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St. Luke’s United Methodist ChurchDecember 19, 2021 8:30, 9:45 & 11 a.m.The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The birth itself comes with much travail.The journey –every hill a trudge, grunting,bearing new life inside her own body,the incarnate presence within her stabbing against the walls thatenclose Him.The crowds –that stream of travelerspushing on their pilgrimages just to satisfy the ever-present occupiers.The fear. Fear. Our people always must be afraid, but now –her husband reminds her there are other kings who wish the sovereignone inside her harm.“Do you see the stare from that soldier’s face? Does he know? drawing his sword Is he coming for me, for Him?”The rejection –a look of disgust in the eyes of her kinfolk. “No room!” Welcomed onlyby the old aunt weeks ago. Elizabeth’s miracle carried only joy – noshame. If only the rest believed either of them.Instead, relationships broken, strained, faces turned away.No decision was offered her, but she has acquiesced, yes has evenembraced her part.Like life itself, God is both imposed and chosen.And then,The Delivery –a corner of a cave, dank, with only an awkward husband to help,the wool of the sheep to absorb the voice of her expectant pain,their bleating echoing her own outcries.The cutting of the cord, foretelling the sword that would pierce herown soul.No easy advent, for sure. Yet nothing compared to what is to come.Still, in that moment, the pain of the journey, the fear, the rejection, allthe travail does not vanish, but is conjoined, even overcome.His grey eyes pour out only Love as they search for her face.Her own heart now knows pure Joy.And her ears hear from the fields outside the distantpeace-proclamation of angels.She narrows her own eyes that she might behold His glory,grateful even for the journey.Friends, whatever your journey this year has been like, may God give birthto His own presence within you, so that you might see only the Love in Hiseyes, feel His joy in your heart, live with one another the angels’ song ofpeace, and behold His glory.Tom PaceChristmas, 2021

To say that it’s been a busy fall for Music and FineArts at St. Luke’s is a fairly sizable understatement.Between last month’s premiere and recording of Howard Goodall’s“Unconditional Love,” as well as many other projects and events, we’ve notbeen idle. Pivoting in time for Christmas Festival has been foremost in ourminds this fall, but as our overall theme for these past months reminds us,“The British are coming!” And aren’t we glad? St. Luke’s has many amazingfriends in the music and fine arts world, none more fun, more faithful, normore musical than VOCES8 who, I am happy to report, have now been withus seven times, making them true family.This year’s festival features this unparalleled, internationally known ensemble with the Chancel Choir, as well as on their own, while showcasingtheir breathtaking ability to master every choral style. This morning’s musicincludes traditional favorites from Messiah, all the way to a movementfrom a new setting of the magnificat by our son, Taylor Scott Davis, and it’smy hope that this unique recipe will enhance your advent season, as well asprepare you for the celebration of Christ’s birth, just days away.In an incredibly head-scratching side note, you will be interested to knowthat the last few days of this week have been spent with VOCES8 makinga new recording in our sanctuary with one of their biggest American fans,Paul Simon, featuring music that he composed just for this collaborationwith them. As I said at the beginning of this note, it’s been a busy fall. Aswe are focused by the advent wreath, here’s to a season of hope, peace, joyand love, followed by the coming of light into our hungry world.Sid Davis, Director of Music & Fine Arts

PreludeFestive OvertureShostakovichO Come, All Ye FaithfulADESTE FIDELES*Hymn of Praise234O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;Come and behold him born the King of Angels:O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!God of God, Light of Light,Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;Very God, begotten, not created:O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;Glory to God in the highest:O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!Lighting the Advent Wreath: Love8:30 Brian, Christen, Louise, Thomas, Caroline, & Charles Bagley9:45 Ric & Karen Hodgin, & Charlotte Owens11:00 Angela Otumfuor, Edem, Elinam & Enyonam DzakpasuLeader: Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.People: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everythingtogether in perfect harmony.Leader: Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itselfon others, isn’t always “me first.”People: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everythingtogether in perfect harmony.Leader: So, no matter what we say, what we believe, and what we do,we are bankrupt without love.People: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everythingtogether in perfect harmony.Leader: In faith, we light this candle of love.Choral ResponseMCGEE

