Welcome to Court Street United Methodist Church

We are a people called United Methodists.Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors

The mission of Court Street United Methodist Churchis to be a welcoming, nurturing, and serving community of Christ.

Third Sunday of AdventDecember 15, 2013

If you do not wish to keep any part or all of your bulletin at the the end of service, please give it back to an usher and we will recycle it.

Thank you for helping our environment!

ORDER OF WORSHIP10:00 WORSHIP SERVICE

WE GATHER to be NURTURED Ringing of the Bell

Prelude - Nanette Felix, harp

Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle, Joy Karen Brown, Milton Schmitt, Phil Zimmerman

§ Opening Hymn #715 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People The Lord’s Prayer, #895 WE ARE NURTURED by GOD’S WORD First Scripture Reading James 5:7-10 Leader: This is the Word of God for the People of God. People: Thanks be to God.

Hymn (FWS) #2129 “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” The Young Church Gathers to Worship James L. Crow

Hymn (FWS) #2026 “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah”Parents: 1st-5th grades may go to the youth center with Mr. Jim;younger than 2nd grade may go to the nursery with Ms. Ryanne.

§ Second Scripture Lesson Luke 1:46b-55 Leader: This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People: Glory to you, O Lord.

WE RESPOND to GOD’S WORD Offering Our Gifts and Our Selves Offertory Leah Zahn, violin, and Julia Schade Armstrong, piano “Tidings of Great Joy”

Please sign registration sheets and pass to others in your pew.If you are visiting, we welcome you and ask that you leave

information on the registration sheets so that we might be in contact with you.

§ Denotes when to stand as you are able

§ Doxology #94 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

WE HEAR the GOOD NEWS

KYRIE

Kyrie eleison, (Alleluia)Christe eleison,Kyrie eleison, (Alleluia)

Lord have mercy, (Alleluia)Christ have mercy,Lord have mercy, (Alleluia)

GLORIA

Gloria in excelsis Deo.Et in terra paxhominibus bonae voluntatis.Laudamus te. Benedicimus te.Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.Gratias agimus tibipropter magnam gloriam tuam.

Glory to God in the highest.And on earth peaceto men of goodwill.We praise you. We bless you.We adore you. We glorify you.We give thanks to youbecause of your great glory.

Missa FestivaFestival Mass

by John Leavitt

CREDO

Credo in unum Deum,Patrem omnipotentem,factorem coeli et terrae,Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,Filium Dei unigenitum.Et in Spiritum SanctumDominum, et vivificantem.

I believe in one God,The Father Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,And I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,the only begotten Son of God,And I believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord and giver of life.

SANCTUS

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,Dominus Deus Sabaoth.Hosanna Deo, Hosanna in excelsis.Benedictus qui venitin nomine Domini Dei.Pleni sunt coeli et terragloria tua.

Holy, Holy, Holy,Lord God of Hosts.Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is He who comesin the name of the Lord God.Heaven and earth are fullof your glory.

AGNUS DEI

Agnus Dei,qui tollis peccata mundi:miserere nobis.Agnus Dei,qui tollis peccata mundi:miserere nobis.Agnus Dei,qui tollis peccata mundi:dona nobis pacem. Amen.

Lamb of God,who takes away the sins of the world,have mercy upon us.Lamb of God,who takes away the sins of the world,have mercy upon us.Lamb of God,who takes away the sins of the world,grant us peace. Amen.

Come, O Come to us, we pray,King of kingdoms, Prince of Peace.We await your coming day;we await the joy of sweet release.

May that day be close at hand;heal our hearts and heal our land.Come, O come to us newborn,on that long awaited Christmas morn.

Come, O come to us, dear Lord,born to set your people free.Dearest joy we can afford,born to bear the world’s infirmity.

In a stable, on the hay,Rose of Jesse, sweetly lay.Come, O come to us newborn,on that long awaited Christmas morn.

Come, O Come a child adored,bring your kingdom closer still.Counselor and Mighty Lord,by your birth reveal your perfect will.

