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 9, 2007                  SECOND 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                                                                                                     

WORSHIP IN SONG:  ARISE SHINE (By Steven Urspringer and Jay Fobinson)

Arise, shine, for thy light is come. Arise, shine, for thy light is come.

And the glory of the Lord is risen, The glory of the Lord is come.

The Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.    (1983 Priesthood Publications)

 

O MAGNIFY THE LORD (Dick & Mel Tunney)

O magnify, O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together! 

O magnify the Lord, O magnify the Lord, And may His name be lifted high for ever!

O worship Him O worship Christ the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together! 

O worship Christ, the Lord; O worship Christ, the Lord; And may his name be lifted high for ever!

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, May His name be lifted high for ever!   (1982 Meadowgreen Music Co.)

 

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

 

ALL EARTH IS WAITING (by Alberto Taule)

All earth is waiting to see the Promised One, and the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord. 

All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty; it cries out for justice

and searches for the truth.

 

Thus says the prophet to those of Israel, "A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel," 

for his name is "God with us," our brother shall be, with him hope will blossom

once more within our hearts.

 

Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain; open new highways, new highways for the Lord. 

He is now coming closer, so come all and see, and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.

 

In lowly stable the Promised One appeared, yet, feel his presence throughout the earth today,

for he lives in all Christians and is with us now; again, with his coming he brings us liberty.

(United Methodist Publishing House)

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER  (by Christina Rossetti)

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,  in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

 

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.  In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

 

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

 

What can I give him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part: yet what I can I give him: give my heart
.  (Public Domain)

 

WHAT CHILD IS THIS  (William Dix)

What Child is this who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping.

Chorus:  This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

 

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? 

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.   (Chorus)

 

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come, peasant, King to own Him. 

The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. (Chorus)   (Public Domain)

 

BRINGING OUR NEEDS TO GOD (Prayers of the People)

 

PRAYER RESPONSE:  O COME LET US ADORE HIM

O Come, let us adore Him, O Come, let us adore Him; O Come, let us adore Him,  Christ the Lord.

For You alone are worthy, for You alone are worthy; for You alone are worthy, Christ the Lord.

We give You all the glory, we give You all the glory; we give You all the glory, Christ the Lord.

We'll praise Your name forever, we'll praise Your name forever; we'll praise Your name forever, Christ the Lord.   (1988 Integrity's Hosanna Music)

 

WORSHIP IN GIVING: Offering 

 

SPECIAL MUSIC                                 Watch for Messiah                                                       Wold

     Youth Choir

 

SHARING THE WORD   Scripture:             Luke 6:27-36

                                          Message: “Love Came Down at Christmas”                   Pastor Steve Donat

 

CLOSING HYMN 242 LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS (by Christina Rossetti)

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;

Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.

 

Worship we the God head, Love incarnate, Love divine;

worship we our Jesus, but where-with for sacred sign?

 

Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;

love to God and all men, love for plea and gift and sign.   (Oxford University Press)

 

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:  516   Sunday School:  165  

 

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

 

THE CHANCEL BOUQUET HAS BEEN GIVEN BY:  Robert and Ruth Rosvold, to the Glory of God and in memory of loved ones.

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).

PRAYERS & SYMPATHY TO: Janet Hustus and family on the death of her uncle last week.

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)