Wellesley Village Church United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 Wellesley Village Church United Church of Christ Christmas Sunday December 20, AM and 11 AM

2 Welcome to worship at Wellesley Village Church! Committed to being a nurturing community where all are welcome and known by name, we invite you to: Wear a nametag you may use the stickers or request a permanent nametag anytime. Sign the fellowship pads and leave a comment. We love feedback. Fill out a Connection Card so we can know you better. Linger for coffee hour following worship in Village Common, located through doors near the pulpit. If you have questions, ask any of us... We are delighted you are here! All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A and by CCLI, License #

3 ORDER OF WORSHIP *Please stand as you are able. PRELUDE PASTORAL GREETING AND INVOCATION O Come.. vs. 7 *O Come, Desire of Nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Make envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven s peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! *PRAYER OF ADORATION *OPENING HYMN NO. 132 O Come, All Ye Faithful Pilgrim Hymnal (red) Wellesley Village Brass Sarah Sarchet Butter 9am, Pam Emslie 11am, Liz Garrigan-Byerly ADESTE FIDELES ADVENT SONG & LITANY The Candle of Love One: Today we light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of LOVE. In the coming of Jesus Christ, God gives us many gifts, and the greatest of these is love. One: With faithful people of every generation we praise God, whose steadfast love endures forever! One: From the Gospel of John we hear: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Light a Candle Bright and Tall Light a candle bright and tall For a Love which knows no end. Love that comes to one and all. Fear and hatred to upend. Shine within our hearts today Come, O Christ, to us, we pray. One: Let us pray, confessing together our need for the Advent gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

4 All: Steadfast God, we confess that our thoughts and actions are not always loving. It is hard to follow Christ s commandment: we are grumpy; we are impatient; we are sel6ish. As we pray silently, open our hearts to receive your love so that we may love one another as Christ loved SUNG ASSURANCE O Little Town of Bethlehem How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the glorious love of heaven. No one discerns God s coming, but in this world of sin, Where yearning souls long to be whole, the dear Christ enters in. *PASSING THE LOVE OF CHRIST As we pass the love of Christ to each other, children may come to the chancel steps for a children s moment. CHILDREN S MOMENT HYMN NO. 105 Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear New Century Hymnal (black) SCRIPTURE Luke 1:39-56 One: The word of the Lord; All: Thanks be to God. ANTHEM MagniDicat SERMON Pregnant *SERMON RESPONSE NO. 102 Oh How Shall I Receive You New Century Hymnal (black) JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN (page 831 in pew Bible) Herbert Merrill Sarah Sarchet Butter ST. THEODULPH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 9am, Josh Fitterling; 11am, Megan Snell LORD S PRAYER 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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen

5 CHORAL RESPONSE THE OFFERING Invitation The most important gift you can offer God is your presence. Please sign and pass the fellowship book, located at the end of each pew. Offertory 9am: O Holy Night Adolph Adam Kevin McDonald and Jodi Hitzhusen 11am: Tonight Emmanuel Marty Parks Junior Choir and Youth Choir *Response Praise God from whom all blessings 6low; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication OUR COMMON LIFE *CLOSING HYMN NO. 103 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Pilgrim Hymnal (red) STUTTGART *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Noel Nicolas Lebegue Wellesley Village Brass Trumpet: Trombone: Ken Accardi Ed Berger Emily Buff Clark Davis Jeff Pinsker Smith Angie Diana Michael Lee Timmy Maines Connor McDonald Nadine Richardson Euphonium: Horn: Tuba: David Kelly Jordan Shufro Sarah Rappaport Ken Burke

6 Sophia Bililies Carter Blessing Madeline Blessing Connor Bruce Caroline Butter Sarah Cochi Paula Dalzell Lily DeKing Natalie Dublin Nicholas Evans Elena Furlong Liam Furlong Junior Choir Luke Hargrave Eliza Herschey Annie Hodge Caitlin Kelly Sean Kelly Isabel McKay Charlotte Nielsen Thomas Nielsen Abby Reohr Tary Reohr Georgia Spangler Taylor Stazesky Joyce Vegas Kevin McDonald Director of Youth Music Youth Choir Ryan Accardi Charlie Berger Cecily Bua Elizabeth Butter Daniel Carter Emily Cochi Will Cramer Sarah Ditelberg Libby Foley Ariana Furlong Caroline Green James Hammond Aaron Hansen Isaac Hargrave Ashna Hille Scotia Hille Julia Himmelberger Peter Hodge Anjali Jain Natalie Jain Elizabeth Kantrowitz David Kelly Hannah Lee Connor McDonald Lauren McIver Gillian McTague Michaela McTague Seamus Merullo Caitlin Pfaff Grace Seaborn Elise Sharrock Allison Sibold Claire Sibold Sydney Spangler Senior Choir Sopranos Julie Baker Phyllis Gibson Frances Gratz Linda Harding Amy Harris Allie Loehlin Cyndi Miller Helen Sagan Charlotte Sanner *Dana Varga Altos Carol Abrahams Ann Belanger Patricia Buxton Cherie Hoffman Jeannie Plugis Anne Reece *Vera Savage Betty Seaborn Alexia Sontag Bobbie Suratt Julie Thistlethwaite Tenors Kenneth Chaulk David Hunter Merrill Mack *Ethan Rowe Basses Bentley Beaver Phil Carens Richard Dodds James Loehlin David Oliver *Matthew Rippere Kenneth Sipe Ron Smith Allen Steere James Thistlethwaite *Section Leaders David Carrier Director of Music

7 YOUTH MINISTRY 6th and 7th Grade Youth Group Meets every other Sunday from 5-6:30pm. 8th Grade Youth Group Meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-8pm. Confirmation (9th Grade youth) Meets most Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm High School Youth Group (10-12 grade) Meets Sunday evenings 7-8:30pm. Please check the Youth Program Calendar on the church website for dates. For more information, contact Pam Emslie, Associate Pastor for Youth, at , x15; or by at MUSIC MINISTRY Cherub Choir for children in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. Come sing! Spring rehearsals will begin February 7. For more information, contact Linda Harding, Cherub Choir Director, by at Junior Choir: Grades 3-6 Rehearsals after Second Worship, 11:15am-12:00pm Youth Choir: Grades 7-12 Rehearsals Wednesday evenings 6:15-7:00pm Instrumentalists If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts with our church, please contact Dr. McDonald. For more information on Junior or Youth Choir and being an Instrumentalist please contact Dr. Kevin McDonald, Director of Youth Music, by at Senior Choir The Senior Choir welcomes new singers and rehearses each Sunday at 8:30-9:30 am. There is no mid-week rehearsal. For more information on the Senior Choir, please see Director David Carrier in the choir loft or at coffee hour after Second Worship. CHILDREN S MINISTRY What is happening in Church School today Christmas Sunday: A whole people service where we worship inter-generationally as the whole people of God. Families are invited to worship together. Children of all ages are welcome in our sanctuary to worship and be part of our service. Worship bags are available in baskets at each of the entrances. Children s bulletins are available from an usher. Childcare for Kindergarten students and younger is available on the upper floor. Children will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10am worship begins. Toddlers, two and three year olds will meet in their room located at the top of the stairs just outside the Sanctuary; use the door to the left of the piano. Four year olds and Kindergarteners will meet in the activity room located beyond the library. The Family Worship Room is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the Piano. The Family Worship Room is for families who wish to worship together in a childcentered space. The service is on a live feed. For more information, please contact Michaela McDonald, Director of Children s Ministries, by at Michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or by phone , x16.