In a manger may there bePeace and Truth and Victory.Come, O come to us newborn,on that long awaited Christmas morn.

Come, O Come to Us, We PrayLyrics by Mary Kay Beall; Music by John Carter

As it Fell Upon a NightEnglish carol harmonized by Katherine K. Davis

As it fell upon a nightin the winter weather,angels bright in starry heightbegan to sing together.

Shepherds sleeping on the plainwoke to see the glory,all amazed they stood and gazedand heard the angels’ story.

“Unto you a Child is bornin a manger lowly.Humble He, yet born to bethe King of Love most holy.

In a manger now he lies,ox and ass before Him;all the world at last shall cometo worship and adore Him.”

Though it be a winter night,Love is still appearing!Through the sound of war and woethat song we still are hearing!

Happy angels from afar,cease your singing never!“In excelsis Gloria!” forever and forever,forever and forever, forever and forever.

Joy to the World!Words by Isaac Watts; Melody by Lowell Mason (based on Handel); Arranged by John Rutter

Verse 1 with congregation:Joy to the world! the Lord is come:Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare him room,and heav’n and nature sing,and heav’n and nature sing,and heav’n and heav’n and nature sing.

Verse 2 choir only:Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns:Let men their songs employ;While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsrepeat the sounding joy,repeat the sounding joy,repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Verse 3 choir only:No more let sins and sorrows grow,nor thorns infest the ground;He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found,far as the curse is found,far as the curse is found.

Verse 4 with congregation:He rules the world! with truth and grace,and makes the nations proveThe glories of His righteousness,and wonders of His love,and wonders of His love,and wonders, wonders of His love.

Rejoice and Be MerryWords English Traditional; by John Rutter

Rejoice and be merry in songs and in mirth,O praise our Redeemer, all mortals on earth:For this is the birthday of Jesus our King,who brought us salvation:his praises, his praises we’ll sing.

Rejoice and be merry in songs and in mirth,O praise our Redeemer, all mortals on earth:For this is the birthday of Jesus our King,who brought us salvation:his praises, his praises we’ll sing.

A heavenly vision appeared in the sky,vast numbers of angels the shepherds did spy,Proclaiming the birthday of Jesus our King, who brought us salvation:his praises, his praises we’ll sing.

Likewise a bright star in the sky did appear, which led the wise men from the Eastto draw near;They found the Messiah, sweet Jesus our King, who brought us salvation, his praises, his praises we’ll sing.

And when they were come,they their treasures unfold,and unto him offered myrrh, incense and gold.So blessed forever be Jesus our King,who brought us salvation:his praises we’ll sing, his praises we’ll sing.

Rejoice and be merry, rejoice and be merry, rejoice and be merry, rejoice and be merry, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!

WE ARE SCATTERED to SERVE§ Benediction

Go forth in joy and gladness and singing, knowing that with God as our guide and Holy Way, even we cannot go astray.Go Forth to tell the world what you have seen and heard about Jesus.And may the Spirit strengthen you to join in turning the world upside down. Amen.

§ Hymn of Sending Forth #209 “Blessed Be the God of Israel”

Postlude - Nanette Felix, harp

Fellowship Time in the Narthex

Altar Flowers are given......to remember the Spirit of the Season

by Bob Henbest.

TODAY’S WORSHIPGreeters: Larry & Lorna Wakefield Liturgist: Lorelle WandellUshers: The Sue Cram Team Sound Tech: Stan TunnellVan Driver: Bruce Shindel Fellowship Hostesses: Geri Ryan & Judy Mehren

Thank you to our musicians for making our Worship special:

Chancel Choir of Court Street UMC

CelloDelle Peterson

BassJeremy Toledo

PianoLisa Miller

TrumpetMark NelsonMikael Leonhardt

FluteEllen LarsonLaura Hogberg

OboeMary Jo Armstrong

ClarinetBecky NelsonJohn Hilgers

BassoonLynette Sawyer

PercussionSam CampbellMerrick Vajgrt

HarpNanette Felix

ViolinBrandon LammLeah Zahn

ViolaBill Zartman

We thankRockford Symphony Orchestra for the use of their glockenspiel.

