An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. December 23, 2018 at 10 am

Transcription

1 An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ December 23, 2018 at 10 am Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope. Isaiah 42:1-4

2 Welcome to our worship service. Please join us for refreshments and time for fellowship immediately following the service. PRELUDE GATHERING SONG #147 (Black, New Century) See the Little Baby WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, Send your holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We seek this quiet space to hear your voice right now, a voice from beyond the beyond. May we find here the stillness within the noisy rush around us that leads to wisdom and good decisions. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN #131 (Black, New Century) O Little Town of Bethlehem ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING - FOURTH CANDLE - JOY Leader: In this Advent season, we anticipate the fullness of God s joy. [The candle is lit.] People: Knowing that Christ is coming, already brings healing and wholeness to us. Leader: We are united as the beloved community, devoted to your Word and your Way of life. People: We marvel at your power to change hearts and lives. Leader: We proclaim your goodness and mercy, your beauty and justice, now and forever. ALL: Together we are a sign of peace, and hope, and love, and joy. TIME FOR ALL AGES ANTHEM A La Nanita José Ramón Gomis arr. Ed Henderson Come, let s sing a little lullaby. Come let s sing a little. The child Jesus sleeps. It is Christmas Eve, blessed be. Of the star in the sky the angels sing. Come kings, shepherds to the gate of Bethlehem. Come to adore him the child in the crib. Praise the coming of a child Redeemer, for in Bethlehem has been born to the world a Savior. Sleep child sleep, child in the crib. There he sleeps in his manger, the Redeemer, 2

3 READINGS miraculous Messiah, the child God. Come to adore him, child in a crib. Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Colossians 1:13-20 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. SPECIAL MUSIC Medley (with call and response) Arranged and performed by Cici Hunt SERMON The Cosmic Christ? Rev. Rick Chrisman HYMN #148 (Black, New Century) What Child Is This? COMMUNITY PRAYERS Concerns and Celebrations Prayers for Our Friends and Families, Our Church, Our Community, and the World. Lord s Prayer Our Father and Mother, 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, 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. 3

4 OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS In each of our pews today is a black friendship book which we encourage you to fill out and pass to the person next to you during the offering. If you have been with us before, just put down your name, but if you are new today, please let us know who you are. Thanks! Offertory Anthem Dormi, Dormi O Bel Bambin Italian Carol arr. Robert DeCormier Sleep, o Sleep my lovely child. King Divine, King Divine. Close your eyes and sweetly slumber. King Divine King Divine. Fa la la la, la, la, la, la, la. Fa la la la, la, la, la, la, la. O my sweet treasure do not weep. Sweetly sleep, sweetly sleep. Close your eyes my Son, my dear one. Sweetly sleep, sweetly sleep. Close your eyes my Son, my dear one. Fa la la la, la, la, la, la, la. Fa la la la, la, la, la, la, la. Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Dedication *CLOSING HYMN #132 (Black, New Century) Joy to the World BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Worship Assistant: Rein Kirss Advent Wreath: Kathie Carpenter, Barbra Morton Deacons: Jim Ruetenik, Lucy Slosser Flowers: Connie Kaufman Altar Guild: Jean Veigas Ushers: Craig Morrison, Eric Slosser, Valerie Kistler 4

5 Happening TODAY 12/23 Rev. Rick Chrisman will facilitate a Transition Dialogue to field members thoughts and concerns about the changes taking place. We will meet in the Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Those unable to attend contact Rick at RevRick@needhamucc.org, or leave a voic message on the church office phone line. Blue Christmas Service at 2pm - The holiday season can be emotionally hard for people who have lost a loved one or experienced other significant losses. We will gather in such a way as to evoke love and gratitude and diminish gloom. There will be song and word and prayer, some silence, and remembrances by name with candlelight. Rev. Maddie and Rev. Rick will lead the service bringing together resources from poetry and scripture. Everyone is welcome. Please invite all who may find comfort in this contemplative service. 5

