Martin First United Methodist Church

Worshipping, Nurturing, & Serving

First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

Entrance

Gathering, Welcome, and Prelude Hyfrydol (A. Page)

Call to Worship Prepare the Way of the Lord Chancel Choir

Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 196

Opening PrayerLet us pray: Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the

works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal, through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Nicene Creed 880

Gloria Patri #70

Advent Wreath O Come, O Come Emmanuel 211 vv. 1 & 2, with antiphons 1 and 2

Act of Praise Just a Girl Hands for Him

Proclamation

Prayer for Illumination

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NRSV)  

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.”

Epistle Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (NRSV) How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of

you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.   And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Anthem Prepare the Way of the Lord (Larson) Chancel Choir

December Communion Offerings: Like last year, we encourage you to consider designating your December communion offering to one of the ten ministries we have highlighted for communion giving in this 2018 year. These 10 ministries have been: 1) Grace Place Women’s Church in Prison 2) Food for Friends 3) Reelfoot Rural Ministries 4) Lakeshore 5) Wesley Senior LIving 6) Weakley County Backpack 7) UMCOR Hurricane Relief 8) Hunters for the Hungry 9) We Care Ministries and 10) Scholarships for Children in the Congo— a church family is promising that if we give $1,000 toward these scholarships, another $1,000 will be added. The total of $2,000 will provide a year’s education for forty children in the Congo.

Gospel Reading Luke 21:25-36 (NRSV) “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.”

Sermon Randy Cooper

Music Offerings Jesus Loves Me Seeds Children, Go Where I Send You Roots Who Would Imagine a King? Combined Choirs

Prayers and Intercessions with Children

Thanksgiving and CommunionInvitation and Confession:Let us confess our sins before God and one another:

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all people: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. The remembrance of them grieves us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Silence, followed by words of assurance.

The Great Thanksgiving p. 17

Sending Forth

Hymn I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light 206

Blessing and Postlude

Offering StewardBell; Dec. 9 Jerry Crosser & Sharon Boyd, Richard Griffin & Mike HindsCommunion Servers: Bell; Suzanne, Eric & Joseph Pelren; Matthew, Daniel & Bella Mancusi; Kevin & Kadin Hamilton; Amanda & Justin Crice; Gayle CooperMeal MinistryShirley Borden, Carolyn James, Vicki SmithShut In Visitation: Shawl Ministry:Nursery Worker: Erin JacksonChildren Greeters:

Children’s Chat with Jennifer VincentHours: Mon., Tues. & Wed. 8-2

Children’s Library– Advent & ChristmasAn Inconvenient Christmas and Where Jesus Slept in memory of Esther Frey; A Birthday Party for Jesus and A Royal Christmas to Remember in memory of Melva Little

The Family of Landon & Whitney Holecz Coates invites you to a Wedding Shower Meet & Greet Sunday, December 16 1 to 3 pmAt the home of David & Pam Coates1160 Garner Rd. Martin

INTERCESSORY PRAYER CONCERNS: Ongoing Concerns: Dee Cannon, Mary Lee Cannon, Gordon Morris, Bob Smith ,Jill Brigance, Irene Pflueger, Kit & Tom Haynes, Billie Sue Walker, Kathy Prewett, Neil Rawls, Virginia Clendenin, Irene Harper, Ann Wall, Richard Bragg, Daryl Byford, Angie Farmer, Lloyd Duncan, Norma Holbrook, Laura Jo Hurst, Gail Yates, Marilucile Counce, William King, Bishop Bill McAlilly and Superintendent Kevin Conrad. Friends & Relatives: Sandra Powell’s friend, Joanie Hale. Susan Wright Hicks. Phil Wade’s and Debbie Jorge’s father, Jesse Wade. Sandy Davis’ father, W. Royce Whitworth. Virginia Clendenin’s son, Paul Clendenin. Bev Eaton’s brother-in-law, Craig Marsh. Erica Bell’s father, Don Griffin. Romona Bell’s great niece, Samantha Angerbrant, Mack Thornton’s brother-in-laws, John Kinzel & Steven Ratliff. Megan Bethel’s uncle. Peggy King’s friend, Leslie Justice. William Solomons’ daughter, Angie Stickles. Kevin Coleman’s father. Janice Merryman’s cousin, Paul Blankenship. Courtney Williams. Gracie Davidson. Peggy King’s son-in-law, George Frels. Justin Crice’s grandfather, Mike Bradford. TJ Damron’s mom, Martha Jo Damron. Freda Bolding’s niece, Elishia Brandon. Casey Wright’s grandmother, Jane Morgan. Frank and Norma Holbrook’s daughter, Holley Cochran. Jim Cannon’s nephew, David Robert Cannon. Jeff Stockton’s friend. Leatha McCroskey’s grandmother, Ruby Bell. Becky Tofte. Lori Manley’s father, Charles Abbott. Steve & Bea Mohler’s daughter-in-law, Heather Mohler. Bill Stepp. Ben Luca. Freda & Dale Bolding’s mothers. Jenise Butler’s cousin, April. Susan Parr. Camille Legins’ father.

We grieve with Erica Bell and her family upon the death of her grandmother, Esther Frey.

Thank YouThank you for hosting a wedding shower for us. We are blessed to be part of an amazing church community.

Thank you! Caroline & Ryan Trump.

Church Family, Thank you to all the church family for all the love and prayers you’ve expressed during the loss of our loved one. A special thanks to those who prepared and served the lunch. It was wonderful. And a very special thanks to Bro. Randy for the most perfect service. It couldn’t have been better.

Love to all in Christ, Hal & Pam Williamson

All Women are invited to the United Methodist Women Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 8, 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. It is catered—you don’t have to bring a dish! Donations will be accepted for the Brunch and  Bundles for the Wesley Senior Living folks. A program will be presented by The UTM Wesley Foundation Student Interns.

Come enjoy a time of tasty food and good

fellowship.

Worshipping, Nurturing & Serving