1. family and parenting
2. children

815/11
119:30
The Vision of St. Mark’s United Methodist church
is to inspire people of all ages, through acts of love
and service, to know Jesus Christ.
First Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2014 … ..… ……………8:15 & 11:00 AM Worship Services
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE……………….……………………....……………….………Dr. Wharton
“Sleepers, Awake!”……………………………………………..……….arr. Manz
GREETING
We gather in preparation
For good news is about to be proclaimed.
We gather in expectation
For joy is about to explode in our midst.
We gather in celebration
For we are those people who have said yes to the manger, yes to
love enfleshed, yes to the One incarnate for others, yes to the
wholeness of God.
With preparation and in expectation,
Let us celebrate!
HYMN / LIGHTING OF ALTAR CANDLES
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” … … … … … … … …… …….. page 196
▲
THE OPENING PRAYER
THE GLORIA … … … … … ……,,,,,,,,…..… … … … … … … … ..page 71
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
[8:15]………………………………………………….. Judy & Bob Coffren
[11:00]……………………………Carmen Pena, Laura Sydnor & family
WELCOMING ONE ANOTHER
PSALTER READING
Canticle of Mary (Magnificat)… … … … … … … ..…… .… … …. page 199
SPECIAL MUSIC
[8:15] Solo……………………………………………………………..Gail Aveson
“Prepare the Royal Highway”……………………………………arr. Ferguson
[11:00] Anthem……………………………….………………..…..Chancel Choir
“Come, Thou-Long-Expected Jesus”………………………..……..arr. Purifoy
PRAYER CONCERNS /ORGAN CALL TO PRAYER
The Lord be with you. AND ALSO WITH YOU. Let us pray.
MORNING PRAYER & THE 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 forever.
Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE … … …“Emmanuel, Emmanuel” … …page 204
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
Offertory Prayer & Offertory Music
Voluntary…………………………………………………………..…..Dr. Wharton
“Comfort Ye, My People”…………………………………….…….…..arr. Manz
DOXOLOGY……………………..………….….………page 221, stanza 4
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; yet what I can I give
him: give my heart.
THE READINGS FROM THE GOSPELS
Luke 1:39-45 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ……page 888
This is the Word of our Lord.. THANKS BE TO GOD!
MESSAGE ... … … “God Is Expectant”… … … … Rev. Missy Rekitzke
▲ HYMN
/ EXTINGUISHING OF THE CANDLES
“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”… … … … … … … ..… … …page 173
▲
BLESSING/CHORAL BENEDICTION (11:00)
POSTLUDE … … … ……..…………………………..……….……….Dr. Wharton
“Sleepers, Awake”……………………………………………………….arr. Bach
▲ Indicates to Please Stand As Able
Have a Blessed Week & Say a Good Word for God!”
Congratulations to the following children from our middle elementary Sunday
School class, They have completed the unit on "Learning to Use My Bible", &
they received their Bibles at the 9:30 service this morning!
Kaylyn Ava Lowery
Rebecca Dean
Matthew Craig
Kyle Kennedy Dyott
William Thomas Sherwood
M. Daniel Royer
Finley McGuckin
Sean Wazniak
Ashley Grace Morris
Emily Virginia Branic
___________________________________________________________
Reflection Questions and Notes
Advent Week 1: God is Expectant
“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in
his salvation.” Isaiah 25:8-9
• As we enter into the Advent season, where is your heart? Like
Elizabeth, are you filled with longing? Are you reeling with
uncertainty like Mary? Try to refocus your heart to expectantly
await Jesus’ coming-the moment everything changed and God
came for us.
•
Christmas was God’s master plan to change the world in a way
that no one expected. How has Jesus defied your expectations?
Where might hope be leading you?
Prayer for this week:
“God, I’m grateful that you loved us enough to put on flesh, to come and
pitch your tent beside us, to become a vulnerable baby. And Lord, I love
that you want Christmas to change the world. So change the world God.
