CRFUMC Worship Experiences for 12.18.22
4th Sunday of Advent
Liturgical Color: Blue or Purple
At First United Methodist Church Castle Rock we are touching people and changing lives through the love of Jesus Christ. Quote of The Week: “Christmas is White. It’s warm candlelight. ~Matthew Paul Turner Sunday Schedule 9 a.m. Modern Worship 9 a.m. Community Kids Time 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Are you interested in becoming a part of the Castle Rock FUMC family? Please speak to Pastors to find out when you would like to join our Church Family. Please keep the following people in Prayer:
· The family of Ann Corson
· Patty Claussen
· Jan and Bud Richter
· Cynthia and Tom Johnson
· Betty Grant
· Sarah McAneny
· Jerri and Guy Groves
· Tracy Beaman
· Maria sister of Vince Molieri
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
How to connect with worship online
To Watch on Facebook:
Like our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/castlerockfumc
A couple of tips. When you see a “get reminder” button on the video announcement. Click on that. Then whenever we go live, the reminder will pop up in your notifications and you can simply click on the notification to go straight to the video. You can use the direct link here: https://www.facebook.com/castlerockfumc/live_videos/
For Youtube Use
For a direct link to our Youtube Channel go here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnMtU1rv4le8CoV_nCLz1EA
Note that you can also watch the service on a smart TV with the YouTube app and/or by casting the service to the TV from your phone/tablet if it's set up properly - click the icon next to YouTube. See the image below
9 a.m. Modern Worship
Opening Music
Welcome and Greeting
· Thank you for joining us today in worship. If you are new to us, please fill out a Thank You for Joining Us! Card. If you have a prayer request you can fill out the prayer request card and turn them in when the plates are passed during the offering. These cards can be found in the pews.
· You can let us know you are joining us in worship by going to this site on your smart phone: https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc or by scanning the QR code on the front of the bulletin. You can also register in person at the back of the Sanctuary.
· During the offering time you can give online with the QR code or with the link https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc You can also drop an offering in the offering plates as they come by.
About the 9 a.m. Modern Service
The modern service is a worship experience that mixes a lot of elements of worship together to provide a meaningful experience. The order of the service varies and shifts as needed to provide a great experience.
Sermon Title: We Need Peace
Given by Rev. Matt Franks Senior Pastor CRFUMC
Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Opportunities for Service, Connection, and Sending
To help stay connected to the Church you can find all of our social media presence here: https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc
Closing Music
10:45 a.m. Traditional Service
+= stand if you are able
Prelude
Welcome
Thank you for joining us today in worship. If you are new to us, please fill out a Thank You for Joining Us! Card. If you have a prayer request you can fill out the prayer request card and turn them in when the plates are passed during the offering. These cards can be found in the pews. You can let us know you are joining us in worship by going to this site on your smart phone: https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc or by scanning the QR code on the front of the program.
Special Music “Mary Did You Know”
Advent Candle Lighting
Advent Candle Lighting Song Book of Worship 209
4. Light four candles: Christ is coming,
Christ, the Peace of the world.
Light four candles: Christ is coming,
Christ is coming soon!
Greeting Time
Greet one another in person or online.
+Hymn: Shine Jesus Shine TFWS 2173
Advent Statement of Faith
All: We are an Advent people, a people of hope.
For us, Advent is a time of waiting, and so we wait. We wait for the coming of the One who is the fulfillment of God’s promise, the fulfillment of hope, the declaration that we have been redeemed.
Even so, we are not a naïve people. We know that the world in which we live will continue to be filled with pain and sorrow. We know that hatred and violence will continue to exist. We know that death and separation will continue to be a part of our lives.
But because we are an Advent people, we know that none of these things will win in the end.
The Holy One is coming, to make holy once again all that was, is, and ever will be.
And in our waiting and our hoping, we work and worship, pray and play, in all things hoping that peace, love and joy will reign in our lives and in our world, now and forever. Amen.
+Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angles Sing UMH 240
Unison Prayer
All: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us. May your presence with us bring us peace. As we are struggling to run the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
The Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer UMH 895
+Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful UMH 234
Opportunities for Connection and Service
To help stay connected to the Church you can find all of our social media presence here: https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc
Sharing of Our Tithes and Offerings
You can give online with the QR code or with the link https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc
You can also drop an offering in the offering plates as they come by.
