FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Pleasant Valley and Camden Avenues

Moorestown, New Jersey

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

DECEMBER 23, 2007                            FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT                        11:00 A.M. Service

                                                           

LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX

HEARING DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM USHERS

Numbers in the bulletin refer to pages in the United Methodist Hymn book located in the pews

 

 

  PRELUDE                                        Brass Quartet and Organ                                                   

 

 GREETING

 

     INTROIT                                     

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN 238        Angels We Have Heard on High

 

*OPENING PRAYER 

Sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas.  Pour into our hearts the peace which we at times seek so desperately, and which you alone can give us.  Help us to know one another better to live in unity, children of the same Father.  Awaken in our hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness; join us together in your love; and give us all your heavenly peace.       From (Pope) John XXIII, 1881-1963

 

*RESPONSIVE READING 801              Psalm 80:1-7

 

  MINISTRY OF MUSIC                                 A Child Is Born                                   Washburn

                                                                          Adult Choir

  CALL TO PRAYER  PERFECT PEACE (by David Winnes)

You will keep those in perfect peace, whose minds are set on You. 

You will keep those in perfect peace, whose minds are set on You. 

Because we trust in You, Oh Lord, because we trust in You. 

You will keep those in perfect peace, whose minds are set on You.  (1978 His Eye Music)

 

  PASTORAL PRAYER

 

  THE LORD’S PRAYER                                                                                                         

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

  CHORAL AMEN

 

  WE CELEBRATE OUR LIFE IN CHRIST

We welcome all who are worshiping with us this morning.  Please fill out the blue-colored card that you will find in the bulletin.  Write any special prayer requests on the back, and pass them face down to the center aisle.

 

    PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS AND TITHES  

 

    MINISTRY OF MUSIC                 For Unto us a Child is Born                                        Handel

                                                               (from “Messiah”)

                                                                   Adult Choir

*DOXOLOGY 95

      Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise him, all creatures here below:

praise him above, ye heavenly host;

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

 

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

  HYMN OF PREPARATION 234   O Come, All Ye Faithful                                 Verses 1, 3, 6

 

  SCRIPTURE READING               Luke 2:13-15; John 14:23-27                                                         

 

  SERMON                                              “Peace on Earth”                             Pastor Steve Donat

 

*CLOSING HYMN 239                       Silent Night, Holy Night

 

*BENEDICTION

 

*POSTLUDE                                                       

*While the congregation stands, those who would find this uncomfortable may remain seated.

 

 

 

A NOTE TO PARENTS

We love children and your little ones are welcome in our worship service.  On those days when your child is fussy, the parlor located behind the sanctuary provides an excellent place to care for your child and still participate in the worship service.

 

USHERS:  Charles Rudolph, Frank Bendel, Pat Leggoe, Richard Loring, Jack Schweitzer

 

ACOLYTES:  Jessica Hagmaier and Kelly Hagmaier

 

 

GREETERS:  Beth and Rick Stewart

 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK:  Worship: 722          Sunday School: 165                                                                               

 

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, Ruth Allen, Felecia Frugoli, Doris Ball (mother of Sharon Marchiano).

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), Michael McMaster.

 

                                                                                                             

The Staff of First United Methodist Church

                    Stephen Donat, Senior Pastor                                  Joan Flamini, 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

                    Brad Kenney, Youth Director                                

 

Church Office Contacts

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

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

(CCLI License No. 782839)