First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin. December 16, :30 am

Transcription

1 First Congregational United Church of Christ River Falls, Wisconsin December 16, :30 am

2 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN DECEMBER 16, 2018 Third SUNDAY IN ADVENT 10:30 am Joy can only be real if people look upon their life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness. ~Leo Tolstoy Welcome to our guests who are visiting with us today! Join us for coffee in the Fellowship Hall between the 9:00 & 10:30 worship services. ~The Nursery is available for young children. ~Church Mouse activity bags are available for children. ~Large print bulletins and hearing impaired devices are available from the ushers. ~Please stand when noted by the * ~Congregation responses are in bold. No matter who you are. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here! As Jesus courageous disciples, living God s grace, we strive to: ~ Worship faithfully ~ Welcome openly ~ Grow spiritually ~ Care passionately ~ Serve generously PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS SILENCE AND RINGING OF THE BELL LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH L: Advent is a season of joy. We celebrate the coming of the Christ child with parties and gifts, special decorations and new clothes. We gather with family and friends for special events. We honor long-held traditions. We also reach out to those whose joy is dimmed in this season. Today we light the third candle, the Candle of Joy, for Christ, our joy, is coming. P: With the psalmist, let us exult: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure. You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures evermore. All: The joy of the Lord is our strength! Let us bask in the radiance of Christ s presence as we light the Candle of Joy.

3 He Came Down CALL TO WORSHIP L: Shout for joy! P: The Savior is coming. L: Sing with gladness! P: Our darkness shall be turned to light. L: Let every heart prepare a space. P: Let every home make ready. L: Let all the hungry be filled. P: Let all the homeless be sheltered. L: For a new day is dawning. P: The world is being made new. L: The Savior is coming. P: Sing with joy! All: Come let us worship the God who leads us into life!

4 *HYMN Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn #107 *PRAYER OF CONFESSION Forgive us, Lord, if we leave little room for wonder in our lives. Too often we are obsessed with control and explanations. Surprises throw us off balance and the unknown scares us. During this Advent season amaze us again with your grace and help us recognize your marvelous deeds, which you are working all around us. Amen. *ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L: Hear the Good News! The Messiah comes to bring good news to the oppressed, P: To bind up the brokenhearted, L: To proclaim liberty to the captives, P: And release to the prisoners. L: Jesus comes in the form of a little bitty baby, P: To save us from our sins. All Let us spread the Good News! Amen. L: May the peace of the Lord be with you all. P: And also with you. *PASSING OF THE PEACE (Please greet one another with signs of peace) *GLORIA Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o er the plains, And the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains. Glo----ri-a in ex-cel-sis De-o, Glo----ri-a in ex-cel-sis De-o. SCRIPTURE LESSON Philippians 4:4-7

5 ISAIAH 12:2-6 (Cantor will introduce; congregation, please join in when directed) R With joy draw water from the spring; salvation s living well. The Holy One is in your midst; glad praises sing and tell! L: Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. P: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. L: Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. P: Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. R GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:7-18 CHILDREN S MUSICAL A Stable Fit For A King By: William Anderson Why Not a King of Kings? Why not a King of Kings? Why not a child? Why can t we dream our dreams, tender and mild, tender and mild? How will we speak to him? How will we stand? How will we look for him when he s a man, when he s a man? What will we say to him? What will we do? What will his life be worth for me and you? For me and you? Why not a King of kings? Why not a child? Why can t we dream our dreams tender and mild, tender and mild?

6 A Stable Fit, Fit, Fit For A King A stable fit, fit, fit for a King. A stable fit, fit, fit for a King. Although we like to play, not today. The stable must be clean. We re goin to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re goin to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re going to sing and shout, sweep it out! Yes, we know what to do. We ll make it fit, fit, fit for a King. We ll make it fit, fit, fit for a King. Although we like to play, not today. The stable must be clean. We re going to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re goin to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re going to sing and shout, sweep it out! Yes, we know what to do. A stable fit, fit, fit for a King. A stable fit, fit, fit for a King. Although we like to play, not today. The stable must be clean. We re goin to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re goin to sing, sing, sing allelu. We re going to sing and shout, sweep it out! Oh yes, the stable must be clean. Oh yes, the stable must be clean! Wonder Why Is that an angel in the sky, my Lord? Is that an angel in the sky? Is that an angel in the sky? I feel so happy, wonder why? Is that a trumpet in the sky, my Lord? Is that a trumpet in the sky? Is that a trumpet in the sky, my Lord? I feel like dancing, wonder why? Is that a star up in the sky, my Lord? Is that a star up in the sky? Is that a star up the sky, my Lord? I feel like shouting, wonder why? I feel like dancing wonder why? I feel so happy wonder why? I feel like clapping wonder why? On This Holy Night Baby Jesus, in a manger, a manger filled with light. Baby Jesus, the Savior of us all, on this holy night. Baby Jesus, child of heaven, we come to bless your name. Baby Jesus, the Son of God is here. Here on earth to reign.

