WELCOME TO WORSHIP
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 26:7-13 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Deck the Halls with Peace”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Peace — Horace Silver DOXOLOGY #211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — VENI EMMANUEL Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 10, 2023 • 9:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The gathering music signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
Please stand as you are able
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Almighty and most merciful God, from you comes every good and perfect gift. We give you praise and thanks for all your mercies. Your goodness has created us, your bounty has sustained us, your discipline has chastened us, your patience has borne with us, your love has redeemed us. Give us a heart to love and serve you, and enable us to show our thankfulness for all your goodness and mercy by giving up ourselves to your service, and cheerfully submitting in all things to your blessed will; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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GATHERING MUSIC GREETING OPENING PRAYER Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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HYMN
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#211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — VENI EMMANUEL (Stanzas 1, 4, 6, 7)
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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#217 Away in a Manger — AWAY IN A MANGER
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE Emmanuel — Kenneth Wilmot Sr. Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel. Let every heart prepare him room. O come, O come Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel.
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CELEBRATION MUSIC
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
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MUSIC Martha Bassett, vocals Matt Kendrick, bass Federico Pivetta, piano Ken Wilmot, trumpet John Wilson, drums
ADVENT WREATH George and Susan Lawson
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS • DECEMBER 10, 2023
WELCOME!
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/church-events
The congregation and staff of Centenary welcome you to today’s worship. It is our honor to have you with us! Our ministers, staff, welcome team and ushers are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. We hope our worship will inspire, comfort and challenge you as we hear God’s message proclaimed through preaching, music, prayer and liturgy.
WORSHIP AT CENTENARY
SAVE THE DATE “NOURISH” Our all-new Wednesday evening dinner and programming night is here! Learn more about programming and sign up by scanning the QR code. To learn more about “Nourish” programming and register for dinner, please scan our QR code or visit www.centenaryws.org/nourish.
SUNDAYS
9:00 am • Memorial Auditorium 11:00 am • Sanctuary
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
MEMBERSHIP
We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you. If you are interested in learning about church membership, please contact Rev. Meg Peters (336-724-6311 ext. 1361)/mpeters@ centenary-ws.org to schedule a time to meet.
WATCH
Each Sunday morning, our 11:00 am worship service is broadcast on the Internet through our Live Stream. Visit www.centenary-ws.org. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on either Live Stream or the Live Stream arrow.
HEARING LOOP
Our Sanctuary is fitted with a Hearing Loop system. Please switch your hearing device to T-coil. If you need a listening device, please contact one of our ushers. Be sure to sit in the pews located on the floor of the Nave.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTENARY
There is always something happening at Centenary and we invite you to join us. To learn more about Centenary ministries and events, visit our website at www.centenary-ws.org. You may also contact our receptionist who will guide you to the appropriate ministry area.
COME AS YOU ARE CLASS ROOM 112 CENTRAL BUILDING • 10:00 AM SUNDAY MORNINGS Life is busy. Parenting tweens and teens raises its own set of challenges, none of which are easy to navigate on our own. We face questions like: how do we instill faith and confidence in God in our young people in this challenging world? How do we guide our children through the gauntlet of middle and high school while keeping our focus on God and at the center of our families? How do we continue to nurture and grow our own faith while balancing so many responsibilities? If this is your stage of life, the Come As You Are or CAYR (pronounced “care”) class is for you. This is a community of parents, step-parents, and other adults invested in the lives of tweens and teens. Class is led by facilitators but focused on open, non-judgmental conversation among class members. No need to prepare or read in advance of class. We want you to come as you are! If you have questions or want to know more, please contact Erin Bonsall, Amy Lawson, or Meg Coppley. CHILDREN’S MINISTRY IMPROMPTU CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SUNDAY • DECEMBER 17 • 10:00 AM We hope that kids and grown-ups join us in the Sanctuary at 10 am to witness and participate in the miracle of Christmas as we tell the Christmas story. There will be no Sunday school for elementary aged kids on December 17. We will gather in the Sanctuary where everyone will choose a costume and take part in creating a beautiful picture of what the first Christmas might have looked like as the story is told through rhyme and song. Please also bring sweatpants, leggings or joggers (mostly for kids ages 5-6) to help us decorate our Tree of Warmth for the students at Brunson Elementary.
STAY CONNECTED
Reception Desk • 336-724-6311
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS 336.724.6311 + Extension (for the Minister on Call • Option 2) Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister
ext. 1362
Tammy Pollock Director of Youth Ministries
ext. 1337
Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director
ext. 1346
Rick Gibbons Congregational Care Assistant
ext. 1342
Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries
ext. 1339
Stacy Holley Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister
ext. 1359
Reverend R. Craig Ford Associate Minister
ext. 1353
John Markle Director of Operations
ext. 1347
Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children
ext. 1331
Doug Peninger Director of Communications
ext. 1368
John Rogers Director of Information Technology
ext. 1356
Reverend Meg Peters ext. 1361 Assoc. Minister of Evangelism, Engagement & Missions
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 646 W. FIFTH STREET • WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27101 WWW.CENTENARY-WS.ORG • 336-724-6311
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2024 SUMMER EVENTS! • Older Elementary Mission Week: June 25-27 (Rising 4th – 6th graders) • Centenary Week at Camp Tekoa: July 7-13 (Rising 4th – 6th graders) • Children’s Music and Arts Camp: July 15-18 (2 year olds – rising 5th graders) • Vacation Bible School: July 29-August 1 (4 year olds – rising 6th graders) SAVE THE DATE FOR CREATED BY GOD MARCH 1-2, 2024 We hope that 4th and 5th graders and their parents will join us Friday, March 1 from 5:30-8 pm and Saturday, March 2 from 9 am-3:30 pm to learn about their growing and changing bodies through a Christian lens. Watch for more information and registration information coming soon. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN ANGEL TREE! Through your generosity and our partnership with 4 churches/organizations, we helped over 300 children in Winston-Salem have a present (or more) to open this Christmas! It was such a blessing to watch this entire congregation come together and tangibly love our community. Thank you for shopping, financial support, volunteering in multiple ways, wrapping gifts and everything in between! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Love, the Children’s Ministry Team.
YOU CAN HELP FEED HUNGRY STUDENTS IN OUR AREA Did you know that we partner with Brunson Elementary, Wiley Middle School, Reynolds High School and the Winston Salem Street School to help fill their food pantries? At Reynolds and the Winston Salem Street School, we help stock food pantries where students can “go shopping” for food at school to take home. At Brunson and Wiley, we partner with them through the Backpack Program. The school administration identifies students in need of food and enrolls them in the program. We purchase “backpacks” through Second Harvest Food bank – each one has two breakfasts and two lunches. If you’d like to partner with us in helping these students gain access to food over the weekends, you can do so through prayer, financial support, and volunteering to transport backpacks to schools! For more information, please contact Anna Thomas (athomas@centenary-ws.org/ext 1332). CONGREGATIONAL CARE STEPHEN MINISTRY Christmas joy and happy celebrations surround us during Advent and Christmas Day. If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be very difficult. A Stephen Minister will walk this journey with you, providing a listening heart, care, and hope. If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry, please contact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314), Wilba Brady (336-723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford (336-724-6311 ext. 1353). WEEKLY PRAYER IN THE CHAPEL TUESDAYS • NOW - DECEMBER 19 NOON- 12:30PM You are invited for a time of prayer each week in our Chapel. Resources will be provided for a time of independent reflection and contemplation. MISSIONS MISSION FAIR WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 10 • 6 PM MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM You are invited to come and meet our mission partners, learn more about volunteer opportunities, and see how your mission dollars are at work! Contact Rev. Meg Peters (mpeters@centenary-ws. org) if you have any questions.
YOUTH MINISTRY Today 10:00 am: Youth Sunday School (@ Youth Commons) 10:00 am: Parents of Teens Sunday School classes 5:00 pm: (Prelude beginning at 4:30pm) A Service of Lessons & Carols All youth are invited to come and support our new Youth Choir Collective on Fifth at this beautiful worship service. December 17 10:00 am: Youth Sunday School (@ Youth Commons) 10:00 am: Parents of Teens Sunday School classes 5:00 pm: Annual Youth Christmas Party on the 4th Floor! ALL youth are invited to join us for this super fun evening with dinner, games, and friends to celebrate Christmas. Wear your favorite ‘ugly’ Christmas attire and bring a wrapped ornament to exchange. Dinner is $3 per person. YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL Join us every Sunday at 10:00 am on the fourth floor (@Youth Commons) for ALL youth Sunday School. As always there are breakfast snacks, coffee & drinks, and friends & fellowship before the lesson every week! Throughout the season of Advent, we will explore how God told his people all about the birth of Jesus long before it happened. We will discover the prophecies of Jesus’ birth, when they were fulfilled, and what this means to us today. So, plan to come explore a different perspective of the Christmas story with us! CONFIRMATION 2024 Confirmation by definition is faith formation and one part of a lifelong journey. Our hope is that through our Confirmation ministry you will be given the opportunity, tools, love, support, and inspiration you will need to build your faith on a firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-25). Starting on January 3, 2024 (through May 19), we invite all 7th graders to join us as we meet each Wednesday night from 6:00pm—7:30pm to learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the spiritual life, and how they form us and help us to change the way we live our lives. You will not go through this class alone; you will pick a Shepherd (a faithful adult spiritual companion from our church) who will walk beside you all throughout your Confirmation. There will be several field trips, two retreats, lots of meals, and space to ask all your questions to help us grow. The hope is that through these experiences, you will come to encounter Jesus in a very tangible way.
LOOKING AHEAD December 24: Christmas Eve worship services January 3, 2024: Confirmation begins! January 4: Confirmation Shepherds Orientation January 5: Sixers! Goes to the movies January 7: Confirmation Bible Sunday January 19 & 20: Confirmation Retreat (Camp Hanes) February 10 & 11: Love her Well event with Kari Kampakis For more information or to sign up to receive Youth Ministry updates by email, contact Tammy Pollock (tpollock@centenary-ws.org). Follow us on Instagram @centenary_youth. CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE We invite you to worship with us as we anticipate the birthday of Jesus Christ. We will not have Sunday school. For worship, we offer five opportunities. 11:00 AM • Sanctuary 2:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Auditorium 4:00 PM• Children’s Christmas Eve • Sanctuary 6:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Auditorium 11:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Sanctuary OPEN FLOWER DATE A wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one, friend, group, birthday, or anniversary is by providing flowers in our Sanctuary for Sunday morning services. Our Flower Calendar has a shared open date available on January 7, 2024. You would be sharing the cost with another family. Two arrangements cost $350.00 and your portion would be $175.00. This has been an important ministry for our Church by keeping our Sanctuary looking beautiful and welcoming. If you are interested, please contact Paige Morgan Foy (pmorganfoy@centenary-ws.org/ext. 1358)
You can register for Confirmation in Realm. With questions, contact Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries.
MUSIC & ARTS A JOYOUS NOEL! ADVENT MUSIC SERIES Musical glad tidings to one and all in this season of Advent! Please join us this evening at 5:00 PM (prelude begins at 4:30) for our annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols. This beloved service will feature the Centenary Chancel Choir, Carillonneurs, Youth Choir Collective, and Winston-Salem Choral Academy, brass, percussion, and more. See below for a full listing of upcoming series events. All are free and open to the public! • Sunday, December 10, 5:00 PM (Prelude begins at 4:30): Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols • Sunday, December 17, 4:00 PM: Bel Canto Company UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH COOKBOOKS There are still plenty of UWF Cookbooks for sale if you are looking for Christmas gifts for friends and family. They are $25 each or two for $40. Please email Rev. Meg Peters at mpeters@centenary-ws. org if you would like to purchase one.
MONDAY • DECEMBER 11 2 Kings 4-7 & Psalm 102
THURSDAY • DECEMBER 14 2 Kings 15-17 & Psalm 105
TUESDAY • DECEMBER 12 2 Kings 8-11 & Psalm 103
FRIDAY • DECEMBER 15 2 Kings 18-19 & Psalm 106
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 13 2 Kings 12-14 & Psalm 104
SATURDAY • DECEMBER 16 2 Kings 20-22 & Psalm 107
SUNDAY • DECEMBER 17 2 Kings 23-25 & Psalm 108