Food on the Table December 8, 2019
9:30 a.m., Sanctuary Food serves as a perfect ice breaker, breaking down barriers, creating bonds, and helping us see one another for who we really are. It was only while sharing a meal together that two disciples recognized Jesus. Christmas table traditions bring people together as neighbors and as brothers and sisters in Christ.
CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP We Gather in God’s Name ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
PRELUDE | Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 J.S. Bach, composer | Jody Lindh, guest organist *CALL TO WORSHIP We look for light but find darkness, For brightness, but walk in gloom. We grope like those who have no eyes; We stumble at noon as in the twilight. If I say, “Let only darkness cover me, And the light about me be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to you, The night is bright as the day, For darkness is as light with you. Blessed be your name, O God, for ever. You reveal deep and mysterious things; You are light and in you is no darkness. Our darkness is passing away And already the true light is shining. *OPENING HYMN | Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 196 | Hyfrydol *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy +catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Love Came Down at Christmas | Cynthia Dobrinski, arranger Bells of St. Andrew, Lynn Hayes, director WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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*Please rise in body or spirit.
+In this instance, catholic means universal.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Cole Carlysle Miller, son of Carl and Renee Miller We are happy to celebrate your entrance into Christ’s holy church and welcome you into this church family. With you we renew our vows to uphold the church through worshiping, connecting, serving, and giving. With God’s help, we will shape our lives to follow the example of Christ, to surround you in steadfast love, so you may grow in the faith, and be confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to abundant life. SUNG RESPONSE Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way, wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
We Offer Our Prayers –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
PASTORAL & LORD’S PRAYER
We Offer Our Gifts –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WITNESS STORY OFFERTORY | People, Look East John Leavitt, arranger | Salt & Light Choir People, look east, the time is near of the crowing of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way. 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. People, look east, and sing today: Love the Star, is on the way. 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. People, look east, and sing today: Love, the Lord is on the way.
We Hear God’s Word ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Food on the Table
Dr. Scott Engle & Rev. Arthur Jones
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We Go in God’s Name ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP *CLOSING HYMN | Hail to the Lord’s Anointed 203 | Ellacombe *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE | Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661 J.S. Bach, composer | Jody Lindh, guest organist
Comfort and Joy
Nov.30/Dec. 1-21/22 | Traditions are at the heart of the holiday season. Yet for many of us, the warmth of food, stories, music, and gift giving among family is merely aspirational. The reality is that Christmas can be a time of loneliness and sadness. The good news of Christmas is that the story of Jesus is actually a story about finding community, connection, and family. It’s a place where we can both be comfortable in who we are and called to new life.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Services Monday, December 23, Sanctuary 7:00 p.m. | Relaxed Family Service
Tuesday, December 24, Sanctuary 1:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. |
Children’s Service Contemporary Service Contemporary Service Traditional Service Traditional Service Traditional Service with Communion
Sunday After Christmas December 29, Sanctuary 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. | Combined Services 4
PRAYER FOCUS
Need Prayer? | No need is too big or too small for God. If you need help in this area of your life, our Pastors and Prayer Team are available to pray for you. Please send your Prayer Request as directed below.
JOYS AND CONCERNS Sympathy | Mark, Angela, Carter, Davis and Reese McCarthy in the death of father and grandfather, Bob McCarthy | Vicki Gray in the death of her husband, Haskell Gray Dirk, Amy, Madison, Mason, Carson, Ryer and Charlie Mitchell in the death of mother and grandmother, Donna Mitchell Long-Term Care | Nancy Cates, Dan Cox, Glennys Damewood, John Elder, Mary Eubanks, Carol Murphy, Jeff Simmons, Emory Walker and Betty White
PRAYER REQUESTS
You may share a joy, a concern or a sorrow by visiting our website at standrewumc.org/ prayer or by calling our prayer line at 214.291.8044. Your requests are lifted up by our Pastors and Prayer Team each week.
2019 Christmas Offering The 2019 St. Andrew Christmas Offering provides physical and spiritual food in the form of new ministry initiatives for 2020 and beyond, specifically in the areas of ministry expansion made possible by ChurchOne, including Worship, the Storehouse, Students, and Children’s. Use the blue envelope in worship or go online at standrewumc.org/give.
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GROUPS | standrewumc.org/news PALS (People with Active Lifestyles) | Wednesdays (Except First of Month), 10:00 a.m., Room 131 | Senior adults connect through educational, cultural, and social opportunities. Contact Allison, ajean@standrewumc.org. standrewumc.org/pals December 11 | Now Showing: White Christmas in Movie Room at St. Andrew, Christmas snacks and popcorn 18 | 11:00 a.m. Christmas Party, Music in Chapel and Lunch in Andy’s Place, Infant Diaper Drive, sizes 4-6 for The Storehouse 26 | No PALS, Merry Christmas! United Methodist Women | All are welcome. standrewumc.org/umw Rachel Group | December 9, 6:30 p.m., Christmas Dinner and Ornament Exchange at Mary Doyle’s; Contact Kathy Henson, 972-979-0856 LIFT | December 15, 4:00 p.m., St. Andrew Christmas Concert, followed by coffee. Contact aimee.heiser@hotmail.com Mom to Mom | Mom to Mom provides a positive atmosphere for sharing ideas, discussing common struggles and embracing the delights of raising children. We are open to all mothers looking for spiritual growth and friendship. Check the website for group meeting days and times. standrewumc.org/news/momtomom Bible Groups | Winter Studies Begin January 2020 | These groups focus on biblical studies and meet at different times throughout the year. We offer a Women’s Monday Morning group, Women’s Spiritual Growth Group, and a Thursday Morning group. See our website for dates, times, and topics of study. standrewumc.org/biblegroups United Methodist Men’s Breakfast | Second Saturday of Every Month, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Room 126 | United Methodist Men (UMM) endeavors to awaken, inspire, challenge, train, and support men as they strive to become more Christ-like in their daily living. standrewumc.org/men Career Care Ministry | Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Room 131 | This free, weekly support/ coaching group helps those who are out of work or mis-employed and seeking a career change. New Member Orientation begins at 6:00 p.m. standrewumc.org/careercare Travel Ministry | England/Ireland, April 2020 | Join Kay Richardson and pastors Robert Hasley and Allison Jean on a Wesley Heritage and Celtic Christianity Tour to London and Oxford, England; and Dublin, and Galway, Ireland. Space is limited. Contact Kay Richardson, krichardson@standrewumc.org for more information. Prayer Shawls Available | Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted for individuals experiencing devastating illness or loss of a loved one. Each shawl is prayed over as it is created and again upon completion by our Prayer Shawl ministry, our church staff, and our pastors. Contact Donna, dfenwick@standrewumc.org. Party Bridge Group for Women at St. Andrew | Planning meeting, Tuesday, January 21, 1:00 p.m., Room 123 | Join in the fun and invite friends, family, neighbors. Bring your 2020 calendar. Contact Janet Stovall at jstovall@verizon.net or 972-608-0009. Cover illustration by Briana Williams 6
GET INVOLVED | standrewumc.org/news
Connection Group Matching Days January 5 or 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Festival Hall | Are you seeking spiritual community? Come meet leaders from small groups that are welcoming new members. Our team will help match you with a group! standrewumc.org/news/matchingdays
Learn about who we are as a church in our three Starting Point classes. Tour the campus, meet church members, and have your questions answered. You don’t have to attend in any particular order. Starting Point classes are usually the first three Sundays of each month, 9:30 a.m. in Room 131. standrewumc.org/starting-point
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Blessing of the Toys | December 29, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. | We invite children to a special Blessing of the Toys moment in service on December 29. Bring your favorite toy, and come learn about how we can bless others!
The Longest Night: A Service of Comfort and Hope | December 22, 5:00 p.m., Chapel | The long, dark winter nights, memories of past experiences and situations can become overwhelming. Find hope and comfort in knowing you are not alone.
ANEW Group Tamale Sales | Through December 8, Online 24/7 and Sunday Mornings, Smith Worship Center Hallway Don’t miss out on this annual holiday favorite! Sales will benefit Casa Emanuel UMC, Dallas. standrewumc.org/News/tamales
Honey Baked Ham Gift Card Fundraiser Support the missions of the United Methodist Women in a simple and delicious way. Purchase gift cards online for any occasion for friends, family, neighbors, or treat yourself! Fundraiser ends December 22. standrewumc.org/News/Ham
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A ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS PRESENTS:
POP S!
December 15, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary Share in the joy of our favorite carols in a bubbly, pops-style concert! Tickets on sale now; order online or call 469-385-1810. standrewumc.org/a-st-andrew-christmas
Advent Devotionals | Join us this Advent season and read a daily devotional written by St. Andrew staff. Visit our Advent Devotional webpage to follow along or sign up to receive daily devotionals in your email inbox, December 1-25. standrewumc.org/Advent
Joining Day Luncheon | December 8, Noon-1:15 p.m., Festival Hall Attend this relaxed-setting luncheon to learn more about St. Andrew, meet St. Andrew staff, and get to know other new members. There is no charge to attend. standrewumc.org/News/ JoiningDayLuncheon
St. Andrew United Methodist Church 5801 W. Plano Parkway | Plano, TX 75093 | 972-380-8001 | standrewumc.org