Worship

December 8,  2024

2nd Sunday of Advent

Passion

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Welcome from the Pastor                                                  Pastor Victoria

Announcements/Greeting Each Other                        Michelle Hintz-Prange

(Share a greeting in whatever way you are comfortable)

Gathering Hymn #211              O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee,  O Israel.

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.  (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe.  (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.  (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee,  O Israel.

Advent Affirmation of Faith 

We believe in God, creator and lover of the earth, origin and destiny of us all.

We believe in Jesus the Christ— God coming to us in the fragile promise of a baby yet unborn—who emerges as the herald of hope, God’s laughter in the face of despair.  Plunged into death and hell, he broke free the captives, and is leading the way to the land of promise where justice and peace will flourish.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who implants the seed of truth, brings us to birth as the body of Christ, and empowers us to confront and transform all that is corrupt, degrading and deceitful.

We believe in the coming reign of God.  Announced by the Baptist, it has drawn near to us in Jesus, and will be consummated in the glorious marriage of earth and heaven, when all who have passed through the world’s deep sorrow will be raised from the waters, robed in righteousness, and gathered into the joyous fulfilment of God’s desire.

For the coming of that day on this day, we work and pray:  Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

— written by Nathan Nettleton

Second Sunday in Advent

ONE: The second Advent candle.

ALL: We light a light to await God’s coming.

ONE: We light a light with longing for God to set the world trembling.

ALL: We light a light to hold out hope for God’s mercy.

ONE: We light a light for the promise of new dreams and visions by God’s spirit.

ALL: The second Advent candle.

ONE: Prepare your hearts.

Light the first and second candle of the Advent wreath.

Advent Prayer

All pray together:

Compassionate God, greet us with your grace this day, for we need you. We cannot save ourselves. Though we may be frantic with activity, our efforts do not yield peace, peace as you can give. Today we would be quiet enough to hear your voice. Today we would be still enough to feel your touch. Help us to find that place where we can receive as well as give, wait as well as act, and listen as well as speak. Our whole world needs your peace. Let us come before you and learn your ways, laying down our weapons and feeding the hungry. Come to us now, through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Hymn #567                                      Heralds of Christ                                      

Heralds of Christ, who bear the King’s commands, immortal tidings in your mortal hands, pass on and carry swift the news you bring; make straight, make straight the highway of the King.

Through desert ways, dark fen, and deep morass, through jungles, sluggish seas, and mountain pass, build now the road, and falter not, nor stay; prepare across the earth the King’s highway.

Lord, give us faith and strength the road to build, to see the promise of the day fulfilled, when war shall be no more, and strife shall cease upon the highway of the Prince of Peace.

Moment of Silence/Pastoral Prayer                                            Pastor Victoria

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.

Hymn #188                      Christ Is The World’s Light                 

Christ is the world’s light, Christ and none other; born in our darkness, he became our brother.  If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:  Glory to God on high!

Christ is the world’s peace, Christ and none other; no one can serve him and despise another.  Who else unites us, one in God the Father?  Glory to God on high!

Christ is the world’s life, Christ and none other; sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother; he, who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:  Glory to God on high!

Give God the glory, God and none other; give God the glory, Spirit, Son, and Father; give God the glory, God with us, my brother:  Glory to God on high!

Offertory                                                        Bruce Mook

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

Offertory Prayer                                                                        Michelle Hintz-Prange

Loving God, in this Advent season, we bring our offerings with hearts open to your call.  Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, may our gifts help prepare the way for your kingdom.  Use these offerings to bring hope, justice, and transformation.  Help us to look beyond the surface, to see your work in surprising places and people.  Bless our giving, that it may shine with the presence of Emmanuel. In Christ’s name, we pray.  Amen.

Scripture      Luke 3: 1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tibe′ri-us Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturae′a and Trachoni′tis, and Lysa′ni-as tetrarch of Abile′ne, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Ca′iaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechari′ah in the wilderness; and he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Message:           Slouching to Bethlehem             Pastor Victoria

Hymn # 230                      O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.  Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.  O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!

How silently, how silently, the wonderous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.  No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.  We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Benediction                                                                            Pastor Victoria

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, here and in the world. Amen.

Flowers have been placed on the altar by Patti and Brint Marshall in memory of her Father, Brother, and Mother and in honor of their son, Alex for their birthdays.

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS      

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December 10th 11:30 AM

UWF Christmas Luncheon

Harriett Swartzmiller’s house

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December 16th 6:30 pm

Joint Council/Finance meeting

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Night had fallen as the congregation of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church presented the Journey to Bethlehem. It was the 14th year of the Live Nativity tradition. Thank you for all the hard work that makes this event possible. We are grateful for God’s blessings. We are grateful for the church and the community where we love being a neighbor and sharing Christ during this Christmas season.  

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Meet Tuesday evenings at 5:30,

For additional information,

please contact the church office. Thank you!

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New Church Office email address:

Staff@st-lukesumc.church

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Liturgist: Michelle Hintz-Prange

Pianist:  Bruce Mook

Rev. Victoria Guthrie

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Help Decorate the Church

If you would like to give a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of someone, please fill out the form below and turn it into the church office or place it in the offering plate with your clearly marked payment.  The deadline to order is December 12th.  You may pick up your plant after the Christmas Eve service.  The cost is $15.00

Given by: ______________________________________________________

In Memory of: _______________________________________________________

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In Honor of:

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I will pick up my plant ___________         

I will leave my plant for a shut-in______________ 


 Calendar

Sunday, December 8th

2nd Sunday of Advent

10:00    Bible Discussion Group

10:45    Choir Rehearsal

11:15    Worship

Monday, December 9th

12:30    Parkinson’s Support Group 

  5:00    Karate

  8:00    AA Meeting

Tuesday, December 10th

   11:30 UWF Christmas Luncheon

     6:30 ACA Group

Wednesday, December 11th

  9:00-1:00    Thrift Store10:30    Al-Anon

Thursday, December 12th 

  9:00    Thrift Store

12:00    Al Anon Begin

12:45    Al Anon

  5:00    Karate

  7:30    AA

Friday, December 13th

  1:00    Chair Volleyball

  5:00    Food Pantry

  6:45    ACA Group

Saturday, December 14th

 9:00-1:00           Thrift Store

 9:00                      ACA Beach Group – Joy Room

11:00                    ACA

Sunday, December 15th

3rd Sunday of Advent

10:00    Bible Discussion Group

10:45    Choir Rehearsal

11:15    Worship