Christmas Carol: Christmas Carol: Christmas Carol:
“The First Noel”
“Silent Night, Holy Night”
“ Joy to the World”
*SENDING FORTH WITH BLESSING
CLOSING CHORUS “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (X2)
(words on screen) ————————————————————————————————-
Attendance and Financial Information – December 17, 2023
Worship –155 Online engaged and viewed 439
Gethsemane United Methodist Church
PO Box 185 369 Allport Cutoff Allport, PA 16821
Church Office Telephone: 814-345-6860 Pastor’schurchofficehours: Mon.,Tues,&Wed. 9-12am
Parsonage Telephone: 814-345-6931 Pastor Julia Cell: 814-883-8602 Daycare telephone: 814-345-3809 Church Email address: gumc.office@gmail.com Church Website: www.gethsemanechurch.org WiFi Password: Trustinchrist
Gethsemane United Methodist Church
December 24, 2023 9:00 am
Also available by
Streaming Facebook, or join us in your car with the radio tuned to 94.1 FM.
Welcome, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather for
Praise, Prayer, Word and Worship!
“It is Christmas every time you allow God to
love others through you.”
Mother Theresa
4th Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2023
PREPARATION AND PRAISE
GREETING and ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE Musical Selection by J. J. Bungo
Leader: The faith narrative is careful to show us a lineage from King David to Jesus. It is no ordinary lineage; it is one that began in the shepherding of sheep, of leading and delivering the people in search of a home. Mary’s womb becomes part of that lineage of love, offering the world the gift of God’s presence “in the flesh.” As we enter the story of the birth of Love Among Us, we are invited to be present with love. We may think the perfect gift is outside our reach to give, but in reality we have all that we need… the heart’s love and presence.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: “Opening the Gift of Love”
Reader: The gift of love is the essence of the birth of Christ. The Holy One wanted to be so present to us that God’s Spirit became flesh in order to inhabit the gifts of touching, healing, comforting, and challenging. Love is the clarion call to us as Jesus’ disciples. The more love we put into the world, the better the world will be.
People: We light this Candle of Love as a sign that we will be Present with Love in the world.
*Opening Song: # 246 “Joy to the World” Christmas Carol: “Away In the Manger” Christmas Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Reader: O Come , all ye faithful…..joyful…..triumphant! Words we’ve just sung as an invitation to meet the Savior. And yet, who can live up to that standard? These words which describe us on our best days – faithful, joyful, triumphant-also seem to disqualify us, as we all occasionally miss the mark.
What about the unfaithful? The broken? The defeated? Can we also come to Bethlehem and meet the Savior? Because if we’re honest with ourselves, we have all been unfaithful. We have all strayed and turned to our own way.
The Good News of Christmas is that Christ was born specifically for the unfaithful. He came to gather the broken, the disillusioned, the weary and utterly defeated to Himself for healing. He breaks the fear of fear and sin and he frees us, giving us His peace.
People: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your weary souls.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son
into the world that we might live through him.”
1 John 4:9
Reader: These are tidings of hope, peace, joy, and love! Ye Merry Gentlemen!
Christmas Carol: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God Rest
Gospel Reading: Special Music
Luke 1:26-38
Dr. Mercedez Boggs
Meditation: “Being Present: With Love” Special Music J. J. Bungo
Pastor Julia
