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SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS EVE SAME AS ALWAYS – NO BIBLE STUDIES –

The 9:45AM worship service will carry on as always on Christmas Eve, but there will be NoBible Studies preceding the hour. Our Board of Stewards decided this was best sinceChristmas Eve this year falls on Sunday; and, families will want to be at home that morningas much as possible. Bible studies will resume Sunday, January 7.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY12/23 Abbie & Riley Albanese, 12/26 Kim Turk, 12/28 Stan Stewart, 12/30 LoraliThomas. Congratulations, Abbie, Riley, Kim, Stan & Lorali. Our church rejoicesand celebrates with you!

CIRCLE OF PRAYERThe “Circle of Prayer” is included in the bulletin each week and updated monthly.

Please place on an attendance sheet any for whom you would have the wholechurch pray during the month of December in addition to others whose names

appear below: our service men and women, all of whom are named on the “Armed ForcesHonor Roll,” Jay Baumgardner, Chase Brown, Vickie Carroll, Matt Chambers Family, RuthCochran, Norma Collins, Glenn Cooper, Eloise Crowder, Joe Flanagan, Mack Garrison,Christy Gibson, Hoyt Harris, Sam Moon, Lisa Nation, Harlee Pearce, John Ragsdale, NolanRagsdale, Carwell Thompson, Marion Thompson, Tom Thompson, Young Married Coupleswith Children, Youth of Church.Add or Delete:___________________________________________________________

Sunday, December 24, 2017 — 9:45A.M.Fourth Sunday in Advent Altar Color: Purple

(Please turn off all cell phones before services begin.)

Please visit our church website!We are so proud to feature our church family and the ministries we are a part of!

***www.homermethodist.org***NOTICE !By entering the Homer United Methodist Life Center andbeing on our church campus, you and your family picturesmay appear on our website. Please notify our staff if youhave concerns.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS1-Dec Danny Gordon1-Dec Margo Gaddis2-Dec John Rivers3-Dec Sheilena Brookshire5-Dec Jessica Collins6-Dec Debbie Wilbanks8-Dec Phyllis Carter8-Dec Linda Lewallen

10-Dec Isabelle Smith12-Dec Marilyn McLendon14-Dec Wayne Deaton15-Dec Melissa Mabry18-Dec Mike Callahan26-Dec Kim Turk28-Dec Stan Stewart30-Dec Lorali Thomas

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES20-Dec Marion & Judy Thompson

21-Dec Wayne & Judy Deaton26-Dec John & Susan Mitchell27-Dec Ricky & Karen Nelson

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY12/26 John & Susan Mitchell12/27 Ricky & Karen Nelson

HERALD MAILING SCHEDULEThe final mailing of the year for the Homer Herald is with this issue (Sunday, December24) and does not resume until the first week in January with the Sunday, January 7, issue.

CA

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AR Sunday, December 24, 2017: FOURTH SUNDAY in ADVENT

CHRISTMAS EVE No Bible Studies 9:45a.m. Morning Worship 4:00p.m. Christmas Eve Communion by CandlelightMonday, December 25, 2017: CHRISTMAS DAY

THE GATHERINGTo all who are weary and need rest…To all who mourn and need comfort… To all who arelonely and need friendship…To all who are glad and would serve their neighbors… To allwho are complacent and need disturbing… To all who sin and need a Savior…This Churchopens wide its doors in the name of Christ and bids you welcome...THE RITUAL OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND CELEBRATIONSTHE RINGING OF THE HERITAGE BELLTHE PRELUDE WITH LIGHTING OF CANDLESTHE CHORAL INTROIT*THE HYMN No. 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful*THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH No. 887 Romans 8:35, 37-38*THE HYMN OF PRAISE No. 71 The Gloria PatriTHE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Pastor: Christ is the world’s peace, Christ and none other; no one can serve him and despise

another. Who else unites us, one in God the Father? Glory to God on high! People: The fourth purple candle on our Advent wreath is lighted as symbol of the Prince of

Peace. May the coming of God’s Holy Spirit make us ready for the coming of Jesus,our hope and joy.

