Third Sunday of December 13, 2020

The St. Paul’s family welcomes you as we worship God together. We strive to be full, active, conscious participants in our liturgical life together. The Procession of Light and Hope The congregation remains seated. Hymn 211 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Veni Emmanuel A cantor sings the first phrase, then all join in singing O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lighting of the Isaiah 35:1-2 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. The third candle is lit as a symbol of Christ our Joy.

All respond in unison: May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation.

The congregation rises as the crucifer passes.

Hymn 211 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Veni Emmanuel verses 4-6 O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be; Before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home. The captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep misery. O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Greeting Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord! Thanks be to God! Bless the Lord, who forgives our sins. God’s mercy endures for ever.

Collect Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism Adam and Taylor Alonso present their daughter Amelia Lane Alonso born December 3, 2019

Hymn 610, vs. 2 “We Know That Christ Is Raised” Engleberg We share by water in his saving death. Reborn, we share with him an Easter life As living members of a living Christ. Alleluia! Members of the household of faith, I commend this child to your love and care, whom this day we recognize as a member of the family of God. With God’s help, will you so order your lives after the example of Christ, that Amelia Lane, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal? If so, say, We will! We will!

Hymn 610, vs. 3 “We Know That Christ Is Raised” Engleberg A new creation comes to life and grows As Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood. The universe restored and whole will sing: Alleluia! The Ministry of the Word Prayer for Illumination Open our hearts and minds, O God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that, as the Word is read and proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us this day. Amen.

First Lesson Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the op- pressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salva- tion, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev. Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Second Lesson 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

You are invited to sing the hymn.

Hymn 729 “O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines” Jerusalem (Orga™n) e e # e ej ™ e™ e e e e e e™ ™ ™ # e e e œ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ & J œ œ J œ œ 1. O day of peace that dim-ly shines through all our 2. en shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, nor shall the # ™ ™ # œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ ™ œ œ J J œ #œ œ œ hopes and prayers and dreœams, guide us to jus - tice, truth, and love, de - liv-ered from our self - ish fierce de - vour the small; as beasts and cat - tle calm-ly graze, a lit - tle child shall lead them # ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ ™ # œ j œ œ j œ œ œ nœ œ & œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ œ J schemes. May swords of hate fall from our hands, our hearts from en - vy find re - all. en en - e - mies shall learn to love, all crea - tures find their true ac - # ™ ™ ™ j # œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ & œ J œ œ œ œ œ ˙ lease, till by God's grace our war - ringworld shall see Christ's prom-ised reign of peace. cord; the hope of peace shall be ful -filled, for all the earth shall know the Lord.

Gospel John 1:6-8, 19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

You are invited to join in saying Psalm 19:14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

Sermon “Sharing the Light” Rev. Dr. Jeff McDonald Responses and Offerings All stand.

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

All sit.

Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer 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, the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.

Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. All exchange signs and words of God’s peace with any who are around you, saying “peace be with you,” and offering a wave, open palms, or palms over your heart.

Registration of Attendance and Announcements You may register your attendance and make your offering by going to the St. Paul’s website at www.stpaulshouston.org/live-stream or to the St. Paul’s app. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, or just want to find out more about what it means to be a United Methodist Christian, please speak with a member of our clergy. Information on how to stay connected with the St. Paul’s community can be found on the St. Paul’s website and Facebook page. The Offering of tithes and gifts is a vital element of worship—our acknowledgment of the abundance of God’s blessings in our lives. Please take this time to log on to stpaulshouston.org/give to make your regular offering or to set up a recurring stewardship gift.

Offering “This Is the Record of John” Orlando Gibbons Ivan Lopez, Countertenor This is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed and denied not, and said plainly, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What art thou then? Art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, What art thou? that we may give an answer unto them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? And he said, I am the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord. Doxology Conditor alme siderum # # ‰ j œ œ œ j ™ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ To God the Fa - ther, God the Son, and God the Spi - rit, ree in One,

## & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ praise, ho - nor, might and glo - ry be from age to age e - ter - nal - ly.

Hymn 209 “Blessed Be the God of Israel” Merle’s Tune # œ œ œ ™ œ & œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ 1. Blessed be the God of Is - rael, who comes to set us free, who vis - its and re - deems us, and 2. Now from the house of Da - vid a child of grace is given; a Sav - ior comes a - mong us to 3. On pris - on - ers of dark - ness the sun be- gins to rise, the dawn- ing of for - give - ness up -

# ™ œ œ ˙ œ œ & œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ grants us lib - er - ty. e proph - ets spoke of mer - cy, of free - dom and re - raise us up to heaven. Be - fore him goes the her - ald, fore - run - ner in the on the sin - ner's eyes, to guide the feet of pil - grims a - long the paths of

# ™ ™ œ & ˙ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ lease; God shall ful - fill the prom - ise to bring our peo - ple peace. way, the proph - et of sal - va - tion, the har - bin - ger of day. peace; O bless our God and Sav - ior with songs that nev - er cease!

