WE GATHER

Gathering Time - We welcome everyone! Greet your neighbors with the peace of Christ and take a moment to get to know those around you.

Prelude - A time to transition from the outside world to a time of worship.

Welcome & Opportunities for Ministry

*Call to Worship Leader: O come, O come, Emmanuel – People: God with us. Leader: Come into our brokenness; People: Come into our joy. Leader: Come into our captivity; People: Come into our freedom. Leader: Come into our fear; People: Come into our compassion. Leader: Our souls have had their fill. People: Have mercy upon us, O God, And come, O come, Emmanuel.

*Hymn, No. 211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

*Prayer of InvocationHoly and gracious God, in this Advent season we await the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Light of the World, come, Come to the oppressed and broken heart-ed, Come to the despised and rejected, Come to all in whom the divine image is distorted. We wait in joyful expectation. Come not as a man of power, but in love and compassion, Come to the outcast – like the shepherds in the fields, Come to foreigners – like Magi watching from afar, Come to rich and poor, young and old, male and female, We wait in hopeful anticipation.

Come to bless all creation with your love, Come to bring salvation on the earth, Come to rule with justice and in peace. Come Light of the World, illuminate our path. We wait with all the peoples of the earth, Light of the World, we welcome your coming, Amen.

*Please stand in praise of God if you are able.

DECEMBER 2, 2018 • 10:30 a.M.

LOvinG ALL PEOPLE inTO A RELATiOnSHiP WiTH JESuS CHRiST

Becoming one diverse community Worshipping Jesus passionatelyPracticing unprecedented acts of hospitality

First ChurCh staFFLara “Willis” Greene, Pastor

Shannon LeMaster-Smith, Minister of Discipleship - Children, Youth & Outreach

Brandy Burnette, Church Administrator

Sarah Luhrs, Choir Director

John Coffey, Organist

Michael Roberts, Praise Team

Kristi Spencer, Communications

Melissa Ervin, Nursery Director

Kristi Harvell, Preschool Director

PO Box 926 Newton, NC 28658Phone: 828-464-8422

CHuRCH OFFiCE HOuRSMonday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

www.firstnewton.org facebook.com/fumcnewtonnc

instagram.com/firstumc_newton

First NewtonUnited Methodist ChUrCh

LOvinG ALL PEOPLE inTO A RELATiOnSHiP WiTH JESuS CHRiST

nursery: For children up to 4 years

8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Level 1)Sunday School:

For children 3 years - 5th Grade from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. on Level 1Children’s Activity Bags:

Located at the entrances of the Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall.

Join the Youth of First Newton for worship and fun. All 6th -12th graders are welcome!

TODAY - Sunday, December 2Youth Group meets from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

in the Fellowship HallSunday, December 9

Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Caroling 1-3 p.m.Sunday, December 16

Youth Christmas Party 5-8:30 p.m. (Bring $5 dirty Santa gift)

For more info contact Deacon Shannon at: DeaconShannon@firstnewton.org

Welcome We’re glad you’re here!

Date: ___________________ Name: ____________________________

Address:___________________________

City: ______________________________

Phone: ____________________________

Email: _____________________________

I am a Visitor I am interested in membership I would like to visit with the pastor Please note my change of address

Prayer request

(Place in the Offering Plate or give to the Pastor.)

I ask your prayers for: __________________________________________________________________________________ Prayer Request: __________________________________________________________________________________

May we send this person a note of encouragement? ___ yes ___ noIf yes, please include their address: __________________________________________________________________________________May we include this in the prayer list for next week’s bulletin and email prayer list? ________ Person making request ______________________

Phone ___________________________________

a LOOK ahEaD . . .

Sunday, December 9Christmas Caroling 1-3 p.m.

(Lunch optional at 11:30 a.m.)

Sunday, December 16OnE combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. for the Christmas Cantata

“Follow the Star, Follow the King”

GRADuATiOn FOR OuR REBOOT CLASS The families who participated in the 12 week

ReBoot course have extended an invitation for First Newton, especially all veterans in the

church, to attend their Graduation Ceremony Monday, December 3 in the Fellowship Hall

from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Come celebrate our veteran families who are solidly on the road

to healing! RSVP to Lynn Marilla at Lmarilla@eaglerockcamp.org so she will have a head

count for refreshments. THAnK YOu!

*Please stand in praise of God if you are able.

PRAYER COnCERnS: Family of Melba Nichols, Family of Pat Britt, Michael Roberts, Dot Hoage & Family, Bernice Allen & Family, Janet CloningerOur Military: Scott Beal, Taylor Bean, Ethan Branton, Todd Houtz, Michael Howard, Tai Orange, David Parker, Camaron Sills, President Trump

Advent Wreath Lighting Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord1st - Singer 2nd - Singer & Choir 3rd - Congregation

(Reverse singing order after the candle is lit.)1st - Congregation 2nd - Singer & Choir 3rd - Singer

WE HEAR & RESPOnD TO THE WORDThrough the Eyes of Joseph Frank Reinhardt

Anthem Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Sung to hymn tune Truro, from Psalmodia Evangelica. Lyrics translated by Catherine Winkworth

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24Leader: This is the word of God for the people of God.People: Thanks be to God.

Message Through the Eyes of Joseph Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene

WE COME TO THE LORD’S TABLE The Great ThanksgivingPour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Giving & Receiving of Holy Communion

Service of Giving Today’s basket offering will be given to support the ministries of ECCCM and The Corner Table.

*Doxology Hymn, No. 94Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

WE GO OuT TO SERvE*Hymn, No. 203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

*Benediction

*Benediction Response Hymn, No. 238 Angels We Have Heard on High (Refrain only)Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

*Chimes of the Trinity

METHODiST WOMEn’S MOnTHLY GATHERinG On DECEMBER 7All women of the church (and friends) are invited to join the Methodist Women for their monthly meeting on December 7. The group is meeting at the Catawba County Country Club for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Please contact Martha Sowers at 828-464-6954 to RSVP by Monday, December 3.

Christmas at First Newton

Advent Sermon Series

2018

HOSPiTALiTY LunCH & LEARn TODAYThank you to everyone who accepted our 90 Day Hospitality Challenge and returned a service card. If you were unable to submit a card, there’s still time to get involved. Join us today for a Lunch and Learn session beginning at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Come meet your fellow team members and learn how and what to do to provide unprecedented hospitality. The 90 Day Challenge starts next Sunday, December 9!

THURSDAYDecember 13

Refreshments at 9:30 a.m. Program begins at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Devotion: Rev. Dr. David GreeneProgram: Entertainment by Melanie Elrod

The lunch menu is turkey, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce & desserts. RSVP to the Church Office (828-464-8422) by noon on Tuesday, December 11. For more information contact Bev Underwood at 828-465-0481.

nAME:__________________________

# Attending: ______________

a Christmas Cantata presented by the ChanCel Choir

Sunday, december 16One Combined Worship Service @10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Follow theStar, Follow theKing

December 23

YOu’RE inviTED TO GO CAROLinG nExT SunDAYHelp us spread Christmas cheer throughout our community as we go caroling on Sunday, December 9 from 1-3 p.m. Optional: you may also join a group of folks going to lunch right after the 10:30 worship service.

CHRiSTMAS CARDS FOR SHuT-inSExchanging Christmas cards is a time-honored tradition and wonderful way to remember our homebound members during the holidays. There are cards with a list of names on a table in the breezeway. Simply pick up a list, address your cards, and return them to the church by Sunday, Dec. 16. If you would like to assist in the delivery of the bags, please contact Brandy in the Church Office at 828-464-6954.