WE GATHERGathering Time - We welcome everyone! Greet your neighbors with the peace of Christ and take a moment to get to know those around you.

Prelude - A time to transition from the outside world to a time of worship.

Welcome & Opportunities for Ministry

*Call to Worship Leader: Sing aloud, sons and daughter! Shout with joyful praise! People: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again we will say, Rejoice! Leader: The God of our salvation is near at hand. Our Redeemer is in our midst. People: With shouts of hope, we sing to God. Again we sing, Rejoice! Leader: Make known God’s deeds. Proclaim Christ’s love for all to hear. People: With hearts of laughter, we love. Again we say, Rejoice!

*Hymn, No. 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory

Sacrament of Holy Baptism, No. 39 Emma Alexandria Burnette

Baptism Hymn #611 Child of Blessing, Child of PromiseSung to the tune of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s PrayerOur 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.

Advent Wreath Lighting Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord1st - Singer 2nd - Singer & Choir 3rd - Congregation

(Reverse singing order after the candle is lit.)1st - Congregation 2nd - Singer & Choir 3rd - Singer

*Please stand in praise of God if you are able.

DECEMBER 23, 2018 • 10:30 a.M.

LOvinG ALL PEOPLE inTO A RELATiOnsHiP WiTH JEsus CHRisT

Becoming one diverse community Worshipping Jesus passionatelyPracticing unprecedented acts of hospitality

First NewtonUnited Methodist ChUrCh

LOvinG ALL PEOPLE inTO A RELATiOnsHiP WiTH JEsus CHRisT nursery:

For children up to 4 years 8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Level 1

sunday school: For children 3 years - 5th Grade from

9:30 - 10:15 a.m. on Level 1

Children’s Activity Bags: Located at the entrances of the Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall.

Join the Youth of First Newton for worship and fun. All 6th -12th graders are welcome! All youth and parents are invited to Parent

Appreciation Night on January 6, 2019 (dinner included) in the Fellowship Hall.

For more info contact Deacon Shannon at: DeaconShannon@firstnewton.org

Welcome We’re glad you’re here!

Date: ___________________ Name: ____________________________

Address:___________________________

City: ______________________________

Phone: ____________________________

Email: _____________________________

I am a Visitor I am interested in membership I would like to visit with the pastor Please note my change of address

Prayer request

(Place in the Offering Plate or give to the Pastor.)

I ask your prayers for: __________________________________________________________________________________ Prayer Request: __________________________________________________________________________________

May we send this person a note of encouragement? ___ yes ___ noIf yes, please include their address: __________________________________________________________________________________May we include this in the prayer list for next week’s bulletin and email prayer list? ________ Person making request ______________________

Phone ___________________________________

KiDs FOR CHRisT COnTinuEsk4C is an after school ministry for children in Kindergarten - 6th Grade that meets on

Wednesdays from 3:00-5:30 p.m. For more info, please contact Deacon Shannon.

www.firstnewton.org

facebook.com/fumcnewtonnc

instagram.com/firstumc_newton

First ChurCh staFFLara “Willis” Greene, Pastor

shannon LeMaster-Smith, Minister of Discipleship - Children, Youth & OutreachBrandy Burnette, Church Administrator

sarah Luhrs, Choir DirectorJohn Coffey, Organist

Michael Roberts, Praise TeamKristi Spencer, CommunicationsMelissa Ervin, Nursery Director

Kristi Harvell, Preschool Director

PO Box 926 Newton, NC 28658Phone: 828-464-8422

CHuRCH OFFiCE HOuRsMonday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

a LOOK ahEaD . . .

Holiday scheduleThe Church Office will be closed December 24-26 and January 1.

Tuesday, January 8Church Council meeting at 7 p.m.

in the Gomedela Room

Thursday, January 10JOY Gathering at 9:30 a.m.

in the Fellowship Hall

*Please stand in praise of God if you are able.

PRAyER COnCERns: Alvin Thornburg, Debbie Propst, Bernice Allen & Family, Amy Neel, Rob Rights

Our Military: Scott Beal, Taylor Bean, Ethan Branton, Todd Houtz, Michael Howard, Tai Orange, David Parker, Camaron Sills, President Trump

The Poinsettias in the sanctuary are given in honor of Emma Alexandria’s baptism

by Jimmy, Brandy & Riggins Burnette.

WE HEAR & REsPOnD TO THE WORDThrough the Eyes of Mary Alexis King

Anthem To Bethlehem Words by Theodore Baker, Charlotte, Lee and Phillips Brooks. Music by Douglas E. Wagner.

Scripture: Luke 1: 26-38Leader: This is the word of God for the people of God.People: Thanks be to God.

Message Through the Eyes of Mary Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene

Congregational PrayerGod, who are the Most High Lord of all,

you have a surprising preferencefor people who are small and humbleand who expect everything from you.

you chose Mary, the unassuming virgin from nazareth,to become the mother of your son Jesus.

Through your Holy spirit make us aware of the poverty of our hearts,that we may be open to you and welcome you,

that we may be ready, like Mary, to serve you and your plans,and expect everything from you.

Come to us and give yourself to usthrough Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Service of Giving

*Doxology Hymn, No. 94Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

WE GO OuT TO sERvE*Hymn, No. 219 What Child is This

*Benediction

*Benediction Response Hymn, No. 238 Angels We Have Heard on High (Refrain only)Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

*Chimes of the Trinity

*Postlude

2018

Tithe and offering envelopes for 2019 are available outside the Church Office.

iMPORTAnT yEAR-EnD GivinG inFORMATiOnContributions for 2018 must by submitted to the church office by 3 p.m. on December 31. If a donation is mailed, we will use the postmark date on the envelope to determine whether it will be applied to 2018 or 2019. As a reminder, Online Giving is available. If the transaction is made by December 31, it will count toward your contributions for 2018. Visit: www.firstnewton.org/give

Christmas at First Newton

Advent Sermon Series

the 12 Days of Christmas

We encourage you to invite a friend or neighbor to join you for our Christmas

Eve Worship services tomorrow evening at First Newton. All are welcome!

Appreciation Night

sAvE THE DATE: sunday Jan. 6 from 5-7 p.m.Parents of Youth — WE APPRECIATE YOU! Come be

treated to dinner, served by the youth in honor of you. Following the meal, the youth will play games while the

parents meet to share ideas and hear about our plans for Youth Ministry in 2019. For more info, contact Shannon.

nEW ADvEnT sTATiOns in PRAyER ROOM Are you looking for a way to quiet your soul and

center yourself on the true reason for the season? We encourage you to visit The Prayer Room

(in the Chapel). There are new prayer stations set up for Advent, or you may choose to simply sit in the

presence of God. The Prayer Room is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday and on

Sunday’s from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.