ALL: O come, O come, Emmanuel. Pastor: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. ALL: O come to our hearts, Lord Jesus. There is room in our hearts for thee. AmenTHE MUSIC SPECIAL Carol Harrison*THE OFFERTORY HYMN No. 217 Away in a MangerTHE OFFERTORY PRAYER Pastor: What gift can we bring, what present, what token? What words can convey it, the joy of

this day? People: When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, what song can we offer in honor and

praise? Pastor: This gift we now bring, this present, this token, these words can convey it, The joy of this

day! People: When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing, this song we now offer in honor and

praise!THE OFFERTORY*THE HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD No. 95 The DoxologyTHE MUSIC SPECIAL Chancel ChoirTHE SPOKEN WORD A DAY LIKE NO OTHER Rev. McLendon

(Pew Bible: NT, St. Luke 1:26-38; pg. 56-57)*THE HYMN No. 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem*THE DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever. Grant you peace, perfectpeace, strength in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes and see His face and His graceforever. May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.

*THE TAKING OF LIGHT INTO THE WORLD*THE RINGING OF THE HERITAGE BELL*THE POSTLUDE *Denotes standing if you are able and so desire.

CHRISTMAS EVE

LAST SUNDAY’SREGISTERED FRIENDS

Veronica Albanese & twins, Abbie& Riley; Wesley Ahearn.

WELCOMETo all who are weary and need rest, to all whomourn and need comfort, to all who are lonely andneed friendship, to all who are glad and wouldserve their neighbors, to all who are complacentand need disturbing, to all who sin and need aSavior, this church opens wide its doors in thename of Christ, and bids you welcome.

ADVENT CONCLUDES WITH PEACE ASTHEME

This year’s Advent season continues with PEACE asthe primary emphasis and that candle being lighted onthe sanctuary wreath. Join in the lighting by followingthe words included in the Service Of Divine Worshipdesigned for the fourth Sunday in the season.

ASSISTING WITH WORSHIPBell Ringer: Michael Krause; Acolytes: Chase Stephens & Cam Mabry;Cross Bearer: Collin Coulter; Communion Assistants: Hunter & JimmyCochran; Welcome: Bud Reiselt; Greeters: Matt & Jon Chambers; MusicSpecial: Chancel Choir, Carol Harrison; Worship Leaders: Rob Mabry,Dianne Cheek, Darlene Brown; Nursery: Dixie Merck; Sound SystemEngineers: Fred Wendt, Mike McLendon, Tim Wilbanks.

USHERSHarlee Pearce, Chairperson

Fred Wendt, Offering Steward. Glenn Cooper, Ted Elliott, Steve Harrison, John Mitchell,Ricky Nelson, Tom Nix, Stan Stewart. Offering Counters: Fred Wendt & Usher.

“WHEN FILLING YOUR STOCKINGS”When filling your stockings this Christmas, please remember theall-important Pastor’s Local Relief Fund. This fund extends criticalassistance to so many of God’s needy children throughout the year.

“O LORD, TO THEE WILL I CRY”PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - After devastating wildfires blazedthrough Gatlinburg, Tennessee a little more than a year ago, aworker cleaning up Dollywood theme park in nearby PigeonForge found what he believes may be a sign from above – asole, burned Bible page.“I just found this while helping our House and Grounds teamclean different areas of Dollywood Theme Park,” Isaac McCord,a human resources training coordinator at the park, wroteTuesday on Facebook. “It was under a bench soaking wet. Talkabout goosebumps ...”In light of last year’s events, the message from the first chapterof the Book of Joel hit home: “O Lord, to thee will I cry: Forthe fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, andthe flame hath burned all the trees of the field.”According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, McCord, 24, showedthe page to another employee, Misty Carver. “We were like, ‘This is unreal; this is unbelievable,’”McCord told the News-Sentinel. “When we had both fully read it, we looked at each other – andI will never forget this moment – we both burst into tears. I was ghost-white, and we just prayed.There was nothing else to do.”Two other workers who later saw the page confirmed McCord’s story. McCord said the discovery“is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” “I wanted to share this message because I thinkthat faith and hope is very powerful in a situation like this,” he said. “There are hundreds of peoplethat are displaced and that have lost their homes. Most of these people will cling to faith.”

