ADVENT
Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays. Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." The season proclaims the comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate. Each year Advent calls the community of faith to prepare for these comings; historically, the season was marked by fasts for preparation. Each Sunday of Advent has its distinctive theme: Christ's coming in final victory (First Sunday), John the Baptist (Second and Third Sundays), and the events immediately preceding the birth of Jesus Christ (Fourth Sunday).
PRELUDE
WORDS OF WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
+CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: You know what time it is,
People: how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.
Leader: For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
People: the night is far gone, the day is near.
Leader: Let us then lay aside the works of darkness
People: and put on the armor of light.
+ HYMN “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” #196
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE by Anita Martin
CANDLE LIGHTING LITURGY
Leader: Keep awake! Be watchful!
People: The Son of Man is coming with great power and glory.
Leader: The one who is coming will bring a new order to life, and teach us the way of peace.
People: Awaken us, O Lord, as your salvation draws near.
Leader: We light this candle, trusting that Immanuel will surely come.
(Here light the first Advent candle.)
People: In this light we will await the coming of the Lord.
All Sing: In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus. (UMH 206 refrain)
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
SCRIPTURES Isaiah 2:1-5 & Romans 13:11-14
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC BY ANITA MARTIN
HYMN “People, Look East” #202
A SERVICE OF WORD AND TABLE II pg 12
THE INVITATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND PARDON
OFFERING
As forgiven and reconciled people, let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING pg 15
THE LORD'S PRAYER
GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
+ HYMN “Go Now In Peace” #665
+ SENDING FORTH WITH BLESSING
+ POSTLUDE
(+) Those who are able are invited to stand.
**Children’s church is offered weekly after the Time with Young Disciples. The children will continue learning in an interactive environment down in West Fellowship Hall. Parents will find their child(ren) with church staff downstairs following the service.
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PRAYERS AND CONCERNS
HOSPITALIZED: Sam Rathmel and Jack Sterling.
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS: Ben Reichert, Ginger Harry, Jack Crook, Maude Roff, Don Starr, John Haning, Joy Vickroy, Susanna Swank, Irl Clarke, Jolene Frahm, Ron Simpson, Linda O’Dell, Chuck Walter, Jim Grimes, Phyllis Barnett, service people and families.
CHRISTMAS IS NOT YOUR BIRTHDAY
Since studying in the Advent season of 2011the book Christmas is not your Birthday by United Methodist minister Mike Slaughter we as a church have practiced the spiritual discipline of sacrificial giving. Realizing that the consumerism during this special religious season directs us away from a proper faith response we want to once again put the focus back on Jesus. How might we give to Jesus? Again this year you can give a special gift through the Church by simply marking your gift Special Holiday Giving. We will be dividing the offering in 3 ways this year: 1) In support of special ministries in our church, 1/3 will be divided between the Basketball Academy and MSPS for scholarships. 2) 1/3 will be giving to a local mission agency Neighbor Helping Neighbor. 3) 1/3 will go to a world mission project, this year we are designating The Philippines disaster relief. Let's Give Jesus the gift he so freely gave to us, love for others.
THIS WEEK AT FUMC…
Sunday December 1, 2013
NEIGHBOR HELPING NEIGHBOR
COMMUNION
8:30a Homebuilders Adult Sunday School
9:30a Worship Service
10:00-10:30a Children’s Church
10:30-11:15a Jr. Youth Sunday School – Soul Room
10:30-11:15a Youth Sunday School – YR
10:30a Faith Forum Adult Sunday School
10:30-11:30a Christmas Program Rehearsal
4:00-6:00p Youth Group – YR/WFH
6:00-6:30p Youth Meal – WFH
6:30p Confirmation Class – EFH
Monday December 2, 2013
1:00-3:00p NHN – Act Cntr
5:00-7:00p Cub Scouts – EFH
07:00p 4H Club – Activity Center
Tuesday December 3, 2013
7:00a Earlybirds – Hardees
9:30a Staff Meeting – Conf
6:00-7:00p Cub Scouts – WFH
Wednesday December 4, 2013
Noon Wings – Conf Rm
Noon Ministerium – Dings
1:00-3:00p NHN—Act Cntr
6:30p MSPS Board – Library
Thursday December 5, 2013
12:30p UMW Exec Mtg – EFH
1:30p UMW Gen Mtg – WFH
7:00p Jr. Optimists – YR
Friday December 6, 2013
9:00a-4:00p Almost Free Shop
Saturday December 7, 2013
POINSETTIA WEEKEND/FOOD DONATION
7:30a Methodist Men – Mr. C’s
Noon-5:00p Nativity Display Open House – EFH
5:30p Chapel Service
Sunday December 8, 2013
POINSETTIA WEEKEND/FOOD DONATION
8:30a Homebuilders Adult Sunday School
9:30a Worship Service
10:00-10:30a Children’s Church
10:30-11:15a Jr. Youth Sunday School – Soul Room
10:30-11:15a Youth Sunday School – YR
10:30a Faith Forum Adult Sunday School
10:30-11:00a Christmas Program Rehearsal
4:00-6:00p Youth Group – YR/WFH
NEW AT FUMC…
- CONDOLENCES…Condolences to Mandy Branson and family on the death of her father.
