December 10, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

Transcription

1 PRELUDE AND SILENT MEDITATION WEST PARK UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST An Open and Affirming Congregation 3909 Rocky River Dr Cleveland, Ohio December 10, 2017, 10:00 a.m. * Those who are able, please stand WELCOME AND PASSING OF THE PEACE CALL TO WORSHIP One: Listen! The voice of God calls out across the ages. Women: We hear and respond. We rise up to worship God from the valleys, the mountains, and the plains. One: Like a shepherd God leads us and tenderly gathers us together. Men: Comfort, comfort O my people, says our God of love. All The grass withers and the flower fades; But the word of our God will stand forever! LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES Zmina Family One: In a world of war, violence and abuse, where families live in shelters and children grow up in fear, God, we call upon you to come. One: In a world where peace seems to be so far away, we call upon you, Prince of Peace, to come. One: In this season of Advent, we wait for the coming of Peace into our world. We await the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, who comes into our lives in a new way. One: Come, Messiah, Come, and Save Us! One: On this second Sunday of Advent, we re-kindle the light of Hope. The candle of Hope is lit. One: And we light the flame of Peace. The candle of Peace is lit. Many: Dear God, we pray for the peace that only You can bring through your Son, Jesus the Christ. May we walk in the paths of peace. Amen. 1

2 *HYMN Let There Be Peace on Earth All Rights Reserved Reprinted under OneLicense.net A

3 * INVOCATION (In Unison) Oh God, You call to us from the wild places; you call to us from the inner chambers of our hearts. We come in answer to your call. We come to pray, to praise; to learn of your love for all creation. Reveal your glory that we may see it together. Inform and inspire us to seek your kingdom on earth in our time. Amen. *GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. ANTHEM CHILDREN S MESSAGE 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin 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. GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8 LECTOR: Here ends a reading from God s word. ALL: Thanks be to God who is still speaking. SERMON *HYMN: My Heart Sings in Joyful Praise BLACK 106 JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION PASTORAL PRAYER OFFERING *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, Ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison) God, whose faithfulness exceeds the limits of the earth, accept these gifts of our hearts and hands. May they be multiplied and magnified as the living presence of Christ s Hope in the world. Amen. 3

4 *HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory BLUE 366 *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE *** MINISTERS OF GOD S LOVE...Every Member of WPUCC SENIOR PASTOR...Rev. Jason Thompson LICENSED MINISTER James R. Furry PASTORS EMERITI...Rev. Don Norenberg, Rev. Larry Craig DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION...Wendy LeForge DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY...Christopher Venesile, PhD CHURCH SECRETARY...Linda Ferro LECTOR...Judi Wiseman COUNTERS...Larry & Marilyn Shank, Holly Sinnema WE WELCOME all who are here to worship with us today. We hope that you are blessed by this special worship and fellowship. Please sign the attendance pads and pass the pad to the side aisles, by the windows. PASTOR JASON S Office Hours are Monday and Wednesday, or by appointment. Pastor Jason can be reached at the church office (216) or WestParkUCCPastor@gmail.com. FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Last Sunday s attendance was Adults 81 and 4 children/youth. Thank you for your offerings of Operating $1,884, OCWM $62, Pink - Veterans of the Cross $65, Rent - Parlor $50, Xmas Memorials $62, Poinsettias $48, Donation - Recovery $100, MOPS Candy $40, Pennies $25.57, Alternative Xmas $50, Bridge to the Future $137 GOD IS ON THE MOVE! Our Mitten line is up! The Youth are collecting socks, mittens scarves, and hats for the mitten line that will stay up outside through the winter. POLICE SAFETY WORKSHOP Due to concerns nationwide about the safety of our churches and schools, West Park UCC is hosting Active Shooter and Violent Intruder Training and Informational Workshop. Sergeant Tim Higgins of the Cleveland Police Department will be leading a 90 minute informational session on Tuesday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please plan to attend this important event. Please RSVP to the church via , sign-up sheet in the Narthex, or phone. We will find out how safe our church is, and what we can do to keep ourselves and others safe. 4

5 WE PRAY FOR: Clara Strodtbeck, Pat Bunnell, Janet Gorman, Jean Clark, Wanda Paulin, Grace Green, Florence Boughner, Christina Craig, John Ittu, Carol Hunt, Midge Karnatz, Elaine Barry, Geri Frimel, Bob Owens, Shirley and Jay Gardella. Estelle, Conrad, Sharon, Dan, Hyacinth, Tricia, Bruce Johnson, Elizabeth Griffin, loved ones, Launa Ray, Addicted, Keith & Charlotte, Nicole, Dave, AJR, homeless, Marie K, Colleen Z & family, Lou A & family, Paul A., Jeane, Animals, Chloe, Wil, Bryan, Judi & family, Lois Flanders, Gordon Minnis & family, Diana & Tom, Anna, Lyda, Mike, Rachel, Lucas, Adam, Lisa, incarcerated, families, under and unemployed, Bonnie Carey, Shut ins, Elizabeth, residents of Cogswell Hall, Piper, Christina & Neil, C & B, Marti & Dan, Melissa, Nina & Lisa, Tom & Lynn, Linda, M & C, Jerry, Gail, Thelma, Edwina, Leslie, David, Dianna, Dennis, John, Debbie & Steve, Sharell & Josh, Shana & Justina, Grandkids, Isabel, Milly, Tom, Lynn, Sheila, Joe, Alan, Donna, Staci, Danny, Dickenson family, Nada, Roz, Liz, Dawn, Eric, Rosie, Meli, Leo, Ivonne, Yihan, Larry, Ladonna, Mary Taylor & family, Mary Dunn, Barb, Sarah & Melissa. PINK ENVELOPE FOR DECEMBER Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund. Since 1893, the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance has provided support to UCC clergy and lay church employees, bridging financial and leadership needs of retirees, of those serving new church starts, of younger pastors beginning their ministries, and of those facing circumstantial hardships. At the core of the ministries of Board for Ministerial Assistance is the Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund. The Christmas Fund is one of the four Special Mission Offerings of the UCC, and congregations have been generously giving to the offering for more than a century. Proceeds from the offering are used to provide direct financial assistance to UCC clergy and lay employees in several areas: (a) monthly pension supplementation, (b) quarterly health premium supplementation, (c) Christmas thank you checks for retirees; and (d) emergency grants to both active and retired clergy and lay employees. Congregations across the country contribute to the Christmas Fund each year, and it is our December Pink Envelope here at West Park United Church of Christ. At West Park UCC, we have the opportunity to be a part of this ministry that cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ through our gifts to this year's Christmas Fund Offering. Please consider giving to this worthwhile cause. SIGN UP! The new sign up cards and sheets are up for 2018 in the Narthex! Sign up to sponsor altar flowers or to light the Steeple! Thank you! 5

