CONNECTION CARD December 6, 2015

Please take a moment to fi ll out the information below and on the back and

place it in the offering plate.

□ 9:30 am □ 11:00 am

□ Member □ Update my information

□ Guest/Visitor □ First-time □ Returning □ New Resident □ Out-of-Town guest □ Interested in joining

Name

Primary email (if you opt to receive emails, this is where they will be sent)

Address

Phone

• Preparing for Worship: The service begins with the Tower Bells and the Prelude. Please use this time to prepare your hearts and minds for worship. In order not to disturb others, please silence your cell phone during the worship service.

• Registration of Attendance: Please register your attendance on the Connection Card attached (side panel of bulletin) and return it in the offering plate during the offering.

• Becoming a Member of First United Methodist Church: If you would like information about becoming a member of FUMCFW, please indicate that on the Connection Card and return it to the offering plate during the offering. If you are ready to join today, please fi ll out the “HOW TO JOIN” card in the pew pocket and bring it with you during the closing hymn.

TOWER BELLS

PRELUDE Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Ms. Peggy Graff Paul Manz, composer

WELCOME Rev. Linda McDermott

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP A New Advent of Joy Choral UnionJohn Darwall, composer

Mr. Robert Stovall, interim director

* HYMN 203 Hail to the Lord's AnointedELLACOMBE

****

*AFFIRMATIONOFFAITH(BasedonAffirmation884) Dr. Mike Marshall We believe in the one God, creator and sustainer of all things and all nations, the source of all goodness and beauty, all truth and love.WebelieveinJesusChrist,Godmanifestintheflesh,ourteacher,example, and Redeemer, the savior of the world. We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, for comfort, and for strength. We believe in the forgiveness of sins, in the life of love and prayer, and in grace equal to every need. We believe in the reign of God as the Divine will realized in human society, in the family of God where we are all brothers and sisters, inthefinaltriumphofrighteousness,andinlifeeverlasting.Amen.

Large print bulletins and hearing enhancement devices are available for

Sunday morning worship services. Please ask an usher for assistance as

you enter the Sanctuary.Children’s activity packets are available in

the Narthex and in the balcony.

fumcfw.org

@fumcfw/FUMCFW

817/336-7277

800 W 5th Street

ComingNextatFUMCFW

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13Joseph: The Willingness to

Set Aside Pride

Christmas Music Festival9:15 & 11:00 am | Sanctuary

Dr. Tim BrusterSpecial Music: Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch, Organist, & Choral Union

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 The Shepherds: The Pursuit of

Wonder and Joy

9:30 & 11:00 am | SanctuaryDr. Tim Bruster

Special Music: Adoramus Vocal Ensemble with harp, guitar and

marimba

THURSDAY,DECEMBER24Christmas Eve Services

Noon | Sanctuary | Rev. Casey Orr5:00 | Sanctuary | Family Service

7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 | Sanctuary Traditional | Dr. Tim Bruster

Communion served at all services.

2015 ADVENT DEVOTIONALOur 2015 Advent Devotional began November 23! Follow along as each day prepares you for the next Sunday's sermon. Get a printed copy in the Welcome Center and Main Offi ce or view it online at fumcfw.org/devotional.

First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth

2015 Advent Devotional

LAS POSADAS ANGEL TREENovember 22 – December 13, 2015

Pick up tags starting on 11.22 | Return gifts by 12.13TreeslocatedinNarthex,WelcomeCenter,

2ndFloorChildren’sWing,&MainChurchOfficeThis Advent season, we will collect 500 gifts for children and youth from 0 to 18 years of age in celebration of Las Posadas at El Buen Samaritano UMC. Las Posadas commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for lodging in Bethlehem. Children living near El Buen, many of whom attend T.A. Sims Elementary School, come out for the parade and to receive gifts as part of this traditional celebration. Please consider supporting this cooperative effort between El Buen and FUMCFW to brighten the holidays for these children. Visit any of the four trees throughout the church to pick up a tag with a child’s age, gender, and gift instructions. Return your gift to the church by Sunday, December 13, 2015. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Becker (ebecker@fi rststreetmission.org) at 817/339-5068.

0 to 2 year-old

girl

Gift Ideas:

CHARGE CONFERENCEDecember 15 | 6:30 pm | Wesley Hall

There will be a called Charge Conference on Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30 pm in Wesley Hall. This will be at the beginning of the Board of Stewards meeting. The Charge Conference will be convened by Dr. Ginger Bassford, the North District Superintendent. Its purpose will be to vote upon the removal of names of inactive members from our church records.

