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 11, 2016

Third Sunday of Advent “Capturing Christmas...In Judea”

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 11, 2016 8:30 & 10:45 A.M.

Gathering in God’s Presence

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

*Call to Worship

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in.

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

*Hymn of Praise Once In Royal David’s City 250

Preparing Our Hearts

Lighting of the Advent Candles Brian, Jennie & Jaxon Dale (8:30)

Kevin, Marilyn, Connor & Julia Gustafson (10:45)

Congregational response: Almighty Father, Thank you for the gift of joy which enters our hearts from the gift of your Love. May your Holy Spirit stir in our lives the possibilities to experience the Joy of life, as we come to know better your Son Jesus Christ, and share His joy with others. In His Holy name we pray, Amen.

Sacrament of Baptism Brannon Rainwater 44 (10:45) Son of Jason & Kristi Rainwater

Children’s Moments Laura Stinnett (8:30)

Sabrina Hinson (10:45)

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.

Act of Praise Sing We Now of Christmas Chancel Choir

Arr. Mark Hayes

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.

*Please stand as you are able.

*The Giving of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory An Advent Prayer Chancel Choir

Allen Pote

*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 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus 196

Hearing God’s Word

Scripture Lesson Matthew 2:1-8 (NLT, Pew Bible) 734 The Message “Capturing Christmas...In Judea” Rev. Mary Hilliard

Responding to God With Our Lives

*Hymn of Commitment Angels From the Realms of Glory 220

*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 - Doug Walker / 10:45 - Doug Walker

Acolytes: 8:30 - Aaron Stumhofer, Rachel Hof / 10:45 - Thomas Walton, Erin Parker

Sound/Video Operator: 8:30 - Austin Pittman, 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

Message Notes

Celebration Worship Wilson Activity Center

December 11, 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.

Silent Night

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candles Patti Langley

Congregational response: Almighty Father, Thank you for the gift of joy which enters our hearts from the gift of your Love. May your Holy Spirit stir in our lives the possibilities to experience the Joy of life, as we come to know better your Son Jesus Christ, and share His joy with others. In His Holy name we pray, Amen.

10,000 Reasons Lord, I Need You

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

Sharing of Our Gifts

Set A Fire

The Message

“Capturing Christmas...In Judea” Matthew 2:1-8 Rev. Chase Green

The Invitation

O Come All Ye Faithful

The Blessing

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

Assisting in Worship: Mike DuPas

Sound Operator: Randy Dennis

Video Operator: Ebi

Celebration Band Celebration Singers Lisa Burgess Jay Greenfield Valera McDaniel Mary Ross Phil Marks Joe Stout

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. 9, 10, 11 Rev. Chase Green Dec. 16, 17, 18 Rev. Mary Hilliard

YOUTH NEWS:

Tonight, December 11, youth time is different (again!) We are watching The Passion of Christ, so we are still starting at 5:30, but we won’t be done until 7:45-8. Please let your parents know!

On the youth board, outside the Warehouse, please find the December calendar, along with the Save-the-Date for 2017, and the Lock-in flyer!

Lock-in is coming up NEXT SUNDAY! We are starting at 5:30, and pick-up is at 8 am on Monday morning! Check the flyer for what you need to bring! Cost is $25, or $40 for a family!

The upcoming Wednesday, December 14, is our last Wednesday night until January 11! Clark and Rachel will be teaching! Meet at 6 pm in the Warehouse to get started!

Dec. Drivers Van Car Dave Mundorff Ron Paulson

Preaching Schedule Sunday, Dec. 11th Sunday, Dec. 18th 8:30 Divine Worship Rev. Mary Hilliard Rev. Chase Green 10:45 Divine Worship Rev. Mary Hilliard Rev. Mary Hilliard 10:45 Celebration Service Rev. Chase Green Rev. Chase Green

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sunday School: 203 8:30 (D): 128 10:45 (D): 66 10:45 (C): 116 Total Worship Attendance: 310

Guests: 27 including 4 first time

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

Wed., Dec. 14: Wild Wednesday, 6:30 pm Room 210, The Edge, 5:45 pm, Room 206

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

Thank you to everyone for a successful PJ’s and Pancakes! Everyone had a wonderful time and

loved seeing St. Nick!

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. Thank you!

Today’s Sacred Grounds: Sponsored by the Teague Sunday School Class. 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

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.

UPDATE ON “TASTE OF CULTURE” Thanks to it’s many supporters, ACCDC made over $10,000 on its fundraiser! They plan on purchasing new equipment and shading for the playgrounds.

Sunday, December 11th - THIRD 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) 2:00 pm Youth Basketball Practice (WAC) 5:30 pm Sunday Night Student Ministries (Warehouse) 5:30 pm Women’s Bible Study (Room 123)

Monday, December 12th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 10:30 am Mary Circle (Parlor) 5:30 pm Youth Basketball Practice (WAC) 6:30 pm Men’s Basketball (WAC) 7:00 pm AA Meeting (Room 103)

Tuesday, December 13th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 11:00 am Food Pantry (Room 106) 6:30 pm Girl Scouts (Warehouse) 6:30 pm Cub Scout Pack Meeting (WAC) 7:00 pm Boy Scouts (Room 105)

Wednesday, December 14th 5:00 am Men’s Basketball (WAC) 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 5:45 pm The Edge (Room 206) 6:00 pm Wally Gee Men’s Bible Study (Room 226) 6:00 pm Wednesday Night Student Ministries (Warehouse) 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Room 200) 6:30 pm Wild Wednesdays (Room 210)

Thursday, December 15th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 10:30 am Senior Game Day (Warehouse) 11:00 am Robert Moore Christmas Party (offsite) 6:00 pm Young Adults Christmas Party (offsite) 6:30 pm Celebration Team Rehearsal (WAC)

Friday, December 16th 7:30 am ACCDC 2016/2017 Classes 6:30 pm Arkansas Kerala Assoc. Rehearsal (WAC)

Saturday, December 17th 6:00 pm Arkansas Kerala Assoc. Christmas Party (WAC)

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)

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

Asbury Weekly Calendar

* WAC - Wilson Activity Center