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The Real Meaning of Christmas! Incarnate Word

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP Third Sunday of Advent

December 16, 2018 10:45 a.m.

THE GATHERING

Welcome and the Life of the Church Rev. Dr. Ike Nicholson

Opening Voluntary Rev. Larry Sivis Carol Fantasy on “People Look East, the Time Is Near

Setting by Kristina Langlois

† Call to Worship Young Adults L: Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for God to send divine love and light into our dark world. P: How does this happen? L: God’s light comes through Jesus, who became a human being just like you and me, so that he could show us the way back to God’s divine love and light. P: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us. Let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. L: A reading from the Prophet Zephaniah: “Jerusalem, the time is coming, when it will be said to you: ‘Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” P: We continue to wait for the coming of Jesus. Today, on this the Third Sunday of Advent, we light the Rose Candle, the Candle of Rejoicing, which reminds us we are now midway on our journey of Advent. L: The Messiah is on the way to us. As we prepare for his coming, may we repent of our sins. May we remember our baptisms with water. May we be ready to be baptized with God’s Holy Spirit and fire. May we be ready to help our Lord proclaim the good news of God’s love to all people, so that the world will be filled with joy.

† Carol #165

Once in Royal David’s City

† Invocation

† Congregational Response Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

The Rite of Christian Baptism Grace Elizabeth Russell

THE SERVICE OF THE WORD

Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 9:6—7 (OT #598) L: The word of the Lord.

P: Thanks be to God.

New Testament Lesson Hebrews 1:1—14 (NT #192) L: The word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God.

Anthem All Is Well

Michael W. Smith, arr. Lloyd Larson

† Gospel Lesson John 1:1—14 (NT #79) L: This is the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.

P: Praise be to Thee, Lord Christ.

† Congregational Response Gloria

Children’s Moment Ms. Amy Christman (All children are invited to come forward at this time. Afterward, children

age 4 – grade 2 may attend FIRST KIDS! in room 15.)

Sermon Rev. Dr. Ike Nicholson

Incarnate Word

Invitation to Discipleship

† Carol #153 (1,3,4) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

THE SERVICE OF THE TABLE

† Pastoral Prayer

† Prayer Response Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus

Invitation to Stewardship

Offertory The Wexford Carol

Setting by John Dixon

† Doxology Tune: Dix As they offered gifts most rare at the manger plain and bare,

so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy; all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to you from whom they spring.

† Prayer of Blessing for the Offering

An Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Carol #161 I Wonder as I Wander

The Great Thanksgiving Responsive L: The Lord be with you. P: And with thy spirit. L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them up unto the Lord. L: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.

P: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Words of Institution

Prayers of Blessing for the Elements

Distribution of the Elements (We partake of the Bread as it is passed to symbolize our personal fellowship with God in Christ. We retain the Cup to partake in unison, symbolizing our oneness in Christ. All followers of Christ are invited to participate.)

Holy Communion

† The Lord’s Prayer (Trespasses) In Unison

† The Summation L: Christ has died! P: Christ is risen! A: Christ will come again!

GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD

† Recessional Hymn Tune: Cradle Song Come surely Lord Jesus as dawn follows night, our hearts long to greet you as roses the light.

Salvation draw near us our vision engage. We wait for your coming, the hope of the age.

† Benediction

† Closing Voluntary From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

Setting by J.S. Bach

† Please stand, as you are able.

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Elders: EB Lowman/Loaf, Missy Fannin/Cup, Treca Timberlake/ Homebound Deacons: Susan Coy, Jake Damron, Jenny Damron, Steve Damron, Reed Daniel, Connor Fannin, Joe Bill Frazier, Larry Hall Acolytes: Isaac Nicholson, Lillian Young A/V Department: Team 1 Coffee Fellowship: Pete & Terri Wonn Communion Coordinators: Kay Pearce, Nancy Turman Greeters: Drew & Jess McCloud Lay Readers: Jenny Damron, Jake Damron Ushers: Deanna & Jim Bradley Van Driver: Jim Ward

