The Riverside Church. in the City of New York DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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1 The Riverside Church in the City of New York DECEMBER 17, 2017 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

2 Welcome to The Riverside Church Interdenominational Interracial International Open Affirming Welcoming Worship is at the center of the life of The Riverside Church. As you prepare yourself for Worship, we invite you to reflect quietly on these words: As long as we live, there is never enough singing. Martin Luther The Liturgical Year The Riverside Church follows the liturgical calendar to mark the seasons of our life together. We are currently in the season of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas in which we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ child. Advent is signified by purple paraments and clergy stoles representing the sovereignty of Christ (except for Communion Sundays when the liturgical color is white). Each week we light a candle in the wreath on the Nave floor (mirrored in the hanging wreath above) for the four themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy (pink) and love. If this is your first visit: Complete a Welcome Card and place it in the offering plate as it passes. Join us for Fellowship Hour in South Hall Lobby directly after Worship. As you leave the Nave, take a right and follow the hallway past Christ Chapel. Signs and greeters are available to provide direction. You ll find fair trade coffee from Javesca Coffee, a children s play area, a greeting area to learn about membership at Riverside, and indoor seating. A church tour is offered each Sunday after Worship free of charge. Meet in the 1st balcony. Tours also take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. leaving from the Gift Shop. No reservations are necessary. Assistive hearing devices and large print bulletins are available upon request from an usher.

3 GATHERING We gather as a community and prepare our hearts to worship God CARILLON Meditation: Noel Suite Dionisio Lind, Carillonneur Ronald Barnes RIVERSIDE YOUTH STRING ENSEMBLE O Come Emmanuel Ukrainian Bell Carol Angels We Have Heard on High ORGAN Prelude on Divinum Mysterium David Johnson LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY PROCESSIONAL HYMN 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Rev. Amy Butler Hyfrydol CALL TO WORSHIP from Luke 1 Let our souls magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God s servants. Rev. Bertram Johnson God has done great things for us, and holy is God s name. God s mercy is for those who fear God from generation to generation. God has shown strength with God s arm, and scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Come with joy for God is doing a new thing! Come let us worship! INTROIT If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee Wer nur den lieben Gott INVOCATION All who are able, please stand

4 LISTENING We listen for the word of God through song, Scripture, and preaching LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Abelardo, Charissa, Noah and Felix Fernandez ANTHEM Ave Maria (sung in Church Slavonic) Sergei Rachmaninoff Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls. HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (page 691 in the Old Testament) The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. EPISTLE LESSON 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (page 205 in the New Testament) HYMN 600 The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. Song of Mary GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:46-55 (page 57 in the New Testament) This is the Gospel of Christ. Thanks be to God. Mr. David Vaughn Ms. Anna Meyer Morning Song Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper RESPONDING We respond to the hearing of God s word through confession, offering, passing the peace, and monthly communion SERMON Simple Gifts: I Will Sing What music brings you joy? Rev. Butler All who are able, please stand

5 HYMN Tis the Gift to be Simple 1 Simple Gifts Refrain: PASTORAL PRAYER The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Rev. Jim Keat THE LORD S PRAYER Pray in the language or version of your heart. 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. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. CHORAL AMEN All who are able, please stand

6 PASSING OF THE PEACE The Peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. INVITATION TO GIVE AND SERVE Ms. Farley Lord OFFERTORY ANTHEM And the Glory from Messiah George Frederic Handel And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. AT THE PRESENTATION: VENI EMMANUEL The congregation rises row by row as ushers pass to symbolize offering of our whole selves to God O come, thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING & DEDICATION Ms. Lord Today we celebrate the work of our entire Music Ministry which provides beautiful music for all our services, concerts and events, bringing glory to God through music. SENDING We are sent out into the world to love God and our neighbors BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL HYMN Now Is the Time Approaching 2 Now is the time approaching, by prophets long foretold, when all shall dwell together, secure and manifold. Let war be learned no longer, let strife and tumult cease, all earth a blessed garden that God shall tend in peace. Let all that now divides us remove and pass away, like mists of early morning before the blaze of day. Let all that now unites us more sweet and lasting prove, a closer bond of union, in blessed lands of love. O long-expected dawning, come with your cheering ray! Yet shall the promise beckon and lead us not astray. O sweet anticipation! It cheers the watchers on to pray, and hope, and labor til Christ s new realm is come. Rev. Butler Lancashire All who are able, please stand

7 POSTLUDE Fugue on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Max Gulbins Special thanks to our congregational leaders: Mr. David Vaughn and Ms. Anna Meyer Liturgical Resources for Today: 1 Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A From The New Century Hymnal, Copyright 1995 The Pilgrim Press. Permission is granted for this one-time use. Life of Our Community For announcements of programs and events in the church, please pick up the Life of Our Community bulletin located in the back of the pew or outside the Welcome Center. Or visit our website All who are able, please stand

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9 In 1 Thessalonians, we read that we are to give thanks to God no matter what. Think for a moment about what you're thankful to God for. Then draw those things in the box.

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11 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

12 TALK WITH THE PREACHER Read Pastor Amy s blog online at talkwiththepreacher.org. Printed copies are also available in the Welcome Center/Gift Shop. Pastor Amy is available for conversations with members by appointment. Please srminister@trcnyc.org or call to arrange an appointment. CONNECT WITH RIVERSIDE S PASTORAL & PROGRAM STAFF Senior Minister s Office Rev. Dr. Amy Butler Senior Minister - abutler@trcnyc.org Rev. Michael Livingston Senior Executive Minister - mlivingston@trcnyc.org Rev. Dr. James Forbes Senior Minister Emeritus Communications Rev. Rachel Johnson Executive Minister of Communications - rjohnson@trcnyc.org Rev. Jim Keat Associate Minister of Digital Strategy & Online Engagement - jkeat@trcnyc.org Faith Formation Rev. Kevin Wright Executive Minister of Programs - kwright@trcnyc.org Ms. Amanda Meisenheimer, MDiv Associate Minister of Children and Families - mmeisenheimer@trcnyc.org Rev. Bruce Lamb Interim Associate Minister of Youth and Young Adults - blamb@trcnyc.org Music Mr. Christopher Johnson Director of Music and Organist - cjohnson@trcnyc.org Parish Care Rev. Debra Northern Minister of Parish Care - dnorthern@trcnyc.org Rev. Lynn Casteel-Harper Associate for Parish Care lharper@trcnyc.org Social Justice Rev. Bertram Johnson Minister of Justice, Advocacy & Change - bjohnson@trcnyc.org Stewardship & Development Ms. Christian Peele, MDiv Executive Minister of Institutional Advancement - cpeele@trcnyc.org Ms. Farley Lord, MDiv Associate Minister of Stewardship & Development - flord@trcnyc.org Rev. Dustin Pickett Associate Minister of Stewardship & Development - dpickett@trcnyc.org Worship & the Arts Rev. Ellen Robison Minister of Worship & the Arts - erobison@trcnyc.org Contact Us: To contact the church with general questions, call or communications@trcnyc.org. The Riverside Church is a member of the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. and the United Church of Christ and cooperates with the Council of Churches in the City of New York, and with the New York State, National, and World Council of Churches. trcnyc.org Parking - 12/17/2017 Parking is available in the garage below the building. Present this bulletin to the attendant before 6:00 p.m. for a reduced rate of $4.00 cash or $5.00 credit card.