1401 Camden Avenue · Salisbury, Maryland 21801 · 410-749-2131 · www.asburyweb.org

Sermon Series: God Bless Us Every One

Sermon:

The Life of Christmas Present

Scriptures for Next Sunday: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Romans 8:4b-17; Luke 4:18-19

Music for Next Sunday:

8:00 a.m. / EMA Worship: Dr. Michael Stefanek, Director/Organ/Piano 8:45 a.m. / CAYR Worship: Praise Band, Jubilate Bells 11:00 a.m. / Festive Worship: Vocalists, Dr. Michael Stefanek, Director/Organ/Piano

We welcome all to worship and thank you for choosing Asbury Church.

Please remember to silence your cell phone.

Worship Booklet 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020

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DECEMBER:

Sharon Dashiell (Chair)

All Altar Guild Members

Prayer l ist

Please pray for all families experiencing loss or illness, and for the following:

Abdullah Almutairi Susan Aydelotte Garrett Bailey Robin Beattie Rodney Beebe Josh and Rachel Birch Will Bloxom Krista Bozman Ruth Campbell Aria Carey Peg Castagnola Eric Chatham Sylvia Chiofolo Pat Cooper Shirley Cropper Sally Dempster Kathy Donovan Maria Dornberger Lauren Doyle Bill Fulkrod Tucky Franz Gary Henry Gibson Lisa Gordy Ron Gordy Werner Gruber John Hall Wayne Hawkins Liz Hickman Beth Hillman Brittany Hillman

Penny Hillman Sue Higgins Ray Hoffman Judy Hogan Joe Hogan John S. Hough, III Peggy Hovermale Steve and Beverly Janso Missy Johnson Andi Stover Kennington Fred Lawson Ric Lawson Elizabeth Madruga Marilyn Mann The Martin Family Claudia Macauley Carl McIntyre Karen Meredith Denny Mogan Ed Moore Leslie Nielsen Al Olinde Dee Palmatary Rosamond Panda The Pasmore Family Teresa Peters Jim Plants Mary Powell Kara Press Harry “Hank” Rhodes Heather Rowe

Darin Ruark Marc Salvador Leya Schiller Carol Sheller Julia Simpson Jason Spence Sisters of the Spirit Rev. Lawrence Staton John Steelman Esther Stevenson Cathy Stratton Brandy Starkey Terrill Pheobe Wall Ozzie Wilkinson Junior Rodriguez-Zamudio Penny Ziegler Unnamed Active Military Veterans Our Schools and Children Immigrant Families LGBTQ Friends and Family Victims of all Violence Cure for Coronavirus All who are Lonely Healthcare Workers Racial Justice Servants in Fellowship

The Prayer Group at Asbury continues to pray weekly for the many concerns lifted up to them confidentially. Please keep this prayer ministry in your thoughts and consider joining with them for healing and peace for all. If you need prayer during the week, please contact Pastor Tom, Heather or Genevieve at the church, or Carol Bisker at (410) 749-3563.

Please let us know if prayers are no longer needed for anyone on the Prayer List. We try to keep as up-to-date as possible.

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Early Morning Asbury (EMA)

8:00 AM Reflective Worship in the Sanctuary Lay Reader: Vic Laws

Head Usher: Rick Bisker / Sound: Sam Locke

Designates your invitation to stand

Prelude Of the Father’s Love Begotten Mark Hayes Dr. Michael Stefanek, Piano Welcome and Announcements Ministry Moments CESP Michael Campbell Greeting: One: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you. All: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. One: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came from the East, saying: Where is he

who is born king of the Jews? All: For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.

Apostles’ Creed, No. 882

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Opening Prayer: Holy Living God, Blessed Jesus, Guiding Spirit, we open today to your gift of the present moment, knowing that every heartbeat and breath is your gift of love bestowed upon us. Open us to your miracle just begun and in this season transform us into those whose

giving brings love to a turbulent world. Open us to you, to each other, and to the voices no one hears so that your reign of mercy, justice and love can be made known to all. Amen First Lesson, Deuteronomy 15:7-11 One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.

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Second Lesson, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God. Musical Reflection In the Bleakmidwinter Mark Hayes Dr. Michael Stefanek, Piano Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Gospel Lesson, Luke 2: 8-14 One: This is the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Many: Thanks be to God. Sermon The Life of Christmas Present Pastor Tom Pasmore Prayers and Concerns Offering of Our Gifts Offertory Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Mark Hayes Dr. Michael Stefanek, Piano Presentation Hymn, No. 95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God who blesses everyone! Praise Jesus Christ, who is to come! Praise Spirit, making Three-in-One! All praise the miracle begun! Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Sending Forth: One: May you be blessed by our God who loves you deeply; by Jesus, the true gift of God to

each of us—this season and in all our days; and the Spirit who shows up just in time! All: Amen. Postlude Festal March James Manfield

Dr. Michael Stefanek, Organ

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Come As You Are (CAYR)