WelcomeAnthemAnthemGlory to God (Messiah)HandelFor Unto Us a Child Is Born (Messiah)HandelScripture ReadingLuke 1:57-66Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungenRic Hodginarr. RutterNow the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Herneighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toher, and they rejoiced with her.57On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were goingto name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is tobe called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wantedto give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened andhis tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over alltheir neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entirehill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “Whatthen will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.598:30, 11:00Away in a MangerIn dulci jubiloVOCES8arr. DavisPraetoriusScripture ResponseThe Word of God for the people of God.Thanks be to God.Morning Prayer8:30 Shelby Olive9:45 Rev. Cliff Ritter11:00 Rev. Michelle ManuelThe Lord’s PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdomcome, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day ourdaily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whotrespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver usfrom evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,forever. Amen.Offertory AnthemLully, Lulla, LullayAnthemsThe Sleeping ChildVOCES8Gloria PatriChancel Choir & VOCES8Philip StopfordBob ChilcottTaylor Scott DavisHomilyWhat, Then, Will This Child Become?Dr. Tom PaceFinal in the series, Questions before Christmas

*Hymn of Commitment240Hark! the Herald Angels SingMENDELSSOHNHark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn 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 ever-lasting 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 newborn 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!”Invitation to Christian DiscipleshipIf you would like to become a follower of Jesus Christ, or if you are interestedin joining St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, we would love to talk to youabout what that means. Please visit the Connection Desk after the service tomeet with a member of our Hospitality Team and learn more.BenedictionPostludeHark! the Herald Angels SingKenneth VarnerAt places marked * those who are able may stand.Communion in the ChapelMeet Rev. Cliff Ritter in the Chapel at 12:05 p.m. for aservice of Holy Communion and Healing Prayer.Leading in Worship Today: Dr. Tom Pace, Rev. Cliff Ritter; Rev. MichelleManuel; Shelby Olive, Pastoral Intern; Ric Hodgin.Musicians: Sid Davis, Director of Music & Fine Arts; Rob Landes, Artist-inResidence; VOCES8; Chancel Choir.St. Luke's Friends of MusicToday's guest musicians were made possible in part through the generosityof St. Luke's Friends of Music. If you would like to contribute or become amember of The Friends of Music, please contact Grace Roman:groman@stlukesmethodist.org or 713-402-5016

Sermon NotesWhat, Then, Will This Child Become?Final in series, Questions before ChristsmasHow do you face the future? Two decisions before us:Will you be a or a ?Will you have e or e ?

With the generous lead gift of 60Your gift will benefit the New Woodshopand other projects of theCapital CampaignUse the QR code to learnmore about the campaignSupportSmall StepsBuild aCommunityCenterSupportPX ProjectRetireGarage DebtBuild a NewWoodshopRestore theSpire andEnhanceWestheimerCampus

600,000 we are well on our way!*Conceptual drawingMore Than Just a BuildingOur talented woodworkers. Build and repair furniture for St. Luke’s and othernon-profit organizations Create thousands of wooden toys Provide community for our Senior volunteersVisit StLukesMethodist.org/ChristmasOfferingor use the QR code

A DV E N T D E DThe 2021 Advent Decorations are dedicatedto the glory of God in loving memory ofOur parents, Jean and Lud Kucera and Polly and Marvin Andressby Lilly and Thurmon Andress.Jim Knight by Barbara Bamberg.Matthew Hall Benton by his family.Bill Denham by Karen Blair.Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Monroe, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald T. Botts andRev. William J. Hodge by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Botts andThomas and Katherine Botts.Virginia and Frank King and Alan Brooks by the Brooks family.Mary Alice and Raymond Schindler, Sherry Schindler and her sonBlake R. Hawk, Patricia Dane Schindler and Nell andSequoyah Brown and Robert S. Brown by Suzanne and Tim Brown.Eloise and Joe Blades by Sarah Gaye and Peter Conner.Terry L. Richardson by the Richardson, Loocke, and Cooleyfamilies.Mobley E. Cox, Jr. by Joan Cox.Berniece and Herschel Wood, Charlotte Wood Horton andAnn and B. W. Crain, Jr. by Kelty and Rogers Crain.Ruby Nell Coe by the Donaldson family.Ginger Gilley; and in loving memory of Henry Quian by Edna andBob Edgley.Marlyn and Archie Gartrell and Agnes and Earl Bennett by Elaineand Steve Gartrell.John and Patricia Mendius and Harry and Alma Graber by Ned andCathy Graber.Lee and Peggy Duggan by their children, Lee Duggan III,Debbie Gamble, and Pam Gray.Belton G. Griffin, Jane and John Smith, and Brian Smith, byGary Smith and Carol Griffin.