South Roanoke United Methodist Church

2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

Phone: (540) 344-4437
Fax: (540) 345-8041

 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS                                         DECEMBER 28, 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                 
          (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           
     (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 Regi tration pad.)
+Call to Worship                          
     Pastor:    Christ is born; give him glory!
     People:  Christ has come down from heaven; receive him!
                    Christ is now on earth; exalt him!
     Pastor:    O you earth, sing to the Lord!
     People:  O you nations, praise him in joy, for he has been glorified!
                                                                                                 (Traditional Byzantine Christmas Prayer, Alt.) +Opening Prayer
     O almighty God, by the birth of your holy child Jesus you gave us a great light
     to dawn on our darkness. Grant that in his light we may see light. Bestow upon
     us that most excellent Christmas gift of love to all people, so that the likeness of
     your Son may be formed in us, and that we may have the ever brightening hope of
     everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
     Amen.                                                                                                (The Book of Worship 1965,Alt.)
+Hymn  245                                         The First Noel                                          The First Noel
Holy Baptism  33                                                                                                     Don Roberts
     Receiving the Rite of Infant Baptism this morning is Lillian Bradley Jamison, daughter of
     Jennifer and Troy Jamison and granddaughter of Dick and Sandi Clemmer and Steve
     and Brenda Jamison.
Children’s Time
                                 (Children leave for Children’s Church. See * below)
Duet                                                       Gesu Bambino                                                       Yon
                                        (Sarah Newcomb and Phyllis Brandy)
Sharing of Joys and Concerns                                                                                  
     -Greta Evans        -Andrew and Christy Sherman and Family 
     -Jim Odum (Steve Wilkinson’s brother) 
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                              
+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.
+Hymn  254                                       We Three Kings                                        Kings of Orient
The Scripture Lesson  (N.T. pg. 193)                                                                  Ephesians 4:1-6
     Pastor:  The Word of our Lord.
     People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon                                         The Ministry of Order                                          Bob Garner
+Hymn 224                           Good Christian Friends, Rejoice                             In Dulci Jubilo
+Benediction
+Postlude  

+Indicates the people standing 

THOSE SERVING TODAY:
     Greeters: John and Heidi Christopher
     Acolytes:  Tiffany Woolwine and Stephanie Woolwine
     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. 

*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. 

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 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. Please think about signing up for flowers in January so we will be assured of having altar flowers each Sunday morning. 

THE ROSES ON THE ALTAR are in honor of the births of Alice Talbot Sherman and Clara Gallagher Sherman, who were born on Sunday, December 21, 2003. The proud parents are Christy and Andrew Sherman, and the proud brother is Jack.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The members of SRUMC continue to show their generosity whenever asked. The special Advent offering for the staff that was requested by the Staff Parish Relations Committee was reached and exceeded. We were asking for $7,660.91, and we received $8,530.00. The staff is most grateful for this show of love and support. We want to thank everyone who participated in this appeal, and wish all of you a very Happy New Year.                                                                                       -Staff Parish Relations Committee 

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. Place your check in the offering plate, marked “Family Services.”  

THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 31, January 1 and 2. 

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. 

THERE WILL BE NO Contemporary Worship Service on Wednesday,  December 31.  

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. 

PIZZA! PIZZA! PIZZA! The Wesley Class is selling pizzas 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.