Combined Worship Bulletin
Traditional Worship Service
December 26, 2021 | 11:00 am
“When Life is Still Hard”
John 1:1-5
Dr. Mike Marshall and
Dr. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez
Welcome
Dr. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez, Associate Pastor
Foundation Update
Prelude: “God with Us”
Leslie Jordan, arranger
Thomas William, piano
Clint Church, guitar
*Call to Worship
Clint Church, Gathering Worship Leader
One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.
All: And the Word was God.
One: All things came into being through him.
All: God is with us.
One: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.
All: Praise be to God!
*Hymn 246: “Joy to the World” (vv 1, 2, & 4)
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.
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.
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,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
*Affirmation of Faith 883
Elaine Johnson, Worship Coordinator
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God. 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
Patrick Stokes McCurdy, son of Meagan and Yates McCurdy
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 Patrick Stokes, 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
Christmas Fun with Dr. Mike
*Hymn 251: “Go Tell It on the Mountain ” (vv 1, 3)
Refrain: 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 shown a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.
Sermon: “When Life is Still Hard”
Scripture: John 1:1-5
Dr. Zhenya Gurina-Rodriguez, 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)
Announcements
Offertory: “Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)”
Chris Tomlin, 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: “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.
*Postlude
Download Traditional Worship Bulletin 12.26.21
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.
Asterisks (*) indicate times when you are invited to stand as you are able.
“Faith Like a Child” is our children’s sermon developed for young worshipers of all ages.
In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the offering plate during the month of December will support the food bank.
The Poinsettias and decorations for the Sanctuary are given in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Broderick and Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith.
Join us for GROW Bible Study:
Wednesdays
10:00 – 11:00 am
Room 350
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Room 350 & Zoom
To register and for more information click here.
STAY CONNECTED
News
Read FUMCFW news and Stories of Us online and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.
Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.
Worship with us Online
SUNDAY MORNINGS
8:30 am | DiscipleChurch | fumcfw.org/dc
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
WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s Sanctuary sermon and music on Sunday mornings at 7:30 am on WRR 101.1 FM.
Media Playlists
Watch past services or sermons or listen to podcasts of sermons, services, and special music offerings at fumcfw.org/media.
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.
Worship
Gathering to focus onGod together
Serve
Being God’s people in the world
Give
Putting God first in all things
Learn
Discovering and understanding who God is
Play
Enjoying the good life God gives
Pray
Talking and listening to God’s direction
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 FUMCFW 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!