Wesley United Methodist ChurchGrand Forks, ND

December 6, 2015

Our purpose is to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world

1Welcome to Worship at WesleyDecember 6, 2015 2nd Sunday of Advent

Gathering in Fellowship and Praise to God

Gathering Music As With Gladness Marge MyroldArr. Lorie Line

Welcome and Announcements(Please sign the ritual of friendship attendance pad and pass to others in the pew.)

* Greetings of Christian Fellowship

Opening Hymn Joy to the World Red Hymnal 246

* Call to Worship and Advent Candle LightingLeader: 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.

People: 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.

* Lighting the Candle of Peace O Come, O Come Emmanuel (vs. 1-2) Red Hymnal 211

Leader: Take your encouragement from Christ, that your joy may be complete.

Welcome to Wesley! If you have questions or special needs, please speak to an usher. Worship activity bags for children are hanging on a rack at the back of the church.

Our ushers have large-print hymnals available.Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers in Room 202.

Please remember to silence your cell phone during worship.

People: We will share in the Spirit; we will find consolation in love.Leader: Practice a ministry of humility and compassion for God is at work in you, empowering you.

People: We will welcome Christ into our hearts. We will live lives worthy of the Gospel. We will live in hope and in peace.

Coming Before God in PrayerSong of Meditation In the Bleak Midwinter Red Hymnal 221

Prayers of the People(Please allow an usher to bring a microphone to you so all can hear your request.)

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s PrayerPrayer Response At the Table of the Lord Choir

Joseph M. Martin

Giving Our Tithes and OfferingsReceiving of Tithes and Offerings

Offering Music O Come All Ye Faithful Marge MyroldArr. Suzanne Arant Brantley

* Doxology

* Prayer of Dedication O God of our salvation, we praise you, for you give us every good thing. You speak

peace to our hearts. By your power, “steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.” May we live in gratitude for our reconciliation with you through Jesus Christ your Son. Let us dedicate ourselves to your service in his name. Amen.

Hearing God’s WordChildren’s Time

Scripture Lesson Luke 4:16-19 New Testament, page 57

Message “Sent: Jesus Sets Us Free” Rev. Howie Baird

* If able, please stand where asterisks appear. CCLI Lic. 906361

The Sacrament of CommunionInvitation, Confession, and Pardon Red Hymnal 12The Great Thanksgiving Red Hymnal 13Sharing the Loaf and the Cup

(Please put your Birthday for Mission offering in the basket when you come up for Communion)

Going Forth to Serve* Benediction

* Musical response Go Now In Peace (x2) Red Hymnal 665

* Closing Song God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Marge MyroldTraditional English Carol

Thanks to all who have helped with today’s worship service!

Welcome Team:9:00 - Peggy Kindem,

Dave Kiefel, Ron Elliott 11:15 – Dave & Judy Christy

Lay Reader:9:00 - Linda Juntunen

Nursery:9:00 – Megan Baird11:15 – Megan Baird

Sound Board:9:00 - Mark Bjornseth11:15 – Dave Kiefel

Communion Servers:9:00 - Linda & Jim Juntunen, Jessica Zerr, acolytes

Please feel free to communicate with us:Website: www.gfwesley.org

e-mail: gfwesley@midconetwork.comPhone: 701.772.1869

Address: 1600 4th Ave. N. Grand Forks, ND 5820

A peaceful worship service for those who struggle with finding the joy of the Christmas season because of a recent change or loss due to death, divorce, sickness, or unfortunate and tragic circumstances.The Blue Christmas is an attempt to minister to these needs while still recognizing that part of the reason for Jesus’ coming was to bring hope and comfort.

Blue Christmas serviceSunday, December 13 at 6:00 pm

Alternate Christmas Gifts

Alternate Christmas gifts will be available on December 6, 13 & 20. The projects that will be available for donation include Solar Oven, Imagine No Malaria, and Heifer Project International. Please see more information at the table in the lobby. It may be a perfect Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for person

Sunday, December 13 – Children’s Christmas program at the 9:00 am worship service

UMW Christmas Cookie Sale -- Anyone who would like to contribute cookies, (or candy, or small breads) may bring their donations to the church on Saturday, December 12 at 10:30 or before the first service on Sunday.  You may buy cookies (you pick what you want), a bakers dozen for $5.00.  The candy and small breads will be marked separately.  Cookies will be on sale between services and after the second service.

2015 Christmas Giving ProjectsThank you to all who in some way contributed towards our Christmas Shoebox Project and Stargivers Gifts. We collected a total of 47 shoeboxes and provided gifts for over 100 children in community! What a wonderful show of support and generosity by our congregation. Please remember to pray for the recipient of your gifts.

2016 Calendars:

Ministries. Rev. Ose, a Lutheran minister, gives the calendars to prisoners in MN, and a girls' school in Tanzania. It would be appreciated if you place your extra calendars in the collection basket in the fellowship room.

Wesley UMC is excited to announce that you can now manage your giving online! Giving online is easy and allows you to set up automatic recurring contributions and view your complete online giving history from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Simply scan our QR Code with your smart phone and/or follow these easy steps:

1. Visit the church website at www.gfwesley.org,2. Click on the Online Giving tab then on Make a donation,3. Make a one-time donation or click on the Create Profile button,

then,4. Follow the onscreen instructions to create on online profile and to

schedule your recurring contributions.

The “library” adult Sunday school class invites you to join them on their trek through the New Testament. They are currently studying the book of second Timothy using Max Lucado’s Life Lessons curriculum. There is no outside reading or preparation required, just join them on Sunday mornings at 10:10 am in the church library for learning and discussion.

2016 Commitment Card If you have not yet turned in your 2016 commitment card, you may still do so by placing it in the offering plate on a Sunday morning or dropping it off or mailing it to the church office. You may also call the church office for information about electronic giving. If you need a card, ask for one from the ushers today. Thank you for supporting the mission and ministries of Wesley UMC!

Wesley is again collecting calendars to send to Roger Ose

We are looking for a couple people who would be willing to help polish the brass offering plates, candle holders, etc. It would be just a couple hours once a month. Please talk to Janette Yaeger if you are interested.

Sunday, Dec. 6 8:30 a.m. Coffee fellowship9:00 a.m. Worship

10:10 a.m. Sunday School for all ages & Children’s Music11:15 a.m. Contemporary Worship

4:00 p.m. Youth Group cookie decorating/shopping

Tuesday, Dec. 8 3:00 p.m. Coffee Club, Panera Bread7:00 p.m. Advent Study, library

Wednesday, Dec. 9 1:30 p.m. Quilting Group, Room 3051:00 p.m. Lydia-Ruth-Rachel Circle, Parkwood1:30 p.m. Parkwood Worship5:30 p.m. Children’s Bell Rehearsal

6:15 p.m. Adult Bell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, Dec. 10 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Club, Denny’s7:30 p.m. New Generation of Women group, at

Coleen Asche’s (2014 Wintergreen Ct.)

Saturday, Dec. 12 10:00 a.m. Christmas program practiceCookie Drop-off time

Sunday, Dec. 13 8:30 a.m. Coffee fellowship 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. UMW Cookie Sale

10:10 a.m. Sunday School for all ages & Children’s Music11:15 a.m. Contemporary Worship

12:00 p.m. UMW cookie Sale3:30 p.m. Youth Group meet at church to go caroling

6:00 p.m Blue Christmas service, chapel.

Wesley UMC Calendar forDecember 6 – December 12

Last week’s attendance: 123 Last week’s giving: $2611.00Offering to date: $250,092.61 Annual Expense Budget Goal: $312,267.00We’re glad you are here today! Thank you for your support!

Advent Study The Tuesday evening Bible study group will begin an Advent study on December 1, based on the book “Sent” by Rev. Jorge Acevedo“God sent Christ into the world as our Savior. That’s what Christmas is all about. In turn, Christ sends us into the world. But do we really understand how, where, and why we are sent? This five-week Advent study challenges us through story, art, and Bible study to discover what it means to be Christ’s hands, feet, head, and heart.”Join us for the video and discussion study at 7:00 pm in the church library.

11:15 am Contemporary Worship

Today’s Music:Sing A Song

Revelation SongHoly Spirit

Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone

Today’s Scripture:Luke 4:16-19

Today’s Message Rev. Howie Baird“Sent: Jesus Sets Us Free”

Christmas Eve Worship Services

December 24 at 1:30 pm & 5:30 pmJoin us as we celebrate Christ’s birth

with traditional services of lessons and carols of the season. Hear anew the

story, open yourselves once again to the newborn Christ child’s presence, and