The Giving of God’s Tithes and Our Gifts
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Offertory
*Doxology # 95 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all
Creatures herebelow;praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son,and HolyGhost. Amen.
*Singing Our Faith #218“It Came upon the Midnight Clear”
*Blessing and Dismissal
*Postlude
We Scatter to Serve God & Neighbor
Merry Christmas! Welcome to Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. We pray that the Child of Bethlehem will find a welcome in your heart and in your life, that you may know the wonder of being loved unconditionally, cherished unceasingly and saved everlastingly.
Stewardship Thought
In a cynical world that puts personal well-being ahead of the common good, let us remind the skeptics of the beauty of messengers who come to proclaim peace. Let us show the doubters that we, the people of God, truly do believe what we profess. Let us share the gifts we have received from God. That others may know that Christ is alive in our hearts, and is born anew in us each day as we share Christ’s love with one another.
Children and Their Safety are Important at Chestnut Hill UMC
We rejoice that as a church we are able to offer carefully planned, age appropriate care and activities for our children and youth.
Today, children ages 4 and above will stay in the sanctuary for worship.
Nursery is provided for infants and toddlers. The Nursery is located in Classroom 101 (exit through the right side door at the front of the sanctuary, pass through “the Commons,” gothrough the double doors to the Education Building and follow the hallway to the Nursery at the end of the hall on the left).
Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
10:30 a.m.~ December 25, 2016 ~ Christmas Day
We Gather to Worship God
We invite you to share in our ministry of Hospitality by registering your attendance
as the registration pad is passed to you. Please give us your name, address or email or phone. Thank you for silencing your cell phone as we gather to worship God.
Welcome and Ministry Announcements
Welcome in the name of Christ our Lord. Please register your attendance,
printing your name, address, phone, and email, when the pew pad is passed to you.
Thank you for silencing cell phones as we gather to worship God.
Invocation
Prelude The Acolytes enter with the light of Christ.
*Call to Worship
Let us gather together and give praise for God's Word has come.
The Word of the Lord was sent that we might all know of God's love.
Yet the world would not hear and it turned away from the Word.
But we have heard the word and its truth has touched our hearts.
Then let our hearts proclaim the Word for all the world to hear!!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
*Singing Our Faith #246 “Joy to the World”
Lighting the Christ Candle
In the center of the circling Advent candles, we now light the Christ candle. Into the center of all life, the one who brings love and peace emerges among ordinary people that we may never lose hope and joy.
We light the Christ candle to remind us that the light of the world was born this night.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness - on them a light has shined.
You, O Lord, have multiplied the nation. You have increased its joy.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He is also called Emmanuel, for in him God is with us.
Morning Prayer
God, our words are hardly adequate to proclaim the message of love Christ came to share with us. Hear our prayer, O Lord. We lift our hearts before you in praise and thanksgiving. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Choral Anthem
Children’s Moments
*Affirmation # 885 “A Modern Affirmation”
Prayer for Illumination Ann Robbins
O God, in Your mercy and Your grace You demonstrated Your love for us through the life of Christ. Help us to hear and see where You would have us spread Your love, O Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Old Testament LessonIsaiah 52:7-10 (NRSV) Ann Robbins
Gospel Lesson John 1:1-14 (CEB) Ann Robbins
The word of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
*Singing our Faith # 224“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
The Good News “Unfinished Story”
The Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come,
Thywill 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 thineis thekingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
A CD of our CHUMC Music Program is Available
A CD featuring the music program of Chestnut Hill UMC is available as a gift to our visitors in worship. Please exit worship through the front of the sanctuary and The Commons and request your CD from a choir member.
Mitten Tree Trunk
Don’t forget we need Mittens. Place them in the trunk that is provided in the Commons. DEADLINE for bringing mittens will be after Christmas.
Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
4660 Fort Avenue ~ Lynchburg, Virginia 24502
Church: 434-239-8423
Pastor’s Cell: 434-258-2934; Pastor’s Home: 434-319-5646
Email Pastor Liz:
~ on the web at chestnuthillumc.net
Find us on Facebook: Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church
DIRECTORY OF CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Sharma Lewis / Richmond Area Resident BishopScott Davis / Lynchburg District Superintendent
Liz Ecklund / Minister
Vernie Barrow / Minister Emeritus
Monica Campbell / Administrative Assistant
Will Sperrazza / Director of Music Ministry
Judy Martin / Bookkeeper
Elaine Clarke / Lay Leader
Jody Underwood / Lay Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Chris Glass / Lay Youth Ministry Coordinator
**This Week’s Calendar**
Monday, 12/26 / Christmas Holiday ~ Church Office ClosedWednesday, 12/28 / Deadline for January/February 2017 newsletter
Friday, 12/30 / New Year’s Holiday ~ Church Office Closed
Saturday, 12/31 / 8:30 a.m. / Children: Food for Families @ Park View Community Missions
** Looking Ahead on the Calendar **
Monday, 1/2 / New Year’s Holiday ~ Church Office ClosedWednesday, 1/11 / 10:00 a.m. / Merry Martha’s
We will at the home of Frances Unruh. Our program will be the UMW Prayer and Self-Denial for missions, and planning for the rest of 2017.Bring gift basket items.
