FOURTH SUNDAY OF
ADVENT DECEMBER 21,
2003
As Christ cares, we care… We care
about all people.
We care about worship... We care about learning.
We care about service... We care about You.
We are a community of Faith growing in God’s Grace.
ORDER OF SERVICE-11:00
A.M.
+ Indicates the people standing
ENTRANCE
Gathering Music
God
Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
arr. Luther Henderson
Go Tell It On The
Mountain
arr. Luther Henderson
We
Three Kings
arr. Rob Roy McGregor
Once In Royal David’s City
arr. Rob Roy McGregor
(The Roanoke Chamber Brass)
(As the
prelude plays, please use this time for quiet reflection in preparation
for worship.)
Chiming of the Hour
Words of Welcome, Registration of Attendance and Announcements
Bill Davidson
(We encourage all of our worshipers to please sign the
registration pad as it is passed along the
pew; visitors are requested to also list their
address. After it has been passed, please return it
to the center aisle. If you wish to join this
church by letter of transfer or profession of faith,
please check “wish to join” on the Registration
pad.)
Call to Worship
Go
Tell It On The Mountain
(Cherub and Hosanna Choirs)
+Processional Hymn 220
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Regent Square
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle
The Witt Family
Reading of Isaiah 35:10
Leader: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Joy.
May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make
us rejoice
in our hope of salvation.
All: O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Lighting of the Fourth Advent
Candle
The Ross Lemon Family
Reading of Isaiah 9:6-7
Leader: We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace. May
the visitation
of your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the
coming of Jesus, our
hope and joy.
All: O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Hymn 217
Away in a Manger
Away In A Manger
Holy Baptism 33
Receiving the Rite of Infant Baptism this morning is Mackenzie Nicole
Kuelz, daughter
of Kurt and Grace Kuelz, and granddaughter of Pat and Emil Kuelz.
Children’s Time
(Children leave for Children’s Church. See * below)
Anthem
The
Joy of Mary
Nueun
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Bob
Garner
-Courtney Lou (Coco) Tierney (Polly Roberts’ sister)
-Greta Evans
-Jim Odum (Steve Wilkinson’s brother)
-Liz Richardson and Family
-Loretta Hodges
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s
Prayer
Hymnal, No. 895
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.
Offering of our Tithes and Gifts to God’s Work
Offertory Prayer
Offertory
Angels We Have Heard on High
McGregor
+Doxology
Hymnal, No. 95
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 Gospel
Lesson
Bill Davidson
(N. T. pg
57)
Luke 1:39-45
Pastor: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
He
Who Comes, Comes Through You
Bill Davidson
+Hymn 221
In
the Bleak Midwinter
Cranham
+Benediction
+Postlude
Joy
to the World Cable
+Indicates the people
standing
THOSE SERVING TODAY:
Cross Bearer: Rachel Dorsey
Acolytes: Drew Linkous and Hunter Miller
December Altar Guild Chairmen: Natalie Rude and Tallulah Gregory
Ushers: Captain-William Brenton, Jr., Prentice E. Moran, Joseph L.
Austin,
William Richardson, Jay Williams, Ross Jeffries, William P.
Wallace, Jr.
The Special Music this Morning is
Presented
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
In Loving Memory of David H. Burrows, Jr.
By the Robert G. Burleson Family
The Roanoke Chamber Brass
Jeff Kresge,
trumpet Dawn
Chernault, French horn
Steve Hedrick,
trumpet Craig
Woodring, trombone
Josh Witlow, tuba
*CHILDREN (AGES 3 through 1st GRADE),
may meet the acolyte to recess to Children’s Church. Please ask
your child to line up behind the acolyte who will lead all children out
together. After the worship service, parents must pick up their child in
the Children’s Department; children will not be allowed to leave the room
until their parents arrive.
WELCOME! We're glad to have all who
have joined us for this time of worship. Especially to our guests and
visitors, we welcome you to South Roanoke and to our fellowship. We invite
those who have no church home to make South Roanoke your church and add
your witness to ours.
NEXT WEEK’S SERMON will be
delivered by The Reverend Robert H. Garner. Our pastor will be on
vacation.
WE NEED ALTAR FLOWERS: The new
flower calendar for 2004 is on the
bulletin board by the church parlor. If you would like to sign up to put
flowers on the altar in memory or honor of a loved one please sign your
name on the calendar. January is completely vacant. Please think about
signing up for flowers in January so we will be assured of having altar
flowers each Sunday morning.