Start with me! I pray for those who are on my heart who might not even
know why you came, God. And I pray, God that you will change those
things in my heart that have seemed unchangeable. I love you, Jesus. I am
expectant for you. Come, Lord Jesus, Come. Amen.”
WELCOME TO ST. MARK’S! Let us prepare ourselves to worship our
Lord this morning with prayer. Before the service begins, you are invited to
register your attendance (please print) in the attendance pad in the pew.
FLOWERS on the Altar this morning are presented to the Glory of God
in memory of Dorothy Sherwood, Mr & Mrs Howard Sherwood, Esther S.
Trice, Martha S. Callahan & Nellie Lewis by Charlie, Mollie & Keegan
Connolly.
LARGE PRINT HYMNALS , BULLETINS, & PRAYER
REQUEST FORMS ARE AVAILABLE. Please see an usher.
IN THE LITERATURE RACK Upper Room reg & LP – Jan./Feb.
Pockets – December.
CD MINISTRY Today’s sermon is available on CD for you to share with a
friend. Please see an usher or fill out a form on the usher’s table.
THE NURSERY is located in Room 212 & is available for parents to
either drop off their children during the 9:30 service or tend to their child's
needs. Volunteers will be available in the nursery every week, only during the
9:30 service but, it will be open during all other services for families to use as
well.
THRIFT SHOP HOURS are Monday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday,
Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 410-820-7106.
-Those Who ServeACOLYTE: Justin Ohler.
LAY READERS: Ruth Higgins. (8:15). Maggie Mayo. (11:00).
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP: Carmen Pena & Becky Skinner.
USHERS: Head Usher: Bob Coffren; Bob & Fran Gosser. (8:15). Head Usher:
Parke Hahn; Ray & Barb Kraeer, Jen Eames & Bob Thomas. (11:00).
LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE: Judy & Bob Coffren. (8:15). Laura
Sydnor, Carmen Pena & family. (11:00).
GREETERS: Bob & Fran Gosser. (8:15).
David & Eileen Heistand, Bette Kenzie & Joyce Plutschak, Standley Carroll &
Nancy Gambrill. (11:00).
NEW MEMBER GUIDES: Pat Jones. (8:15). Mary Ann Smith. (11:00).
SOUND TECHNICIAN: Cindy Hammons.
ALTAR GUILD: Pat Jones.
CHURCH OPENING: Don Swann. CLOSING: The Nagels.
ARE YOU SEEING STARS?
STARS MEAN NEW OR CHANGED ANNOUCEMENTS!!
LOOKING FOR ACOLYTES WE NEED YOU!!! We need student
volunteers to serve as Acolytes during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday service. Please
join us!! We are in great need of volunteers, from grades 6-12, who can help out
lighting candles & with the offering. This is a great opportunity to serve St.
Mark's! We will set up training sessions so that everyone can "learn the ropes"!!
If interested, please contact: Diane Nave, Acolyte Advisor 410-330-1974 or
[email protected] or Karen Reed, Church Office Manager 410-822-0001
or [email protected]
CHRISTMAS DINNER SIGN UP DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!
This is your final reminder that we must receive all reservations for our churchwide Christmas dinner no later than tomorrow, Monday, December 1! The food
must be ordered by tomorrow & plans finalized for the preparation & set-up of
the dinner. Please either sign up in the gathering area today before you leave
church or call Judy Lawrence at the church office to reserve your seats. YOU
CAN PAY AT THE DOOR ON DECEMBER 7! We just need the head count
for now. Don’t forget that we will be having our Christmas Bazaar in Room 155
on that day! The bazaar will be open 9:00am to 12:30pm & 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
This is your chance to do all of your Christmas shopping!
BLACK WALNUTS & PECANS are available in the church office.
Proceeds will go to the needy fund. The 1 lb. bags of pecans are $8.50 each &
the black walnuts are $8.50. These freeze very well for next years baking.
