Piano Meditations

 

Prelude                            “The Snow Lay on the Ground” – arr. Graham                                                                      

                                            

Call to Worship

             Leader:  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  In you I put my trust.

             People:  Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

             Leader:  Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.

             People:  According to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’

                           sake, O Lord! 

             Leader:  Let us worship God!

 

Opening Hymn #211         “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (stanzas 1-4)

 

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle (see insert)

 

Special Music                     “Ding Dong, Merrily on High”                                Chancel Choir

 

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

                  (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 40:1-11     

 

New Testament Reading   II Peter 3:8-15a

 

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

 

Gospel Reading                  Mark 1:1-8

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon                          

 

Offerings                         “The Golden Carol” – arr. Warner

 

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

 

Sacrament of Holy Communion (Hymnal, pg. 9)

 

Closing Hymn #246 (stanza 1, 4)    “Joy to the World”                                                                                           

              

Benediction

 

Postlude                            “From Heaven Above” - Held                                                             

 

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

 

  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: 24

 (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 

 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___________________

 

 

 Ritual for Lighting the Second Advent Candle

 

(Light the first candle.)

 

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

 

Psalm 72:1-7

 

1.  Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.

2.  May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

3.  May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.

4.  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and

     crush the oppressor.

5.  May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

6.  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.

7.  In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

 

O God, we remember that you sent Jesus to bless the poor and those in need.

 

We remember that Jesus healed the sick, comforted those who mourn, and went out of his way to love even little children.

 

(Light the second candle.)

 

Lord, may the light of this second candle, as it dispels the darkness around it, help to remind us that we are to dispel the darkness of sickness, poverty, injustice, and suffering all around us.

 

Song:  “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” stanza 3 (United Methodist Hymnal, 218).

              And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low,

              Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,

               Look now!  For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.

               O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing.

 

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