Traditional Worship Service
Traditional Worship Service
December 31, 2023 | 11:00 am
“Be Well”
Mark 1:14-20
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD, Associate Pastor
Welcome
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor
Prelude: “Jesus Christ is Born Today! (In Dulci Jubilo)
Gilbert M. Martin, arranger
Peggy Graff, organist
*Call to Worship
One: Come and hear the good news: the Kingdom of God has come near
All: Our hearts and spirits are open.
One: God is our strength and salvation.
All: We are well!
One: Come and receive His welcome!
All: Give us the courage to follow you. Amen
*Hymn 224: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
1 Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
News, news!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today,
Christ is born today!
2 Good Christian friends, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss:
News, news!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door,
and ye are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this,
Christ was born for this!
*Affirmation of Faith 881
Samuel Macias, Associate Pastor
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Gloria Patri 70
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
**Please be seated
Sacrament of Baptism
Celeste Yolanda Astor, Kaiden Jamauri Reece, and Kamauri Shem Reece
Baptismal Hymn 191: “Jesus Loves Me” (vs. 1)
Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Congregational Response
With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ that Celeste Yolanda, Kaiden Jamauri, and Kamauri Shem, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.
Faith Like a Child
“Mister Mark” Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries
*Hymn 188: “Christ Is the World’s Light”
1 Christ is the world’s light, Christ and none other;
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high!
2 Christ is the world’s peace, Christ and none other;
no one can serve him and despise another.
Who else unites us, one with God the Father?
Glory to God on high!
3 Christ is the world’s life, Christ and none other;
sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother.
He who redeemed us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high!
4 Give God the glory, God and none other;
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
give God the glory, God with us, our brother:
Glory to God on high!
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Bill Boyd, lay reader
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Series: Be Well
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD, Associate Pastor
Pastoral Prayer
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. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Offertory: “Kings of Orient” (Minuet-Trio)
Rebecca Groom TeVelde, arranger
*Doxology 95
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Benediction
One: Our gathering will soon be ended. Where will we go, and what will we do?
All: We will go out to be God’s people in the world.
One: May grace, peace, hope, love, and joy forever accompany you. Amen.
*Congregational Benediction: “251 Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills, and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light.
(Refrain)
*Postlude: “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
Wilbur Held, arranger
Download The Traditional Worship Bulletin PDF
Notes from First Church
Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth – we are glad you’re here to worship with us today!
Please let us know you are here by filling out the attendance pad as it comes by or registering on-line.
Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand as you are able.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate for the month of December will support the First Street Mission food bank.
The Poinsettias in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Broderick and Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith.
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Events
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Worship with us Online
Sunday Mornings
9:30 am | The Gathering | fumcfw.org/gathering-live
11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
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Listen to each previous week’s service and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
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For more information visit us online at fumcfw.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter and Instagram!
Discipleship is the process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit through spiritual practices to become more like Jesus. Healthy Plate Discipleship uses a variety of practices to help you more faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Try all six areas to grow strong in faithful discipleship. Learn more at fumcfw.org/healthyplate.
Are you new?
If you would like to find your Worship Plus One, we would love to visit with you and help you explore the First Church groups or ministries of special interest to you! Finding your Worship Plus One will help you meet others, build relationships, and grow stronger in your faith.
For details, please email Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org), Director of Welcoming Ministries or Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org), Associate Pastor of Leadership Development — and be sure to include your phone number in your email!