Pastor: David Range
December 17, 2023
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 for Third Sunday in Advent - Joy
December 17, 2023 8:30 and 11:00 services
Please see the end of the bulletin for some additional important information
CALL TO WORSHIP
*HYMN 238 Angels We Have Heard on High+
1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
3. Come to Bethlehem and see, Christ whose birth the angels sing,
come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
4. See him in a manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise,
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!
WORDS: Trad. French carol; trans. Crown of Jesus, 1862, alt. (Lk. 2:6-20)
MUSIC: French carol melody; arr. by Edward Shippen Barnes, 1937; harm. by Austin C.
Advent reading:
Advent Candle III: JOY
When God’s people were surrounded by hardship, suffering, and grief, Isaiah proclaimed,
“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.” We come today as people who are also surrounded by suffering and grief. And yet, the Spirit hovers among us, tending and anointing, inspiring freedom where there is captivity, declaring blessing in places the world has cursed, and igniting fierce joy where mourning and heartache prevail.
We light these candles as signs of our hope, peace, and joy. May our lives shine with the fierce, tenacious joy of the Light who lives in our hearts as we wait and work for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
*PRAISE AND WORSHIP
He Came Down That We May Have Peace
He came down that we may have hope:
He came down that we may have hope:
He came down that we may have hope:
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have peace;
He came down that we may have peace;
He came down that we may have peace;
Hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have joy;
He came down that we may have joy;
He came down that we may have joy;
Hallelujah forevermore.
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
My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)
How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am and ever hope to be
I owe it all to Thee
To God be the glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory
For the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done
Just let me live my life
Let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary
Oh, with His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory
For the things He has done
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy birthday to you, Jesus loves you it’s true,
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Happy birthday to you.
Happy Anniversary to you, happy Anniversary to you
Happy Anniversary dear friends, happy Anniversary to you
TODAY: A New Member Session will follow the service. If you would like to attend, please talk to Pastor David or just come to his office on that day.
TONIGHT: Prayer meeting online at 7:30
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. on Pastor’s Zoom link, please write him for the link at miramarpastor@gmail.com
THURSDAY: Food Distribution at 8:00 a.m.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday morning worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. with the Christmas Eve Lessons and Carol Service at 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, December 31 Joint 10:00 a.m. service as it is the fifth Sunday of the month. The Youth Group will conduct the service. Watch Night service will be at 11:00 p.m. so that as we conclude at midnight we can rejoice together for the grace of God in what has been and expect something good for what will be.
SATURDAY January 27 BOLD Justice Tree Giveaway.
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”.
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 61:1-11
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN 227 The Friendly Beasts+
1 Jesus, our brother, strong and good,
was humbly born in a stable rude,
and the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus, our brother, strong and good.
2 “I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried His mother uphill and down,
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town;
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.
3 “I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave Him my manger for his bed,
I gave Him hay to pillow His head;
I,” said the cow, all white and red.
4 “I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.
5 “I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed Him to sleep that he should not cry,
we cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.
6 Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
in the stable dark were glad to tell
of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
WORDS12th cent. French carol; trans. anon.; MUSIC: Medieval French melody; harm. by Carlton R. Young, 1987
RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Please place your offering in the baskets at the 3 doors leading into the sanctuary on your way in or out.
The Mission Offering today is for to Apportionments Women in Distress
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes Apportionments
Prayer of Dedication
One minute musical interlude while worshipers prepare their offering. Instructions for giving online, by check or text are in the section after the Order of Service.
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
TIME OF SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
(please email miramarpastor@gmail.com)
PRAYER HYMN 245 The First Noel+
1 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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
2 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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
3 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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
4 This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
5 Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.
WORDS: Trad. English carol MUSIC: Trad. English carol; harm. from Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871
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: Bethlehem Morning
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. Please wear your mask and greet each with a wave, an elbow or fist bump. Please maintain social distance and sit at either end or the middle of the pew. In the pews we ask you to sit, in every other pew, spaced out as best you can. Seats are also available in the foyer and the fellowship hall if needed. Both have been set up with screens for the PowerPoint presentation and live video stream from the pulpit. We will continue to live stream the services on Twitter and YouTube for those who would like to continue to participate from home.
The offering will be received in the baskets at the three entry points of the sanctuary. No bulletins will be handed out, everything you need will be on the screens. No need to call or email ahead for a place to worship, you are invited to the sanctuary any time for in-person worship. Come as you are!
Remember there are two ways you can watch our services. One is on YouTube.com by typing in the search bar: Miramar UMC 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 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 Twitter bird 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 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 mamaness@bellsouth.net for the link.
This week, Monday through Thursday there will be someone in the church office from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. each day, and you may make an appointment to see the pastor at these or other times. Please remember to enter from the south entrance near the Pastor’s office. No other doors will be open for church business. The preschool is open but you should still come in by the south entrance because the north entrance from the parking lot must be dedicated for the little children of the preschool. Please let friends with preschool aged children know that they can enroll the children in our preschool.
WAYS to give:
1. Online giving is available through our website 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
