December 9, 2018 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

The Music Ministry of Oak Grove UMC will present a program of Advent and Christmas classics with Orchestra and featuring Treble Soloist,

Issac Olguin, from The Georgia Boy Choir and Timothy Miller, Tenor.

Sunday, December 16, 20184:30 and 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

If you have tickets that you are not going to use, please return them to the church office so others may come.

8:30 and 11 a.m. ORDER OF WORSHIPDecember 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent

Gathering Music Prelude on “Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People” David Lasky from the Genevan Psalter, 1551

Welcome and Announcements Dr. Glenn Ethridge (Please complete and pass the red friendship pad at this time.)

Prelude Renaissance Suite Tielman Susato / arr. James Curnow Oak Grove Orchestra

*Hymn of Praise Come, �ou Long-Expected Jesus UMH 196

Lighting of the Advent Wreath (8:30) Virginia and Jim Sowell (11:00) Becky and John Mynatt Cindy and Jim Mynatt Christmas is the season of giving. Advertisers want us to believe that love is measured by the quantity or cost of the gifts we give. Advent reminds us that love is measured in the gift of God’s son. We hear again the age-old story of a child who was born out of God’s great love for the world. We pray this morning that God would create in us hearts that are generous, not so much with our wallets, but with our lives. We light this second candle of the Advent Wreath as we seek to discover God’s generosity in our own lives.

Congregational Response People, Look East People, look east. �e time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.

Solo In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Harold Darke Ms. Terese Sanders, Soprano; Ms. Brittany H. Salkill, Flute

In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds may moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, heav’n cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heav’n and earth shall �ee away when He comes to reign;

in the bleak midwinter a stable place su�ced the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. What can I give Him poor that I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; what can I give Him: give Him my heart.

A Morning Prayer and �e Lord’s Prayer Dr. Amy Morgan 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.

Our Tithes & O�erings (8:30) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Beethoven/Smith Combined with the Moonlight Sonata

(11:00) Advent Candles Glenn and Susan Eernisse Celebrate Choir Ms. Maris Mann, Conductor Advent candles glowing bright, we give thanks for hope (peace, joy, love) tonight. Hope and peace and joy and love, we give thanks to God above.

*Doxology UMH 95 Praise God, from whom all blessings �ow; praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Hymn of Preparation �e First Noel UMH 245 (At the 11:00 a.m. service, children in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade are invitedto leave for Children’s Church during the Hymn of Preparation. Pick up is in room 227.)

Anthem (11:00) Fum, Fum, Fum arr. Mack Wilberg Chancel Choir

On December twenty �ve, sing fum, fum, fum! On December twenty �ve, sing fum, fum, fum! He is born the Holy Child, the little babe, the infant mild. He is born of virgin birth and He shall be the joy of earth, sing fum, fum, fum? Little birds �y from the sky, sing fum, fum, fum!

Little birds �y from the sky, sing fum, fum, fum! Little creatures great and small come to the table one and all. Come and form a tiny nest, all for the Holy Child to rest, sing fum, fum, Little stars that shine above, sing fum, fum, fum! Little stars that shine above sing fum, fum, fum!

See the infant as He sleeps, He brings to all goodwill and peace. O let the night shine lightly, with a �ame burn clear and brightly, fum, fum, fum!

Scripture Matthew 2:1-12 Ms. Bonnie Hoyt �e Word of God for the people of God. �anks be to God.

Sermon Falling in Love with Christmas Again: Dr. Ethridge Elf More, Grinch Less

Response Dr. Joseph McBrayer

*Sending Hymn We �ree Kings UMH 254 (�ose who wish to join the church are invited to come forward.)

*Benediction Dr. Ethridge

Postlude A Festive Fanfare Brian Balmages Oak Grove Orchestra

�e �owers in the sanctuary today are given in honor of John and Sherry Hancock’s 50th Wedding Anniversary by friends and family.

*Congregation stand as able. UMH: United Methodist Hymnal / TFWS: �e Faith We SingLarge print hymnals and hearing assistance devices are available from an usher.Children’s worship bags are available in the Narthex and Parlor side door. Nursery care is available in room 123.

