“The Gift of Peace”
Vale United Methodist Church
11528 Vale Road ¶ Oakton, VA 22124
www.ValeChurch.org
Sunday Worship at 8:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
3rd Sunday of Advent
Order of Worship ~ December 11, 2016
GATHERING
Welcome & Announcements
Passing the Peace
Offer one another signs of reconciliation and peace
Prelude
* Call to Worship Lay Reader
Call: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Resp: Amen.
Call: Every good and perfect gift is from heaven above,
Resp: Coming down from the Father of lights.
Call: We gather to celebrate the good and perfect gift of peace.
Resp: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
Call: Who proclaim peace,
Resp: Who bring good tidings,
Call: Who proclaim salvation;
Resp: Who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Call: The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations
Resp: And all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Call: We trust in this promise
Resp: And we trust in Christ’s promise:
Call: “Peace I leave with you.”
Resp: “My peace I give you.” From Heaven Above
* Hymn “Angels from the Realms of Glory” No. 220
* Prayer of Confession Lay Reader
Call: Let us confess our sins to our forgiving heavenly Father.
Resp: We confess to you, O Lord --
Call: The poverty of our prayers, the weakness of our faith and the restlessness of our souls.
Resp: We acknowledge before you, O Lord --
Call: All of our worries, fears and anxieties that rob us of your peace.
Resp: We lay before you, O Lord --
Call: The way our eyes have become blind, our ears deaf, and our hearts callous to your promise of peace.
Resp: We declare to you, O Lord --
Call: That too often we search for peace in something else or someone else.
Resp: Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace.
Call: I announce the grace of God to you. Jesus reconciles you to the Father by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. He comes, the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure, and with the treasures of his grace to enrich the humble poor. We trust in this promise.
Resp: And we trust in Christ’s promise:
Call: “Peace I leave with you.”
Resp: “My peace I give you.” From Heaven Above
Call: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
Resp: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen and Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Allison Family (8:15)
The Heberle Family (10:15)
The McGatlin Family (Parallel)
Leader: The lighting of Advent candles dramatically depicts the growing expectation we have for the perfect gift that comes from heaven above, in Jesus Christ. This week we light three candles on the Advent wreath and consider God’s gift of peace.
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord.
People: We light the first candle in hope,
Leader: the hope of our coming Savior, Jesus.
People: We light the second candle in love,
Leader: the love that Jesus, our Savior, has for us.
People: We light this candle in peace,
Leader: the peace that we have in Jesus, our Savior.
People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.
Leader: O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid thou our sad divisions cease,
And by thyself our King of Peace.
From Heaven Above and O Come, O Come Emmanuel
* Hymn “Light the Advent Candle” No. 2090
(sing verse 3)
PROCLAMATION & RESPONSE
Scripture John 14:25-27
Children’s Choir (10:15) “Prepare the Way of the Lord” Bedford
Children’s Moment (10:15) Ruth Anne Luckenbaugh
Sermon “The Gift of Peace” Pastor Jeff
* Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” No. 230
* Prayers of the People
Call: O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus, our Prince of Peace, who makes peace for us through his blood, shed on the cross. Guard our hearts from the lies of Satan, the cynicism of naysayers and the whisperings of doubt and defeat. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: How we long for the day when words like cancer, dementia and heart disease will no longer appear in our vocabulary. Until that day – that final day – we trust in your promise of all-surpassing peace. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: For the things that alarm us, you promise peace. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: For the things that grieve us, you promise peace. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: For the things that unnerve us, you promise peace. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: For the things over which we have no control, you promise a peace that passes, surpasses and bypasses all human understanding. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: Lord Jesus, you are not only a child wrapped in cloths lying in a manger. You are a Servant who carries our sins. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: You are a Savior outside the empty tomb and now at the Father’s right hand. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: And you promise to come again to make all things new. O Source of all comfort,
Resp: grant us your peace.
Call: Amen. From Heaven Above
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.
Offering
Offertory “An Advent Credo” Martin
Chancel Choir
Shira Goodfellow, Flute
* Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” No. 95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
* Prayer of Dedication Lay Reader
Thanks be to you, O God, maker of heaven and earth – giver of justice, lover of righteousness, hope of the afflicted, and friend of the poor. Your faithfulness never fails. Take and use these gifts we offer to further your purpose in the world and to fulfill the promise of the world to come; through Christ our Lord we pray, Amen. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion
* Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” No. 238
SENDING FORTH
* Benediction Lay Reader
Call: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Resp: We trust in Christ’s promise: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you.” From Heaven Above
* Postlude
* Please stand if you are able.
Lay Reader – Bob Lacy (8:15am) and Terri Lowry (10:15am).
Acolyte – Jordan Goodfellow (8:15am and 10:15am).
