Greeting – Greet each other in the name of the Lord. Good Morning! Buenes Dias. Welcome. Bienvenidos.
Let us know of your presence if you are joining us on-line. Prayer requests may be emailed to
cokesburyumc@gmail.com
Lighting of Advent Candle
Reading: If Jesus comes to us again at Christmas this year, and if Jesus dwells within each of us, shouldn’t that make a difference in who we are and how we live our lives? Hear these words from First Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of the prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctity you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.(Thessalonians 5:16-24)
If we seek Jesus, who is born in the manger, shouldn’t we be at peace among ourselves? And help the weak and the poor? And not repay evil for evil, but always do good to one another? And in all circumstances, give thanks?
Light the third purple candle on the Advent wreath
Reading: As we light this third candle in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, let us remember that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, who comes to us.
(Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro)
All: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
Song – O Come, O Come Emmanuel – UMH 211:
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be,
before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
John Mason Neale, Thomas Helmore CCLI#31982
Scripture – Luke 1:26-38:
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born [d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
L: The word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God!
Song – I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light v. 2 – UMH 206:
I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father.
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.
Kathleen Thomerson CCLI# 89848
Sermon Rev. Gayle Porias
Pastoral Prayer
Offering Song – God Almighty, We Are Waiting – WAS 3047
God Almighty, we are waiting for a Savior to appear.
Meet us in our desert journey; give a sign that you are near:
burning bush, parted waters, food aplenty in the wild.
As we look for signs and wonders, help us see you in a child.
God Incarnate, we are waiting for the feast day of your birth.
Looking back and looking forward to the Christ’s return to earth.
Help us to proclaim the gospel, ‘til the world is reconciled.
Let us set your holy table for each woman, man, and child.
God the Spirit, we are waiting for your presence here and now.
Humbled by our sinful weakness, at your mercy we will bow.
Search our hearts and make us ready, speak in language strong and mild,
help each one of us, your people, to receive you like a child.
Ann Bell Worley and Rowland Prichard CCLI#7169484
Prayer of Dedication: (All) Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us and upon our humble gifts. Make them acceptable to be used in your service to promote justice and mercy for all the people of the world. Amen
Announcements: Ushers will dismiss us row by row beginning with the back rows. You may leave your offering in the plate at the back. Please do not gather in the narthex after the service but go to the parking lot for fellowship.
Benediction
Song – Jesus, the Light of the World – WAS 3056
No more darkness, no more night- Jesus, the Light of the World!
He will shine for ever bright, Jesus the Light of the World!
Walk in the light, beautiful light, come where his love and his mercy are bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the World.
Ken Bible and George D. Elderkin CCLI# 3075883
Announcements:
Ushers needed for Sunday worship. Please call Gordon Freeman at 703-680-4629 for information and to volunteer.
Poinsettias for the Sanctuary. You are invited to purchase and bring a poinsettia for the sanctuary on Sunday December 19th . You may take them after Worship on December 26th.
Handbell Choir: Practice for Christmas Eve on Saturday December 11 and 18 at 2pm.
Hat and Mitten Tree: The air is turning cold and we want all children to have warm clothing for the winter. Winter hats, scarves, and mittens are needed. Please bring new, unused items and hang on the Hat and Mitten Tree. Also, you may make monetary donations towards coats and boots that will be purchased for children in need of these items at Featherstone Elementary School.
Messy Church: Today at 11:30am. Introducing new people to Jesus through hospitality, friendship, story and creativity. Includes Christmas carols, Bible story, arts and crafts, campfire, cookies, s’mores and hot beverages. Check clipboards for ways you can support this ministry: cookies, chicken noodle soup, s’mores kits. Set-up and take down.
“Questions God Asks Us” by Trevor Hudson- a small group discussion began Wednesday September 29th and continues every Wednesday at 7pm. You can participate in-person(masks and social distancing) or by Zoom.
The Cokesbury UMC Prayer Group meets weekly at the church on Mondays at 6pm on Zoom – all are invited to join and participate! Please send or share all prayer concerns with Pastor Gayle so we may give each concern prayerful attention.
https://zoom.us/j/98610851248?pwd=MVZkSHlPeGdyLzhZT2o5WVh2NGpuUT09
Meeting ID: 986 1085 1248 Passcode: 940573
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,98610851248#,,,,*940573# US (Washington DC)
New: Advent Prayer every Wednesday at Noon in sanctuary. December 15th and 22nd.
A.C.T.S is in need of the following items: Canned Vegetables, especially peas, 15 oz size, Low sodium canned vegetables, Snack items, individually packed, Pop-top canned prepared meals suitable for our homeless clients, Single serve prepared food suitable for our homeless clients, Laundry Detergent, Dish Detergent, Cleaning Supplies in general, Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items, Size 4T pull-ups, Size 6 diapers.
Featherstone Elementary School is in need of the following items: Refillable water bottles (child size); winter coats, hats, gloves, underwear and socks.
The Finance Committee will be providing a monthly Cokesbury Financial Health report.
October Revenue: $7618.80
Expenses $9677.71
Loss: $2058.91
You shop, AmazonSmile donates. Shop at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Cokesbury UMC at no extra cost.