December 1, 2024 First Sunday of Advent (Blue) Prayer Focus: Hope Welcome to worship at Central! In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you’ve chosen to make Central a part of your day! Whether it’s your first time worshiping with us or you’re a lifelong member, we welcome any opportunity to speak with you about how to connect with God through Central. If it is your first time with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
Music Note During Communion today, we sing the important Advent hymn, Savior of the Nations, Come, (UMH 214). Carlton Young, editor of the hymnal states “This hymn is one of the most simple lyrical restatements of God’s saving and reclaiming grace in Jesus’ sonship with the Father, his virgin birth, death, and ascension. The final stanza proclaims Christ as the Light of the world.” The original Latin text (attributed to Ambrose of Milan 4th c.) was translated by Martin Luther into German in 1523, subsequently translated into English in 1851, and expanded in 1969. The tune Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Now comes the Nations’ Savior) also has a storied past. The melody can be traced to the 13th-century plainsong Jesu Dulcedo Cordium. It was given shape by Martin Luther or Johann Walther in 1524 and published that year in the hymnal Enchiridion Oder handbüchlein. The version in our hymnal is adapted from a harmonization by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Advent Greenery The vases of greenery in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God in honor of Carol Baxley, Betty Hineline, Barbara Holladay, Gail Onley, and Carol Stone by Adriane Reynolds. The Advent Wreath is given to the glory of God in loving memory of Bill Love by his family. The wreaths on The Commons doors are given to the glory of God in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Thad D. Gaddy by Robert and Margaret Morgan.