Altar Flowers – The altar flowers today are in celebration of Cristie Heberle’s 50th birthday, from Greg and Nicholas.
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24-25
Coffee Fellowship – Worshipers are invited to remain after the service and socialize over coffee. Thank you to the Jobbitt/Marshall and the Reed families for their gift of fellowship by sponsoring today’s coffee hour.
NEXT SUNDAY IN WORSHIP
4th Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2016
Rev. Sarah Calvert, guest preacher
“The Gift of Life”
We join with the people of God in celebrating the life of faith we have here on earth in Christ’s name and the life that awaits us in heaven with him through his birth among us. Let the words, Scripture verses, hymns, litanies and prayers of this worship experience invigorate you to “unwrap” the Gift of Life from Christ by faithfully serving those around you in forgiveness and love day after day.
Vale’s Annual Christmas Pageant
TODAY
During Coffee Hour following the 10:15am service
All children of the church are invited to participate in
our annual Christmas pageant
ONE practice during the Sunday School hour at 9:15am.
Everyone is invited to come see and hear anew
the story of when Christ was born.
3rd Sunday of Advent
Vale Announcements ~ December 11, 2016
WELCOME VISITORS! WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE!
Whether you are new to the area or a long-time resident, we warmly welcome you to our community of faith at Vale Church! If you are visiting for the first time, we invite you to fill out a visitor card located in your pew.
Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers during worship services and Sunday school, year round.
Join us in the Fellowship Hall after both 8:15am and 10:15am services for coffee and snacks. Be sure to introduce yourself to one of our “Shepherds” (with the red nametags), who can answer any questions you may have about our church community and programs.
On your way out, please pick up a Vale Welcome Bag, which contains more information about our church. The bags are available at the entrance to the Main Sanctuary and outside the Church Office.
We look forward to meeting you—and hope to see you again soon! To receive emails from Vale Church about upcoming services and programs, please visit our website at www.ValeChurch.org/Vale-Voice.html.
Vale UMC is proud to be recognized as a Safe Haven congregation. If you suspect signs of human trafficking, please call 888.373.7888 or text 233733.
Seeking Readers for Lessons and Carols at 7 and 9pm services on Christmas Eve – Come be a part of the Vale tradition of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. We need nine readers at each service. Sign up to read a Lesson as an individual or as a small group. No prior experience needed. Please contact Dorothy Arbiter (, 703-955-0053) if you would like to participate. Also look for a signup in the Fellowship Hall.
Wreaths donated for the sanctuary and doors:
In memory of loved ones from Bette Rutherford, Bill DuBois and Diane DuBois.
In memory of Peter J. Meyer, beloved husband, father and Granpy. With love from Phyllis, Deb, Andy, Josh and Lily.
In memory of my parents Frank and Virginia Taylor with love from Nancy Taylor.
In memory of Manrico E. Zottig, loving husband and father with love from Joan Zottig.
In memory of loved ones from Terri and Ed Lowry.
In honor of our parents from the Rigger family.
In memory of Tommy and Katie from Jan and Tom Feeney.
Men's Study Group
All men interested in small group spirituality and support are invited to join us each Sunday at 7pm. We are studying Adam Hamilton’s Making Sense of the Bible. You can find this book online. Vic Larson is leading the group.
We will meet on Dec 11 and 18 (not on Dec 25 or Jan 1) and will resume on Jan 8 at 7pm.
Christmas Cards – The Vale United Methodist Women are once again offering Christmas cards featuring scenes from our historic church. We are offering two different scenes, packaged in sets of 10, for $10. The cards will be available after each service beginning December 4 until they sell out.
Grocery Dollars - ONLY TWO SUNDAYS LEFT
We need your support for Vale’s Missions by buying Grocery Cards.
We have purchased ADDITIONAL $25 Gift Cards (Giant, Safeway and Whole Foods) so you can say THANKS to those who help you or provide services.
You only have TODAY and December 18 to stock up for the holidays. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today!
If you have questions, contact Ed Lowry at or 703-620-6632. Thank you for your support.
UMW Christmas Party
All ladies of the church are invited to the UMW Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 14th, from 12:00-3:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share. Dessert and drinks will be provided. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a $15-$20 wrapped gift. It’s a great way to get to know the women of the church, have a fun afternoon, and enjoy lots of good food. Come join us!
United Methodist Family Services (UMFS) -- UMFS supports thousands of children, teens and families that suffer from abuse, neglect, crisis and trauma in Virginia. If you would like to support this worthy organization, brochures and envelopes are available on the credenza in front of the church office.
Use Vale's Amazon.com Link When Shopping Online
Did you know that we can earn 6% - 8% of all the items you purchase from Amazon.com for Vale Church Missions? It's easy... simply use the link on the Vale Website (valechurch.org), scan using the QR code below, or type it in directly: