Beginnings
December 29, 2019
Combined Services 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP We Gather in God’s Name
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PRELUDE | Grand Fantasia on “Joy to the World” Marc Cheban, composer | Dr. Jonathan M. Gregoire, organist *CALL TO WORSHIP Animals came to prepare your bed. Welcome, Lord Jesus! Shepherds stood guard, marveled and said: Welcome, Lord Jesus! Angels sang to calm your cries. Welcome, Lord Jesus! And all the world gave one great sigh: Welcome, Lord Jesus! CHRISTMAS CAROLS Joy to the World 246 | Antioch Angels We Have Heard on High 238 | Gloria The First Noel 245 | The First Noel | Verses 1 and 2 Away In a Manger 217 | Away in a Manger
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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. CHRISTMAS PRAYER When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the flocks, then the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among all peoples, to make a little music with the heart. And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say. Then the work of Christmas begins. Amen.
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*Please rise in body or spirit.
+In this instance, catholic means universal.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Evelyn Faye Frizzell, daughter of Stephen and Susan Frizzell (9:30 a.m.) Eleanor Rose Neid, daughter of Michael and Haley Neid ( 11:00 a.m.)
We are happy to celebrate your entrance into Christ’s holy church and welcome you into this church family. With you we renew our vows to uphold the church through worshiping, connecting, serving, and giving. With God’s help, we will shape our lives to follow the example of Christ, to surround you in steadfast love, so you may grow in the faith, and be confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to abundant life. SUNG RESPONSE Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way, wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. BLESSING OF THE TOYS
We Offer Our Prayers
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PASTORAL & LORD’S PRAYER
We Offer Our Gifts
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WITNESS STORY
OFFERTORY | Arrival Krista and Josh Miller, soloist When blossoms flower e’er ‘mid the snows, Upon a winter night, Was born the child, the christmas rose, The king of love and light. The angels sang, the shepherds sang, The grateful earth rejoiced; And at his blessed birth the stars Their exultation voiced. O come let us adore him O come let us adore him O come let us adore him Christ the lord. Again the heart with rapture glows To greet the holy night,
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That gave the world it’s christmas rose, Its king of love and light Let ev’ry voice acclaim his name, The grateful chorus swell From paradise to earth he came That we with him might dwell.
We Hear God’s Word
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Beginnings Rev. Kim Meyers
We Go in God’s Name
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INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
*CLOSING HYMN | O God Our Help In Ages Past 117 | Auld Lang Syne *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE | Toccata on ‘Il est né, le Divine Enfant’ Denis Bédard, composer | Dr. Jonathan M. Gregoire, organist
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PRAYER FOCUS
Need Prayer? | No need is too big or too small for God. If you need help in this area of your life, our Pastors and Prayer Team are available to pray for you. Please send your Prayer Request as directed below.
JOYS AND CONCERNS Please use the prayer request cards found in the pew pockets to share a joy or a concern and return your completed card in the offering plate. You may also call our prayer line at 214-291-8044 or visit the website at standrewumc.org/prayer. Your prayer requests are lifted up by our pastors and prayer team each week.
End ofYear Giving Your end-of-year gift helps St. Andrew finish the year strong. Submit your gift online with a credit card or in worship. Checks must be postmarked by December 31. standrewumc.org/give Log in to your account at standrewumc.org to print your contribution statement. Contribution statements for your 2019 tax return will be mailed late January 2020.
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GROUPS | standrewumc.org/news Bible Groups | Winter Studies Begin January 2020 | These groups focus on biblical studies and meet at different times throughout the year. We offer a Women’s Monday Morning group, Women’s Spiritual Growth Group, and a Thursday Morning group. See our website for dates, times, and topics of study. standrewumc.org/biblegroups PALS (People with Active Lifestyles) | Wednesdays (Except First of Month), 10:00 a.m., Room 131 | Senior adults connect through educational, cultural, and social opportunities. Contact Allison, ajean@standrewumc.org. standrewumc.org/pals January 8 | Book Reviews with Sheila Miller 15 | The Warren Center, Beverly Warren 22 | Lunch and tour Soccer Hall of Fame, Frisco. Bus leaves church at 11:00 a.m. 29 | Game Day, Skipbo and snacks United Methodist Women | All are welcome. standrewumc.org/umw Sarah Sisters | January 8, 10:00 a.m., Room 131, Book Reviews with Sheila Miller Rachel Group | January 13, 7:00 p.m., Room 126, Costa Rica Mission Projects, by Sue & Greg Hasty LIFT | January 19, 6:30 p.m., Room 131, Feed My Starving Children, speaker Mom to Mom | Mom to Mom provides a positive atmosphere for sharing ideas, discussing common struggles and embracing the delights of raising children. We are open to all mothers looking for spiritual growth and friendship. Check the website for group meeting days and times. standrewumc.org/news/momtomom United Methodist Men’s Breakfast | Second Saturday of Every Month, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Room 126 | United Methodist Men (UMM) endeavors to awaken, inspire, challenge, train, and support men as they strive to become more Christ-like in their daily living. standrewumc.org/men Career Care Ministry | Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Room 131 | This free, weekly support/ coaching group helps those who are out of work or mis-employed and seeking a career change. New Member Orientation begins at 6:00 p.m. standrewumc.org/careercare Prayer Shawls Available | Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted for individuals experiencing devastating illness or loss of a loved one. Each shawl is prayed over as it is created and again upon completion by our Prayer Shawl ministry, our church staff, and our pastors. Contact Donna, dfenwick@standrewumc.org. Party Bridge Group for Women at St. Andrew | Planning meeting, Tuesday, January 21, 1:00 p.m., Room 123 | Join in the fun and invite friends, family, and neighbors. Bring your 2020 calendar. Contact Janet Stovall at jstovall@verizon.net or 972-608-0009. “A Little Deeper” Book Club | Wednesday, January 15, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Room 126 Our book discussion in January is Illuminations by Mary Sharratt. A light lunch will be served and please bring your own drink. All are welcome. standrewumc.org/adults
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GET INVOLVED | standrewumc.org/news
Learn about who we are as a church in our three Starting Point classes. Tour the campus, meet church members, and have your questions answered. You don’t have to attend in any particular order. Starting Point classes are usually the first three Sundays of each month, 9:30 a.m. in Room 131. standrewumc.org/starting-point
Preschool Registration | At St. Andrew Preschool, we worship and learn, love and serve in a nationally-accredited program. We offer classes for 12 months through 5 years, and Pre-K 5. Registration is open January 27-31. standrewumc.org/SAPreschool
Financial Peace University | Tuesdays, February 4-April 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Room 131 | Find financial peace with Dave Ramsey’s 9-week, resource management class series. Try the first class as a free trial! Email Bill Brewer at bdfaith@sbcglobal.net to reserve your trial spot. standrewumc.org/news/FinancialPeace
Kindermusik | Kindermusik engages parents and their babies and toddlers to learn through music and movement. Registration online is open for Spring 2020 classes on campus! Classes begin January 28. standrewumc.org/news/Kindermusik
April 2020 Travel Ministry Trip to England/Ireland | Join St. Andrew staff on a Wesley Methodist Heritage and Celtic Christianity Tour to London and Oxford, England; and Dublin, and Galway, Ireland. Contact Kay Richardson, krichardson@standrewumc.org. 7
Connection Group Matching Days | January 5 or 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Festival Hall | Are you seeking spiritual community? Come meet leaders from small groups that are welcoming new members. Our team will help match you with a group! standrewumc.org/news/matchingdays
2020 Confirmation | Confirmation is a 10-month program designed to help current 8th graders take ownership of their faith through lessons, small group discussion, retreats, service and community. standrewumc.org/confirmation
St. Andrew United Methodist Church 5801 W. Plano Parkway | Plano, TX 75093 | 972-380-8001 | standrewumc.org