9 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages Adult Zoom Option Available
10 a.m. Worship online on our Facebook Page and Youtube Channel
To Connect Online
For those with Facebook accounts:
Some of you are having difficulties in finding our videos of worship on Sunday mornings on Facebook. Here are a couple of tips. When you see a “get reminder” button on the video announcement. Click on that. Then whenever we go live, the reminder will pop up in your notifications and you can simply click on the notification to go straight to the video. OR….
The live video will be at the top.
REMEMBER: Our worship is also live on YouTube at the time and can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYNURhSqdwwZgpfzTWVJew
To find out about our covid protocols you can click here: https://www.tahlequahumc.org/tumccovid
Celebration of the Gospel
Tahlequah First United Methodist Church
December 18, 2022, 10:00 am
Fourth Sunday of Advent
We Gather from the World to Praise God
Prelude “The Shepherds Story” Celebration Ringers
Welcome and Announcements Rev. Shana Dry
Bell Introit: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Celebration Ringers
+Opening Prayer: Liturgist
One: We are always looking for evidence that God is with us.
All: That sign is in the One to come--the One that God is sending.
One: We want to know for sure that everything is in God’s care.
All: And so we cry to the heavens in our distress. Our cries are heard! God is responding in love and hope.
One: Let us come before God with expectant hearts and spirits!
All: Let us be ready to receive the blessed gift of the Savior. AMEN.
+Hymn of Praise “Love Came Down at Christmas” UMH # 242
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16 Liturgist
Lighting of the Advent Candle Richard Ryan and Katie Reed Family
“Candle Light, Sacred Light” (Tune of “Silent Night”)
We Pray for Ourselves
Call to Confession:
Lord, we confess that we are rushing headlong into Christmas. It’s only seven days away and we still have so much to do. Our preparations are far from complete, and we are exhausted. We wish this whole thing were over so that we could rest. Forgive our shortcomings and our short-sightedness. You have poured upon us blessing after blessing, daily reminding us of your love and presence; yet we have chosen to jump onto this “greased slide” into Christmas. Give us patience. Slow us down. Remind us of the ways in which you are present with us--not in the wrapped packages, the abundance of food, but in the love and compassion that is brought to all. Forgive us, we pray. Make us truly ready to receive your love and the gift of the Christ Child. AMEN.
Assurance of Pardon:
The light of God’s love shines upon each of us in the gift of God’s love, Jesus Christ.
This is given for you. Rejoice! You are loved by God, now and forever. AMEN.
We Pray for Our Children
Children Christmas Celebration Featuring our children
Storyteller-- Peggy Kaney and Director-- Abigail Shaw-Bolen
“Jesus Loves Me” (Verse 1) UMH # 217
(Children who wish will depart for Children’s church)
We Pray for our Neighbors
Today we pray for…. Rev. Shana Dry
For prayer requests, please fill out the yellow card in the pews and bring it up to the front to the prayer basket during the first hymn, or submit a prayer request online to our website www.tahlequahumc.org.
After each prayer request is read:
Pastor: Lord in your mercy All: Hear our Prayer
We Lift up: The United Methodist Church, Our Bishop Jimmy Nunn, and Our District Superintendent: Rev. Terry Koehn, Our Pastor Shana Dry, The NSU Wesley Foundation, All of our Local Schools, All of our Health Care Workers, Our Teachers, Support Staffs, and School Administration, All our Assisted Living Church Members. All of our Government leaders, local, state and national. All struggling with the Pandemic.
Our Church Family: Barbara Chambers, Monika Mann, John & Debbie Jensen, Cleo Hixon, Steve & Cindy Ullom, Pat and Vera Freeman, George Foster, Mary Geasland, The Junes, Margaret Vardeman, Marianne Marshall, Lois Brostrom. Our Military: Robert Isaacson
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer Rev. Shana Dry
We Make Our Offering Together
Mission Moment Rev. Shana Dry
Thank you for your new or continued generosity toward God’s mission at Tahlequah UMC. When you give to Tahlequah UMC you are investing in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. TUMC has a global reach by helping various ministries locally and globally.
Giving Options at TUMC
Offerings may be mailed or dropped off at the church office, 300 W. Delaware, Tahlequah, Ok 74464, online Giving at www.tahlequahumc.org/give, or through your Bank or Credit Union via Auto Check.
Offertory Prayer
Holy God of hope and promise: when the children were in deep despair, you promised them a sign, the indication of a Savior coming into their midst. As we bring you our tithes and offerings this day, so many of us are discouraged, trying to find our way. We need your sign, we need your Son, not as simply a reminder of history but as a new direction, a revolution of love that starts in our hearts, a resurrection of compassion that looks beyond self and the accumulation of more and more things that don’t satisfy. We need what only a Savior can give us. Guide us by your signs on this day and as we begin the journey to Bethlehem once again. In the Savior’s name, we pray. Amen.
Choral Contemplations: Traditional German Carol
“Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild” Music arranged by Johann Walther
+Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH # 94
We Hear the Word of God
Hymn of Preparation: Star Child (vs. 1, 2, 3) TFWS # 2095
Scripture Reading Matthew 1: 18-25 Rev. Shana Dry
Homily: “What’s Your Christmas Agenda?” Rev. Shana Dry
We Respond to the Word
+ Hymn of Invitation: “Star Child” (Vs. 4, 5) TFWS # 2095
Benediction:
God still sends signs. Open your eyes to the possibility of grace.
God still sends signs. Embrace the child of hope.
God still sends signs. Let the song of joy send you forth in peace.
Go with the God who still sends signs.
+ Postlude: Ramona Frazier
We Return to the World to Serve God
Getting to Know our Church Leaders
Bishop of the Oklahoma Annual Conference: Bishop Jimmy Nunn
Green Country District Superintendent: Rev. Terry Koehn
Pastor: Rev. Shana Dry shana.dry@tahlequahumc.org
Administrative Assistant: Sara Webb office@tahlequahumc.org
Family Ministries Director: Abigail Shaw-Bolen youth@tahlequahumc.org
Media Director: Lois Ison
Director of Music: Dr. Bob Daniel
Organist: Ramona Frazier
Director of Celebration Ringers: Linda Cheatham
This week’s liturgist: Sueann Freeman
The sign-up sheet for serving as liturgist is on the red clipboard in the narthex.
UMH= United Methodist Hymnal 1987 (The Red Book)
TFWS = The Faith We Sing (The Black Hymn Book)
W&S = Worship and Song (The Green Book)
One License# 734087-A CLVI # #504347279
Connect with TUMC here: https://linktr.ee/tahlequahumc