Rev. Dr. Foster Williams********** Pastor and Teacher

Joan Kroehler********** Minister of Music

MaryJane Williams********** Children’s Message

Leigh Butler********** Lay Reader

Please enter the Meetinghouse several minutes before worship begins, and enter into silent meditation. This will help you and others to prepare for worship.

Prelude********** “Sleepers, Wake”********** Wyton

Welcome, Announcements and Greeting

Introit

Call to Worship: ********** Isaiah 60:1,3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
      Nations will come to your light,and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

*Hymn********** “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”********** #168

Prayer of Invocation (unison)
Almighty God, on this Advent Sunday, we come to You in praise. Once the nations worshiped You under the names of fear, but You have revealed the glory of Your love in the face of Jesus Christ, and called us by Him to live with You, not in fear, rather as Your children. As we remember His nativity, fill our hearts with the gladness of this great redemption. We would join in the heavenly song of "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward Your human family." Breathe into our hearts the spirit of Jesus that we may be led to You in trust and obedience. We pray through the name of the One You sent, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Children’s Message

Lighting of the Candle of Hope

Responsive Reading********** Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
      He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
      They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor

Gloria Patri********** #142

Anthem********** “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light” ********** Bach

Pastoral Prayer and Congregational Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral response

Old Testament Reading********** Isaiah 11:1-5 p. 1076-7

New Testament Reading********** Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 p. 1498

*Hymn********** “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”********** #166

Offertory Call
Offering********** “Noel”********** Tournemire
Doxology ********** #382
Offertory Prayer

Sermon Text********** Matthew1:18-25 p. 1497
Sermon ********** “The Forgotten Man”

*Hymn********** “As With Gladness Men of Old” ********** #202

*Benediction

*Choral Benediction********** #231 v. 1 & ref.
Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe.
It will joy and comfort give you, Take it then where’er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven,
Precious name, O how sweet - Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Postlude********** “O Come, O Come, Emanuel” ********** Wyton

CHURCH INFORMATION

Childcare is provided during worship for children from infants through Grade 2 downstairs. Children in grade 3 or older should remain and worship with us. Cushions and large print hymns and bulletins are available from the ushers, and audiocassettes of all services and written copies of each sermon are available from the church library. If you are visiting us this morning, please sign our guest book and join us for coffee and refreshments after worship.

The week ahead:

Today:
9:15 a.m. - Church school downstairs; Adult Bible study in the vestry
10:00 a.m. - Choir Warm-up
10:30a.m. - Worship
11:45a.m. -Coffee Hour
Noon - Choir Rehearsal

Monday:
6:30 p.m. - DARTBALL - HOME GAME with Essex St.

Tuesday:
6:15 p.m. - Prayer
7:00 p.m. - OVERSEERS

Wednesday:
10:00 am. - Bible Study at Mary Pearson’s home

Offices Hours are Tuesday, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

NEXT SUNDAY IS FOOD CUPBOARD SUNDAY!

Sign-up sheets for POINSETTIAS and our annual free winter AEROBIC WORKOUTS (a.k.a. snow shoveling) are on the bulletin board.

PRAYER REQUEST CARDS: If you have a request to be brought up at Prayer Service, or if you need to speak confidentially to Pastor Williams, just indicate on the card and place it in the offering plate.

DEACONS are planning to begin repairs to the ramp and stairs for the front door. Designated gifts for this project would be appreciated – simply make note on your offerings. Thank you!

Overseers are looking for a member-at-large to serve on Stewardship Committee – please speak to Charlie Caron if you are interested.

Wednesday morning Bible Study at 10:00 A.M. at Mary Pearson's apartment at 125 S. Main St.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE “HANGING OF THE GREENS” AND INTRODUCTION OF THE CHRISMON TREE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH AT 7:00 P.M.!

Orrington Center Youth will be presenting a Christmas play on Sunday, Dec. 7th at 7p.m.

REMEMBER to bring your pennies for the Church School’s “Mile of Pennies” project to benefit the Children’s Ward at EMMC !

Altar Flowers are to the glory of God and in honor of my mother’s 85th birthday by Judith Carr.

Scripture readings for the week:
Luke 2:8-20
Isaiah 40:9-11
John 10:1-10

Pray for, call or visit our recuperating members:
Linda R. & Esther C. are at Westgate Manor
Helen Stanley is at Brewer Rehab, room #221
Betty Lindsey is at Brewer Rehab
Regina Corson is at home - cards are encouraged.