6 THIS WEEK AT WEST PARK SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10: 10:00 a.m. Worship and L.I.G.H.T. 11:30 a.m. Deacons, Adult Study MONDAY, 12/11: 7:00 p.m. Mood Disorder Support Group TUESDAY, 12/12: 6:30 p.m. SAFETY WORKSHOP, Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Recovery, International WEDNESDAY, 12/13: 6-8 p.m. Neighbor Night, Bartter Hall 6:00 p.m. Advent Scrooge Study, Parlor 7:00 p.m. Choir THURSDAY, 12/14: 6:00 p.m. Parlor use 6:15 p.m. Low Impact Exercise, Bartter Hall 10:00 p.m. AA Bartter Hall FRIDAY, 12/15: 7:00 p.m. Al- Anon SATURDAY, 12/16: 9-12:00 noon Work Morning 10:15 p.m. Alpha-Omega AA Bartter Hall 12:00 a.m. Westside Midnight AA Bartter Hall NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17: 10:00 a.m. Christmas Pageant 11:15 a.m. Christmas Reception and Take It Home Bake Sale 3:00 p.m. Blue Christmas 3:00 p.m. Bowling CIVIL RIGHTS MISSION TRIP- On Sunday, December 17, anyone interested in participating in the ROOTS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT Mission trip in the Summer of 2018 should plan to meet in Pastor s office at 930am. This will be a short (about 15 minutes) meeting to gauge interest in the trip. If you want to go on the trip but can t attend this informational meeting, please contact the church office or Pastor Jason. 6

7 REDEMPTION OF SCROOGE ADVENT STUDY Ebenezer Scrooge is a man in dire need of a second chance. Is redemption possible for such a greedy, dark and sad character? The Redemption of Scrooge shows us how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Dickens Christmas classic. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the Life of the present, and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent study will bless us every one and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith. Come for the 4-week study that will meet at 6pm in the parlor on the following Wednesdays: November 29, December 6, 13, 20. ALL ARE WELCOME!! CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS The season of Advent is upon us. How we wait with anticipation for the birth of our Savior! Once again, you have the opportunity to beautify our Sanctuary on Christmas Eve. Christmas poinsettias are a wonderful way to honor a friend or a loved one. Order forms will be available until December 17. Thank you! ADULT STUDY DECEMBER 10 th - stay for our monthly Adult Education Study: this month s topic will be homosexuality and the Bible, facilitated by Pastor Jason. ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS CATALOG - You received the Alternative Christmas Catalogue in the Dec. mailing. Please consider helping various activities in our church, as well as Youth Challenge (physical activities for disabled youth), Bright Pink(assists people with a high genetic risk for cancer), Providence House, Malachi House, The City Mission, Laura's Home, Berea Church St. Ministries, Back Bay Mission, Moving for Life (Dance exercise for cancer & health issue recovery, Heifer Project Intl., Crossroad Homes, or a Gift of Your Choice. Your gift of any amount will help others. An order form was included in the catalogue. Additional catalogs and order forms are available on the table in the Narthex. LAURA S HOME GIFTS - We are asking for New Toy and Pajama donations to go to Laura s Home for the children s Christmas gifts. They will put all donations in a room for the Moms to shop for their child/children. (They always need diapers and wipes.) Please have all donations to the Church by December 14, Thank you!!! CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 10:00 A.M. this year s West Park Christmas Intergenerational Pageant is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Practices will be held after worship on the following Sundays. PLEASE, if you cannot attend, let us know as a courtesy to the group. Dec.10th-DRESS REHERASAL Dec. 17th -PAGEANT YOU RE INVITED! to enjoy fellowship after the Pageant in Bartter Hall, where we will have The Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration. The Youth Group will have our Traditional Take it home Bake Sale! We welcome your donations Thanks! 7

8 ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR CHRISTMAS HOPE TOTES An Alternative Advent Calendar from the beginning of Advent Dec. 3rd to Epiphany, Jan. 6th. Instead of doing a traditional Advent calendar countdown, we are challenging you to observe this season by saying a prayer of thanksgiving each day with your family and donating an item to your Hope Tote. Hope Totes are plastic bags filled with essential hygiene products used every day. You probably take them for granted, but to a homeless person, toothpaste and a toothbrush, soap and clean pair of socks can be a huge blessing. For some it can also be the first step off the streets. To participate in Operation Hope Tote contact Ms. Wendy or CE for a complete kit. We will be providing the Advent Hope Tote bag. Here is an example list of some of the things they need: Toothpaste and Toothbrush, Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner, Deodorant, Shaving Cream, Lotion, Disposable Razors, Socks, Comb and Brush, Tissues 8