Welcome to Bethlehem United Church of Christ. December 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 Welcome to Bethlehem United Church of Christ December 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent

2 First time guests, welcome! We are so glad that you are worshiping with us this morning. Please sign our guest book in the Narthex and identify yourself to one of our ushers or Welcome Team members to receive a delicious gift. We invite everyone to write their prayer requests and/or praise reports on the Action Pads in the pews. They will be collected during the Hymn of Gathering and read aloud during our Prayers of the Church. These may be edited for privacy concerns. All are invited to stand for sections marked with a cross ( ); however, some may choose to remain seated. Congregational responses are in bold. CHURCH LIFE Birthday wishes to Ruth Keppler, who will be 96 on December 18. As of Wednesday, no member of Bethlehem is known to be in the hospital. ATTENDANCE LAST SUNDAY 8:30 = 15 10:00 = 117 Our Mission To worship God, to learn and live the Word of God, to engage in Christian fellowship and service, to invite others to join us on our faith journey in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

3 Order of Worship December 16, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent Chapel Sanctuary 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. RINGING OF THE BELLS PRELUDE Sing We Now of Christmas arr. Mark Hayes WELCOME AND SHARING PARISH LIFE RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP Stars are visible at night. The darker the night, the brighter they shine. Into the dark of the world, God sent us a light. The Christmas season is one of Joy! But sometimes our focus is shifted away from Joy to the hustle and bustle of worldly needs and wants. In the midst of the fullness of life, we come to worship. Let us prepare our hearts to receive the Light of God in the Christ Child. Let us open our eyes to see the Star in the night sky. HYMN OF GATHERING #133 like a child The Member Care Team will collect prayer requests and praise reports during this hymn. UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION God, we gather to worship. We gather that we might receive the gift of your Love in the most unlikely of places. Quiet our minds that we may be aware of your messages for us. Open our eyes that we may see your Star. Open our hearts that we may be warmed by your Light. Release our burdens that we may receive, and be filled with, the Joy of this season. Prepare us to be your Light, Joy, and Love in our world.

4 LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE JOY 8:30 Norm and Sally Wetzel/10:00 John and Karen Samford and Noah Bailey Reading of Isaiah 35:1-10 There are some blessings that are only revealed to us when the day is darkest. There are some mercies that only shine when the shadows are deepest. There are some graces that are only glimpsed when the night is longest. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. In Advent, we remember the darkest days and await the brilliant light of HOPE. [Light candle of HOPE] In Advent, we remember the thirsty days and await the victorious light of PEACE. [Light candle of PEACE] In Advent, we remember the silent days and await the singing light of JOY. [Light candle of JOY] Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God who will come and save you. Our souls magnify the Lord and our spirits rejoice in God, our Savior. Shine a candle in the darkness, breathe new joy into our lives. Wind your blessed peace around us till the day when Christ arrives. During the musical response, please bring forward your offerings for our mission project of Blessing Basket items, toys, gift cards, and the green gift-card envelopes in your bulletin and place them by the manger. HYMN #128 One Candle Is Lit (Verse 3) Come, festively sing while awaiting the birth, join angels in dancing from heaven to earth. Wave banners of good news, lift high thankful praise. One candle is lit for the joy of these days.

5 THE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR (please say in the way most familiar to you) 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 [sins/trespasses], as we forgive our debtors [those who sin/trespass against us]. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE Children of God, the Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us share Christ s peace with one another. SONG OF PRAISE #155 Gloria Gloria, in excelsis Deo, Gloria, in excelsis Deo. 8:30 SCRIPTURE READING 8:30 ADVENT MESSAGE Pastor John 8:30 COLLECTION OF OFFERING AND PRAYER REQUESTS 10:00 CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT A STAR IS BORN Stars are a central symbol of the Christmas season. Stars are visible at night, and the darker the night, the brighter they shine. Into the dark night of the world, God sends us a light. Jesus is the light of the world. His birth was marked by a brilliant star in the sky. All who encountered Jesus knew he was someone special, even before he was born. And all who met him were transformed by his light. SKIT I: IN THE DARK Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7 Song: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

