1. family and parenting
2. children

Sunday, December 28, 2014
10:15 a.m. Service
We Receive God’s Word

We Gather in God’s Name
As you prepare to worship this morning we invite you to look around the worship space. If
someone is sitting alone, please feel free to move and sit by them. We hope that no one sits
alone. During our prelude you are invited to take a moment to read and reflect on our scripture lessons. Or, turn to a neighbor and share with him/her a high and a low of the week. We
hope you enjoy worshipping here. Children are encouraged to join us for worship. For children
under 4 years of age, the Nursery located on second floor, is available for your use.
(indicates please stand if comfortable)
PRELUDE
Donna Atherton, Organist
“Yuletide Echos” - Hudson
“Bright & Glorious is the Sky” - Wood
WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OUR BELL CALLS US TO WORSHIP
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jean Anderson, Liturgist
For so long we have walked only in darkness, unable to see.
But, behold a light, yes a light, has come!
Not even the deepest darkness can keep out the dawn.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will
be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Peace is here, upon us, with us, around us. It will never end.
Celebrate the King of light, power and peace.
He has come.
HYMN OF PRAISE
“Sing We Now of Christmas”
UMH #237
OPENING PRAYER
Gracious and loving God, the gift of your Son, Jesus, was a gift that
changed the course of human history for all time. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude for such an extravagant outpouring
of generosity, love and grace. It is our lives that must speak for us -lives that are testimonies to the difference that this Jesus makes in
the human heart and the human condition. When we act with compassion, kindness and gentleness toward others, we are the incarnational presence of Christ. When we dwell on your word, it transforms
our minds so that we may choose, act and respond as those who are
devoted followers of the one who said, "Come, follow me." O God,
this is who we long to be. Grant us your grace and mercy to walk as
friends and worshipers of the Christ child. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC
OFFERTORY
Janet Geston
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Luke 2: 22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of
Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as
it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to
what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man
was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the
Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s
Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according
to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother
were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed
them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling
and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so
that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will
pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven
years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She
never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night
and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to
speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the
Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child
grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was
upon him.
MESSAGE
“Simeon and Anna”
“There’s a Song in the Air”
DOXOLOGY
UMH #94
Praise God, from whom all bless-ings flow:
Praise God all creatures here be-low;
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Je-sus Christ, whose power up-lifts!
Praise the Spirit, Ho-ly Spir-it!
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
PASTORAL 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.
We Go Forth to Serve
CLOSING HYMN
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
UMH #251
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
RINGING OF THE BELL
POSTLUDE
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” - Cherwien
Thank you to our Sound/AV Technician: Jef Curfman
Developing a Breakthrough Prayer Initiative
Jamestown First UMC, Sunday, January 18 from 2:30—7:30 p.m.
Plan now to join your pastors on a road trip.
Rev. Amy Atkins
Martha Grace Reese's research on evangelism in mainline churches
found that churches that do outreach well and that are growing,
highly value and deeply practice prayer. Being a vital congregation
is all about prayer and opening ourselves to the breaking-in
of the Holy Spirit.
UMH #249
This workshop will focus on creating a breakthrough prayer initiative in our congregation. Participants will be inspired by testimonies of how the Spirit is moving in
churches that have engaged in breakthrough prayer and we will leave with an action
plan for developing a deeper prayer initiative at Fargo First.
