We display the Moravian Star during Advent and through the Epiphany season. This many pointed star holds a special significance in our traditional Christmas season. It is a labor of love, handcrafted from paper and glue, and has its origin in a school project in Germany. This night and on Christmas Eve, with only the lighted star shining brightly and gently moving as we sing “Silent Night,” taking our light from family or friend, just cannot be equaled in any other Christmas celebration.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
5:00 p.m.—Family oriented
9:00 p.m.—Traditional Worship featuring Colla Voce & Organ
All services will end with candle lighting.
STAFF Senior Pastor Rev. Charles E. Tobias Office Manager Becky Pickett Church Publicity/Administrative Assistant Tina Fowler Youth Ministry Coordinator Lisa Browning Wiseman Children’s Ministry Coordinators Stephanie Clegg, Ali Vizzo Financial Manager Marj Butler Organist Stephen Leslie
Organist Emeritus Ferne Haghiri Director of Music Nancy Franck December 24, 2017 Director of Campanile Bells Inez Shirer Wooster United Methodist Church Pastor ~ Reverend Charles E. Tobias Custodian John Henderson Office Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 Monday—Friday 243 N. Market St. Wooster OH 44691 CCLI License No. 1315671 330.262-.641 [email protected] www.woosterumc.org CVLI License No. 501318540 candle, turning with courage toward the One who makes a home among us. Light all four Advent candles. ORDER OF WORSHIP All: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”
December 24, 2017 4th Sunday of Advent CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Linda Schantz Following the Children’s Message, children have the option to be released to their own age-specific classrooms and As we gather for worship, we welcome all who are guests with us today. We encourage both may be picked up after the service. Refer to room listings in our “Church Today” section.
guests and members to sign the attendance register found at the end of each pew. Please SPECIAL MUSIC “Joyful, Joyful” arr. Dennis Allen leave any messages for the church office on the register as you record your presence. Colla Voce
GATHERING MUSIC “Gabriel’s Oboe” arr. Craig Hella Johnson OLD TESTAMENT 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 OT pg. 349
Colla Voce, Annie Gerig, oboe and Ann Gregor, cello NEW TESTAMENT Romans 16:25-27 NT pg. 201 GREETING + GOSPEL Luke 1:26-38 NT pg. 69 + PRAISE CHORUS “People Look East” Hymnal No. 202 (vs 4) + GLORIA PATRI Hymnal No. 70 Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Him who brings new life to earth. HYMN “In the Bleak Midwinter” Hymnal No. 221
Set every peak and valley humming SERMON “Potential” Rev. Charles Tobias With the word, the Lord is coming. + AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Hymnal No. 881 People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way. THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH IN PRAYER
+ CALL TO WORSHIP (from Luke 1) The Sharing of Concerns and Celebrations Leader: Let us magnify the Lord; The Pastoral Prayer People: let us rejoice in God our Savior. Lord’s Prayer (spoken, using trespasses / trespass) Hymnal No. 895
Leader: Great and mighty is the Lord. WE WORSHIP GOD WITH OUR TITHES AND GIFTS People: And holy is the name of God. The Offertory “At Christmas Time All Christians Sing” arr. Patrick M. Liegergen + The Doxology No. 94 ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ HYMN “People Look East” Hymnal No. 202 + PRAYER OF DEDICATION Loving God, you have blessed us time and time again throughout our lives. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Nancy Franck & Stephen Leslie We, like Mary, can magnify you by proclaiming, “My spirit rejoices in God, Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” No. 211, vs 7 my Savior!” We place these gifts on your altar as we seek to change people’s All: “O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust lives—to empower social justice, to feed the hungry, to offer mercy to the thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife.” outcast, to lift up the lowly. In the name of the Prince of Peace we pray. Reader: “Our souls magnify the Lord and our spirits rejoice in God for God has looked Amen. with favor on us, God’s servants.” + CLOSING HYMN “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Hymnal No. 218 Reader: “God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.” + DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING Leader: May Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the Reader: God of Justice, God of Peace, we open our hearts to you. Give us grace to be darkness from before your path. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, instruments of your righteousness. bless you now and forever. Reader: Give us courage to turn away from distractions and distortions and turn toward People: Amen. the home you have made, are making, and will complete through Christ. Leader: Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. All: We, God’s people, sing songs of joy with the prophet, “I will greatly rejoice in the ALL: Thanks be to God. LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God.” (Isaiah 61:10, NRSV) + GO NOW IN PEACE No. 665 Reader: On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the morning of Christmas Eve, we light this + POSTLUDE “Joy to the World” arr. Wilbur Held
+ You are invited to stand as you are comfortable.