WelcomeWelcome to Buncombe Street United Methodist Church. You may find additional information at one of the Information Centers or on our web-site at www.BuncombeStreetUMC.org. The centers are open before and after each of the worship services. Details about Sunday School and childcare are available at each center. We are happy you are here!

Senior PaStor Dr. BoB Howell

Downtown CamPuS200 Buncombe Street 29601 864-232-7341Traditional 8:45 & 11:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AMThe Table 8:45 & 11:00 AM

trinity CamPuS 2703 Augusta Street 29605 864-233-8114Traditional 11:00 AM Sunday School 9:45 AMContemporary coming soon

CHriStmaS eve ServiCeS 12:00 PM Traditional2:00 PM The Table5:30 PM Traditional7:00 PM Trinity 11:00 PM Traditional

FourtH SunDay oF aDvent www.BunComBeStreetumC.org DeCemBer 23, 2018 volume 54, no. 50

luke 1:46-50 (mSg) I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I’m the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him.

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8:45AM & 11:00AM TrAdiTionAl ServiceS

As you begin your worship, you are invited to study the bulletin for persons and activities to include in your silent prayers of intercession and thanksgiving. Remember the volunteers and staff members who make our corporate action possible: ushers, acolytes, custodial and support staff, musicians, clergy, and yourself, so that in our common worship, God may be glorified.

PreluDe greeting CHiming tHe Hour voluntary Oh Come, All Ye Faithful setting, Bennet We ask for your prayerful silence during the Voluntary as you prepare your hearts for worship. *ProCeSSional Hymn Angels From the Realms of Glory UMH 220 The cross symbolizes the Gospel message, Christ crucified and risen.

Fire and light are Biblical symbols for the presence of God, here present with his people. *PSalter Canticle of Mary UMH 199*gloria Patri umH 71ligHting oF tHe aDvent CanDle The Fridy Family (8:45 am) Martin, Hunter, Camilla, Thomas, and Charlotte, who joined our church in June 2018 The Clarke Family (11:00 am) Bill & Theresa, who joined our church in July 2017     Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent.  The Savior’s birth draws closer.  On this Sunday, we light the remaining purple candle as a symbol of Christ, the embodiment of Love.  May the Word made flesh nourish our deepest hunger and promote our grateful response.  (The remaining purple candle is lit.)  Please join me in prayer. Lord God, we are glad that Jesus came to live among us.  Restore in us unconditional love, and rekindle our faith. Help us to let his love reign in our hearts.  Amen. FirSt leSSon Micah 5:2-5a Pew Bible, NT p. 865     The Word of the Lord.      Thanks be to God. PaStoral Prayer Rev. Grover Putnam     The Lord be with you.      And also with you. tHe lorD’S Prayer umH 895antHemS (11:00 am) Come With Us to Bethlehem McNair Hurry, Hurry, Shepherds Celebration Choir and Dianne Eikenbusch, flute kiDS.Comm (11:00 am) kids.Comm is for children K5/6 through 2nd grade and is held in Memorial Chapel.

Parents meet their children in the Chapel following the service. *oFFertory Hymn To a Maid Engaged to Joseph UMH 215*oFFertory Prayer oFFertory Sing We Now of Christmas setting, Collinsworth Vance Jenkins and Rosemary Hughes, four-hand piano *Doxology umH 95

*Please stand.

Assisted listening devices are available at the Information Desk for use during the 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM services. Two types are offered: an ear bud or a neck loop.

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8:45AM & 11:00AM TrAdiTionAl ServiceS

As you begin your worship, you are invited to study the bulletin for persons and activities to include in your silent prayers of intercession and thanksgiving. Remember the volunteers and staff members who make our corporate action possible: ushers, acolytes, custodial and support staff, musicians, clergy, and yourself, so that in our common worship, God may be glorified.

antHem For Unto Us a Child is Born Drennan For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is giv’n; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Now the wolf will dwell with the lamb; the leopard will lie with the kid. The calf and young lion will play in peace, and the little Child will lead them all. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is giv’n; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.   The Child is born. *goSPel leSSon Luke 1:39-45, 46-55 Pew Bible, NT p. 57     The Word of God for the people of God.      Thanks be to God. Sermon “Mary’s Song” Dr. Bob Howell*aFFirmation oF FaitH Apostles’ Creed UMH 881*reCeSSional Hymn What Child Is This UMH 219 The cross and light lead us out  -- God’s presence going with us to proclaim the Gospel. *BleSSing oF tHe PeoPle *CHoral BeneDiCtion *CHiming tHe trinity PoStluDe Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Walther

-The flowers in the lobby are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Harold Rex Hawkins

*Please stand.

Assisted listening devices are available at the Information Desk for use during the 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM services. Two types are offered: an ear bud or a neck loop.

