WHAT'S H A PPE NIN G !
Please join us after the service for Hospitality Time in Criswell Hall
Today’s Activities:
3:00PM Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Concert
Upcoming Events:
Sat. Dec. 13 Christmas Extravaganza 3-5PM
Thu. Dec. 11 Children's Center Christmas Program 6PM
Wed. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 4:00PM
Mon. Dec. 29 People's Kitchen Food Prep 1:30, Kitchen
Tues. Dec. 30 People's Kitchen Food Distribution 11AM carpool from church
Today’s Flowers In Memory Of
Ayleen Melsheimer
From Dick & Patti Melsheimer
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Endowment/ELT
December 14th will be hosted by Trustees
First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
December 07, 2025 5th SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:30 am
PRELUDE “Was It A Morning Like This” Jim Croegaert
INTROIT “Song of Hope” TFWS #2186
CALL TO WORSHIP*
We gather to remember who we are, not who the world tells us to be.
We tell the story together of the day that all the earth awaits.
We recall the story of God’s people, how God has called us to live in peace and
righteousness in a world full of conflict and twisted morality.
We tell the story together of the day that all the earth awaits.
We recount the story of our journey with God, the moments of God’s provision, God’s
prodding, and God’s prophetic guidance.
We tell the story together of the day that all the earth awaits.
We gather to repent and return anew to God’s story that guides our lives to work for
peace and flourishing for all God’s creation.
We gather to tell the story of the day that all the earth awaits. Thanks be to God!
Amen.
OPENING HYMN* “ Hail To The Lord’s Anointed ” No. 203
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
Loving God, be to us as a bulldozer of the spirit. Clear your road in us; clear a path
through the detritus of possessions and obsessions. Thrust aside our divided aims
and devious games. Topple the ramparts of pride and the doubts that deride.
Make a highway on which Christ may come and take possession of the whole
territory of our being. To the glory of your name, we pray. Amen!
ATTENDANCE
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
VIDEO
STEWARDSHIP
Nov 09
44
73
117
48
$14,261
Nov 16
51
82
133
48
$2,356
Nov 23
52
73
125
22
$5,815
Nov 30
39
75
114
$2,495
Weekly Needed: $7,175
YTD Received: $138.963 YTD Needed $157,455
THANKSGIVING RECEIVED $3,387 THANKSGIVING BUDGET $3,000
ADVENT CANDLES AND THE COLLECT:
Advent V: Key of David Alquist Family
Advent Song : Come, O Come Emmanuel (Key of David verse)
O Come thou Key of David, release
And free us to experience thy peace
Unbind us please from sin and death
Awaken us with heaven’s breath
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel.
Shall come to thee O Israel
Sovereign God, Lord Christ.
Hear us, we pray.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOMENT Rev. Tim Olson
We invite all children and youth to participate in this intergenerational time of learning about Jesus
O God, we thank you for blessing us with the gift of children.
May they learn the stories of Jesus. May we share their joy. Amen.
A TIME OF PRAYER
Call to Prayer “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” No. 204
Prayer/Lord's Prayer
Response “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” No. 204
CHOIR ANTHEM “Call The Baby Jesus”
SCRIPTURE Matthew 3:1-12
SERMON Prepare The Way
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “Once In Royal David’s City” Henry Gauntlett
Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*
CELEBRATION OF HOLY EUCHARIST
Communion Music “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus” Mark Hayes
CLOSING HYMN* “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” No. 196
BENEDICTION*
Advent people, may we go now in the blessing and inspiration of God to live God’s
story wherever we go, that our lives may be an invitation to others to join in the
journey to the day that all the earth awaits.
RESPONSE* “Song of Hope” TFWS #2186
POSTLUDE “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Dan Schutte
*Please stand as able
Bold - Congregational Reading
Matthew 3:1-12
At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn
away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” 3 John was the
man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said,
“Someone is shouting in the desert,
‘Prepare a road for the Lord;
make a straight path for him to travel!’”
4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair; he wore a leather belt around his waist, and
his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People came to him from Jerusalem, from the
whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River. 6 They
confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. 7 When John saw many
Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, “You snakes—
who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send? 8 Do
those things that will show that you have turned from your sins. 9 And don't think you
can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can
take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham! 10 The ax is ready to cut down the
trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in
the fire. 11 I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will
come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I
am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. 12 He has his winnowing shovel
with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will
burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”
Assisting in today's service Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson,
Liturgist: Patti Melsheimer, Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Organ: Brad Bettencourt
Choir Director: Tricia Stewart, Sound Tech: Adrian Paredes, Video Tech: Susan
Throndson, Vocalist: Fiona Giannetto, Percussion: Xander Thompson.