AN ORDER OF WORD AND TABLE
December 9, 2018 | Second Sunday of Advent
First United Methodist Church
John and Jennifer Collins, Co-Pastors
601 North Cedar, Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2623 — http://www.abilenefirstumc.org
WELCOME TO THIS WORSHIP SERVICE
If you’re willing to fill one out, attendance inserts are available from the ushers.
Please note that bold type indicates congregational participation. An asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand as you are able.
“H” stands for The United Methodist Hymnal, “F” stands for The Faith We Sing, and “W” stands for Worship and Song.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REMAIN SEATED:
If, for any reason (health, comfort, personal preference, etc.), you need to or would prefer to remain seated during the hymns please do so. Don’t give into peer pressure. You be you!
TO THOSE WITH SMALL CHILDREN
- Relax! God put the wiggle in children; don’t feel you have to suppress those wiggles in God’s house.
- Consider sitting toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to engage.
- Quietly explain the parts of the service and actions of the pastors, musicians, and leaders.
- Sing the hymns, pray and voice the responses. Children learn by mimicking you.
- If you have to leave the sanctuary with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
TO THE CONGREGATION
- Remember that the presence of children is a gift of hope for the future.
- Remember that the way we welcome children in worship directly affects the way they think about the church, Christianity, and even God.
- Let children know that they are at home in God’s house.
- A smile of encouragement is always welcome to parents with small, active children.
FEEL FREE TO REMAIN SEATED
If, for any reason (health, comfort, personal preference, etc.), you need to or would prefer to remain seated during the hymns please do so. Don’t give into peer pressure. You be you!
Gathering
Greeting One Another
RE-GATHERING* — O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, vss 1, 5-7 — H-211
Announcements
Prelude and Lighting of Candles [8:15]
CALL TO WORSHIP
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading — Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
HYMN* — O Come, All Ye Faithful — H-234
Choral Anthem [10:30] — Our Hope is in Emmanuel
Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)
1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
HYMN* — Hail to the Lord’s Anointed — H-203
Scripture Reading — Luke 3:1-6 (NRSV)
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
Children and Youth Christmas Program — Get the Story Straight
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — The Apostles’ Creed
RESPONSE — Gloria Patri — H-71
Prayer of Confession
(A time of silent prayers of confession)
Words of Assurance
A Stewardship Moment
Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings (If you are a guest this morning, please feel no obligation to give. This is simply one of the ways we worship God.)
RESPONSE* — Doxology — H-95
Prayer of Thanksgiving
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN* — I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light — H-206
Dismissal with Blessing*
Postlude*
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please note: prayer concerns will be listed in a bulletin for four (4) weeks unless the church office is notified otherwise.
FIRST UMC MEMBERS AND FRIENDS: Joanna Clemence, Melvin Leckron, Paul and Dorothy Lehman, Rose Rogers, and those grieving the loss of Bud Bankes and Ken Brown.
COMMUNITY PRAYER CONCERNS: Paul Brown (Janice Hoffman’s uncle), Paul Dennis, Lee Schroeder, Kim Goodman, and those grieving the loss of Ron Shivers.
THOSE WORSHIPING FROM HOME: Ruth Alt, Velma Becker, Joe Clemence, Steve Crump, Daisy Dester, Ruth Dieter, Walt Hartman, Neva Heck, Helen Kappel, Pam Paul, Marla Rutz, Donna Smith, Martha Zutavern, Ray Power, Phyllis Newell.
THOSE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES: Greg Austin, Tim Barns, Kayla Berven, Billy Brockman, Matthew Brinker, Ross Covington, Jessica and James Green, Gavin Hanna, Cameron Hoskins, David Hoskins, Ryan Kriesch, Samuel Miller, Arthur Sprouse, and James L. Wise, Jr.
DISTRICT PRAYER CALENDAR: Today we pray for the Tescott United Methodist Church; and their Pastor: Hyeayoun Kim.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS: **ALMOST GONE**
You can still sponsor one (or more) poinsettias in memory or honor of someone for just $10.00. Just make the check payable to the church and write “Poinsettias” in the memo line. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex so that you can let us know of whom your poinsettia is in memory or honor.
NO RING PRAISE: There will be no ring praise practice Wednesday, December 19th, and 26th, or January 2nd. Practice will resume on January 9th.
THANK YOU: Thank you to everyone who donated snacks to help fill up the College Care Packages. I would also like to thank everyone who donated money to help pay for the shipping of the packages. The college kids really appreciate receiving them. ~ Wendy R.
THE ONE EVENT: The youth will be attending the ONE EVENT in Salina, Friday and Saturday, January 5th and 6th. For all youth Grades 6 to 12. If you haven’t signed up for this it’s not too late; contact Wendy R.
NO P&L OR YOUTH GROUP: There will be no Power & Light or Youth Group; Wednesday, December 26th or Wednesday, January 2nd. Have a Happy Christmas Break! We will see everyone back on January 9th.
NEW SERRV ITEMS
We will start selling some new items from SERRV today!
We have added (3) new loose teas selling for $12.00 each; each tin makes 40 cups.
Little Berry Hibiscus – no caffeine – herbal tea – Vibrant and Tart; Purple Rain – low caffeine – purple tea – Bright and Lively
African Chai – medium caffeine – black tea – sweet and spicy.
We have also added some Divine Chocolate bar choices:
Milk Chocolate with Toffee & Sea Salt / 38% cocoa – $3.00/each
Dark Chocolate with Mint Crisp / 70% cocoa – $3.00/each
Caramel Milk Chocolate – $2.00/each
NURSERY: A nursery is provided for children during each service. It is located in Room 205 near the south entrance to the church. If you need assistance locating the nursery, our ushers and greeters will be happy to direct you.
INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP? Are you interested in joining the Abilene First United Methodist Church as a member and making a formal commitment to God, the church, and yourself? If so, please talk to one of the pastors in person or using the pastoral contact information found in the bulletin.
EMAIL UPDATES: Jenny and John use a service called TinyLetter to send out blog posts by email every day or so. This way you can keep up with the blog simply by checking your email inbox. You can also reply with an email of your own and let us know what you think. You can sign up at tinyletter.com/jcollins11.
CHURCH CALENDAR
Online Calendar at https://abilenefirstumc.org/calendar/
WELCOME TO THIS WORSHIP SERVICE
Please note that bold type indicates congregational participation. An asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand as you are able. “H” stands for The United Methodist Hymnal, “F” stands for The Faith We Sing, and “W” stands for Worship and Song.
OUR VISION
A church of open hearts, open minds, and open doors.
OUR MISSION
To make disciples of Jesus Christ.
CLOSING CREDITS
Kristy Engle and Angie Hoerner, Accompanist
Cora Vinduska and Ethan Gonzales, Acolytes
Ray Wyatt and Kent Wyatt, Liturgists
Mike Engle, Liz Collins, and Joy Clemence, Sound
Tyler Green, Slides
Clark Williamson, Director of Music Ministries
Wendy Robinson, Director of Children and Youth Ministries
CONTACT INFORMATION
John and Jennifer Collins, Pastors
Phone: 785-263-2623
Email: john@revcollins.com and jenny@revcollins.com
Wendy Fielder, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 785-263-2623 — Email: office@abilenefirstumc.org
