Welcome to New Hope United Methodist Church December 10, 2017

Announcements Today, Cherubs Choir, 11:15am, RM11 Parents of Young Children, 11:15am, RM2 Young Adults, 11:15am, RM6 Youth, 5:30pm, Upstairs Tuesday, Bible Study, Mathew, 11am, RM2 Ad Council, 7pm, Upstairs Wednesday, Chime, 6pm, Sanctuary Choir, 6:45pm, Sanctuary Cantata, 7:15pm, Sanctuary Saturday, UM Men’s Breakfast, 8am, Upstairs

Meditation Mark 1:1-2 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way…”

Bringing in the Light of Christ Musical Prelude Bringing in the Light of Christ

Introit Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier) Choir

*Call to Worship One: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight! Many: We praise God for making a way for us – a way to turn Godward and receive forgiveness for our sins.

Many: John proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.” One: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!

Come, Thou Lon-Expected Jesus (Verse 1) *Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 196 WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1744 1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Verse 2) 2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Advent *Opening Prayer: Advent 201 The Book of Common Prayer; alt. by Laurence Hull Stookey Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Alt. © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House

Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may celebrate aright the commemoration of the nativity,

and may await with joy the coming in glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Children’s Time

Let Every Heart Prepare a Throne Anthem Let Every Heart Prepare a Throne   (Mark Patterson) Choir

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle

Light the Advent candle, two think of humble shepherds, who *Advent Song Vs. 2 TFWS 2090 Light the Advent candle, two think of humble shepherds, who filled with wonder at the sight of the child on Christmas night.

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; fill our hearts with Christmas light.

TFWS 2068 I love you Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

Scripture Reading Ezekiel 1:1-3, 2:1-5 1. In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), 3 the word of the Lord came to the priest Ezekiel son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was on him there.

2. He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. 2 And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. 3 He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day. 

4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn 4 The descendants are impudent and stubborn. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” 5 Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them.

The Message

Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer Silent Confession

Hymnal #895 Used By Permission. CCLI License # 11148194

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.

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; Glory Be to the Father WORDS: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th cent. 70 Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to God

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th) 95 WORDS: Thomas Ken, 1674 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Antiphon 1) 211 WORDS: 9th cent. Latin; trans. st. 1, 3, 5ab, 6cd, 7ab, The Hymnal, 1940; st. 2, Henry Sloane Coffin, 1916; st. 4, 5cd, 6ab, 7cd, Laurence Hull Stookey, 1986 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, Sts. 1, 3, 5ab, 6cd, 7ab © 1940, 1943, renewed 1981 The Church Pension Fund; trans. sts. 4, 5cd, 6ab, 7cd © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; antiphons © 1962 Sisters of St. Benedict

that mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 2) 2. O come, thou wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh;

to us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 3) 3. O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height

in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 4) 4. 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.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 5) 5. 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, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 6) 6. 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.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verse 7) 7. O come, Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind.

From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Refrain) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

*Benediction Please join us for food and fellowship in the Hospitality Room following the service.