6 O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways to go. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. SKIT II: SHINING BRIGHT Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 Solo Music: Silent Night, Abby Bowers SKIT III: BRILLIANT LIGHT Song: We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. (Chorus) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guides us to thy perfect light. Glorious now behold him arise; Christ and God and sacrifice: alleluia, alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies. (Chorus) SKIT IV: MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU Scripture: Luke 2:22-38 Special Music: Away in a Manger, Bethlehem Kids We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Cast + Bethlehem Kids Song: Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. OUR STARS: Skit I Dad: Noah Bailey Mom: Abby Bowers Kelly: Mira Authier Skit II Crazy Eddie: Noah Bailey Crazy Betty: Ellie Vasquez Ferdinand: John Schenk Skit III Mama: Ryleigh Jaworski Mom: Abby Bowers Toby: Alton Herwick Tina: Chloe Schmerberg Skit IV Dad: Noah Bailey Mom: Ellie Vasquez George: Allan Authier Becky: Mira Authier

7 MANGER SCENE: Mary: Sofia Buday Joseph: Lyrik McKinley Shepherds: Salem McKinley, Christina Wilk Sheep: Kai Buday Cow: Logan Wilk Krell Kings: Noah McKinley, Brian Gotham Angels: Carrie Schwartz, Kirsten Parin, Charlotte Parin Possible Cameo Appearances by: Henry Ashenfelter Vivian Ashenfelter Elsie Brophy Readers: Reader 1: Chloe Schmerberg Reader 2: Alton Herwick Reader 3: Brian Gotham Reader 4: Katie Schwartz Solo Music: Abby Bowers Director: Sarah Herwick Assistant Director: Jane Schmerberg Producers: Bethlehem Teachers and Education Ministry Team Costumes and Props: Eileen Koprowski Music: Gail Jennings Sound: Gary Rogers PASTORAL PRAYER & PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH 10:00 INVITATION TO GIVE As we share our gifts of time, talent, and treasure, we shine light in the world. Let us bring our gifts to the Christ Child in our midst. 10:00 OFFERTORY Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella Linda R. Lamb Bethlehem Bell Choir 10:00 DOXOLOGY #46 Praise God the source of life and breath; Praise Christ, now born to conquer death; Praise Holy Spirit s mystery: One God, pure grace, who sets us free. Amen. 10:00 UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION God, may these humble offerings bring the light of your Love to all who need it. HYMN OF PARTING #129 Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates BENEDICTION Go forth into the world of Christmas lights and shopping frenzy warmed by the everlasting light of God s Love. We go forth reminded of the beauty of the Christmas story and filled with the brilliance of Jesus s love for the world. Go forth to share God s Love with all who need it! In the noise of this busy season, we leave resolved to share the Light and Love of Jesus with our world. POSTLUDE Joy to the World arr. Dave Brubeck

8 HELPING IN THE SERVICES TODAY Pastor: Rev. John L. Kennedy Minister of Spiritual Growth and Development: Lily Tinker Fortel Director of Music: Thomas Burton Organist: Gail Jennings Director of Handbells: Jim Rowan 10:00 Bell Ringer Matt Perros Liturgist Lily Tinker Fortel Lighting of the Advent Candles 8:30 Norm Wetzel, Sally Wetzel 10:00 John Samford, Karen Samford, Noah Bailey Coffee Connection Servers 8:30 Norm Wetzel, Sally Wetzel 10:00 Debbie Karr, Ron Karr Office Volunteer Jacquie Katz 10:00 Sound Technician Gary Rogers 10:00 Educational Building Greeters Laura Seyfried, Pat O Reilly Building Opener/Closer Norm Wetzel/Scott Lovelace Ushers 8:30 Norm Wetzel, Sally Wetzel 10:00 Larry Katz, Hans Maier, Tom Naylor, Marty Seyfried, Jay Katz, Mark Katz, Scott Buday, Kris Jaeger A Star is Born is a product of Children s Ministry Deals.