PRELUDE O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright arr. Charles Callahan

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Please complete the Attendance Information Card found in your bulletin. You may place the completed card in the offering plate later in worship.

†CALL to WORSHIP (responsively)

We waited, and we imagined a world with a Savior. Yet, we discovered power: one like the world but stronger and on our side. We imagined a king on a white horse, wielding a sword. Yet, we discovered a baby born in a stable among the livestock. We imagined the work done for us through the destruction of our enemies.

Yet, we discovered a baby who would teach us our calling to seek reconciliation and to love unconditionally.

Praise be to God for the unexpected Baby of Bethlehem. Praise to the Lord for the wisdom of His love.

†CAROL of PRAISE There’s a Song in the Air UMH 249

†OPENING PRAYER for PEACE (unison)

Let us offer this prayer for peace to the Lord... O Lord, may we be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the

joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the Magi,

and the peace of the Christ child. May we live out the peace of Christ in our lives

as this new year begins. Hear us now as we pray silently before You…

†SILENT PRAYER †WORDS of ASSURANCE

December 29, 2019 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Worship 1st Sunday after Christmas

Representing Christ as a Light within the city

† Indicates where you may stand if you are able.

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†SHARING the PEACE

†GLORIA PATRI (sung in unison) Glory be to the Father UMH 71 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!

MINISTRY in MUSIC Were You There on That Christmas Night? N. Sleeth

Karen & Fred Pershing (duet)

A READING from the OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 63:7-9 NIV The Word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER (in unison)

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!

♦ You are invited to the altar rail to pray during the next hymn ♦

†CAROL of INVITATION The First Noel UMH 245

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE (10:45) ( following Children’s Message, children K-5 are invited to the 3rd floor Kid’s Church )

A READING from the GOSPELS Matthew 2:1-12 NIV The Word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

THE MESSAGE Rev. Kevin R. Haley

The Strangest Baby Shower: the Story of the Magi Worship theme: Christmas for Misfits

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SHARING of OUR GIFTS and TITHES

OFFERTORY The Three Kings arr. Wilbur Held

†OFFERTORY RESPONSE (sung in unison) UMH 221 (stanza 4)

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!

†WESLEYAN COVENANT PRAYER (unison)

I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, place me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be put to work for You or set aside for You, praised for You or criticized for You. Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and fully surrender all things to Your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God—

Father, Son and Holy Spirit—You are mine, and I am Yours. So be it! And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it also be made in heaven.

Amen!

†CAROL of COMMITMENT We Three Kings UMH 254

†DISMISSAL with BLESSING

†CONGREGATIONAL BENEDICTION (sung in unison) UMH 204

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel.

†THE POSTLUDE Fanfare Toccata on “As with Gladness Men of Old” David Lasky

†GOING FORTH to SERVE

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Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Greensburg!

We are glad that you are with us in worship today! Greensburg First is a church where you can come to learn that God loves you just the way you are,

but that God also loves you too much to let you stay this way. God wants you to become more like Jesus!

If you do not have a church home of your own, we hope that you might prayerfully consider becoming a part of our church family,

as we reach out with love and in the name of Jesus Christ! Also, please help us to get to know you by filling out an

Attendance Information Card (inserted into this bulletin).

LISTENING DEVICES AND LARGE PRINT COPIES OF THE SERVICE MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE USHERS.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE ASK AN USHER.

Staffed Nursery

is available during the 10:45 service for babies & preschoolers.

3rd Floor Kid’s Church

Following the Children’s Message in the 10:45 service, kindergarteners thru 5th graders, are invited to the 3rd floor Kid’s Church

with Bethany (our Director of Community Life & Discipleship).

We Thank Those Who Are Serving Today

ACOLYTE: (10:45) Nevaeh Hirst ALTAR GUILD: (Dec. & Jan.) Mary Lou Fitzgerald COFFEE HOUR: (Dec. 29) Laurel Sedlacko (Jan. 5) Barb Bloom GREETERS: (8:30) Marilyn McSparrin, Ed Meadows, Laurel Sedlacko (10:45) Barb & Bob Bloom LITURGIST: Judy Molter NURSERY: (Dec. 29) Carole Beam, Brandie Hirst (Jan. 5) Jessica Dudik, Marlene Skiavo, Nevaeh Hirst SOUND SYSTEM: Tim Willcox TECH TEAM: (8:30) Kelly Fullman (10:45) Jan Stewart USHERS: (8:30) Bill Conrad, George Fagert (10:45) One usher from each team

WiFi Network Name: Greensburg First Password: Jeremiah2911

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Please lift up our friends and church family in prayer

Those in military service, our shut-ins, those who are homebound or in nursing homes

or care centers, and all those with special needs:

Prayer & Health Concerns:

AnnaMary Fisher, Ellen Grubb, Ed Meadows, Louise Prinkey, Jim Rodriguez,

Don Sedlacko, Laura Stanko, Ann Weber, family of the late Jamie Feden

Barnes Place (Latrobe) Jean Faust Bethlen Communities (Ligonier) Art Faust Brookdale (Latrobe) Allan Pierce, Marge Trumbetta Redstone Highlands (Greensburg) Joan Hunter Westmoreland Manor Donna Bush, Norma Gump, Christine Shank, Charlotte Sonafelt

PLEASE NOTE: Hospitals and care centers no longer contact churches to let us know that members may be a resident or patient there.

