Gary United Methodist Church

Third Sunday of Advent

December 17, 2017 9:00 & 11:00 AM

*Please stand as you are able.

Congregation reads bold print.

Congregational song books are the hard cover Hymnal and the smaller flexible book,

The Faith We Sing, both found in the pew racks.

Prelude (9:00) Conditor alme siderum Richard Warner

(Creator of the Stars of Night)

(11:00) Et misericordia Kim André Arnesen

Chancel Choir; Allison Atteberry, soprano

Michael McGuan, Ashwin Moses, violin; David Beytas, viola

Micah Clark, Bonnie Wheaton, cello; Cameron Fuller, double bass

Lance Peeler, piano; Dave Skarin, organ

Et misericordia eius et progenies in progenies, timentibus eum.

(And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.)

~ Luke 1:50, The Song of Mary

Mission and Ministry at Gary Church

Introit Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus JEFFERSON / Sanctuary Ringers VENI, EMMANUEL

Arr. Susan Biggs

*Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Calderwood Family (9:00)

The Grace Family (11:00)

Listen. Hear the good news: God’s promised Messiah is coming.

He brings good news for the poor and oppressed. He will bind up

broken hearts. He will proclaim release to those who are held captive.

We light the third Advent Candle as a sign of joy—a testimony to

the Light of God coming into our world that will shatter the darkness

and bring healing to all who suffer and mourn. Come, Lord Jesus.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.

*Hymn People, Look East Hymnal 202 (Stanzas 1, 3, and 4)

Opening Prayer

God of justice and joy, we gather together in your name to

proclaim the good news of your presence among us. Where

there is oppression, we will shout a message of your liberating

love. Where there is sorrow, we will sing of your healing love,

and where there is fear, doubt, confusion, or anger, we will shine

the light of Jesus Christ, your incarnate Love, in whose name

we pray. Amen.†

*Doxology O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Hymnal 211

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer

` our spirits by thy justice here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel

Reception into Membership (9:00) Hymnal 48

*Hymn The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve TFWS 2241

*Benediction

*Postlude Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme Emma Lou Diemer

New Members

Today during the 9:00 a.m. service, we joyfully welcome new members to Gary Church,

who are listed along with their Connections Sponsors: Stan and Margaret Diddams (Vickie

and Bill Austin) and Jeff and Christy Bohmer (Sharon Blanchard and David Ranken).

†From The Abingdon Worship Annual 2017. © 2016 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

Scripture Lesson Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 Pew Bible p. 620

*John 1:6–8, 19–28 p. 886

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

Readers: JoAnne Chase (9:00), Julie Francis (11:00)

*Hymn of Faith Blessed Be the God of Israel Hymnal 209

(9:00) Children Preschool 3’s–Grade 5 are invited to come forward during the

hymn. After the Children’s Time, Preschool 3’s–Grade 5 may follow their leaders

downstairs for Kid’s Church.

(11:00) Children are invited to worship with their families during this service.

Children’s bulletins and activity bags are available from the ushers.

Childcare is available for newborn–2 yrs. from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lower level.

Children’s Time (9:00) Carey Bebar

Sermon “Jesus, Justice, and Joy” Rev. Dr. Chris Pierson

Pastoral Prayer

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.

Dedication of Our Tithes and Offerings

(9:00) Et misericordia Kim André Arnesen

Chancel Choir; Allison Atteberry, soprano;

Michael McGuan, Ashwin Moses, violin; David Beytas, viola

Micah Clark, Bonnie Wheaton, cello; Cameron Fuller, double bass

Lance Peeler, piano; Dave Skarin, organ

Et misericordia eius et progenies in progenies, timentibus eum.

(And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.)

~ Luke 1:50, The Song of Mary

(11:00) When the fullness of time had come Jim Cohick Jim Cohick, vocal solo

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his son, born of woman under the law,

in order to redeem us; because we are children, God has sent the spirit of his Son—

God has sent his Son's spirit into our hearts so we cry Abba, Father. Now you

are no longer a slave, but you are a child, and if a child then also an heir, an heir

of God through Christ; Abba, Father. When the fullness of time had come, God sent

his son, born of woman under the law, in order to redeem us; Abba, Father.

~ From Galatians 4:4–6

Gary United Methodist Church

— Affiliated with Winfield Community United Methodist Church —

224 N. Main, Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 668-3100 / Fax: (630) 668-8279

Email: office@garychurch.org Website: www.garychurch.org

Congregational Care

Please remember these individuals and families in your prayers this week.

Jan Adair, Meridith Brand, Charlie Castino, Jim & Carol Eaton, Anna Gorski, Barbara

Heeley, Pat Hill, Judy Jay, Rod Irey, Ivan Kane, Lola Lehman, Mary Louise Lewis, Dan

Meeks, Jeff Nankervis, Lenna Siens, Roger & Jan Sutfin, Ruth Tremper, Jim Trieschmann,

Jack & Shirley Williamson

Our Sympathy:

Michael, Beth, Ben & Nick Graves on the death of Michael’s mother, Betty Graves, on

Dec. 12

Bruce, Pam, Dani & Hanna Keller on the death of Pam’s father, John Cather, on Dec. 13

Today's alter flowers are presented by the Gary Gardeners on behalf of Gary Church

In honor of Virginia & Bob Isgren for 25 years of dedicated service and leadership in

making Gary Church more beautiful.

In honor of Allen Reed for 25 years of sharing and directing his Master Gardener talents in

making Gary Church more beautiful.

Christmas Wreaths in the Sanctuary have been donated by Gary’s Boy Scout Troop 35.

Thanks to the Gary Gardeners for decorating in the Sanctuary and throughout the church.

Serving Today

9:00 a.m. Service Greeters Patrick, Kirsten & Andrew McCluskey, Jack, Lisa & Zoe Rozwat,

John Wang, Michelle Sweeney, Eleanor Wang

Welcome Desk Kathi Hodges, Phyllis Geyer, Katy Goleash

Acolytes Travis Papievis, Danny Newell

Ushers Chuck Miller, Paul Calderwood, Sam Calderwood, Joe Davisson,

David Plate, Dick Raber, Lisa Rozwat

11:00 a.m. Service

Greeters Jeff, Kim, Connor & Hannah Shrigley, Steve & Jackie Helm

Welcome Desk Don & Shelley Kenyon

Acolytes Hannah Shrigley, Tony Janiak

Ushers Bob Hawkins, Bill Austin, Michael Graves, Doug & Tammy Halenza,

George King

Musicians: Dr. Lance J. Peeler (organ, piano), Jennifer Whiting (Chancel Choir), Sharon

Schmidt (Sanctuary Ringers)

Sound Technicians: Kevin Carlson, Phil Johnson, Alyn Mann, Dave Mann, Tony Venezia

Staff Ministry Team: Rev. Dr. Chris Pierson, Rev. Brian Felker Jones, Rev. Bruce

Anderson, Jennifer Whiting, Dr. Lance J. Peeler, Carey Bebar, Kim Austin, Alexa Isaac,

Becky Lemna, Pam Keller, Shelley Bornstein, Rebecca Roell, Dave Brewer, Deb Hafner,

Mike Capra

Mission Statement

Grow in faith, knowledge, and understanding of Christ as Lord and Savior

Serve our community and the world by sharing time, gifts, talents

Nurture one another through worship, fellowship, love

Demonstrate our discipleship to Christ

Proclaim God's grace and Good News