*Hymn of Faith
Gary United Methodist Church Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 9:00 & 11:00 AM
Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
(9:00) Children Preschool 3’s–Grade 5 are invited to come forward during the hymn. After the Children’s Time, Preschool 3’s–Grade 5 may follow their leaders downstairs for Kid’s Church.
Suite on Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Wake Up, a Voice is Calling)
Carey Bebar
Wayne Wold Rev. Brian Felker Jones
Pastoral Prayer The Matzke Family (9:00) The Austin Family (11:00)
Lord’s Prayer
Dedication of Our Tithes and Offerings
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Magnificat I. Opus 18, No. 10 *Hymn
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
Joe Davisson and Shelley Kenyon to thank the people of Gary Church for their generosity and support of Christmas Sharing, with a special thank you to Joe & Jennifer Ruth for their years of dedication to this program Christmas Wreaths in the Sanctuary have been donated by Gary’s Boy Scout Troop 35. Thanks to the Gary Gardeners for decorating in the Sanctuary and throughout the church.
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, for ever. Amen.
Behold! The Lord your God breathes new life into dead spaces. God’s Messiah is coming into our world as God’s final word—life will triumph over death. Do not be afraid. We light the fourth Advent Candle as a sign of our hope in God’s redeeming love. The Messiah is coming to establish a kingdom in the shape of that very love. And this kingdom will last forever and ever. Come, Lord Jesus.
Our Sympathy to The Nankervis Family on the death of Jeff Nankervis on Dec. 20. Services will be held in Gary’s Sanctuary on Dec. 27 at 7:00 p.m. Today's Altar Flowers are given by
Sermon
Mission and Ministry at Gary Church *Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Jan Adair, Meridith Brand, Charlie Castino, Jim & Carol Eaton, Anna Gorski, Barbara Heeley, Pat Hill, Judy Jay, Rod Irey, Ivan Kane, Lola Lehman, Mary Louise Lewis, Chris Loken, Dan Meeks, Lenna Siens, Roger & Jan Sutfin, Ruth Tremper, Jim Trieschmann, James & Helen Wernicke, Jack & Shirley Williamson
Childcare is available for newborn–2 yrs. from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lower level.
Children’s Time (9:00)
Congregational Care Please remember these individuals and families in your prayers this week.
(11:00) Children are invited to worship with their families during this service. Children’s bulletins and activity bags are available from the ushers.
*Please stand as you are able. Congregation reads bold print. Congregational song books are the hard cover Hymnal and the smaller flexible book, The Faith We Sing, both found in the pew racks.
Prelude
272
203
Marcel Dupré
My Soul doth Magnify the Lord, and my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the lowliness of his Handmaiden.
Serving Today 9:00 a.m. Service Greeters Jack & Kim Stob, Steve & Barbara Wernicke, Gary’s Scouting Ministry Welcome Desk Beverly Bassler, Kim Austin Acolytes Anna Mathis Ushers Mark Klage, Mike Ashby, Arlene Gates, Norvis Land, Marge Merriman, Roger Sanstrom 11:00 a.m. Service Greeters Rusty Haney, Kathy Oswalt, Gil & Lola Lehman Welcome Desk Bob & Madge Drake Acolytes Rachel Newman, Zoe Rozwat Ushers Verne Bintz, Barbara Holmes, Kathy Oswalt, Neal Smith, Rob Whiting Sound Technicians: Kevin Carlson, Phil Johnson, Alyn Mann, Dave Mann, Tony Venezia
*Scripture Lesson
Luke 1:26–38
Pew Bible p. 855
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
*Doxology
What Child Is This
219
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant, king, to own him; The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
Readers: Michelle Younkin (9:00), Cindi Copeland (11:00)
Mission Statement
Opening Prayer *Hymn Purify 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. Luke 1:46–55
My Soul Gives Glory to My God
198
*Benediction *Postlude
Responsive Reading
Staff Ministry Team: Rev. Dr. Chris Pierson, Rev. Brian Felker Jones, Rev. Bruce Anderson, Jennifer Whiting, Dr. Lance J. Peeler, Carey Bebar, Kim Austin, Alexa Isaac, Becky Lemna, Pam Keller, Shelley Bornstein, Rebecca Roell, Dave Brewer, Deb Hafner, Mike Capra
199
Joy to the World / For unto Us a Child Is Born Handel Lance Peeler and Jennifer Whiting, piano Arr. D. Maddux
Grow in faith, knowledge, and understanding of Christ as Lord and Savior Serve our community and the world by sharing time, gifts, talents Nurture one another through worship, fellowship, love Demonstrate our discipleship to Christ Proclaim God's grace and Good News
Upcoming Adult Studies Human Sex Trafficking: Cultural Vulnerabilities Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel Karen M. Schultz, City Director for Refuge for Women-Chicago, returns to Gary. Building upon last year’s class on human trafficking, she will discuss these topics: social media—traffickers’ new hunting grounds; pornification of culture—the link between porn and trafficking; and vulnerabilities of being a teen. Please join her to raise awareness of this dark industry that abuses and exploits women of all ages, as well as to learn more about the work of Refuge for Women. Images of Israel Thursdays, Jan. 11–Feb. 15, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Commons Images of Israel sets forth a fresh basis on which Christians can engage with the Jewish community and Israel. Facilitated by Dr. Lynn Cohick, Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, this video lecture series is designed to empower groups of Christians to have a robust experience in learning about Israel in its complexity, while bringing Christian tradition and values into the conversation. Join us at Gary Church for this important and timely conversation. Registration is requested through the Gary Church Office at
[email protected] or 630-668-3100. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: American Prophet Sunday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. in the Anderson Room Rev. Richard Mosley, Jr. will lead the class in an exploration of Dr. King's philosophy of non-violence. Participants are encouraged to read The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by Clayborne Carson and may also wish to view “Eyes on the Prize” on YouTube. The Power of the Psalms Sundays, Jan. 14, 21, and 28, 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel The only book of prayers and meditations in the Bible is the Psalms. Join Dr. C. Hassell Bullock to look at them from three perspectives: (1) a mirror—we will read them and see our own image in the mirror; (2) a garden—we will explore their varieties that enable us to pray when we are joyful, hopeful, depressed, angry, cynical, and so forth; (3) an emotive power—we will entertain their potential power to draw from our souls what we are otherwise incapable of generating or articulating on our own. Dr. Bullock has served as pastor and professor, and retired in 2009 from Wheaton College as the Franklin S. Dyrness Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies. For more information visit www.garychurch.org or the Chimes newsletter.
Gary United Methodist Church — Affiliated with Winfield Community United Methodist Church —
224 N. Main, Wheaton, IL 60187 Phone: (630) 668-3100 / Fax: (630) 668-8279 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.garychurch.org
