Electronic Bulletin

PRELUDE MUSIC

WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER

UMW Christmas Luncheon – Wednesday, Dec 8 at Noon: All the women of the church are invited. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. A main course will be provided. If you’d like to participate in a gift exchange, please bring a gift valued at no more than $20.

Men’s Breakfast at Perkins – Monday, Dec 13 at 8:30am

Crosswood’s Christmas Eve Service – Friday, December 24 at 4pm

OPENING HYMN PART ONE – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (United Methodist Hymnal #230, verses 1 & 2)

O little town of Bethlehem,

how still we see thee lie;

above thy deep and dreamless sleep

the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

the everlasting light;

the hopes and fears of all the years

are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,

and gathered all above,

while mortals sleep, the angels keep

their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together,

proclaim the holy birth,

and praises sing to God the King,

and peace to all on earth!

ADVENT READING – The Candle of Peace

OPENING HYMN PART TWO – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (United Methodist Hymnal #230, verses 3 & 4)

How silently, how silently,

the wondrous gift is given;

so God imparts to human hearts

the blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming,

but in this world of sin,

where meek souls will receive him, still

the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem,

descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin, and enter in,

be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

our Lord Emmanuel!

OPENING PRAISE SONG – “Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella” (17^th century French carol)

Bring a torch, Jeanette Isabella

Bring a torch, to the cradle run

It is Jesus, good folk of the village

Christ is born, and Mary’s calling

Ah, ah, beautiful is the mother

Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son

Hasten now, good folk of the village

Hasten now, the Christ child to see

You will find Him asleep in the manger

Quietly come and see the Savior

Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers

Hush hush, peacefully now He sleeps

It is wrong when the Child is sleeping

It is wrong to speak so loud

Silence now as you gather around Him

Lest your noise should waken Jesus

Hush, hush, see how fast He slumbers

Hush, hush, see how fast He sleeps

Softly to the little stable

Softly for a moment come

Look and see how charming is Jesus

See how he smiles, oh see how rosy

Ah, ah, see how the Child is sleeping

Ah, ah, see how He smiles in dreams

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

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.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Nancy Shaffer

SCRIPTURE – Isaiah 60:3-6 and 11:6-9 (NRSV)

REFLECTIVE PRAISE SONG – “Starlight”

Starlight, star bright, first star I’ve seen tonight,

Wish I may, wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight

I wish this world, that in my eyes

Seems awf’lly big, would recognize

It’s only as big as a baby boy

Who lived and died to bring me joy

Starlight, star bright, first star I’ve seen tonight,

Wish I may, wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight

I wish that men, who seem so wise

Could just resist the tempting lies

Of silver and gold and the other things

That make men turn to phony kings

Starlight, star bright, first star I’ve seen tonight,

Wish I may, wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight

I wish for clear and peaceful skies

For love and truth without disguise

I wish most of all that my own two hands

Could make my wishes my commands

Starlight, star bright, first star I’ve seen tonight,

Wish I may, wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight

Starlight, starlight star bright

Starlight, star bright

Starlight, Oooooooo

MESSAGE – The Heart that Grew Three Sizes: When Christmas Isn’t Christmas

CLOSING HYMN – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (United Methodist Hymnal #240)

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King;

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th'angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail th' incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King!"

BENEDICTION

Upcoming Events

5 Dec

Worship Service - In-Person, Drive-In, and Online

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Join us online for a worship service recorded for both Crosswood and Epworth UMC any time after 8:30am on Sunday mornings. Or join us in-person in the Crosswood sanctuary or out in the church parking lot for a drive-in worship service (tune to 106.5 FM) each Sunday morning at 9:30am. (Masks are not required in the church building for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID.)

8 Dec

United Methodist Women's Christmas Luncheon

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

All ladies are invited to join our UMW for our annual women's Christmas luncheon. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share and, if you wish to participate in a gift exchange, a small gift valued at no more than $20. You are invited!

12 Dec

Worship Service - In-Person, Drive-In, and Online

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Crosswood United Methodist Church

1551 Richland Road
Marion, Ohio 43302

Crossword Church Office: (740) 389-1210
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Crosswood United Methodist Preschool: (740) 386-2619
Preschool Director Lori Hensel: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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