CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR United Methodist
Bringing New Life to Greater Heights
December 15, 2019 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Third Sunday of Advent
Rev. Andy Call, Lead Pastor
Rev. Gregory Kendrick, Jr., Pastor of Connections Rev. Lois Annich, Pastor of Care Ministries
2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 | 216-321-8880 | www.cotsumc.org
ORDER OF WORSHIP SANCTUARY 11:00 a.m.
OPENING TO GOD
PRELUDE The Rose (“Es ist ein’ Ros”) Olive Nelson Russell Song of the Angels arr. Anna Laura Page Wesley Bells WELCOME The Rev. Andy Call CHORAL INTROIT Gaudete! Christus est natus arr. Adrian M. Wall Rejoice, Rejoice! Christ is born of the virgin Mary, Rejoice! It is now the time of grace that we have desired; Let us sing songs of joy, Let us give devotion. God was made man, and nature marvels; The world was renewed by Christ who is King. The closed gate of Ezechiel has been passed through; From where the light rises Salvation is found. Therefore let our assembly now sing, Sing the Psalms to purify us; Let it praise the Lord: Greetings to our King. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES York/McMann Family *HYMN OF PRAISE #211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel (vs. 1, 2, 4, 7) *CALL TO CONFESSION The Rev. Lois Annich *PRAYER OF CONFESSION1
God of majesty and glory, we are thirsty for your grace. You made a way for us in the wilderness, and still, in our foolishness, we go astray. We hide our eyes from your presence. We do not listen to your word. We are lifeless when we ought to dance and speechless when we ought to sing.
Forgive us, O LORD. Speak peace to our fearful hearts, strengthen our weak hands, and make firm our feeble knees
as we seek to follow in your holy way. Amen. (Silence is kept.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS By mid-December, COTS will be mailing a letter to members, inviting each of us to prayerfully consider our financial gift to the Christmas offering. Our Christmas offering goes entirely to supporting Metro Missions, and is the only funding some of the programs will receive. Please use the envelope enclosed in the letter, or the envelope in your packet of offering envelopes in one of the Christmas Eve services. If you are submitting your offering some other way, such as online, or directly to the church office, please indicate that it is designated for the Christmas offering. Please note that this offering is separate from your pledge to the operating funds of the church. We are excited to see how God works through our ministries in 2020, and your part in it!
-- Pete Evangelista, Metro Ministries Chair Church email issues have been solved, so emails sent to [email protected] are now getting through. However, we prefer that you use the updated staff email addresses that end in @cotsumc.org. Thank you for your patience. Did you see the hearts at the Reinberger and Great Hall entrances? JOY AWAITS with the birth of Christ, and God's JOY is SHARED every time we act in love to uplift another- sharing a smile, making a phone call, moving their sofa bed, or any other act of kindness. At the entrances, write on a heart how you will share or have shared JOY and place it in the box. See how God is working through our congregation to transform the world one interaction at a time. Two Advent devotional books are available for purchase in the church office: Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience ($10) & Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2019 ($1) Church of the Saviour is partnering with The Salvation Army East Cleveland to provide hats, mittens, gloves, and socks for those in the East Cleveland community. Please place your donated items on the branches of the tree in the Great Hall from December 1 to 29. There will be one worship service on Sunday, December 29 at 10 am in the Great Hall. “Away in a Manger” (Matthew 2:13-23)
Please join us for the Longest Night service on Saturday, December 21 at 5 pm in the Great Hall. This beautiful communion service offers an oasis in the middle of the holiday rush and especially speaks to anyone grieving losses or difficulties of any kind. The liturgy offers great comfort and the assurance of Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of whatever challenges we may be facing.
4:00 pm Children and Family Service
7:00 pm Traditional Service
11:00 pm Lessons and Carols with Communion
*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE Leader: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE (Share signs of reconciliation with each other.)
HEARING GOD’S WORD
THE SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10 (CEB) Deserie Miller
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. ANTHEMS AND REFLECTIONS Rev. Call, Rev. Annich Jesus Child John Rutter Chancel Choir & Good News Have you heard the story that they're telling 'bout Bethlehem, Have you heard the story of the Jesus child? How he came from heaven and was born in a manger bed? Mary was his virgin mother pure and mild.
