FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTfumcpensacola.com/www/wp-content/uploads/122015_bulletin.pdf · 2015-12-18 · Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTDecember 20, 2015

CANDLELIGHT7 SERVICES

NOON | 3PM | 4PM | 6PM | ICON AT 6PM | 8PM | 11PM

CHRISTMAS EVE AT FIRST CHURCHMake plans this Christmas Eve to worship with us at

First United Methodist Church in downtown Pensacola. This year we will have 7 Christmas Eve Services with the first service starting at noon and the last service ending

at midnight. See the complete list of services and descriptions below:

Midday Christmas Eve ServiceNoon | Main Sanctuary

A contemplative service with communion for those who desire an earlier service.

Service for Families with Children3:00pm | Wesley Abbey

A 45-minute, high-energy service designed for families with children.

Candlelight and Communion Service with Children’s Sermon4:00pm | Main Sanctuary

A service of candlelight, Christmas carols, children’s sermon and communion.Nursery provided.



An ICON Christmas6:00pm | Wesley Abbey

A multi-sensory candlelight and communion Christmas Eve service designedfor the entire family. Includes children’s sermon. Nursery provided.

Candlelight and Communion Service8:00pm | Main Sanctuary

A traditional service of candlelight, Christmas carols and communion.




First United Methodist Church in downtown Pensacola. This year we will have 7 Christmas Eve Services with the first service starting at noon and the last service

ending at midnight. See the complete list of services and descriptions below:
















First United Methodist Church in downtown Pensacola. This year we will have 7 Christmas Eve Services with the first service starting at noon and the last service

ending at midnight. See the complete list of services and descriptions below:















WELCOMEWelcome to First United Methodist Church; we are delighted that you have chosen to worship with us this morning. Founded in 1821, First Church is the oldest Protestant church in the area and the oldest Methodist church in Florida. This historic church, with four Sunday services, has a membership of 3200 and is overflowing with life. We hope that you will consider becoming a member of our church family. You may join any Sunday by profession of faith or transfer of membership. Come and be a part of what God is doing here.

ADVENTThe season of Advent spans the first four Sundays of the Christian year. It is observed as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of the Christ child. The last day of Advent is this Thursday, Christmas Eve. Check our special Advent/Christmas calendars and the insert in this bulletin for events at First Church as we draw nearer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Let’s prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child on Christmas Eve. Invite your friends and family to share in the season and come to any one of our seven services on December 24th.

NURSERY and CHILDREN’S BULLETINSNursery is available this morning for children up to five years old. If you need help locating the nursery, please see an usher or greeter for assistance. Also, children’s worship bulletins and crayons are available in the narthex.

FLOWERSThe flowers in the Sanctuary today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Christian Woodroof by his family.

The roses on the altar are expressions of thanksgiving to God for the birth of two babies: For the birth of Melody Barrows, daughter of Tabitha and Lawrence Barrows, born December 12, 2015. Proud grandparents are Greg and Joy Hodges. For the birth of Campbell Jeannette Henderson, daughter of Pamela and Garrett Henderson, born December 14, 2015. Proud grandparents are Susan and Tommy Davies.

THOSE SERVING TODAY8:00: ACOLYTES–Lauren Wheelis, Robert Sherlock & Greggory Sherlock; USHERS–Marty Sherlock, Geoff Cook, Mike Jones, Neil Jones & John Thames; COMMUNION STEWARD–Rhonda Pippin; GREETERS–Tom/Betty Baker, Elaine Mitchell, Linda Shearlock & Jason Onacki.

9:30: USHERS–Miller Caldwell, Doug Bates & Mike Ward; COMMUNION STEWARDS–Doug/Patsy Garber; GREETERS–Martha Ann Hunter, Brenda Carraway & Larry Mosley; COMMUNION SERVERS–Margie Taylor & Beverly Butler.

11:00: ACOLYTES–Jenna Luth & Anna Jordan Luth; USHERS–John Gross, Mike Vance, Walter Glenn, Randy Maygarden, Paul Young, Charles Harger & Ed Muller; COMMUNION STEWARD–Ros Duckworth; GREETERS–Andrea Edgar & Skip/Ry Furlong; COMMUNION SERVER–Drexel Gilbert.

NEXT WEEK AT FIRST CHURCHJoin us next week here at First Church as we come together to worship God on the First Sunday after Christmas. Dr. Wesley Wachob will preach at the 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00am worship services. We will enjoy music from the Sanctuary Choir (11:00), Libby Hargrave (9:30), and Rick and Heidi Branch (8:00). Lectionary scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52.

ORDER OF WORSHIP 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.

WELCOME

*CHORUSEmmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

PRELUDE Rev. Rick Branch, organ“God Rest Ye Merry” arr. Alfred V. Fedak

*CHIMING OF THE HOUR

*CALL TO WORSHIPLet us magnify the Lord.Let us rejoice in God our Savior.The Mighty One has done great things for us;Holy is God’s Name!

