Prayer for Illumination Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 64:1–9 “People, Look East" *Hymn UMH 202 Anthem (11 am) Mark Miller “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Lighting of Advent Candle John, Ellen, Catherine & Elizabeth Maxwell Response “Shine, Jesus, Shine” TFWS 2173 Children’s Time (11 am) (Children 3 years through 3rd grade may leave for children’s church AFTER this.) Gospel Lesson Sermon Hurry Up and Wait Mark 13:24–37 Pastor Keith Ritchie *Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed UMH 881 Anthem (11 am) arr. John Raymond Howell "The Angel Gabriel" Mary Ann McConnell & Erin Givens, soloists *Passing of the Peace The Giving of our Gifts Offertory Music Offertory Prayer *Doxology THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER: THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Zora Roberson, Roberta Marshall, J.B. Heldreth, Tim Nagle (Peg Hollander’s son), H. Kenneth Martin (Shirley Self’s brother-in-law), Del Martin (Shirley Self’s nephew), Jennifer Bradshaw, Laura Parcell (Shirley Self’s mother), Julia Self, Lucille Self, Lynn Barbour, Debbie Love, Debbie Reed, Mick Brandon, Twila Showalter (Paula Ritchie’s family), Katherine Damen, Gabriel Porras (Ruth Chaney’s great grandson), Promise Hagan (Rhonda Enalls’ granddaughter), Johnny Matthews, Nancy Rood (Cathy Philips’ mother), John Clark. Please call the church office to Food Bank: For December 20th food bank, we need 300 cans of peaches or pears. Travel the Highways of Advent Bible study will be held on Mondays at 3:30 pm in the parlor and 7 pm in the conference room. Not a Silent Night Advent Bible study will be held on Tuesdays at noon in the conference room. Bring a lunch and experience Advent and Christmas from Mary’s point of view. add or remove names on our prayer list. If we have removed someone you wished to remain on the prayer list, we are sorry. Please notify the church office to have the person added. THOSE WHO ARE SHUT-IN: Meta Roth, Dot Bowen, George Lavinder, Frances Fishel, Evelyn Barnes, Louise Grigg, Marlene Lopez, Helen Phipps, John Clark, Evelyn Holmes, Robbie Woodruff, Tom and Gene Knight, Les Finney, Helen Alber THOSE IN THE MILITARY: Sgt. Justin Andes (Marilyn Dell’s grandson), Army PVC William Scott Barlow, Bernard Courtland Brooks, Steve Burton, YM2 Seth Buswell (son-inlaw of Lil and Paul Geib), Army Private Michael Frazier (grandson of Lil and Paul Geib), Matthew Flint (Kelly Flint’s brother), Jacob T. Hall (Cindy Matherly’s nephew), Capt. Brad Heath, Michael Lewis (Rosie and Fred Lewis’ son), Evan McNeer, Beau Oakes, S. Sgts. David & Kimberly Peay, Douglas Blake Spencer, LTC Dana Stowell (greatnephew of Belle Lynskey), Stephen Patton, Private C. J. Emerson, Patrick Connelly, LCPL, Ozzie LCPL THOSE IN THE MISSION FIELD: Elma Jocson, Chase and Audrey Arndt  First UMC is an uptown church Where all are Welcome Where all Worship Where all Serve To the Glory of God  UMH 94 Prayers of the People Watching and waiting for the coming of Christ, we pray for the promise of a new creation, saying: Come quickly, Lord; our hope is in you. With expectation, we pray for the church. Let your reign of love shape us, as a master potter skillfully forms a vessel, that we may reveal your beauty to the world. Come quickly, Lord; our hope is in you. With expectation, we pray for the world. Draw near to those who wait for you. Break into their circumstances with blessing. Heal the heart that awaits your restoration. Come quickly, Lord; our hope is in you. With expectation, we pray for this community. Transform the places in which we live. Grant that the gifts you have given all of us may be used for the common. Come quickly, Lord; our hope is in you. Hanging of the Green is today at 5 pm. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Please join us Sunday, December 7, in the fellowship hall at 12:30 pm to celebrate Belle Lynskey’s 100th birthday. Light refreshments will be served. No gifts, but cards will be appreciated. For Christmas Clothes Closet/Food Bank – if you have any gently used toys, children’s books, or household items we would love to have them to distribute at our December food bank (December 20). The Wesley Guild has pecans for sale: pecan halves (1 pound bags) for $12 and chopped pecans (1 pound bags) for $10. Contact Lewis Riddle (638-8567) or Martha Clark (638-1038). We will become more faithful witnesses for God by providing spiritual guidance, a moral compass, and a place of welcome and comfort to all of God’s children. We will do this by being aware of the needs in our community, listening for God’s calling, and responding with our time and talents. With expectation, we pray for loved ones. Comfort all who suffer and despair. Assure them of your presence and care. Let your face shine and save us. Come quickly, Lord; our hope is in you. God our hope, as the promised day approaches, fill us with the joy of your Holy Spirit and strengthen us to serve you faithfully, through Christ, who is coming to reign. Amen. Lord’s Prayer (using trespasses) *Hymn Welcome to CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF November 30, 2014 Early Learning Center Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 6:00 pm First United Methodist Church The church office hours are 9 am – 5 pm Monday –Thursday, 9 am-12 pm Friday The church office will be closed 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm for lunch. Sunday Nov. 30 5:00 pm Mon. Dec. 1 3:30 pm Children’s Choir, puppets & 4-12 3:30 pm Advent Bible Study (Parlor) 7:00 pm Advent Bible Study (Conference Room) Tues. Dec. 2 10:00 am 12:00 pm Wed. Dec. 3 3:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm Trustee Meeting Handbell Choir Chancel Choir UMH 206 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” Hanging of the Green FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT *Benediction *Postlude *Carrying Christ’s Light into the World *Indicates standing interval if you are able. We have new equipment for the hearing impaired. If you wish to use, please see an usher. Nursery (beside the Read Robins class) available for infants through three-year olds for Sunday School and 11:00 am Senior Pastor, Keith Ritchie Director of Programs/Children’s Ministries, Annette Huckfeldt Director of Music Ministries, Ken McDonald Director of Youth, Maegan Mitchell Organist, Rebecca Smith 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, Virginia 24112-2814 Office: 276-638-8733 Fax: 276-638-8598 Email Address: [email protected] WEBSITE: fumcmartinsville.net A cordial invitation is extended to you to worship with us regularly. If you would like to become a member of First Church, please speak to the pastor. Lunch Bunch Not a Silent Night Bible Study (Conference Room) 2:00 pm Staff Meeting 6:00 pm Stephen Ministry Dinner Thurs. Dec. 4 2:00 pm Worship Team Friday Dec. 5 12:00 pm Office closes USHERS: Woods Carter, J.C. Compton, Bradford Aron, Craig Dietrich, Donnie Eanes, Duke Easley, Alfredo Garcia, Hugh Gerlach, Will Gravely, Puck Kiser, David McConnell, Carol Stermer GREETERS: Martha McGhee, Elaine Ryder, Sally Hopkins, Greg and Sara Surratt COUNTERS: Joe Philpott, Karen Pratt, Betsy Gravely ACOLYTE: Catherine Maxwell SOUND TECHNICIAN: Paul Huckfeldt & Lynn Dietrich VIDEO TECHNICIANS: Matthew Withers BUS DRIVER: Tripp Smith CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Julie Wells November 30, 2014 8:45 am & 11:00 am WELCOME to this celebration of worship where we remember God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ! Prelude Bringing in the Light of Christ Fellowship & Ministry Announcements Please let us know you worshipped with us today by signing the friendship pad and passing it down the pew. We welcome our visitors and are grateful for the active witness of our members. *Call to Worship Keep alert, for the day is coming soon. Now the earth and heavens tremble. Pray for the gift of hope from God: Shine in our lives, Lord Jesus Christ. *Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” UMH 211 Opening prayer In the advent seasons, when the past has fled away and there is nothing left to do but wait, God, shelter us. Be our surrounding darkness; be the fertile soil out of which hope springs in due time. In uncertain times, help us to greet the dawn and labor on, love on, in faith awaiting your purpose hid in you waiting to be born in due time. Amen.