Have you heard the story of the poor humble shepherd men, Sitting on the hillside with their flocks at night? Sudden on the hillside with their flocks at night? Suddenly the angel tells them: ‘Hurry to Bethlehem; Go and find the Jesus child, the world’s new light.’
Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters, Worship the Jesus child and praise his mother mild. 'Glory to God' the angel hosts are singing: Listen to the story of the Jesus child.
Jesus child, lying at Bethlehem, Sleeping safe at Mary's knee, Save my soul and bring me to paradise, Let me join the angles singing glory to thee. Hosanna to the Son of David Luc Jakobs
Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed be He that comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens. Hosanna in the highest heavens!
Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters…
Have you heard the story of the kings from the orient, Following the star that's shining over his head? Offering their precious gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense, Kneeling with the ox and ass before his bed?
Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters…
Brothers, let us celebrate the birth of the Jesus child, Sisters, come and welcome him, the new-born King; Praise the Lord who sent him down from heaven at Christmas time; Young and old and rich and poor, his praises sing.
Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters… Printed by permission. OneLicense.net License #A711309.
In the Bleak Midwinter Harold Darke
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Christmas Medley Israel Hougton Gospel Choir
OFFERING OUR LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER (#895) Rev. Annich
Leader: Hear us, O God. People: Your mercy is great. GIVING OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS Rev. Call
Please participate in the ministry of hospitality by recording your attendance in the Friendship Pads located at the center aisle of each pew.
Offertory Once in Royal David's City arr. K. Leaky Buckwalter Bells of the Saviour
*The Doxology (#95) & Prayer of Dedication *HYMN OF DISCIPLESHIP #246 Joy to the World Antioch *BENEDICTION & CHORAL RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Joy to the World arr. Lani Smith *The people may stand. Acolytes: Lukas Verhage, Jacob Wackers
Director of Music: David Gilson Organist: Robert Day
Director of Wesley Bells & Bells of the Saviour: Virginia Steiger Director of Gospel Choir: Brian Smart
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day, A breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 Myers Chapel, 9:30 Great Hall, 11:00 Sanctuary
"The Joy of God-with-Us" Matthew 1:18-25
Please join us in the Parlor after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshments, hosted by Group Life Ministries.
The flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Jill Barr,
a gift of Rob, Helen, Tom and Emily; and
by the Church of the Saviour Foundation to the Glory of God.
1Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press. Edited by Kimberly Bracken Long.
*BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE Rejoice, the Lord is King arr. Anna Laura Page
*The people may stand. Director of Music: David Gilson Organist: Robert Day Ushers: Marty Kolb & Craig Smith
Please join us in the Parlor after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshments.
The flowers on the altar are given in loving memory of Jill Barr,
a gift of Rob, Helen, Tom and Emily; and
by the Church of the Saviour Foundation to the Glory of God.
CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR United Methodist
Bringing New Life to Greater Heights
December 15, 2019 8:30 a.m., Myers Chapel Third Sunday of Advent
Rev. Andy Call, Lead Pastor Rev. Gregory Kendrick, Jr., Pastor of Connections
Rev. Lois Annich, Pastor of Care Ministries
2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 | 216-321-8880 | www.cotsumc.org
ORDER OF WORSHIP MYERS CHAPEL 8:30 a.m.
OPENING TO GOD
WELCOME The Rev. Andy Call PRELUDE The Rose (“Es ist ein’ Ros”) Olive Nelson Russell LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Bob & Nancy Billman *HYMN OF PRAISE #211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel (vs. 1, 2, 4, 7) *CALL TO CONFESSION *PRAYER OF CONFESSION1
Holy God, our Advent waiting is itself a confession. We wait for a Messiah because the proud are still powerful, the mighty are still exalted, and hungry people stand unheard at the door. We wait for your incarnation in human form because we have not recognized you in our sister, we have not loved you in our brother, we have not served you in our neighbor. In this time of Advent joy, heal us and make us new through the good tidings of your presence in our lives. Amen.