We Respond in Faith
HYMN
“In Dulci Jubilo” - Bish
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Poinsettia Dedications
In Memory of
Eleanor and Carroll Alexander given by Sue Hansen
O.Q. Johnson given by the Johnson Family
Nels and Kathy Wright given by Nancy Lilleberg
Leah and Ed Yeager given by Cindy Yeager, Deb Brooks and Wendy
Fisher Families
Mark Strackbein given by Garilyn McColm
Pat Rittgarn given by Larry Rittgarn
Ernie and Lil Westby given by Linda Bates
Bob Ivers given by Mary Ivers
Dr. Roger Engberg given by Betty Engberg
Ian Engberg given by Betty Engberg
Bob Seigel given by Evelyn Seigel
Sam Tollefson, McKenzie Tollefson and
David Scheer given by Miriam Tollefson
Our Parents given by Ron and DeLayne Thorson
Aldon Ault given by Delores Ault and Family
Lester Krabbenhoft and Verna Messersmith
given by Cal and Lois Messersmith
My son, Randy Barke given by Hazle Barke
Leonard Sannes given by Nora Sannes
Our Parents given by Bob and Deanne Horne
Ruth Spurrell, Madge and Rufus Spurrell given by
Marilyn Spurrell & Amy Atkins
Atwell Atkins and Troy Atkins given by Amy Atkins
Maurice and Ruth Anderson given by Wayne and Lila Anderson
John Wentz given by Marilyn Wentz
Larry, Duncan, Virginia and Susan given by Nancy Budish
Joe Peltier given by Norma Peltier
Rapheal Ottesen given by Delberta Ottesen
Jim Linnerooth given by Beryl Linnerooth
Jarod Dittman given by Charles Dittman
Richard and Jarod Dittman given by Jennette Dittman
Brother, Mike Edwardson given by Jody Kosienski
Mike Edwardson given by Jensine Edwardson
Cecil F. Miller given by Family
Bill and Margaret Keup given by Linda Keup
James Rodacker given by Linda Keup
In Honor of
T.J., Meredith, Olivia and Haley given by Gary and Betty Shiek
LeRoy and Ruby Nypen given by Garilyn McColm
Kate, Elsie and Henry Dixon given by Linda Bates
Ron and Mona McLean given by Evelyn Seigel
Jim Kruse’s 50th year singing in the Candle & Carol Service given by
Ron & DeLayne Thorson
My daughter and grandsons given by Kathy Tofflemire
Caring Closet Volunteers given by Jim and May Pomeroy
Lorraine Schendel and family are sponsoring the December bulletins in
memory of John Schendel. Thank you for the sponsorship.
Help us find 20 homes by New Years Day!
Currently families have filled the homeless shelters in the FM area. Many of these
families have received services and are ready to move into local apartments. They
have vouchers and access to a risk mitigation fund. We need landlords, property
managers, and others to help find 20 homes and apartments that can be rented by
January 1st. For more information, call Jen at 701-866-5533.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Fargo First Happenings
December 31 - All Wednesday Night Activities Cancelled
January 1 - The Church is Closed
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK
Family of Bill Burkholder
(Beva Hansen’s dad)
Family of Curtis Black
(Evelyn Seigel’s brother)
Family of Arthur Miller
(Son of Janet Miller)
Family of Norman Edwardson
Family of Don Atherton
(Donna Atherton’s father-in-law)
Dorothy Lubka
Mark
Jackie Washburn
Mike Unrue
Lynn Severtson
Barb Eide
Nola Glanzer
Steve Smith
(friend of Sheron & Jim Kruse)
(Evelyn Seigel’s son)
Micheal Malkmus
(Miriam Tollefson’s nephew)
Pam & Steve
(friends of Diane Solinger)
Addrain Clark
(Sheron Kruse’s mother)
Ronald Kluck
(friend of Corie and Bill Metz)
Jean Nelson
Rose Spurrell
(Pastor Marilyn’s step-mother)
Jenny Kerr
(Wally Sizer’s sister-in-law)
Ray Such
Mark Hoefs
Gary Newton
Gary Shiek
Evelyn Lommen
Dale Nygard
Matthew Justice
(Marsha Danuser’s friend)
Brandie Madaonaia
Those suffering with
a long term illness
Marleene Paul
Tom Brackin
(brother-in-law of Arliss
Koehler)
Nicky
(friend of Garilyn McColm)
Mary Goldader
(Lila Huebner’s sister)
Art Dockter
Ray Andres
(father of Beth Zitzow)
Kevin
(great –granddaughter of Craig and
Rosann Burslie)
(friend of Diane Roehrich)
Kailen Moe
(Cousin of Cori Metz)
(baby of Jacob and Emily Moe)
Kimberly Scheer
(daughter of Miriam Tollefson)
Mike Tarr
Andrew Lynch
Stacy Pearson
(Tami Platfer’s friend)
Simeon and Anna
Those in the Military
Ryan Bader
(son-in-law of Susan & Dan
Thorstad & grandson of Janice &
Arvid Moe)
Dustin Harris
(Anna Harris’ husband & Jack
Henry’s father)
Bradley Benton
(Wes & Mary Braunberger’s
son-in-law)
Midshipman David Johnson
(Kathy & Max Johnson’s son)
LCpl. Tom Jorgenson
(Maggie & Howie
Jorgenson’s son)
Lt. Col. Robert Kjelden
(Garry & Eunice Kjelden’s son)
Sgt. Adam Walsvik
(Lila & Rick Huebner’s nephew)
Lt. Col. Glen Schmick
(Lorraine Ingnell’s grandson)
Col. Steve Allen
(Betty Allen’s son)
Brad Stremlau
(Mike & Libby Flower’s
Son-in-law)
906 1st Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103
3910 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58104
(701) 232-4416
[email protected]
Making new disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world