Prayer is an essential part of who we are as believers in Jesus Christ and as a church family. We believe that many people praying have an effect. Please join us in focusing on these concerns.

Praises! Marvin DuVall—Doing Well Dottie Kight—Making Progress Sue Lindsay—Surgery Revealed Cancer Free! Medical Missionary—Mary Ellen Musser; Purchased

Ticket to Togo

Immediate Needs

Jimmy Brown (Kight’s SIL) - Spinal/Neck Surgery 12/9 Family of Cherie Lindsey—Bereavement Marlene Guy—Cancer Metastasized to Back & Brain Terri Bowers—Colon Cancer Surgery Pastor Michael Mudge—Wife Passed Away Erin McCagh Morrisey (Ginnie S.) - 3rd Occurrence of

Cancer Family of Shelby Lough—Bereavement Young Ho & Young Mee Joo—Bereavement Tom Houdersheldt—Grief; Passing of Mother Ray Wharton—Kidney Dialysis Bill Mower—Rehab / Nursing Home

Chapel Requests Churches in Our Area Young People Struggling & their Families Unsaved Loved Ones Loretta’s Mom—Stroke Joe—Health: Back, Neck & Lungs Merle—Lung Problems Dawn—Cancer; Husband in Nursing Home Kylee—Struggling Teenager Don—Cancer Yvonne Imes—Injured in Motorcycle Crash; Husband

killed in Motorcycle Crash Brandon—Estranged from Family

This Week's Volunteers

Greeters: Young Ho & Young Mee Joo Ushers: Lee Ketterman & Dan Blackburn

Next Week's Volunteers Greeters: Linda Long & Sheila Elliott Ushers: Ed Crossland & Kyle Murr

Children’s Church—Dec/Jan

8—Lem Crawford & Lakin 15—Eric & Laura Lynam 22—Children in Service 29—Mickey Stephens & Shelia Elliott 5—Karly Humberson & Alison Murr 12—Renae & Shelby Holt 19—Micah Stephens & Linda Long 26—Jenn Holmes & Bryonna

Grace Youth Ministries Leader: Lem Crawford

Christmas Tree Wrapping Mission Grades 6-12

TODAY — 1-5 p.m. Join us as we help the Lion’s Club with wrapping and selling Christmas trees. We’ll meet at the church at 12:45 p.m. Or you can meet us at Lion’s Field at 1 p.m. Dress in

layers. We’ll be both outside and inside. December 8, 2019December 8, 2019

1005 Bishop Walsh Rd. Cumberland, MD 21502 1005 Bishop Walsh Rd. Cumberland, MD 21502

301301--777777--1670 www.gracememorial.net1670 www.gracememorial.net

Pastor Mickey StephensPastor Mickey Stephens Cell # 240Cell # 240--580580--43344334

gmcc@atlanticbbn.netgmcc@atlanticbbn.net

Special thanks to those that put forth the extra time and effort to decorate the church for Christmas: Sharon & Tom Lancaster, Alison & Kyle Murr, Dottie & Bill Kight and Jenn Holmes. Beautiful Job! Food Pantry Collection The food pantry was delighted with our Thanksgiving donations. Let’s try to make our Allegany County neighbors happy this Christmas. If it is more convenient, we will collect monetary donations as well. We are collecting the following. Canned: Turkey Gravy or Gravy Mix Packets, Sauerkraut, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes/Yams, Applesauce, Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin or Apple Pie Filling & Coffee. Boxed: Stuffing Mix & Tea Bags. Deadline is 12/15. Youth Progressive Dinner Sunday, December 22nd @ 5 pm We are searching for folks who love youth and would be able to

host a portion of our Christmas progressive dinner at their home. We will travel from house to house singing and eating our way through the evening. Four courses are desired with one house for each of these: appetizer, soup/salad, main course,

dessert. A small Christmas-themed activity or devotion is a nice addition but not required. We would spend approximately 30 minutes at each house, maybe a little longer at the main course location. Please sign up at the Welcome Center or see Lem Crawford for more information. Thank you!

Silent Night: A Musical for Christmas With so much busyness surrounding the Christmas season, it’s easy to forget that the night of Jesus’ birth was also busy. It was so busy with the Roman census and traveling that many missed the Messiah’s birth. But, the few who did witness it were left in awe

and wonder. Join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus with our choir’s performance next Sunday, December 15th during a portion of our morning worship service.

The church is not a building, it is a fellowship of believers coming together to celebrate the greatness and goodness of our God. We are imperfect people who have been forgiven

and received life by God’s mercy and love. Together, we grow when we worship, study the Bible, and practice what we learn.

Our motto is to Live, Love, Learn, and Grow in the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Living, Loving, Learning & Growing in GRACE • Living, Loving, Learning & Growing in GRACE • Living, Loving, Learning & Growing in GRACE • Living, Loving, Learning & Growing in GRACE

December 8, 2019

Call to Worship (Remain Seated) “Behold Him” Welcome Greeting Lighting of the Advent Candle Brian & Lori Beal Isaiah 9:2, 6

Opening Prayer

Worship in Music “For Unto Us/Open the Eyes of My Heart” “Midnight Clear (Love Song)” “The First Noel” Pastoral Prayer

Children are dismissed for Kids Church

Message— Pastor Mickey Stephens “Why Were the Wise Men Wise?” Matthew 2:1-12 Announcements Receiving of the Offering ~ 2 Cor. 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Closing Song “What Child is This?” Tom Lancaster

GUESTS … If you did not receive a Welcome Packet this morning, please stop by the Welcome Center and pick one up or fill out a Visitors Card located in the pew rack. When you fill out the visitor’s card and return it to the Welcome Center you will receive a free gift to thank you for being our guest today!

TODAY 9:30 am Sunday School 10:15 am Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am Worship Service 11:35 am Choir Practice 1:00 pm Youth WEDNESDAY 6:30 pm Wednesday Junction

Christmas Card Exchange A table has been set up in back of the sanctuary for those wishing to exchange Christmas cards.

Wednesday Junction Junction will meet on Wednesday, December 11th & 18th and break for the Holidays. We are finishing the “Unstoppable Gospel” and will start a new series on January 9, 2020. Ladies Bible Study Ladies Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, 1/7/2020. CAMP HOPE Fundraiser CAMP HOPE teams are fundraising with an ODD JOBS “Holiday Edition” to offer help over the holidays and winter months. Some examples of holiday/winter help that we anticipate providing include leftover leaf raking, holiday decorating (indoor or outdoor), house cleaning to prepare for guests, furniture moving to prepare for holiday entertaining, run errands, and wrap gifts. Call John Holt @ 301-268-8572 to schedule.

Dec.15—Christmas Musical & Communion Dec.22—Lion’s Center Ministry Dec. 22—Youth Progressive Dinner Dec. 24—Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Coming Up!