A United Methodist Church 1700 Napa Valley Drive · Little Rock, AR 72212

225-9231 · www.asbury-lr.org

Asbury UMC Little Rock

Our Mission

To bring others into Asbury UMC

to experience a difference,

so they make a difference

for Jesus Christ and others.

Our Invitation

To all who need Comfort,

Friendship and the Love of God

through our Savior Jesus Christ.

This church opens wide its doors

in the name of our Lord and says,

“Welcome.”

December 18, 2016

Fourth Sunday of Advent “Capturing Christmas...in the Crib”

Welcome to Asbury. We are glad you are here at Asbury today, and hope you will feel God’s love in your worship experience. We invite you to note the Asbury Calendar on the back page of the bulletin. Please print your information on the attendance pads and return them to the end of the pew. If you desire to join Asbury UMC, come forward during the last song, and our pastors will greet you.

Please take a few moments to silence your phone. For the most meaningful worship, we encourage you to take advantage of our nursery available

for infants through 2 years old.

Divine Worship Sanctuary

December 18, 2016 8:30 & 10:45 A.M.

Gathering in God’s Presence

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude Salut D’amour Magdalena Ryszkowski

Edward Elgar Violin

*Call to Worship

We sing of God’s mercy and grace shown to all generations.

We praise God’s constant and never-ending love and faithfulness,

We rejoice God’s promise of an anointed one-the Messiah-is about to be fulfilled.

O come, O come, Emmanuel--God with us--forever!

*Hymn of Praise There’s A Song in the Air 249

Preparing Our Hearts

Lighting of the Advent Candle Jason, Kristi & Brannon Rainwater(8:30)

Jeremy Peppas & Gwen Green (10:45) Congregational response: Loving Father, May we be ever mindful of the love Christ gives to us through our eternal salvation. May we honor the gift of Christ to us this Advent season, by truly loving others in the way in which He led by thought, word and deed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Act of Praise Still A Bach Lullaby Chancel Choir

Jean Anne Shafferman

Act of Praise Children’s Choirs The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy/ Come On Ring Those Bells

Mary Noble, Sabrina Hinson, Stephen Edds - Directors

Children’s Moments Val Carr

The congregation is invited to sing “Away in a Manger” in welcoming the children forward.

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.

Children 3 years to 5th grade are invited to attend their own special worship service, called Kids’ Club. Please meet at the back of the worship area to attend.

*Please stand as you are able.

Lifting Our Lives and Prayers to God

Prayer for the People

Lord’s Prayer 895

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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Giving of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory Alleluia! Gloria! Magnificat! Nowell! Chancel Choir

David W. Music

*Doxology 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.

*Hymn of Meditation Away In a Manger 217

Hearing God’s Word Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-7 (NLT, Pew Bible) 781 The Message “Capturing Christmas...in the Crib” Rev. Chase Green

Responding to God With Our Lives

*Hymn of Commitment Angels We Have Heard on High 238

*Blessing of God’s People

*Choral Benediction Let There Be Peace on Earth (chorus) 431

Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow;

To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

You are encouraged to go forth and serve Christ after the singing of the Benediction.

Postlude Assisting in Worship: 8:30 - Dr. Vicki Logan / 10:45 - Rick Shelton

Acolytes: 8:30 - Rachel Hof / 10:45 -

Sound/Video Operator: 8:30 - Jason Stumhofer, Joe Hof / 10:45 - Mazhil, Sharath

Asbury Staff Rev. Mary Hilliard, Senior Pastor mary@asbury-lr.org

Rev. Chase Green, Pastor of Discipleship/Congregational Care chase@asbury-lr.org

Rev. Tom Weir, Pastor Emeritus weir-t@sbcglobal.net

Stephen Edds, Minister of Music stephen@asbury-lr.org

Anguel Kehayov, Organist kehayata@hotmail.com

Mike DuPas, Interim Part-Time Praise & Worship Leader stephen@asbury-lr.org

Laura Stinnett, Minister of Children laura@asbury-lr.org

Kayla Stout, Nursery Director nursery@asbury-lr.org

Amy Bennett, Minister of Youth amy@asbury-lr.org

Cheryl Cate, Finance Manager cheryl@asbury-lr.org

Ora Bunton, Child Development Ctr., Director accdcdir@asbury-lr.org

Judith Hill, Child Development Ctr., Asst. Director asstdir@asbury-lr.org

Celebration Worship Wilson Activity Center

December 18, 2016 10:45 A.M. Please take a few moments to silence your phone.

For the most meaningful worship, we encourage you to take advantage of our nursery available for infants through 2 years old.

Please complete the information requested in the friendship pads and return to the end of the row.

Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child

The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy / Come On Ring Those Bells Children’s Choirs—Mary Noble, Sabrina Hinson, Stephen Edds, Directors

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candle Mike, Kim, Alaina & Lacey DuPas

Congregational response: Loving Father, May we be ever mindful of the love Christ gives to us through our eternal salvation. May we honor the gift of Christ to us this Advent season, by truly loving others in the way in which He led by thought, word and deed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Children’s Moments Laura Stinnett

Children 3 years to 5th grade are invited to attend Kids’ Club, a special worship service. Please meet at the back of the worship area to attend.