Benediction

Voluntary Fantasia in G Minor, BWV 542 Johann Sebastian Bach

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Rev.s Gail Ford Smith and Ted Smith. Lay Reader: Christine Jost

Permissions O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Words: translated from 9th century Latin. Music: Veni Emmanuel, 15th century French; arr. and harm. by Thomas Helmore (1854). Public Domain. O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines. Words: Carl P. Daw, Jr. © 1982 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under OneLicense A-729097. Music: Jerusalem, Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1916). Public Domain. Creator of the Stars at Night, verse 4. Words: Latin, 5th-10th cent. Public Domain. Music: Conditor Alme Siderum, Sarum plainsong, c. 9th cent, mode IV. Public Domain. Blessed Be the God of Israel. Words: Michael Perry. © 1973 Hopef Publishing Co. Music: Merle’s Tune, Hal H. Hopson. © 1983 Hope Publishing Co. Words & Music: Reprinted with permission under OneLicense A-729097. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-729097. Children’s Activities. Stay in touch via the St. Paul’s Kids Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KidsOfSPUMC) and the e-letter for St. Paul’s Kids and families. To ensure receiving the e-letter, contact Rev. Kate Flint via [email protected]. Also contact her for the GROW and Joyful Noise Zoom connections. Children’s Choirs: To register your child for choir, please visit www. stpaulshouston.org/childrenschoirs. For more information please contact Anna Teagarden via ateagarden@stpaulshouston. org. The day-by-day children’s schedule is as follows: Sundays: • Children’s Sunday School: All classes, age 3 through 5th grade, meet on Zoom 9:45-10:45 am for GROW and Joyful Noise assemblies followed by age-level groups. Check this week’s Children’s Ministry e-letter for the Zoom links. Contact Rev. Kate Flint for details at [email protected]. Children’s Choirs: • Children’s Choir Sing-Along, via Zoom: Sunday, December 13, at 3 pm. Email ateagarden if you haven’t received the Zoom link in a recent email. Youth Activities. The Youth are gathering on Sundays and throughout the week via Zoom. To learn more, email Tiffin, tiffin@stpaulshouston. org or Oksana, [email protected]. The day-by-day schedule follows: Sundays: Sunday School. 10 am via Zoom Tuesdays: Girls Bible Study. 6:30 pm on the Labyrinth Wednesdays: H.O.T. (Hang Out Time). 7 pm via Zoom

