Traditional Worship Bulletin
Traditional Worship Service
December 17, 2023 | 11:00 am
“I Can’t Wait”
Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
Welcome
Rev. Phyllis Barren, Associate Pastor
Choral Prelude: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
Dan Forrest, arranger
Alison Beck and Peggy Graff, piano
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Rev. Zhenya Gurina Rodriguez, PhD
*Call to Worship
One: We await Christ’s light in this world of darkness.
All: We can’t wait!
One: And yet, we await God’s unshakeable joy in a world of weariness and sorrow.
All: We can’t wait, and yet, we wait in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.
*Hymn 246: “Joy to the World”
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
2. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
Anthem: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Dan Forrest, arranger
Faith Like a Child
“Mister Mark” Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries
*Hymn 229: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
1. Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
Scripture: Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13
Joy Brandon, lay reader
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon Series:
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior 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)
Recognizing Nancy Fisher
Offertory: “What Sweeter Music”
John Rutter, composer
*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.
*Choral Benediction: “The First Noel”
Dan Forrest arranger
*Postlude: Toccata on “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Gilbert M. Martin aranger
Peggy Graff, organ
Violin – Arthur Busby
Violin – Emily Burak
Viola – Haojian Wang
Cello – Tess Kent
Oboe -Martha Kleiner
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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11:00 am | Traditional Worship | fumcfw.org/traditional-live
11:11 am | eleven:eleven | fumfw.org/1111-live
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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!