November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Luke 2:26-37
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N EWARK VALLEY 1ST UNITED METHODIST
70 S. MAIN ST.,
NEWARK VALLEY, NY 13811
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Office: (607) 642-8811 Website: nvmethodist.com
Email: newarkvalley1stumc@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/nvfirstumc
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Rev. Timothy Middleton
Parsonage: (607) 642-3630
Email: nvpastor@yahoo.com
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THE CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP
http://live.nvmethodist.com
Welcome! We’re happy to have you with us today.
PRAY-LUDE
WORDS OF WELCOME & OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MINISTRY
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: We enter into this first Sunday of the Advent season,
turning our attention to You, God. We acknowledge the
darkness that is within us, and that permeates the world.
P: Father, forgive us.
L: We acknowledge the suffering, tragedy, and pain by which
humanity is afflicted, which seems at times to overwhelm
us.
P: Draw near to us, Oh God.
L: We consider the mystery of Your ways, that You might
choose to send our Savior as an innocent baby and not as a
warrior or a king; as one who humbly accepted suffering
and humiliation and called it glory.
P: Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
L: We choose in this moment to focus our attention on HOPE;
the hope of Jesus Christ and all His coming represents for
suffering people, the hope for restoration of all that is
broken in the world, the hope of new life and resurrection.
P: Hope is the light we wish to see by.
L: Grant, Oh God, that when He comes, Christ may find us
waiting in expectation, our souls quieted, our hearts soft
and open.
P: We wait in hope for the Lord.
L: In Christ all things are made new, and we look forward to
the day our hope is fulfilled, each heart reconciled, the
 work of Christ completed in all the earth. and planted it.
P: Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Fran Pratt P: You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled
the land.
Almighty God, as we begin this season of Advent remind
L: The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty
us again that in the midst of our darkness You are bringing us
cedars with its branches;
peace, to calm our anxious spirits and hectic lives. Turn our
P: It sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the
hearts again toward You. Make us ready to receive Your Son
river.
our Savior. Slow our pace, and give us the blessing of feeling
L: Why then have You broken down its walls, so that all who
Your peace in our spirits. For we ask this in Jesus’ precious
pass along the way pluck its fruit?
Name. Amen. —Nancy C. Townley
P: The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in
WORSHIP FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES the field of feed on it.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE - HOPE L: Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and
see:
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR
P: Have regard for this vine, the stock which Your right hand
GIFTS/OFFERTORY
planted.
*Thanksgiving Praise: “Spirit of the Living God” L: They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may
they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance!
RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 80
L: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a P: But let Your hand be upon those of Your right hand, the
flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine ones whom you have made strong for Yourself!
forth! In the presence of Ephraim and Benjamin and L: Then we will never turn back from You; give us life,
Manasseh. Stir up Your might, and come to save us! and we will call on Your Name!
P: Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, That we may be P: Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let Your face shine,
saved! that we may be saved!
L: O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry with Your *HYMN “O Come, O Come, Emanuel”
people’s prayers? PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S
P: You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given PRAYER (UMH #895)
them tears to drink in full measure.
L: You make us the scorn of our neighbors; and our enemies SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:26-37
laugh among themselves. MESSAGE: “An Uncommon Choice” ~ Pastor Tim
P: Restore us, O God of hosts; let Your face shine, that we INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
may be saved! Consecration Of Gifts for the Coming Year
L: You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out the nations
*HYMN “The First Noel” purchase the needed gifts for the families.  The families will then receive
the gifts with rolls of wrapping paper and tags to wrap the gifts on their
BENEDICTION PRAISE “God Be with You till We
Meet Again” verse 1, verse only own.  This has been a long standing tradition for our church and has been
a great way to give back to families in need in our community.  If you
THE LIGHT GOES FORTH have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 279-7354.  Thank
you in advance for your generosity. 
POSTLUDE
Debbie Berghorn
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*The NV Food Pantry Has Moved!
The following special events will be held under the
To better facilitate Food Bank access the Food Pantry has been moved to requirements of current Covid mandates therefore, in-person
79 Whig Street Newark Valley. This is open to all residents of the 13811
seating will be limited to 50 people. (Live-streaming available
zip code. For questions regarding the Food Pantry or emergency food
supply issues, please contact Sue Hills at 607-642-3339. Thank you. for those with that option at http://live.nvmethodist.com)

Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets

Project Neighbor of Newark Valley is now taking applications for  Christmas
food baskets. You must have a 13811 zip code. To sign up for a basket call 642-
8176 or 642-3339.   Sunday, December
Deadline for the Christmas baskets is Dec.4th & they will need to be picked up 13th at 4 p.m., featuring Jewel Griffith, Dave Jackson and
December 19th between 10a.m. and noon. Brenda Yeier!!
All baskets need to be picked up at our new location of 79 Whig St. - just
across from the Elementary School.
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*Sandy has adult and child-sized masks. Please contact her
through Pastor Tim if you are in need of them.
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Giving Tree There will be a Blue Christmas
service on Monday, December 21st at 6 p.m.
The Giving Tree is a community based project that I have overseen for
many years.  Our church family adopts several families and we purchase
Christmas Gifts for the children in that family.  Due to recent events with
COVID 19, the Giving Tree will look quite different this year.  We are
unable to put tags on a tree and there is the concern of having people go
out and shop for gifts. In lieu of the tags, I am asking for monetary or gift We will gather for a Christmas
card donations (Target, Walmart or Visa/Mastercard).  Please make all Eve Service on Thursday, December 24th, at 6 p.m.
checks out to NVUMC Sunday School and either bring them or mail
them to the church NVUMC at 70 S. Main St. Newark Valley, NY. 
Along with a few helper elves, I will then take these donations and
 The People of the Mid. East; The Unemployed; those affected by natural
disasters, including storm concerns, wildfires, tornados, earthquakes, relief
workers & their families; Those starting new jobs; Unspoken Concerns;
Victims of hate crimes; Young Disciples’ Church; World peace;

People to Remember in Prayer Each Day

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For Encouragement: Wilma Ace; Doris Adams; Rev. Nancy Adams;
Michelle Beebe Hans; Caregivers; Jackie Carlin; Davis, Heath & Neal
Believe Belong
Missionary Families; Macella Dean; Jessica Dunham; Mary Harper
Edsall; Pastor Gary Freeland; Lillian Gregrow; Dorene Hill; Rob Dunham Become
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Build
& family; Sheryl Jones; “Linda”; Joyce Malsch; Terry McKinney; Lexy
Middleton; Tim & Connie Middleton; Shuba & Morrissey families;
Bonnie Snapp; President Trump; UCC Church;
Health Related Issues: Dave Ace; “Amy”; Jerry Adams; Larry Baird;
Baby Princess Warrior Bristol; Carol Bazzeghin; Jane Bensley; Pete
Brennan; Carol Carey; Donald Cornwell; Jim DeCaro; Tony DeCaro;
Wendy Dunham; Mary Edsall; Linda Hendrickson; Darlene Hill; Bobbie
Kazmarcik; Jim Kavalesky; Rosie Kessler; MaryAnn Kinsey; Marylou
Kinsey; Sue Kinsey; Jim & June Krapf; Anna Kuntzelman; “Larry”
(MaryJo Carey’s Brother); Autumn Lavine; “Luke” (Wendy Dunham’s
grandson) & others with RSV; Shirley Mincher; Chet & Peggy Pierce; Teri
Remaley; Residents, staff & families of Hilltop & Elderwood
Communities; “Debbie” (Arlene Ronk’s daughter); Ginger (Kinsey) Roth;
“Sharon” (Nellie Snapp’s sister); Kim Smith; Jackie Sparks; Jean
Stevens; Craig Tirrell; Those down with the flu; Those in harm’s way of
contracting “Covid19”: food pantry volunteers, school and store
employees helping to make food and groceries available, and those with
the virus; Twins, Cassidy & Siena Lourie; Don Williams (Frazier’s
brother);
Our Shut Ins: Sharon Brown; Mary Kay Johnson; Jean Stevens;
Brandon Swisher; Tarraha Whittemore
In Sympathy & Comfort: All those who continue mourning the loss of
a loved one along with the families & friends of Varina Henson; Pat
Liddington; Ruth Stoughton; & of those who have died from COVID-19;

Unknown/Other Concerns: All Churches in the area; Lorisa Bates &

family; Bishop Webb and his Cabinet; Churches and states as they reopen;
All Countries affected by terrorism; All those affected by mass shootings &
stabbings; Church family; NYS Thru Way Employees who all lost their jobs
at midnight on 11/14/2020; Families whose loved ones are struggling with
addiction; Gabby Dunham; Healthcare workers & providers; Law
enforcement officers & their families; Opposing views on racial & social
issues; Our country’s leaders; Our Congregation; Congress; Our Military
Troops; Our Small Groups; Our vision; Our Youth; Persecuted Christians;
Political Climate; Sanitation workers, Scientists working on vaccines &
cures: Nursing Home Workers; Refugees & others in the midst of moves;