Dec 9th Bulletin

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
December 9, 2007               2ND Sunday of Advent
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP       Kenny Stephens

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS        Horace Abbott

*SONGS OF PRAISE
“Angels from the Realms of Glory”  (Vs.  1,2,4)  UMH #220
Vs. 1:  Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; ye who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Chorus:  Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the new-born King.

Vs. 2:  Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light:  Repeat Chorus:

Vs. 4:  Saints, before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear; suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear:  Repeat Chorus:

“I Love You, Lord”   (1x)
I love You, Lord—and I lift my voice—to worship You, O my soul, rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what You hear, May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

*WORDS OF PRAISE            Delbert Dearing      
Leader: Love comes wrapped as a baby,
People: God’s love lying in a manger.
Leader: The ordinary conceals the unspeakable;
People:  God is with us.   God knows us.  God is with us, revealed
in us.  His name is called Emmanuel.
Leader: God’s love is coming to us.
People:  God’s love is with us, again and again with us.
Leader: Soon and always, with us.
People:  Emmanuel God with us.
*SONG OF ADVENT             UMH #211
“O Come, Emmanuel”  (Vs. 1,2)
Vs.1:   O Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here-until the Son of  God appear.

Chorus:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel—shall come to thee, O Israel.

Vs. 2:  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.  Repeat Chorus:

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
The Candle of Love

*SPECIAL MUSIC         “Come On, Ring Those Bells”

JOYS AND CONCERNS        Delbert Dearing
Pastor Prayer/Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.

*SPECIAL MUSIC       “The Nutcracker”

CHILDREN’S TIME              Sydney Head      
As the children come forward, join in singing “Jesus Loves Me” #191
As the children return, join in singing “This is the Day” #657

GIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS      Delbert Dearing
*Doxology        UMH #95

*SONG OF PRAISE 
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”     (vs 1,3)     UMH #224
Vs. 1   Good Christians friends, rejoice—with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say:  News, news! Jesus Christ is born today! Ox and Ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now.  Christ is born today, Christ is born today!

Vs.3    Good Christian friends, rejoice—with heart and soul and voice; now ye need not fear the grave:  News, news! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain His everlasting hall.  Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save!

SCRIPTURE READING           Delbert Dearing
John 1:6-9, 19-28

SPECIAL MUSIC           Barbara Jean Banner

MESSAGE       “Two Babes in a Manger”        

*THE HYMN OF INVITATION   UMH #217
“Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.  The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, a-sleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes; I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay-close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

*BENEDICTION

DISMISSAL    “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”  UMH #196
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..

*POSTLUDE          Kenny Stephens

*Indicates congregation standing, unless unable.
*CCLI #2480835