WELCOME TO WORSHIP
THE LORD’S PRAYER 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
POSTLUDE
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Thank you for joining us in worship today.
(Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 24, 2023 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
Please stand as you are able
SCRIPTURE — Matthew 1:18-25 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
PRELUDE GREETING INTROIT
CANTICLE See, Amid the Winter’s Snow — Dan Forrest Alleluia! See, amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below, see the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years. Hail, thou ever blessed morn, hail redemption’s happy dawn, sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Alleluia! Lo, within a manger lies He who built the lofty skies, He, who, throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim. Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this. Hail, thou ever blessed morn, hail redemption’s happy dawn, sing through all Jerusalem: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Alleluia!
Of the Father’s Love Begotten — DIVINUM MYSTERIUM O that birth forever blessed, when the Virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race; and the babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face, evermore and evermore! Amen.
OPENING PRAYER Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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HYMN OF PROCESSION #224 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice — IN DULCI JUBILO
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AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
SERMON — “Deck the Halls with Love”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY Personent Hodie — Lara Hoggard On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Lord, Christ our King, born on earth to save us, him the Father gave us. His the doom, ours the mirth, when he came down to earth, Bethlehem saw his birth; ox and ass beside him from the cold would hide him. God’s bright star o’er his head, wise men three to him led; kneel they low by his bed, lay their gifts before him, praise him and adore him. On this day angels sing, with their song earth shall ring, praising Christ, heaven’s King, born on earth to save us, peace and love he gave us. Ideo-o-o-o. Ideo-o-o-, ideo gloria in excelsis deo! (Sung in Latin) DOXOLOGY #221 In the Bleak Midwinter — CRANHAM What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
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AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Come, Renew Your Love for Him — GLORIA Come, renew your love for Him: Jesus Christ, who sets us free! Cast off fear and doubt and shame; live in grace eternally! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to render to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you, not with our lips only, but with our whole lives, turning the duties, the sorrows, and the joys of all our days into a living sacrifice to you; through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD HYMN
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH
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PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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#238 Angels We Have Heard on High — GLORIA
SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister LITURGIST The Reverend Meg Peters, Assoc. Minister The Reverend Kate May, Assoc. Minister Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries ADVENT WREATH Crucifer & Torchbearers
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir CRUCIFER Jack Norman TORCHBEARERS Hamilton Norman Mary Claire Norman
BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE Hallelujah (from Messiah) — George Frideric Handel Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah! - Revelation 19:6,11:15, 19:16
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.
ANNOUNCEMENTS • DECEMBER 24, 2023
WELCOME!
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/church-events
The congregation and staff of Centenary welcome you to today’s worship. It is our honor to have you with us! Our ministers, staff, welcome team and ushers are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. We hope our worship will inspire, comfort and challenge you as we hear God’s message proclaimed through preaching, music, prayer and liturgy.
WORSHIP AT CENTENARY SUNDAYS
2024 STEWARDSHIP
MUSIC & ARTS
As we finalize our budget for 2024, if you have not submitted your pledge you can do so by scaning the QR code. for questions about your pledge contact Mary Ann Wexler.
JOIN THE CHANCEL CHOIR IN 2024! The Chancel Choir is always eager to welcome those who love to sing and to lead our congregation in worship. Rehearsals are held each Thursday at 7 pm. Come be a part of a growing and increasingly vibrant community of song! Contact Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries (jemmons@ centenary-ws.org) with questions or for more information.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
9:00 am • Memorial Auditorium 11:00 am • Sanctuary
MEMBERSHIP
We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you. If you are interested in learning about church membership, please contact Rev. Meg Peters (336-724-6311 ext. 1361)/mpeters@ centenary-ws.org to schedule a time to meet.
WATCH
Each Sunday morning, our 11:00 am worship service is broadcast on the Internet through our Live Stream. Visit www.centenary-ws.org. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on either Live Stream or the Live Stream arrow.
HEARING LOOP
Our Sanctuary is fitted with a Hearing Loop system. Please switch your hearing device to T-coil. If you need a listening device, please contact one of our ushers. Be sure to sit in the pews located on the floor of the Nave.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTENARY
There is always something happening at Centenary and we invite you to join us. To learn more about Centenary ministries and events, visit our website at www.centenary-ws.org. You may also contact our receptionist who will guide you to the appropriate ministry area.
STAY CONNECTED
Reception Desk • 336-724-6311
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2024 SUMMER EVENTS! • Older Elementary Mission Week: June 25-27 (Rising 4th – 6th graders) • Centenary Week at Camp Tekoa: July 7-13 (Rising 4th – 6th graders) • Children’s Music and Arts Camp: July 15-18 (2 year olds – rising 5th graders) • Vacation Bible School: July 29-August 1 (4 year olds – rising 6th graders) CHILDREN’S MINISTRY UPDATES DECEMBER 31 On December 31, there will no Sunday School. There will be nursery for the 11 am service and Children’s worship (for Kindergarten – 3rd graders) at the 11 am service. CENTENARY HELPS STUDENTS SUCCEED Did you know that we partner with 4 different schools in Winston-Salem to help provide food for students? This special ministry is called the backpack program. Schools determine students who may not have access to food over the weekend and are partnered with an organization through the Second Harvest Food Bank. They receive boxes of meals that are distributed to the students. Centenary partners with Brunson Elementary, Wiley Middle School, Reynolds High School and the Winston Salem Street School. Are you interested in partnering with us to help students gain access to food? You can do so by contacting Anna Thomas (athomas@centenary-ws.org/ext 1332) or by funding a student’s weekend food for just under $200 for the whole school year! You can select the “Backpack Program” Fund when giving online. CONGREGATIONAL CARE STEPHEN MINISTRY Christmas joy and happy celebrations surround us during Advent and Christmas Day. If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be very difficult. A Stephen Minister will walk this journey with you, providing a listening heart, care, and hope. If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry, please contact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314), Wilba Brady (336-723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford (336-724-6311 ext. 1353).
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS 336.724.6311 + Extension (for the Minister on Call • Option 2) Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister
ext. 1362
Tammy Pollock Director of Youth Ministries
ext. 1337
Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director
ext. 1346
Rick Gibbons Congregational Care Assistant
ext. 1342
Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries
ext. 1339
Stacy Holley Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister
ext. 1359
Reverend R. Craig Ford Associate Minister
ext. 1353
John Markle Director of Operations
ext. 1347
Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children
ext. 1331
Doug Peninger Director of Communications
ext. 1368
John Rogers Director of Information Technology
ext. 1356
Reverend Meg Peters ext. 1361 Assoc. Minister of Evangelism, Engagement & Missions
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 646 W. FIFTH STREET • WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27101 WWW.CENTENARY-WS.ORG • 336-724-6311
MISSIONS MISSION FAIR WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 10 • 6 PM DINING ROOM You are invited to come and meet our mission partners, learn more about volunteer opportunities, and see how your mission dollars are at work! Contact Rev. Meg Peters (mpeters@centenary-ws. org) if you have any questions. MEN’S MINISTRY THURSDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP JANUARY 4 • 7:30 AM-8:30 AM COMMUNITY ROOM Join us for coffee, biscuits and fellowship. Our January meeting will be a time of post-holiday fellowship, encouragement for the new year and group planning for Men’s Ministry, led by Dr. Glenn Kinken. You may enter the East Building from the 4 1⁄2 Street or 5th Street entrances. To learn more about Men’s Ministry at Centenary, contact Chris Munnelly, Tanner Robinson, Michael Rogers or Tom Lawson.
CHILDREN’S MUSIC & ART ATRIUM SHOWCASE We are excited to display the work of Centenary’s youngest artists beginning today and throughout the month of January! Created during our weekly Creative Arts Experience, their art will delight and amaze you. Be sure to stop by the Atrium to admire their creations! CHILDREN’S CREATIVE ARTS EXPERIENCE CONTINUES IN JANUARY – NEW PARTICIPANTS WELCOME! Join us in the new year for NOURISH every Wednesday night beginning January 10 for Children’s Creative Arts Experience! Programming includes activities for children ages 2 through 5th grade. CAE will immerse young people in a wide-ranging program which will include singing, ringing, Orff, Kindermusik (ages 2-Kindergarten), drumming, visual arts, drama, and more! This diverse model engages children with various levels of musical and artistic interests, all while cultivating more regular, more varied worship leadership opportunities for Centenary’s youngest! Register via the QR Code. Current participants need not register again. Email Music Ministry Assistant Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenaryws.org) with any questions.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL Resumes in January 2024!
CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE
Join us every Sunday at 10:00 am on the fourth floor (@Youth Commons) for ALL youth Sunday School. As always there are breakfast snacks, coffee & drinks, and friends & fellowship before the lesson every week!
We will not have Sunday school. For worship, we offer five opportunities.
All of us really want to have good friends and to be a good friend to others, but why can that be complicated sometimes? All throughout the month of January will talk about these important relationships God has given to us and how can we be a friend like Jesus was and is... can’t think of a better way to start the new year than exploring ways we can better be in relationships with each other. Bring your friends and plan to come! “Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15 CONFIRMATION 2024 Confirmation by definition is faith formation and one part of a lifelong journey. Our hope is that through our Confirmation ministry you will be given the opportunity, tools, love, support, and inspiration you will need to build your faith on a firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-25).
11:00 AM • Sanctuary 2:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Auditorium 4:00 PM• Children’s Christmas Eve • Sanctuary 6:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Auditorium 11:00 PM • Candlelight & Communion • Sanctuary CENTENARY ARCHIVES We need your Centenary documents! Centenary is gathering historic documents including minutes of meetings, reports, presentations, brochures, bulletins, newsletters, etc. Also, If you have images of past church events, we’re interested in them as well. Documents may be in any format, paper and/ or electronic. The only criteria is that it needs to have some connection to Centenary. If you have anything you wish to donate, please contact by leaving a message at the church for: Alan Keely, Archivist (keelydas@wfu.edu).
Starting on January 3, 2024 (through May 19), we invite all 7th graders to join us as we meet each Wednesday night from 6:00pm—7:30pm to learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the spiritual life, and how they form us and help us to change the way we live our lives. You will not go through this class alone; you will pick a Shepherd (a faithful adult spiritual companion from our church) who will walk beside you all throughout your Confirmation. There will be several field trips, two retreats, lots of meals, and space to ask all your questions to help us grow. The hope is that through these experiences, you will come to encounter Jesus in a very tangible way. You can register for Confirmation in Realm. With questions, contact Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries.
SIGN UP NOW FOR CHILDREN’S MUSIC & ART CAMP 2024 JULY 15 - 18, 2024 CMA Camp is offered for infants through rising 5th grade. Offerings include singing, handbells, handchimes, creative movement, art, Kindermusik, and more! Snacks are provided daily. The week ends with a camper-led worship service on Thursday at 12:30 pm followed by a reception to celebrate the accomplishments of each child during camp. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled week! Register via the QR Code today! For more information, please contact Music Ministry Assistant, Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenary-ws.org).
LOOKING AHEAD January 3, 2024: Confirmation begins! January 4: Confirmation Shepherds Orientation January 5: Sixers! Goes to the movies January 7: Confirmation Bible Sunday January 19 & 20: Confirmation Retreat (Camp Hanes) February 10 & 11: Love her Well event with Kari Kampakis May 19: Confirmation Sunday June 2: Graduation Recognition Sunday June 16-22: Mountain T.O.P. ALL youth in mission trip July 20-28: YouthWorks Senior High Mission trip July 29-August 1: Vacation Bible School August 25: 2024 Fall Kick-Off!
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
For more information or to sign up to receive Youth Ministry updates by email, contact Tammy Pollock (tpollock@centenary-ws.org). Follow us on Instagram @centenary_youth.
COOKBOOKS There are still plenty of UWF Cookbooks for sale if you are looking for Christmas gifts for friends and family. They are $25 each or two for $40. Please email Rev. Meg Peters at mpeters@centenary-ws. org if you would like to purchase one.
We invite you to worship with us as we anticipate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
YOUTH MINISTRY Today 10:45 am: NO Sunday school today! Stop by the 4th floor for a sweet treat and a cup of on your way to worship. 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 11:00 pm: Christmas Eve worship experiences NO Youth groups tonight! Enjoy Christmas Eve worshipping with your family. December 31 10:45 am: NO Sunday school today! Stop by the 4th floor for a sweet treat and a cup of coffee on your way to worship. NO Youth groups tonight! Happy New Year!
MONDAY • DECEMBER 25 Isaiah 31-35 & Psalm 116
THURSDAY • DECEMBER 28 Isaiah 42-44 & Psalm 119 vv. 1-32
TUESDAY • DECEMBER 26 Isaiah 36-38 & Psalm 117
FRIDAY • DECEMBER 29 Isaiah 45-48 & Psalm 119 vv.33-64
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 27 Isaiah 39-41 & Psalm 118
SATURDAY • DECEMBER 30 Isaiah 49-51 & Psalm 119 vv. 65-96
SUNDAY • DECEMBER 31 Isaiah 52-54 & Psalm 119 vv. 97-128