LECTIONARY TEXTS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23: Scriptures and Carols

Exodus 3:2—10, 11—15

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSION AND WITNESS December 16—December 22, 2018

SUNDAY 9:00 a.m. Men’s Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal 9:30 a.m. FIRST KIDS! 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. “A Place For You” Television Ministry (Adelphia, Ch. 9; Time Warner, Ch. 9) 10:30 a.m. Coram Deo/Room 11 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 12:00 p.m. Chi Rho 12:00 p.m. Children’s Holly Jolly Christmas 5:00 p.m. Christian Youth Fellowship MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 12:00 p.m. Rooms 13 & 14 Reserved/Investerettes TUESDAY 8:15 a.m. Panera Dough-Nation/Terri VanHoose 8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast/ biscuits, gravy, sausage 12:00 p.m. Staff Christmas Party/office closed WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels/Jenny Damron

4:30 p.m. Saint Andrew’s Kids Cancelled 6:00 p.m. Vespers 7:00 p.m. Women’s Vocal Ensemble Rehearsal THURSDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 7:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball/Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. Young Adult Bible Study Cancelled SATURDAY 11:30 a.m. Mary Kay & Chuck Adams Marriage Vow Renewal

Childcare is always available for all church activities and events.

IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Welcome to First Christian Church! We are glad you are worshipping with us this morning! Please take a moment to sign the attendance registration form, located at the end of your pew, and pass it to your neighbor.

Worshipping with Young Children We invite children of all ages to join in Morning Worship! If you are interested in childcare, our trained staff also welcomes children (birth– preK) during the entire service. The nursery, toddler, and preschool rooms are located down the far-left hallway. Resource packs to help you lead your child in worship are available near the Welcome Center. Greeters are available to assist you.

Youth News

Chi-Rho (grades 6—8) will meet today following Morning Worship until 3 p.m. to lead the construction of the gingerbread village at the Children's Holly Jolly Christmas.

Christian Youth Fellowship (grades 9—12) will meet today at 5 p.m. to celebrate the Advent Season together.

High School Youth: The annual ski trip is Friday, February 1 through Sunday, February 3. Non-refundable deposit of $50 to reserve your spot is due today.

Children’s Holly Jolly Christmas Holly Jolly Christmas is today following Morning Worship. Parents are invited to drop their children off (birth – grade 5) in the FIRSTKIDS! room. We will eat pizza, create a gingerbread village, and watch The Star. Meanwhile, parents may head out on their own for lunch, adult conversation or even last-minute Christmas shopping until 3 p.m.

Staff Christmas Party The Staff Christmas Party is Tuesday, December 18 at Noon. The church office will be open from 8:30 a.m.—12 p.m. In the event of an emergency, please contact Rev. Ike via his cell phone. Thank you for allowing your staff time to celebrate the season!

Please join Mary Kay & Chuck Adams as they celebrate their marriage by renewing their wedding vows

Saturday, December 22, 11:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve Tradition For Our College Students All college students are invited to participate in passing the "Light of Christ" to our congregation during the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Please meet with Cheri Daniel and Missy Fannin at the Chrismon Tree in the Narthex before the service to get your location assignment. Many thanks!

2019 Offering Envelopes The 2019 offering envelopes are available at the table in the Narthex. Thank you for your continued support of First Christian Church!

Tree of Crosses The Tree of Crosses is located in the area behind the Sanctuary (in the corner by the water fountain). Please bring a cross ornament of your choice. It may be homemade or purchased. It can be made of any material — paper, wood, metal, gold or silver, ceramic, clay, etc. and should be less than 6". Please be sure it's not too heavy to hang on the tree branches. Write or label the back of the cross with your family name and 2018 so that future generations will know its history. Please join our new FCC tradition by participating in our Tree of Crosses.

Mitten Tree We are collecting mittens, hats and scarves for donation to the South Ashland Resource Center. The Mitten Tree is located behind the Garth.

Audio/Video Department Needs Help!

The Audio/Video Department needs five volunteers. If you would like to be a part of this important ministry, please contact Dewayne Russell.