This Week’s Activities

NEWSOak

Grove

December 9, 2018

Sunday, December 9, 2018 9:30am Coffee Fellowship Grand Hall12:00pm Invitation Welcome Training Rm 102 3:00pm UMW Meeting and Tea Grand Hall 4:00pm Youth Choir Rm 218 5:30pm Youth Fellowship Christmas Party Gym 5:30pm Disciple 2 (Howard) Rm 203 6:30pm Wesley Ringers Rehearsal Rm 222

Monday, December 10, 2018 9:30am Disciple 4 (Hicks) Rm 203 6:15pm UMM Bluegrass Christmas Fellowship Hall 7:30pm Adult Volleyball Heritage Hall Gym

Tuesday, December 11, 2018 9:30am Disciple 1 Bible Study Rm 203 6:30pm Scouting Troop 77 Scout Hall 6:30pm Grief Recovery Group Rm 238

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 9:30am Disciple 2 (Veres) Rm 203 9:30am MOPS: Mothers of PreSchoolers Rm 239 9:30am Faith Class Bridge Rm 101 5:00pm Midweek Communion Service Grand Hall 6:00pm Invitation Welcome Training Rm 102 6:30pm Jesus In the Gospels (Disciple) Rm 205 7:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary 7:00pm Young Adult Bible Study (YABS) Rm T01 8:00pm 9.35 Band Rehearsal Fellowship Hall

Thursday, December 13, 201811:30am Friendship Circle Luncheon Grand Hall 1:00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep Fellowship Hall 2:00pm Fidelis Circle Meeting Rm 102 7:30pm Evening WOW Rm 203

Friday, December 14, 201812:00pm Mobile Soup Kitchen Delivery Away

Saturday, December 15, 2018 8:30am Poinsettia Delivery Youth Lobby ••

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During this season of giving many people want to give to others as an expression of their gratitude for all their blessings and as a way to care for the less fortunate. A great way to share with people in need is through the Oak Grove Advent Offering. Our Advent Offering provides a large portion of the funding for the mission ministry of Oak Grove, which includes everything from “Smart Lunch, Smart Kid” sandwich lunches in the summer to providing financial assistance and food through the Toco Hills Community Alliance. Your giving makes a real difference in the lives of others!Please use the special Advent offering envelope that was mailed or pick one up at church. Checks should be made payable to Oak Grove UMC and marked “Advent Offering”. You can also give online (ogumc.org). Thank you for your generosity!

We have received word from Feed My Starving Children that the food we packed has been distributed. The food went to Zambia, Honduras, and Guatemala. Thank you Oak Grove for your generosity!

Thank You Oak Grove!

The recovery process for the fall hurricanes in South Georgia, South Carolina, and the panhandle of Florida continues. The devastation is immense and many do not have the physical or financial resources to recover on their own. The United Methodist Church is sending teams regularly. If you would like to train to be part of the relief effort for these and future storms, sign up for one of the Atlanta area training dates at www.ngumc.org/disasterresponseministry. Interest in training continues at a high level.

Upcoming classes are:• Saturday, January 12 at Northside UMC• Saturday, January 12 at Mount Pisgah• Saturday, January 26 at Cascade UMC• Saturday, February 2 at Due West UMC Contact Amy Morgan (amorgan@ogumc.org) for more information.

Hurricane RecoveryTraining

Oak Grove’s Vision Every Member will...• Mention Oak Grove Church once weekly.• Invite someone to Oak Grove and offer to meet them at church once quarterly.• Participate in a small discipleship group every year.• Share in a domestic mission project every year.• Participate (as able) in an overseas mission project once every five years.

Robin and Dr. Bob Bowling invite you to join them on a Holy Land tour September 10-19, 2019. The program will expand your knowledge of the Bible and this sacred land. A journey following in the footsteps of Jesus will change the way you read the Bible and you will learn why scholars refer to it as the “Fifth Gospel.” Please consider this personal invitation to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience. For information and a brochure, contact Robin (404-644-1221, robinbowling@yahoo.com) or Dr. Bob (678-697-0372, drbob3270@yahoo.com).

Holy Land Opportunitywith Robin and Bob Bowling

September 10-19, 2019

G r a d e s 6 t h r o u g h 1 2

Oak Grove Memorials

IN MEMORYTO THE ANDREW ETHRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN MEMORY OF Andrew Ethridge by Debra Connelly

TO THE BUILDING FUND IN MEMORY OF Ray Roper by Carolyn Jeffares

TO THE MEMORIAL GARDEN IN MEMORY OF Ray Roper by Katy Pan

IN HONORTO THE BUILDING FUND IN HONOR OF Kevin McKoy by Pat McKoy

TO THE CREATION STEWARDSHIP FUND IN HONOR OF Mary Lou Gilbert by Fidelis Circle

Small Group Gift Exchange $10-$15 gift limit for White Elephant Gift ExchangeCHRISTMAS SWEATER CONTEST

Sunday,December 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

ChristmasTree Lot

Youth

Mondays – Wednesdays, 5 - 7 p.m.Thursdays – Fridays, 5 - 8 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Sundays, noon - 5 p.m.

Trees from 6 to 9 feet tall, and wreaths.

