THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017

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1 THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017

2 VISION STATEMENT We are the Church of the Redeemer, United Church of Christ, an inclusive community committed to the worship of God, the work of justice, and the recognition of our common humanity in the struggles of life. We follow Jesus Christ, who welcomes all people to his table. We celebrate the rich diversity of God s people: in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, marital and economic status and culture. Join us on a journey of the Holy Spirit, where faith and intellect meet, learning never ends, and music and the arts draw us closer to our Creator. 1

3 WELCOME We are pleased that you could join us this morning; wherever you are on your life and faith journey, you are welcome at the Church of the Redeemer. If you have any questions, please speak with an usher at the back of the Sanctuary. If you would like more information about the church, fill out the visitor information form at the back of this bulletin and put it in an offering plate. We hope you will join us after the service at Coffee Hour for a time of fellowship go out the side door and follow the crowds. ABOUT US The Church of the Redeemer is an open and affirming, theologically progressive, mainline Protestant church affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC). It was founded as a Congregational church in New Haven in Our identity is summarized by our vision statement. CHILDCARE DURING AND AFTER CHURCH Children are always welcome in church. Activity bags for older children and rocking chairs for adults with babies are available at the rear of the sanctuary. We have a nursery downstairs for children through age 6; you can take your child there at any time (follow the "Nursery" signs in the Tower Lobby or ask the ushers at the back). LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES If you are having trouble reading this bulletin or hearing the service, the ushers can provide you with a large-print bulletin or an assistive listening device. 2

4 The Church of the Redeemer UCC The Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 24, 2017 PRELUDE Johann Pachelbel Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME Pastor Susan Murtha INTROIT Tim Olsen O Antiphons Julia Blue Raspe, soprano Please sing the refrain with the choirs when you are invited. Julia sings it first, and then all of us. CALL TO WORSHIP please stand Jonathan Weber Leader: Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us. People: Hatred and warfare, injustice and suffering, are not the last word, for they are not of God. Leader: We hear again the promise of peace, coming in the one who lived Shalom among all people. People: We come to embrace the new advent, to be renewed in faith, hope and love. 3

5 PROCESSIONAL HYMN Once in royal David s city Verse 1: choir Verses 2-6: all see page 9 ADVENT WREATH: LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF LOVE Julie and Bill Moore Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent in which we recall God s love given in Christ. We re-light the candles of hope, peace and joy and add the light of love. From the Book of Deuteronomy: For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) Personal testimony of love People: God, thank you for loving us and for sending us Jesus to teach us about your love. Help us to remember that your love will never come to an end. Strengthen us to love others as you love us. Amen. ANTHEM Andre Thomas Keep your lamps trimmed and burning CHILDREN S MESSAGE Courtney Mason 4

6 PASSING OF THE PEACE Let us welcome one another with the traditional Christian greeting Peace be with you." "And also with you." Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers through age 6. Parents may accompany new children to get them settled and return to worship at any time. Activity bags are available in the rear of the sanctuary for those children that remain in the worship service. HYMN OF PREPARATION Unexpected and mysterious see page 11 SCRIPTURE John 1:1-14 SCRIPTURE RESPONSE Leader: People: God is still speaking. Thanks be to God. SERMON Behold Your Gift MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION PRAYERS AND SILENT MEDITATION Prayer requests may be offered aloud at this time. THE LORD'S PRAYER unison 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. 5

7 PRAYER RESPONSE Come now, O Prince of peace All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A OFFERTORY OFFERTORY ANTHEM Andre Thomas African Noel 6

8 CONGREGATIONAL DOXOLOGY (Tune: Lasst uns erfreuen) Let all things their Creator bless, And worship God in humbleness: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God and Jesus Christ the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One: O Praise God, O Praise God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! PRAYER OF DEDICATION RECESSIONAL HYMN People look east see page 12 BENEDICTION POSTLUDE J.S. Bach In Dulci Jubilo Please be seated during the postlude and use this time for silent reflection. Please join us for coffee hour and refreshments in the Sterling Room following worship this morning. You can get to the Sterling Room by exiting the side door at the front of the church. 7

