FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pleasant Valley and Camden Avenue
Moorestown, New Jersey
A community of
faith committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ
with
a hurting world through words and actions
DECEMBER 16, 2007 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30 A.M. Service
GATHERING
TO WORSHIP
During these moments before worship we encourage you
to greet those around you and to extend a warm and friendly welcome to those
whom you may not know. When the music
begins, please join in silent prayer and preparation to worship God.
PRELUDE
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*OPENING HYMN 241 That
Boy Child of Mary
*OPENING PRAYER
Prepare our hearts, O God, to receive the Christ
child once more.
Shine your light into the darkness of our world.
Shine your glory into the shadows of our lives.
Like the shepherds in the fields, who watched over
their flocks by night
may we be stirred into action by the singing of the angelic
chorus.
Overcome our fear, Holy One, and inspire us to leave our flocks,
and seek the Christ child this morning.
Prepare our hearts, O God, to behold your precious
gift in awe and wonder.
HYMN OF PRAISE 246 Joy to
the World
RESPONSIVE READING 858 Psalm 146 With
Response
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS
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
OFFERTORY
PRAYER
WORSHIP IN GIVING TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We
welcome all who are worshiping with us this morning. Please fill out the peach colored card,
including any special prayer requests and place them in the offering plate.
HYMN OF PREPARATION 235 Rock-a-bye, My Dear Little Boy
SCRIPTURE
READING Matthew 11:2-11
MESSAGE “Looking for Joy in a Hurting
World” Brad Kenney
*CLOSING HYMN GOD REST YOU MERRY,
GENTLEMEN (Traditional)
God rest you merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day;
To save us
all from Satan's pow'r when we are gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father,
a blessed angel came
And unto
certain shepherds brought tidings of the same.
How that in Bethlehem was
born the Son of God by name,
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and
brotherhood, Each other now embrace;
This Holy tide of Christmas
all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy. (Public
Domain)
*BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE
*The People Stand
A NOTE TO PARENTS: Child care is provided for ages infants through 4 yrs. in the Education Building during Sunday School and worship hour. We love children and little ones are welcome in our worship services.
ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK: Worship: 566 Sunday School: 207
|
THE
CHANCEL BOUQUET HAS BEEN GIVEN BY: Glenn and Cindy Rodgers,
to the Glory of God and in loving memory of their daughter, Susie 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), Walter Connor (brother of Grace Immler), Faye Sienkiewicz,
Richard Kling (Doug Blackman’s brother-in-law), David Lawrence (brother of
Sue Potter), Charlotte O’Toole, Heidi Ramey and son Tommy Jester, Tink Scherer (mother of Martha Oliver), Marisa Wieland. 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)