Greeters: 8:45 AM Christine Maston, Ken Troutman, Earl Grubbs, Gary Daniels, Muriel Taylor, Avon Smith, Mark Davis, Bran-dee Sponseller 11:00 AM Michael Middleton, Mel Middleton, Ivan Brew-ington

Ushers: 8:45 AM Ken Troutman, Steve Thrailkill, Dottie Pittman, Joel Brandon 11:00 AM Chip Fogleman,  David Koontz, Miles Loretta, Matt Shouse, Nate Manning

Offering Tellers: Michael Herlong, Capers Easterby, Tom Whitted

Offering Steward: 8:45 AM Bill Adkins 11:00 AM Irveta Shouse

Crucifer: 8:45 AM Clark Douglas 11:00 AM William Heidtman

Acolytes: 8:45 AM Reed Morrissey, Michael Morrissey 11:00 AM Gracie Patat, Emme Patat

Those Serving Today

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BaPtiSmBaptism is a high point in the life of our church. If you would like for your child to be baptized, please attend the next baptism class led by Senior

Pastor, Dr. Bob Howell. This class explores the meaning, purpose, and practice of baptism in the United Methodist Church and will take place on Sunday, January 13, 6:00 PM in Room 115 at the Downtown Campus.

CHilDrenChildren’s Sunday School classes start at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings. We offer Sunday School for children ages 2 through 5th Grade. Contact

Reverend Gayle Quay at Gayle.Quay@bsumc.com for more information about Children’s programs.

B-Street youtH Youth meet Sunday mornings on the second floor of the Downtown Campus. Contact Youth Director Andy Fox at Andy.Fox@bsumc.com for more information about all Youth programs. miSSion & outreaCH During Advent, we collect money to support our missions initiatives. If you would like to give specifically towards missions, please place your gift in an Advent envelope and place it in the offering

plate. If you are giving by check or online, designate “missions.” For additional information about Missions contact Kristin.Dollar@bsumc.com. Thanks for your support!Clients of the Crisis Ministry are part of our BSUMC family. If you would like to help make our family’s Christmas brighter, provide Walmart or Target gift cards to be gifted at the discretion of our BSUMC Crisis Ministry staff and servant leaders. Cards can be delivered to Rev. Kristin Dollar’s office or the Front Office at the Downtown Campus.

Do you want to help others as Jesus did? Do you ever feel like you make donations of money and time, but don’t see any lasting results? If that bothers you, you may be called to go deeper. Just Faith (otherwise known as Grownup Sprouts) is a group exploring the systems that hold people in cycles of poverty. The group meets for eight weeks every Sunday night from 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM beginning January 13. We have all the resources we need to end poverty in Greenville. Let’s figure out how! Contact Rev. Kristin Dollar for more information at Kristin.Dollar@bsumc.com.

muSiC anD artSThe Chancel Choir at the Downtown Campus will perform LUX: The Dawn From on High, a piece by local composer Dan Forrest, on January 13, 2019, at 8:45 and 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary.

They will perform this piece again in February at Carnegie Hall. Great news! We still have room to display more art in the Shell Gallery in the Truluck Room! Please submit your artwork on the theme of JOY! In addition to paintings, we exhibit framed photos or drawings, and, textile artwork. The show opens with a reception following the 11:00 AM services on Sunday, January 20 and will run through Sunday, March 3. To submit a piece or for more information, please contact Julia Sibley-Jones at julia.sibley-jones@bsumc.com.

Community Wednesday Night Fellowship resumes January 9 with meals starting at 5:00 PM catered by Harvey’s Original Restaurant. Harvey’s is owned and operated by Bryan and Kristy Harvey.Prayer miniStryDo you want to learn more about prayer? Join us for a Level 1 School of Healing Prayer Class on Sunday nights 5:30-7:00 PM. The class will run

twelve weeks beginning January 6 and be facilitated by Krista and Jim Bannister. For more information please contact Krista Bannister at 616-5257.

leiSure miniStry In line with the United Methodist Church’s commitment to health and wholeness, BSUMC has available to all members a fitness facility located next to Drake Hall at the Downtown Campus.

Contact Tom.Buchanan@bsumc.com for more information.

new memBerS If you are ready to take the next step toward membership, sign up for our next Compass Class for new members which will be held in February 2019 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The class is offered in two

sessions, with each session offered twice. Session One will be held on Wednesday, February 6, OR Sunday, February 10. Session Two will be held on Wednesday, February 13, OR Sunday, February 17. Childcare is available for children ages 4 & under upon request. Sign up at BuncombeStreetUMC.org “Compass Class” or by calling the Downtown office at 864.232.7341.

ContriBute Sharing life’s struggles is fundamental to the way followers of Christ are called to live. As Paul challenged us, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). By working together through

life’s challenges we can help to strengthen and support one another when times are hard. By expressing toward one another care and affection, the difficulties of life should draw us to Christ and to each other. Prayer: Thank you for creating our need for one another. Help us to find the place you’ve made for us in your body. It’s now possible to give financially online through the church website, BuncombeStreetUMC.org. From the main menu, choose “Give”.If you have given stock or plan to give stock before the end of the year, please call BSUMC Bookeeper, Nancy Gobble at 864-371-6087. She needs the name and number of shares in order for your gift to be credited on your account. enDowment FunD

Giving through your will is a way to continue supporting your church beyond your lifetime. Please contact Endowment Administrator, Julia Sibley-Jones, or visit BuncombeStreetUMC.org for more information.

For a ComPlete liSt oF uPComing eventS viSit BuncombeStreetUMC.org/events/ EMAIL communications@bsumc.com to receive E-News

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