ASHLAND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

Joining Together on a Christian Journey of Love and Service December 10, 2017

2600 Ashland Rd The Reverend Tresco E. Shannon, Pastor Office Hours: M-Thurs.: 8 am-3:30 pm Columbia, SC 29210 pastor@ashlandumc.org Telephone: 798-5350; Fax 798-6057 Phone Ext. 15

www.ashlandumc.org Worship services: The Path: 8:45AM Traditional: 11:00AM Sunday School: 9:45AM

Suzy Speas Karen Zobel Maria Anderson Education@ashlandumc.org Finance@ashlandumc.org Office@ashlandumc.org

Phone Ext: 14 Phone Ext: 13 Phone Ext: 10 Jack Holladay Robert Neese

pathmusic@ashlandumc.org music@ashlandumc.org Martha Eastburn The Path, Ashland Youth Choir Traditional Worship Choir, Organist Pianist

Kitty Hawk --- The Moon --- and Bethlehem

The first powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, was on December 17,

1903. They conquered the sky as so many others before them had failed. In so doing, they changed our

world forever.

Since that time we have lived through an era in which a man walked on the moon and returned to earth.

The drama of that achievement almost overshadows whatever excitement might have been generated over

a century ago by the 112-second flight over a distance of 120 feet.

As important as the Wright brother’s accomplishment is, those few seconds in the sky over Bethlehem when

the angels sang, changed our world far more. It took not much more than twelve seconds for the angels to

announce the good news of the Savior’s birthday, but the world has been a different place ever since.

I still get a thrill from seeing the pictures of that first walk on the moon by Neil Armstrong, but the greatest

event in human history is not when a man walked on the moon but when God walked on the earth.

Reports from the scene at Kitty Hawk indicate that the primitive engine sputtered some as it lifted its cargo,

and the message from the angels has not been spread without its carrier problems, too. Churches lose their

momentum; individual Christians lose their enthusiasm; and our emphasis on spiritual values lags in a

materialistic world.

At Ashland Church, our spirits are soaring; the message from angels is clear. Our excitement is not because

we think we are flying high but because God is walking with us.

“Angels from the realms of glory,

wing your flight o’er all the earth.”

--Tresco E. Shannon

Welcome!

Please sign the friendship pad when it is passed to you and pass it to your neighbor.

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.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Doxology Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Remember in Prayer Becky Massingale, Barbara Borom, Nather Gray, Jackie Hatch, Sue Jones, Bill Turner, Mac Smurthwaite, Claire Dickerson, granddaughter of Linda Dickerson

Ashland United Methodist Church An Order for the Worship of God

Second Sunday in Advent December 10, 2017 11:00 A.M. The Chiming of the Hour Prelude “Overture to MESSIAH” G. F. Handel

I. Grave The Lighting of Altar Candles Choral Call to Worship “Alleluia” Jerry Sinclair

(Hymn 186)

Presentation of the Nativity Wally Allen, Narrator

Children of Ashland

*The Hymn of Praise “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” UMH p. 203 *Invocation The Collect for Advent and The Lord’s Prayer

Eternal God, in your providence you made all ages a preparation for the kingdom of your Son. Make ready our hearts for the brightness of your blessing in Jesus Christ our Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, “Our Father…”

The Lighting of the Advent Wreath Grant, Dalene and Jalin Gibson

The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle, a symbol of the preparations being made to receive and cradle the Christ Child.

The Anthem “Alleluia! Christ Will Come” Mary McDonald Minister: O Lord, open thou our lips. People: And our mouths shall show forth thy praise. Minister: Praise ye the Lord. People: The Lord’s name be praised. *The Psalter “Psalm 85” UMH p. 806

(Join in singing the response.)

*Affirmation of Faith “The Apostles’ Creed” UMH p. 881 *The Gloria Patri UMH p. 71 *The Gospel Lesson Mark 1: 1-8 The Call to Prayer Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray.

The Pastoral Prayer The Announcements The Offertory “Dearest Jesus, We Are Here” Wayne Kerr

*Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH p. 95 *The Hymn of Preparation “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” UMH p.211

Sermon “Your Voice In The Wilderness” Rev. Tresco E. Shannon The Prayer of Christian Discipleship *The Hymn of Response “Heralds of Christ” UMH p. 567 *The Extinguishing of the Altar Candles *The Benediction *Benediction Response “Gentle Shepherd” William Gaither

*Postlude “Postlude in G Major” R. M. Stults

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *All who are able, please stand. Please put your cell phones on vibrate when the service begins. Hearing devices are available from the sound technician. A nursery is provided in the education wing for infants through 3 years old.

Mark 1: 1-8 NT p. 34

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Enhancing Worship Today

Advent Banner Carrier: Jeff Barham Narthex Table: Harriett Ward Crucifer: Jim Wilson Altar Stewards: Barbara Higgins, Debbie Matthews Welcome Center Advocates: Grant & Dalene Gibson Greeters: Gerald & Pearl White Valet Parker: John Calore Ushers: Kinsey Jenkins, Sally Lowery David Abernathy, Red Bonneau, Jimmy Smith

The wreaths at the exterior entrances of the narthex have been placed by Joan and Chuck Wilcox in memory of their parents, Clark and Esther Sanford and Roy and Holly Wilcox.

*Items for the January newsletter are due

Monday, December 18th at noon.

By Our Presence On December 3rd

The Path: 70 Traditional: 127 TOTAL WORSHIP: 197 SS: 139

With family in town and guests stopping by, don’t forget your

nametag, to reconnect with old and new friends.

Opportunities to Serve & Learn

Join us as the children of Music, Art and Drama present:

“Silent Mice, Holy Mice” TONIGHT December 10th at 6 p.m. in Ashland Hall

It’s the story of how the beloved song “Silent Night” was inspired those many years ago. Bring a plate of cookies to share during a

reception following the musical.

Epworth/Family Promise Giving Trees The Giving Trees are set up in Ashland Hall and the narthex for you to select one or more Angel Wish Tags. The Giving Trees will be up until December 10th.

Gifts received provide Christmas packages for residents at Epworth Children’s Home. There are also gift card requests for the children and adults affiliated with Family Promise. Gifts bags may be used but DO NOT WRAP gifts. The final date to turn in gifts is December 10th. Please put your name and phone number on the sign-up card for each “Angel Wish Tag” you take! Leave packages under the tree. Monetary gifts should be handed to the person at the tree on Sunday morning or turned in to the church office. During the week, let Maria Anderson in the church office know if you take an “Angel Wish Tag.”

Advent at Ashland December 17th @ 8:45 a.m., The Path Music of Christmas December 17th @ 11 a.m., Peace Has Come, Choir December 17th @ 6:30 p.m., Moravian Love Feast December 24th @ 8:45 a.m., The Path Worship Service December 24th @ 9:45 a.m., Sunday School December 24th @ 11 a.m., Worship Service

Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2017

5:30 p.m.

--------------------NEEDED--------------------- Sound Technicians for the PATH Service

ABSOLUTELY NO Experience Required! Sunday mornings on a rotating basis – about every 3 to 4

weeks Contact

Bill Bryan (803-206-0417) wbryan98@gmail.com OR

Craig Hatch (803-351-0877) CraigJHatch@gmail.com

All 6th – 12th graders welcome!

Dec 10th – Children’s Play @ 6pm

Dec 15th – 5th Quarter – 8pm -11 pm Join us for a night of games and food and silliness, all in one evening! We’ll start in Ashland Hall and see where the fun takes us!

Newspapers still needed!! Thank you!!

Dec 17th – Youth Christmas Party – 5:30 -7:30pm Join us for games, food and an epic white elephant gift

exchange! Be sure to bring your own gift to the exchange. It can be something wacky, fun silly or cool that you find for

$10 for less. Party location will be Robert & Erin Harrelson's home.

Bring a snack to share: Boys bring a salty treat. Girls bring a sweet snack.

Thoughts? Questions? Ideas? Want to join our email list? 803.798.5350 x 14 education@ashlandumc.org

FINANCIAL REPORT YTD 12/02/2017

Weekly Budgeted Expenses 13,556.60

Received Week ending 12/02/2017 17,003.37

Received YTD 615,113.28

Budgeted Expenses YTD 650,716.80

Actual Expenses YTD 589,119.70

YTD Amount Rec'd +/- Budgeted Expenses -35,603.52

YTD Amount Rec'd +/- Actual Expenses 25,993.58

No Practice Nativity ALL children are invited to participate in our presentation of

the Nativity Story, THIS Sunday morning, December 10th

,

during BOTH worship services. No practice, no lines, just join

us in the back of Ashland Hall or Narthex to get a costume.

Starting in the NEW Year Mondays, January 8th at 6:30pm - “Questions God Asks Us” by Trevor Hudson. Larry Durstine and Suzy Speas will lead a 5 week study. It will be a discussion on select chapters centering around questions that are asked in the Bible. Contact Suzy to sign up. Cost of book is $10

Wednesdays, January 10th, at 6:45pm – “Luke” a study of the Gospel led by Rev. Tresco Shannon in room #125. Study will run through the spring

Sunday December 24th Children’s Sunday school classes meet in Bibleland for at

9:45 am. We’ll act out the Christmas story and then celebrate with birthday party for Jesus in room 115.