One: May we dodge the time of trial.

Transcription

1 WELCOME PRELUDE OPENING WORDS RFM (Based on We Gather Together ) One: We gather together to ask God s blessing. Sing praises to God s name! One: God nudges and supports us, to make the Divine Will known. Sing praises to God s name! One: May we dodge the time of trial. Sing praises to God s name! All: God s steadfast love never ceases! *HYMN NCH #422 "Come, O Thankful People, Come" Tune: St. George's Windsor *LITANY RFM (adpt. UCC Book of Worship) One: God, whose everlasting love for all is trustworthy, help us trust the future which rests in your care. In your presence we are free to express laughter and tears, hopes and disappointments, successes and failure. One: We give thanks for cherished memories and pray for your continuing guidance. Be with us as we run the faithful race with perseverance, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, certain of final unity in your Spirit.

2 Learning Hour at Peace Today: *RESPONSE "We Will Take What You Offer" John Bell Good Questions Pastor Bob s Last Seven Words 9:45a.m., sanctuary Joyful Noise Makers engages all ages and abilities musically for learning and fun. Joyful Noise Makers meets with Darcy Swanson in the Choir Room at 9:45a.m. Peace Youth Gathering with Carla and Christopher Grundy, meets at 9:45a.m. in room 20. Youth in grades 6th-12th are welcome to participate! Sandwich Sunday welcomes all to join the assembly line in Fellowship Hall immediately following the first service. Since 1995, Peace UCC has been making sandwiches and sack lunches for the Gateway 180 homeless shelter in St. Louis that s over 62,160 sandwiches! Next Sunday, November 29: Advent Baskets: Share the Advent Season. Join us in Fellowship Hall to add your love and Christmas cheer to homemade Advent baskets for those members who are unable to join us at church this season. Make cards, crafts and other mementos of the Advent season and then decorate baskets. Time for cookies and cocoa at the end and some Advent stories! Our choir friends will deliver the baskets. Contact Carla Eilering or Debbie Gregg (Don t forget to volunteer for clean-up crew too!) Good Questions Wonder: Advent Devotional 2015 from the UCC Stillspeaking Writers' Group. Join us as we begin our study of this fresh, unique devotional for the season of Advent. 9:45a.m., room 24 Peace Youth Gathering with Carla and Christopher Grundy, meets at 9:45a.m. in room 20. Youth in grades 6th-12th are welcome to participate! A READING FROM THE HEBREW TRADITION Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the LORD showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees as far as Zoar. The LORD said to him, This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants ; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there. Then Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, at the LORD s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. One: For the marvelous blend of fact, myth, poetry, and story that is in scripture, we give thanks. May the Spirit open us to the wisdom we most need to hear. CHILDREN S STORY Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship with their parents, or they may choose to go to the nursery (birth-3) or to Shepherds (11a.m.: ages 4-6), a playtime in the Room 21 on the upper level.

3 SPECIAL MUSIC 8:30 "For the Autumn Sky" Ruth Elaine Schram Youth Choir Marie Bardelmeier, Anna Dodson, Clare Morris, Grace Morris, Baphiwe Langeni, Berkeley Rebman, Alex White, Liz White 11:00 "Come Sing Your Thanks to Our God" Terry D. Taylor Multigenerational Choir Loretta Haggard - flute, Marie Bardelmeier - claves, Berkeley Rebman -maracas CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices Who wondrous things hath done In whom this world rejoices Who from our mother s arms Has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love And still is ours today SERMON The Relay of Leadership Rev. Bob Molsberry HYMN NCH#420 "We Praise You, O God" Tune: Kremser Alternative Advent Activities on the First Sunday of Advent (11/29) Looking for non-commercial alternatives for Advent and Christmas? On Sunday, November 29, there will be a table in the narthex where you can make a donation in someone else s honor to help Syrian refugees. You will receive a card to send to the honoree. All funds will go to the Relief for Displaced Syrians project of Global Ministries (run jointly by our United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)). Global Ministries is working with local partners in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey to provide food, housing, education for children, trauma care, and warm clothing. If you will not be at church that Sunday and would still like to participate, Laurel Hayes: laurel.hayes@sbcglobal.net and reserve the number of tribute cards you would like. You can pick them up from Laurel the following Sunday (12/6). Checks should be made out to Peace UCC with Global Ministries: Syria Relief in the memo line. At the same time, participate in Amnesty International s annual Write for Rights event: Browse the cases of twelve prisoners of conscience, send notes of support to as many of them as you d like, and write or their governments asking for their release. Materials will be provided; donations for postage are appreciated ($1.20 per letter). If you d like to do this at home, visit the Write for Rights web site at: write.amnestyusa.org/cases/ Women's Christmas Salad Supper Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00p.m. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Believing that each joy and/or concern expressed is indeed a prayer, after each expression, the worship leader will say: Loving God. And the people may respond: Hear our prayer. It has been a long time since we had this annual event but if you attended in the past you know it is a fun evening visiting with old and new friends from Peace. Plus- this is a healthy meal!! Women of all ages are encouraged to attend, childcare available by request. Bring an ingredient for the salad buffet- lettuce will be provided. Sign-up will be on the bulletin board by November 29. For questions, or to request childcare, please contact Sandy Bowe: PASTORAL PRAYER

