Smithville United Methodist Church
PO Box 293, 505 N Hwy 169
Smithville, MO 64089
816-532-3200
Celebrating Life through Divine Worship
Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 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)
As American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner puts it, “The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Walking in the light of Christ, we may find ourselves at the holy intersection … we may find the light of Christ shining in ways we might never have imaged. God wants us all to SHINE!
WELCOME
LIGHTING THE 3rd ADVENT CANDLE The Cline Family
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Candle liturgy
READER #1: We have lit the first two candles, one for hope and one for peace. Today we light the third candle, the candle of joy. This should be the easy one, because joy is all around us—in the children, the lights, the music, the gathering together. But how often do we let our preparations—or our memories—push joy to the side? Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us, but joy is also a choice, an attitude. Like a muscle, it needs to be exercised. So today we open ourselves to joy, trusting that God has already planted it in us. All we need to do is give it care and offer it to share.
{Three candles are lit.)
READER #2: Loving God, we open
ourselves to you,
trusting that this is how you made us:
you created us for joy-filled hearts and lives.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
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 3) 2090
PRAISE SONGS "Emmanuel, Emmanuel" 204
CALL TO WORSHIP
LEADER: O come, O come Immanuel.
PEOPLE: Lift our eyes from lists to see the wonders of the heavens,
the smiles on other faces.
LEADER: O come, O come Immanuel.
PEOPLE: Fill each heart
with carols of joy, songs of gladness.
LEADER: O come, O come
Immanuel.
PEOPLE: Make conflicts
cease, fill each table with sufficient food, shelter all from winter cold.
LEADER: O come, O come
Immanuel.
PEOPLE: Bring healing to bodies and souls hurt by abuse, by violence, or by bitter words.
LEADER: O come, O come Immanuel.
PEOPLE: Shower us with forgiveness and blessing, hope and laughter.
LEADER: O come, O come Immanuel.
ALL: Make us joyous enough to sing in the midst of troubles, to hope in the midst of doubts and to light candles in the midst of darkness. Amen.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
TIME OF PRAYER
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
SPECIAL MUSIC Adult Choir
OUR DISCIPLESHIP OF GIVING
Offering
Doxology
Prayer of Dedication
HYMN OF PREPARATION "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
(V 1&2) 211
SCRIPTURE Matthew 5:14-15a (The Message)
SERMON Shine a Light!
UNISON PRAYER
O God, this Advent season is a time when your light radiates through the world. Inasmuch as we can, let us be bright for you. Shine your light through us as though we were pieces in a stained-glass window. Flow through us into others as the warm glow of colors seeps into a church. Help us as individuals and as a community of faith to celebrate the sparkling, joyous good news of your Son’s coming birth. Amen.
*HYMN FOR GOING FORTH "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
#89
TAKING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD
BENEDICTION
LEADER: Rejoice in God always, and again I say, rejoice for God has created you with the capacity for joy.
PEOPLE: We will find what makes us joyful, and make that our gift to the world.
LEADER: Trust in God’s good will for all of creation and open yourself to God’s gentle, transforming love.
PEOPLE: We will welcome new possibilities in our lives. We will offer ourselves to God’s goodness. We will go forth in hope, and peace, and joy. 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 Edward & Edna Holbrook
Altar flowers in honor of Christian Hunold Birthday by Lee & Cindy Hunold
Ushers for today, December 11h are the Ron McClellan Family.
CHRISTMAS SHOP
UMW will have Christmas and gift items for sale at the “Christmas Shop” in the Genesis room today Dec. 11th after church. We’ll have toys, jewelry, decorations, quilts, pillows, etc.
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 14: “Shine a Light”
Wednesday, December 21: “The Horizon is Bright”
Good Shepherd Catholic Church invites you to their open house on today, December 11th from 2-4 pm. Come see our beautiful new church!
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
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION MUSIC
AND STAFF APPRECIATION
The Christmas Celebration/Staff Appreciation will be held on Sunday, December 18th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. It will include a potluck meal as part of this special musical presentation. Turkey will be provided and all those planning to attend will be asked to bring a potato, vegetable side dish, or bread. Sign-ups are posted in the Great Room. If you have any questions, please contact Angie Viebrock, Andrea Knutter, or any of the choir members.
2012 FLOWER CHART
The 2012 Altar flower chart is now available in the Great Room on the bulletin board on the east wall if you wish to sign up for flowers. Flowers are $12.00. Make your check out to SUMC. Please put “flowers” in the memo and drop in the collection or leave in the office. On the chart put your name and what the flowers are for (honor, memory, etc.). If you have any questions please see or call Lu Darr at 532-0106.
WINTER RETREAT
The Cornerstone class is sponsoring their annual retreat at Wilderness Camp the weekend of January 13-15th. For information please contact Lee or Cindy Hunold. The retreat starts Friday late afternoon and runs through Sunday noon.
