Pastor: David Range
December 15, 2024
Miramar United Methodist Church
in the heart of Miramar, a place for gathering, healing, and sending out friends, helping to create a sense of family to find new life in Christ.
Part of the United Methodist family where we make disciples for the
Transformation of the world.
Order of Worship
Advent III: Joy
December 15, 2024 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services
Joint 10:00 a.m. service for the Christmas Cantata: The First Noel: Celebrating the birthday of a King
Please see the end of the bulletin for some additional important information
CALL TO WORSHIP
ADVENT III Candle Lighting:
The LORD’s Messiah speaks through the prophet Isaiah: I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
or a bride with her jewels. (Isaiah 61.10)
We light this candle of joy as a sign of our commitment to be present to ourselves, our friends, our families, and our neighbors; that in sharing our vulnerable lives we might share in the glorious joy of God’s salvation together.
HYMN 211 O Come, O Come Emmanuel+
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
3 O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
4 O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree, an ensign of thy people be;
Before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
WORDS: 9th cent. Latin; trans. st. 1, 3, 5ab, 6cd, 7ab The Hymnal, 1940; st. 2, Henry Sloane Coffin, 1916 st. 4, 5cd, 6ab, 7cd, Laurence Hull Stookey, 1986 MUSIC: 15th cent. French; arr. and harm. by Thomas Helmore, 1854 ccli #242496+
PRAYER
*PRAISE AND WORSHIP
Soon and Very Soon
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Hallelujah………hallelujah
We’re going to see the King
No more cryin’ there we are going to see the King
No more cryin’ there we are going to see the King
No more cryin’ there we are going to see the King
Hallelujah…..hallelujah we’re going to see the King
No more dying there we are going to see the King
No more dying there we are going to see the King
No more dying there we are going to see the King
Hallelujah….hallelujah we’re going to see the King
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Soon and very soon we are going to see the King
Hallelujah………hallelujah
We’re going to see the King
The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy
1 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy
the Virgin Mary had a baby boy
the Virgin Mary had a baby boy
and they said that his name was Jesus
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
Oh yes, believer! Oh yes, believer!
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
2 The angels sang when the baby was born
The angels sang when the baby was born
The angels sang when the baby was born
and they said that his name was Jesus
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
Oh yes, believer! Oh yes, believer!
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
3 The shepherds came when the baby was born
The shepherds came when the baby was born
The shepherds came when the baby was born
And they said that his name was Jesus
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
Oh yes, believer! Oh yes, believer!
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
4 The wise men saw where the baby born
The wise men saw where the baby born
The wise men saw where the baby born
and they said that his name was Jesus
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
Oh yes, believer! Oh yes, believer!
He come from the glory
He come from the glorious kingdom
All over the world
All over the world the Spirit is moving
All over the world as the prophets said it would be;
All over the world there's a mighty revelation
Of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
All over His church God’s Spirit is moving
All over His Church as the prophet said it would be
All over His Church there's a mighty revelation
Of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Right here in this place the Spirit is moving,
Right here in this place as the prophet said it would be;
Right here in this place there's a mighty revelation
Of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birthdays and Anniversaries
TODAY: New Members session just after the service. You are invited to the pastor’s office for a conversation about what it means to be a member of this vital church!
TONIGHT: Church Prayer meeting at 7:30 p.m.
MONDAY: Admin/Church Council at 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: Farm Share truck unloading at 8:15 a.m. followed by packing boxes for the rest of the day on Tuesday and finishing up, on Wednesday. Please contact the pastor or Ina McNeil if you need more details.
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study online with pastor David at 7:00 p.m. Please ask him for the zoom link to join.
THURSDAY: Food distribution at 8:00 a.m., Choir practice 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY: Celebration of life for Doris Prince, 11:00 a.m.
NEXT SUNDAY: Worship services at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
The Mission Offering today is for Good Samaritan Fund
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes to Apportionments
Looking ahead:
MONDAY: December 16, Admin/Church Council at 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY: December 24 Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols, 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY: December 29 one Joint 10:00 a.m. service for the fifth Sunday of the month.
TUESDAY: December 31 Watch Night service at 11:00 p.m. when we ring in the New Year with prayer, proclamation, and song.
Thanks to all who participated in the Christmas Concert last Sunday night. We enjoyed the variety and the laughter and the reminders that God chose to come down to our level to bless us. You may be able to get a taste of the concert on our X (Twitter) account by going to MiramarUMC.org but it is always much better in person. The concert raised $850 toward the Memorial Day picnic.
The Mission Offering today is for Women in Distress
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes to Apportionments
TODAY the Mission Wreath is up and ready for you to pay for a bulb to thank God for something good, to remember someone who has died, or to honor someone. Please fill out a form and add it to your envelope or other payment.