ADVENT WREATHThe four themes of Advent designed to help prepare us for thebirth of Jesus are seen in the four purple candles on the Adventwreath in our beautiful sanctuary. The themes, of course, arethose of HOPE, LOVE, JOY, AND THIS SUNDAY– PEACE.The white candle seen here is the CHRIST candle and remainsunlit until Christmas Eve. Continue to remain faithful to attendall worship opportunities provided by our church during this holy season, and be prepared towelcome the Christ Child into your heart on Christmas Day.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE EARLYTHIS YEAR

Please note that our Christmas Eve CandlelightService of Holy Communion is Sunday, December24; and, at 4PM, is earlier than in years past. Itpromises to be a beautiful service and is certain todraw a large crowd. As always, music will fill theair from beginning to end; and, the Sacrament ofThe Lord’s Supper will be celebrated with aninvitation to everyone present to participate. A briefChristmas Eve message will be delivered by ourpastor. Visitors, of course, are welcome to allservices of the day.

NURSERY AVAILABLEWe offer a Nursery across the street in the Family Life Center which parents may want to consider for theiryoungest from birth through 3 years. They will be happy there, and parents may enjoy the service more.

4PM

GENEROUS DONATION TO BE USED FOR FLC IMPROVEMENTSAnother generous contribution recently from a faithful anonymous couple who are membersof Commerce First Methodist in an amount of $5,000 will be used to help paint and replacecarpeting at our Family Life Center after the first of the year. We are truly grateful for sucha fine gift.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYChristian love and sympathy are extended to Eloise Crowder, Glenn Cooper, JackCooper and family upon the loss by death of their niece, Janice Garrard of Hickory,

NC who passed away suddenly on Monday, December 11, 2017. Sixty-nine years of age,Janice was a devout Christian and devoted nearly all of her life to helping others. We wereblessed at Homer Methodist to have her with us on at least one occasion where she sharedwith the congregation about her work on mercy ships. A flower is placed on the altar thisSunday in loving memory of Janice and her worldwide ministry.

CHRISTMAS EVERead Matthew 5:14-16

If we walk in the light as [God] himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – I John 1:7 (NRSV)

At the end of our Christmas Eve service, each person lights the candle of the next personin the pew, symbolically sharing the light of Christ. It is a moving sight when each personholds a glowing candle in the darkened sanctuary. This past Christmas Eve, as I watchedthe light being passed, my candle was nearly extinguished by melted wax that collectedaround the wick. When I noticed this, I tilted my candle to let the melted wax run down thecandle toward the holder, and once again, the flame burned brightly.It occurred to me that the pooling wax could represent the attitudes that can keep us fromreflecting the light of Christ to others. Later, I made a mental list of some of the things thatcan block this light: ingratitude; worry and negative thoughts; not forgiving ourselves orothers; being judgmental; focusing on material possessions; stressing over what others thinkof us. What is the remedy? We can start by focusing on loving God rather than on the thingsand opinions of the world. We can be grateful for and trust in God’s love, give and acceptforgiveness, and love others unconditionally. In these ways, we can get rid of excessive“wax” and let the light of Christ shine through us..Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for showing us each day how to receive and reflect the lightof Christ. Amen.

Martha M. Cusimano (Alabama)Thought for the Day: What is keeping me from shining the light of Christ to others?

CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP(Please remember Homer UMC in your will or trusts.)

December 17, 2017 — OFFERING: Budget, $2,375. Building Fund, $5,000.SON, $40. Pastor’s Local Relief Fund, $215. TOTAL: $7,630.

HERALD TAKES CHRISTMAS VACATIONThe Homer Herald will take a week away from mailing the Sunday of December 31 (New Year’sEve). Hand-outs for worship purposes only will be distributed by greeters at the sanctuary doorsat 9:45AM. Fifty-one issues a year are a lot. That’s 612 pages of worship material and churchnews; not including special printed programs during the year. Thanks for your understanding andfor this much needed time to give anyone faintly connected with The Herald a much needed rest.A return to the full 12 page weekly is set for Sunday, January 7, 2018.

ANOTHER SINGING SEASON OF RINGINGCONCLUDES

Another season of Salvation Army kettle ringing concludes thisweekend after scores have faithfully worked their shifts sincethe day following Thanksgiving. It has been a most rewardingseason, according to Donna & Ted Elliott, coordinators. “Eachtime the kettle has been emptied,” says Ted, “it has been lightin weight meaning most donations have been paper moneyrather than change.” Homer UMC ringing last year at Wal-Mart

totaled the most of any location in the Athens area. Hopefully, the giving in 2017 surpassesthat of 2016. Many thanks to those who have given and those who have rung the kettle belleach shift in all sort of weather. And, thank you, too, Donna & Ted for your outstanding workon behalf of this wonderful ministry. To God be the glory!

