WHAT'S H A PPE NIN G !
Please join us after the service for Hospitality Time in Criswell Hall
Announcement: Adult Bible Study will meet this Tuesday and then
resume on January 13, 2026
This week's activities:
Mon. 6:00pm Gerry's Quilt Class, Criswell Hall
Tue. 10:00am Sew ‘n Sews, McMillen Rm #113
Tue. 11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall
Tue. 1:00pm Adult Bible Study, Criswell Hall
Tue. 5:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Hand Bell Rm. #115
Tue. 7:30pm Friendly Neighborhood Big Band, Criswell Hall
Wed. 4:00pm Christmas Eve Service
Sun. 8:30am Informal Worship Service with Praise Band
Sun. 10:30am Traditional Worship Service
BRING THE ANIMALS TO BABY JESUS CHRISTMAS OFFERING
So far17 Doves, 5 Cat, no Dogs what happened to our dog lovers?, 3 Donkeys, 3 Sheep,
1cow,1 Camel and even a llama have arrived at the manger to worship Baby Jesus. And
the first angel has appeared at the manger! Please support our Christmas offering by
bringing more animal to the manger. We are hoping for a few more angels. In the two
week we raised $3,095 towards the $6,500 goal of our Christmas offering.
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Mission Team
December 28th will be hosted by Fellowship Ministry
First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
December 21, 2025 7th SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10:30 am
PRELUDE “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” Traditional Carol
HANDBELL INTROIT “Appalachian Christmas” Douglas Wagner
CALL TO WORSHIP*
Beloved, God calls to us—like Joseph—through angels and messengers, inviting us to
listen for the Spirit’s guidance in the midst of half-truths and distractions.
We listen faithfully for the day that all the earth awaits.
Sometimes, angels surprise us (as they did Mary) with good news too fantastical to
believe and yet too real—realer than real—to ignore.
We listen faithfully for the day that all the earth awaits.
For generations, God has sent signs of God’s coming kingdom in unexpected places—
the birth of a child, the wisdom of the lowly, the faithfulness of a carpenter.
We listen faithfully for the day that all the earth awaits.
Come! Let us worship God who calls out to us, inviting us to faithfulness as we watch,
wait, and work for the day when the whole world knows the abundant love and grace of
Emmanuel, God-with-us.
Come! Let us worship as we listen faithfully for the day that all the earth awaits.
OPENING HYMN* “ O Little Town of Bethlehem” No. 230
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
Give ear, O shepherd of Israel.
Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.
O God of hosts, will You accept Your people's prayers?
Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.
We will never turn back from You; we will call on Your name.
Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.
ATTENDANCE
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
VIDEO
STEWARDSHIP
Nov 23
52
73
125
26
$5,815
Nov 30
39
75
114
30
$2,495
Dec 07
49
80
129
33
$11,907
Dec 14
42
67
109
$5,089
Weekly Needed: $7,175
YTD Received: $155,959 YTD Needed $171,769
CHRISTMAS OFFERING $815 CHRISTMAS BUDGET $6,500
ADVENT CANDLES AND THE COLLECT:
Advent VI: Dayspring from on High
Advent Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Sovereign God, Lord Christ.
Hear us, we pray.
HANDBELL ANTHEM “Soliloquy on Silent Night” Leonard G Lutz
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOMENT Maria Hamane
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
SCRIPTURE Matthew 1:18-25
SERMON Emmanuel
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “Bethlehem Morning” Morris Chapman
Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*
CLOSING HYMN* “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” No. 240
BENEDICTION*
Advent people, may we go now in the blessing of God to watch and wait, ready to
receive the angels among us and to faithfully follow where God leads. Amen.
RESPONSE* “He Is Born” No. 228
POSTLUDE “Christmas Joy” Esther S Higgins
*Please stand as able
Bold - Congregational Reading
Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to
Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby
by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not
want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement
privately. 20 While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your
wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. 21 She will have a son, and you
will name him Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this
happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, 23 “A
virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel” (which
means, “God is with us”).
Assisting in today's service Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson,
Liturgist: Nancy St. Laurent, Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Organ: Brad Bettencourt
Choir Director: Tricia Stewart, Sound Tech: Tom Thiel, Video Tech: Susan Throndson,
Percussion: Xander Thompson.
Today’s Flowers In Memory Of
Bob, Helen, Judy Atwood
From Cristy Van Hook