WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
"FOLLOW THE STAR — GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH" MATTHEW 2:1-12
SUNDAY • DECEMBER 20, 2020 11:00AM
WELCOME! Welcome to Centenary United Methodist Church. Thank you for worshiping with us today! We are grateful for your presence and invite you to participate in our worship, program and ministry life here at Centenary. We hope the worship will inspire and comfort you as we hear God’s message proclaimed. During this time, now more than ever, may the grace and love of Christ surround you.
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OUR MISSION “The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
PARTICIPATING IN WORSHIP PREACHING
The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III
LITURGISTS
The Reverend Bret Cogan The Reverend Meg Gaston The Reverend Kate May The Reverend Susannah Pittman Tamara M. Pollock
MUSIC
Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Susan Bates, organ Centenary Chamber Ensemble Anita Cirba & Ken Wilmot, trumpets Corine Brower, violin Jerry Solomon, timpani
Musical texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342
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LET US WORSHIP Fourth Sunday of Advent • 11:00 am • December 20, 2020
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS VOLUNTARY
The Fairest Rose — Frederik Magle
GREETING INTROIT
Morning Star — HAGEN Morning Star, O cheering sight, tarry not; dispel my night! Jesus mine, in me shine, fill my heart with light divine!
CALL TO WORSHIP
O God, You call to us from the wild places, You call to us from the inner chambers of our hearts. We come in answer to your call. We come to pray, to praise, To learn of your love for all creation. Reveal your glory that we may see it together Inform and inspire us to seek your kingdom on earth in our time. Amen.
HYMN (found on page six) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
#254 We Three Kings — KINGS OF ORIENT I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM & RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD'S PRAYER
After each prayer, the leader may conclude: Lord, in your mercy. All may respond: Hear our 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. 3
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE
The Star of Kings — Philip Stopford Three sons of man in regal cloaks, turn your eyes aloft. See the light that shines from me, a beacon sent by God. A journey lies before you now like none you ever made, a promise of a King of Kings who's light shall never fade. Follow me, an infant born, an infant born today. Baking sands and foreign lands, keep looking to the sky. I am here to guide your way, and He's the reason why. Your precious gifts shall find Him there in humble hay and straw. The hope of man, a swaddling child, the one you're looking for. A child of light, the Son of God, and you shall see Him grow. His words will light the path of man, His deeds the world will know. And as my light did show the way to his celestial birth, the gift He brings to you today is given in His words: follow me, and be reborn, you'll be reborn today!
SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (NIV) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON
"Follow the Star — Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh"
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY
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Brightest and Best — Shawn Kirchner Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediator down from the regions of glory descend! Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger, lo, for his guard the bright angels attend. Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid. Star in the East, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall. Angels adore him in slumber reclining, Maker and Savior of all. Shall we not yield him, in costly devotion, odors of Edom and off’rings divine, gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean, myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to render to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you, not with our lips only, but with our whole lives, turning the duties, the sorrows, and the joys of all our days into a living sacrifice to you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD'S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN (found on page seven)
#246 Joy to the World — ANTIOCH
BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
BENEDICTION RESPONSE Revelation 19:6,11:15,19:16
Hallelujah (from Messiah) — George Frideric Handel Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, and He shall reign forever and ever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!
