November 29 • 11am Worship

WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT

"FOLLOW THE STAR — IN AN UPSIDE DOWN WORLD" LUKE 1:26-38

SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 29, 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

MUSIC

Centenary Chamber Ensemble Susan Bates, organ Jonathan Emmons, piano Martha Bassett, guitar Laura Dangerfield, flute Camille Jones, percussion

CHANCEL FLOWERS

The Chancel flowers are are given in loving memory of Betty & Eben Alexander by their children & grandchildren.

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Musical texts are printed with permission.

One License A-707342

LET US WORSHIP First Sunday of Advent • 11:00 am • November 29, 2020

THE COMMUNITY GATHERS VOLUNTARIES

Hail to God's Only Begotten Son — Johann Sebastian Bach Savior of the Nations, Come — Johann Sebastian Bach

GREETING INTROIT

City of God — Dan Schutte Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night. Let us build the city of God, may our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love has turned the night into day!

CALL TO WORSHIP

God, we thank You that You have promised to be with us no matter what difficult circumstances invade our lives and we lift up our many brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing increasingly hard times.

We are watching and waiting for the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ and join with the Spirit in praying: "Come, Lord Jesus". In these increasingly difficult times, we ask for Your strength and courage to face whatever lies ahead, knowing that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us... and that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. Amen.

HYMN (found on page six) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

#211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — VENI EMMANUEL (stanzas 1-4, 7) 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 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.

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WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE SCRIPTURE Luke 1:26-38

Come to Us, Lord — John Helgen Come to us, Lord, come, here on earth your will on earth be done.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her .

(NIV) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

SERMON

"Follow the Star — In an Upside Down World"

WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT INVITATION TO OFFERING OFFERTORY

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People — arr. Howard Helvey Comfort, comfort ye my people; speak ye peace, thus saith our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.

Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over. Hark! The voice of one that crieth in the desert far and near, calling us to new repentance since the kingdom now is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way; let the valleys rise to meet Him and the hills bow down to greet Him. Make ye straight what long was crooked, make the rougher places plain; let your hearts be true and humble, as befits His holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now o'er earth is shed abroad; and all flesh shall see the token that the word is never broken.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Almighty and forgiving God, we your unworthy servants give you most humble thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness, to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Give us such an awareness of your mercies, that our hearts may be thankful, and that we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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WE GO AS GOD'S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN (found on page seven)

#196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus —HYFRYDOL

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER 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

Morning Star, O Cheering Sight — HAGEN Morning star, o cheering sight! E'er thou camest, how dark earth's night! Jesus mine, in me shine, Jesus mine, fill my heart with light divine.

VOLUNTARY Luke 1:51

Magnificat primi toni — Dietrich Buxtehude My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

SERMON NOTES _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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7. O come, desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind.

From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife.

Refrain

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In Memoriam Alease Andrews November 15, 2020 The ministers and members of Centenary Church extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.

LET'S HAVE LUNCH December 3 • Noon-1pm • Zoom “Let’s Have Lunch” is hosted by our Shining Light on Mental Health ministry. This one-hour Zoom gathering will feature Dr. Glenn Kinken and Rev. Susannah Pittman speaking on ways to experience and cultivate love, joy, peace, and hope in this unique Advent season. To register, visit the Engage tab on the website. For questions, contact Sandra Gramley (336-724-6311 ext.1352).

ADVENT BOOK STUDY Starts Novembber 29 • 7:00pm • Zoom Join Rev. Bret Cogan for an Advent book study featuring Walter Brueggemann's Advent Study: Names for the Messiah. This will be a Zoom Study starting on Sunday November 29 at 7:00pm. We will then meet on each of the following Sundays of Advent at 7pm (12/6, 12/13, 12/20). You can order the book at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon and several others. Participation is limited to 12-15. If there is enough interest there will be an additional option beginning on Monday, November 30 at 7:00pm and then the next three Mondays in December. Register on the Engage tab on the website or contact Rev. Bret Cogan.

ADVENT PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Wednesdays • December 2, 9, 16 & 23 • Noon • Zoom Our Prayers of the People service will resume 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 www.centenary-ws.org and click on the Engage tab.

ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL

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During the four Sundays of Advent (November 29 – December 20), Children’s Ministry will have Zoom Sunday school lessons for our kids.

Each age group will meet with Kate and Jeanette for 20 minutes starting November 29. 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 (jjuran@centenary-ws.org).

NOVEMBER 29 10:00 am Sunday school (Via Zoom) 11:00 am Worship (Via Live Stream) 6:00 pm Youth Friendsgiving

CENTENARY

To love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.

MINISTRY

COFFEE BREAK with DOUG PENINGER December 2 • 10:15am • Zoom Join Director of Communications, Doug Peninger, as he welcomes Director of Music Ministries, Jonathan Emmons, to a 30-minute coffee break. Sign up by clicking on the Engage tab on the Centenary website. For more information, contact Doug Peninger (ext. 1368/ dpeninger@centenary-ws.org).

SERVICE OF HOPE AND HEALING Sunday • December 13 • 5pm • Virtual As we journey through the season of Advent, we are reminded that the One who is coming is Emmanuel—“God with us”—and is present with us in all of life’s seasons. We offer this Service of Hope and Healing as a time to reflect upon and experience Christ’s peace, comfort, and hope in the midst of our pain, sorrow, and hardships.

We will release this worship service via email so that you worship in the safety and comfort of your home. For any questions, please contact Rev. Susannah Pittman.

CHECK-IN DURING ADVENT Tuesdays • December 1-22 • 12 pm-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 (spittman@centenaryws.org).

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We will have several drop-off dates. You will drive to the 4 ½ St entrance of The Haven (the red awning) where a volunteer will collect your gifts and bring them inside. You will not need to leave your car or come into the building. Please remember to wear a mask. Volunteers will be placing your gifts in the traditional red bags, please make sure all gifts are wrapped and labeled with the angel’s number.

DROP-OFF DATES Friday, December 4 from 9 am - 1 pm Sunday, December 6 from 1 - 5 pm Monday, December 7 from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm If these drop off times do not work for you, please call, text or email with Jeanette Juran (336-701-0146/ jjuran@centenary-ws.org) so we can coordinate a drop off.

S P E C I A L A DV E N T W O R S H I P AT

CENTENARY SERVICE OF HOPE & HEALING Sunday • December 13 • 5pm • Virtual 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 • 10:00am • Virtual CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONAL WORSHIP Thursday • December 24 • 10:00am • Virtual CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION* Thursday • December 24 • Sanctuary 11:30am • 1:00pm • 2:30pm • 4:00pm Limited Seating & Registration Required *Subject to change based upon restrictions To register for in-person worship, visit www.centenary-ws.org and click on the Engage tab. Once there, locate the service you wish to attend. Strict safety guidelines will be in place, including mandatory mask wearing and social distancing.

Our virtual worship services will be distributed through an email with a link.

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DECEMBER PROGRAM Thursday • December 17 • 11:30am • Zoom We will be blessed with a beautiful presentation of Christmas Carols

by Martha Bassett, along with a devotion by Bishop Thomas Stockton.

This program will be online using Zoom. You can plan to join the Zoom conference call as early as 11:30 am, with the program scheduled to begin at noon. Information you’ll need to join the Zoom call will be emailed to all recipients of the senior adult newsletter. If you are new to Centenary or new to our senior adult programs, please contact Rev. Craig Ford so we can make sure you receive that information (336-7246311 ext. 1353)/cford@centenary-ws.org.

FOR THE RECORD

November 17 - November 23, 2020 Worship Attendance

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Contributions

11:00 am Live Stream Roots Revival

623 75

Total

698

Virtual Sunday School (Includes Adult Formation & Youth)

160

Offering Special Gifts Centenary Fund Capital Campaign

$118,537 2,921 230 39,850

Total

$161,538

PO Box 658 Winston-Salem. NC 27102