8 TODAY S NOTES Today s Music Daryl Robbins is our trumpeter this morning. Many thanks to all the people who helped decorate the church this Christmas season. Fellowship Hour at 10:00 am, between worship services, Village Common Please join us for coffee and conversation. Christmas Offering - Neighbors in Need Today and Christmas Eve, December 24 In the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we not only celebrate the gifts in our lives, but also seek to live out the Spirit of Christ by helping those in need. Through the United Church of Christ s Neighbors in Need offering, we support ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Make checks payable to Wellesley Village Church and indicate "NIN" in the memo section and place in the offering plate today or on Christmas Eve. Would you like to deliver a poinsettia plant? The Community Deacons invite you to share in the spirit of Christmas by delivering a poinsettia plant after 11 am Worship today. If you wish to help deliver Christmas greetings from our church, please proceed to the chancel after 11 am Worship to pick up a poinsettia and card with the name and address of the recipient. Thank you for helping to share the true meaning of Christmas. Christian Meditation Practice 5-6pm, Parlor Even as mindfulness reaches the mainstream, practiced by everyone from corporate CEOs to major league sports teams, Christians are just rediscovering their contemplative tradition. We invite you to join us in developing your own Christian meditation practice. 6th & 7th Grade Youth Group 5 pm, Youth Room High School Youth Group 7 pm, Youth Room OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND COMMUNITY All Are Welcome! Please Consider a Year End Gift to Wellesley Village Church A year-end gift to Wellesley Village Church is a wonderful way to express gratitude for the blessings of the past year and to help the church end the year with financial strength. Please give generously. Fulfill your pledges and help Village Church end the year in the black. Contact Shawn Doung at , x18 or by at shawn@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.

9 Church Office Hours Christmas Week: Monday-Wednesday, December 21-23: 9 am - 4 pm Thursday, December 24: 9 am - 2 pm, the building will be open until late night. Closed Friday for Christmas. New Year's Week: Monday, December 28: 9 am - 1 pm Tuesday-Wednesday, December 29 & 30: 9 am - 4 pm Thursday, December 31: 9 am - 12 pm Ecclesiastes Bible Study Select Sundays at 11:30 am following Second Worship, beginning January 10 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. These familiar words from Ecclesiastes feel comfortable and ordered, but did you know that the book begins with the words, Utter futility! Utter futility! All is futile! This book of wisdom writing in the Hebrew Bible is existential, cynical at times, utterly devoid of hope in some places, and provocative. Why is it even in the Bible? Come and find out after Second Worship on January 10, 24, February 7, 14, and 21 in the Library. Alice Polley will lead the conversation as we read together this unusual book in our sacred text. The words may be over 2000 years old, but they will resonate with our world today more than you can imagine! Winter Term Church School Teachers Needed The winter term is January 10 - March 13. Preschool through middle school teachers needed. Michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org for more info and to sign up. Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) program Wednesday evenings, February 24 - April 27 This year s focus will be Courage. Now in its 6th year, those who have participated in GIFT have found it to be a life-changing journey. There are no prerequisites; you need not have been involved in a previous round to join the next one. Come as you are. Plan to grow. To sign up for GIFT contact Tricia Kibbe at , x17 or tricia@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or sign up following worship in January. Contact Josh Fitterling with any questions at , x23 or joshua@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. Wellesley Community Wide Read In January we will join more than 20 other groups in town to read the memoir Waking Up White by Debby Irving as a way of engaging our own stories of race and privilege. We will come together on February 4th for a conversation with the author. Begin reading and watch for more information in January!

10 Poinsettias are given by the following people in celebration of: Our children, Julie, Sarah, Christie and Doug by Alan and Cynthia Grant; Our children, Stephen and Caitlin and our parents, Barbara and George Howland and Ann and the late Norman Pfaff by Darlene Howland and Steve Pfaff; Our children, Emily and Sarah and our parents Diane, Ray, Jacquelyn and Carl by Lyanne and Mike Cochi; We give thanks for the love of our family by Diane and Ed Bedrosian; Our great grandsons, Will Paster, and his brother expected to be born on December 14, by Bob and Gretchen Morrison; Family, including grandchildren, Lily, Brennen and Kennedy and friends by Susan Sullivan; Family together at Christmas by Paula and Mark Speers; Joy and thanksgiving for our five grandchildren: Emmett, Finn, Willa, Teddy and Xavie by Bobbie and Dan Suratt; Our children and grandchildren: Cathy and Peter Lefeber, Nick, Sarah and John; Anne Doyle and Jim Stock, Chris and Corey by Barbara and Arthur Stock; Our wonderful grandchildren, Nolan, Madelyn and Landon by Kent and Genanne Kissinger; Our family, Darlene, Steve, Caitlin and Stephen Pfaff by Barbara and George Howland; Our grandchildren, Charlotte, Max and Blythe and of their parents by Bob and Joan Murray; A very special angel! by Roxy and Dix Leeson; The birth of my great-niece Cleo Jean Allen on August 11, 2015 by Anne Reese; The ever-inspiring music ministry of David Carrier, choir director and organist extraordinaire by the Senior Choir with love and admiration; Our sons and their families by Parky and Stan Waugh; Maddie & Liza Carens by Mom & Dad; Family, past and present by Susan and Don Mykrantz; The lives of Ted and Isabel Sattler and Allan and Cecilia Walker by Ann Sattler, Allan Walker and their families; Friends and family, especially our children and grandchildren: Erin, Marco, Andrew, Deven, Briana and Jeff and Jenny by Margie and Ken Sipe; Wellesley Village Church by Mark, Laurie, Shannon and Kylin Roberts; Matthew and Rachel Gronberg, Daniel Chaulk, Caroline, Donovan, Devin Chaulk, William Chaulk by Ken and Sally Chaulk; Celebration of grandparents, parent and husband, Beverly Soska and Duncan Gibson by Phyllis Gibson, Matt and Sarah Soska, Caroline and Ellie Soska; Our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by Bobbie and Casey Hayes; Our family together at Christmas by Pam and Craig Stirrat; The life of Pauline Askew Reece, born North Wales, July 4, 1923, died Ellsworth, Maine, December 7, 2015, with eternal love from Anne Reece, Margaret Reece Allen and Jennifer Reece. Poinsettias are given by the following people in loving memory of: Rebecca Lenci by Bev and Mark Lenci; Our parents, Peg Calderwood, Ruth and Louis Glesmann by Steve and Nancy Calderwood; Robert Henry Grant by Alan and Cynthia Grant; Jack Colbert by Cheryl and Natalie Colbert and family; Nancy Hall Presti, my dear and cherished friend by Cynthia Curtis; Linda Phillips, my sister, Priscilla Brown, my Mom by Pam Stazesky; Melissa Bell Meisenhelder by her parents, Janice and Bob Heyn; William B. Walter and John Brody by Tom, Eileen and Bridget; Richard and Shirley Secor and Robert P. Sibert by the Secor Family; Albert and Helen Clock by Marge Clock Mitchell;

11 Loved ones who have been role models in our lives by Paula and Mark Speers; Our parents and Paul, Peter and Ted by Sue and Roger Regnier; My brother, Loren R. Watts II by Kim and Gary Knicksa; Liz Martin by Jake Martin; Our parents: Mary and John Schule and Georgina and Harrison Howland; Lucille Ridgway, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother of Sally, Mike, Andrew and Morgan Kellogg by Sally Kellogg; Ann B. Nickerson, Robert and Elizabeth Nickerson, Dorothy Simpson, William and Robert Blattner, Julie Blattner, G.W. and Betty Briggs by Dave and Sandy Blattner; Victoria T., Sherman, and Douglas S. by their son and brother Ron; Our parents, Howard and Connie Blackway and Jack and Nellie Murray by Bob and Joan Murray; Barbara, Lori and Bill Woolston by Rev. Suzanne Woolston Bossert; Jack Weeks by Phyllis; Stephen ("Bob") Hung by Joan, Steve and Juli; Florence, John J. and John S. Petrlik, Lillian and Lori Yermal by Carol and Bill Yermal; Rev. William and Ethel McConaghy by their children; Barbara, Frank and Bruce by Pat Buxton; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Bailly and Mr. Curtis White by the Dublin family; Dr. and Mrs. Per K. Frolich and Mr. and Mrs. Emory T. Bachman by Libby and Bob Bachman; Jane Maloney and Happy Hewitt by Kent Hewitt and Myra Hart; Our parents by Jim and Allie Loehlin; The Earl Family, Uncle Alan, Aunt Connie and cousins, Christopher and Robert by Anne Reece; Our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Derderian and Mr. and Mrs. William F. Vansant by Bob and Gail Derderian; Lars Soderholm and Anne and Louis Hauer; Our parents by Barbara Baker and Bob Froh; Lovey by the Spangler family; Our parents by Bobbie and Casey Hayes; Ruth and Ed Woods and Ken Dean by Joanne Woods; Our parents, Everette and Winnie Sanders, Flo and Earl Kern and O.F. Dodd by Delilah and Craig Sanders; In loving memory of Barbara and Edward Bernard, Alice Stuart, Chris Barnes, Judy Bernard, Ted Shaw by Ken and Sally Chaulk; John Cleary Hunter, Joseph Boone Hunter, Mary Cleary Hunter, Harold Edward Whittemore, Bernice Billings Whittemore, Lorraine Malzac, Jean and Raymond Whitman, Tommy Adams by David Hunter; Our parents and Sally's brothers, Oscar and Agnes Hammerness, Roger and Hazel Graves, and Charles and Roger Jr. by Sally and Jay Hammerness; In loving memory of Aline Marie Smith, from the Kirk Smith family; Marilyn Erwin and Tom Garvin, loving grandparents by Steve, Laurel, Evan and Henry Lyle; Richard "Woody" Woodrich by Judy and Scott Woodrich and Stacia Fritz; My Mom Sandy Porter, an extraordinary woman by Sue Williamson; Our parents and grandparents by Wil and Ruth Breden; Don Dickason and Dorothy and Jim Carroll by the Carroll and Dickason family; Dear friends and family: Aunt Mary, Joel Gonzales, Dick (Woody) Woodrich, Ken and Ruby Minsch, George Maly, George Ritsert, Clark Truesdell, Rick Johansen, Melissa Meisenhelder by Margie and Ken Sipe; Our parents: Dora and Levere Sipe and Margaret and George Hamilton by Margie and Ken Sipe; Isaac E. Reid and Margo Klejna and Warren Himmelberger by the Reid Himmelberger family; H. Royden Jones, Jr. by his family; Florence and Harvey Jones, Clarine and Fred Norman, Alexa Caronna Jones by their family.

12 Our Church Covenant We are banded together as a Chris:an Church to maintain the worship of God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to develop in all people a consciousness of their rela:ons and du:es to God and to each other, and to inspire them with love for truth, passion for righteousness, and enthusiasm for service. To this end we pledge our loyalty to Christ and covenant with each other to express God s spirit in our individual and corporate life; to live together as Chris:ans and to submit ourselves to the government of this Church, working, giving, praying for its increase, its purity, its peace, and seeking in every way to make it a power The Rev. Sarah Sarchet Butter ~ Senior Pastor Associate Pastors Pastoral Residents The Rev. Pam Emslie The Rev. Megan Snell The Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly The Rev. Joshua Fitterling Directors Michaela McDonald Children s Ministry David R. Carrier Music Dr. Kevin McDonald Youth Music Jodi Hitzhusen First Worship Music Wellesley Village Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA Office: Urgent Pastoral Care Cell: