November 25, PRELUDE 11:00 Processional German Chorale Instrumental Ensemble WELCOME OPENING WORDS. Many: Many: Many: Many:

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1 PRELUDE 11:00 Processional German Chorale Instrumental Ensemble WELCOME November 25, 2018 OPENING WORDS Worship Ways Know that the Holy One is God. We are God s people. Worship the Holy One with gladness; Come into God s presence with singing. Enter God s gates with thanksgiving, and God s courts with praise. Make a joyful noise! For God is good; God s steadfast love endures forever, and God s faithfulness to all generations. Let us worship with thanks and joy! Let us praise God in song and word and prayer! *OPENING HYMN #419 Now Thank We All Our God Tune: Nun Danket

2 Special Congregational Meeting For approval to fund sewer repairs today at 9:45a.m. Adult Learning Time During Advent Advent is just around the corner. We come again to this time of the year with great anticipation for the birth of a child who will change the world. This Advent during Adult Learning Time on Sunday (9:45-10:45a.m.), we will study The First Christmas by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. This study is certain to stimulate a lively discussion. We hope you will join us in the Fireside room on December 2, 9, 16 and 23 to learn more about the Christmas stories written so long ago and the message the writers were trying to convey. *PRAYER OF INVOCATION Worship Ways Holy and righteous God, you still speak to us. We listen and respond to your glorious power, ready to worship you in word and deed, joyfully giving thanks, for you have enabled us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Amen. RESPONSE Be Still and Know Iona Community 5th-7th Grade Youth Sunday, Nov. 25th - We will meet after the 11:00 service - 2:30 to help with the Hanging of the Greens and then finish our magnet project. Sunday, Dec.2nd - We will meet after the 11:00 service - 2:30 to do some Amazing Advent Activities, assemble care packages for the homebound, and make plans for our January Lock-in. Sunday, Dec. 16th - We will meet after the 11:00 service to have lunch, go caroling to our homebound members, and deliver care packages. Advent Devotionals There will be two different Advent Devotionals available to pick up in the narthex on Sunday, Dec. 2nd. Please pick up one of each for your family to use during Advent. Advent in a Box: is designed for families to complete one devotional each week. Each devotional includes, scripture, an object, and discussion questions. We hope you will open the box with delight and spend a few special moments from the holiday craze during this season of Advent. Mary's Song Advent Devotional: includes something for everyone in the family. There are weekly reflections written for youth and adults, shorter weekly reflections for children, questions for all ages, and two sets of coloring sheets to go along with the devotionals. One is a more detailed coloring sheet for adults and another is simplified for our youngest coloring friends. CHILDREN S TIME Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or they may go to the nursery (birth-3). Attendance pads will be passed out at this time; please sign in so that we may celebrate that you were here. WORD IN SONG 8:30 Give Him Thanks Marty Parks Chancel Choir 11:00 Thanksgiving arr. Wesley Hanson Instrumental Ensemble A READING FROM THE HEBREW TRADITION Psalm 46 God is our refuge and our strength, who from of old has helped us in our distress. Therefore we fear nothing Even if the earth should open up in front of us and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea, even if the earth s waters rage and foam and the mountains tumble with its heaving. There s a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the most High. God is in its midst, it will never fall God will help it at daybreak. Though nations are in turmoil and empires crumble, God s voice resounds, and it melts the earth. Yahweh Sabaoth is with us our stronghold is the God of Israel!

