Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 9:30 AM

Transcription

1 We Strive to Be a Church that Welcomes All and Empowers All in Christ to Share their God Given Talents. Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 9:30 AM Church Address: 547 Hanover Street, Hanover, Massachuse s Mailing Address: 17 Silver Street, Suite 201, Hanover, Massachuse s Phone: Website: Office office@fcchanover.org Rev. Eric s reveric@fcchanover.org Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30-2:30 Sexton Karen Tripp: Tuesday and Thursday, 9-2 Sermons, anthems, the church newsle er and the weekly bulle n are available on our Website. Friend us on Facebook and get the latest updates! Scan the QR or go to the church website for Online Giving

2 Y Üáà fâçwtç Éy TwäxÇà To Our Guests: We are grateful that you are with us this morning. As a people of God, our most important ac vity is worship. You are invited to a end any of the ac vi es listed in the bulle n. Children: All children, regardless of their age, are welcome to stay in worship with their parents. There are ac vity bags located in the narthex at the front entrance of the church. If you need a place to be with your infant or toddler, we invite you to use the nursery located through the front door of the sanctuary to the right of the pulpit. The service can be viewed in the nursery on a flat screen television. OUR WORSHIP SERVICE *standing as you are able Gather and Pray PRELUDE: Please enter a quiet me of reflec on when the prelude music begins *OPENING HYMN Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Red Pilgrim #109 CHOIR PROCESSES WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS (During the welcome, please sign and pass the Friendship Pad to your neighbor) *CALL TO WORSHIP Lay Reader: Come and see! People: The light of God has come into our world to proclaim God s jus ce and love. This light has overcome the darkness and brought new life. Lay Reader: Come and follow! People: Christ our companion has redeemed our world. He draws us into a loving family from every family and culture. Lay Reader: Go and tell! People: The Spirit has equipped us for service, to love our neighbors as we do ourselves and to bring God s peace to the ends of the earth. Lay Reader: Come and see, come and follow, go and tell! In God s Love we put our hope. Open the Bible GOSPEL BIBLE LESSON John 1:6-13 New Testament page 91 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to tes fy to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to tes fy to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of 2

3 the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. CHOIR ANTHEM Ac vate Faith MESSAGE The Prac ce of Paying A en on Rev. Eric *HYMN OF BLESSING Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Red Pilgrim #107 Send and Transform with Our Gi s and Ac ons OFFERING OF SELF AND GIFTS AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS AND PASTORAL PRAYER CHILDREN S MESSAGE The Advent Wreath-Expecta on Rev. Eric THE LORD S PRAYER Deacon John Wall 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors and lead us not into tempta on, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN One Candle Is Lit Blue Chalice #128 *BENEDICTION AND POSTLUDE A er the service please join us downstairs in the Vestry for light refreshments and fellowship. 3

4 CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES The two UCC Conferences for the region (California-Nevada, North and South) are working closely to provide support to and through the churches in the impact zones and to coordinate relief and recovery with other agencies and neighboring churches. Our Na onal UCC Disaster Ministries is staying in close contact to provide assistance in the short and long term recovery. You can find informa on updates and ways to be helpful at As always, the most helpful approach is to offer the flexibility of funds. This allows relief agencies the most leeway and efficiency in providing help. And con nue to hold the people, congrega ons, Conference and communi es in your prayers. Experience the power of prayer by becoming part of the prayer chain ministry. You will be ed or le a voice mail, your preference, when an urgent prayer need arises. You will be asked to prayer for that person or situa on throughout the day. Usually the church office receives about one special prayer request a week. If you would like to be on the prayer chain team, please put prayer next to your name with the way you would prefer to be no fied of prayer concerns, or phone. Psalm 107:28-30: Then they prayed to the LORD in their trouble, and God delivered them from their distress. God made the storm in their lives be s ll. SERVING IN GOD S HOUSE THIS MORNING Gree ng you this morning are members of the Youth Fellowship. Our Lay Reader is John Wall. Today s altar flowers are given by Wayne and Lucinda Shaw in memory of their parents, Wesley & Evelyn Shaw and Donald &Hazel Lyman. Our Coffee Hour is hosted by Bob and Be y Meader. The Deacon of the Week is John Wall. 4

5 PRAYER LIST *Laura Paine *John Fox *Friends of Jansen Onffroy, who passed in June *Rosemary Loomis, friend of Craig Pe engill *Aslam Khan in ICU in Dubai *Those impacted by the California Fires *Ted Adami *Richard, Rick, Falcione, brother of Dennis Falcione *The family of George Hoyes, father of Jim Hoyes, who passed November 10 *The Hendersons *Bill Spooner, son of Elaine Spooner *Bob St. Jean, family friend of the Melchins *Frank Smith, brother-in-law of Marilyn Melchin *Susan Alexander *Hazel Straughn, friend of Ruth Hall *Tree of Life Synagogue in Pi sburg *MA Residents impacted by gas explosion *Darrius Fiske *Richard Wilber, Audrey Wilber s son *Dolly Johnson *Linda Wall *Erica, daughter of Ginny Hunt, eye issues *Jan Bancro at Royal Norwell BULLETIN PRAYER REQUESTS: Please complete one of the cards in the pews and place it in the box on the front of the balcony, in the basket to the right of the altar, or give it to an usher. This will allow for the most accurate lis ng of your concern. Folks will remain on this list for 4 weeks unless you update your request. Church Sponsored Events Today and in the Days Ahead Today: No Sunday School - Children are invited to stay for worship 9:30 am: Worship Service 11:00 am: Chris an Educa on Team 11:00 Confirmand Only Class in Pastor s Office 1:00 pm: Youth Fellowship at Colony Center in Abington 1:30 pm: Meal Prepara on in Riley Hall Kitchen for MainSpring homeless shelter 2:30 pm: Merriweds at North River Theater in Norwell Monday: 10:30 am and 7:30 pm: Bible Study 3:00 pm: Memorial Fund Commi ee in church office Tuesday: 7:00 pm: Outreach & Service in church office Wednesday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm: Thri Shop Open 7:30 pm: Prayer Shawl in church office Thursday: 1:00 pm: Pastoral Rela ons Mee ng in Pastor s Office 7:00 pm: Yoga in Vestry Saturday: Sunday: 10:00 am-2:00 pm: Thri Shop Open 8:30 am: Choir Prac ce 9:20 am: Sunday School and Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 9:30 am: Second Sunday in Advent, White Gi and Communion Sunday, Worship Service, Rev. Eric preaching, The Prac ce of Wearing Skin, John 1:14-18, Deacon of the Week, Emma Killham 5

6 SERMON SERIES ON BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR S BOOK, AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD Rev. Stroshine is doing a sermon series using scriptures and Barbara Brown Taylor s New York Times bestselling book, An Altar in the World. The sermon series will examine meaningful ways to see the sacred in small things we do, and learn about coping skills that will allow us to deal with the challenges of life and find strength and joy in our journeys. Next Sunday, December 9 the message is en tled, The Prac ce of Wearing Skin and is based on chapter 3 of Taylor s book. The scripture will be John 1: MONDAY BOOK AND BIBLE STUDY ON THE BOOK AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD. Every Monday at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm in the pastor s office in Riley Hall, 17 Silver Street, Rev. Eric will lead a book and Bible study on a different chapter of An Altar in the World. On December 3 Chapter 3, The Prac ce of Wearing Skin, and John 1:14-18, will be studied. HAVE YOU TURNED IN A PLEDGE FOR 2019? Pledge cards and envelopes are available long the back wall of the sanctuary with the bulle ns. We ask all who have not yet completed a pledge card to do so. Please fill out a pledge card, even if you intend to use e-giving. Your spiritual and financial gi s are greatly appreciated! WHITE GIFT GIVING TREE TODAY Take a gi tag from the Christmas Gi Tree in the Narthex. Bring your gi wrapped in white ssue paper to place on the altar on December 9. Please label the contents of your white gi by placing the tag on the gi. These gi s will be distributed by the Hanover VNA to local families this Christmas. If you need to arrange for pick up of your gi s, call Terri Milley ( ) or Karen Tripp ( ). ORDER POINSETTIAS TODAY The Flower Commi ee will be taking orders today and next Sunday, December 9. For $10 you may honor a loved one with the purchase of poinse a. The plants will decorate the altar for Christmas. 6

7 GIFT CARD DONATIONS TO SUPPORT HANOVER VNA S HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Merriweds are con nuing our Christmas tradi on of dona ng gi cards for older children and teens to Hanover families needing holiday assistance. Please consider bringing a gi card to our Christmas party on December 2 for this worthwhile ac vity. We will accept gi cards through Sunday, December 9. Please contact Sandy Adami ( ; sandraeadami@gmail.com ) or Linda Wall ( ; wall.law@gmail.com). Your gi card will be distributed by the Hanover Visi ng Nurse Associa on and will brighten a child's Christmas. MERRIWEDS CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY HOLIDAY CONCERT, BUFFET DINNER AND YANKEE SWAP The Merriweds Christmas Party will begin with the free Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert at 2:30 pm in the Whitman Town Hall. Please meet in the front parking lot of Riley Hall by 1:30 pm to carpool to the concert. A er the concert, the party will con nue with a catered Christmas buffet dinner at the home of Suzanne and Mike Mahoney, 150 Elm Street, Hanover. Following dinner, there will be a Yankee Swap for anyone who would like to par cipate. If you have any ques ons, please contact either Sandy Adami ( ; sandraeadami@gmail.com ) or Linda Wall ( ; wall.law@gmail.com). Guests and new members are welcome. Please join us for some wonderful holiday fellowship! POST FAIR SALE IN VESTRY ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 If you missed the Church Fair or s ll need a quick gi, here is your opportunity to find a unique present. On Sunday, December 9 there will be some items available for sale in the vestry during Coffee Hour. STAMPS FROM SHAW S ASSIST THE HOMELESS Shaw s will be giving out stamps now through December 13. Take all you can and put the stamps loose in the collec on jar in the vestry. Outreach and Service will donate them to the Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore. They will redeem them and provide the food storage containers to folks struggling to se le into a new home. 7

8 MOONLIGHTERS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 The next mee ng of Moonlighters will be our Annual Christmas Party, which will be held at the home of Deb Jackman in Hanson on Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 pm. If you have not already signed up for an appe zer or dessert, please contact Dayna Scribi We will have fun with a $20 Yankee Gi Swap. Once again, our group will be providing gi s for a family presently living at a facility run by South Shore Friends of the Homeless. It will be great to put a smile on the faces of a Mom and her five children when they receive these gi s. CABINET MEETING All Commi ee Chairs are asked to a end a Cabinet Mee ng on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 pm in the church vestry. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SET UP IN THE SANCTUARY, DECEMBER 23 Immediately following 9:30 am Church Service on Sunday, December 23, we are looking for volunteers to help set up the Christmas Pageant stage. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thank you! CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES FAMILY SERVICE AT 5:00 pm: This service is designed for kids of all ages. It is a wonderful chance for the family to gather to hear the great old story of the birth of Jesus. We will end the service with carols by candlelight. TRADITIONAL CANDLELIGHT SERVICE AT 9:00 pm: This service includes the Sacrament of Communion. The story is shared in scripture and sermon, choir and candlelight. Nothing quite captures the spirit of the season as the quiet warmth of worship on Christmas Eve. 8