AS ALWAYS at Christmas time the
Christmas wreaths are given in Memory of Mr. John E. Easter, who for many
years served on the Administrative Board of South Roanoke United Methodist
Church. This is the last year that this estate gift will be available for
decorations at Christmas. This gift was given by the Fannie Easter
Estate.
THERE WILL BE a New Member
Orientation TODAY at 2:00 p.m. in the Terry Wimmer Classroom. Anyone who
wishes to unite with our church on Sunday, December 28th is invited to
this orientation. You will learn about South Roanoke Church and
Methodism.
YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP
will be the Christmas Eve Service
at 5:00 p.m. in our church sanctuary. This will be a candlelight
service of Lessons and Carols followed by Holy Communion.
A nursery will be provided.
THE CONGREGATION expresses sympathy
and concern to Mr. and Mrs. William Richardson in the recent death of
Liz’s mother, Sue R. Nolen.
THE UPPER ROOM CIRCLE invites the
ladies of the church to join them in a study of
“The Purpose Driven Life”
by Rick Warren. This study requires daily reading (short) and weekly group
discussion. We have decided to meet every other week and cover one week of
study at each meeting. Books may be purchased at Sam’s or any book store.
There are also devotional journals for sale. They will meet on Tuesdays at
10:30 in the Aldersgate classroom to view a short video by the author and
then have a discussion. Dates are January 13 and 27, February 10 and 24
and March 9 and 23. If you have questions call Terry Wilkinson, 772-0490.
THERE IS a new greeter sign-up
calendar on the bulletin board by the church parlor. Please check your
schedules and sign up to serve as a greeter one or more Sundays during the
year.
DECEMBER IS UNITED METHODIST FAMILY
SERVICES MONTH. Your donations to the Methodist Family Services
helps provide children in the program the education and life skills
necessary to be productive citizens. It also enables families who love
children to become foster parents and adoptive parents, and provides a
chaplain to encourage spirituality in the lives of the children and
families who are served throughout the state. Please use one of the
brochure envelopes found in your bulletin for your donations, and place
your offering in the offering plate as it is passed. We welcome Greg
Peters from Family Services who is with us this morning.
THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 24, 25 and 26, and on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday, December 31, January 1 and 2.
START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT AT SOUTH
ROANOKE! First Sunday of the New Year, January 4, 2004, 11:00 a.m.
Covenant Renewal Service and Holy Communion. A worship experience of John
Wesley for persons of faith to recommit their lives to Christ. Second
Sunday of the New Year, January 11, 2004, 11:00 a.m. Reaffirmation of the
Baptismal Covenant. As the Water of baptism is blessed, all baptized
persons are invited to come forward and receive the sign of the cross on
their foreheads with the blessing “Remember your baptism and be
thankful.”
WE WILL HOST THE IHN again the week
of January 4-11. If you can help by spending the night please call Jeff
Huffman, 771-6912, or if you can help with a meal please call Terry
Wilkinson, 772-0490.
SPECIAL ADVENT OFFERING FOR OUR CHURCH
STAFF-GOAL $7,660.91
RECEIVED TO DATE $6,245.00
As most of you are aware by now, your church staff will not receive
any raises again next year due to our current budget restraints. We are
concerned that our staff received no increase in 2002, received only about
a 1% increase in 2003, and will again receive no increase in 2004. We are
also concerned that “continuing education” has been denied our full-time
staff since funding for those opportunities was removed from the church
budget two years ago. In that light, your Staff-Parish Relations Committee
has been granted permission to receive a special Advent offering that will
support our staff members. This offering will help us grant as a “bonus”
this year the 2004 salary increases we originally recommended for them
based upon their performance evaluations. It will also allow us to make
funds available for their “continuing education” next year. Place your
gift in the offering plate (marked “Staff Christmas”) this morning.
-Staff-Parish Relations Committee
THERE WILL BE NO Contemporary
Worship Service on Wednesday, December 24 and December 31. We will
celebrate the birth of Christ with a Service of Lessons and Carols, Holy
Communion and candlelight service at 5:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary on
Christmas Eve. A nursery will be provided.
103 NEEDY CHILDREN BLESSED BY “ADVENT
ANGELS” THIS YEAR! South Roanoke Church has provided Christmas love
and gifts for 103 children this year (86 through the Henry Fork Service
Center and 17 of the Clearbrook Community in Roanoke County.) 60 angels
were on the tree designated to received one gift only. 43 were on our most
needy list-families who would be unable to provide any gifts for their
children. An average of $150-$200 was spent on each of these 43 angels.
