Joseph: One Righteous Dude December 3, 2017 Reverend Rodney ...

Be a Blessing to Others This Christmas Thank you to everyone that helped put together a Thanksgiving basket for one of the single-parent families at Cumberland. Moving forward, we have an opportunity to help families with Christmas. As you give thanks for all that God has blessed you with, consider doing something to bless others this Christmas—involve your whole family. See the Mission Matters Table for details.

You are invited to help decorate our Christmas tree(s)  Connection Center Tree We have a Faith Family Tree tradition in which we encourage each family to bring an ornament that represents their family, that is ’church-friendly’, and that can be part of our tree for years to come. If you did not contribute an ornament last year, or are new to the church, you are invited to do so this year.  Family Tree in Education Wing Likewise, we want to continue the tradition we’ve started for our children. We want each family to bring a photo (of the whole family or the children in the family) in an ornament frame to hang on the Family Tree in the Education Wing. We will keep these framed pictures and hang them on the tree every year moving forward. They will be a beautiful, fun reminder of how our Faith family is growing.

Second Sunday Sermon Discussion Each month, on the 2nd Sunday at 9AM, there will be a 'drop-in' discussion centered on the current sermon series. Bring your questions and insights to Room 137 next week (12/10) and join the conversation.

Joseph: One Righteous Dude December 3, 2017 Reverend Rodney Whitfield Faith United Methodist Church “Making new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” Discipleship Hour at 9:00 Contemporary Worship at 10:30 Communion celebrated the 1st Sunday of each month

You are all invited to a reception for Serena Eckert right after worship on Sunday, December 17. We will thank her for her 12 years of dedication on our staff, and celebrate her ministry to and with the people of our congregation and our community. If you did not receive an email with information about this event, please let us know via your Connection Card.

[email protected] 940.535.2267 @TryFaithUMC

Sermon Notes

Order of Worship Gathering Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Praise Life You’re Living ~ Jesse Manibusan Emmanuel ~ Steve Agrisano

We hope that you will use the following readings and questions for personal reflection and as conversation starters with other people in your life (family, friends, co‐workers, neighbors, anyone whom God puts in your path), in small groups and/or one on one. Suggested Readings Deuteronomy 22:13-29 Matthew 1:18-19 & Luke 1:26-38 (Questions taken from Adam Hamilton’s Study Faithful, page 28)  How do you imagine Mary felt as she shared the news with Jospeh?  How do you imagine Joseph felt?

John 11:1-8 (Questions taken from Adam Hamilton’s Study, Faithful, page 33)  What similarities and/or differences do you see in the story of the woman caught in adultery and Mary’s Story?  What similarities and/or differences do you see in Jesus’ reaction to the woman and Joseph’s reaction to Mary?

Scripture Reading Matthew 1:18-19 Candlelighting Marin Young and Alex Wilson Welcome and Greeting Prayer A Strange Way to Save the World ~ Rascal Flats Message: Faithful Joseph: One Righteous Dude Offering of Tithes and Gifts The Lord is With You ~ Vince Lujan Sacrament of Holy Communion Christ the Lord ~ Robert Fedducia and Sara Hart

Closing Song Your Grace is Enough ~ Matt Maher Matthew 1:1-16 & Luke 3:23-34  What is similar and what is different?  What is the significance of the four women included in Matthew’s gospel?

Sending Forth

Children are always welcome in worship at Faith. If preferred, a nursery is available for children ages 0-4 and C.R.E.W. is available for kids ages 4 thru 6th grade.