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA REMEMBRANCES

In memory of her father, Robert Addington by Karen Kitchens.In honor of “Our children & grandchildren” by Harlee & Jackie Pearce.

In memory of Bonnie Wolfenbarger by Margaret Gaddis.In memory of Rita Cook by Mitch Cook & Family.

In honor of Tracy, Wesley,& Sarah Ahearn by Donna & Ted Elliott.In memory of Jason Caudell by Helen & Reid Caudell.

In memory of Loy Crowder, Ryan Crowder & Nathan Crowderby Eloise Crowder & Family.

In memory of Tommy & Margie Nell Brookshire by Jerry & Betty Brookshire.In memory of Pledger & Lena Shubert.

In memory of Patrick Ahearn by Donna & Ted Elliott.In memory of John & Kate Sanderlin and John & Annabelle Wootten

by Jim & Marilyn McLendon.In honor of Marilyn McLendon by her McLendon Family on the occasion of

her birthday on December 12, 2017.A GIFT IS GIVEN

A monetary gift is given this Christmas in honor of our CHURCH FAMILY with whom wehave been privileged to serve in ministry during nearly twenty-one years. The gift will benefita Pakistani United Methodist couple working with children in that far-flung part of the world.– Marilyn & Brother Jim.

RANDY COCHRAN REMEMBERS WIFE, SANDYBanks County native, Randall Cochran, has recently given a monetary gift to HomerMethodist as a beautiful memorial to his lovely wife, Sandy. It is our understanding Randyhas sold his Arkansas home and will be making his home in the future part-time in Banks.We look forward to seeing more of our friend. Thank you, Randy, for your gift greatlyappreciated.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYChristian love and sympathy are extended to Mike & Debbie Callahan upon thesudden passing of Mike’s sister, Karen Glosson of Suwanee on Monday, December18 at Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth. God bless and keep you, Mike. Your church family’sprayers remain with Debbie and you and other members of your grieving family upon yourgreat loss. (A flower is placed upon the altar this Sunday in loving memory of Mike’s sister.)

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYChristian love and sympathy are extended to Van & Patricia Crowder and familyupon the loss by death of Patricia’s mother in Argentina on Monday, December 18.

Patricia and her young daughter, Julietta, flew to the South American country on Mondayto be with family. Family and friends at Homer Methodist are with the Crowders ofBlacksburg, Virginia during this time of sadness in their lives. (A flower is placed upon thealtar this Sunday in loving memory of Patricia’s mother.)

ADVENT SERVICES & ACTIVITIESSunday, December 31, 2017: (New Year’s Eve)

8:45a.m. NO Bible Studies9:45a.m. Morning Worship

THE LITTLE LORD JESUS I always look forward to the music of the Christmas season. There is something for every tastefrom Bing Crosby and Burl Ives to George Frederic Handel and J.S. Bach. I especially like the carolsthat are sung in traditional Christmas services. I am certain that we all have favorite carols. There aremany songs to choose from and as I pondered Christmases past, I realized that my favorite carol isAway in a Manger. The lyrics are familiar and when I hear them I can not help but see that tiny baby who, thoughequal with God, “made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and wasmade in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7 KJV) He was born in lowly circumstances at the rightplace and at the right time to bring peace and salvation to a fallen world. At one time, I preferred someof the “louder” carols like Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and Angels We Have Heard on High. I suspectthat my experiences as a father and grandfather have led me to the carol that recalls that quiet andholy scene in the stable. We do not know the identity of the author of the lyrics to Away in the Manger. Some havesuggested that it was written by Martin Luther, but this assumption probably arises from the fact thatthe carol apparently was brought to the United States by Lutheran immigrants. The words firstappeared in this country as a poem read to children during the celebration of the 400th anniversaryof Luther’s birth in 1883. The first published instance of the lyrics is in The Little Children's Book forSchools and Families in Philadelphia in 1885. A search on Google reveals that over forty differenttunes are used with this carol in hymn books. Here are the lyrics: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there. These words bring to mind the scene described in Luke’s Gospel when Jesus taught us that wemust approach Him with the faith of a little child. “Now they were bringing even infants to him that hemight touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him,saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom ofGod. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”(Luke 18:15-17 ESV) As we celebrate this Christmas Day, we need to take the time to join Mary and ponder in ourhearts all that occurred on that first Christmas. (Luke 2: 19) Consider the wonder of it all. Jesus wasthe King of Heaven, yet He laid that down for a while to be born as a human to live a sinless life sothat He could be the perfect sacrifice that God required for the payment of our sins. He did not do itfor nations or “people groups.” He did it for each one of us. You were bought with a price to honorGod. (I Corinthians 6:20 KJV) A perfect gift. The thought of that can lead us nowhere but to join that“heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good willtoward men.” (Luke 2:14)Thought for the Week: “The greatest and most momentous fact which the history of the world recordsis the fact of Christ's birth.” – Charles Spurgeon

