Piano Meditations

 Slide Show

 Greeting

 

*Silence

*Lighting the candles

 

 Prelude                                                                                                                                                                       

                                            

*Opening Hymn #234         “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

 

 Lighting of the Third Advent Candle (see insert)

 

 Walk to the Manger                               

 

*Hymn #220                        “Angels from the Realms of Glory”   

                  (Bring written joys and concerns forward during this hymn.)

 

 Sharing Joys and Concerns

       (After each joy, we pray, “Thanks be to God;” after concerns, “Lord have mercy.”)

 

 Prayers for Illumination #599  (stanza 1)

 

 Old Testament Reading     Isaiah 61:1-11

 

*Hymn #203                       “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

 Gospel Reading                  John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

 Sermon                          

 

 Offerings                           

 

*Doxology #95                   “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow ”

 

*Closing Hymn #213        “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”                                                                         

              

 Benediction

 

 Postlude                                                                                                                                     

 

Assisting in worship today:  J. Michael Smith, preacher; Gordon Wilson, organist, and Karen Henderson, piano meditations

 

Flowers in the Chancel area presented by Karen Henderson in honor of her mother, Wanda Adams & in memory of  her father, Lewis Adams, Sr.

 

  Contact information for Grace Church

Church phone:  (217)328-1414                       

Address:  2004 Philo Road, Urbana, IL  61802

Check the Web at:  www.urbanagrace.org   (site updated almost daily)

e-mail:  urbanagrace@urbanagrace.org            

pastor’s cell:  898-3148

 

Sources of information

Tapes of Sunday worship and sermons

Weekly letter from the pastor*

“Assorted Notes” from the pastor*

Weekly Update of Church Activities*

Slide show of memories and announcements (before/after worship)

“Snap Shots” of happenings, people in church*

Reports of officers, budget, meetings, church organization (office)

Web site (www.urbanagrace.org)

Sign board along the road, posters and bulletin boards, handouts

 

We are working to make sure everyone receives all the information and material he or she wants—in the form (e-mail, postal, pick up, etc.) best suited to each person.  Please take responsibility to communicate with the office what resources you want and how we can best deliver them to you.  Items marked with an (*) can be picked up in the entryway of the sanctuary.

 

Special services at Grace Church (ask an usher for details)

Nursery service during worship services for all children 4 and under. 

Transportation to and from worship services

Large print bulletins and song sheets.  Hearing aids 

 

Organized Activities around the church this coming week: 27

 (pick up a copy of the Weekly Update for details)

Opportunities for Involvement:  see notebook in the entryway to the sanctuary, or call the office

For spiritual needs or pastoral services:  call the church office:  328-1414

 

 Ritual for Lighting the Third Advent Candle

 

(Light the first candle.)

 

We light the first candle, reminding us of God’s promise of peace on earth.

 

(Light the second candle.)

 

We light the second candle, reminding us that we are to dispel the darkness of sickness, poverty, injustice, and suffering all around us.

 

James 5:7-10

 

      7.  Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.  The farmer

           waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it

           receives the early and the late rains.

      8.  You also must be patient.  Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the

            Lord is near.

       9.  Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be

            judged.  See, the Judge is standing at the doors!

      10.  As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets

             who spoke in the name of the Lord.

 

O God, you command us to be patient in our waiting for Jesus’ coming.  As the farmer prepares the field and waits for the harvest in patience, may we also prepare our lives and wait for your coming in patience.

 

(Light the third candle.)

 

Lord, may the constant light of this candle serve as an example of the kind of constant patience we are to have in our living and in our relationships with one another.

 

As we rush about with shopping, parties, cooking, decorating, and the busyness of these days, may we not forget the true reason why we do these things; and may we not grumble against one another.

 

Our hearts are strong, Lord for your coming is near.

 

                       

Song:  “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” stanza 2 (United Methodist Hymnal, 218).

                  

                  Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled, 

                  and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;

                  above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing,

                  and ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.          

 

(All):  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Amen.

 

 

 

Order Your Christmas Poinsettias Now

 

Poinsettias (in a 61/2” pot) can be purchased for $6.00.  They will be used to decorate the church and then you are welcome to take them home after the Christmas service.  Please place your order, along with your money, into the collection plate or mail to the office by December 15^th.

 

Name____________________________________________________________________

 

In memory/honor of_________________________________________________________

 

# of poinsettias________________________         Amount of money___________________