MINISTRY STAFF AT COURT STREET UMC All the People Ministers Calvin Culpepper Pastor Cculpepper@courtstreetumc.org James Crow Christian Education Director JamesCrow@courtstreetumc.org Ana Kelsey-Powell Youth/Young Adults Julia Schade Armstrong Director of Music JuliaSchade@courtstreetumc.org Ryanne Ludington Nursery Supervisor Diane Lutmer Nursery Assistant Verlette Gorman Church Co-Administrator ChurchAdmin1@courtstreetumc.org Lorelle Wandell Church Co-Administrator LorelleWandell@courtstreetumc.org Michael Smith Maintenance Engineer Steven Rogers Custodian

Court Street United Methodist Church215 North Court Street Rockford, IL 61103Church Office: (815) 962-6061 Church Fax: (815) 962-9754

www.courtstreetumc.org

We welcome you, member or visitor, as we join in worshiping God this morning. We pray you will be blessed.

What do you see? This month we’ll focus on the Heraldry of the Apos-tles. As you are sitting in the Sanctuary facing the altar, you will notice the large wooden screens to the left and to the right of the Chancel, cov-ering the organ pipes. Continuing on the right screen, after Peter, Andrew, and James, is John, whom early writers state was unharmed after drinking from a poisoned chalice. Jesus once said that John should drink of his

cup. Following John is Philip. The cross and two loaves of bread reflect his remark when Jesus fed the multitude. Jude is next, with the ship representing his frequent travels with Simon.

Angel Tree, a Ministry of Prison Fellowship, is a program designed for children whose parent is in prison. This year we have 50 children, many of whom live in our church neighborhood. We buy gifts for the children and give them on behalf of the parent who is in prison. You can help us by: 1) Making a cash donation or a check payable to Court Street United Methodist Church with Angel Tree Ministry on memo line and mailing to Barb or Gene Ferry at 1321 Camp Ave., Rock-ford, IL, 61103. 2) Shopping for gifts. 3) Organizing and delivering gifts between December 15th and December 23rd. 4) Praying for the prisoners and their families. For questions, contact Barb or Gene at (815) 965-6518.

Give your extra, new Christmas cards to our Jail Ministries for the inmates to use. Place in the box so marked in the Narthex. If you are able to, place a stamp on the envelope(s) too!

Don’t forget to pick up mittens, hats, scarves for our mitten tree in the Narthex. These will be distributed to neighborhood school children.

Snow Camp 2014! Calling all 5th-12th graders for fun, fellowship, and friends at the Silver Birch Ranch in northern Wisconsin. January 10th-12th. We will be traveling by bus along with the 2nd Con - 1st Pres youth group for a weekend of spiritual growth and winter weather activities. The cost to attend is $102/student. Scholarships may be available; don’t let the cost prevent you from participating! See Ana or the church office for informational brochure and release forms. Forms and fees due by Sunday, December 22.

YOUTH:TODAY- After pageant rehearsal, we will have lunch and then all afternoon sticks practice with Ms. Ryanne.12/22- Sticks performance in worship.All students, grades 5-12, are invited to the Youth Group Christmas Party! Sunday, 12/22 @ 2:00 pm, 10834 Meadowsweet Lane, Roscoe. Everybody should bring a wrapped “white elephant” for our gift exchange game. The price limit is $10. Aim for something fun (and preferably gender neu-tral) that you might like to receive. Good places to shop include Five Below and Target. Contact Ana with any questions you might have --- a.kelseypowell@gmail.com or 773-750-5353.12/29- Youth Room Service Project @ 11:30; lunch provided. Wear old clothes!

