Welcome to New Hope United Methodist Church December 17, 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, Acts 3, 11am, RM2 Wednesday, Choir, 6:45pm, Sanctuary Cantata, 7:15pm, Sanctuary Sunday, Christmas Eve Services @ 10am & 5pm

Canticle of Mary (Response) Meditation: Canticle of Mary (Magnificat) 199 WORDS: Luke 1:46b-55, ICET, rev. ELLE; Response, Isaiah 40:5, adapt. RESPONSE (Advent & General) The glory of the Lord shall be revealed; all flesh shall see it together. Response © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House

R My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, who has looked with favor on me, a lowly servant.

From this day all generations shall call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is the name of the Lord,

whose mercy is on those who fear God from generation to generation.

The arm of the Lord is strong, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich empty away. God has come to the aid of Israel, the chosen servant,

remembering the promise of mercy, the promise made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children for ever. R

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: Rejoice – God’s help and hope is here! Many: We praise God for making a way for us – a way to turn Godward and receive forgiveness for our sins. One: Rejoice – God who made heaven and earth is faithful!

Many: We rejoice for God opens the eyes of the blind and lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves those who live in obedience.

People, Look East (Verse 1) 202 WORDS: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928 1. People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Words by permission of David Higham Assoc. Ltd.

Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.

Love, the Guest, is on the way. People, look east (People, look east: ) and sing today: (People, look east: ) Love, the Guest, is on the way.

People, Look East (Verse 2) 2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.

Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

Love, the Rose, is on the way. People, look east (People, look east: ) and sing today: (People, look east: ) Love, the Rose, is on the way.

People, Look East (Verse 3) 3. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim,

shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.

Love, the Star, is on the way. People, look east (People, look east: ) and sing today: (People, look east: ) Love, the Star, is on the way.

People, Look East (Verse 4) 4. Angels announce with shouts of mirth him who brings new life to earth.

Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.

Love, the Lord, is on the way. People, look east (People, look east: ) and sing today: (People, look east: ) Love, the Lord, is on the way.

*Opening Prayer

Children’s Time

Chime Choir Anthem Jeg Er Sa Glad Hver Julekveld (I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve) Norwegian Christmas Carol Peder Knudsen, 1819-1863 / arr. Dan R. Edwards Chime Choir

Lighting of the Third Advent Candle

Light the Advent candle, three Think of heav’nly harmony *Advent Song Vs. 3 TFWS 2090 Light the Advent candle, three Think of heav’nly harmony Angels singing “Peace on earth” At the blessed Savior’s birth

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

Johann Pachelbel / arr. Samuel Stokes Special Music Pachelbel’s Canon  Johann Pachelbel / arr. Samuel Stokes Chime Choir

TFWS 2218 *You Are Mine Vs. 3 I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here.

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see. In the shadows of the night, I will be your light, come and rest in me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing, healing for the ones who dwell in shame. All the blind will see, the lame will all run free, and all will know my name.

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give. I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand up, now walk, and live!

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

Scripture Reading 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.

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.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (verse 1) 240 WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1739; alt. by George Whitefield, 1753, and others (Lk 2:8-14) 1. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;

peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;

with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Refrain) Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Verse 2) 2. Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord;

late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Refrain) Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Verse 3) 3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Refrain) Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

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