*HYMN No. 234“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

*COLLECT 8:00 Rev. Scott Grantland 11:00 Rev. Ken AutreyPurify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

11:00 BABY RECOGNITION

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE— THE CANDLE OF PEACE Readers: 8:00 The Miller & Spain Family 11:00 The Hodges FamilyO come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

ANTHEM 8:00 Sanctuary Choir“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” arr. Benjamin Harlan

11:00 Libby K. Hargrave, solo“In the Bleak Midwinter” arr. Twila Paris

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONOpen our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him. Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

*GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-45

SERMON Dr. Wesley H. Wachob

PASTORAL PRAYER

CONFESSION, PARDON, AND PEACE No. 12

REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCEPlease register your attendance on the registration pad. If you are visiting with us, include your address, telephone number, and email address so that we may welcome you in a more personal way.

OFFERTORY 8:00 Sanctuary Choir“Lo, How a Rose” arr. Joel Raney

11:00 Heidi Branch, piano; Rick Branch, organ“God Rest Ye/Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” arr. Linda McKechnie

*DOXOLOGY No. 95“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING You are invited to come forward to the altar to receive the elements of Holy Communion.

COMMUNION HYMN No. 184“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIPAnyone who wishes to join the church today, please come forward during the last stanza of the closing hymn.

*CLOSING HYMN No. 240“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “Antioch” arr. Karen Keene

*Please Stand

LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES

First Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a—In telling of the coming of the Messiah and his reign, the prophet foretells the lifting up of little Bethlehem. He describes Messiah as a shep-herd who cares for his sheep.

Second Lesson: Hebrews 10:5-10—The writer says that Jesus, in coming to do God’s will, abolished the law of sin offerings by the sacrifice of his own body.

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:39-45—Mary, following the annunciation, visits her cousin. The Holy Spirit reveals to Elizabeth what is before her and she blesses Mary.

ORDER OF WORSHIP 9:30 a.m.

WELCOME

PRELUDE Kate Donnelly, piano“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” arr. Mark Hayes

*CHIMING OF THE HOUR

*HYMN No. 234“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

*COLLECT Rev. Scott Grantland

LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE— THE CANDLE OF PEACE Reader: The Hart Family

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATIONO come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

*GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-45

SERMON Dr. Wesley H. Wachob

PASTORAL PRAYER

CONFESSION, PARDON, AND PEACE No. 12

REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCEPlease register your attendance on the registration pad. If you are visiting with us, include your address and telephone number so that we may welcome you in a more personal way.

OFFERTORY Abby Mortensen, solo“Away in a Manger” arr. Twila Paris

*DOXOLOGY No. 95“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING You are invited to come forward to the altar to receive the elements of Holy Communion.

COMMUNION MUSIC Zachary Peterson, Kristen Donnelly, Alison Irby

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIPAnyone who wishes to join the church today, please come forward during the last stanza of the closing hymn.

*CLOSING HYMN No. 240“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arr. L.K. Hargrave

*Please Stand

ANNOUNCEMENTSSanctuary Choir Christmas Concert | Tonight at 7:30pm You are invited to a traditional evening of classical Christmas favorites presented by the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Rick and Heidi Branch. A full professional orchestra will accompany the choir. A nursery is provided for the evening and there will be a reception following in The Wright Place.

Visitor/New Member Class We welcome all visitors and new members that are interested in learning more about First Church to an introductory class that consists of four parts. The class will assemble at 9:30am in room PH101 next door in the Perry Home. Today’s class is Serving at First Church. On December 27th, Tour of First Church will walk you through the historic buildings of our campus. We hope you join us each week.

Wednesday Night Activities We will not have any Wednesday night activities this week or next week due to the holiday season. Wednesday night activities will resume on January 6th. Join us on Thursday, December 24th, at any one of our seven Christmas Eve services.

The Longest Night Service | Monday, December 21st Christmas can be a painful time for some, especially for those who are grieving or in despair. Tomorrow night, the longest night of the year, you are invited to come share in healing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle.

Christmas Eve Services This year, we will have seven Christmas Eve worship services on Thursday, December 24th. Please check the insert for a list of times and locations.

Holiday Office Hours The church office will be closed on Friday, December 25th, and Friday, January 1st. For pastoral emergencies during these times, please call Ken Autrey at (850) 333-3073 or Ginger Raines at (850) 259-3177.

End of the Year Giving As the end of the calendar year approaches, it is a good time to count our blessings and reflect on the ways in which our lives have been enriched over the past year. Many of us, out of this gratitude, choose year-end as a time to make an extra monetary gift to our local church or charity for the ministries, the inspiration, the services and the hope that they have received throughout the year. To qualify for a 2015 charitable income tax deduction, your gift must be made or postmarked by December 31, 2015. Complete your gift now, and you will receive the tax benefits as well as the satisfaction of supporting our important ministries.

FUMCPensacola #fumcpcolaAdditional announcements, our complete church calendar,

sermon podcasts and more are available online at FUMCPensacola.com.

CONTACT US:6 E. Wright St. Pensacola, FL 32501

(850) 432-1434 -- www.FUMCPensacola.com

FOR PASTORAL EMERGENCIES CONTACT:Ken Autrey (850-333-3073) or Ginger Raines (850-259-3177)

in addition to the church office.

Documents

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENTfumcpensacola.com/www/wp-content/uploads/122015_bulletin.pdf · 2015-12-18 · Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son