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Central United | Methodist Church

Central United | Methodist Church

Stockton, California

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DECEMBER 20, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent
A Celebration in Music

WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT ~ Jan Everhart Hartliff, Pastor

PRELUDE ~ Pastoral Symphony (from “Messiah”)
[by G.F. Handel arr. L. Smit]
Randall Lee, Flute   Rebecca Nelson, Organ

HYMN ~ Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming 
[WORDS: Theodore Baker MUSIC: Michael Praetorius]

CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE ~ Ven Uriarte
Leader: Christmas draws near, and we await the Christ child.
People: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Leader: On this Sunday, we light the fourth candle: the candle of love.
People: God’s gift of Jesus is the greatest gift of love.

The fourth candle is the candle of love, and almost completes the wreath; on Christmas Eve, we will light the Christ candle. Today we are grateful for hope, peace, joy and love: the gifts of God to the world.

HYMN ~ “People, Look East” Verses 1 & 2 ~ UMH #202   
[Eleanor Farjeon; traditional French carol]
People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest is on the way.

Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.

People, look east and sing today: Love, the Rose, is on the way.

CHILDREN’S TIME ~ Alan Cook

GIFT OF MUSIC ~ The Holly and the Ivy (trad. English Melody)
[Arranged by Lani Smith] Randall Lee  Flute Rebecca Nelson, Organ

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE…PASTORAL PRAYER…THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our God in heaven, your name is holy. Your kingdom come. Your 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

PRAYER RESPONSE ~ “Emmanuel” ~ UMH #204
[Bob McGee]
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel
God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

SCRIPTURE ~ Luke 2:8-20 ~ Ven Uriarte
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid – for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

GIFT OF MUSIC ~ “Go Tell it on the Mountain”       
[Arranged by Mark Hayes] 
Ric Campero, Tenor

MEDITATION ~ “Go and Tell – Singing the Good News” ~ Jan Everhart Hartliff 

GIFT OF MUSIC ~ “Away in the Manger”    
[by James Murry (Tune Mueller), arr. Joseph Martin, inspired by Erik Satie’s “Gymnopedia, No. 1]     
Rebecca Nelson, Piano 

WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
This year’s Christmas offering (25%) will be shared with a local agency, El Concilio, that provides food, rides, and other services in an underserved area of Stockton. Our ministry extends far beyond our Central campus and family.

OFFERTORY ~ Love Came Down at Christmas 
[Author: Christina Rossetti] 
CUMC Bells, Rebecca Nelson, Director

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

SPECIAL MUSIC ~ “Still, Still Still” (trad. Salzburg melody)      
Jessie Hernandez, Vocals & Guitar    

BENEDICTION ~ Jan Everhart Hartliff

SONG OF SENDING FORTH ~ “When God is a Child”
[Brian Wren; John Collier Fogg]
Hope is a star that shines in the night, 
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child, there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth….

Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Savior is born…

Love is a flame that burns in our heart.
Jesus has come and will never depart…

INVITATION TO CHRISTMAS EVE
From the comfort of your home, our virtual service led by Pastors Jan and Viseth will be posted at 4:00 p.m. so you can watch any time after that. If you are able, have some candles available so you can “pass the light” as our youth lead us in a virtual passing the light ceremony.

Published on:
December 18, 2020

Categories: Worship Bulletin

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3700 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, California, 95204
(209) 466-5046

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