Mary: The Courage to Follow God

Luke 1:26-38

Dr. Tim Bruster 11: 00 am December 6, 2015

Sunday, December 132:30 pm | Starting in Wesley Hall

2:30–4:00pm|Communitycaroling4:00–5:30pm|Christmascelebration

Wesley HallJoin us for this special day of service and fun! We’ll meet in Wesley Hall to kick off Christmas Cheer, which begins with caroling groups traveling to downtown assisted living facilities to share God’s love through song and fellowship. Then it’s back to Wesley Hall to celebrate the joy of Christmas with carriage rides, fl ip books, a Christmas card station, and cookie decorating.

Christmas CheerA Churchwide Caroling

Christmas Celebration

CHORAL RESPONSE SCRIPTURE Luke1:26-38 Dr. Mike Marshall God speaks to us through the reading of scripture. Thanks be to God.

* HYMN198 My Soul Gives Glory to My God BESANCON SERMON "Mary: The Courage to Follow God Dr. Tim Bruster INVITATION TO JOIN Dr. Mike Marshall * HYMN 206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light HOUSTON * RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS

* BENEDICTION Dr. Tim Bruster Our gathering will soon be ended, where will we go, and what will we do? We will go out to be God's people in the world. May grace, peace, hope, love and joy forever accompany you. Amen.

* CHORAL BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Herr Christ, der einge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 601 (Lord,Christ,theonlySonofGod) Johann Sebastian Bach, composer

* Please stand if you are able **** Ushers will assist in seating at these periods.

Acolytes for today are: Lily Senter and Parker Burross

The poinsettias and Christmas decorations for the sanctuary are given in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Broderick and Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Smith.

THE RED CARNATION symbolizes our congratulations to Allison and Rob Howard on the birth of their son, John David Howard.

* GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.**** Please be seated.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH (First candle, Hope; second candle, Joy)

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Emma Claire Gregory, daughter of Brittney and Michael Gregory BAPTISMAL HYMN 191 (vs. 1) Jesus Loves Me

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE WithGod’shelpwewillsoorderourlivesaftertheexampleofChristthatEmma Claire, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmedandstrengthenedinthewaythatleadstolifeeternal.

A TIME OF GIVING REGISTRATION | ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Phyllis McDougal

MINISTRY MOMENT Ms. Sammye Dunn CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY PRAYER

OFFERTORY Of the Father's Love Barry Talley, composer In addition to your regular contribution, every one dollar ($1) bill placed in the

offering plate during the month of December will support our First Street Methodist Mission Food Ministry, Grocery/Sack Lunch program. Thank you for reaching out to others.

* DOXOLOGY

CHORAL CALL TO PRAYER

PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Linda McDermott THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (based on Matthew 6:9-13)

I would like:□ Information on becoming a Christian□ Information on baptism□ Information on membership□ To receive emails about church news□ A call from a pastor□ To find a place to serve as a volunteerIF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR CHURCH or have questions about the process, please speak to Dr. Lamar Smith or any of our other ministers. You can reach Dr. Smith (lsmith@myfumc.org) at 817/339-3886. If you prefer to join privately, any of our ministers would be happy to talk with you about that option as well.

How did you hear about this service? □ Web□ Social Media □ Facebook □ Twitter □ Other __________□ Newspaper ad□ Mailer□ Word of Mouth□ Children First□ Other

ADVENT SERMON SERIES BIBLE STUDY LED BY DR. TIM BRUSTER

December 2 – 23Wednesdays | 6:30 – 7:30 pm | Room 350

Join our Senior Pastor Dr. Tim Bruster for a very special Bible study during the season of Advent. This engaging class will take a deeper look into the scriptures for each week’s

worship service leading up to Christmas Eve.

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCESunday, December 6

6:30 – 7:30 pm | Leonard Memorial Chapel | Rev. Phyllis McDougalThis service offers a special time to come together in worship to remember and

celebrate lost loved ones.

SAVE THE DATE11.1812.2,12.9,&12.16BookStudy:Walking The Road To BethlehemWednesdays | 9:30 – 11:00 am | Room 154 Book available for $10 | Rev. Phyllis McDougalRegistration Required11.22 – 12.13 Las Posadas Angel TreePick up tags starting on 11.22 Return gifts by 12.13Trees located in Narthex, Welcome Center, 2nd Floor Children’s Wing, & Main Church Office12.2 – 12.23 Advent Sermon Series Bible StudyWednesdays | 6:30 – 7:30 pm | Room 350Dr. Tim Bruster12.6 & 12.13 Blessing Our First RespondersPick up boxes for treats | 12.6 & 12.139:00 – 9:30 & 10:30 – 11:11 am | Welcome CenterDeliver treats to first responders | 12.6 – 12.1912.6 – 12.20 The Wonder of Christmas:A Bible-Focused Advent StudySundays | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Room 331Led by Rev. Chuck Graff | Registration required12.13 Christmas Music Festival with Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch, Organist, & Choral Union9:15 & 11:00 am | SanctuaryFor more information, go to fumcfw.org/coming-eventsorcall817/336-7277.