*GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. *PASSING OF THE PEACE CHILDREN’S MINUTES Following the Children’s Minutes, children should worship with their parents. PASTORAL PRAYER The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

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 Be Near Me, Lord Jesus *OFFERTORY HYMN NO. 254 We Three Kings KINGS OF ORIENT

Stanzas 1, 5 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

Refrain O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. Refrain

*OFFERTORY PRAYER OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD Please give the Friendship Pad slips to the usher as the offering is received.

OFFERTORY I Wonder As I Wander arr. John Jacob Niles

James Seay, Tenor *DOXOLOGY VENI EMMANUEL

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12 (Pew Bible, NT, p. 2)

SERMON “Long Journey Part of Gift” Rev. Dan Kilgore

*HYMN OF DEDICATION NO. 219 What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? Refrain This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Refrain So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain

BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE What Sweeter Music arr. Rutter POSTLUDE Joy to the World Michael Helman

*Congregation Standing. Please silence all pagers and cell phones.

(Hymn texts printed through permission of CCLI: 1108424)

MUSICIANS

James Seay, Director of Music Ministries

Susan Goode, Organist Adult Chancel Choir

Welcome Reception-Next Sunday

We are excited you have chosen to worship with us today. Please join us at the Welcome Center next Sunday for a friendly reception. Are you looking for more information about our church? Would you like to learn your way around the building? Would you like to meet our pastors? Do you have questions that you would like answered? Join us at the Welcome Center at 10:00 a.m. we would love to meet you. Welcome to First United Methodist Church Tusca-loosa! For more information contact Sam@fumct.org

WELCOME TO WORSHIP December 30, 2012

9:00 a.m.

PRELUDE Go Tell it on the Mountain J. Wayne Kerr WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Members and guests, please take the Friendship Pad, fill out the information and pass it down your pew. When it arrives at the other end of the pew, pass it back, taking note of those who are seated in your row. CHIMING OF THE HOUR The sounding of the three chimes symbolizes the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*HYMN OF PRAISE NO. 245 The First Noel THE FIRST NOEL

All stanzas The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Refrain

And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Refrain

Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Refrain

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A Modern Affirmation

PASTOR: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare:

ALL: We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children's good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father's unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.

ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION

Attendance on 12/23: Traditions 432; Bridge: 797 Adult SS: 170; N/P SS: 38; K-5 SS: 73; WOW: 26; Giving on 12/23: Budget: $79,157.26; Building: $123,047.43; Designated: $29,199.04 Attendance and Giving for 12/24 will be printed in the 1/6 Order of Worship.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Those Who Serve Our Country: 2nd Lieutenant Christopher Harwell; Staff Sgt. Brittany Millsaps; Ronald Barton Laycock US Navy, Bahrain, UAE. Other Prayer Concerns: Marthalene Brown (in hospice); Gloria & Steve Lamon’s mother, Adra Green; Ricky McGee; Carter Culver (Stephanie Charboneau’s nephew; Pam Loper, Jane Walker; Carole Stegall; Julianne Sneckenberger; Michael Black; Tina Bearden Cox; Sandra Reed; Lynne Kimbrough & son Will; Marthalene Brown; Mar-tha Sue Brown; John Powell; Bomar Ingram; Heather Whetston; Joy Phillips; Rosa McKinney; Dorothy Benson (Liz Whipple’s grandmother); John Major Davis; Fuller Goldsmith; Jan Leopard Wright; Estelle Swann; Phillip Mann; Brian McSorley; Cayce & Jan Rumsey; May Prickett; Betty Harless; Letitia Roberts. This is a partial list of prayer requests. A team of people pray for the confidential prayer requests of the church. If you would like to become a member of the prayer team contact Mary at mary@fumct.org. Send your requests to Jennifer at jennifer@fumct.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACTIVITIES CAC Closed for Holidays The CAC (Gym) will be closed December 24 through January 6. Exercise classes will resume January 7. New Sermon Series Beginning January 13 on the Power of Habit! Our pastors will address different aspects of habits, including cravings, power of belief, willpower, free will and the benefits of healthy habits. Make plans to attend. Wednesday Nights Alive! Wednesday Nights Alive! Resume January 9 with NEW small groups! Many on changing habits and creating healthy ones. Opportunities for Year End Giving Annual 2012 Church Budget. Please help us fulfill our 2012 budget obligations. The church office is open tomorrow to receive your gifts. Annual Budget Harvest Campaign Organ Fund Stock Pledges Student Ministry January 13 is when Winter Programming Resumes, New Schedule Begins! January 19 is the Senior High Day Trip to Atlanta, Register online here! February 8-9 is the Middle School Retreat at Maxwell Plantation. Call the church office about registration.

Children's Ministry Funday Sunday! is December 30 during the 10 a.m. Sunday School hour. Souled-Out Boys Pizza & Bowling is Friday, January 4 from 3-5:00 p.m. at Leland Lanes. Contact Perri at rmullins1965@yahoo.com. Mark Your Calendars for Children’s Ministry Architects Coming January 13-15

Quarter Sunday Quarter Sunday will be January 6 rather than December 30(5th Sunday). Note: Congregational information during the Christmas and New Year's holidays will be printed in the eConnect the week of January 8.

First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa 800 Greensboro Avenue

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Phone 205.345.7261

Facsimile 205.345.7263 After Hour Emergency Number: 886.7177

Website: www.fumct.org

December 30, 2012

9:00 a.m.

Memorials/Honorariums December 23, 2012

Building Maintenance In Memory of Jack & Sue Echols given by Bill & Martha Allen

Children’s Ministry In Honor of the Baptism of Dawson Kent Graves given by Alexis & Russ Riggs

Hands of Christ Honduras Ministry In Honor of Jim & Annette Mills & Family & Tony & Lora Hubbard & Family

given by Shelley, Chris, Ruth & Christopher Kyle

Memorial/Honorarium In Memory of Barry Mullins & Sara Stipe & In Honor of Carole Stegall

given by Flora M. Kinkead

Memorials In Memory of Buster Newton given by Carol Victoria Newton

In Memory of Sara Hall Stipe given by Gloria Blackburn In Memory of Dora Mae “Buzz” Lawless

given by Madelene L. Hollingsworth In Memory of Dick Pride, Ditsy Partlow & Jimmy Cochrane

given by Sandra & Rufus Partlow In Memory of Don Tinsley given by Lisa, Jamie, Brandon & Meghan Tinsley

In Memory of Angela Pope given by Dr. Harriet Cabell Walker

United Methodist Children’s Home In Memory of Dusty Rhodes given by George and Ann Curry

In Memory of Cindy Hollyhand given by Jackie K. Lord

Organ Fund In Honor of James & Mabs Seay given by Lynn D. Gregory

Special Needs Children’s Fund In Honor of Annalee Manderson given by Annie Upchurch