3rd sunday of advent -...

December 17, 2017 3rd Sunday of Advent

Community United Methodist Church 950 Gould Avenue Northeast

Columbia Heights, MN 55421

763-788-9009

www.communitymethodistchurch.org

http://www.communitymethodistchurch.org/

VISITOR INFORMATION

Welcome to Community United Methodist Church!

If you’re visiting Community for the first time, we have a welcome gift

we’d like to share with you that is located just outside the sanctuary

doors. Inside of the gift bag, you’ll find a peace candle for use in your

personal devotions or to share with your home congregation as well as

more information about our ministries.

On the lower level of the church, you’ll find a staffed nursery. Infants and

children are always welcome in the service as well.

Everyone is invited to a time of fellowship in the lower level of the church

immediately following worship. If you are looking for a church home, we

would love to see you again.

We are a congregation called to

serve God’s people in Columbia Heights and around

the world through our various outreach,

mission and educational ministries.

Thank you for worshipping with us at

Community United Methodist Church today!

Large print hymnals and bulletins are available, as are hearing devices

and back supports. Ask an usher for assistance.

Community United Methodist Church December 17, 2017 – 10:00 a.m.

A time of quiet reflection is appreciated as we gather for worship. During this time, you may wish to use one of the prayer slips at the end of each pew to request a prayer to be lifted up during the service.

Chimes Bell Choir Prelude: “Christmastime” -Lloyd Larson

Welcome & Announcements Lighting of the Advent wreath:

The closer we come to Christmas our spirit of waiting and anticipation builds! We are people of Advent! Each candle represents an emotion, feeling and characteristic we share during this season. Each word reminds us of the complexity of Advent and the rituals we walk through each year! We light the candle of hope and love, reminding us of the role we play in sharing hope and love with those around us and in our world. Today, our candle is for joy, a word that doesn't mean just to be happy, but that we have an intensity of knowing that God created us and cares for us. Joy is what Jesus brings us. Today, is the pink candle.

Our scripture passage from Isaiah 9 says: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep

(* Please rise in body or spirit, as you are able)

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darkness— on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Our Everlasting Father is a role of reliably crossing through the generations, Jesus as the carrier of the promises for us. We are not orphans, but always children of God! Everlasting means that God's abiding presence is fully ours, for all creation, and the grounds for joy, assurance, and missional energy. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, verse1 Red Hymnal #211

* Hymn “Angels from the Realms of Glory” Red Hymnal #220 Prayer to Begin and Peace for the World adapted from Psalm 72 O loving God, Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son. May he judge your people with righteousness and your poor with justice. We pray with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ for the people of China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Great are your mercies, Heavenly Father; Food and raiment do you still bestow; Let me praise you always; Serve you all my days. You are the spring wind and I the grass, on me blow! Amen.


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Our Time of Prayer Sharing of the Prayers of the People Pastoral Prayer The Lord’s Prayer Red Hymnal #895

“Our (Father, Mother, God) …” please use whichever name you find meaningful.

Children’s Time “The Friendly Beasts”, verses 1-5 Red Hymnal #227 Bell Choir Offertory

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”” -Bob Burroughs

“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” -Timothy Matthew

Quartet, Lennis Bentrud, Naomi Jones, Andy Bixler, Dennis Ruhnke Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown, When thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room for

thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my

heart for thee. Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, Proclaiming thy royal degree; but in lowly birth didst thou come to earth, and in great humility. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my

heart for thee.

(* Please rise in body or spirit, as you are able) -3-

The foxes found rest and the birds their nest In that shade of the forest tree; But thy couch was on sod, O thou Son of God, In the desserts of Galilee. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my

heart for thee. Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word that should set thy people free; But with mocking scorn, and the crown of thorn, they bore thee to Calvary. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee. When heav’ns arches shall ring and its choir shall sing

at thy coming to victory, Let thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room, There is room at my side for thee!” Any my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

when thou comest and callest for me.

“How Quietly” -Joel Raney

Beglad Kosongoma, soloist Hand Bell Choir

How quietly, how quietly, the wondrous gift was given for me. How sweet and gentle, how meek and mild, this precious gift,

this Holy Child. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head: the stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Angels sing to God, our King, of peace to all on earth. Morning stars break through the darkness proclaiming

the holy birth.


How quietly, how quietly, the wondrous gift was given for me. How sweet and gentle, how meek and mild, this precious gift,

this Holy Child. The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus,

no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh. How quietly, how quietly, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

“In the Bleak Midwinter” -Gustave Holst

In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow In the bleak midwinter, Long ago. Our God heav’n can-not hold him, Nor earth sustain; Heav’n and earth shall flee away When he comes to reign; In the bleak midwinter A stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty Jesus, Jesus Christ. What can I give him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; If I were a wise man, I would do my part

“All My Heart This Night Rejoices” -J. Eheling/ Manor, arr.

Tori Tholkes, oboe All my heart, all my heart rejoices, rejoices; All my heart. All my heart this night rejoices As I hear far and near sweetest angel voices


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All my heart, my heart “Christ is born” their choirs are singing, Till the air ev’rywhere now with joy is ringing. Christ is born! Christ is born! Christ is born! All my heart rejoices. Softly from His lowly manger Jesus calls one and all,

“You are safe from danger.” “Children from the sins that grieve you, You are freed;

all you need I will surely give you!” And all my heart rejoices, all my heart rejoices, rejoices! Come, then, banish all your sadness; One and all, great and small, come with songs of gladness. Love Him who with love is glowing; Hail the Star,

near and far light and joy bestowing! My heart rejoices! Choirs are singing, joy is ringing:

Christ is born! Meditation Rev. Linda McCollough

“Sing Gloria” -Katherine K. Davis

Men: James Bordewick, soloist The shepherds sleep among their sheep,

All silent the lie, When clear and strong there comes a song

From angels on high. Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria!

