December 16 th, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent Christmas Pageant

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1 December 16 th, 2018 Third Sunday of Advent Christmas Pageant Welcome to this service of worship at Norfield Congregational Church on this Sunday morning. Please join us after worship for Fellowship in the Parish Hall. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able, please stand in body or in spirit. Ringing of the Bell Lighting of the Advent Candles Let the sound of the bell call you to worship! The Lerner Family One: It s getting closer. Many: We feel it! One: The days are shorter, but the lights burn brighter. Many: We re listening. We re eager to hear good news. One: We ve gathered together in the House of Joy. Many: We re here to praise God with all we have. One: Today we light the candle of Joy. The First Three Candles of Advent are Lit All: We worship God with exceeding joy! *Hymn No. 13 Prepare the Way, O Zion! BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN Welcome Announcements Call to Prayer Mary s Child (Hymn 30, v. 3) Truth of our life, Mary s Child, You tell us God is good; Yes, it is true, Mary s Child, Shown on Your cross of wood. (sung twice)

2 Pastoral Prayer and The 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Children will remain in worship service with their families for the Christmas Pageant. Pageant The First Leon by Dennis and Nan Allen Noel! Noel! If You Wanna Be a Star Just Two Words While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Hark! the Herald Angels Sing! O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Beneath thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light: The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight! How silently, how silently the wondrous Gift is giv n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Storyteller Hadley Salem Leon Quinn Dickinson Mr. Mosley Andrew Salem Jonathan Haldan Dickinson David King David Wallace Matthew William Salem Pageant Narrator Alice Gross You Can Have My Room Joy to the World! Light of the World Madeline (Mary) Emma Gross Angels Quinn Ambrose Addy Kistler Perri Schleef Peyton Schleef Katie Scioscia Leon s New Friend Grant Mattinson Musical Leadership: Kaitlin Lazere, Ellen Dickinson, Marcia Louis, David Connell Music Makers Ministry: Penny Anderson, Barbara Cotter, Karen Moraitis & Erley Pulgarin

3 HEARING GOD S WORD Scripture Readings Isaiah 12: 2-6 (NRSV) 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. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 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. 5 Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NRSV) 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus sake. 6 For it is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Sermon Shining the Light on Joy Pastor Thomas C. Burke Invitation to Giving Offertory Music Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol Ellen Dickinson and Rachel Dorset, bell duet *Doxology GREENSLEEVES So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come one and all to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary! Prayer of Dedication *Hymn No. 49 Once in Royal David s City Irby Benediction Response Postlude God Rest Ye Merry Carol Prelude Roland Diggle

4 Welcome Visitors! We are delighted to have you joining us here at Norfield today! Please let us know if you have additional questions or require further assistance. Do not hesitate to ask one of our greeters or ushers, a deacon (identified by name badges), or one of our ministers. Please also take a moment to fill out a nametag for yourself so we can greet you by name. Infant and toddler care is available in the lower level of the Christian Education Building. An usher can direct you. You can also see and hear the service in the Greene Room if you need to. A Children s sermon is shared most Sundays and all children are invited to come to the front of the altar and join us. Norfield s Church School, called Discovery Hour, meets during the service. Children leave after the Children s Sermon, accompanied by their teachers. All children are welcome and encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is not necessary. Children can then be picked up following the service at the Christian Education Building. Please ask us for directions. Hearing Assistance System amplifiers are available. Please speak with an usher if you would like to use one. Prayer Cards are located in the pew racks. If you have a prayer request, please fill one out and place it in the offering plate or give it to a minister. We pray over these concerns each week. Please fill in your address and any questions you might have on the back of one of the Prayer Cards in the pews, and then put the card in the offering plate or give it to a minister. Please join us, following the service, for our Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall so we can welcome you personally and introduce ourselves. If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family, please contact Teri Gaberman, NCC Administrative Assistant at tgaberman@norfield.org. Please visit our website at for more information, and for updates on church activities and service schedules, view our online Google calendar also located on our website.

5 Parish Notes December 16 th, 2018 Norfield Congregational Church Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Senior Minister Office Hours: Monday Thursday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Welcome! Thank you for joining us today! We hope that the hour spent in this sacred space will draw you closer to God, and an awareness of God s love. Name Tags! In an effort to maintain and nurture our Norfield family we ask that everyone please put on a name tag. They can be found in the vestibule of the church. Leaders of Worship Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson Associate Minister of Children, Youth & Families Thomas C. Burke, Jr. Director of Music & Worship Arts Dr. David H. Connell Deacon of the Day Kimberly Wilson Advent Candle Lighting The Lerner Family Greeter Judy Albin Fellowship Hour Host Pam LaFontaine Our Prayer List (December) I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) Please surround all our Norfield Families in love and prayer during this holiday season. The Altar Flowers are dedicated by the Fine Family in honor of Peter s beloved mother, Suzy Fine. (If you would like to put a name, concern, or joy on the prayer list, please contact the church office at # Your prayer concern will remain on the list for the month; if you would like to extend that time, please contact the church office. Thank You!) D is c o v e r y H o u r Penny Anderson, Christian Education Director Ellen Dickinson, Children s Church Children will remain in worship service with their families for the Christmas Pageant.

6 Announcements Rediscover Your Faith at Norfield in 2018! Norfield Annual Caroling to Seniors TODAY! All Norfield Carolers (ALL AGES WELCOME!) are asked to gather in the Parish Hall at 1PM to depart for caroling. Join in the delight of bringing the joy of Christmas to our beloved Norfield Seniors! The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Offering Last Chance! If you missed the Annual Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Offering last week, you ll have the opportunity TODAY to make a donation of either cash or check by filling out the envelope attached to the ornament Christmas card! The Annual Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Offering, a 32-year tradition at Norfield, was instituted by a Norfield Fellowship Group in order to reach out to our neighbors at Christmas time. This year, all donated gifts will be given to Weston Social Services for distribution of gift cards to people in our community whose Christmas would be barren without our caring outreach. Christmas Flowers and Special Music Offering! This is the last Sunday that Christmas Flower envelopes will be available in the church pews so that you can offer flowers in memory of or in thanksgiving for loved ones. Please print clearly on the envelopes your name and those for whom the flowers are given. Kindly include your donation in the envelope and place it in the offertory plate. Also, for anyone who would like to make a donation to the Norfield Special Music Fund (Christmas Brass Quintet), you may do so as well. THANK YOU!!

7 Outreach Committee Hosts The Weston Senior Luncheon!! Wednesday, December 19th This year, Norfield has been asked to host the Christmas Luncheon on Wednesday, December 19 th, All volunteers are kindly asked to drop off their food items to the parish hall on Wednesday morning for the luncheon. For questions, please contact: Judy Moss at or Michelle Mecca at Thank You Norfield! Community Caroling Dinner December 19 th! On Wednesday, December 19 th from 6pm 7pm, the Community Caroling Dinner will be held in the parish hall! Bring your family, friends, and a favorite appetizer, salad, side, or dessert for a delightful evening of fellowship, celebration and song! The main course and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to Anneliese Lomas at annelieselomas@gmail.com. The Norfield Book Club January 16th The Norfield Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, January 16th at 7pm at the home of Charlene Blount, 15 Far Horizons Drive in Easton. This month s book choice is Virgil Wander by Leif Enger. This is a charming and engaging book a good holiday read. SAVE the DATE! Norfield Deacons Brunch Sunday, January 13 th! On Sunday, January 13 th, the Board of Deacons will be hosting the Annual Deacons Brunch following worship service in the Parish Hall! Mark your calendars for this wonderful Norfield tradition!

8 Church Calendar Day Date Time Event Place Sunday 12/16 10:00am Third Sunday of Advent/Christmas Sanctuary Pageant 1:00pm Caroling to Seniors Parish Hall 11:45am Board of Trustees Meeting Conference Room 5:15pm Confirmation Class Parish Hall Monday 12/17 9:30am Mom s Bible Study Banks Room 11:00am Women s Fashion Tea Parish Hall 6:00pm Weston Boy Scouts Parish Hall Wednesday 12/19 9:30am Open Door Bible Study Greene Room 11:00am Weston Senior Luncheon Parish Hall 6:00pm Community Caroling Dinner Parish Hall Thursday 12/20 3:30pm Youth Bible Study Mike Tine Room Saturday 12/22 8:30am Weston Kiwanis Meeting Parish Hall Sunday 12/23 10:00am Fourth Sunday of Advent Sanctuary 5:15pm Confirmation Class Parish Hall BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Moderator Tracy Pennoyer Church Clerk Shivanthi Edwards Assistant Treasurer Pam LaFontaine Board of Trustees Calvin Mew Human Resources Jean Davis-French Senior Shepherds Carol Hamilton Board of Christian Education Christa Gross Prayer Shawl Ministry Jacqueline Pike Board of Christian Outreach Robert Smits Vice Moderator Mary Crawford Nominating Committee Will Lewis Altar Committee Bobbie Sassano & Gaitrie Bos Board of Deacons Dan Klein Board of Music Bayard Dodge Board of Fellowship Anne Troxell Prayer Requests Jackie Troxell Shepherds Kimberly Wilson Treasurer Kurt Schreder