YOUNG ADULTS:12/28- Bowling at Don Carter Lanes (church covers cost of bowling and shoe rentals) 6:00pm

Court St. United Methodist Church at Work This WeekToday 3rd Sunday of Advent - CHIMES DEADLINE!12/15 8:50 am Sunday School in the Youth Center 9:00 Lamplighters (Adult Sunday School) in 209 10:00 Worship in the Sanctuary - Cantata 11:15 Fellowship Time in the Narthex 11:30 Children’s Pageant Rehearsal 11:45 “THE STORY” Study in the Library 12:00 pm Schade Family Christmas Party in Dining Room ??????? Sticks Rehearsal with Ms. Ryanne

Mon 12/16 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 4:00 pm Rosecrance in Room 202 & Gym 6:00 Gamblers Anonymous in Room 205

Tue 12/17 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 Quilters in Room 206 9:00 History & Archives in Room 201 9:00 “Busy Bag Ladies” in Room 205 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 10:30 Staff Meeting in Staff Conference Room 4:00 pm Rosecrance in Room 202 & Gym 7:00 Grace Awakening in Rooms 205 & 209

Wed 12/18 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 9:30 Early Head Start in Room 100 4:00 pm Rosecrance in Room 202 & Gym 5:30 Holy COW! - see announcements 7:00 Men’s Fellowship in the Parlor 7:00 Praise Band Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 7:00 Taizé worship in the Chapel

Thu 12/19 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 9:30 Early Head Start in Room 100 10:00 MAYA’s House Christmas Party in the Dining Room 2:30 pm Early Head Start in Room 100 4:00 Rosecrance in Room 202 & Gym 6:00 JuBellation Rehearsal in Choir Room 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal in Choir Room

Court St. United Methodist Church at Work This Week - continued

Fri 12/20 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 10:00 Early Head Start in Room 100

Sat 12/21 11:00 am Children’s Pageant Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 12:00 Advent Workshop in the Youth Center 5:30 pm Bethlehem Journey in front of church or th Gym

Sunday 4th Sunday of Advent12/22 8:50 am Children’s Pageant Rehearsal 9:00 Lamplighters (Adult Sunday School) in 209 10:00 Worship in the Sanctuary - Children’s Pageant 11:15 Fellowship Time in the Narthex 11:30 Praisin’ & Prayin’ Puppets in Balcony East 11:45 “THE STORY” Study in the Library

“The United Methodist Church is an 11-millionstrong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world.

John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian liv-ing, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.”

From www.umc.org

Find out more about the United Methodist Church in general and Court Street United Method-ist Church specifically by meeting with our pastor, Calvin Culpepper. Most Sundays you will be able to connect with him in the back of the Sanctuary right after worship. Or you may call the church office (815) 962-6061. If you have any questions or wish to meet with him later, he will be glad to help you.

If you decide to join our church after you have met with the pastor, there will be a formal re-ceiving of new members during worship service.

Court St. United Methodist Church at Work This Week - continued

Fri 12/20 8:00 am MAYA’s House in Rooms 102 & 103 9:00 SAFE Program in Rooms 202 & 203 10:00 Early Head Start in Room 100

Sat 12/21 11:00 am Children’s Pageant Rehearsal in the Sanctuary 12:00 Advent Workshop in the Youth Center 5:30 pm Bethlehem Journey in front of church or th Gym

Sunday 4th Sunday of Advent12/22 8:50 am Children’s Pageant Rehearsal 9:00 Lamplighters (Adult Sunday School) in 209 10:00 Worship in the Sanctuary - Children’s Pageant 11:15 Fellowship Time in the Narthex 11:30 Praisin’ & Prayin’ Puppets in Balcony East 11:45 “THE STORY” Study in the Library

You’re invitedto

More Christmas at Court Street 2013

Bethlehem JourneySaturday • December 21

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Relive the birth of our Saviour

by visiting scenes recreated on our sidewalkin front of our church

We wish you and yours a veryBlessed Christmas.

Family WorshipTuesday • December 24

4:00 p.m.Chapel

Candlelight ServiceTuesday • December 24

9:30 p.m.Sanctuary

Christmas Eve

“Sleepover at the Stable”Children’s Christmas Pageant

Sunday • December 2210:00 a.m.