Bulletins

Traditional Worship Bulletin

Traditional Service
December 4, 2022 | 11:00 am

Sermon Series
“The Angels of Christmas”
Luke 1:5-20
Rev. Lance Marshall
Senior Pastor

Welcome and Announcements
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor

Prelude: “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Dale Wood, arranger
Peggy Graff, organist

*Call to Worship
One: May the joy of the advent season with its message of mighty peace be with you all!
All: And also with you!
One: Let us worship and celebrate the season of Advent.
All: Glory to God! Amen.

Children’s Pageant
“Mister Mark” Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries
Part 1 – Jesus is Born
#230 O Little Town of Bethlehem, verse 1

Part 2 – The Angels Announce the Good News
#240 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, verse 1

Part 3 – The Shepherds and Sheep Run to the Manger
#234 O Come All Ye Faithful, verse 1

Part 4 – A Visit from the Wise Men
#254 We Three Kings, verse 1

Part 5 – Savior of the World
#217 Away in a Manger

Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Brendan, Darcy, and Kellan McCready

*Hymn 213: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold, the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here!

Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven’s employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.

Redeemer, come, with us abide;
our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in us reveal.

Thy Holy Spirit lead us on
until our glorious goal is won;
eternal praise, eternal fame
be offered, Savior, to thy name!

*Affirmation of Faith 881
Rev. Phyllis Barren, Associate Pastor
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
who what 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

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20
Joy Brandon, lay reader
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon Series: The Angels of Christmas
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
Note: Gabriel and Zechariah

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: “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (from Gloria, RV 589)
Antonio Vivaldi, composer
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director

*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: “Hark! The Herald Angel Sing/
Jesus, the light of the World.”

*Postlude: “Wachet Auf” (Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying)
Helmut Walcha, arranger

Download Traditional Worship Bulletin 12.4.22

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 October will support the clothing bank.

The Poinsettias in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Broderick and Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith.

Stay Connected

News
Read First Church news and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.

Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.

WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s service 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 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 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!

Seasons of Worship

A Year in the Life of the Church

Each Sunday in Sanctuary Worship, you may have noticed that the matching color of our pulpit cloth and clergy stoles represent the “Liturgical Season” of the Christian calendar in which we are worshipping. (You’ll also see reference to this season next to the date on the bulletin.) For many, this is a mystery they hesitate to ask about, so here’s the short course:

The United Methodist Church follows a “liturgical calendar” — in our case, we follow the Protestant Church Calendar — which divides the year into various seasons. The Church year begins in December with the joyous anticipatory season of Advent just as the secular calendar year is winding down, and ends with Kingdomtide, also known as “Ordinary Time” that stretches though summer and fall. Here’s a quick rundown of each Season of Worship in our Liturgical Calendar and what each means.

Advent

The first season is Advent, which includes the four Sundays before Christmas Day. In Advent, worship centers on preparing to celebrate the comings of Christ — remembering his birth, recognizing his continual presence, and anticipating his final victory. Traditionally, this season, with its emphasis on preparation, culminates in the celebration of Christmas Day. Our secular celebrations ignore the preparatory significance of this time and skip to celebration. This is certainly understandable! Yet, the Church calls us to use this time to reflect on our heart’s yearning for God to break into our lives and our world once again with the surprising good news of salvation and grace — and once this yearning is recognized, we are more apt to be in a position for genuine celebration and joy. The color used in worship for this season is either Purple or Royal Blue.

Christmas

This is the shortest season in the church calendar. It includes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and continues until the Day of Epiphany (often, the first Sunday in January). It is a season of joy — a time for praise and thanksgiving in worship for the profound (if not familiar) notion of God becoming incarnate in Jesus. Often, there is only one Sunday between Christmas Eve and Epiphany Sunday which, traditionally, includes a Covenant Renewal Service (an opportunity to renew our vows of faithfulness to God through Christ and our commitment to following the ways of Christ in our everyday lives). The color used in worship for this season is White.

Epiphany

The celebration of Epiphany is more ancient among Christians than Christmas or Advent. It begins with the Day of Epiphany (which is the traditional day celebrating the coming of the Wise Men) and is followed by what is officially called the “Season After Epiphany.” It is the season which recognizes the Incarnation (God coming to us in the “carnal” or flesh) and Baptism of Jesus. We have traditionally included a “Remember Your Baptism” service during this season. Although much less recognized by most people, this season calls us to pay attention! Epiphanies are manifestations — God present with us in ways that are often unnoticed, overlooked, or simply taken for granted. In some traditions, the Day of Epiphany is a huge celebration intended to include much laughter and play. The color used in worship for this season is Green.