LAST WEEK’S RECAP

ATTENDANCE OFFERING Sunday School: 42 General Offering $9,654.01 Morning Worship: 142 Designated $73.00 Vespers: 30 TOTAL $9,727.01

PRAYER CONCERNS

Week Ending December 14, 2018 Danny Bocook (Teddy Simmons) Family of Dora Brown (Kent Juett) Cheryl Lewis Jeffrey May (Robin Ruggles) Cheryl Mossman (Harry & Patty Wiley) Marcia Music (Robin Ruggles) Herb O’Neal Family of Bill Pratt (Benita Heath) Larry Riley (Teddy Simmons’ brother-in-law) Mike Simmons Kim Stephens Barbara Wheeler (Rev. Larry & Debbie Sivis)

Week Ending December 7, 2018 Family of Dr. Joe Bajorek (Amanda Swinney Bajorek’s father-in-law) Margaret Moore Mark Farris (Garry Lewis) Gary Greene Sherry Laurer (Kent Juett) Sheri Lynch (Rev. Ike) Sandy McKinney (Robin Ruggles) Phyllis Pennington (Jeri Ward’s sister)

Doc Rice (Gail Rous) Jon Rule (Kent Juett) Mike Stevens (Robin Ruggles)

Week Ending November 30, 2018 Pam Castle Chester McDavid (Ian Carr) Val Moore (Jeri Ward) Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (Jody Lowman) Kay Pearce Family of Brandon Sloan (Teddy Simmons and Nancy Wyse) Frank & Sheri Sloan (Teddy Simmons and Nancy Wyse) Dee Dee Smith (Robin Ruggles)

Shut-Ins: Charles Gannon (Woodland Oaks), Tina Johnson (Boyd County Nursing & Rehab), Juanita Kozee (Kings Daughters and Sons), E. E. McGuire (Woodland Oaks), Betty Lou Moore (Trinity Station), Nick Raybourn (Trinity Station), Jean Saltz (The Lantern at Morning Pointe)

Military: Will Kiser (grandson of J.D. Kiser), Dylan Kramer (by Cheryl Lewis), Vann Pollack (Bill Pollack’s son), Floyd Watts (by Amanda Morgan)

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

Every year, the church calendar retells how God enacted his plan to save the world from sin. Each season focuses on a different piece of the story. We are currently in the season of Advent preparing for the season of Christmas.

Advent tells us “Jesus is coming.” Christmas tells us “Jesus is here!”

The word advent means “the arrival of a notable person, thing or event.” For Christians, Advent is the season where we wait for the arrival of Jesus. We look back to his coming as a baby born in Bethlehem and we look forward to his second coming as the conquering Messiah.

The season of Advent is made up of the four Sundays prior to Christmas. There are many ways to celebrate the season of Advent.

How will you prepare for the celebration of our God coming to earth to be with us? Here are some ideas:

- Light the candles of hope, peace, joy and love in an Advent Wreath, ending with the Christ candle on Christmas Eve.

-Create your own Advent Calendar countdown to the birth of our Savior. (Paper chains are easy and festive!)

-Read an Advent Family Story together to help pass the days of waiting such as Jotham’s Journey, a story about a ten-year old shepherd boy who runs away from home and eventually learns the true meaning of Christmas. (Learn more at JothamsJourney.com or talk to Amy, Director of Family Life Ministries).

-Most importantly, be intentional about the ways you choose to celebrate the season, so your focus is on waiting for the

coming of God to earth − the real meaning of Christmas.

The 2018 Advent devotional book, God with Us by David Boyd, may be picked up in the Narthex today!

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Staff

Rev. Dr. Ike Nicholson, Senior Minister Rev. Larry Sivis, Associate Minister Amy Christman, Director of Family Life Ministries Nanette Pollack, Office Manager Wayne McCulley, Facilities Manager Connie Reliford, Lead Childcare Provider and Nursery Missy White, Preschool Teacher Miranda McCulley, Toddler Teacher