Alva Review-Courier -

On Sunday, Dec. 27, the order of services at the Freedom United Methodist Church was:

Prelude – Janell Reutlinger

Announcement: We are on Facebook live at 11 a.m. Our Facebook page is Freedom United Methodist Church.

Invocation by Pastor Todd Finley

Call to Worship – Psalm 80 led by Lori Louthan

Opening Hymn – “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” led by Jennifer Finley

Affirmation of Faith

Lord’s Prayer

Gloria Patri

Hymn of Justifying Grace – “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”

Presentation of tithes and gifts

Offertory Prayer by Pastor Todd

Doxology

Jennifer Finley sang a medley of Christmas hymns

Holy Scripture – Joshua 1:1-9: After the death of Moses the servant of the Most High God, said to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. So now, get up and cross over this Jordan, you and all the people, to the land I am giving to them, the people of Israel. I am giving you every place you will step on with the sole of your foot, as I said to Moses. All the land from the desert and the Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River – all the land of the Hittites and on to the Great Sea in the west will be your territory. No one will be able to withstand you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you. Be strong, be bold; for your will cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers I would give them. Only be strong and very bold in taking care to follow all the Law which Moses my servant ordered you to follow; do not turn from it either to the right or to the left; then you will succeed wherever you go. Yes, keep this book of the Law on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed. Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold?’ so don’t be afraid or downhearted, because God your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Morning Message – “Be strong in God” – Pastor Todd Finley

Pastoral Prayer

Hymn of Invitation – “Away In a Manger”

Benediction: Let us go from this place proclaiming that we have seen the glory of God. Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness which the darkness shall not overcome and may the love of the Creator the joy of the Spirit, and the peace of the Christ-child be with you this Christmas, and evermore. Amen.

Closing Musical Response – “Go, Tell It On the Mountain”

Postlude – Janell Reutlinger

Please remember those on our prayer list including:

Please hold up in prayer those who are sick with the Covid-19 virus. Please keep our country in your prayers as our state and national leaders make decisions daily concerning our peace and safety. Sue Reed, Becky Hill, Larry Pruitt, Lisa Hughes (medical issue), Ann and Roscoe Hill, Kinsey Burnham (medical issue), Payne Louthan (military), all nursing home residents, Dale Martin (Debbie Brown’s father), Islia Barnes, Whitaker family, President Trump, our elected officials, our country, Don and Reia Lenhart, Isaac Hansen (deployed), Betty Kirkwood, Christians worldwide, Bonita Stewart, J.J. Louthan, Rick Wallace (Regina Wilson’s brother, medical issue), and Kinsey Didier.

Services at Freedom UMC – Sunday school/Bible study starts at 10 a.m. Sunday service at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Please join us as we worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.