Wellesley Village Church United Church of Christ

Transcription

1 Wellesley Village Church United Church of Christ Second Worship, 10am, Sanctuary November 29, 2015 Make Room First Sunday of Advent

2 Welcome to worship at Wellesley Village Church! Committed to being a nurturing community where all are welcome and known by name, we invite you to: Wear a nametag you may use the stickers or request a permanent nametag anytime. Sign the fellowship pads and leave a comment.. We love feedback. Fill out a Connection Card so we can know you better. Linger for coffee hour following worship in Village Hall, located through doors near the pulpit. If you have questions, ask any of us We are delighted you are here! Today is a Whole People of God Sunday. On special Sundays throughout the year, we gather as one intergenerational congregation and rejoice as children, youth, families and elders worship together. Our worship is designed to be accessible to all God s people through music, liturgy and participation. In addition, worship bags are available in baskets at each entrance and Children s bulletins are available from an usher. From the smallest to the tallest, we are grateful for one another! All music and words in this bulletin are reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net, License #A and by CCLI, License #

3 ORDER OF WORSHIP Today, all hymns are found in the New Century Hymnal (black). *Please stand as you are able. PRELUDE PASTORAL GREETING AND INVOCATION O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Sarah Sarchet Butter 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! Amen. PRAYER OF ADORATION *OPENING HYMN NO. 104 We Hail You God s Annointed ELLACOMBE WELCOME TO ADVENT AND MAKING ROOM INVITATION TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION All: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come into our lives and into our world with your transforming light. We need your light that shines brighter than those thoughts, words, and deeds that seek to hide it. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come and guide us to be bearers of your light. Help us to bask in your radiance and cherish your presence in our lives. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come and hear our silent prayers of confession in the stillness of this moment SILENT PRAYER One: Come, Lord Jesus, come. All: Amen. SUNG ASSURANCE O Little Town of Bethlehem How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the glorious love of heaven. No one discerns God s coming, but in this world of sin, Where yearning souls long to be whole, the dear Christ enters in.

4 LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE The Candle of Hope One: Christians around the world begin this day to await the advent of Christ. We join with a joyous and hopeful throng in lighting the Advent candles, symbols of our faith and signs of God s love. All: We gather as a people of Hope. One: Christian people around the world stand today in breathless anticipation of a miracle that has been repeated for hundreds of years, yet that astounds us anew each year. All: Our hope springs anew, from an ancient vision. One: As we light the first Advent candle, let it stand for hope based not on wishful thinking, but on deep conviction. We believe, we have seen, we have received the Promise and the Great Gift, and therefore, in the midst of darkness and imperfection, we hope. All: We gather expectantly, joyfully, and with deep commitment, for we have heard that a special Child is to come, that God is to be among us, and that soon we will see a new creation on earth. We are a people of hope. SUNG RESPONSE Light a Candle Bright and Tall Light a candle bright and tall For the Hope within our world. Hope that heard the ages call As the stars and planets whirled. Shine within our hearts today Come, O Christ, to us, we pray. DIX *PASSING THE HOPE OF CHRIST *SUNG RESPONSE Gloria, in excelsis deo BLESSING THE CHILDREN One: Children of Village Church, may you grow in Christian faith with the Holy Spirit as your guide. All: Go with God s love, and ours. Children through Grade 8 may proceed to their classes. SOLO Comfort Ye Ethan Rowe, soloist G. F. Handel SCRIPTURE Luke 21:25-37 One: The word of the Lord; All: Thanks be to God. (page 857 in pew Bible)

5 SERMON Presence: An Advent Gift Josh Fitterling *SERMON RESPONSE NO. 589 Let There Be Light, O God of Hosts (v.1-3) PENTECOST PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen CHORAL RESPONSE THE OFFERING Invitation The most important gift you can offer God is your presence. Please sign and pass the fellowship book, located at the end of each pew. Offertory Of the Father s Heart Begotten arr, David Willcocks *Response Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit One. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication OUR COMMON LIFE *CLOSING HYMN NO. 103 Watcher, Tell Us of the Night ABERYSTWYTH *BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Savior of the Nations, Come Hugo Distler

6 TODAY S NOTES Chancel Flowers this morning are given with an abundance of gratitude for welcoming us back home! Neal, Lori and Connor Bruce Fellowship Hour 11:15 am, Village Common Following worship, please join us for coffee and conversation in Village Common. Christian Meditation Practice 5-6pm, Burtt Chapel Even as mindfulness reaches the mainstream, practiced by everyone from corporate CEOs to major league sports teams, Christians are just rediscovering their contemplative tradition. We invite you to join us in developing your own Christian meditation practice. Cherub Choir Rehearsal 11:15am, Cherub Choir Room All children in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades are welcomed. Junior Choir Rehearsal 11:15am, Youth Choir Room 6th and 7th Grade Youth Group No meeting today. High School Youth Group (10-12 grade) 7pm, Youth Room OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND COMMUNITY All Are Welcome! Environmental Ministry News The Environmental Ministry invites you to attend GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT: Solutions for Reducing Food Waste on Tuesday, December 8 from 6:30 to 9:00 in the Wakelin Room of the Wellesley Free Library. This free program will include a screening of the film "Just Eat It" inspired by Wellesley High School graduate Jonathan Bloom's book American Wasteland. Following the film, Wellesley native Ashley Stanley will explain how her company Lovin' Spoonfuls picks up surplus food from grocery stores and distributes it to those in need. Discussion will follow. Refreshments provided. To get background information and updates from the Climate Change meetings in Paris, you can use the web site By registering at the site you'll get updates sent directly to your address. For additional information please see this weeks Enews. The Environmental Ministry asks for prayers that meaningful progress be agreed to by all countries involved.

7 Cereal Sunday, December 6 Just one box of cereal per Village Church family per month and we ll fill the Wellesley Food Pantry cereal shelves for a year! Food may be dropped off anytime in the designated box in the Cloister and in the basket at the Village Common entrance. Church Moms Group Thursday, December 10, 7pm,at the home of Amy Hille, 14 Oakridge Road, Natick This casual group welcomes moms of children of all ages for monthly get-togethers away from the family, usually for a dinner in someone's home or restaurant, or perhaps for a service opportunity. It s a come when you can kind of group and is a great way to meet other moms & new friends at our church. If you know someone who has never been to a Church Mom s dinner or activity, please invite them to come along. We hope you can join us! Please keep your eye out for the Sign-Up Genius where you can RSVP and offer to bring something. If you would like to be on our list, please let Kerry Evans know at kegevans@gmail.com or call Thursday Night Bible Study Join Us! We meet almost every Thursday from 7-9pm between October and May. Pastoral Resident, Josh, will guide and support us. Contact Susan Sullivan at susansullivan422@aol.com.

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9 YOUTH MINISTRY 6th and 7th Grade Youth Group Meets every other Sunday from 5-6:30pm. 8th Grade Youth Group Meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-8pm. Confirmation (9th Grade youth) Meets most Wednesdays from 7:30-9pm High School Youth Group (10-12 grade) Meets Sunday evenings 7-8:30pm. Please check Youth Program Calendar on the church website for dates. For more information, contact Pam Emslie, Associate Pastor for Youth, at , x15; or by at MUSIC MINISTRY Cherub Choir for children in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. Come sing! Rehearsals: 11:15 following Church School, Cherub Choir Room (2nd floor) November 29; December 6; No rehearsal on December 20, 27. January No rehearsals, February Spring rehearsals begin. Singing in Church: December 13 at Second Worship For more information, please contact Linda Harding, Cherub Choir Director, by at Junior Choir: Grades 3-6 Rehearsals after Second Worship, 11:15am-12:00pm Youth Choir: Grades 7-12 Rehearsals Wednesday evenings 6:15-7:00pm Instrumentalists If you play an instrument and would like to share your gifts with our church, please contact Dr. McDonald. For more information on Junior or Youth Choir and being an Instrumentalist please contact Dr. Kevin McDonald, Director of Youth Music, by at Senior Choir The Senior Choir welcomes new singers and rehearses each Sunday at 8:30-9:30 am. There is no midweek rehearsal. For more information on the Senior Choir, please see Director David Carrier in the choir loft or at coffee hour after Second Worship.

10 CHILDREN S MINISTRY Church School Today: Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms on the Upper Level before worship begins: Toddlers, two and three year olds will meet in their classroom located on the upper level at the top of the stairs just outside the Sanctuary; use the door to the left of the piano. Four year olds and Kindergarteners will meet in the 4/K Room located on the upper level beyond the library. Grades 1-8 will begin in the sanctuary worshipping with their families until it is time for class as noted in the bulletin. At that time, children will receive a blessing and then continue to church school together. Grades 1-5 meet in Village Hall on the lower level. Grades 6-8 meet in the Art Studio on the lower level. After Worship, Toddlers through 3rd grade should be picked up from class by a parent/guardian immediately after worship. 4th Grade and older will be released from class at the end of worship. Children of all ages are welcome in our sanctuary to worship and be part of our service. Worship bags are available in baskets at each of the entrances. Children s bulletins are available from an usher. The Family Worship Room, located just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the piano, is for families who wish to worship together in a child-centered space. The service is piped in on a live audio feed. Please feel welcome to use this room anytime during worship. For more information, please contact Michaela McDonald, Director of Children s Ministries, by at Michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org ir by phone , x16.

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12 Our Church Covenant We are banded together as a Christian Church to maintain the worship of God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to develop in all people a consciousness of their relations and duties to God and to each other, and to inspire them with love for truth, passion for righteousness, and enthusiasm for service. To this end we pledge our loyalty to Christ and covenant with each other to express God s spirit in our individual and corporate life; to live together as Christians and to submit ourselves to the government of this Church, working, giving, praying for its increase, its purity, its peace, and seeking in every way to make it a power for the building up of the kingdom of God. The Rev. Sarah Sarchet Butter ~ Senior Pastor Associate Pastors Pastoral Residents The Rev. Pam Emslie The Rev. Megan Snell The Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly The Rev. Joshua Fitterling Directors Michaela McDonald Children s Ministry David R. Carrier Music Dr. Kevin McDonald Youth Music Wellesley Village Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA Office: Urgent Pastoral Care Cell: