Greeting – Greet each other in the name of the Lord. Good Morning! Buenes Dias. Welcome. Bienvenidos.
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cokesburyumc@gmail.com
Lighting of Advent Candle
Reading: The prophet Isaiah wrote, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ “And John, the messenger of God, proclaimed to all the people who came to him in the wilderness that they must repent of their sins and be baptized. Many people heard his message, repented, and were baptized in the river Jordan. It has become our custom to prepare for the birth of the Messiah by decorating our cities and homes, hanging the lights inside and out, singing “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and measuring the quality of our Christmas morning by the number of gifts we receive.
Light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath
Reading: As we light this second candle in preparation for the coming of the Messiah, perhaps we need to listen again to John the Baptizer’s message, preparing the way of the Lord: make straight the paths; repent of your sins; be baptized; and live holy lives devoted to God.
(Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro)
All: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
Song Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH 196
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born they people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. Charles
Wesley and Rowland H. Prichard CCLI#31999
Scripture Luke 1:21-25
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”
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 UMH 206
I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the start to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
In him there is not 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 Take, O Take Me As I Am WAS 3119
Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart and live in me.
John L. Bell CCLI# 1073750
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
Holy Communion
Prayer of Confession: (All) O holy and merciful God, we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience, nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will. We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers and we have passed unheeding on our way. In the pride of our hearts, and our unwillingness to repent, we have turned away from the cross of Christ, and have grieved your Holy Spirit.
(silent confession)
Pastor: This is the message we have heard from God and proclaim to you, that God is light and in God there is not darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus the Son cleanses us from all sin. May almighty God, who caused light to shine out of darkness, shine in our hearts, cleansing us from all our sins, and restoring us to the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, in the face of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving UMH 9
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them up to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join in their unending hymn:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
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, for ever. Amen.
Sharing the Bread and Cup: All are invited and are welcome to the Lord’s Table by our host Jesus Christ to receive spiritual food and drink to nourish your soul, refresh and strengthen your spirit.
Song: Amazing Grace UMH 378
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
John Newton CCLI Song# 22025
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
UMH 11
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 We Walk by Faith TFWS 2196
We walk by faith, and not by sight: No gracious words we hear
of him who spoke as none e’er spoke, but we believe him near.
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief, and may our faith abound;
to call on you when you are near, and seek where you are found.
Henry Alford and Hugh Wilson CCLI# 2591911
Announcements
Ushers needed for Sunday worship. Please call Gordon Freeman at 703-680-4629 for information and to volunteer.
Handbell Choir: Studies* show that playing a musical instrument can lower our stress and anxiety levels and may be one of the best ways to help keep the brain healthy, decreasing loss of memory and cognitive function. Pastor Gayle is forming a handbell choir. Let her know if you are interested.
*University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
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: December 12th 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 is on Wednesdays 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 5pm 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 1st, 8th, 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
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