Welcome!
Due to the CoVid-19 surge, Central Baptist has shifted worship back to streaming-only.
Order of Worship
3rd Sunday of Advent: Proclamation and Joy
Prelude
Welcome
Announcements
Call to Worship - Lighting of Advent candles
Rejoice in the Lord always!
Again I say “rejoice!”
We come to worship
and rejoice the one who is with us.
Worship Song, “Better is One Day”
Verse 1
How lovely is Your dwelling place
O Lord almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(Than thousands elsewhere)
Verse 2
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place
Your glory dwells
(REPEAT)
Bridge
My heart and flesh cry out
For You the living God
Your Spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You to You
Bridge
Better is one day better is one day
Better is one day than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day better is one day
Better is one day than thousands elsewhere
Matt Redman
© 1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 468823
Opening Prayer
Passing the Peace (Internet Edition)
OT Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Prayer Time
NT Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Special Music, “Almost There”
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gospel Reading: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Meditation, “Joy's Arrival”
Hymn, “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful”
Verse 1
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels
Chorus
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Verse 2
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav'n above
Glory to God all
Glory in the highest
Verse 3
Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade
© Words: Public Domain
Music: Public Domain
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 468823
Benediction
December Benevolence - Retired Ministers/Missionaries Offering
The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) originated in the mid-1930s, when American Baptist congregations received a Communion Fellowship Offering on the first Sunday of each month to support retired ministers, missionaries, their widowed spouses and elderly clergy within their churches. In 1977, American Baptist Churches USA launched RMMO to continue this appreciation of God’s service.
“This is an unprecedented time, yet God has been present with us every day as we continue to go through it. Our hope in God, day to day, causes us [to] know that when tomorrow comes with whatever it may bring, we can find God there too.”
Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley
Executive Minister
American Baptist Churches, Metro New York
Scripture Readers
Assignments are on the website Servant Schedule.
Reverse Advent Calendar
Each day in Advent, set aside the non-perishable food item which corresponds to the given day. When you are able, drop the items off on the porch at 205 Lippincott Ave. And if you don’t have access to the item listed for a particular day, don't worry! Just substitute another non-perishable item. All food will be delivered to the Bread of Life food pantry.
Let’s give a bit of joy this Advent Season!
Angel Tree 2020
This year the Angel Tree will be handled differently than in years past due to COVID-19. Rather than having angels with specific gifts, the pantry is asking for monetary donations that will be used to purchase gifts. Checks can be made out to “Epworth UMC” with “Angel Tree” on the memo line.
The pantry is collecting small gifts that could be used as stocking stuffers. There is a collection basket inside the church and on the porch of 205 Lippincott Ave. These can also be dropped off at Epworth United Methodist Church during business hours ( M-F 1:30-3:30).
Simplest of all, purchase a gift from their Amazon Wishlist. The gifts will be shipped directly to Epworth UMC.
Donations are requested by December 14 for distribution on pantry day December 19.
Contact Mavis (856-829-3594) with questions or help with delivering items.
Wellness Hour
Drop in for a time of connection, prayer, and an occasional devotion. Mitigation guidance will be in effect and masks are required. Stay for the hour, or just pop in for a moment to be reminded of our incarnational connection with each other.
The next gathering for 2020 will be Saturday, December 19, from 11:00 AM to Noon.
The last gathering for 2020 will be Wednesday, December 30, from 7-8 PM.