Additionally, more than $2,000 was given by church members to support this
effort. A special thanks to Terry Wilkinson and Dawn Long who coordinated
this generous effort again this year. It is quite possible that our church
generously shared up to or more than $10,000.00 in Christmas love this
year!
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY to Harriet
Minichan on December 18th.
WE ARE IN NEED OF ALTAR GUILD CHAIRS.
If you would like to serve one month of the year in this position
please call Natalie Rude, 345-1634, or Tallulah Gregory, 982-2535. As
Altar Guild Chair you would be in charge of calling the florist each week
to order flowers, take flowers to sick or shut-ins after the service as
needed, and see that the altar is in order for the Sunday morning worship
service. Natalie or Tallulah will train you if needed. If you have any
questions please give one of them a call.
MEMORIAL GIFTS: Given in Memory of
Jeanne Hogan by: Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Fowler; Given in Memory of
Katherine Jacocks by: Henry M. Jacocks, Jr., Henry & Patricia Jacocks,
Lucy H. Rice and Doris L. Bachman.
PIZZA! PIZZA! PIZZA! The
Wesley Class will begin selling
pizzas today through January 17. Pickup date will be January 31, 2004,
just in time for the Super Bowl. If you can’t eat pizza and would like to
participate in this project, pizzas may be donated to The Ronald McDonald
House or the Rescue Mission. Proceeds benefit local missions.
THE WESLEY CLASS
invites you to join them for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
The Reverend Bob Garner will lead
the class beginning Sunday, January 4. Everyone is welcome!
UNITED METHODIST MEN STEAK AND EGG
BREAKFAST ONLY $3.00!!! Saturday, January 17, 8:00 a.m. All men of
the church are invited as we “gear up for more” in 2004—meaningful
programs, service projects, and fellowship.
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY
12:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Lunch at Parsonage
2:00 p.m. New Member Orientation
MONDAY
7:00 a.m. Prayer Breakfast
5:30 p.m. Wimmer Class Party
WEDNESDAY
OFFICE CLOSED
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
THURSDAY
OFFICE CLOSED
FRIDAY
OFFICE CLOSED
____________________________
SERMON
December 21, 2003
4th Sunday in Advent
He Who Comes, Comes Through You
Lk. 1:46b-55; Lk. 1:39-45
The Word of God has a
way of making itself a part of the very fabric of your life, if you let
it. If the Word of God ever implants itself, even a little bit, in the
world, it can influence, shape, and form all of life. That’s the message
of Advent. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, was born in Bethlehem, one of
the little clans of Judah (as the Prophet Malachi called it), in a stable
to two poor parents in 1st Century Galilee. From that
insignificant beginning the world was saved. That’s what we celebrate at
Christmastime. That’s what we embrace again as we receive this great gift
of love.
The Word that created
life, empowered prophecy, imparted divine promises, brought forth
blessing, the Word of God has a way of doing all of that with you, right
now, if you let it. That’s what makes this story of two kinswomen who are
about to have babies so interesting and vital to us today. Why else would
the impending birth of two children in that insignificant part of the
world so long ago make any difference at all to us today? It is because
the Word of God made itself a part of the fabric of 1st century
life in this very small way that we now prepare to celebrate that same
gift to all the world at Christmastime.
This is a message of
Advent we often miss. The Word of God comes, implants itself in the midst
of life in an insignificant way in you, and through you the world is
blessed. That’s how God works. That makes the message of Advent so very
personal. Good news spreads far and fast, if you let it.
That’s what happened
to Mary’s older relative, Elizabeth who, at the angel’s announcement to
Mary, was already 6 months along in carrying her own child, John (to be
called the Baptist), her only child with whom she was blessed while she
was well on in years. When Mary arrived to visit her, there was no need
for Mary to announce she was with child also, for Elizabeth’s child leaped
for joy within her as Mary greeted them—Elizabeth already knew and she
blesses her young relative, the mother of her Lord. You see, the Word of
God has a way of making itself a part of the very fabric of your life, if
you let it. Good news spreads far and fast, if you let it.
And so Mary, so full
of the blessing and grace of God, offers spontaneous song and praise and
thanksgiving to God. The Magnificat, presented so magnificently by choir,
organ, and brass this morning, boldly declares that even as God has
blessed Mary, the lowliest of God’s people, so God will bless all people
through every generation, bringing down the strong and proud and lifting
up the lowly; filling the hungry and sending the rich away. Mary truly
believes that good news spreads far and fast, if you let it.
