| Series – People Get Be Ready! So far, in our Advent series we have looked at how John the Baptist, Mary and even Jesus himself have all helped us to be ready to receive God’s salvation. Tomorrow we have still another angelic visit to help us prepare. Maybe this time it will be to some head of state, or religious authority, you know, people who sit in places of power. However, we all know by now that is not the way our God works – and aren’t you glad? But still……shepherds? The first people to receive the Good News of Jesus’s birth were these ordinary, dirty, ceremonially unclean, socially despised shepherds. And for that we should be more than glad, we should be ecstatic because let’s be honest, we too find ourselves unclean and falling far short of God’s glory. Yet, God’s glory come to us in spite of ourselves to offer us the gift of eternal life. I’m no Angel ( of course you know that already), but I would like to echo the heavenly chorus heard by those lowly shepherds and invite you once again to “come and worship the newborn king!” What an invitation! What a gift! What a Savior! And what a message to share with others! Come and see Pastor Rob |
| Call to Worship Dec.22, 2025 “People Get Ready” ““But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace. Micah 5:2-5 NIV Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” #234 UMH Lighting of the 4th Candle of Advent – Peace The Webb family Reader One: When the people were looking for deliverance, the prophet Micah declared, “But you, O Bethlehem …from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient day.” (Micah 5:2). But what if Micah is also talking to us, proclaiming, “But you, O Three Oaks Fellowship, from you shall come forth for me…” What? What might God be calling forth from us? Congregation: God invites us to receive the promise of God’s salvation and the sustenance of God’s mercy and grace, enabling us to live the promise as God-bearers to the world. As Christ was born in Bethlehem, so too we answer God’s invitation to have Christ born among us today and every day. Reader Two: Today we journey with the shepherds who at the angel’s bidding went to witness this promise. We light this candle of love as a sign of our commitment to live as people of God’s promise, a promise of salvation and flourishing for all people that springs forth from God’s love for all creation. Light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath.Response “ O Come, O Come Emmanuel “. #211 v.4 Morning Prayer/ Lord’s Prayer Special Music. “Alleluia, Christ is Born” Praise Team Children’s Time. Mary Alice Gospel Lesson. Luke 2: 8-18 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”The Good News “From Mess to Mystery to Majesty “. Pastor Rob Hymn. “Angels We Have Heard on High”. #238 UMH Dismissal and Blessing “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” #672 (An offering plate is in the back for those who choose to give to support the ministry of 3 Oaks. Thank you for your generosity.) Announcements Tomorrow is the 4th Sunday of Advent and we light the Candle of Love.Remember John 3:16? “God so loved the world…..” Christmas reveals the way God chooses to love us. He comes near! Christmas Eve @7:00PM – Lessons, Carols, Candles, and Communion.O Come Let us Adore Him! Don’t we all need a silent night? Poinsettias have been donated for worship. If anyone would like to put one in honor or memory of a loved one please sign the sheet in the entryway. All donations will go to our Christmas Eve offering. Sunday Dec. 29th – the last Sunday of 2024What’s the difference between the windshield and the rear view mirror? Obviously one is much larger than the other and they two offer two different views. Please join us as we look back and celebrate what God has done through 3 Oaks in 2024, and as we look forward to see what God may do in 2025. It’s a much bigger picture of God’s grace! |
Prayer Requests* Jaxon (Jax) Wilson, Janice Patsell, Gloria Jennings, Larry Musselwhite, David Alley,,Lee Ann Duncan, Dea Adams ( Kim’s sister), Debbie Moles, Chris Sutherland, RC Wagner, the families of Jim and Carol Bown, David Marcum, Melvin Persinger, Eugene Mason, Lisa Mason, Wesley Barnes, Linda Weddle, Ben Smythe, Joyce Fields, children of Gaza, Israel and Ukraine, our new children’s coordinator (Please let pasto Rob know if you have someone to add or if you see a name that no longer needs to be on our prayer list) |
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