December 17, 2023

3rd Sunday of Advent

We extend a cordial welcome to each person worshipping with us in person or online. We hope the service will leave you feeling renewed, fulfilled, and challenged. God bless you all!

Ministers:

Rev. Billy Hester

Rev. Bob Chvatal
Ray Ellis, Music Director

Musicians:

Ray Ellis, Piano
Kay Deffley, Organ, Piano

Holland Morgan, Organ
Randy Canady, Keyboard
Doug Povie, Bass

Bulletin for the Service ►

The flowers for the worship service are given by the Ciccodicola and Hester families in memory of their parents

and grandparents, Joan & Wendell Hester and Jack Morgan Byrd.

Special Thanks:

Every Sunday, there are people who work behind the scenes to help make the service meaningful and wonderful for all of us and our online visitors.
We thank those heroes of our faith: control room and live streaming techs, videographers, video editors, sound editors, font editors, and many others.

Licensing

Worship Service Video (synopsis below)

SYNOPSIS

PRELUDE: "Prophesy in Blue" — Kay Deffley, piano; Randy Canady, assistant to Kay; Holland Morgan, organ
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rev. Billy Hester, including:
Special Birthday (80 or above): Colin Stewart (84)
Other Birthdays: David Swanger (3)
Anniversary (50th and above): Kay & Phillip Barrett (53rd)
Due to rain, caroling postponed to December 24 after Christmas Eve service.
INTROIT: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" — Asbury Memorial Choir, Ray Ellis, director; Kay Deffley, piano; Randy Canady, assistant to Kay
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Isaiah 3.5): Rev. Billy Hester (see bulletin)
HYMN: "Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" (Hymnal #206) — Rev. Billy Hester, leader
THIRD CANDLE OF ADVENT (Joy): Steve & Kim Johnson
ANTHEM: "Joy in the Morning" — Asbury Memorial Choir, Ray Ellis, director; Kay Deffley, piano; Randy Canady, assistant to Kay
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD'S PRAYER: Rev. Bob Chvatal
INVITATION TO GODLY PLAY
SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 7:18-23 (NRSV) — a blended reading of the two passages by Kim Limehouse and Rev. Billy Hester
HYMN: "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" (hymnal #229) — Rev. Billy Hester, leader
SERMON: "Expect the Unexpected" — Rev. Billy Hester
OFFERORY: "The Gospel of Peace" — Kay Deffley, piano; Randy Canady, assistant to Kay; Holland Morgan, organ
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION: Rev. Bob Chvatal
HYMN: "Angels We Have Heard on High" (Hymnal #238) — Rev. Billy Hester, leader
BENEDICTION: Rev. Billy Hester
RESPONSE: "Here I Am, Lord" (see bulletin) Congregation, led by Linda Combs
POSTLUDE: "A Merry Tango" — Kay Deffley, piano; Randy Canady, assistant to Kay; Holland Morgan, organ

Announcements roll after the end of the service.