8:45 AM Praise and Worship Service in Fellowship Hall Lay Reader: Beth Hershey

Sound: Fred Webster & Don Sorrenti

Designates your invitation to stand

Welcome and Announcements Ministry Moments CESP Michael Campbell

Threshold Moment

Opening Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Opening Song Love Came Down Praise Band

Baptism and Membership Covenants Xavier Rothenhoefer Scott & Kelly Rothenhoefer Children’s Message Heather Harman

First Lesson, Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Caroling Noel Praise Band

The Drama Team

Prayers and Concerns

Gospel Lesson, Matthew 2:1-18

Sermon The Life of Christmas Present Pastor Tom Pasmore Offering & Praying Our Gratitude

Benediction

Sending Forth

Closing Song Light of the World Praise Band

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11:00 AM Worship Service in the Sanctuary

Lay Reader: George Whitehead

Head Usher: Dave Harris / Sound: Kevin Greeg

Crucifer: Cameron Mason

Designates your invitation to stand

Prelude Of the Father’s Love Begotten Mark Hayes Dr. Michael Stefanek, Piano

Welcome and Announcements Ministry Moments CESP Michael Campbell Processional

Greeting:

One: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you. All: Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. One: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came from the East, saying: Where is he

who is born king of the Jews? All: For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.

Opening Prayer: Holy Living God, Blessed Jesus, Guiding Spirit, we open today to your gift of the present moment, knowing that every heartbeat and breath is your gift of love bestowed upon us. Open us to your miracle just begun and in this season transform us into those whose

giving brings love to a turbulent world. Open us to you, to each other, and to the voices no one hears so that your reign of mercy, justice and love can be made known to all. Amen

Children’s Message Heather Harman First Lesson, Deuteronomy 15:7-11

One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God. Music Reflection The First Noel Kevin McChesney Jubilate Bells, Dr. Michael Stefanek, Director

Festive Worship

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Second Lesson, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.

Music Reflection Advent Prayer Patrick Liebergen Chamber Choir, Hannah Burchard, Flute, Dr. Michael Stefanek, Director Lord, Savior come to me, Jesus, I wait for Thee, Angels and all the earth give praise to You, O Lord; your glory shines on me, your birth shall set me free, holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord. Lo, how a rose e’er blooming, from tender stem shall come, we praise you Lord and call your name; of Jesse’s lineage coming. Holy, holy, holy are you, O Lord; holy, holy, great and mighty are you, O Lord. Lord, come to me in love. Lord, come to me in peace and love. The Drama Team Advent Wreath Lighting Gospel Lesson, Matthew 2:1-18 One: This is the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Many: Thanks be to God. Sermon The Life of Christmas Present Pastor Tom Pasmore Prayers and Concerns Offering Our Gifts Offertory Mary Had a Baby Kathleen Wissinger Jubilate Bells, Dr. Michael Stefanek, Organ, Director Presentation Hymn, No. 95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God who blesses everyone! Praise Jesus Christ, who is to come! Praise Spirit, making Three-in-One! All praise the miracle begun! Amen. The Lord’s Prayer Sending Forth: One: May you be blessed by our God who loves you deeply; by Jesus, the true gift of God to

each of us—this season and in all our days; and the Spirit who shows up just in time! All: Amen.

Postlude Festal March James Manfield

Dr. Michael Stefanek, Organ

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Scriptures 3rd Sunday of Advent: December 13, 2020

Isaiah 9:2, 6

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (New Living Translation) “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.

One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 (New Living Translation) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. One: This is the Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God. Matthew 2:1-18 (Common English Bible) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.”

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Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him.” Joseph got up and, during the night, took the child and his mother to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod died. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I have called my son out of Egypt.’ When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. This fulfilled the word spoken through Jeremiah the prophet: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and much grieving. Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were no more’. One: This is the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many: Thanks be to God!

1. Reread the Scriptures for this week.

2. What are you expecting for Christmas this year?

3. What are some of the ways that you continue the Christmas

Spirit all year long?

4. Where are some areas of your life where God wants to

transform fear into redemption?

5. How do we help the world receive the power of restoration?

NEXT STEPS

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Asbury News Church Office Closed This year, the church office will be closed from Wednesday, December 23 at noon thru Monday, January 4. We will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021with normal hours. Phone messages and emails will be checked periodically. AmazonSmile- Now on the App! Please remember your church when ordering from Amazon. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop at smile.amazon.com, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to a charitable organization, such as Asbury. We have been given a unique charity link that will take you directly to smile.amazon.com and automatically selects Asbury as the charity recipient so that you do not have to search for us on their site. Our direct link is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0607975 It is now available on your mobile phone. For those of you that use the app you can designate our charity link and generate donations for Asbury with every eligible purchase, at no extra cost to you. Our link is also on our web page –asburyweb.org-on the left side of the home page, click on “Give Here” and it will take you directly to AmazonSmile. The link has also been posted on our Facebook page. You may want to bookmark Asbury’s individual link, because purchases need to always be done on our unique link on AmazonSmile to receive the donation. Pledge Cards—2021 Generosity Campaign

Thanks to all who have turned in a Generosity Pledge Card in support of our 2021 operating budget. So far we have received 153 cards, 32 of those have increased their pledge, 13 first time pledges and 3 new electronic funds transfers. The 153 cards represents $506,386.04 in pledge commitments. The Finance Committee has set our expenses for next year and we are short approximately $52,000 in income to balance the budget. Each pledge does makes a difference-if you have not already done so, please send your pledge card in and help us fully fund our operating budget for next year. We are grateful for the continued generous support! Year End Donations Please remember all contributions have to be received in the church office or postmarked by December 31, 2020 in order to have a tax deduction for this year. The church offices will be closed December 28 – January 1, 2021 so please keep this in mind if you will be bringing your contribution into the office. Electronic Funds Transfer Please consider your 2021 giving by electronic funds transfer (EFT). It is very easy to sign up – just complete the back of your Generosity Pledge Card and we will do all the processing. Giving by EFT lessens the worry if you have cash/checks with you when you come to worship. This also maintains consistent giving and avoids the need to “catch up” on your giving when you are away. We have over 55 members/friends who currently enjoy giving electronically.

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Angel Tree Reminder—Drop Off Your Gifts By December 15! If you have an Angel Tag, please return the gift, unwrapped, with the tag, to Sheri at church no later than December 15th. If you didn’t get a chance to pick an Angel, you can still do something to help kids in the community—pick up a Salvation Army Stocking, or buy some supplies to help children through UMW & Salisbury Urban Ministries. See below for details! Help UMW Support Local Children! United Methodist Women (UMW) are not able to hold their Christmas Tea this year, where they usually collect items for children. Please consider helping them support Salisbury Urban Ministries by donating these items for kids ages 2-18: hats, gloves, scarves, kid-sized masks, lip balm, pocket size hand sanitizer. Drop off is located in the administrative hallway. UMW has extended the date until December 23 at noon . Opportunity Shop - Holiday Hours The Opportunity Shop will be closed for the rest of the year. Donations can still be dropped off on the following Mondays: December 14 and 28, from 9:00-11:00 am, or by appointment. Please call the church if you need an appointment. Community Shelter Emergency Project (CESP) Update: Due to COVID 19 we will not be hosting the homeless men in January 2021 as we have done in the past. Instead CESP will be housed at the Langler Building from January through March. We don’t have additional information or dates when Asbury will be supporting this needed mission but Asbury’s CESP committee wants to thank our church family for your generosity over the past years. Your prior financial support will allow us because of COVID to package 20 Cozy Cot and Happy Hygiene Bags that will be distributed as needed. We are anticipating a need for volunteers to man the registration table and supply meals as we have done in the past so we will share details as soon as we have them. In the meantime, have a safe and blessed Christmas. Salisbury Urban Ministry - Holiday Hours Salisbury Urban Ministries will be closing December 21st for Christmas break and will reopen on January 4th with the Lazarus Food Pantry opening January 7th. Any donations can be dropped off up until Thursday December 17th or after January 3rd.

Asbury News

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Pastoral Staff: Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Tom Pasmore Pastor of Care

Ministries: Rev. Genevieve Jones

Brown Directors of Ministries: Music Ministries: Michael Stefanek Finance & Building: Janice Ilczuk Children & Care

Ministries: Heather Harman Adult Spiritual Formation and Membership: Kristen Wall-Love

Youth & Family Ministries: Brooke Phulesar Asbury Child Development Center:

Casey Taylor, Danna Abbott

Church Support Staff: Administrative Office Manager: Lydia Childs Administrative Assistant: Sheri Burchard Maintenance Worker: Craig Brown Nursery Staff: Suzy Creel, Joy

Bradshaw, Katie Anderson, Ericalyn Killip

Conference Staff: Bishop: Peggy Johnson Salisbury District Superintendent: Christina Blake Conference Office:

Rob Townsend Salisbury Urban Ministries: Debbie Donaway SU Campus Minister: Mary Haggard

The Lord’s Prayer

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,

and lead us not into

temptation, but

deliver us from evil.

For thine is the

kingdom, and the

power, and the glory,

for ever.

Amen.

Please send pics of any church happenings for social media via email: aumcsalisburycommunications@gmail.com. Thanks!

Ways to Give:

Drop your cash or check in the offering plate during service.

Mail to: Asbury United Methodist Church Attn: Janice Ilczuk

Visit www.asburyweb.org and click “Give Here”. [PayPal will keep 2.2% + 0.30 of each transaction]

Electronic Funds Transfer can be set-up with Janice Ilczuk or through your local bank.

We have been given a unique charity link that will take you directly to smile.amazon.com and automatically selects Asbury as the charity recipient so that you do not have to search for us on their site. Our direct link is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0607975

DATE DAY EVENTS TIME LOCATION

December

12/15 Tue Farmer’s Market 2:30-5:30pm Parking Lot

12/20 Sun Service of Lessons and Carols YouTube

12/20 Sun A Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service YouTube

12/22 Tue Christmas Pageant YouTube

12/22 Thurs Christmas Eve Services 4, 7, 10:30 pm Sanctuary

12/24 Thurs Special Outdoor Service of Worship 5:30pm Outdoors

12/25-1/4/21 ***Church Office Closed***