9 THANK YOU TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THIS MORNING S WORSHIP SERVICE Deacon Shepherd: Bill Moore Reader: Jonathan Weber Hospitality: Nancy Carrington, Peggy Strickler and Chuck Peterson Ushers: Roslyn Hamilton, Twila Harper and Peggy Strickler Nursery Assistant: Two nursery assistants We welcome Aya Kaminaguchi, percussion, and thank her for sharing her gift of music. Next Sunday Hospitality: Lori Fast-Minkema, Ken Minkema, Melissa Knauert-Brown and Nate Brown Ushers: Bob Parker 8

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11 All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A

12 11 All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A

13 All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A

14 ANNOUNCEMENTS A GIFT FOR NURSERY ASSISTANT MAGGIE FRASER After years of dedicated service to our littlest Christians, our beloved nursery attendant, Maggie Fraser's last day with us is Sunday, January 7, The children made her a gift. Any families that would like to contribute to her "purse" gift, may make out checks to "Church of the Redeemer" with "gift for Maggie Fraser" in the memo line. This is a busy time of year, but the Children's Faith Formation Ministry team would like all contributions by Sunday, December 31, Please contact Grace Halsey if you have any questions (203) THE NOON BOOK GROUP The Noon Book Group s first meeting in January will take place on Tuesday, January 9 when the group will discuss Threading My Prayer Rug: One Woman's Journey from Pakistani Muslim to American Muslim by Sabeeha Rehman. Bring your lunch and join in the discussion and fellowship! THE EVENING BOOK GROUP The next meeting of the Evening Book Group will be at 7:30 on January 22 nd to discuss The Leavers by Lisa Ko. The meeting will be held at the home of Carol Nardini. As always, new members are always welcome! THE KNITTING GROUP The Knitting Group The Knitting Group meets every third Thursday of the month at 2:30 in the afternoon in the Sterling Room. Please join us for this vital ministry of creating prayer shawls for those who need comfort in difficult times. The pattern is very simple and we will teach the stitches to anyone who joins us. We also can supply the yarn. We would love to have some new members! The next meeting is January

15 CHRISTMAS CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC TODAY: Sunday, December 24 10:00 am Worship CHRISTMAS EVE 5:15 pm SPECIAL MUSIC 5:30 pm CANDLELIGHT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS featuring Benjamin Britten s Ceremony of Carols with harp accompaniment 14

16 15 MARK YOUR CALENDARS

17 CHURCH MEETINGS AND EVENTS Sunday, December 24, :55 am Senior Choir, sanctuary 10:00 am Worship 2:00 pm Quartet rehearses 3:00 pm Senior and Girls choirs rehearse 4:45 pm Chancel Choir rehearses 5:15 pm Prelude 5:30 pm Christmas Eve worship Monday, December 25, 2017 Merry Christmas! The church office will be closed. Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Newsletter articles for January due Sunday, December 31, :00 am Worship and Sunday school Monday, January 1, 2017 Happy New Year! The church office will be closed. 16

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19 SAFE CHURCH POLICY The Church of the Redeemer aspires to provide a safe environment for people of all ages; physical and sexual abuse and harassment will not be tolerated in any way. The full text of our Safe Church policy is available on our website. REDEEMER OFFICE HOURS The Redeemer office is open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You may also contact the office by sending an to redeemer@uccredeemer.org. CONTACT REVEREND MURTHA Susan may be reached via the Redeemer office at (203) You may also reach her via at susanjdarc@gmail.com or by telephone at (203) WELCOME VISITORS TO THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC! Please let us know more about you and how we can serve you. Please complete this card and place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher. Name: Address: Phone: address: I would like to be on your mailing list to receive newsletter ( or USPS) I would like information about Sunday School for my children: Name(s)/Ages(s): I would like a call from the Pastor. 18

20 The Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ 185 Cold Spring Street New Haven, CT Phone: Join us on Facebook at Church of the Redeemer New Haven Susan J. Murtha, Interim Senior Minister Jordan Rebholz, Minister for Faith Formation Robert Parker, Moderator of the Church Henry Sykes, Treasurer Kay Comendul, Clerk Marguerite Brooks, Director of Music Julia Blue Raspe, Chancel Choir Director and Alto Section Leader Paul Berry, Boys' Choir Director and Tenor Section Leader Sarah Reed, Soprano Section Leader Brian Robinson, Bass Section Leader Larry Bishop, Organist Barbara Repetsky, Office Administrator and Financial Secretary Collin Morrissey, Security Lou and Valarie Fanelli, Sextons Margaret Fraser, Nursery Attendant Emily Novicki, Nursery Attendant 19