7 Born in a lowly manger, laid in a cattle stall, Sent to the world a stranger, bringing peace and good will to all. Baby Jesus, in a manger, a manger filled with light. Baby Jesus, the Savior of us all, on this holy night. Baby Jesus, the Savior of us all on this holy night. On this holy night. By the Light of a Star Down to Bethlehem wise men traveled by the light of a star. Down to Bethlehem wise men traveled, they had come from afar, By the light of a star. Gifts they carried to give the Christ child by the light of a star. Gifts they carried to give the Christ child, they had come from afar, By the light of a star. They discovered him in a stable by the light of a star. They discovered him in a stable, they had come from afar, By the light of a star. Then they worshipped him in a manger by the light of a star. Then they worshipped him in a manger by the light of a star. By the light of a star, by the light of a star, by the light of a star. Song: We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Refrain: Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding guide us to thy perfect light. Born a king on Bethlehem s plain, gold I bring to crown him again; king forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice, heav n sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies.

8 Sing Alleluia! Sing alleluia, sing. Sing alleluia, sing. Jesus Christ is born today. Sing alleluia, sing. Ring alleluia, ring. Ring alleluia, ring. Ring out joy and peace to all. Ring alleluia, ring. Share alleluia, share. Share alleluia, share. Share the news that Christ is Born. Share alleluia, share. Jesus Christ is born today. Sing alleluia sing, sing allelu, sing alleluia! Lyrics reprinted with permission of Hope Publishing Company. *HYMN Holy Child within the Manger

9 THE PRAYERS & LORD S PRAYER (debts/debtors) 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. OFFERTORY We Give Thee But Thine Own *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Gracious Savior, you call us to prepare: to prepare to entertain angels, to be alert to wait and watch, to be awake for the coming of glory, to receive your presence in our lives. Send your Spirit upon us, we pray, that we might be made ready to open our hearts and lives with gladness. Fill us with the joy of anticipation and make our waiting a sweet time of communion with you. Bless us and our gifts as we wait and watch. Amen.

10 THE COMMUNION All Christians, regardless of denomination, tradition or age are welcome at the table of our Lord. When invited, please come forward down the center aisle. Receive a piece of bread (both wheat and gluten-free breads are available) and a cup from the tray (white is grape juice and red is wine). Children choosing not to commune are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing. Return to your seat using the outside aisle. If you are unable to come forward, communion will be brought to you. The Invitation to the Supper L: In love, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of our Lord, Emmanuel. It is a way marked by peace, grace, hope and great joy. And here at his table, we experience a foretaste of God s kingdom come down to earth. The Great Thanksgiving L: The Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts. P: We lift them up to the Lord. L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: It is right to give our thanks and praise. L: We offer you praise, O Lord our God, ruler of the Universe. When we were captive in slavery, you delivered us to freedom and made a covenant with us to be our God. When we were stubborn and stiff necked you sent prophets to remind us of your way. And when the time was right, you sent a baby into the world to teach us a new way of living. The Words of Institution L: Therefore with all your witnesses in heaven and on earth we rejoice in this holy meal as we proclaim the mystery of faith: All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Prayer of Consecration

11 Distribution of the Elements Hymns to be sung during the distribution of the elements: Let Us Be Bread (cantor sings verses; congregation join on refrain)

12 Eat This Bread Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst. Let Us Break Bread Together Let us break bread together on our knees; Let us break bread together on our knees; Refrain: When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees; Let us drink wine together on our knees; Refrain Let us praise God together on our knees; Let us praise God together on our knees; Refrain Prayer of Thanksgiving All: We thank you, God, that through this bread and this cup, through Word and sacrament you have given us Christ Jesus, who is the true bread from heaven and food of eternal life. So strengthen us in your service that our daily living may show our thanks, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

13 *HYMN Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers

14 *COMMISSIONING Go with joy, for the Christ child will be born. Go with joy, for he is coming at an unexpected moment. Go with joy, for he will set you free and give you more than you can possibly imagine. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord your God. Amen. POSTLUDE Reprinted music used by permission under the following licenses: OneLicense.net A CCLI License Assisting in today s worship service are: Liturgist: 9:00 am Traci Hagberg 10:30 am Alan Tuchtenhagen Coffee Fellowship: Lu Lueck, Cassie Erickson Ushers: 9:00 am Gloria Gardner, Martha Olson, Lee Lueck 10:30 am Evelyn Purdy, Linn Lawrence, Nathan Lawrence, Aspen Richter, Colin Richter Welcomers: Bonnie Jones-Witthuhn Nursery: Sheila Peterson Organist: Marsha Pearson Trustee: Merle Paulson Counters: Diane Welsh, Mike Gardner Among Friends Coordinator: Norma Revels Music Coordinator: Marsha Pearson Choir Director: Scott Perau Bell Choir Director: Jamie Mills Church Moderator: Neal Prochnow Church Secretary: Missy Luedtke Youth Pastor: JaNae Westrich Minister for Community: Rev. Dave Ostendorf CE Minister: Rev. Stacy Johnson Myers Senior Pastor: Rev. Chris Myers

15 Sun., Dec 16 Tues., Dec 18 Wed., Dec 19 Sun., Dec 23 Mon., Dec 24 Tues, Dec 25 Wed, Dec 26 First Congregational UCC, 110 N. Third Street, River Falls, WI Tel: Fax: :00 am - Choir Practice 9:00 am - Worship Service 9:00 am - Adult Forum 10:00 am - Coffee Fellowship 10:30 am - Worship Service Advent Musical 11:00 am - WEVR Broadcast 9:00 am - Yoga 9:00 am-3:00 pm - Among Friends 3:00 pm - Wellhaven Gathering 3:45-5:00 pm - Wednesday School 5:15-6:15 pm - Family Meal 5:45-6:30 pm - Jubilee Ringers 6:30-7:00 pm - Advent Evening Prayer (Confirmation Part One) 7:00-7:30 pm - Confirmation Year 1 (7 th Grade) 7:00-7:30 pm - Confirmation Year 3 (9 th Grade) 7:00-8:00 pm - Chancel Choir 8:00 am - Bells Practice 9:00 am - Worship Service 10:00 am - Coffee Fellowship 11:00 am - WEVR Broadcast 4:00 pm - Family Candle Light Service 6:00 pm - Family Candle Light Service with Communion 11:00 pm - Candle Light Service with Choir and Communion - Christmas Day Church Office Closed - No Wednesday Programs

16 Please remember the following in your prayers this week: Those who are ill or recovering: - Steve (brother in law of Carole Mottaz), Nancy (sister of Bobbie Kuhn), Peg Thompson, Barb (sister of Sue Simonet), Jared (relative of John and Joan Hyland), Jack Husak (father of Juli Okal), Pam Creydt (friend of Sue Grisar), Bobbie Kuhn, Zeke Wells, Terry Mahoney, Barb de Souza, Marty (nephew of Barb Wall), Tim Hoopman, Larry Wiskerchen (father of Dawn Follstad) Prayers for the ministry of our congregation: - For our Sunday School kids leading us in worship this Sunday with their musical gifts! - For those seniors who will enjoy the amaryllis plants, that they may be visible signs of God s care - For those at the Kinnic Alcohol and Drug Rehab who enjoyed their Shoebox Christmas gifts given to them by our yoga group and others, that they may bring God s love close to them this Christmas season - For our Chancel Choir gracing us with their music this day that they may lead us in joy! - For the Wellhaven group gathering this Tuesday for Christmas coffee and communion Prayers for our world: - That we may remember the three loves of our Christian faith love of God, love of neighbor and love of self - For sandwich people, taking care of aging parents and young children, that they may receive God s strength - For college students gearing up for final exams - For High School seniors working on college applications and letters of recommendation and family members who seek to help them - For those helping those with dementia and memory problems that they may be graced with courage and patience - For those looking for Jayme Closs, that she may be safely found - For our political leaders that our nation might work justly and for the common good - For those working to care for our delicate creation and the daily decisions we make to help do this Prayers of thanksgiving: - For all who helped with the Christmas Musical this year, thank you! - For Wendy and Tony Hill as they move back to Canada for retirement, may God watch over them - For Dave Reilly, Jamie Mills and Marsha Pearson who leed our Advent Evening Prayer services Wednesdays - For our faithful committee and council members who met this past week - For Linn Lawrence s family who again donated our Christmas Trees (from LoriLynn Farms in Ettrick, WI) - For Bryson O Keefe, born to Melissa and Mike who will be baptized on Sunday, December 30 - For those who serve Coffee Fellowship each week (there are openings in January, hint, hint) Those grieving the loss of loved ones: - For Sylvia (Scott Nelson s mom) who died suddenly recently, may she rest in God s faithful care - For the Follstad and Olson families in mourning, that God may comfort them If you have people you wish to include on our prayer list, please see the pastor or use the blue prayer cards in the pews or on the back sign-up table.

17

18 Christmas Songs with the Among Friends Group

19 NOTES

20 DECEMBER 16, 2018 (B) THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT SCRIPTURE LESSON: Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. GOSPEL LESSON: Luke 3:7-18 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our ancestor ; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. And the crowds asked him, What then should we do? In reply he said to them, Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? He said to them, Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you. Soldiers also asked him, And we, what should we do? He said to them, Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.