REMEMBER IF YOU SHOP ONLINE TRY
SMILEAMAZON.COM If you shop on Amazon why not choose to donate
money to St. Mark’s?? Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible
AmazonSmile purchases to St Mark's United Methodist Church whenever you
shop on AmazonSmile. We have earned $13.95 between July & September
from people using smile.amazon.com & clicking St. Mark’s United Methodist
Church as your favorite non-profit to support. We all know that every penny
counts! So don’t forget when you are shopping for Christmas or everyday items
go to smile.amazon.com & choose St. Mark’s!
PRAYER IN THE CHAPEL meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
please feel free to join us as we pray for various needs for the church, members
& the local community. Please use the pew cards to submit requests for prayers.
BOARD OF CHILD CARE/FOOD LION PARTNERSHIP Food Lion
has agreed to donate a certain percentage of every dollar that is spent in its
stores to the Board of Child Care, Denton Campus. To get the credit, you need
to register your MVP discount card in order for the Board to get this credit.
Please register your card information on the list in the Gathering Area. Thanks!
LABELS FOR EDUCATION (Campbells, etc.) coupons please bring to
church & place them in the Campbell’s soup can.
PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY The purpose of the Prayer Chain Ministry is
to provide prayer support in crisis or emergencies for church members, loved
ones & people in the community. Please call the church office 410/822-0001 &
or Contact Sara Lou Casson 410/822-4872 or Betty Fleming 410/822-2216.
SAVE YOUR TRASH! Please continue to save Boxtops for Education for local
Elementary Schools, & soda can tabs for Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore.
Please place in basket marked Save your Trash.
-TODAYSunday, November 30, 2014
8:15 a.m. – Worship Service. Chapel.
9:00 a.m. – Coffee Fellowship. Gathering Space.
9:30 a.m. – Worship Service. Sanctuary.
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages.
11:00 a.m. – Worship Service. Sanctuary.
7:00 p.m. – Reign Down Choir Rehearsal. Sanctuary.
Monday, December 1, 2014
11:45 a.m. – Ruth Circle. Wm Hill Manor.
6:30 p.m. – Not a Silent Night Bible Study. Chapel.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
11:00 a.m. – Deborah Circle. Tidewater Inn.
6:30 p.m. – Liturgical Dance Rehearsal. Sanctuary.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
6:30 p.m. – Overtones Rehearsal. Music Room.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal. Sanctuary & Choir Rm.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
8:15 a.m. – Worship Service. Chapel.
9:00 a.m. – Coffee Fellowship. Gathering Space.
9:30 a.m. – Worship Service. Sanctuary.
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages.
11:00 a.m. – Worship Service. Sanctuary.
5:00 p.m. – Christmas Dinner. Fellowship hall.
6:30 p.m. – Mid-Shore Concert. Sanctuary.
-NEXT WEEKTHE SCRIPTURE LESSONS from the lectionary for next Sunday are
Isa. 40:1-11, Ps. 85:1-2, 8-13, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8.
-LET US PRAY FORso that you can be visited. You are our
Prayer Focus:
family & are important to us!!
Give thanks for all of the blessings
this year.
While we all know that being admitted into
the hospital can be a stressful time, please
contact the church office
ST. MARK’S
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER
MID SHORE COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
5:00 DINNER IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
6:30 CONCERT IN THE SANCTUARY
(CONCERT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
$8.00 adults (13 and over) $25.00 family
$4.00 children (3 TO 12) (Parents, 12 & under)
FILL OUT & RETURN THE FORM BELOW OR SIGN UP IN THE
GATHERING AREA OR CALL Judy Lawrence at the office at 410822-0001 ext 305 OR EMAIL her at [email protected]
to reserve NO LATER THAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 1! YOU MAY
PAY AT THE DOOR.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Dinner Sign Ups
Name __________________________________________
Adults _________ Children ________ Family_______
Total Due $___________
Phone No._______________ Email_________________
DEADLINE TO RESERVE: Monday, Dec. 1
St. Mark’s Mission is
To share the love of Jesus
with & through the people of Talbot County & beyond.