NOTE: This is John River’s devotional written for Christmas Day 2016.

“HERE’S JOHNNY!”The guest columnist this week is the lovely Mrs. Nancy F. Rivers,wife of John; mother of Amanda, Jennifer, Meredith,Christopher, & Martha; grandmother of Lee, Luke, Alex, Eli,Emberleigh, Maria, Lilly, CeCe, Andy, & Jack; retired teacher;and Proverbs 31 woman.

OUR UNSPEAKABLE GIFT As our celebration of Christmas Day has finally arrived, I am reminded of countlessholiday events that continue to bring joy to my heart. My parents always kicked off the seasonat sundown of Thanksgiving Day, as they lit up their ornate outdoor display. Our house wasalways a destination sought out by people who enjoyed riding through the community tolook at the tangle of lights. As a child, however, my focus was always upon the beautifully wrapped pile of giftsstrategically placed beneath our tree. Mother had never lost this child-like behavior, and shehad mastered the art of peeking at her presents from my father. One Christmas, she shooka gift so hard, she accidentally broke the ceramic coffee pot inside. The following Christmas,Daddy wrote numbers and cryptic symbols on the wrapped packages, in an attempt to keepMother’s curiosity at bay. It was years later, however, that I actually experienced the truest meaning of giving atChristmas. It happened twenty-five years ago on the last day of school before the Christmasholiday. As I walked my third grade students to the bus, I noticed that Jermaine did notexhibit the same level of excitement as his classmates. When I asked what he wanted forChristmas, he said he hoped his mother could earn enough money to keep their electricityon and to buy food. I was literally stopped in my tracks. How was it possible that I had missedsuch dire need? I was ashamed to realize that my own focus had been on myself, insteadof on the needs of others. That night at supper, I shared Jermaine’s dilemma with my family. Our son was the firstto respond, as he asked if we could go shopping for Jermaine and his family. The nextafternoon, we bought groceries and gifts for this little family of three. Little did I realize thatChristopher had used his own money to buy a basketball and a red warm-up suit forJermaine. We rushed home to wrap the gifts, before embarking on a clandestine deliveryat Jermaine’s house. Christopher ran upstairs to wrap the warm-up suit. On the gift tag, hewrote: “To Jermaine. Merry Christmas from Jesus.” Under cloak of darkness, we drove to Jermaine’s house and placed the gifts on thefront steps. I pulled our van a few houses down and instructed Christopher to run to thedoor, ring the bell, and race back to the van. We sat in the darkness for a few moments,until we saw Jermaine appear at the door. His excitement was palpable, as his mother cameto the door to help him take the anonymous gifts into their house. When school started again in January, Jermaine ran into the classroom, carrying hisbasketball and wearing his new warm-up suit. “Mrs. Rivers! Look what I got for Christmas!I got a new basketball from Santa, but I got these new clothes from Jesus!” My heart burstwith unspeakable joy, as I realized the truth of Luke 6:38-40 “Give, and it shall be given untoyou; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men giveinto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to youagain.” Oh that God would entrust me with the joy of finding ways to bless others. It does nothave to be a gift wrapped in Christmas paper. One wrapped in the love of Christ is morethan enough. “Praise be to God for our unspeakable gift!” II Corinthians 9:15

EPIPHANY FINDS VISIT FROM “WISE”MEN

Sunday, January 7, is the first Lord’s Day in theyear but also Epiphany and affords worshippers atHomer Methodist an opportunity to experience anannual “visit” by three magi, or wise men. Theywere a part of this year’s Advent cantata withdrama, “Behold Our God!”

