November 27, 2016

1st Sunday of Advent

Sunday, November 27 9:00 AM– Hackberry Worship 9:45 AM– Sunday School 11:00 AM– Worship Wednesday, November 30 5:30 PM– Youth & Kids Friday, December 2 6:00 AM– Adult Game Night Sunday, December 4 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:45 AM– Sunday School 11:00 AM– Worship

Sulphur Christian Comm. Coalition

Community Christmas Toy Store We are collecting unwrapped toys for all children of all ages to be donated to SC3 for their annual toy store event. Parents of children enrolled at SC3 will have the opportunity to “shop” the store for toys to give to their children on Christmas morning. This is a program similar to “Angel Tree” but benefits both SC3 and children of our community.

Prayer List Max Voge, Diana Doucet, Victor Picheloup, Wilson Swire, Billy Phillips, Clifford Welch, Dara Johnson, Emily Hedlesky, Gary Hastings, Ken Carver, Mary Shives, Mike Myers, Sherry Alleman, Theresa Kittner, Arlene Jordan,, Deuce Williams, Carrie Spell, Geri Caldwell, Chuck & the Hansen Family, Alice Williams, Annie Guillory, Greg Taylor, Janet Arceneaux, Kenneth Landry, Dylan Broussard, Judy Schrumpf, Mike Dartez,

Bradley Eastman, Theresa Lewis, Elva Vance, Jackie Castille, Toni Atwell, Don McInnis, Bob Sigler, Genie Williamson, Cody Wynn, Devons Vincent, Bruce Spell, Dana Guth,

Angela Downs, Curtis Skinner, Bradley Bergeron Family of David Goodley

All affected by natural disaster & violence Missions, US Military, Comfort in Mourning, Traveling Mercies, Unspoken Requests

MISSION: To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ For the Transformation

of the World.

VISION: To Build a Community of Faith Upon the Foundation of

Grace, Where All Lives are Being Transformed Into the Life-

Changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.

CORE VALUES: In order to live into our vision for our preferred

future, we will live and lead with: Integrity, Accountability, Unrelenting

Love For All People, Courage and Risk, and Holding Nothing Sacred

But the Mission.

Welcome to Wesley!

We are so glad you have joined us today! If this is your first time, then please

let someone know you are visiting. We consider everyone here as family, so

expect to be loved, hugged, and prayed for.

PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER (James 5:16) To submit a prayer request, please complete an intercessory prayer request slip and place them in the basket at the altar. Requests can also be submitted online

or by e-mailing/calling the church office.

Thank you! To all who came and decorated the church last week. It’s looks fantastic! SPR Committee: Please plan to meet on Monday, December 5 at 5:30 PM. Advent Series: The Redemption of Scrooge, by Rev. Matt Rawle of 1st UMC Bossier. This series will make connections between the story of Scrooge and the Christmas story. We will look at how we can draw important truths from the past, present, and future about brokenness and redemption and the Advent themes of hope, peace, love, and joy. Invite folks to church!

Poinsettias

Order forms are in the bulletin, or you may

get one in the office. The cost is $9 each.

Place completed forms in the offering plate

or turn in to office.

Orders due by December 18

THE SERVICE OF WORSHIP

Please Stand as you are able

Prelude Molly Richard

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Gathering O Come, O Come Emmanuel Thomas Williams Bringing In the Light of Christ Words of Welcome Pastor: God is Good People: All the Time

Lighting of the First Candle of Advent Advent Candle Song Light the Advent candle one. Now the waiting has begun. We have

started on our way, time to think of Christmas day. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night. Candle,

candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.

Opening Hymn Hail to the Lord’s Anointed UMH 203

Announcements and Prayer Requests Preparation for Prayer Emmanuel UMH 204 Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel. God with

us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

Pastoral Prayer & 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 forever. Amen.

Passing of the Peace of Christ Musical Presentation of the Wesley Kids

Pennies from Heaven This loose coin offering goes to the Casa Aleluya Children’s Home, which cares for orphaned, abused, and mistreated children in Guatemala. All the children are invited to grab a small bucket from the sound booth in the back and collect the loose coins you may feel called to give and then bring them to the large bucket in the front. Children in grades K-5 are invited to go to children’s church after the children’s moment. Hymn of Praise People, Look East UMH 202

WE RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD Giving Our Gifts, Tithes, & Offerings Unto God Choral Anthem

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall

come to thee, O Israel.

WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Matthew 20:1-16 Pew Bible 750

Pastor: This is the Word of God for the People of God People: Thanks be to God.

Message Bah! Humbug! Rev. Bradley Swire Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed UMH 881 I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and 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, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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. * Universal

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen. Amen.

INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP Hymn I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light UMH 206 Do you feel God calling you to make a public profession of faith? Have you been visiting with us for a while and wish to make Wesley UMC your new church home? If the answer to either of these is yes, then please come to the front during this song.

WE DEPART TO SERVE GOD

Benediction Sending Forth Go, Tell It On The Mountain

Carrying the Light of Christ Into the World

Message Overview & Notes

Redemption of Scrooge: Bah! Humbug! Matthew 20:1-16

“When we fail to see that class is a human construct built around the false belief that some souls are worth more than others, the chasm that separates us

from one another is indeed impossible to cross. However, when we learn to accept and share the free gift of grace, we begin to understand that Christ is

living with us, that we are here on earth to serve our Father and to share that grace with one another.”

1) A Christmas Carol is a beautiful story for Advent because it brings us on a journey in which the past, present, and future all come together in one transformative, redemptive night.

2) Salvation is not a savings account; rather salvation is a healing

process that transforms who we are and conforms us into the image of Christ. Salvation happens in a hospital, not a bank.

3) It is an amazing gift when it is offered to you, but when it is granted to someone you don’t think deserves it, it is the toughest pill in all of creation to swallow.

4) The reward found within God’s grace is God’s selfless invitation

to incorporate us into the kind of work that transforms the individual and the world.

5) Challenge: Are we going to love and cherish what we see as

valuable or are we going to learn, love and cherish what God sees as valuable? When we learn to accept and share the free gift of grace, we begin to understand that Christ is living with us, that we are here on earth to serve our Father and to share that grace with one another.