Now much has been
said about the origins of our Christmas holiday. It is no secret that the
date of Christmas was not set until the 4th century. It is no
secret that one of the main reasons for the setting of the date of
Christmas by the church as December 25 was to counter the popular pagan
holidays so prevalent at the time involving:
-
Special rituals and
celebrations in Europe to welcome back the sun as
longer days approached,
-
The Scandinavian Yuletide feast
to welcome the sun’s return, or
-
The Roman festival
“Saturnalia” celebrating their god Saturn with garlands of laurel and
green trees lit with candles.
You know what I say
to that? Good for the church! If the culture needed redeeming
by the displacement of immoral and misguided revelry by the moral
influence of the Christian Gospel then I am glad the church tried to make
it right. Bad news, you see, travels so far so fast almost all by
itself. Human culture and society is so easily infected by the
improper, the immoral, the short-sighted, and the penultimate.
Unfortunately we are still living with the inappropriate excesses of these
earlier pagan festivals as we all too easily indulge ourselves in the
greediness and gluttony so prevalent among us this time of year. It
seems the church has not completely succeeded in displacing holiday
misguided revelry even today! But that’s the way bad news is.
That which is not so good for us so often infects us so easily.
But the message of
Advent is that good news spreads far and fast, if you let it. You see,
people of God, Advent people, Christmas people are called by God and
blessed by God to spread good news, not bad. God knows that bad news
doesn’t need any special help to spread itself around. You and I know how
poisonous it is for any of us to spread around despair or disappointment
or anger or frustration among one another. We human beings so easily
catch hold of that bad news and soon it affects us all.
But Mary didn’t have
to say a thing. Elizabeth’s baby wiggled and kicked with joy within her
as soon as Mary came near. Mary had good news and Elizabeth knew it even
before she was told. Good news spreads far and fast, if you let it.
At Christmastime the
planet Jupiter is particularly visible in the sky. According to the
recent broadcast of the public radio program “Star Date,” if you look
right next to the moon at its rising you can just see it. Jupiter has
many moons. One of those moons is called Europa. The interesting thing
about Europa is that it is covered with ice and it may well have water
underneath its surface. To the extent that the conditions there match the
exact conditions of earth millennia ago, this makes Europa about as
similar to earth as any other heavenly body. All the conditions are
there, it is said, for the formation of life. One of the reasons we know
so much about Europa is because of the exploration of the Galileo
spacecraft. Launched from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis in
1989, it brought cameras and detection equipment to this part of our solar
system. But there is one more thing that Galileo brought to this part of
space—life. It is certain that some form of earthly life, bacteria
perhaps, survived the years of radiation bombardment, especially in the
internal portions of the craft. Here’s the thing. If even a little bit
of that bacteria, if even a little bit of that life, somehow made its way
to Jupiter’s moon Europa, the fear is that it could multiply and
contaminate that moon’s entire environment. There was a mathematically
small chance that, with the loss of its ability to maneuver upon the
depletion of its propellant, Galileo’s path might one day cross Europa’s
orbit. To avoid that risk, the spacecraft Galileo’s mission ended at
11:57 a.m. on Sept. 21 of this year when it was deliberately directed into
Jupiter’s shadow and disintegrated in its dense atmosphere.
It only takes a
little bit of life in the proper environment for it to spread everywhere.
What is the good news here? We don’t have to do very much at all as
life’s agents to bring life into our environment. It really does have a
life of its own if you let it do what life does.
How does the song go
this time of year? “Oh, we need a little Christmas, right this very
minute!” The real spirit of this season can be so contagious if we just
listen carefully enough and let it spark in us the love, compassion, and
justice in which God created us. That’s what happened to Elizabeth and
Mary, that’s what can happen to you, that’s what can happen to the church,
that can surely happen to the world. Yes, the greed and excess and
extravagance that are so prevalent among us this time of year can also
infect us, but good news spreads far and fast, if you let it.
It really is up to
you. Are you one who just can’t wait to spread the latest bad news you
hear or does your heart leap within you whenever you find yourself
anywhere near good news and just can’t wait to share that? Are you one of
life’s agents or are you an agent of death?
We celebrate the
coming of the Word of God, Jesus Christ, at Christmas. The Word of God
has a way of making itself a part of the very fabric of your life, if you
let it. Jesus Christ is born anew in our hearts this season. Even as God
came through Elizabeth and through Mary, so God comes through you and me
every day. The message of Advent, the promise of this time of year, and
the calling of Christmas is this: He Who comes, comes through you!
William G. Davidson