(Silence is kept.) *ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE
Leader: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE (Share signs of reconciliation with each other.) 1Maren C. Tirabassi. Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship, Updated. Edited by Ruth C. Duck. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press (2012), 7 (adapted).
HEARING GOD’S WORD THE FIRST LESSON Isaiah 40:1-5 (NRSV) Susan Ziegler
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. MINISTRY OF MUSIC E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Paul Manz
Rachel Glenn, soprano; Haley Slade, alto; David Gilson, tenor; Dylan Glenn; baritone THE SECOND LESSON Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NRSV) Rev. Call
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CAROL #216 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Es Ist Ein Ros THE THIRD LESSON Zechariah 9:9-10 (NRSV) Mrs. Ziegler
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *HYMN OF PROCLAMATION #715 Rejoice, the Lord Is King Darwall’s 148th THE FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 35:1-10 (CEB) Rev. Call
Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. CAROL #209 Blessed Be the God of Israel Merle’s Tune PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER (#895) Mrs. Ziegler RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Please participate in the ministry of hospitality by recording your attendance in the Friendship Pads located at the center aisle of each pew.
Offertory *The Doxology (#95) & Prayer of Dedication *THE FIFTH LESSON Mark 1:1-15 (NRSV) Rev. Call
Leader: This is the Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. *HYMN OF DISCIPLESHIP #206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Houston
CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR Bringing New Life to Greater Heights
December 15, 2019 9:30 AM | Great Hall
Third Sunday of Advent Music Ministries Sunday
Rev. Andy Call Rev. Lois Annich
2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 216-321-8880 | www.cotsumc.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
By mid-December, COTS will be mailing a letter to members, inviting each of us to prayerfully consider our financial gift to the Christmas offering. Our Christmas offering goes entirely to supporting Metro Missions, and is the only funding some of the programs will receive. Please use the envelope enclosed in the letter, or the envelope in your packet of offering envelopes in one of the Christmas Eve services. If you are submitting your offering some other way, such as online, or directly to the church office, please indicate that it is designated for the Christmas offering. Please note that this offering is separate from your pledge to the operating funds of the church. We are excited to see how God works through our ministries in 2020, and your part in it!
--Pete Evangelista, Metro Ministries Chair
Church email issues have been solved, so emails sent to [email protected] are now getting through. However, we prefer that you use the updated staff email addresses that end in @cotsumc.org. Thank you for your patience. Did you see the hearts at the Reinberger and Great Hall entrances? JOY AWAITS with the birth of Christ, and God's JOY is SHARED every time we act in love to uplift another - sharing a smile, making a phone call, moving their sofa bed, or any other act of kindness. At the entrances, write on a heart how you will share or have shared JOY and place it in the box. See how God is working through our congregation to transform the world one interaction at a time. Church of the Saviour is partnering with The Salvation Army East Cleveland to provide hats, mittens, gloves, and socks for those in the East Cleveland community. Please place your donated items on the branches of the tree in the Great Hall from December 1 to 29.
There will be one worship service on Sunday, December 29 at 10 am in the Great Hall. “Away in a Manger” (Matthew 2:13-23)
Please join us in the Parlor after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshments, hosted by Group Life Ministries.
Please join us for the Longest Night service on Saturday, December 21 at 5 pm in the Great Hall. This beautiful communion service offers an oasis in the middle of the holiday rush and especially speaks to anyone grieving losses or difficulties of any kind. The liturgy offers great comfort and the assurance of Emmanuel, God with us, in the midst of whatever challenges we may be facing.
4:00 pm Children and Family Service
7:00 pm Traditional Service 11:00 pm Lessons and Carols with
Communion
Sunday, December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 Myers Chapel, 9:30 Great Hall, 11:00
Sanctuary "The Joy of God-with-Us"
Matthew 1:18-25
Advent Candle Readers: Merrill Family Worship Participants: Bang Family, Ron Collier Rev. Andy Call, Lead Pastor | Rev. Gregory Kendrick, Jr., Pastor | Rev. Lois Annich, Pastor | Chaz Cotton, Creative Director | Jill Phillips, Worship Leader | Graham Rosen, Production Team Leader
Sermon Notes:
