Pastor: David Range
We are back in the sanctuary and you are invited to join us!
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 www.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 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 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
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.
Celebrating 61 years!
December 5, 2021
Second Sunday in Advent
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services
CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN 203 Hail to the Lord's Anointed+
1. Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captives free;
to take away transgression, and rule in equity.
2. He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight.
3. He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in his path to birth.
Before him on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.
4. To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
WORDS: James Montgomery, 1821 MUSIC: Gesangbuch der H. W. k. Hofkapelle, 1784, alt. adapt. and harm. by W. H. Monk 1868
OPENING PRAYER
PRAISE AND WORSHIP+
Halle Halle Hallelujah
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halleluja!
I AM the Rock of Ages…cleft for me
I AM the “let me hide myself in thee”
I Am the Rock of Ages…cleft for me..
Halle-lu-ja!!!
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halleluja!
I AM the Bread of Life…feed on me
I AM the One True Vine…grow in me
I AM the Bread of Life…feed on me..
Halle-lu-ja!!
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Hallelujah
I AM the Resurrection…live in me
I AM the Way, the Truth…follow me
I AM the Resurrection…live in me..
Halle-lu-Ja!!
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle, halle, halle-lu-ja
Halle-lu-ja
We Will Glorify
We will glorify the King of Kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of Lords
Who is the Great I Am
Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone
Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb
Hallelujah Praise the Lamb
Hallelujah Praise the Lamb
My heart sings his Praise again
Hallelujah Praise the Lamb
Emmanuel
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel,
God with us, revealed in us,
His name is called Emmanuel.
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 MUSIC: Bob McGee, 1976
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
We are glad you could join us in-person in the sanctuary or online. Please reach out to someone and greet them with the love of Christ. We ask that for greeting that you look into someone’s eyes, nod and say, “the peace of the Lord be with you” or some other greeting. Please keep touching to a minimum.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Please continue to worship with us online or in person at 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. except for the 5th Sunday of the month or special occasions when we have just one service at 10:00 a.m. 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!
TODAY: If you are joining online, you are invited to prepare the elements for communion: bread, juice, wine, water, whatever it takes to be reminded of the Last Supper and our regular times of sharing communion.
TODAY: Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. online with Marvia Aitken and friends. Please contact Marvia for the link at mailto:marviaaitken@hotmail.com
TODAY: United Methodist Men meet at 12:30 p.m. You are also invited to a Carol Singing service, sponsored by United Methodist Men at 6:00 p.m. Come suggest a carol and let’s sing to the glory of God!
TUESDAY: BOLD Justice Research Kick-Off at 7:00 p.m. Register to receive your link to the meeting. Contact your Team Leader if you need help.
THURSDAY: Food distribution starts between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. You are invited to bring packing boxes for volunteers to put food in.
NEXT SUNDAY please join in worship, in person or online, at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. The United Methodist Women invite you to their Christmas Party from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Please support the Preschool Toy Drive, November 29 to December 9. Please bring new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2-11.
Bold Justice dates:
Further research committees January 11, February 8, March 15.
Rally Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. Nehemiah Action Monday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m., Justice Ministry Celebration Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the organization who helped us with delivering 600 meals on Thanksgiving, please look up BranchesFL.org.
The Mission Wreath order form is available at the end of the bulletin. Contributions this year go to BOLD Justice.
For the Sharing of the Spirit, remain seated and wave, nod and smile at your neighbor.
Please stand for the gospel according to Luke 3: 1-20
CHILDREN’S TIME
HYMN 179 O Sing a Song of Bethlehem+
1. O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
and of the news that came to them from angels in the air.
The light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
of Jesus’ birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.
2 O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy;
O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless Boy.
For now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow;
now spreads the fame of his dear name on all the winds that blow.
3. O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
of him who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still.
For though like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
when faith has heard the Master’s word, falls peace upon the soul.
4. O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay,
of him who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away.
For he who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
and Christ, our Lord, by heaven adored, is mighty now to save.
WORDS: Louis F. Benson, 1889 MUSIC: English melody; arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
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 Good Samaritan Fund
Next Sunday our Mission Offering goes to Apportionments
Prayer of Dedication
One minute musical interlude while worshipers prepare their offering. Instructions for giving online, by check or text are in the intro section before 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
PRAYER HYMN 221 In the Bleak Mid Winter +
1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
3 Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
4 What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
WORDS: Christina G. Rossetti, 1872 MUSIC: Gustav Holst, 1906
PASTORAL PRAYER
Followed by 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
HYMN 204 Emmanuel+
Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel,
God with us, revealed in us,
His name is called Emmanuel.
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 MUSIC: Bob McGee, 1976
SERMON: Leveling with God?
HYMN OF PREPARATION 626 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent+
1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
2 King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood;
he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.
3 Rank on rank the host of heaven Spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day
that the powers of hell may vanish, as the darkness clears away.
4 At his feet the six-winged seraph, Cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High!
WORDS: Liturgy of St. James, 4th cent.; trans. by Gerard Moultrie, 1864 MUSIC: French Carol melody; harm, from The English Hymnal, 1906alt.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR ADVENT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.
When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through your prophets, who looked for that day when justice shall roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent in the fullness of time to be a light to the nations.
You scatter the proud in the imagination of their hearts and have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation.
You put down the mighty from their thrones and exalt those of low degree. You fill the hungry with good things, and the rich you send empty away. Your own Son came among us as a servant, to be Emmanuel, your presence with us.
He humbled himself in obedience to your will and freely accepted death on a cross.
By the baptism of His suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to His disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour 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.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen
HYMN OF SENDING FORTH 213 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates+
1. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here!
2. Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven’s employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.
3. Redeemer, come, with us abide;
our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in us reveal.
4. Thy Holy Spirit lead us on
until our glorious goal is won;
eternal praise, eternal fame
be offered, Savior, to thy name!
WORDS: Georg Weissel, 1642; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 MUSIC: Psalmodia Evangelica, 1789
BENEDICTION
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+All music under ccli #24249