- THANKSGIVING BASKETS…Thanks to the generous giving of our church family we were able to spread God’s blessings with Thanksgiving Baskets to 60 families in our community. The baskets provided a turkey dinner to 275 of our brothers and sisters. PS Thanks for all the help in putting the baskets together!!!
- 2nd ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE NATIVITIES…Share your Christmas traditions by bringing one or more nativity scenes to share with our members and public. They may be brought to the church Dec. 1st or 2nd for the displays to be set up, but the open-house viewing is held on December 7th from Noon to 5:00 p.m. in EFH. Nativities may be picked up from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 8th.
- Children’s Christmas Program…The annual FUMC Children's Christmas Program will take place during Sunday service on December 15 at 9:30 am. Join us for this special event as the children help tell the message of Christmas. There will be refreshments served by the youth in West Fellowship Hall immediately following the program. Christmas Program Rehearsals: Attention parents- If your child would like to be part of the Christmas Program on December 15, they will need to attend at least one of the following rehearsals. All rehearsals will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 immediately following church service. Rehearsal dates will be Sunday, December 1 and Sunday, December 8. Due to the Christmas Program, there will be no Children’s Church on December 15.
- SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING …Bell ringing has begun and will continue throughout the Christmas season. You can help again this year in two ways: 1) There are signup sheets and schedules in the Narthex to share your gift of time for those in need this Christmas Season or you may contact Merna Furney at 641-842-3072 or 641-218-8026. She keeps the master list and will gladly add your name to the list. 2) Give generously. Every penny adds up.
- ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS 2013…“Miracle in the Manger” is our Advent devotions for the advent season Dec. 1 – Dec. 25. Booklets are available on the church office window ledge.
- CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE…The Christmas Giving Tree is now decorated with names tags in the Narthex. Please help our church give some Christmas joy for less fortunate families. Your generosity in the past has been greatly appreciated. Gifts need to be returned to the church office by December 18th, with the tags attached. Contact Bev Sterling if you have questions at 842-5286.
Saturday
Worship Service in Chapel – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday
Worship Service in Sanctuary – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Children’s Church (Age 2 to 5th grade) –
10:00-10:30 a.m. (dismissed from worship service after Children’s time to downstairs children’s church)
Jr Youth Sunday School (4th through 6th grade) –
10:30-11:15 a.m. in Soul Room (NE Corner balcony)
Youth Sunday School (7th through 12th grade) –
10:30-11:15 a.m. in Youth Room
Adult Sunday School
Sundays Homebuilders 8:30-9:30 a.m. in Homebuilder Rm
Sundays Faith Forum 10:30-11:30 a.m. in East Fellowship
Youth Group (7th through 12th grade) –
Sundays 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Youth Room
A staffed nursery is available free of charge during the Sunday worship service.
Pastor: Lane Riggle
Accompanist: Geoff Shultz
Liturgist: Brent Hanna
Ushers: Dave Johnson, Jim Butler, Jim Young and Kay Jensen
Greeters: Mel and Louise Dennison; Marion and Susan Friday
Communion: Terry & Cindy Fenoglio
Hospitality: Kitty Shepherd Family
TELEPHONE: 641-842-3712
E-MAIL: FUMCHURCH@IOWATELECOM.NET
WEBSITE: WWW.KIFUMC.ORG
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/firstchurchknoxville
