1976 C.A. Music)

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering

SHARING THE WORD Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Message: “People, Get Ready” Pastor Steve Donat

Key Verse: “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 13:14a

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION - At 9:30 Communion will be served in the pews. Please hold the bread and cup until all have been served, and we will eat and drink together as a sign of our unity in Christ. These symbols represent the Body and Blood of Jesus offered for our forgiveness and new life. The invitation to receive comes from Jesus himself, and is not based on membership in this or any other Church. While you are waiting for your place at the Communion rail, take advantage of this quiet time to meditate, and offer your personal prayer and praise to God.

For those members with grape juice allergies, whole grapes are available.

CLOSING HYMN 196 COME, THOU LONG-EXPECTED JESUS (Charles Wesley)

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us for ever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

(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: 598 Sunday School: 214

ACOLYTE: Katie Clawges

USHERS: Ed Florida, Ruth Florida, Barrie Witty, Greg Kincaid, Carlos Mocelo

THE CHANCEL BOUQUET HAS BEEN GIVEN BY: Brian and Melissa O’Donnell, to the Glory of God and in memory of his brother, John O’Donnell.

PRAYER CONCERNS: Steve Greer, Stanton Webb (husband of Barbara Webb), Charlie Stocksdale, Matt & Kelly Petroski (friends of Rick & Linda Young), Janet Coshland (daughter of Alan Coshland), Karen Mapes (cousin of Carol Taylor), Bill Manning, Walter Connor (brother of Grace Immler), Faye Sienkiewicz, Richard Kling (Doug Blackman’s brother-in-law).

SERVING IN IRAQ: Lt. Col. David Ottignon, Josh Soper (son of Betsy Heinz’s cousin), Robert Woodard (grandson of Bill & Julia Wood), Joshua Moore (nephew of Carol Veldon), James Shields (son of Marcia Shields), Jacob Friedman (nephew of Catherine Friedman), Michael McMaster.

Church Office Contacts

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

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

(CCLI License No. 782839)