VOLUNTARY
Concerto I in G Major — Johann Sebastian Bach
SERMON NOTES _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
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POINSETTIAS The Poinsettias are given in Memory of Katherine Boone by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Coan Mr. & Mrs. Thomas S. Douglas Jr. by Suzan Elster J. Robert Elster by Suzan Elster Mr. & Mrs. H. Kapp Ogburn Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Sam Ogburn Sr. James, Corinne & Ronald Newcomb by Danny & Kathy Newcomb Charlie, Lois & Ronnie Oakes by Danny & Kathy Newcomb Ann Grant by Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dillard Jack Grant by Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dillard Myra Grant by Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dillard Dean Henrichs by The Henrichs Family Barclay L. Setzer by Stephanie, Thomas & Anna Setzer, Melanie & Mary Poyner York, Michael & Sandee Lawless W.E. & Amy Ruth Lawless by Stephanie, Thomas & Anna Setzer, Melanie & Mary Poyner York, Michael & Sandee Lawless Walter & Frances Johnson by Stephanie, Thomas & Anna Setzer, Melanie & Mary Poyner York, Michael & Sandee Lawless Bill & Velma Ansell by Stephanie, Thomas & Anna Setzer, Melanie & Mary Poyner York, Michael & Sandee Lawless Betty March by Mark March Valentine Bauer, Frances Bauer & Laurel Zaks by Jason, Kristen, Lilly & Charlie Zaks Joseph Glenn Butler & Robert Glenn Butler by Diann Butler & Stewart Cherney Katherine Cochran & Max W. Debruhl Jr. by Lynn Debruhl John & Margaret Keely by Alan & Susan Keely Ian Stokes by Phil & Louise Kinken Judy Jones by Phil & Louise Kinken Sylvia Shelton by Phil & Louise Kinken Mary Anne Maynard by Doug Maynard Lenora S. Carter by Allison Burns & Austin Carter Lenora S. Carter by Tom & Kay Carter R. Patrick Spangler Sr. & Eloise Young Spangler by Steve & Jane Poe William E. Poe Sr. & Mary Virginia Warren Poe by Steve & Jane Poe Jack B. Yarbrough by Sylvia Yarbrough Jack B. Yarbrough by Chris & Teresa Yarbrough Bill Hathcock by Marie Hathcock Ted Keith by Mary Jane Keith T. R. Keith by Mary Jane Keith Sara G. Rayburn by Frank Rayburn Doris Melton Terrell by Julie Sayers Rock by Jane, Robert, Harold & Betsy Welch Jim Sifford by Barbara Sifford Jim Sifford by Mary Whisenant and Amy & John Morrow Bob Stevens by Susan Stevens Franklin G. Markley Jr. by Franklin R. Markley "Kathie" Kathleen Lee Hoyle Masten by the Celebration Sunday School Class Larry Lee Hutchens by the Celebration Sunday School Class Janet Parris by Judson & Lois Davis Edith Myers by Judson & Lois Davis Lisa Freshwater by Judson & Lois Davis Lloyd Walter by Judson & Lois Davis Jim & Ruby Hartman by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson and family
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POINSETTIAS The Poinsettias are given in Honor of The Chancel Choir by David Arnold Paris Martha Bassett by James & Mary Carrow Mabry Ministers & Staff by Sue Stephens T. Ray Branton by Mr. & Mrs. Gary Martin Will, Bailey & Austin Johnson by Danny & Kathy Newcomb Charlie & Lila Birkins by Danny & Kathy Newcomb Dr. Glenn Kinken by Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dillard UMW Circle 13 by Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dillard Ray Ebert by Mr. & Mrs. Gary Martin David & Shelley Holden, Beth Overman, Jay & Kimberly Ward by Jason, Kristen, Lilly & Charlie Zaks Diane Womack by Warren Boyer Cindy & Max Debruhl III and Dawn & Dan Boyer by Mom Rebecca & Marty Debruhl and Debbie & Will Burns by Mom Kane, Katie, Staten, Bailey, Lilly, Charlie, William & Max by Mimi Sally Dunnagan by Jason, Elizabeth & Chandler Marley Jackson & Whit Shealy and Reaves Mickle by Sharon & Ron Shealy Meredith, Win, Caroline, Edwin & Henry Welch by Jane, Robert, Harold & Betsy Welch Nell, Soren, Louise, Thor & Scott Johnson by Jane, Robert, Harold & Betsy Welch Lou Lou by Jane, Robert, Harold & Betsy Welch Grammi & Papa by Jane, Robert, Harold & Betsy Welch Nancy Frye & Cathy Canzona by Bryan, Magan, Avery & Corbin Smith Shannon, Kendall, Bentley, Cooper, Ally, Taylor, Jacob, Meredith, Cole, Emily, Chad, Mark & Ellie by their grandparents Ralph & Gayle Atkinson Mark, Evan, Caroline, Jay and Sally Dunnagan by Barbara and Brent Kirby
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S P E C I A L A DV E N T W O R S H I P AT
CENTENARY
For 2020, all of our worship services will be virtual. Each service will be distributed through an email with a link at the listed time of the service. Immediately after the first viewing, you may watch again on the Centenary YouTube channel: CentenaryUMC1
IMPROMPTU CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Sunday • December 20 • 10am • Virtual LESSONS & CAROLS Sunday • December 20 • 5pm • Virtual PRE-SCHOOL PAJAMA PARTY Thursday • December 24 • 10am • Virtual CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S WORSHIP Thursday • December 24 • 11:00am • Virtual CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONAL WORSHIP Thursday • December 24 • Noon • Virtual CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION Due to current health care concerns and in an abundance of safety and precaution, we will not have in-person worship on Christmas Eve. We hope you will worship with us from our pre-recorded link, shared via email.
Sympathy is extended to Greg Ciener in the death of his stepmother, Karen Ciener, on November 23, 2020. We welcome into membership Ellyn and Chris Owens and celebrate the baptism of their children Charlie, Ben, and Anna Jane.
EPIC OF EDEN: OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY Begins January 10, 2021 • Zoom Would you like to know the Old Testament better, join us for a 12week course that includes daily readings, a weekly video and group discussions. This Zoom based study is focused on the "fundamentals,” so if your Old Testament knowledge is shallow or deep (or somewhere in between), this study is for you! We will start Sunday January 10 @ 9:45-10:45 am and wrap up on March 28. Suzanne Cooke Epermanis will be the facilitator. To watch an introductory video, click on the video lin below. For more information contact Bret Cogan. Also, click on the link below to register. INTRODUCTION VIDEO
CENTENARY
To love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.
MINISTRY
REGISTER
DECEMBER 20 10:00 am Sunday school (Via Zoom) 11:00 am Worship (Via Live Stream) 1:30-3:30 pm Christmas Eve Worship pickup! Bring your family and come by the church to pick up your Christmas Eve worship bulletins and candles for Christmas Eve Worship. Our staff can’t wait to see you and wish you a Merry Christmas in person. NO YOUTH GROUPS TONIGHT…Enjoy time with your family
CHECK-IN DURING ADVENT Tuesday • December 22 • Noon-1 pm • Zoom/Virtual You are invited to join Rev. Susannah Pittman for four, stand-alone sessions where we will Check-in. Each session will use a Scripture passage from the lectionary for Advent to center and guide the conversation as we seek to offer support and care in this season. To register, visit the Engage tab on the Centenary website.. For more information, contact Rev. Susannah Pittman.
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ADVENT PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Wednesday • December 23 • Noon • Zoom Our Prayers of the People service continues during the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Each Wednesday at Noon, we will gather via Zoom for a 30-minute worship experience of music, prayer, and contemplation. To register, please visit the Engage tab on the Centenary website. .
ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL During Advent (Now – December 20), Children’s Ministry will have Zoom Sunday school lessons for our kids. Preschool will meet at 8:30 am, K-2nd will meet at 9 am, and 3rd - 5th will meet at 9:30 am. We hope you and your kids will join us! If you have not received the Zoom information by email, email Jeanette Juran. FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE BOX Christmas is coming and we want your family to be able to fully participate in all of our virtual Christmas Eve offerings including a Zoom Preschool Pajama Party and pre-recorded Children’s Christmas Eve service. A Christmas Eve Box has all the goodies you'll need for an amazing Christmas Eve experience! Using the link below, you can access our sign-up form so that on December 20 from 4-5 pm you can drive through the 5th Street parking lot and receive your Christmas Eve box filled with all the goodies you’ll need for an amazing Christmas Eve experience! You will still enjoy the services without the goodies, but the goodies make it way better! Make sure to sign up by Noon on Wednesday, December 16. SIGN UP FOR CHRISTMAS EVE BOX
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FOR THE RECORD
November December 8 - December 14, 2020 Worship Attendance
Contributions
11:00 am Live Stream Roots Revival
729 76
Total
805
Virtual Sunday School (Includes Adult, Youth & Children)
227
Offering Special Gifts Centenary Fund Capital Campaign Total
PO Box 658 • Winston-Salem. NC 27102
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www.centenary-ws.org
$82,323 2,083 1,620 57,436 $143,462