Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
WORSHIP SERVICE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 at 10:30 AM:
Welcome
Prelude – Hark! the Herald Angels Sing - Olga Topuzova-Meade
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – The Candle of Love
Call to Worship
Special Music – What Child is This – Sasha Meade
Children’s Moment
Song of Worship – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly #229
Anthem – Lullaby - Sanctuary Choir
Scripture – Luke 1:57-66
Special Music – Is Your Heart Prepared for a King - Quartet
Sermon – God Prepares the Way – Pastor Mike
Sharing God’s Tithes and Offerings
Offertory – Gesu Bambinno - Olga Topuzova Meade
Doxology
Offering Dedication Prayer
Special Music – Sweet Little Jesus Boy – Karen Wiggins
Prayers of God’s People
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn – Joy to the World #246
Benediction
Choral Benediction – Sanctuary Choir
Postlude – Deck the Halls - Olga Topuzova-Meade
Liturgist – David Landis
WORSHIP SERVICE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 at 7:00 PM:
Prelude – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel & Joy to the World! - Olga Topuzova-Meade
Welcome – Terry Myers
Call to Worship
Children’s Moment
Opening Hymn – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice #224
Special Music – O Holy Night – Amelia Mazzarella & Sasha Meade
The Birth of Jesus Foretold – Luke 1:26-38 – Terry Myers
Special Music – Heaven’s Child – Pam Denman
Mary Praising God – Luke 1:46-55 – Sasha Meade
Special Music – Be Born in Me – Nadia Taylor
Hymn – O Come, All Ye Faithful #234
The Telling of Jesus Birth from Luke 2 – Pastor Mike
Special Music – Mary’s Little Boy Child – Jennifer Reihing
Christmas Eve Homily – The Miracle of New Life – Pastor Mike
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Hymn – Silent Night
Postlude – Silent Night – Olga Topuzova-Meade
PRAYER REQUESTS
Brandon Chase–Active Duty
The Family of Roger Hertzman
Isabella
Chris May
Stacy (Wagner) Morgan
Ron Peyton
Sharon Schulte
The Family of Ellie Viviano
December 2017 MISSION FOCUS
IMPACT WITH HOPE – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 is MISSION JAR SUNDAY – Your change matters!
Impact with Hope is a local charity that has international influence. You may know it as International Services of Hope which has been present on Farnsworth Road in Waterville since their incorporation in 1982. (One of the original trustees was Fred Dieter, who was a member of this church before his passing.) It is a community based, non-profit, charitable organization whose mandate is devoted to ensuring a brighter future for children.
Their mission is to reach out and serve others by mending broken bodies, bones, and hearts, feeding hungry families, responding to disasters, and investing in communities throughout the world. More than $0.98 out of every $1.00 is spent directly on the people they serve.
They have been particularly busy this fall since the two recent hurricanes, Harvey & Irma, that devastated much of Puerto Rico and other islands. As of October, they had already sent over ½ million meals to Puerto Rico, and had 3 forty-foot containers of supplies ready to go. One of their most urgent needs is for the funds to aid in shipping. Please give generously to our December Mission Focus!
Christmas Children's Program DVDs
Would you like a DVD of the Children’s Program, “Finding Christmas Under the Sea?” Sign up for your copy on the hallway bulletin board!
Fellowship Ministry
Are you making a New Year’s Resolution to be more involved in the Church? Please prayerfully consider overseeing the Fellowship Ministry. This is an important time when we visit with guests, members, friends and family; share our concerns or a laugh over a cup of coffee, before we continue with our Sunday and week. We are in need of a volunteer to oversee the Fellowship Ministry. This person would make sure there is food available and make sure there are people signed up to make coffee, set out the treats, and clean up. Maybe consider sharing this responsibility with a friend. Please contact the Church office at 419-878-3645, if you are interested in serving in this ministry.
The Better Families Pamphlet is available at both entrances. Consider giving it as a stocking stuffer!
The next Toledo SeaGate Food Bank is Wednesday, January 3.
Altar Flowers Update from Melva Robinson, Chairman Altar Guild
WUMC has been very fortunate these many years to bring the creativity of our Lord into our presence at each worship service in a number of ways but especially with the flower arrangements on our altar. These arrangements give us the opportunity to enjoy the flowers and along with the spoken word and music be reminded of who we are worshiping. They also provide an occasion to honor and celebrate family, friends and our Lord.
I take this time to tell you Third Street Blooms in Waterville is the florist who prepares each order for our altar as requested. The Sign Up sheet for flowers is on the bulletin board by the church office. The cost of each arrangement will be increased to forty ($40.00) dollars beginning the first of 2018. If you have ordered flowers recently you realize the cost. Our florist has been very generous with the arrangements and delivery. Please send your payment to the church and indicate altar flowers.
Don't forget you may take your arrangement home after the service.
2018 Stewardship Campaign:
If you haven’t had the opportunity to complete and return your 2018 Estimate of Giving Card or General Information & Service Opportunities form, we will gladly accept them at any time. Communication is so important and these Information Sheets help us to make sure we have the correct contact information on file for you. You may place them in the offering, send via US Mail or drop off at the church office. Thank you!
2018 Giving Envelopes:
Your 2018 Giving Envelopes will be available on the shelf outside the church office. Please make every effort to pick them up, as it is quite expense to mail them.
Prayer Time is Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
On Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM, the adult study is be A Savior is Born. This is a great Study. You will not want to miss it. During this Study, we will focus on four interactions of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and the Shepherds as God spoke to them through angels. In each instance their first response was a fear so great the scripture says they were terrified.
MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
There is a new Bible Study beginning in January. Meeting Place and Time: Location will be announced/Mondays at 7:00 PM, beginning January 8 for 12 weeks
Contact Person: Delores Young 419-878-8238
Study: When God Rewrites Your Story
Summary: When God Rewrites Your Story is a Bible Study about Biblical names – where they came from and how God changed people’s names when He changed them. The core themes are transformation and revelation. The character’s included are Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Naomi, Daniel, Peter, and the woman caught in adultery.
Please contact Delores Young at 419-878-8238 if you are interested in joining as soon as possible, so she may know how many books to order.
M&M BIBLE STUDY – New Study to start January 10
Group: M&M’s (Mary and Martha); Meeting Place and Time: Community Room/Wednesdays @ 9:30 AM
Contact Person: Connie Kirkman or Cindy Box
New Study: To begin on January 10: “GIDEON, Your Weakness, God’s Strength” by Priscilla Shirer
Summary: “If you have ever struggled with insecurity or had trouble accepting your limitations, this study will help you see how God can use your weakness to unlock His strength. Yes, Gideon can attest – weakness is a gift. Join us for a Bible study that will open your eyes to a brand new perspective on yourself, God, and Gideon.”
B&B STUDY
Group: Thursday Morning B & B (Bible and Breakfast); Meeting Place and Time: Dales in Waterville/Thursdays at 7:30 am
Contact Person: Jim Page – 419-343-0714; Tom Wiggins – 419-304-2254
Current Study/Book: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
Summary: This book provides thought-provoking meditations to cultivate a closer walk with God. Readers can gain a fresh perspective on how to grow in faith as they discover more about God and their relationship in Him.
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve Services that will be held on Sunday, December 24.
Worship Service at 10:30 AM
Traditional Candle Light Service 7:00 PM
Please note that there will not be nursery available during the Christmas Eve Worship and Candlelight Services. The Fireside Room will be available and the service will be shown on the TV.
Sunday Worship Services A Few Changes for Security:
Following will be the changes on Sunday morning related to security to further protect our children and all attenders and to provide as safe a place as possible.
* At 10:40 am all exterior doors will be locked.
* Clear signage will be installed directing anyone arriving after 10:40 to the office and courtyard door near the offices as an usher will be posted there to let people in and assist with the elevator if needed.
* Training will be given to the ushers and others to understand what needs to be done if an intruder situation would occur.
* Watch for more information as this plan continues to unfold.
These are not big changes and many of us will not be impacted by them in any way at all. Let us remember the families of the Texas church shooting of recent weeks and continue to pray for each of them and the whole congregation. Also, to pray for all the churches that have been targeted by evil persons by mass shooting, bombs fires and vandalism.
CHERRY STREET MISSION
If you are interested in helping out with the Cherry Street Mission. Here is a link that you can access for more information. https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0005&console_type=event&ht=1 Please copy and paste the link into your browser.
PEANUT BUTTER JARS
Happy tails wagging saying “THANK YOU!” to all who have donated peanut butter jars for the Humane Society. Please continue to place un-scraped jars in the basket on the shelf by the church office.
Enjoy this blessed season,
Sandy Clark
Secretary Thursday/Friday