Who We Are: We are an authentic Christian community

which is radically loving, outwardly focused, and grace giving!

What We Do: We are to seek the lost, restore the broken,

and make the wounded whole.

GOD'S VISION & MISSION FOR US

610-459-3482: www.bethmeth.com

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 7, 2014

CALL TO WORSHIP Hymn #278 Angels We Have Heard on High

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES 9:00 AM - Lion Family 10:30 AM - Fox Family

Lighter: In Advent we anticipate the coming of the infant

King Who brings peace to the world.

People: We have this peace because Jesus is establishing

His eternal Kingdom in our midst, reigning over us

in unity as the one true Lord of all!

ALL: We rejoice to worship the one whom Isaiah

called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His

Government and its Peace will never end.”

Lighter: As we light two candles, let us honor our King as

we sing of His peace:

SONGS OF PRAISE Hymn #277 Hark the Herald Angels Hymn #281 What Child Is This

OFFERING AND THANKSGIVING Offering

Offertory Winter Wind Annie Orth, Cello PROCLAIMING THE WORD Meditation Rev. Tim Kriebel “Jesus Comes to Reign!” Luke 1:26-38; Ephesians 2:11-18 COMMUNION The Prayer of Confession

Jesus, we are grateful to call You Savior, because it is

reassuring to know heaven awaits us upon our deaths due to YOUR

death on the cross. But we confess we are less thrilled—and less

committed—to serving You as Lord, because once You’ve forgiven

us, we’d rather take back charge of our OWN lives. We confess we

are torn, O Christ, between doing what WE want, and surrendering

our wills fully to You. Too often we think we know what’s best when

no one knows that better than You. Jesus, reveal Yourself in all Your

majesty, that we might worship You as King! Manifest Yourself in all

Your glory, O Lord, that we might eagerly, joyfully, and

wholeheartedly bow down before Your sovereignty. Rule over us as

both the infant King Who saves us and the Prince of Peace Who

leads us, always and forever! Amen.

Song Emmanuel CLOSING SONG Hymn #270 Joy To The World BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

Christmas is just around the corner! At least,

it seems like it when you’re getting ready for

an event like this.

We’ll be turning Bethlehem into a real

Christmas festival with caroling, a huge light

display, dramas, performance by the bell choir,

and a live nativity.

This festival is a fantastic opportunity for you, the Bethlehem family,

to host an amazing Christmas party for our whole community; Friday,

Saturday & Sunday, December 12, 13 & 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

We have surprises in the works to draw major attention to this event,

so you won’t want to miss the chance to help make it amazing.

Consider helping with: Baking, Caroling, Cleanup, Greeter,

Decorating, Live Nativity, Parking, Storytelling.

Sign Up in Agan Hall TODAY!

Sign up to help sponsor a family

with gifts and food at Christmas!

Join with other families, a small

group or fellow co-workers to

sponsor a family in need this

Christmas season.

Contact Ed Pappas (610-399-5102) for details or sign up in Agan

ALL MUSIC SUNDAY:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 AT 9 AND 10:30 AM

Celebrate the final Sunday of Advent with us as our Worship Arts

Ministries lead us in a time of adoration and praise. Invite your family

and friends to come and be drawn into the mysterious love and

extraordinary power found as we approach the humble gift of Jesus in a

manger. Featuring musical offerings presented by Bethlehem Church’s

Choir, Praise Team, The Bethlehem Dance Project, Brass Ensemble and

more, this will be a morning of worship that you won’t want to miss!

BUMC member missionaries in the field & deployed

servicemen, for whom we have lit altar prayer candles.

Jon Swenson - China

Mary Birkhimer

Karen Carapellucci

Charlie and Carol Cass

Barrie Denaro

Harvietta Draviczky

Pat Heer (Brenda Orso’s mother) prayer for strength and healing of broken ankle

Bette Jones - healing and cancer treatment.

Cindy Kreh - broken arm

Elizabeth McMaster, (Anita Winner’s mother - Alzheimer’s and continued recovery from broken pelvis)

Al and Trudy Morley

Preeda Read (recovery from brain tumor surgery)

Jesse Sheaffer (Sue Sweeney’s dad)

Ginny Tustin (Dave Tustin’s mother) - recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Alice Zweigle - stroke

The Flowers on the Altar were donated

by Lois Erb in Memory of

her daughter, Marianne Fiorelli.

We offer comforting prayers to Gail Gallagher

and her family, as they grieve the loss of her

father, David Edwards who passed away on

Monday, December 1, 2014.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3, ESV

Ministry Opportunities

WANTED: Flower Delivery Volunteers

Deliver some BUMC comfort and strength; consider becoming part of

the Flower Delivery Team. Flowers are delivered every Sunday after

the 10:30 Service. Directions and prayer card are provided. If you are

interested in this ministry and/or have questions, please contact

Beverly at 610-459-3482.

THE CIRCLE MAKER: DRAW A CIRCLE - DAY 16

LORD, SURPRISE ME

The wind blows wherever it pleases. - John 3:8

A prayer like "Lord, surprise me" is a prayer of absolute

surrender. It's letting God have control and letting God bless

beyond our abilities. Keep drawing circles.

Prayer Meeting every Sunday

5:30 pm Soaking Prayer

6:00 pm Healing and Intercessory Prayer

The Puppy with a purpose: The paw-prints on

his collar share the salvation message. God's

promise is that His Word will not return void!

His colorful tag explains the clear message of salvation and a

prayer. Pick up your Woofi order TODAY.

See Woody and Harriet Widlund about opportunities for Woofi

sponsorship for Bethany Christian Services. Woofi’s will be used in

Bethany’s Safe Family Program which provides coaches for families

in crisis. The children in host families will receive a Woofi.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Remember the Sabbath…

MONDAY: Philippians 2:1-11

TUESDAY: Isaiah 11:1-10

WEDNESDAY: Revelation 21

…Observe the Sabbath

THURSDAY: Isaiah 7:10-16

FRIDAY: Matthew 1:18-25

SATURDAY: 1 John 4:13-18a

DAILY PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

SUNDAY: For a church-wide revival manifested by world-wide peace

reflecting the sovereignty of God’s Kingdom

MONDAY: For Pastor Tom and all those who assist him with the

Discovering Discipleship program

TUESDAY: Ask the Lord how YOU might live out the reality of HIS

Kingdom today!

WEDNESDAY: For Karen Booth and her work with Transforming

Congregations

THURSDAY: Pray the Lord reveals to you and your family how you can

make the birth of Jesus more central to your Advent/

Christmas celebration this year

FRIDAY: Pray that the hearts of many within our community will be

drawn closer to the heart of Jesus through our

CHRISTMAS AT BETHLEHEM outreach this year

SATURDAY: For those living on Foxbrook Lane in Thornbury Hunt

General Information

Attendance: Thanksgiving Eve: 36: Last Sunday: 9:00 am: 123; 10:30 am: 135; total: 258

Members and guests, please register your full name in the black book, located at the end of each pew, and pass it to your neighbor.

Giving: Needed weekly: $14,778; Received Last Sunday: $16,759

Dates available to give altar flowers are Dec 21 @$20.00 per vase. Rosebuds are $10.00. Call the office to designate as a memorial or in honor of a loved one.

Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rev. Timothy A. Kriebel

Pastor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministries . . . . . . Tom Wolff

Pastor of Children and Youth Ministries . . . . . . . . Kevin Giannotti

Pastor of Worship Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christie Kelly

WEBSITE: www.bethmeth.com : PHONE: 610-459-3482

4 Westtown Rd, P.O. Box 57, Thornton, PA 19373 Church Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm

Pastoral Staff

Our ministry philosophy is found in two great texts in the Bible, known as the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and the

Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Matthew 22:37-39

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Our Philosophy of Ministry