First Sunday of Advent             November 28, 2004

 REFLECTION:  You don’t ever have to do anything sensational to love or to be loved.”

 GATHERING             Fred Rogers (1928-2003)

 INFORMAL SINGING

 PRELUDE  “Come All Ye Shepherds” Arr. by Allen Robertson

               Adult Bell Choir

 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS        

 THE RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on.)

 

+INTROIT               “Prayer for Advent”            Tune-Page 643

            Lord Jesus come to us, we pray.

            Bring us your truth, show you your way,

            As once the prophets did foretell,

            Oh, come to us, Immanuel.

 

            Prepare our hearts, tell all the earth,

            That we may celebrate your birth,

            Oh, enter in our lives to dwell,

            Oh, come to us Immanuel.

+LIGHTING THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLE            (8:30) Curtis & Carroll Laycock

                                    (11:00) Melanie, Caroline & Ben Jordan

+HYMN No.  569      “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations”            MESSAGE                       

+OPENING PRAYER

            Lord, our world is more uncertain than we like to admit. We live under the

            delusion that things are stable, predictable, secure. Yet we grow old, we move

            toward death, all things are in flux, little lasts. Teach us to live our lives aware

            of our limits, realistic about our finitude, that we might rest only in your love,

            that we might secure ourselves only in your gracious power. Amen.

 

  PSALM 122            Response 1      Page 845

  PRAYERS OF JOY AND CONCERN

  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, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

   EPISTLE LESSON            Romans 13:11-14            (RSV) Page 987

                                    (NRSV) Page 152

  CHILDREN’S SERMON

 

+HYMN No. 171            “There’s Something About That Name” THAT NAME

+GOSPEL LESSON            Matthew 24: 36-44            (RSV) Page 859

            This is the Word of the Lord.               (NRSV) Page 26

            Thanks be to God.

   SERMON            “Out of Control”   Rev. Waverly G. Reames

 

   ANTHEM (8:30)  “His Name Shall be Called Wonderful”            Adult Choir

  SOLO  (11:00)    “The Savior Comes” Sandy Bruner

 

  THE OFFERING

  THE OFFERTORY            “Carol of the Bells”            Arr. by Allen Robertson

               Adult Bell Choir

+THE DOXOLOGY

            Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here

            below;             praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy

            Ghost. Amen.

+THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 

+HYMN No.  196      “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”   HYFRYDOL

 

+DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

 

+CHORAL RESPONSE No 204            “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”

            Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us,

            his name is called Emmanuel.

 

 POSTLUDE “Angels From the Realms of Glory”  Smart

++++++++++++++++++++++

+The congregation will please stand as you are able.

 

 

 

 

Rejoice:  birthdays, anniversaries, visitors Donna is home and improving, John Farris and his friend are okay after accident, Tina Wilmoth’s nephew Adam celebrated his 5th birthday.

 

Pray for:  Harmony’s shut-ins, the poor and homeless, Naomi Milbourne’s niece Teresa, Tina Wilmoth’s nephew Adam, Elsie Thompson, our world leaders, peace in the world, Maggie del Gallo, Margaret Legg, Juanita Graham, our military personnel, Ruth Horn, Helen White, Mary Stowers, Betty Laycock, Caty Fox, Evelyn Laycock, Sherry Lehr, Gene Thompson, Shelley Crocker’s nephew Carl, Lee Jenkins, Lewis Whirley, Cheryl Reames’ co-worker Peggy, the family of Chris Nellis, Judy Fry’s brother Ernest Gray, Ann Miller, Laurie Hawes’ father, Betty Titus, Rev. May, Sarah, Maureen, Paul, Carol, Cindy, Wayne, Jeanie, Rick’s grandmother, Chad’s family, travel mercies for holiday travelers, Helen Coll.

 

In the military:

Nathan Cangemi                                                                   Jason Finch                                                            

Stephen Thackery                         Patrick O’Hara                      

Nathan Hayba

Please contact the church office when military persons return home.

CALENDAR

TODAY 11/28:                       3:00 Community Advent Service with Mt. Zion

7:00 Middle School Youth Group

                                               

MONDAY 11/29:                9:30 Disciple III Bible Study

                                                                                                                               

TUESDAY 11/30:               

                                               

WEDNESDAY 12/1:      6:00 a.m. UMM Coffee Fellowship

                                                6:15 Children’s Choir Practice

                                                6:15 Adult Bell Practice

                                                7:00 Adult Choir Practice

                                                7:00 Children’s Bell Practice

                                                7:00 Disciple II Bible Study

                                                7:30 Middle & High School Bell Practice

                                                8:00 Praise Practice

 

THURSDAY: 12/2:      7:00 Praise Service

 

FRIDAY 12/3:                     9:00 Exercise Class

                                               

SATURDAY 12/4:       5:00 Advent Dinner

 

NEXT SUNDAY 12/5:     

 

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP 

  Expenses: $265,648.31

  Income:    $258,891.05

  Received 11/21/04:General Fund  $5,576.35

                                 Building Fund $   584.50

                                   Vehicle Fund to Date: $2,440.00

 

                                                        8:30                                       11:00      

Ushers:                                  Mark Goodrick                                                Bill Clark

                                                Rob Pettit                                       Donald Jennings

Greeters:                                Judy Fry                                                                Colleen Wilmoth

                                                Kim Martz                                      Nancy Moorcones

Liturgist:                            Chris Loving                                      Linda Campbell

Acolytes:                               Jake Bruno                                     Bailey Carver

Nursery:                                 Patti & Maureen Barnes                   Cheryl Gillwald

                                                Rene Grady/Kim Walton                   Joyia McCurley

 

Welcome to Harmony! We look forward to worshiping and serving God with you.

 

Prayer Cards and post cards are available in the Old Social Hall, on the shelf, to send persons for whom you request prayers.

 

Hearing Devices are now available for anyone who would like to use one during worship services.  Ask an Usher for assistance.

 

A nursery for children up to 2 years old is provided in the Crib Nursery during both worship services and during the Sunday School hour.   All children ages 2-6 (Kindergarten) are invited to Children's Worship following the Children's Sermon.  Ages 2 and 3 are in Room 103, and ages 4, 5, and 6 are in Room 102.

 

Following the service please return activity notebooks to the storage boxes!

 

Calendars and note cards are in!  See Nancy Fournier to pick up your orders.

 

Today, November 28, is the first Sunday in Advent. Harmony will be joining with Mount Zion Churche for a community Advent service at 3:00 p.m. at Harmony. Dr. James Logan who has preached at Harmony previously will preach for the service. Special music will be provided by the church choirs and the Singers of the Old Dominion. Be sure to come and worship during this wonderful season and community event. A fellowship time will follow the service.

 

Harmony’s annual Advent Dinner is Saturday, December 4.  Please take an ornament from the tree in Driscoll Hall and purchase needed items for the meal.  Also, please sign on the clipboard if you can help with setup, serving and cleanup.  If you have any questions, call Shally Stanley at 338-0363.

 

Harmony plates would make a great Christmas gift!  Plates are $20.00 each.  You can pick one up from Sylvia Ratcliff today, or stop by the church office.

 

Are you interested in taking a beginning conversational Spanish class? Betty Marker will offer a six week class beginning in January and she promises it will be fun!  If you are interested in this class, please sign the clipboard.

 

Every year, Harmony gives generously to the Loudoun County Holiday Coalition.  We have the opportunity to do that again.  Look for the display in Driscoll Hall, take an ornament, buy that item and return it to the tree before December 15.  If you have any questions, call Julie Duffy at 338-3163.

 

The next Potatoes To Go fundraiser to support the church vehicle fund will be held next Sunday, December 5.  Place your orders today!  The specialty potato will be the “Holiday Special” – chopped turkey, apples and cranberry sauce.

 

The Administrative Board has voted to purchase a new or used shuttle bus to help with the work of Harmony United Methodist Church. A Church Vehicle Fund has been established for this purpose. Step out in faith, with the assurance that God will provide for the work of His church! Please remember that your donation to the Church Vehicle Fund should be above and beyond your regular giving. Simply note “Vehicle Fund” on your check and drop it in the offering plate. If you have any questions or would like more information, please see Tammy Swankowski, Margaret Humphreys, Bill Clark, Tom Sullivan or Tim Stanley.

 

Poinsettias

It’s time to order poinsettias!  Please fill out the order form below.  This year, the flower committee is offering a 7” pot with two plants.  Each pot has 6 – 8 blooms.  Cost for each poinsettia is $8.25.  Make checks payable to Harmony and note poinsettia on the memo line.  Deadline to order is December 12.  Please be specific when filling out the order form.

 

Name ____________________________   Phone ___________________________

 

______ No. of White Poinsettias                    _____No. of Red Poinsettias

 

In Honor of: _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Given by:_____________________________________________________________

 

In Memory of:_________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Given by:_____________________________________________________________