December 20, 2009                Fourth Sunday of Advent                               9:30 a.m.       

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude                        “For Unto Us a Child Is Born”   (Hayes)                    Joel Dizon

- A time for quiet meditation as people gather to worship

- Think and know that God is in our midst                    

Contemporary Songs of Praise                                                                       

            · “The King of Glory Comes”                                                                 TFWS #2091

            · “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy”                                                      TFWS #2098

        · “Star-Child”                                                                                           TFWS #2095

Welcome (guests are honored, birthdays and wedding anniversaries are celebrated)

+ Lighting of Advent Candles                                            Dave & Marilou McConkey

    L: We light the fourth candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace.

         May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready

         for the coming of Jesus, our Hope, Grace, and Joy.

    P: O come, O Come, Emmanuel               

+ Call to Worship (Responsively)                                                    Debbie Wise

Let us magnify the Lord.

   Let us rejoice in God our Savior.

The Mighty One has done great things for us;

   Holy is God’s Name!                                                                         [Luke 1]

+ Opening Hymn                      “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                               UMH#234

+ Invocation                                                                                                  Congregation

      God of small towns, God of great cities, God of the islands in the pacific,

       your story is stretched through all creation. Be present in our worship today.

       May we recognize you in our midst as we continue to wait for your full

       revelation this Christmas. Come, Emmanuel! Come, Prince of Peace!

Words of Welcome/Greeting                                                                          Pastor Fred

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Children’s Moment                                                                                    Karen Carpenter          

(Children 5 and under are invited to the nursery downstairs)

A nursery is provided downstairs for children from infant up to age 5 only.

Sunday School starts before the sermon, continuing until the fellowship hour begins. Young people remain in service. Children’s bulletin are available in the entryway.

Scripture Lessons                  Micah 5:2-5a (OT 1096)                             Debbie Wise

                                             Hebrews 10:5-10 (NT 329)

Anthem                                  “A Christmas Melody”                                           Choir

Gospel Lesson                        Luke 1:39-45 (NT 85)                                Debbie Wise

Sermon                              The Word Became Flesh                                Pastor Fred

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+ Hymn                                   “The First Noel”                                  UMH #245

Announcement of Ministry Opportunities                                          Pastor Fred

Sharing of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory                        “What Child Is This”     (Tornquist)                   Joel Dizon                                                                         

+ Response     “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”               UMH #94

      + Prayer of Dedication                                                     Debbie Wise

Sharing our Joys & Concerns                                                             Pastor Fred

   L: In Your mercy/In our joy             C: Lord, hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer                                                                 UMH #895

WE GO FORTH TO SERVE                                                 

+ Hymn                          “O Little Town of Bethlehem”                       UMH #230

+ Closing Prayer & Benediction                                                         Pastor Fred

                        Join us for fellowship downstairs !        

Meditation

O Mighty God, whose strong arm does defend those who are your servants: So fill us with joy and expectation at the coming of your Son our Lord, that we may for ever sing your greatness to the ends of the earth; Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.

                        [TJC]

Fourth Sunday Lectionary Theme

We often think, almost exclusively, Christianity is a “spiritual religion.” The Adventus season, Christ coming to human plane, tells us that Christianity is a “material” religion. Christians affirm the Incarnation (en carne), the belief that God Almighty came in the flesh, took on our humanity in order that we might be brought back to God. By embracing our humanity, Jesus Christ elevated our humanity. This affirmation and validation of our being a material being, is at the heart of the good news of the nativity---the Word made flesh. 

Next Week’s Lectionary Readings ~ 1^st Sunday after Christmas Day

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Psalm 148

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:41-52

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Welcome Visitors!

We are happy you are worshiping with us! Please take the time to fill out the welcome pad as it is passed in your row. If you need assistance for settling in and/or serving in a faith community, please feel free to contact the pastor or anyone of us.

                           Announcements                       

·         Today, we begin to make our traditional “Birthday Gift to Jesus.” Please hang your red-colored envelope to the bare christmas tree as we sing our closing hymn.

·         Today, we are receiving special offerings to support AIDS sufferers and victims of typhoons in the Philippines. (Advance 240235)

·         Today, the Kruckenbergs are inviting everyone for a Christmas Merienda at 3pm - 6pm.

·         Dec 16-24, 6:30pm, “Simbang Gabi” (Christmas Watch Service)

·         Dec 24, 7:00pm , Christmas Eve Service

·         Dec 26-30, Youth Christmas Institute (in the Philippines)

·         Save the date, Dec 31, 8:00pm, Covenant Renewal Service

·         Pastor Fred will be with the youth to attend the Christmas Institute in the Philippines.

·         Potluck next Sunday. Bring your favorite dish.

·         Gina, our church secretary, might be away for a week . Tentative Break: Dec 21-25.  

·         Sign-up now for January Worship Leadership: liturgist, greeters, ushers, etc.   

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS

CHURCH WEEKLY GATHERING SCHEDULE