Our Worship:
8:15 A.M. Worship
9:30 A.M. Worship
11:00 A.M. Worship
Total Worship Attendance
Sunday School Attendance
2013
69
172
143
384
141
2014
74
110
135
319
* The new fiscal year began on July 1.
Our Tithes & Offerings (November 23, 2014)
Amount Received Last Week ………………..$ 13,050.75
Missions Fund (YTD) *…….…........................$ 19,781.24
Building Maint. Fund…(YTD) *……...............$ 17,839.74
The Vision of St. Mark’s United Methodist church
is to inspire people of all ages, through acts of love
and service, to know Jesus Christ.
100 Peachblossom Road
Easton, Maryland 21601
410-822-0001
FAX: 410-822-0002
www.stmarkseaston.org
[email protected]
church e-mail
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN CIRCLE’S WILL SHARE A CHRISTMAS MEAL IN DECEMBER
RUTH CIRCLE- Monday, December 1, William Hill Manor Dining Room 11:45. Members
are Providing Christmas gifts for one young man and cookies for the holiday gathering
at the Board of Child Care in Denton, MD. Contact Eleanor 410-820-9331.
DEBORAH CIRCLE – Tuesday, December 2 11 AM Tidewater Inn, contact Carolyn 410763-9639 Christmas donations for Imagination Library.
MARY CIRCLE – Monday, December 8, William Hill Manor Dining Room 12 noon,
contact Barbara 410-763-7263 Christmas donations for Imagination Library.
SARAH CIRCLE –Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 PM, Olive Garden, contact Marilyn 410822-4737 Christmas donations for a family.
ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ASKED: After the pulpit message on 11/23, there
have been questions asked about where to start to read the Bible regularly in
personal quiet time with the Lord. Some parts of God's Word seem easier to
start with than others. I would suggest starting with the New Testament Gospel
of John or any one of the four Gospels (the first four New Testaments books),
followed by the exciting book of Acts (the acts of the apostles--people just like
us). Paul's letters in the books of Romans and Philippians might be next.
Reading one chapter a day in the Bible is a good start, but if you can only read a
part of a chapter at one time, that's OK, too. Just continue where you left off the
next day. Before you start to read each day, pray for the Holy spirit to speak to
you & teach & guide you from God's Word. When you stop reading, thank God
for His presence & ask His protection & guidance throughout your day. Pray for
whatever is on your heart, & ask God to help you be a blessing to someone else
in Jesus name as you walk through that day. Remember how much God loves
YOU & is with you always. You are His beloved son or daughter & VERY
special to Him!
I pray that you enjoy your one-on-one time with our wonderful God, Barbara
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER @ ST. MARK’S
Membership in St. Mark’s Church is open to all people who confess Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior and are willing to serve Him with joy!
Fill out the information on this page. At the conclusion of the worship service
come forward to the Baptismal Font. A New Member Guide will meet you.
If you need baptism, the pastor will contact you to discuss its meaning and when
the Sacrament could be administered.
Please fill out completely (print clearly)
_______________________________________________________
First
Middle
Last Name
_______________________________________________________
First
Middle
Last Name
Address_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Home Phone # ____________________________________________
E-Mail Address ____________________________________________
How are you joining?
By Certificate of Transfer? If yes, then complete below.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Name of Church and Address
or
By profession of faith? Yes or No (circle one)
If yes, have you been baptized?
Yes or No (circle one)
What are the next steps?
1.
2.
3.
Fill out your EveryOne in Ministry Commitments and return them to the church.
In response to your area of service, a ministry leader will contact you about
serving in an area of ministry.
You will be invited to attend an orientation session.
Date_____NMG____