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

501-225-9231 · www.asbury-lr.org

Asbury UMCLR

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 16, 2018

Third Sunday of Advent

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 16, 2018 8:30 & 10:45 A.M.

Gathering in God’s Presence

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude Away in A Manger Bell Ensemble

arr. Frances Callahan

*Congregational Call to Worship

Emmanuel, Emmanuel 204 Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel.

*Processional Carol Once in Royal David’s City 250

Preparing Our Hearts

Lighting of the Advent Wreath (8:30) Daniel, Lydia, & Audrey Acheampong (10:45) Gayle & Bradley Freier

Congregation’s 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.

A Service of Lessons and Carols

Lesson 1 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Anthem In Dulci Jubilo Chancel Choir

arr. Theron Kirk

Lesson 2 Isaiah 40:1-5, 9

Carol People Look East Chancel Choir arr. Howard Helvey

Lesson 3 Matthew 1:18-25 Carol He Shall Feed His Flock Kara Claybrook

G. F. Handel soloist

*Please stand as you are able.

Lesson 4 Luke 1:26-35, 46-53

Carol Magnificat Chancel Choir John Rutter

Prayer of Advent: Most gracious God, prepare our hearts and minds to receive your deep peace. Take from us all weariness of spirit. Hush the anxieties that shout in our minds. There is no place where you are not. You are here. Today. With us. Emmanuel. Amen.

Offertory Prayer

Offertory God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Phil Brandon, flute arr. Lani Smith

What Can I Give Him Chancel Choir

Arr. Howard Helvey

Lesson 5 Luke 2:1-7

Carol Joy to the World (vs. 1-2) 246

Lesson 6 Luke 2: 8-20

Carol Go Tell It on the Mountain Chancel Choir

arr. Howard Helvey

Lesson 7 Matthew 2:1-2

Carol Yet A King Susan Gele and

arr. Lloyd Larson Richard Hunter

Lesson 8 Matthew 2: 3-12

*Carol We Three Kings (Choir Only vs. 1&2) 254 (All Sing vs. 3,4,5)

Lesson 9 John 1:1-14

Carol Sing We Now of Christmas Chancel Choir

arr. Howard Helvey Scott Southern, Timpani

*Carol of Commitment Joy to the World (vs. 3-4) 246

*Blessing of God’s People (8:30) Rev. Mary Hilliard

(10:45) Rev. Doug Walker

You are encouraged to go forth and serve Christ after the Blessing.

Postlude Liturgist: 8:30 - Don Shipley / 10:45 - Jack Henderson Acolytes: 8:30 - Kirby O’Dell, Jack Steed / 10:45 - Lily Burks

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

Christmas Service Schedule

December 23 - One Worship Service at 10 am in Sanctuary

Christmas Eve Services - 4 pm*, 7 pm*, & 11 pm

Brass prelude 3:50 pm & 10:50 pm *Childcare available

LAUNCH Worship Wilson Activity Center

December 16, 2018 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.

Welcome and Announcements

Lighting of the Advent Candles Alex and Amber Brown family

Congregation's 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 yoy 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.

White Christmas

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (King of Heaven Come Down)

Born Is the King Go Tell it On the Mountain

Advent Prayer and Lord’s Prayer Offertory Prayer

Sharing of Our Gifts

The First Noel

Mary, Did You Know Joseph’s Lullaby

The Invitation

A Hallelujah Christmas Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)

The Blessing

Worship Leader: Caleb Conrad

Sound Operator: Randy Dennis

Video Operator: David Marano

LAUNCH Band LAUNCH Singers Vincent McNerlin Dusty Jones Maddy Adkins Valera McDaniel Jay McDaniel Jeff Chandler Joe Stout Diane Wright Alan Gwin

Asbury Staff

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

Rev. Doug Walker, Pastor of Discipleship/Congregational Care doug@asbury-lr.org

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

Diana Brandon, Director of Music Ministries diana@asbury-lr.org

Anguel Kehayov, Organist kehayata@hotmail.com

Caleb Conrad, Praise & Worship Leader caleb@asbury-lr.org

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

Diane Wright, Minister to Youth and Young Adults diane@asbury-lr.org

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

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

Ora Bunton, ACCDC, Director accdcdir@asbury-lr.org

Abby Ramirez, ACCDC, Asst. Director asstdir@asbury-lr.org

Special Events Sunday, December 16th.....Lessons & Carols (Chancel Choir) 8:30 am & 10:45am Divine Services Sunday, December 16th............................StarSong (LAUNCH Praise Band) 10:45 LAUNCH Service Sunday, December 23rd...............................................................ONE SERVICE IN SANCTUARY 10am Sunday, December 30th....................................8:30 & 10:45 Divine (Sanc.), 10:45 LAUNCH (WAC) Saturday, January 12th.....................................................Planning Retreat 9 am - Noon (Warehouse)