Today at St. Paul’s Ordinary Life. 9:30 am. To watch, visit www.ordinarylife.org/live-stream-broadcast. St. Paul’s Epworth League (Young Adults) Sunday School class. Sunday mornings via Zoom. To connect with this Sunday School class, email Jim Bankston at [email protected]. Most other Sunday School Classes are meeting on Sundays at 9:45 or 10 am via phone or video conferencing. Check with your class leaders or visit www.stpaulshouston.org/stayconnected for more information. This Week at St. Paul’s Morning Prayer. Available on YouTube each Monday morning through the remainder of the week. You can use this 15-minute guide for your practice of Morning Prayer any of the days of the week. To access: www.stpaulshouston.org/worship. Tai Chi. Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 am via Zoom. To connect, email [email protected]. Compline: A Weekly Service of Evening Prayer. Mondays at 8:30 pm. The service of Compline includes responses, psalms, scripture, a hymn, and an opportunity to pray. Our time of evening prayer will be live via Zoom and will not be available on YouTube or the St. Paul’s stream after the service. To access the zoom link, visit www.stpaulshouston.org/worship. Tuesday Lectionary Bible Study led by Rev. Paul Richards-Kuan. Tuesdays at noon, meeting virtually via Zoom. To connect, email [email protected]. Chapter One Book Group will gather via Zoom on Tuesday, December 15, at 7 pm when the book for discussion will be Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. To receive an invitation to the meeting, please email Linda Harmes at [email protected]. Midweek Message. Available Wednesday mornings. These 15-minute devotions on YouTube by St. Paul’s pastors look ahead to the scripture for the following Sunday. To access: www.stpaulshouston.org/worship. Men’s Lectionary Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Jeff McDonald. Wednesdays at 7:30 am via Zoom. To connect, email bharmes@ gmail.com. Thursday Women’s Lectionary with Rev. Barbara Robberson. Thursdays at 8:30 am via Zoom. To connect, email bjmcmah@ swbell.net. Her|meneutics. 1st and 3rd Thursday at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Gather with a community of women who are committed to maturing spiritually and cultivating a network of support and belonging. This season the group is working through Willie Jennings’ commentary on Acts, sharing at each gathering a spiritual practice centered around implicit bias. For more information, sign up for the newsletter by contacting [email protected] or email Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan at krichards- [email protected]. The Chimes (Thursdays) and the Friday Pastor’s Message. To receive these weekly email messages, email Donna Adair at [email protected]. Healing of Racism Circle, Friday, December 18, at 10 am. For more information or to obtain the meeting link, email Helen via [email protected]. (Meets 3rd Fridays.) Introduction to Beginning Cello Lessons Information Session (by Zoom), Saturday December 19, 10–10:30 am. Interested in cello lessons for yourself or your child? Meet David Dietz, our new Fine Arts Academy Cello Instructor! To receive the Zoom link and register your place, email Helen Spaw at [email protected]. Upcoming Joy to the World: A Walk Through the Lessons and Carols of Christmas, Sunday, December 20. Please visit www.stpaulshouston. org/joy to find the link to reserve your spot for this guided walk around portions of our St. Paul’s campus featuring stations/ tableaus of the scripture lessons you would hear on . Each station will have a beautiful set, a scripture reading, and sung music by members of our chidren’s choirs, our Choral Scholars, or our St. Paul’s Choir. Timed slots begin at 4 pm and run through 8 pm. The entire walk will take approximately 50 minutes. You are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time slot. There will be bins availble for donated items that will go toward SEARCH; specifically needed are toilet paper and full size shampoo or conditioner, especially for African American hair. You can also support the EAC with monetary donations at eachouston.org/donations. For more information or to sign up for “Joy to the World,” visit www. stpaulshouston.org/joy. Community Garden Dig Day, Monday, Dedcember 21, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to help put soil into the beds. If you are avaialble to volunteer some of your time, please contact Helen Spaw so that we will be able to maintain social distancing. If you can bring long handled shovels and/or wheelbarrows, it would also be helpful. Finally, any large pieces of recycled cardboard would also be appreciated. For more information, email Helen Spaw, [email protected]. Service of the Longest Night: An Interfaith Memorial for Those Who Experienced Homelessness, Monday, December 21, at 11 am via Zoom. St. Paul’s will host this interfaith memorial accessible through a Zoom webinar. Please register by visiting the link found at www.stpaulshouston.org/joy. Service of the Longest Night: Evening Prayer, Monday, December 21, at 6 pm via Zoom. On the longest night of the year, it is our tradition to hold space for one another’s sadness and grief through this quiet meditative service. St. Paul’s Single Moms Circle. Tuesday, December 22, 8:30- 9:30 pm. To connect, email [email protected]. (2nd and 4th Tuesdays) Sanctuary Open for Prayer and Meditation, Wednesday, December 23, from 1-7 pm. The sanctuary will be adorned with greenery and candlelit.

Worship and Prayer on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 • 10 am, Noon, and 2 pm: Holy Communion and Prayer (outdoors, RSVP at https://stpaulscommunion.eventbrite.com) • 3 pm: Holy Communion (via Zoom). To access, please visit the link found at www.stpaulshouston.org/joy • 4 and 6 pm: A Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols (online, www.stpaulshouston.org/stream) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness- on them light has shined. Isa. 9:2 Celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Christmas Eve in a brief service of liturgy, song, and prayer. Each 30-minute in-person gathering will be a peaceful time to reflect on the holy mystery of Christ’s real presence through the sacrament, even as we anticipate the birth of the very same Christ, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel: God with us. These outdoor gatherings will prepare our hearts to rejoice in the incarnate love of God with the much beloved Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols at 4pm and 6pm. As you depart after Communion you will be given a candle to light during the Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols broadcast. In the event of rain during scheduled communion, we will don our rain jackets and gather under tents on the Main Street

Ways to Love Your Neighbor Donate to the Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC). Latest urgent needs: children’s shoes and winter items, especially beanies and gloves of all sizes, and men’s jeans and shoes. Always welcome are peanut butter crackers, granola bars, Vienna sausage, fresh fruit (bananas and oranges), and fruit cups. Drop off donations at 5401 Fannin, M-F, between 9 am and 1 pm. Also, shop the EAC Amazon wish list: https://a.co/3b79tEQ. If you have a question about Amazon delivery, call Marian Bryant at 832-859-1065. SEARCH Homeless Services. Sign up to help SEARCH with various, constantly shifting serving opportunities. To sign up, email Rev. Paul Richards-Kuan via [email protected]. New Year’s Resolution 2: Financial Well-Being A money management workshop based on the Cokesbury series Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being will provided by St. Paul’s for six weeks, beginning Sunday, January 10, from 5 to 6:30 pm via Zoom. The workshop will be led by members of the St. Paul’s Generosity Team. Registration is available through www.stpaulshouston.org/events/saving-grace, and the cost of the workshop materials is $15.00 These will be distributed at times to be announced in late December and early January. Participants are asked to allow at least a week to for advanced preparation.