WHAT'S H A PPE NIN G !
Please join us after the service for Hospitality Time in Criswell Hall
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES;
Mon. 6:00pm Gerry's Quilt Class, Criswell Hall
Tue. 9:00am Senior Exercise, Criswell Hall
Tue. 10:00am Sew ‘n Sews, McMillen Room
Tue. 11:00am Chair Yoga, Criswell Hall
Tue. 1:00pm Adult Bible Study, Criswell Hall (Suspended until Jan. 13)
Tue. 5:00pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Hand Bell Rm. #115
Tue. 6:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Tue. 7:30pm Friendly Neighborhood Big Band Rehearsal, Criswell Hall
Sun. 8:30am Informal Worship Service with Praise Band
Sun. 10:30am Traditional Worship Service
BRING THE ANIMALS TO BABY JESUS CHRISTMAS OFFERING
An impressive menagerie of animals have gathered at the Manger to worship Baby
Jesus. So far, we have 32 doves, 7 cats, 2 dogs, 1 skunk (in honor of Dennis Eiler), 4
donkeys, 10 sheep, 2 cows, 2 camels, l llama, 1 elephant and 2 angels. Our Christmas
Offering has raised $7082.50. Thank you everyone for your generous support. There is
still time for more animals to arrive before the Wise Men come on Epiphany which is
January 6.
Assisting in today's service Pastor: Rev. Wesley Thompson,
Liturgist: Carolyn Anderson, Piano/Keyboard: Dennis Eiler, Organ: Brad Bettencourt
Choir Director: Tricia Stewart, Sound Tech: Tom Thiel, Video Tech: Susan Throndson,
Percussion: Xander Thompson. Soloist: Dave Anderson.
First United Methodist Church of Arroyo Grande
275 N. Halcyon Road,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805-481-2692 fumcag@yahoo.com
WorshipWeekly.com
December 28, 2025 Christmastide 10:30 am
PRELUDE “Thou Dids’t Leave Thy Throne” Timothy R. Matthews
INTROIT “The Snow Lay on the Ground” TFWS #2093
CALL TO WORSHIP*
Beloved, we have waited, watched, and witnessed the coming of the Christ child. As we
gather today on the other side of Christmas, we might be tempted to ask, “What now?”
We continue to wait and watch for the day that all the earth awaits.
In this season of Christmas, we remember that though Christ has come among us, the
good news of freedom for captives, flourishing for the poor, and power returned to the
disempowered does not reign in so many places.
We continue to wait and watch for the day that all the earth awaits.
With Mary and Joseph, we listen for God to show us how to protect and advocate for the
vulnerable among us.
We continue to wait and watch for the day that all the earth awaits.
As we gather to worship today, may God bind us together in love, empowering us to live
as followers of the Christ child who declare good news wherever we go.
We gather today as people who wait, watch, and work for the day that all the earth
awaits. Thanks be to God! Amen.
OPENING HYMN* “Angels We Have Heard on High” No. 238
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPENING PRAYER
God of Lovingkindness You are the source and spark of all love and delight.
We come to You knowing that You have already approached us
and knowing that You gather us in to the beloved community.
We bring our hopes and offerings. We bring, too, our limitations, our wounds,
our shame and our guilt for having been less than loving towards each other.
We come to You with confidence knowing that You have already come to us
and that Your embrace gathers in all the lost and creates a safe home. Amen.
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 “Holy, Holy” TFWS #2039
Prayer/Lord's Prayer
Response “Holy, Holy” TFWS #2039
CHORAL ANTHEM “Born On Christmas Day“
SCRIPTURE John 1:1-18
SERMON The Word
OFFERING
Call to Stewardship and Mission
Offertory “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” Traditional Carol
Doxology/Prayer of Dedication*
CLOSING HYMN* “The First Noel” No. 245
BENEDICTION*
Family of Christ, may we go now into the world in the blessing and power of the Triune
God to resist the misuse of power in our world, to point to the signs of good news all
around us, and to work for the empowerment and flourishing of all people, especially the
vulnerable among us. Amen.
RESPONSE* “The Snow Lay on the Ground” TFWS #2093
POSTLUDE “Go Tell It On The Mountain” Spiritual
*Please stand as able
Bold - Congregational Reading
John 1:1-18
In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. 2 From the very beginning the Word was with God. 3 Through him God made all
things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 4 The Word was the source of
life, and this life brought light to people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has never put it out. 6 God sent his messenger, a man named John, 7 who
came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and
believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 9 This was the real
light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. 10 The Word was in
the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize
him. 11 He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 12 Some,
however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become
God's children. 13 They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by
being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father. 14 The Word
became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory,
the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. 15 John spoke about him. He cried
out, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘He comes after me, but he is
greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.’” 16 Out of the fullness of his
grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 17 God gave the Law
through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen
God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him
known.
HOSPITALITY: Today hosted by Fellowship Ministry
January 4th will be hosted by Endowment
ATTENDANCE
WEEK
8:30
10:30
IN-
PERSON
VIDEO
STEWARDSHIP
Nov 30
39
75
114
34
$2,495
Dec 07
49
80
129
35
$11,907
Dec 14
42
67
109
$5,089
Dec 21
46
104
150
$20,529
Weekly Needed: $7,175
YTD Received: $176,488 YTD Needed $178,926
CHRISTMAS OFFERING $7,083 CHRISTMAS BUDGET $6,500