Sunday, December 24, 2017 – 4:00 P.M.Christmas Eve Altar Color: WhiteLove came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas;star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; wor-ship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token love be yoursand love be mine; love to God and all men, love for pleas and gift and sign.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS COMMUNIONTHE GATHERINGTHE RINGING OF THE HERITAGE BELLTHE CHORAL INTROITTHE LIGHTING OF CANDLES Crossbearer: Cody Palenzuela*THE HYMN No. 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory*THE CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH No. 208 St. Luke 1:68-79*THE HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD No. 70 The Gloria PatriTHE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATHTHE COLLECT

O God our Father, you have brought us again to the glad season when we celebrate thebirth of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant that his Spirit may be born anew in ourhearts this day and that we may joyfully welcome him to reign over us. Open our earsthat we may hear again the angelic chorus of old. Open our lips that we, too, may singwith uplifted hearts. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towardall; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MUSIC SPECIAL O Holy NightTHE OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir*THE HYMN OF PRAISE TO GOD No. 95 The DoxologyTHE SPOKEN WORD Rev. McLendon

HOW IT ALL BEGAN(Pew Bible: NT, St. Luke 2:1-20; pg. 58)

THE HYMN No. 218 It Came Upon the Midnight ClearTHE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT

The InvitationThe Service of Word and Table II No. 12The Music Special No. 219 What Child is This?The Administration

*THE HYMN No. 230 Silent Night, Holy NightTHE CHRISTMAS STORY St. Luke 2:1-20 Lane SeahornTHE MUSIC SPECIAL The Chancel ChoirTHE DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING Carson Todd*THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS Handel’s Messiah*THE TAKING OF LIGHT INTO THE WORLD*THE RINGING OF THE HERITAGE BELL*THE POSTLUDE *Denotes standing if you are able & so desire.

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERINGThank you for contributing to our Christmas offering this year. Gifts will be divided among thePastor’s Local Relief Fund, young Ryland Ward of Sutherland Springs, Texas, and a UnitedMethodist couple ministering in Pakistan. (Read here about the suicide bombing recently in aUnited Methodist Pakistani church, killing nine and injuring many others.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! FROM THE McLENDONSBrother Jim, Miss Marilyn, Brother Mike extend our love and bestwishes to everyone within the church family for a blessed Christmas andhappy new year. They count their blessings continually through the year,and one of their greatest always is that of the Homer Methodist familyof God. Thank you for your love and support these past twelve monthsand for each victory won to the glory of God. Our prayer is that evenmore successes than ever await us in the year ahead as we ministertogether meeting individual needs and winning souls for eternity.

“JUST ONE THING”Ryland Ward, 5 years old, who lost his stepmother and sisters inthe Nov. 5 church attack in Sutherland Springs, Texas, wants justone thing for the holidays this year: Christmas cards.Ryland, who was shot five times, remains in recovery at a Texashospital and is expected to remain there for another six to eightweeks. He still has no idea that his stepmother and sisters werekilled. His other sister, Rianna, survived the shooting.“They still haven’t told him yet that his mom and sisters are dead,but I’m sure he’s kind of getting some kind of idea, because he’s5, and they don’t come to visit him,” Ryland’s grandmother said.Christmas cards for Ryland have already begun pouring into hishospital room. They include well-wishes from other children andeven photos of their pets. Ryland’s family is asking that a $1donation be included with each card to save up to buy Ryland ago-kart.Cards can be sent to the following address:

Ryland WardP.O. Box 174

Sutherland Springs, Texas, 78161

Please pray for the victims of the Methodist church bombing andshooting in Quetta, Pakistan: The World Methodist Council haslearned with horror and sadness of the bombing and shootingat Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta, Pakistan, inwhich at least nine people were killed and many injured. We offerour deepest sympathy to those whose families have been visitedwith violent death and injury in this attack. Our thoughts andprayers are with the members of the congregation, the Churchof Pakistan, and all those affected by this atrocity.