3 Come, see what Yahweh has done God makes the earth bounteous! God has put an end to war, from one end of the earth to the other, breaking bows, splintering spears, and setting chariots on fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted upon the earth. Yahweh Sabaoth is with us our stronghold is the God of Israel! A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION Luke 23:1-5 Then the whole assembly arose and led Jesus to Pilate. They began to accuse Jesus by saying, We found this one subverting our nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar and even claiming to be Messiah, a king. Then Pilate questioned Jesus: Are you the king of the Jews? You have said it. Jesus answered. Then Pilate reported to the chief priests and the crowds: I find no guilt in him! But they insisted, He stirs up the people wherever he teaches, through the whole of Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem. For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in scripture, we give thanks. May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear. SERMON Rev. Wendy Bruner To families of young children at Peace UCC When God made children, they were made with a little giggle, a little squirm, and a whole lot of love. When you worship with us your children are invited to sit at the front of the sanctuary. That way they can see what is going on in church and interact better with what Peace UCC has to offer. When your children are here, our building is filled with a joyful noise. This is something for which we rejoice and praise God. If your children start to get restless please don t leave. Stay and continue worship because when you do you show them that worship is something important and that their presence is important to us. At times we know this can be a struggle, but thank you for making the effort. 1. There are activity bags for the young children. They are available near the sanctuary doors. 2. There is a rocking chair at the back of the sanctuary that you can use. We also have a nursery just outside of the sanctuary. Ask someone and they will give you directions. 3. We have changing tables in the nursery and downstairs in the bathroom by the fellowship hall. We understand the difficulty of worshipping with a little one. We hope that you feel we are a Child-Loving church. Please know that when your child gets fussy that we are honored to have you with us today. Thank you for joining us in worship today and I hope that you will join us again. Peace to you, Pastor Wendy Christmas Eve. Assistance We are in need of a few more adult participants to help oversee the children at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. Service. Please contact Jenn German to volunteer or for more information.

4 *HYMN NCH #459 Come, O Fount of Every Blessing Tune: Nettleton Hanging of the Greens All are welcome to join the Worship Team for the Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, November 25 after the second service. A light lunch will be provided. There will be wreaths to hang and trees to decorate to prepare the sanctuary for the season of Advent. Many hands will make light work. All are welcome! Christmas Caroling Join us on Sunday, Dec. 16th as we gather to bring some holiday cheer to our homebound members. We will meet after the 11:00 service for a light lunch in the Fireside Room and then travel as a group to deliver baskets and sing Christmas Carols to our homebound members. All ages are welcome! Please sign up on the clipboard in the narthex so we can get a general count for lunch. Blue Christmas Sunday, December 16th at 7pm This special service is a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the blue feelings we have at Christmas time, express grief for the present and past, and hope for the future. Christmas Eve Family Service Sunday, December 24th at 4:00pm All are welcome at this festive service, complete with a walk-on Nativity Pageant. Any child wanting to participate should meet at 3:30pm in room 21 to pick out a costume (shepherds, angels, animals). Adults will oversee the children. The children will recreate the familiar Nativity scene. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24th at 11:00pm We gather in the darkness for a traditional candlelight service of readings and carols. Communion will be shared and the Chancel Choir will sing as we prepare for the coming of the light into the world on Christmas day. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. PRAYER This is a time for quiet reflection. LORD S PRAYER Creator, hallowed be your name. Your kin-dom come, your 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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5 INVITATION AND COMMUNION PRAYER CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM based on our Theological Assumptions Minister: Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements assembled at this Table. Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into healing, our fear into faith, and death into life. Minister: As the grain, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested, and now becomes one in the loaf, so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from one another, hear your invitation to become one body around this Table, the center of our life together. Liturgist: As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup, may we be filled and refreshed by this meal, and strengthened to respond to your call to reach out in compassion to all living things. Minister: In sharing this meal we remember. We remember meals Jesus shared with friends and enemies, outcasts and marginalized, fearful and earnest. Minister: He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it and shared it. As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who seek to follow Jesus. Liturgist: After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it, symbolizing a new relationship with God, a relationship of partnership founded on grace. As we share the cup, we seek to experience that grace in which Jesus lived fully. All: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be opened, that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed, in one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come. The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the gluten-free bread and juice, and light a candle in prayer. Catch the eye of a table host if you would prefer to be served at your seat. Moms Group The Moms Group will meet Tuesday, December 11 at noon. Dee Ban will present her History of Christmas Carols program. Please bring your lunch and call Dee ahead of time if you need childcare. Decadent holiday treats will be provided. Mary Martha Circle Our December meeting will be a week early as we attend the Eden Choir Christmas Concert on Wed, Dec 5, at 11:30 in the Eden Chapel. We can carpool from Peace at 11:10 as parking at Eden is limited. You can take your own salad or sandwich to eat in the Commons or you can buy a lunch ticket for $8.00 in the Bookstore before the concert. Women s Christmas Salad Supper Wednesday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m. If you attended in the past, you know it is a fun evening visiting with old and new friends. This is a great time to invite your neighbor or another friend. Bring an ingredient for the salad buffet lettuce & bread will be provided. Sign up on a clipboard Sunday, Nov. 18, 25 and Dec. 2., or in the office. For more information: Sandy Bowe Norma Leuthauser This Christmas we are supporting families through Webster Rock Hill Ministries. Please add to the box in the narthex: instant gelatin, instant potatoes, stuffing mix, cake mix, cake frosting, meat or certificate for $15.00, cans of corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, yams/sweet potatoes, fruit Scan and Give Supporting the work of this church has never been easier. Just scan the QR code with your smartphone and you can make a donation to Peace UCC.

6 Peace Talks Whether you are considering membership or just want to learn more about Peace UCC, you are invited to attend Peace Talks on Sunday, Dec. 2 right after the 11:00a.m. service. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to the church office at churchoffice@peaceuccstl.org CHARIS Concert On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 8p.m. the St. Louis Women s Chorus joins the Missouri History Museum and The Muny in celebrating 100 years of musical theater in the first concert of our 26th season, Meet Me at the Muny. In addition to featuring numbers from the many Broadway shows that have made their way to the Muny stage the concert will celebrate musical theater s recognized history as a venue of safety and affirmation for members of the LGBTQ community. We promise to keep your toes tapping and your jazz hands flapping! You may purchase advanced tickets online at from any chorus member, or by calling Fall Farewell Revival On Nov. 28 and 29, 7:00p.m., Saint John s (The Beloved Community) will host a Fall Farewell Revival in celebration of Rev. Wilson s leadership. Special guest preachers will be Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, TX and chair of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Social Justice Network and the Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, executive minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ and pastor of Christ the King UCC. Please contact Jenn German if you are interested in carpooling from Peace. Healthcare and drug costs in the US are crucial issues for Americans. Please join Sts Clare and Francis for an informative documentary Big Pharma: Market Failure, discussion and pizza. Date: Saturday Jan. 26, 2019 at 630p.m. after Sts Clare and Francis Mass Location: Fellowship Hall, Peace UCC 8:30 RESPONSE For the Sake of the World Christopher Grundy 8:30 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING unknown Gracious God, you have once again shown us your love by bringing us to this meal. We go from here renewed in faith, renewed in courage, and strengthened by your presence. Thank you for loving us so tenderly. Thank you for challenging us to know you better and to receive you more fully. HOW WILL WE DO GOD S WORK IN THE WORLD? We will open our How Shall We Do God s Work In The World time with an opportunity to give. The ushers will pass an offering plate to you as you remain in your seats. We invite you to sing along to Siyahamba NCH#526. PRAYER OF DEDICATION O God, through the offering of these gifts may we become a more open people open-minded in hearing your Word and wisdom, open-hearted in healing a broken world, open-handed in heeding your call for enacted love. With thanks for all good gifts, we present a portion of our substance and the whole of ourselves. Amen. Glen E. Rainsley, adapted

7 *HYMN NCH #476 My Life Flows on in Endless Song Tune: Endless Song *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE 11:00 Music from the Royal Fireworks G.F. Handel Instrumental Ensemble The deadline for submissions to our weekly publications, the Sunday Bulletin and News & Notes, is Thursday morning at 10 a.m. If you are not receiving our weekly e-newsletter News and Notes and would like to, please contact the church office. Notes: Sources for words, images, and music are noted where available. Permission to reprint music and words from sources other than The New Century Hymnal is granted under OneLicense.net, license no. A , and/or LicenSing.org. THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 TODAY 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sandwich Ministry 9:45 a.m. Special Congregational Meeting 9:45 a.m. 5-7 Grade Youth 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 8:30 a.m. Staff Meeting TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 6:00p.m. Governing Body WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 4:30p.m. Children s Choir 5:30p.m. Handchimes THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 6:00p.m. Finance Team 7:00p.m. Chancel Choir FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 11:00a.m. Youth Choir SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Adult Learning Time 9:45 a.m. 5-7 Grade Youth 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 12:00 p.m. Peace Talks For a complete calendar visit: Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission Following the God made known in the life and teachings of Jesus, we at Peace United Church of Christ gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship, learn and serve. Our Values As a community, Peace United Church of Christ celebrates the values embodied in the ministry of Jesus: Inclusiveness in our diversity, Intentionality in our commitment to social justice, Intimacy in our fellowship together, Inspiration in our communal worship and Inquisitiveness in our personal spiritual growth. Our Vision We desire to be a leader in helping the wider community affirm that God is still speaking.