Jesus is born! Now hark and hear this word of cheer, And be not afraid. In humble guise the infant lies, In a manger laid. Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria!

Jesus is born!


The shepherd heard the wondrous word, The angels did sing, And travelled then to Bethlehem, To worship their King. Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria!

Jesus is born! We follow them to Bethlehem, Our Savior to greet. Our hearts we bring, an offering, To lay at His feet. Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria in excelsis! Sing Gloria!

Jesus is born!

“Run to the Manger” -Victor Johnson

Run, run, run to the manger. Run, run, run to the manger. Run, run, run to the manger. There’s a baby born

in Bethlehem. See amid the winter’s snow. Baby born in Bethlehem. Born for us on earth below. Baby born in Bethlehem. Come on and Run, run, run to the manger. Won’t you Run, run, run to the manger. There’s a baby born in Bethlehem. See the tender Lamb appears. Baby born in Bethlehem. Promised from eternal years. Baby born in Bethlehem. Oh, go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev’rywhere. Oh, go, and tell it on the mountain that there’s a Baby born

in Bethlehem. Oh, won’t you Run, run, run to the manger.

Come and see the Baby. Run, run, run to the manger. Come and see the Baby. Baby born in Bethlehem. There’s a Baby born in Bethlehem!


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* Hymn “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” Red Hymnal #251

Merry be your Christmas, peaceful be your home;

Joyful be your family, blessed be each one.

* Benediction “Joy to the World”, verse 1 Red Hymnal #246

Postlude “Fugue in C Major” -J. S. Bach

Thank you to our Worship Team

Greeters: Anna Lexvold Liturgists: Mary Tholkes Advent Family: R. Michael Tharp, Katherine & Edward Brown Music Leaders: Organist - Sharon Ruhnke Bell Choir - Karen Schneider Music Director – Elaine Hill Sound System: Andy Bixler, James Bordewick


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Thank you! We want to acknowledge the following for sharing their gifts in our program today. Thank you to our quartet singers, Naomi Jones, Lennis Bentrud, Andy Bixler, and Dennis Ruhnke, to Beglad Kosongoma for her solo, to Tori Tholkes for her oboe solo, and to James Bordewick for his solo. Thank you to the members of the Hand Bell Choir for sharing your talents! And thank you to Elaine Hill, Sharon Ruhnke, and Karen Schneider for your love of music and all it blesses to with.

THE MITTEN TREE You are invited to help adorn the mitten tree for SACA with

scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and socks of all sizes. Thank you

for your generosity!

Ringing of the Bells Please join us in bell ringing for the Salvation Army at the St.

Anthony Cub Foods store on the following Fridays. December

15th. We ring from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and need your help! Please

see Dick Meixner after service to sign-up for an hour time slot

that you can ring with us!


CHRISTMAS CARD FOR MISSIONS UMCOR is on the move and we will help make the world a

safer, more livable place with donations this year. We have

responded with health and birthing kits, flood buckets and

mission trips. The UMCOR Christmas Card for Missions will be

available for signing on Sunday Mornings on December 10th

and 17th. Every year we accept monetary donations to give to

UMCOR, decorate a tiny tree and send goodwill to our church

family and beyond. Thank you for supporting this mission!

Not Getting Our Emails? We send out 2 emails from church each week, one with prayers

and the other with Sunday information. If you are not currently

receiving it, please add these to your "safe list" for filters that

may be blocking the email from your receipt. VerticalResponse

Domains: vrmailer1.com; vrmailer3.com

Up-coming dates to be aware of… Christmas Eve Services will be at 10 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. There will be NO Sunday School on December 24th or

31st. Please join us at the Activities Table in the sanctuary. There will be NO Wednesday evening activities on

December 27th. There will be NO Wednesday evening Bible Study until

January 24, 2018. Sunday morning Bible Study will continue as scheduled.

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Sunday, December 17, 2017 Christmas Card for Missions 10:00 a.m. Worship: Choir & Bell Concert 11:00 a.m. Fellowship – Social Hall 11:15 a.m. Welcome Party for Ian

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 8:00 a.m. The Breakfast Club @ Perkins: 696 County Rd D West, New Brighton 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Pot Luck Dinner 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, December 21, 2017 10:00 a.m. River Rats

Friday, December 22, 2017 10:00 a.m. NO Chair Yoga

Sunday, December 24, 2017 10:00 a.m. Worship: 4th Sunday in Advent 10:00 a.m. NO Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Fellowship – Social Hall 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship

Monday, December 25, 2017 Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Office Closed

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 8:00 a.m. The Breakfast Club @ Perkins: 696 County Rd D West, New Brighton 9:45 a.m. Adult Bible Study

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Our Vision

We are an urban, intergenerational, inclusive

and welcoming Christian fellowship woven

into the fabric of our community.

Our Staff

Pastor Linda McCollough

Ministers All the Congregation

Office Manager Karyn Naber

Music Director Elaine Hill

Organist Sharon Ruhnke

Bell Choir Director Karen Schneider

Church Office: 763-788-9009

Pastoral Emergencies: 612-978-2917

Visit us online at

www.communitymethodistchurch.org

or find us on Facebook

Pastor Linda’s Email:

[email protected]

Office Email:

[email protected]

http://www.communitymethodistchurch.org/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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