Wacky Tacky

Y O U T H H O L I D AY S C H E D U L E :December 9 Wacky Tacky Christmas PartyDecember 16 No Youth Fellowship: Christmas at Oak GroveDecember 23 No Youth Fellowship: Merry ChristmasDecember 30 No Youth Fellowship or Sunday School: Happy New YearJanuary 5 C4C (Caring for Clarkston) January 6 Youth Fellowship: Winter Kickoff

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Parlor Ready for UseMost of the repairs from the water main break have been completed, and the Parlor is now open. If you have an event you would like to host in the Parlor, please submit your request

via our online reservation system, which can be found at ogumc.org/reservations/room-reservation/ All items have been removed from the area, and it is ready to be used in ministry again.Angel tree

It’s Angel Tree Time!Once again we have the opportunity to make Christmas brighter for families in need in our community. Your gifts will support these families through DFCS, the United Methodist Children’s Home, the Carrie Steel Pitts Home, Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers, and New American Pathways. You can help sponsor a child by visiting our table in the Portico by December 16, or by contacting Keller Smith (678-938- 5783 and/or grasswax@gmail.com).

on Sunday, Dec. 30Sanctuary, 11 a.m.

WORSHIPSERVICEONE No Children or Youth Sunday school.

Nursery and children’s church available.

Church Office Closed on December 24-26, and Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Christmas Eve Monday, December 243 p.m. Children’s Service Sanctuary

5 p.m. Modern Candlelight Service Fellowship Hall5 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service Sanctuary 8 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service Sanctuary

Nursery provided for the 3 and 5 p.m. services. Live Nativity animals

will be on Grand Lawn from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

When: Saturday, January 26 to Sunday, January 27, 2019Location: Camp Glisson, Dahlonega, GAPurpose: To give children in fifth grade an opportunity explore their faith foundation before transitioning from children’s ministry to youth ministry.Goals: Participants will leave the 24 hour experience with a sense of community, confidence that they are not alone as they encounter the unknowns before them, practical tools to strengthen their faith, and fun memories of beautiful Camp Glisson!Cost: $110.Register online (www.ogumc.org). Contact Stephanie Mitchell (smitchell@ogumc.org) for more details.

Winter Retreat for 5th graders

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Midweek CommunionWednesdays at 5 p.m.

30 minute communion service in Grand HallNursery available with reservation by the prior

Monday at noon (nursery@ogumc.org).

I EEWDM KMIDWEEK RESUMES

JANUARY 9, 2019 You are invited to support the Ministry of the Christmas Poinsettias. Each year, volunteers visit approximately 50 homebound members and present them with a cheerful, fresh poinsettia plant on behalf of the congregation. Additional poinsettia plants will be placed in our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. All contributors and their designees will be recognized in our bulletin on December 16. We invite you to make a gift of any amount in memory of or in honor of someone dear to you. Your generous contributions will offset the cost of the poinsettias as well as other seasonal decorations in the church.To be included in the December 16 bulletin insert, please fill out the form below and place it in the offering plate or deliver it to the church office NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9. You may also donate online(ogumc.org).Your Name:

_________________________________________(Use one form for each person memorialized / honored)

Please make my contribution:In Memory Of:

_________________________________________In Honor Of:

_________________________________________Please indicate your interest in the following:o Use my contribution for poinsettias for the homebound and decorations for the church.o I will help deliver poinsettias to the homebound on Saturday, December 15.o I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 9:35 a.m. worship on December 23.o I would like to pick up a poinsettia after 11 a.m. worship on December 23.

Phone number____________________________

Ministry of the

Christmas Poinse�iasIn the Hospital…Alexandros Ulices Giannakopoulos – Piedmont NICULouise Delk – St Joseph’sAmy Hanson – St. Joseph’sJohn Miller – VA Hospital

New Concerns…Ethan CookMary Ann McMichael

New to Care Facilities…George Wilkerson – Phoenix Senior Living

Families Currently Fostering…The Hardy Family

Continued Prayers... Annie Ruth Anderson, Flo Baker, Bill Barnette, Lisa Callaway, Keren Clay, Charlie Darden, Liz Darden, Tony Frilingos, Charlie Hamilton, Jim Hicks, Louise Hurst, Gail Irvin, Cindy Mynatt, Jeannine Nash, Mary Dell Robert, June Row, Linda Lee Saye, Elizabeth Schroeder, Debbie Seligman, Ann Shirk, Karen Smith, Chick Sward, Paul Tuggle, Bob Unger, Al Walker, Joyce Walsh, Jane Webster, Rob White, Betty Jo Williams, Billie Williams, Hank Woolard, Gene Worth, Carol Wright

Homebound... For a complete listing of homebound members, please contact the church office.

Serving in Our Armed Forces... AE Hugh McCulloh Hope (Mac),Petty Officer Steven Jones, Major Rick Larango, 1LT Thomas E. Penland, Cdr. Andrew Pruiett, Col. Janet Seufert

Sympathy...Oak Grove extends its deepest sympathy to......Cindy Rikard on the death of her mother-in-law. ...Billie Williams on the death of her mother, Shirley Williams. ...Jay Huffines on the death of his mother, Henrietta Bruton Huffines.

