Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2011
The time of centering
Advent is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer. Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts. Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time. (Edward Hays)
PRELUDE Worship begins as the music is played
ENTRANCE OF THE LIGHT
INVOCATION (adapted from Patricia Farris)
The amazing life-changing news is that the coming of Christ is not simply about light; it is about light in the darkness. It is about light pushing back darkness, light transforming darkness by its luminous power. Christ comes as light coming into the darkness of our lives and the darkness of this world to cast out fear and to bring forth new life. This is the light of Christ – the light of peace, healing, and hope.
WELCOME
LIGHTING THE 2st ADVENT CANDLE: The Lyman Family
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Candle liturgy
READER #1: Last Sunday we lit the first candle—the candle of hope. Today we light the second candle, the candle of peace. We light it knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is almost completely absent. Yet in this season of Advent, we trust that God is never absent from us. God is always preparing something new. And even where there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families, or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities.
{Two purples candles are lit.)
READER #2:
Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning.
We thank you for the hope and peace you unfailingly offer us.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.
Congregational Response in Song Advent Song (Verse 2) 2090
(see insert)
CALL TO WORSHIP
LEADER: It gets darker much
earlier. I don’t like this deep, foreboding darkness.
PEOPLE: The Light is coming.
LEADER: I keep looking down, trying
not to stumble and fall
PEOPLE: The Light is
coming.
LEADER: I don’t know what
to expect. I am pressured on all sides to be here or there and to do this or
that. I have no time, no peace, no hope.
PEOPLE: The Light is
coming. Look up! Do not be afraid.
LEADER: But if I look up, I
might stumble. I don’t know what’s ahead for me.
PEOPLE: The Light is coming. Do not be afraid.
LEADER: Lord, where is the light?
PEOPLE: It is here, on your path so that you won’t stumble. It is here in your heart so that you will not fear. It is here in your soul to give you Hope.
LEADER: Lord, help me to see and feel the presence of your light.
ALL: Dear One, the Light is given to you and to all the world. Trust in the Light. Wait, Watch, it is here.
CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Luke 2: 1-19
Congregation sings:"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" (Verse 1) #218
Readings: Tommy Mast, Megan Warring
Children’s Choir Sings: "Away in the Manger"
Readings: Michelle Gager and Cast
Children’s Choir Sings: "Baby in the Manger"
Responses: Tommy Mast and Cast
Congregation Sings: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (verse 1) #240
Reading: Megan Warring or Jordain Pack
Michelle sings "Silent Night"
Reading: William Fries
Congregation Sings: "Joy to the World" (3 verses) #246
Angels: Larson Viebrock, Madelyn Knutter, Grand Windmeyer, Madison Cross, Sophie Thomas, Dominic DePriest, Teegan Hunold and Michelle Gager.
Director: Angie Viebrock
Pianist: Andrea Knutter
CHILDREN’S SERMON
TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
HYMN OF PREPARATION I Want to Walk as a Child in the Light 206
SCRIPTURE John 1:1-5, 9
MEDITATION The Light of the World
COMMUNION
PASTOR: God’s Light shatters the darkness that makes us strangers to ourselves and divides us from one another. We are the body of Christ. Around this table, we enact our faith. The body broken is restored to wholeness; lifeblood poured out brings peace to the world.
RECEIVING THE SACREMENT OF COMMUNION
Unison Prayer after Communion
ALL: Eternal God, you have called your people from east and west and north and south to feast at the table of Jesus Christ. Go with us to the streets, our homes, and our places of labor and leisure, that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may be your Light in the world. Amen.
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "I Want to Walk as a Child in the Light"
(V 1) # 206
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
LEADER: Go forth from this place an awakened people, aware of the world’s darkness, yet reaching for the Light. Go forth from this place a serving people, sensing anew the pain so many bear, yet confident God will bring healing, even through you.
PEOPLE: We will welcome God’s Light into our hearts. We will go forth into the world in hope and in peace. Amen
POSTLUDE
*Please stand if you are able when indicated by an asterisk
Please pray for: Cora Borgmier, Lou Petersen, Carol White, Barb Kravec, Roger and Nona Steinbrink, and for all the people that are having medical or surgical worries.
The memorial book is opened in loving memory of Clinton Hess
Altar flowers in honor of Nathaniel Hunold Birthday by Lee & Cindy Hunold
Ushers for today, December 4th are the Ron McClellan Family.
The Advent study will be held on Wednesday's at 4, 6 & 7 pm.
Childcare will be provided at the 7 pm study only.
This year’s Advent theme is “Shine! Light for all People.”
Wednesday, December 7: “The Light in the World”
Wednesday, December 14: “Shine a Light”
Wednesday, December 21: “The Horizon is Bright”
UMW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
UMW will have their annual Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 8th at 11:30 am. Everyone is welcomed to attend. Please bring your favorite dish. Come enjoy the great conservation and fellowship!
The church is collecting hats,
scarves and mittens to send to Della Lamb. There is a tree in the Great
Room. Please bring them by December 18th
ART CLASS
The SUMC Art Class will meet on Wednesday, December 7th at 10:00 am at the home of Martha Urquhart (816) 532-3772.
The Cornerstone and Quest Sunday school classes will have a Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 10th, beginning at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome even if you aren't in Sunday school class. Bring a side dish for the dinner, and a white elephant gift for the gift exchange. Ruth and Russell are hosting so come to 4223 NE 160th Street. For more information call 532-8724.
CHRISTMAS SHOP
UMW will have Christmas and gift items for sale at the “Christmas Shop” in the Genesis room on Sunday Dec. 11th after church. We’ll have toys, jewelry, decorations, quilts, pillows, etc.
Tickets are 1 for a $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. Please contact
any UMW member for tickets. Drawing will be Thursday, December 8th.