Lent

This season of forty days (not including Sundays) is another season of preparation (re: Advent). Lent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Easter and invites us to a more somber time of self-reflection and an honest accounting of the ways we have fallen short in our faithful following of the ways of Jesus. However, because we are still an “Easter people,” we engage this season always with a recognition of God’s grace and an attitude of hope. This season begins with Ash Wednesday — a day that asks us to confront our mortality and confess our sin as we also remember our baptism and our reassurance the grace of salvation. It concludes with Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday) and includes the services of Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. For many, Lent and the services of Holy Week are the most profoundly moving services of the Christian year. The color used in worship for this season is Purple.

Holy Week & Easter

Easter Sunday begins this most joyous season of the Christian year. The season of Easter lasts from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost, which is called the Great Fifty Days because of its intentional emphasis on joy and celebration. It focuses on Christ’s resurrection and ascension. It is interesting to note that the ancient name for this time was called “Pasch,” which is derived from the Hebrew word “pesah” (meaning deliverance or passover) which connects the Resurrection to the Exodus, freedom from slavery and freedom from sin and death the primary themes of each. The color used in worship for this season is White.

Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost falls fifty days after Easter and ends the season of Easter. This is the day celebrating the Church’s receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Kingdomtide or Ordinary Time

The season following the Day of Pentecost is known as either Kingdomtide or Ordinary Time and it lasts through the Summer and Fall ending on the first Sunday of Advent. It is, therefore, the longest season on the Christian calendar. The term “Kingdomtide” was first used in 1937 as a means of encouraging churches to emphasizing Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of God during these months. It is no longer used by any denomination except the United Methodist Church and has been shortened to the first 13 to 14 weeks within the season of Ordinary Time. The Sundays of this season are more commonly referred to in reference to the number of weeks after Pentecost (example: July 14, 2013 is the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost). Ordinary Time is not a reference to a blasé time in the life of the church but is based on these “numbered” Sundays (“Ordinals”). The colors used in worship for this season are Red (Pentecost Sunday and, if desired, the weeks in Kingdomtide) and Green.

Bulletins

Worship Bulletin 12.4.22

Traditional Worship Bulletin

Traditional Service
December 4, 2022 | 11:00 am

Sermon Series
“The Angels of Christmas”
Luke 1:5-20
Rev. Lance Marshall
Senior Pastor

Welcome and Announcements
Dr. Mike Marshall, Associate Pastor

Prelude: “Angels We Have Heard on High”
Dale Wood, arranger
Peggy Graff, organist

Children’s Pageant
“Mister Mark” Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries
Part 1 – Jesus is Born
#230 O Little Town of Bethlehem, verse 1

Part 2 – The Angels Announce the Good News
#240 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, verse 1

Part 3 – The Shepherds and Sheep Run to the Manger
#234 O Come All Ye Faithful, verse 1

Part 4 – A Visit from the Wise Men
#254 We Three Kings, verse 1

Part 5 – Savior of the World
#217 Away in a Manger

Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Brendan, Darcy, and Kellan McCready

*Hymn 213: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold, the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here!

Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven’s employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.

Redeemer, come, with us abide;
our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in us reveal.

Thy Holy Spirit lead us on
until our glorious goal is won;
eternal praise, eternal fame
be offered, Savior, to thy name!

*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

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20
Joy Brandon, lay reader
God speaks to us through the reading of scripture.
Thanks be to God.

Sermon Series: The Angels of Christmas
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor
Note: Gabriel and Zechariah

Pastoral Prayer

Offertory: “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (from Gloria, RV 589)
Antonio Vivaldi, composer
Choral Union
Thomas Williams, director

*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.

*Choral Benediction: “Hark! The Herald Angel Sing/
Jesus, the light of the World.”

*Postlude: “Wachet Auf” (Wake, Awake, For Night is Flying)
Helmut Walcha, arranger

Download Traditional Worship Bulletin 12.4.22

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 October will support the clothing bank.

The Poinsettias in the Sanctuary are in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Broderick and Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Smith.

Stay Connected

News
Read First Church news and sign up for emails at fumcfw.org/news.

Events
Browse programs and events or search by ministry or keyword at fumcfw.org/events.

WRR Radio
Listen to each previous week’s service 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 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!

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?

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Bulletins

Notes from First Church

Stay Connected

Are you new?

Seasons of Worship

A Year in the Life of the Church

Bulletins

Notes from First Church

Stay Connected

Are you new?

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