The Real Gifts of Christmas

November 27, 2022, the First Sunday of Advent 
 
Greeting                     
Rev. David Petty
 
Prelude                      
Stephanie Shorden

The Lighting of the Advent Wreath            
Jackie & John Fletcher
 
Reader 1: Today is the first Sunday of Advent. We are just barely starting to prepare a place for Christ.
Reader 2: We sing the familiar songs and decorate in a familiar way.  We are expecting this year to be like all the others
Reader 1: As we light the first candle, the candle of HOPE, we have to ask ourselves:
Reader 2: What if we HOPE for the unexpected?  What if we expected more than we have in years past?  What if we expected and hoped for a miracle?
Congregation: This is the day that the Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.
 
*Gathering Song       
Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus  
UMH #196 
WORDS: Charles Wesley, 1744
 
1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
 
2. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
 
Mystery Box               
 
PRAYER
 
Invitation to Prayer               
Rev. David Petty
Anyone wishing to come forward to the Communion Railing to pray or light a prayer candle may do so.
 
Prayer Song    
Pass Me Not, O Gentile Savior        
vs. 1 UMH #351
WORDS: Fanny J. Crosby, 1868 
 
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
 
Refrain
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
 
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer          
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
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 to trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.
 
Prayer Response        
Pass Me Not, O Gentile Savior        
vs. 2 UMH #351
WORDS: Fanny J. Crosby, 1868 
 
2. Let me at thy throne of mercy find a sweet relief, kneeling there in deep contrition; help my unbelief.
 
Refrain
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.
 
GIVING BACK
 
Invitation to Offering                       
Nancy Gehrung

Offertory        
How Great is Our God   
by Chris Tomlin & Jesse Reeves
Exalt! and Stephanie Shorden
                       
Prayer of Thanks & Dedication                  
Rev. David Petty

*Doxology    
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow            
UMH #94
 
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!  Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
MESSAGE
 
Scripture Reading      
Isaiah 7:14       
Nancy Gehrung

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.

Anthem          
Hear My Prayer
by Moses Hogan         
Exalt!
Prayer for Illumination                    
 
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
 
Message         
The Real Gifts of Christmas - Expect a Miracle       
Rev. David Petty

SENDING FORTH

*Affirmation of Faith          
Pastor Donnie Sturgill

We believe in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking a humble form,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death –
even death on a cross.
 
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess to the glory of God:
 
We believe in the triune God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.
 
We believe that WE are the people of God.
 
We are St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
 
We celebrate the unconditional love of God,
 
We follow the way and teachings of Christ,
through the power and guidance of God's Holy Spirit.
 
We believe we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to Love our neighbor as ourselves.

*Sending Hymn      
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light        
UMH #206
WORDS: Kathleen Thomerson, 1966
© 1970, 1975 Celebration
 
1. I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
 
Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
 
2. I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus. Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father. 
 
Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
 
3. I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus. When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus. 
 
Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
 
Announcements        
Springs Rescue Mission,
Family Christmas Event
 
Benediction               
Rev. David Petty

Postlude                    
Stephanie Shorden