6 Church Covenant We strive to be a joyful, welcoming Christian Community. We seek to be faithful in a world torn by suffering, injustice, oppression, and war. We are inspired by God, Christ s Ministry, and the examples of other faithful people. We join together in worship and song, fellowship, study, and mission to embrace the risks and challenges of continuing Christ s ministry We struggle to live out our faith in the world by furthering justice and peace, witnessing to the truth, and proclaiming God s love and mercy for all people. Open and Affirming Statement As a covenant community we are committed to the belief that all people are created equal before God. In affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ Jesus, we welcome persons of any race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and economic circumstance to full participation in our community life and ministry. We strive to reflect these beliefs in the language and content of our worship and in our lives together. (This statement adopted in 2000, reflects the welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their friends and families.) Update from the Board of Directors As we journey through a period of transition in our pastoral relationships, please keep our community and our ministers in your prayers. The Board of Directors and Board of Deacons want you to know of these upcoming dates and events: Tuesday, January 1 Rev. John Gage begins as our Senior Minister. Sunday, January 6- Rev. Gage s first Sunday with us and congregational lunch. Parish Care Team The new Parish Care Team has been formed to attend to the needs of our church community. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a call or a visit from a Parish Care Team member, or a minister, please contact Dibby Moder at or dmoder@verizon.net. You can also call the church office ( ) with your request for a visit. 6

7 2018 Collections* 12/16/2018= $2,806 12/16/2018 Worship Attendance = 141 people November Electronic Pledge Amount: $11, Please contact the church office or office@needhamucc.org to find out how you can give electronically. *Collection amount does not include additional pledges received electronically. Our current pledge amount for 2018 is $392,968. This represents a budget shortfall of $57,032 for the year. The Board is responsible for the overall administrative life of the church including buildings, finances, personnel and the overall health of the church. Moderator: Jackie Allen Clerk: Jane Brand Term Ends 2019: Jim Conroy, Diane Rees, Kristin Mollerus, Keith McClelland Term Ends 2020: Howard Sesso, Barbra Morton, Amanda Angel Term Ends 2021: Craig Morrison, Scott Lively, Amy Hurley The Deacons are responsible for the spiritual life and well-being of the church. Term Ends 2019: Rick Devereux, Dibby Moder, Scott Stewart, Carol Miller, Jean Veigas Term Ends 2020: Kevin Blume, Paul Brown, Sue Cotton, Lucy Slosser Term Ends 2021: Jim Ruetenik, Phil Gotwals, KM Abraham, Patty Morrison, Janet Rubenstein The Outreach Committee advocates to the church and its members about important issues relating to social justice in our church, community, city state and the world. They provide opportunities to volunteer and guide us in financial giving. We aim to give 15% of our income from pledges to the church to Outreach financial giving. Term Ends 2019: Bill Rees, Fred Moder, Hiroko Hardebeck, Lynn Gotwals, Term Ends 2020: Carol Brown, Mi Herzog, Tom Mollerus Term Ends 2021: Connie Kaufman The PRC is an independent group that supports and maintains an open and healthy relationship between the Minister(s) and Members of the Congregation. The PRC does not take the place of communications between the Members and the Minister(s), but rather helps those who need advice and assistance with such communications. Members: Tom Mollerus, Fred Moder, Martha Lamb 7

8 Welcome to all who are new or here for the first time! If you are interested in learning more about our church, please or call the office at to set up a conversation. For updates on church life, our family ministries, Christian Education and Youth Ministries follow us on Instagram Congregational Church of Needham UCC on on Twitter Please silence your cell phone before attending the service. You can Check In on Facebook and let people know you are here. Feel free to Tweet, Snapchat, or Instagram during the service. If you would like or need a hearing device an usher will be able to assist you. Children s Childcare is offered for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the Nursery located downstairs during the service. Rev. Rick Chrisman s Office Hours Please contact the church office to schedule an appointment during his office hours on Wednesdays 1 5pm. Hours are also available by appointment. *If these mes do not work for you please contact the office for alternate availability. Senior Minister The Rev. Rick Chrisman RevRick@needhamucc.org , ext. 106 Director of Children &Youth Ministries The Rev. Madelyn Foster RevMaddie@needhamucc.org , ext. 104 Music Director Valerie Becker musicdirector@needhamucc.org Organist/Accompanist Sangyoung Kim Staff Church Administrator Danielle Jurdan Office@needhamucc.org , ext. 101 Office Assistant & Bookkeeper Cindy Sullivan Office2@needhamucc.org , ext. 100 Housekeeper Sanira Alchaar Handyman Bill Donovan The Congregational Church of Needham 1154 Great Plain Avenue Needham, Massachusetts Facebook: Congrega onal Church of Needham UCC Twi Instagram: needhamucc of ice@needhamucc.org The Rev. Dr. Paul Clayton, Pastor Emeritus 8

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS December 23, 2018 TODAY 12/23 Rev. Rick Chrisman will facilitate a Transition Dialogue to field members thoughts and concerns about the changes taking place. We will meet in the Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Those unable to attend contact Rick at RevRick@needhamucc.org, or leave a voic message on the church office phone line. TODAY Blue Christmas Service on Sun., Dec. 23 rd at 2pm - The holiday season can be emotionally hard for people who have lost a loved one or experienced other significant losses. We will gather in such a way as to evoke love and gratitude and diminish gloom. There will be song and word and prayer, some silence, and remembrances by name with candlelight. Rev. Maddie and Rev. Rick will lead the service bringing together resources from poetry and scripture. Everyone is welcome. Please invite all who may find comfort in this contemplative service. Environmental Ministry Team Please join us December 30 at 11:30 in Linden Hall for a viewing of the movie, Thomas Berry: The Great Story. The 49 minute film portrays the life and work of the famous pioneer of spirituality and ecology. Light refreshments will be served. Do you need a hostess gift for the holiday parties you re attending or to replace a tired wreath that no longer brings a smile to everyone or discovering a space that calls out for something bright? CHRISTMAS WREATHS and table decorations are on sale & DIS- COUNTED in Fellowship Hall and on the walls in Linden. WREATHS will continue to be available for sale until 12/23. Come support your church with your purchase and bring added pleasure to your Christmas season! Parish Care Team The newly formed Parish Care Team would like to be as attentive as we can to the needs of our church members, their families and friends. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a call or a visit from a Parish Care Team member, please contact Dibby Moder, the chair of the Deacons, at or dmoder@verizon.net. You can also call the church office ( ) with your request for a visit. Don t forget that Rev. Rick is also available for pastoral visits. Become a Partner Family Pen-pal with a family in Santa Maria Tzeja. We have just a few families still interested from the community who would love to write to you and your family. Stop by the Guatemala Partnership table in December to see photographs of these folks and see how to get started. Partner-Family (and Scholarship Donor) Letters Due January 6 th! Partner families and scholarship donors are asked to write their letters and submit them by the January 6 th deadline to Dave Johnson at: davebjohnson77@gmail.com. It takes 4-5 weeks for our volunteer translators 9

10 to convert these 140+ letters to Spanish, in time for the February delegation s departure, so please do your part to make this a more manageable task for Dave. Yummy snacks for Coffee Hour! We invite you to host or co-host a Sunday! Families and individuals are invited to sign up for a Sunday to provide the food. You can use this opportunity to celebrate someone s birthday, anniversary or honor a person in your family or an occasion by providing goodies for coffee hour. Your sponsorship will be mentioned in the bulletin. The office has set up an online sign-up form at go/10c0844a8aa23a2fd0-coffee or you can simply call the office to do so. Please call the office if you have any questions at Calendars to Support Education in Santa Maria Tzeja Beautiful calendars prepared by NIS- GUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala) will again be sold, with proceeds to benefit education in our partner village. Stop by the Guatemala table after worship any Sunday during December. Looking for a Meaningful Gift? Consider giving someone you love, or a great teacher, a beautiful gift card indicating that you contributed in their name to the cost of Middle School teaching materials in Santa Maria Tzeja, Guatemala. Contributions in any amount gratefully appreciated! Stop by the Guatemala table after worship during December to see what this is all about. Volunteer Opportunity for Baby Basics We are looking for a person who can host the distribution table on the first Tuesday of every month. This entails giving families diapers from 6-7 pm, dinner provided for you and your family. Contact Jennifer Haggerty at jenniferhaggerty@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer. 10

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12 Sunday December 23rd Monday December 24th Christmas Eve Tuesday December 25th January 1st Saturday December 29th Sunday December 30th Wednesday January 2nd Thursday January 3rd Sunday January 6th Monday January 7th Tuesday January 8th Wednesday January 9th Sunday January 13th 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 2:00 pm 4:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm 8:20 pm 9:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Transition Dialogue with Rev. Rick, Library Blue Christmas Service, Chapel All Youth Christmas Party Church Office Closed Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Pageant Service Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Offices Closed 12:00 pm Bill Kuhlman Memorial Service w/ Reception to Follow 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Chapel EMT Film: Thomas Barry : The Great Story, Linden Hall 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Linden AB 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Welcome Brunch for Rev. John Gage 9:00 am Cancer Support Group, Reception Room 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Community Dinner, Linden Hall Board Meeting, Library 7:00 pm Deacons Meeting, Library 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am Rev. John Gage first day in the office! Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Guatemala Partnership Meeting, Library Talking About...With Children & Teens Youth Choir Mindful Meditation, Chapel Bible Study, Reception Room 12