We honor the hard work of our church administrative assistant, music director, custodian, lawn care workers and you are invited to place a gift in the “Staff Christmas Gift” envelope. Thank you.
For Sharing of the Spirit, please wave at the YouTube camera and say, “the peace of the Lord be with you,” and then wave at your neighbor in the sanctuary and say, “and also with you”.
Please stand for the Gospel of Luke 2:1-20
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN 184 Of the Father’s Love Begotten+
1. Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.
2 O ye heights of Heaven adore him; angel hosts his praises sing;
Powers, dominions bow before him, and exalt our God and King;
Let no tongue on Earth be silent, every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore.
3 Christ, to thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore. Amen
WORDS: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius; trans. by John Mason Neale, 1851 and Henry W. Baker, 1859. MUSIC: 11th cent. Sanctus trope; arr. by C. Winfred Douglas, 1940
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Please pass the offering bags along each row at the direction of the ushers. Instructions for giving online, by check or text are in the section after the Order of Service.
The Mission Offering today is for Women in Distress
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes to Apportionments
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly hosts,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Sunday School children go out to their classes
HYMN 191 Jesus Loves Me This I Know+
1 Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
2 Jesus loves me, this I know, as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee, saying, "Let them come to me.“
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
3 Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way,
wanting as a friend to give, light and love to all who live.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
WORDS: St. 1 Anna B. Warner, 1860; Sts. 2-3 David Rutherford MacGuire MUSIC: William B. Bradbury, 1862
TIME OF SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
(please email miramarpastor@gmail.com)
PRAYER HYMN 172 My Jesus I Love Thee+
1 My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
2 I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
3 In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
WORDS: William R. Featherstone, 1864 MUSIC: Adoniram J. Gordon, 1876
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION AND 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, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Cantata: The First Noel: Celebrating the birthday of a King
HYMN OF SENDING FORTH 246 Joy to the World+
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2 Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
4 He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
WORDS: Isaac Watts, 1719 MUSIC: Arr. from G. F. Handel, 1741, by Lowell Mason, 1848
BENEDICTION
All music under ccli #24249
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We give God thanks for this opportunity to worship together in-person in our sanctuary as well as online. Wearing your mask is optional as the Covid virus, although still present, is no longer a healthcare emergency. Please continue to get your booster shots as they become available. We are always happy (and look forward) to have you join us in the sanctuary, but for those who would like to continue to participate from home, we will continue to live stream the services on X.com (formerly Twitter) and youtube.com.
To join us on youtube.com simply type Miramar UMC in the search bar and then you should see the service live streamed. If you subscribe to our service through youtube.com you can set up reminders for the day before or 15 minutes before, whatever you like.
The other way to “gather” in virtual worship is through the X.com (formerly known as Twitter) service available by going to our miramarumc.org website. Pass around the information so that others may join in worship by clicking on the x.com icon on the home page. We will continue our 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services (except when we have a fifth Sunday of the month 10:00 a.m. service.) If you lose the service for a few seconds do not worry it will probably come back, but if it is longer than a few seconds you might try clicking the refresh Error! Filename not specified. button in your browser window.
Please email your prayer requests for uplifting on Sundays by sending them to miramarpastor@gmail.com. It is best if you send them by Saturday NOON if possible.
Our church prayer meeting is online on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and you may contact Marvia Aitken or Vinessa Edwards for the link.
WAYS to give:
1. Online giving is available through our website
www.MiramarUMC.org. On the home page the ‘Donate’ icon (a hand with a dollar sign above it) is located at the top left corner and on the right under “Contact Us” you will see the same icon along with “Donate Online.” Click on either location for instructions. If you need help call the church office at 954-989-4711. Thanks to all who have signed up for this. The regular tithes and offerings of the church are a great source of blessing.
2. You can also mail a check to Miramar United Methodist Church. If you have your offering envelopes you will see that the address of the church is printed for mailing purposes and your offering can be mailed in this envelope when you apply a stamp. You may also use a regular envelope and address it to: MUMC, 2507 Utopia Drive, Miramar FL 33023. Just put your check inside, mark which funds you would like to support, put a stamp on and let the United States Postal Service do the rest! Or bring it by after the Sunday services, someone will be in the church for one hour after the worship finishes as well as Mon-Thurs 1-5 pm. We trust God will keep us strong.
3. Also, we have the option of giving by text! Use 833-931-1791 to GivePlusText and when you text any amount, by putting that number in the message, you will be prompted to register, then fill out the details of your name, address and means of payment, and the contribution will go in! If you enter an email address you will get an immediate receipt. It is easy! If you have an Apple phone you may also get Vanco’s GivePlusMobile by downloading the app from the App Store. You may also look up YouTube videos to show how all this is done.
Thank you for your prayers! Grace and peace, Pastor David
