AN ORDER FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD

ENTRANCE

GATHERING OF THE CHURCH PRELUDE See, Amid the Winter’s Snow Larson

“See amid the winter’s snow, Born for us on earth below, See the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.”

Carillon Ringers (8:25) Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Scholes Celebration Ringers (9:45) Good King Wenceslas McChesney Andante Ringers (11:05)* CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: See! The ruler of the earth shall come,People: The Lord who will take from us the heavy burden of our exile.

* HYMN 196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus hyfrydol

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH ANDCHRISMON TREE

Leader: We pray that the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God’s love,People: Come, Lord Jesus!Leader: We pray that the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin,People: Come, Lord Jesus!Leader: We pray that this wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of Christ,People: Come, Lord Jesus!Leader: We pray that this Chrismon tree may remind us that Jesus made the cross a tree of life and light, dispelling our sin and darkness, bringing healing to our brokenness and peace to all who receive him,People: Come, Lord Jesus!Leader: We pray that this holy season may fill us with peace and joy as we strive to follow the example of Jesus,People: Come, Lord Jesus!All: Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts. Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath and the lights of this tree. May their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLE A RESPONSE (to be sung through twice by all)

Prepare the way of the Lord. Prepare the way of the Lord, And all people will see the salvation of our God.

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

ANTHEM Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne Fettke Patti Cook, Cheryl Randecker, Christy Farrior (8:25) Immanuel Knoedler NewSpirit Choir (9:45, 11:05)* GOSPEL LESSON Luke 21:25-36

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

* GOSPEL RESPONSE (No. 206 - to be sung by all)In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

SERMON Prepare for the Unexpected

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

* HYMN 202 People, Look East besançon

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONWe confess to you, O God, that we are comfortable with the ways things are; we cherish the familiar; we find our ease in the expected and ordinary. Forgive us for a lack of vision that sees your power at work in the unexpected, your grace operating in life’s intrusions, your mercy employed in new ways. Teach us to look for you in all circumstances. Sharpen our vision to see the signs of your kingdom. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, by whose coming the kingdom is made known.

SILENT PRAYERS WORDS OF ASSURANCE AND PARDON

THE PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY Advent Kyrie Lantz Chancel Choir* THE DOXOLOGY

Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, Evermore and evermore. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

* TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP* THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Setting III, UMH page 15)* THE LORD’S PRAYER GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

Gluten free elements are available at the pulpit station. During the communion, the congregation is invited to join in

singing hymns 216, 224, and 246. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

THE SENDING FORTH

* HYMN 213 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates truro

* CARRYING THE LIGHT INTO THE WORLD* DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

Sharing the Heart of Christ from the Heart of Cary

* CHORAL RESPONSE (No. 246 – to be sung by all)Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

* THE CHIMING OF THE TRINITYTo honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

please remain standing for all the chimes of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

* POSTLUDE Postlude on TRURO Kerr* Please stand as you are able

All hymns may be found in The United Methodist Hymnal unless noted as TFWS (which represents The Faith We Sing)

or WS (which represents Worship and Song).

WELCOME TO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CARY

We welcome you to First United Methodist Church Cary, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that our time of worship will draw you closer to God and invite you to join us for worship on Sunday mornings. Our regular schedule includes Sanctuary services at 8:25, 9:45, and 11:05, and the 1st on Chatham services at The Cary at 9:45 and 11:05.We invite you to stop by our information table in the large narthex if you have any questions about our church. Also, our website, firstcary.com, may provide the information you need.We invite you to join us for coffee and fellowship on Sunday mornings at “First Cup” in the fellowship hall!

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS MORNING: Preacher: The Reverend Carl Frazier, Lead Pastor Liturgist: The Reverend Martha McLean, Pastor of Christian Formation Choir Director: Kerry Johnston, Director of Music Ministry NewSpirit Choir Director: Brent Hubbell, Assoc. Director of Worship Arts Organist: Christy Farrior, Assoc. Director of Music Ministry Pianist: David Griffin Lay Readers: Stephen Ministers: 8:25 Angela French Chuckie Chinault 9:45 Sandra Schneider Katie Caggia 11:05 Doug Richmond David Hardy

A Stephen Minister is available in the large narthex after each church service to meet and pray with anyone who would like to.

Listening devices are available at the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary. Kids and YouthChildren are always welcome! Bulletins and crayon packs are available at each entrance to the Sanctuary. Nursery and Sunday school classes are available for infants through fifth grade. Youth (grades 6-12) gather in room 236 at 9:30. Our ushers are happy to escort you and your child or youth to the Children or Youth Ministry area.

Prayer Concerns You may view the list of prayer concerns at firstcary.com/prayerlist

firstcary.com • 919-467-1861

OUR VISIONSharing the heart of Christ from the heart of Cary

OUR MISSIONTo make disciples of Jesus Christ who grow in faith and love

through worship, fellowship, service and witness to one another and the world

First Sunday of Advent

December 2, 2018

Let Every HeartPrepare Him Room

Jaka Skrlep, photographer