Special Covenant Service Coming January 8th
This service comes to us through John Wesley, the forefather of our theological tradition. For him, what it meant to be a mature disciple of Christ was the joining of believers in a covenant "to serve God with all our heart and with all our soul." He urged his Methodist followers to renew, "at every point, our covenant, that the Lord should be our God."On January 8,we will have a very special service, a Wesleyan Covenant service in which we recognize again, not only our great need of the grace of God, but our need to express our community covenant and our personal covenant – that in 2017, we will love and serve the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. From time to time, all Christians need to make a solemn renewal of the covenant, lest we hold back from God what we once gave to God but over time have hoarded for ourselves.
Mission & Ministry Opportunities
In the Grocery Cart This Month
Donations for December and JANUARY: “Canned vegetables, fruit, and meat.Diapers sizes 4-5-6, and toilet paper.”This will assist people through Park View Community Mission.Please place donations in the grocery cart, located in the Commons.
2016 Christmas Offering
We set before you a goal to raise $8,000 this year with your Special Christmas Offering. Our 2016 Offering is designated for: 10% for Missions and 90% for the replacement of floors in the Commons, Offices, and Chancel area here at CHUMC.Please pray about your gift to Christ’s church this Christmas, remembering that it is not your birthday, but the birth of Christ and his anticipated return in glory that we celebrate. Envelopes are placed in the Commons and the pew racks.
Very Special Sermon Series Starting!
As a commitment to follow God this year, starting on January 15, Pastor Liz will be preaching a new and important sermon series, “Learning to Hear God's Voice”. We will cover such topics as: “How to Hear God Speak,” “How God Talks to You,” “How to Recognize God's Voice,” and finally, “Receiving Guidance from God.” We all have questions we want to ask God, and we especially need to hear His word for us. The question is: how do we know it is God, and how can we clear out all the secular noise and hear Him speak directly to us? This series will help you do that. After the Covenant Service on the 8th it may be the most important thing you do to start 2017 off right.
Meals on Wheels ~ Inner City
Monday, 1/2~Linda Jessen
Tuesday, 1/3~Dan Robertson, Ann Ruhland
Wednesday, 1/4~Frank Stewart, Jane White
Thursday, 1/5~Betty Taylor, Judy Robertson
Friday, 1/6~Eleanor Maxham, Cliff Taylor
(Be at the canteen on Odd Fellows Rd. at 10:30 a.m. to pick up your driver.
Thank you for volunteering.)
**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**Home: Lisa Redford, J. Owen Stinnette, Becky Spangler, Joe Wills, Margaret Hicks, Louise Woody, Gene & Connie Harris, Phyllis Caldwell, Cliff & Betty Taylor, Betty Wilkins, Braelyn Underwood, Arthur Snodgrass, Edith Barley, Thelma Hamilton, Beverly Franklin,Heather Stanzini (420 Stafford St., Lynchburg, VA 24501), Greyson Glass, Al & Pat Wood, Bob & Kitty Boswell, Barbara Dunlop, HyltonSylvia Glass, Kyle & Jeanette Cyrus, Chris Balderson, Carl Hardwick, Helen Fleck, Shirley Johnson, Ken Wood,Doris Finch,Judy Johns, Victor Barrow,Susan Tedder, Charles Moore, Milton Sowell, Shayh,Alice Lovelace, Edna Wyatt, William Hicks, VernelleRoupe,Jeanette Almond,AsaFredell, Violet Ellis,Tucker Cole, Rhonda Wilkerson, Joseph Johnson, Lloyd Smith, Chestnut Hill UMC, Military & Families
The Summit Health & Rehab: John Williams
Lynchburg Health & Rehab: Johnnie Kinzer
The Elms of Lynchburg:Frances Callaham
Runk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge: Rose Morris
Heritage Green, Daybreak: Delma Scott
Runk & Pratt of Forest: Emily Morris, Shirley Wood
Oakwood Manor (Bedford):Robert Bennett
Please join the clergy of the Lynchburg Downtown Cluster in a covenant to pray for God’s blessing on the mission and ministry of our United Methodist Churches and local mission and ministry endeavors – Peakland, Centenary, Christ Community Fellowship/Fairview, Court Street/Marsh Memorial, Fort Hill, Chestnut Hill, Forest Road, Jackson Street, Heritage, Boonsboro, Mead Memorial, Cove, Park View Community Mission (PVCM), the Society of St. Andrew, the Henry Fork Service Center, and The Garden of Hope (Washington, D.C.)
*If you know of changes that need to be made to the prayer concerns, please contact Monica in the church office.
Chestnut Hill
United Methodist Church
Making disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.
You are welcome at Chestnut Hill UMC.