WE DEPEND ON YOU to contact the church with information.

Needed Prayer & Concerns

Please write prayer concerns on attendance cards in the bulletin, check the box(es) and place them in the offering plate. Requests are left in the bulletin

for 3 weeks, unless renewed.

A Worship Service of Word, Communion & Song

Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 ~ 7 p.m.

Worship Leader: Rev. Kevin R. Haley, Pastor

Featured Musician: Lori Hughes & Gary Young (duet)

The Chancel Flowers & Worship Bulletins are given to the glory of God and sponsored by

The Barone family,

in loving memory of

Robert Barone and Barry & Marvine Vannauker

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY

• Sunday School classes for ALL ages...see complete listing on next page. • Offering Envelope booklets are available on the table in Sanctuary hall. • Food Pantry “Truck of the Month” sponsorship board is in Sanctuary hall. • Brighten your home with a Poinsettia. Or, visit a friend or neighbor or a shut-in that you have not seen for a while. • The Upper Room daily devotional for Jan./Feb. is now available in the media rack.

THIS WEEK

• Centering Prayer will meet off-site on Monday, Dec 30. • Monday-Night Youth Bible Study is on holiday break. It will resume on Jan. 13. • Advent Bible Study with Pastor Kevin will be on holiday break on Dec. 31 & Jan. 1. The final “Advent” study will meet 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, or 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Sign-up in Sanctuary hall for the new Bible Study that will begin Jan. 14/15…

“The Gospel of John: Christ as the Light of the World” (see back page for details) • Church office will close at 12 noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31. • The Church and office will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1. • All choirs are now on holiday break. Adult choirs will resume Jan. 9. Kids Rock and children’s choirs will resume Jan. 16.

HOLIDAY CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

• Closed at 12 noon (Dec. 31) • Closed (Jan. 1)

Let’s be safe… please consult the three local news networks for Greensburg FUMC, or check our church Facebook page at First United Methodist Church-Greensburg to check for cancellations of any of our services due to weather.

Weekday office hours cancellations… If Greensburg Salem school district ever cancels school because of snow or ice, the church office hours and all activities would also be cancelled.

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WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sunday, Dec. 29 Read - Titus 3:1-15

8:30 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary)

9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Sanctuary hall) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Classes Children ages 3-K Preschool (nursery/Sanctuary level) Students grades 1-5 Elementary (3rd floor) Students grades 6-12 Youth (3rd floor couch room) Adults Genesis/Vanguard (library/lower level) Adults Open Door Fellowship Group (prayer room/Sanctuary level)

10:45 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary)

Monday, Dec. 30 Read - Revelation 21:1-27

7:00 p.m. Centering Prayer (off-site)

Tuesday, Dec. 31 Read - Revelation 22:1-21

~ ~ ~ CHURCH & OFFICE CLOSED @ 12 NOON ~ ~ ~

Wednesday, Jan. 1 Read - Romans 1:1-17

~ ~ ~ CHURCH & OFFICE CLOSED ~ ~ ~ Thursday, Jan. 2 Read - Romans 1:18-32

11:00 a.m. 12-Step (fellowship hall/lower level)

Friday, Jan. 3 Read - Romans 2:1-16

Saturday, Jan. 4 Read - Matthew 1:1-17

7:00 p.m. Ekklesia Worship (Chapel/Sanctuary level)

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 15 E. 2nd Street, Greensburg, PA 15601

Phone: 724-834-3111 website: www.greensburgfir st.org

The Rev. Kevin R. Haley……..….. pastorkevin@greensburgfirst.org.....………..… Pastor Bethany Gearhart…youth@greensburgfirst.org….Director of Community Life & Discipleship Martha “Peaches” Clark………churchsecretary@greensburgfirst.org…...….….Secretary The Rev. Robert C. Wilson……………………………...…...……….....Minister Emeritus Janice Vandenberg and Sean Hirst…….....…………..….………...….…...…..Custodians Fred Pershing………………..…………………...…….....……...…........Director of Music Br. Jim Caffrey Jr., OSL……….……..……...……..………..Associate Director of Music Ruth K. Hughes….……......….music@greensburgfirst.org..….…………....……..Organist Sandy Gardner………...…….greensburgfumc@gmail.com………......Financial Secretary Bob Coder………………...…….....………………………………………………Treasurer

Church Office Hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Begin the new year by joining weekly Bible Study with Pastor Kevin.

Starting the week of January 14/15, Pastor Kevin will begin a 6-week study called

“The Gospel of John: Christ as the Light of the World”

January 14/15, 21/22, 28/29

February 4/5, 11/12, 18/19

Sign-up in Sanctuary hall.