The Doxology UMH 94
Chancel Choir Anthem
Advent Prayer
We Hear The Word Proclaimed
Prayer of Illumination Pastor Matt Franks
All: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-25
Scripture Reading Response: Pastor Matt Franks
Liturgist: The Scriptures of Faith for the people of faith.
All Thanks be to God, Amen.
Sermon Title: We Need Peace
Given by Rev. Matt Franks Senior Pastor CRFUMC
Closing Hymn: Mary Heard The Angels Message
Words on the Screen
Benediction
Postlude
PRESCRIPTION FOR A BLUE CHRISTMAS: HOPE
Written by Joe Gschwendtner
The winter solstice, or first day of winter is also the longest night of the year. Many churches recognize it in an Advent service or “Blue Christmas.”
For some, Christmastide is not for merrymaking, but rather great sadness. They have lost a loved one, a close friend, are ill, deeply in debt or beaten down by life itself. While the whole world seems to be laughing, they cry inside, estranged from joy with indescribable grief or loneliness. Recent mass shootings have only exacerbated this for all. Statistics tell us that loneliness has become an epidemic.
Hurting people need our help. They are in a silent crisis, needing to see beyond the veil of darkness that masks their sunlight. As Pastor Franks has noted, ours is a God of hope, and we are in his plan.
Let’s use December to take the time and attention to walk alongside those who we know are hurting. It is anything but easy, even painful, but God has called us to this. Jesus ministry changed many a hopeless life. We can too, just as he did. After all, this is the season….
Ways to Link with CRFUMC
Castle Rock Orchestra’s December 18th Concert.
Rev. Sarah has chosen the text for the Contemporary Studies Group Advent Study : The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God's Voice in Advent, by Susan Robb. This four-week Advent study explores the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds and how these four angelic appearances hold meaning for listeners both then and now.
In Person Sessions: Mondays, November 28 through December 19; 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Zoom Sessions: Fridays, December 2 through December 23; 6:30pm to 8:30pm
S.O.C.K. Volunteers are needed to provide and prepare meals for our Tuesday afternoon SOCK program (Serving Our Community Kids). Sign up at the Welcome Center.
During Advent, we will serve Holy Communion in the fellowship hall in between services for those that want to receive Holy Communion during this Holy season. On December 4th Communion will be offered at both services.
Thanks to all who donated or purchased cookies at the UWF Annual Cookie Walk.
Save The Dates
· December 18: Castle Rock Orchestra “An Animated Christmas” concert 3 pm
· December 21: Blue Christmas Service at 6:30 pm
· December 24: Christmas Eve Services at 4, 6, and 11.
· December 25 & January 1: one service at 10 am
November-December Upper Room and copies of the November Newsletter are available at the Welcome Center.
Introduction to Advent and All The Colors of Christmas
The United Methodist Book of Worship reminds us that Advent is a season of four weeks including four Sundays. Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." The season proclaims the comings of the Christ—whose birth we prepare to celebrate once again, who comes continually in Word and Spirit, and whose return in final victory we anticipate.
This year as we prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ we will be incorporating the traditional themes of advent: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace, with inspiration from the books All The Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner and I’ve got the Spirit of Christmas by Connie Schofield-Morrison.
To prepare use this devotional book as a tool to help you prepare your heart and mind for the birth of Jesus.
Each page has a color to reflect on, a traditional advent word to reflect on, daily scripture readings, a daily prayer, a weekly opportunity for presence, a weekly sharing of gifts ideas, and a way you can be a weekly witness.
Fourth Week of Advent
Color To Reflect on: White
Traditional Advent Word: Peace
Daily Scripture Readings
Monday: Isaiah 7:10-16 Tuesday: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
Wednesday: Romans 1:1-7 Thursday: Matthew 1:18-25
Friday: Matthew 1:18-25
Daily Prayer
Love came down at Christmas to bring hope, love joy, and peace to the whole world. As we go about our day may your peace surround us in every step and every breath we take. Amen.
Daily Presence
Let there be peace on earth and it can begin with you by sharing peace with all that you meet this day. Every time you see the color white used in Christmas items remember the peace that the birth of Jesus brings to the world.
Weekly Gifts
Bring canned goods items to share with our local food bank.
Weekly Witness
When faced with a difficult situation be a peacemaker.