Deliver PoinsettiasBring Christmas Joy!When we deliver poinsettias each year to our homebound members, we share Christmas joy and remind people that their church is thinking of them during the holidays. Sign up to deliver one or more poinsettias at www.ogumc.org or contact Sandee Edmond-son in the church office (404-636-7558). Please mark your calendar for Saturday, December 15, from 8:30 -10:30 a.m., to pick up the poinsettia you will deliver. Please contact Amity Farrar (amityfarrar@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Our Presence November 28, 2018Midweek Communion 36

Our Presence December 2, 2018Church School 467 8:30 Service 127 9:35 Service 17211:00 Service 507 5:30 Youth Fellowship 85Total Worship this Week 941

12/3/18Our Offerings Received to date Needed to date $2,330,726.22 $2,382,542.39Over/Under ($51,816.17)

DEEP ROOTS BUILDING CAMPAIGN RESULTSPhase 2 Given to date: $2,672,256.81

We will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Novis Cody. Our program features Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert as our story teller and Nell McCuen as our pianist. We hope to see everyone there.

As we ring in 2019, we start the year off with a very special guest speaker, Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Ellard. Dr. Ellard is a practicing veterinarian who works with numerous animal welfare organizations, provides both surgical and medical services, teaches at the University of Florida's shelter medicine, and rescues God's creatures in need. She is also a historian with a special interest in horses and mules during wartime, specifically the American Civil War. She serves as a Trustee and Vice President of the Georgia Battlefields Association and on the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Civil War Round Table. She also leads historic tours in Atlanta.Reservations are required by noon, Thursday, January 10, and can be made online (ogumc.org), by phone (404-636-7558), or on sign-up sheets. The menu is pork chops, collard greens, black eyed peas, garden salad, cornbread, banana pudding, and beverage. The cost is $8.00. Please sign up early!

The UMW Friendship Circle

Christmas Luncheon

Thursday, Dec. 1311:30 a.m., Grand Hall

TheFriendship

Circle

OAK GROVE

Monday,January 146:15 p.m.Fellowship Hall

Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Ellard

Submitting Articlesto the Oak Grove News:

Please be reminded that Thursday 12 p.m. is the deadline for information that you would like to add

to the Oak Grove News. This will enable your article to appear in the following week’s bulletin.

Send items to oakgrovenews@ogumc.org. Articles will run TWO times and may be edited for

space. Indicate the two editions you prefer when the article is submitted.

Thank you!

Check the Oak Grove website for up-to-the-minute news on all events: www.ogumc.org

Make Sure You Stay in Constant ContactInformation on our ministries, news, and upcoming events is shared through our ConstantContact weekly congregational email. If your email address changes during the year, please contact Diane O'Steen, Membership/Database Admin., (dosteen@ogumc.org or 404-636-7558 ext.221)

Dr. Glenn Ethridge – Senior Pastor ext. 211Dr. Amy Morgan – Pastor of Nurture and Service ext. 210Dr. Joseph McBrayer – Pastor of Invitation and Discipleship ext. 212Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert – Pastor to Senior AdultsDr. Dana Everhart – Theologian in Residence

Church Office 404-636-7558Office Hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. M–FEmergency Contact After Hours ext. 9Address 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033Website www.ogumc.org

Our Church Information

Our SchoolsOak Grove Christian School 404-636-5476YCS (Young Children’s School) 404-636-7951 1722 O

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Dale Smith – Executive Director ext. 225Pam Reynolds – Director of Finance ext. 224Kim Cody – Children’s Ministry ext. 218Bryan Bontrager – Youth Ministry ext. 202Ed Scruggs – Music Ministry ext. 212Leanne Herrmann – OrganistAtticus Hicks – Dir. of Modern Worship ext. 208

8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary 9:35 a.m. Sunday School Various 9:35 a.m. Modern Worship Fellowship Hall10:40 a.m. Sunday School Ends11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Sanctuary

Today’s Worship Servants

Sound: (8:30) Billie Williams (11:00) Taylor Pendley

Ushers: Jeanine Andrews, Mark Byrne, Tony Callaway, Carolyn Casarella, Greg Casarella, Bill Cole, Jack Graves, Tim Howard, Elliott Jackson, Scot Macrae, Matt Moneyhan, Wallace Moreman, Phil Perry, Paul Siegel, Kirby Smith, James Trotti, Rob Welch, David Wright, Linda Wright

Altar Guild: Ann Benton, Katrina Franklin, Nancy Harte, Regina Haynes, Paige Henry, Sally Houghton, Judy Kirkwood, Anne Letbetter, Tara Merritt-Merchant, Dale Miller, Becky Mynatt, Cindy Mynatt, Brenda Toebben, Carol Wright, and Diane Young

Children’s Church: Allison White and Kate Jay