YOUTH NEWS: Questions? Contact Diane Wright, Minister of Youth & Young Adults

Today: Youth Christmas party at 5:30 pm at the O’Banions’ house! It will be potluck, with the meat provided, bring your favorite side/dessert. Bring a wrapped gift under $10 for our Dirty Santa exchange. THIS IS OUR LAST YOUTH MEETING UNTIL JANUARY 13, 2019, as we break for the Christmas holidays. Diane will attend continuing education the first full week of January. Rest up over the break, because we have big plans in 2019!

Drivers Van Car Tim Wall Ron Paulson

Preaching Schedule Sunday, Dec. 16th Sunday, Dec. 23rd 8:30 Divine Worship Lessons & Carols ONE SERVICE AT 10:45 Divine Worship Lessons & Carols 10 AM in the 10:45 LAUNCH Service StarSong Sanctuary

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

Sunday, December 16: Sunday School and Music Celebrations in all services

Sunday, December 23: One service at 10 am in the Sanctuary, No Sunday School, and

Stone Soup at 1:30 pm at Quapaw UMC

Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve services, 4 pm, 7 pm & 11 pm (childcare at 4 & 7)

Tuesday, December 25: Merry Christmas!

Please remember to bring your donations of gloves, hats, socks and blankets for our friends

at Stone Soup. We will take them when we go on Sunday, December 23. Place your items

under the tree in the Children’s area. Thank you!

Prayers: Charlie Ward, Sr. Janet Brandt Mary Jane Patton Anita Curtis Marilyn Thompson Larry Brown Clifford Smith Jane Fisher, on the death of her brother

Pastor on weekend call: Dec. 14, 15, 16 Rev. Mary Hilliard Dec. 21, 22, 23 Rev. Doug Walker

Sunday, Dec. 9th, 2018 8:30 am 149 10:45 am (Divine) 92 10:45 am (LAUNCH) 92 Total Worship Attendance: 333

Guests: 32, including 13 first-time guests

Todays Sacred Grounds: Sponsored by the New Directions Sunday School Class. Open dates are Dec. 23 & 30 The cost is $100 to sponsor a week. Call the office for a date.

Open Dates for Flowers: Dec. 30. Call the office to reserve a date.

DECEMBER YOUTH ACTIVITIES Sun., Dec. 16th - 5:30 pm - Youth Christmas Party (offsite) Sun., Dec. 23rd - NO YOUTH Sun., Dec. 30th - NO YOUTH SUNDAY NIGHTS RESUME ON JANUARY 13, 2019, WEDNESDAYS RESUME ON JANUARY 16, 2019

Sunday, December 16th 8:00 am LAUNCH Team Rehearsal (WAC) 8:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Room 200) 8:00 am Coffee & Donuts (Room 226) 8:30 am Divine Worship (Sanctuary) 9:30 am JOY Choir (Room 210) 9:45 am Sunday School 10:40 am LAUNCH Band Pre-service Music (WAC) 10:45 am LAUNCH Service (WAC) 10:45 am Divine Worship (Sanctuary) 12:00 pm UMW Christmas Luncheon (Warehouse) 5:30 pm Manabadi Classes (Room 102) 5:30 pm Youth Christmas Party (Offsite)

Monday, December 17th 7:30 am ACCDC 2018/2019 Classes 7:00 pm AA Meeting (Room 103)

Tuesday, December 18th 7:30 am ACCDC 2018/2019 Classes 6:00 pm Girl Scouts (Warehouse) 7:00 pm Boy Scouts (Room 105) 7:00 pm Cub Scout Pack Meeting (WAC)

Wednesday, December 19th 6:00 am Bible Study (Large Conference Room) 7:30 am ACCDC 2018/2019 Classes 6:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Room 200) 6:30 pm LAUNCH Team Rehearsal (WAC) 6:30 pm Wally Gee Men’s Bible Study (Room 226)

Thursday, December 20th 7:30 am ACCDC 2018/2019 Classes 6:00 pm Rebekah Circle (Kitchen)

Friday, December 21st 7:30 am ACCDC 2018/2019 Classes

Saturday, December 22nd

Sunday, December 23rd 9:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Room 200) 9:00 am Coffee & Donuts (Room 226) 10:00 am ONE SERVICE Divine Worship (Sanctuary) 1:30 pm Stone Soup (Offsite) 5:30 pm Manabadi Classes (Room 102) NO YOUTH

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

Asbury Weekly Calendar

* WAC - Wilson Activity Center