LOVE FEAST
December 4, 2016
United in the Spirit, First United Methodist Church of Belmont exists
to be more like Jesus Christ for our community and beyond
REV. GEORGE RAGSDALE, PASTOR
807 South Point Road // Belmont, NC 28012
P: 704-825-2106 // F: 704-825-2176
www.fumcbelmont.org
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
“Advent Hope”
Youth Bell Choir
Hakes
*GREETING
In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.
Christ dwells among us and is one with us.
Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.
He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.
Come now, all who thirst, and drink of the water of life.
Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things.
Come now, all who seek,
and encounter the abundant love of the almighty God.
*OPENING HYMN No. 184
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
*OPENING PRAYER
Eternal God, you bring light out of darkness and hope out of despair.
Share your love with us this night that we may better love each other.
Touch our hearts and help our love shine forth in a world hungry to know
your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC
“What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby”
Orff Choir
McRae
“A Gift for Us All”
“Advent Celebration”
Godsquad and Sonshine Club
Tunney
Patterson
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON (NT Pg. 240)
1 John 4: 7-21
This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
HOMILY
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
After each petition we enter into the prayer together with these words:
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
Rev. George Ragsdale
THE LOVE FEAST
SERVING OF THE MEAL BEGINS
The following hymns may be sung as the meal is served.
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, desend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
“It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!
For lo! The days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
BLESSING
Come, Lord Jesus, our Guest to be,
And bless these gifts bestowed by Thee. Amen.
Adam Lowrance
SHARING THE MEAL
“Upon a Calm and Quiet Night”
“Night of Silence”
“Oh, Come, Little Children”
Youth Choir
HYMN
Clemens
Kantor
Bailey/Mayo
“Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes;
I love the, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children in they tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
*HYMN
“Morning Star, O Cheering Sight”
Avery Davis & Katie Fangman
(Congregation sings words in bold type.)
Morning Star, O cheering sight!
Ere Thou cam’st how dark earth’s night!
Morning Star, O cheering sight!
Ere Thou cam’st how dark earth’s night!
Jesus mine, In me shine; In me shine, Jesus mine;
Fill my heart with light divine.
Morning Star, Thy glory bright
Far excels the sun’s clear light;
Morning Star, Thy glory bright
Far excels the sun’s clear light;
Jesus be, constantly, constantly, Jesus be,
More than thousand suns to me.
Thy glad beams, Thou Morning Star,
Cheer the nations near and far.
Thy glad beams, Thou Morning Star,
Cheer the nations near and far.
Thee we own, Lord alone, Lord alone, Thee we own,
Man’s great Savior, God’s dear Son.
Morning Star, my soul’s true light,
Tarry not, dispel my night;
Morning Star, my soul’s true light,
Tarry not, dispel my night;
Jesus mine, In me shine; In me shine, Jesus mine;
Fill my heart with light divine.
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Off-spring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
You are invited to raise your candle as we sing the final verse.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
ADVENT EVENTS
Sunday, Dec 11
Christmas Caroling
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec 13
Pray-Where-You-Are
9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec 14
A Night in Bethlehem
5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 18
Lessons and Carols
11:00 a.m.
BELLissimo Concert
5:00 p.m.
Annual Christmas Dinner
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec 21
Service of Hope and Consolation
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 24
Christmas Eve Nativity Service
5:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion
8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 25
Christmas Morning Worship
10:00 a.m.
Sunday, Jan 1
New Year’s Day Worship
10:00 a.m.