WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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.
(Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 11, 2022 • 11:00AM
CANTICLE O Little Town of Bethlehem — arr. Stephen Paulus 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.
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
For Christ is born of Mary; and gather’d all above, while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars together proclaim the Holy Birth; praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
The prelude 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
INTROIT
Awake the Harp (from Creation) — Franz Joseph Haydn Awake the harp, the lyre awake, and let your joyful song resound. Rejoice in the Lord, the mighty God. For He both heaven and earth has clothed in stately dress.
CALL TO WORSHIP O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you, grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God world without end. Amen. HYMN OF PROCESSION #224 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice — IN DULCI JUBLIO 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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GLORIA PATRI #71 Glory Be to the Father — GREATOREX Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
#246 Joy to the World — ANTIOCH
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE
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POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON NOTES
SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 35:1-10 (pew Bible Old Testament page 811) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Gift of Joy”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
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HYMN
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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.
PRELUDE GREETING
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
OFFERTORY Jubilate in B-flat Major — C. V. Stanford O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve Lord with gladness, and come before His presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. O go your way into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and speak good of His Name. For the Lord is gracious, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth from generation to generation. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. DOXOLOGY #221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
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PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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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___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister
LITURGISTS Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries ADVENT WREATH Holly Gilliam and Anne Morgan
CRUCIFER Anna Hollan TORCHBEARERS Caroline Hollan Chandler Marley MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Sara Lynch, Oboe
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.