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer Carol Godwin

Sharing of Our Gifts

Narration Christian Dawson, Maddy Atkins

O Little Town of Bethlehem Todd Mead

Narration Shaun Burks, Lilly Hutchinson

Mary Did You Know? Mary Ross

Narration Josh Dawson, Hope Cogbill

Do You Hear What I Hear? Terry South

Narration Brad Freier, Alaina DuPas

Away In a Manger Valera McDaniel

Narration Ben Cogbill, Madeline Carver

Little Drummer Boy Mike DuPas

Narration Larissa Temple, Garrett Pritchard

Heaven Everywhere Lanier Hocott

Narration Annie Berry, Jackson South

Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)

The Invitation

The Blessing

Joy to the World

We are so glad you worshiped with us at Asbury UMC. Now go and serve Christ.

Assisting in Worship: Mike DuPas

Sound/Video Operator: Randy Dennis, Tony Hilliard

Celebration Band Celebration Singers Dusty Jones Jay McDaniel Lanier Hocott Valera McDaniel Linda Southern Scott Southern Mary Ross Terry South

Special Events Sunday, December 18th................................Celebration Christmas Extravaganza 10:45 am (WAC) Saturday, December 24th...........................Christmas Eve Services 4 pm, 7 pm & 11 pm (Sanctuary) Sunday, December 25th.........................................................Christmas Day Service 10 am (Sanctuary) Sunday, December 25th.................................................Stone Soup 1:30 pm (Quapaw Quarter UMC) Sunday, January 1, 2017......................Divine Worship 8:30 & 10:45, Celebration Worship 10:45

Pastor on Weekend Call: Dec. 16, 17, 18 Rev. Mary Hilliard Dec. 23, 24, 25 Rev. Chase Green

YOUTH NEWS:

The Lock-In is TONIGHT! Woo Hoo!!! Girls, bring a 2 liter drink, Guys, bring a salty snack, and everyone bring $25 (or $40 for a family!) Friends are welcome, but they have to bring their $ and a permission slip! We are starting at 5:30, and pick up is at 8 am on Monday morning! Please check the flyer on the youth board outside the Warehouse for more info.

Info on Veritas is now ready! The event is February 24-26 in Rogers, and deadline to sign up is January 22! The flyer is on the youth board, outside the Warehouse!

Remember, the lock-in begins our break in Sunday Night/Wednesday Night Youth Programming. We will not meet again until Sunday night, January 8, when we will be starting our new series on Joseph!

Dec. Drivers Van Car Dave Mundorff Harry Galusha

Preaching Schedule Sunday, Dec. 18th Sunday, Dec. 25th-CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 Divine Worship Rev. Chase Green 10:00 am only 10:45 Divine Worship Rev. Chase Green Rev. Mary Hilliard 10:45 Celebration Service Christmas Extravaganza

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Sunday School: 188 8:30 (D): 143 10:45 (D): 82 10:45 (C): 106 Total Worship Attendance: 331

Guests: 34 including 9 first time

SPECIAL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DATES: Questions? Contact Laura Stinnett, Minister of Children

Sun., Dec. 18: Both Children’s Choirs sing at all 3 worship services

Sat., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services at 4 pm, 7 pm, & 11 pm. Nursery only at 4 pm & 7 pm

Sun., Dec. 25: Christmas Day Service at 10 am, Refreshments at 9:30 am

Sun., Jan. 1: No Children’s Choirs and One Room Sunday School

Children’s Ministries are collecting warm items for our friends at Stone Soup. This would include

gloves, hats, sweatpants and sweatshirts, blankets, coats, etc. Please place your donations under

the Christmas Tree in the Children’s check in area to be delivered Christmas Day. Thank you!

Today’s Sacred Grounds: Sponsored by David Woodbury. Open dates Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. The cost is $100 to sponsor a week. Call the office to schedule a date.

Prayers: Hila Ruminer Marilyn Thompson Richard Hunter Hugh Roberts Richard Arnold Mike McNerlin

If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Mary or Rev. Chase. See contact info below.

Open Date for Flowers: Jan. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. Call the office to reserve a date.

UMW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON All women of the church are invited to join the UMW in the Warehouse at noon TODAY for lunch.

Sunday, December 18th - FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 8:00 am Celebration Team Rehearsal (WAC) 8:00 am Coffee & Donuts (WAC) 8:30 am Divine Worship (Sanctuary) 9:30 am Children’s Choir 3 yrs - 2nd grade (Room 215) 9:30 am Children’s Choir 3rd - 5th grade (Room 206) 9:45 am Sunday School 10:40 am Celebration Band Pre-Service Music 10:45 am Divine Worship (Sanctuary) 10:45 am Celebration Worship (WAC) 11:30 am UMW Christmas Tea (Warehouse) 2:00 pm Youth Basketball Practice (WAC) 5:30 pm Youth Christmas Lock-in (Warehouse) 5:30 pm Women’s Bible Study (Room 123)

Monday, December 19th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 5:30 pm Youth Basketball Practice (WAC) 6:30 pm Men’s Basketball (WAC) 7:00 pm AA Meeting (Room 103)

Tuesday, December 20th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 6:30 pm Cub Scouts (Room 101) 7:00 pm Boy Scouts (Room 105)

Wednesday, December 21st 5:00 am Men’s Basketball (WAC) 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 6:00 pm Wally Gee Men’s Bible Study (Room 226) 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Room 200)

Thursday, December 22nd 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes

Friday, December 23rd 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes

Saturday, December 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary) 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary) 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)

Sunday, December 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY 9:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 9:30 am Refreshments (Main Hall) 10:00 am Divine Worship (Sanctuary)

Daily devotionals from Pastor Mary are available on the website, www.asbury-lr.org. Click on “Blogs.”

Asbury Weekly Calendar

* WAC - Wilson Activity Center