First Sunday of Advent
Hanging of the Greens
December 2,
2018
*Those who are
able are invited to stand
Welcome and
Announcements Rev. Dai Morgan
Opening Music “Come
Let Us Worship the King” Chancel & Bell Choirs
*Call to Worship Kristian Perry
Leader: In the days to come, the mountain of the
Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of mountains and shall be
raised above the hill. All the nations
shall stream to it. Many people shall
come and say:
Congregation:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of
Jacob; that God may teach us God’s ways and that we may walk in God’s paths.”
Leader: With what shall we come to
God’s house?
Congregation:
Bring branches of cedar and holly, bring evergreens and a pine tree. Hang wreaths and garlands.
Leader: Make the church fragrant
with the smell of living things.
Congregation:
In acts of hanging greens and listening to the words of prophets and seers, let
us make our hearts and this space a place of inward and outward preparation for
the One who comes to give us a second birth.
Leader: Let us pray…
Congregation:
Good Lord, by your mercy, guide our outward actions in such ways that our
inward being is formed in faith, hope and love.
May the decorations we offer engage our senses during the days of Advent
and enliven our praise and worship in the name of the child of Bethlehem, our
risen and coming savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
*Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (verse
1-3) #234
Offering our Gifts and
Tithes
Offertory
Chris
Koesel
Introduction to Hanging of the Greens
Barbara Cooley Thaw
EVERGREEN and WREATHS
Reading
“The First Noel” Instrumental Ensemble
POINSETTIA
Reading
“Glad Noel” Chancel
Choir
If you were given a poinsettia, please bring it
forward at this time.
ADVENT WREATH
Reading The Fortier
Family
Congregation:
Lord, as we enter into the Advent Season, help us to
stay alert to Your will and to remain aware of ways that we might express Your
love for all people on Earth. Amen.
“Angels We Have Heard
on High” Eli Nitzberg
HOLLY
Reading
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” Male
Chorus
NATIVITY SCENE
Reading
“What
Child Is This?”
Female
Chorus
Congregation: Gentle
God, you came to us quietly and without warning. Just as each of the characters in our
Nativity Scene played an important role in your story, so are we called upon to
relive God’s Greatest Gift and share the message of Jesus’ birth throughout the
land. Amen.
LIGHTS
Reading
Gesu Bambino Tommy Walters (vocal), T.J.
Houser (guitar)
Congregational Benediction
For your goodness and generosity in giving us all
we need,
Help us to
praise you O God.
In every circumstance of life, in good times and
bad,
Help us to
trust you, O God.
In love and faithfulness, with all that we have
and all that we are,
Help us to
serve you, O God.
As we speak or write or listen to those nearby or
far away,
Help us to
share your love, O God.
In our plans and work for ourselves and for
others,
Help us to
glorify you, O God.
This Advent Season let our thoughts and words and
deeds reflect your generosity and by the power of your Spirit, may we live for
you always.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the
name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Commission and
Blessing Rev. Kim Viehland
Today’s service
is dedicated to the memory of Kim Slobodnyak.
Kim Weber Slobodnyak
was raised as a Mifflin Avenue Methodist. Throughout her lifetime, she was an
active member and dedicated volunteer for all things MAUMC. Some of the
positions she held included MYF leader, Church Council president, Kitchen Guru
(along with her forever sidekick, Nick) and Women’s Circle president. Near and
dear(est!) to her heart was the annual Hanging of the
Greens service. Her passionate leadership shone brightest when she stood in the
back of the sanctuary, directing and smiling at all who participated. Thank you
for sharing in this Advent Service and continuing Kim’s Lasting Legacy.
~~Barbara Cooley Thaw