4 In Our Prayers Welcome Rev. Wendy Bruner On September 20 th, Peace UCC voted (with much enthusiasm and celebration!!) to call Rev. Wendy Bruner as our next pastor. While Wendy has been wrapping up her duties in South Bend, IN we have been preparing for her arrival by participating in our stewardship campaign, Promise for a Future with Hope. On December 6 th, Wendy will lead her first worship service at Peace, with Al Schon preaching. Wendy s first sermon will be December 13 th. Please join us for worship as we welcome Rev. Bruner on December 6 th! There will be a short reception following each service. Nametags Help It will be a great gift to Rev. Bruner if worshipers get in the habit of wearing their nametags. That simple act of hospitality not only helps the new pastor, but also any visitors or guests who don t know everyone. If you need a nametag, there is a clipboard in the narthex that allows you to request one from the church office. Circle of Care for Rev. Bruner Our new pastor and her family are moving here soon. It would be great to welcome them with some meals to feed them as they unpack their boxes and settle in. If you can help with this effort, please contact Dee Ban or Laura Bardelmeier Pickles Gigi Hill is once again be selling her homemade pickles to benefit Peace Church. Proceeds from these tasty pickles will go toward the ice maker fund for Fellowship Hall. Look for Gigi TODAY in the narthex. LORD S PRAYER adapted, Bob Molsberry Loving God, revealed in creation and history, in word and deed, You are the source of wonder and joy. You welcome us at the Table, center of our life together, call us into spirit-filled community, and invite us to care for creation. Give us what we need to live: bread and more, as we seek to be life-givers and peace-makers among our neighbors. Companion us on our journey that we may follow Jesus without fear, honoring the questions that emerge along the way. You claim our hands and hearts completely for the joyful work of justice, peace, and compassion. Amen. INVITATION AND REMEMBRANCE Liturgist: Liturgist: All: CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION 8:30AM based on our Theological Assumptions Come, Holy Spirit, and move among these elements assembled at this Table. Through this sacrament, transform our hurt into healing, our fear into faith, and death into life. As this bread, sown in hills and valleys, is harvested, and now becomes one in the loaf, so we, scattered, diverse, separated and isolated from one another, hear your invitation to become one body around this Table, the center of our life together. As this juice, grown in vineyards under the sun, fills the cup, may we be filled and refreshed by this meal, and strengthened to respond to your call to reach out in compassion to all living things. In sharing this meal we remember. We remember meals Jesus shared with friends and enemies, outcasts and marginalized, fearful and earnest. He took the bread and, giving thanks, blessed it and broke it and shared it with his guests, saying, This is the bread of life, symbol of my sacrifice. As we share the bread today, we eat it as those who seek to follow Jesus. After the meal, Jesus took the cup. Giving thanks, he shared it with his guests, saying, This cup symbolizes a new relationship with God, a relationship of partnership founded on grace. As we share the cup, we seek to experience that grace in which Jesus lived fully. Come, Holy Spirit, come. Bless this bread and bless this fruit of the vine. Bless all of us in our eating and drinking that our eyes might be opened, that we might recognize the risen Christ in our midst, indeed, in one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come.

5 The Congregation is invited to come forward by the center aisle, partake of the bread and juice, (gluten free wafers and chalice are on the table) and light a candle in prayer, and place an offering in the plates beside the table. You may also give electronically from the pews by scanning the QR code to the right. Catch the eye of a table host if you would prefer to be served at your seat. CELEBRATION OF GIVING 11:00AM We are invited to share our tithes and gifts to support the work of this community in the service to God. RESPONSE "For the Sake of the World" Christopher Grundy Please remain seated Thanksgiving Offering Our congregation has many reasons to be thankful this season: stimulating worship, varied learning opportunities, robust outreach, and an engaged faith community. Peace will be receiving a special Thanksgiving Offering on November 22 nd and 29 th. As you reflect on your gratitude, this would be a good time to express your thanks with a generous special Thanksgiving contribution to the general fund. Just write on your check, e-gift, or envelope: "Thanksgiving." With gratitude, the Finance Team 2016 Stewardship Campaign We ve seen a very supportive response from the congregation to our 2016 Stewardship Campaign. Through Tuesday we ve received 60 pledges promising a substantial increase over 2015 giving. We are grateful that several members for the first time have decided to pledge for We are also grateful to have received three totally new pledges for a significant amount. We look forward to receiving the outstanding pledges soon and reporting the best ever results. Thank you to everyone who has generously committed to this year s campaign. The Stewardship Circle PRAYER OF DEDICATION One: May God bless these gifts and tithes, symbolic of our commitment to the ministry of Peace. Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands One: and voices! May these gifts be multiplied and leveraged for the healing of the nations and the transformation of the world. God has blessed us on our way with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. ANNOUNCEMENTS RFM Scan and Give Supporting the work of this church has never been easier. Just scan the QR code with your smartphone and you can make a donation to Peace UCC.

6 FAREWELL LITURGY FOR INTERIM PASTOR BOB MOLSBERRY Rev. Rob Hartmann First Congregational Response: We receive your thankfulness, offer forgiveness, and accept that you now leave to minister elsewhere. We express our gratitude for your time among us. We ask your forgiveness for our mistakes. Your influence on our faith and faithfulness will not leave us at your departure. The Worship Team is collecting orders for poinsettia plants to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Your poinsettia may be in honor/memory/celebration of a loved one or special event. Please submit your order form with payment to the church office, no later than December 7, You may pick up your plant after the 11:00pm service on Christmas Eve. Please order/dedicate as many poinsettias as you would like. Second Congregational Response: We do, with the help of God. Third Congregational Response: We do, with the help of God. *HYMN NCH#393 "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds" Adapted Tune: Dennis Poinsettia Plant: Choice of Red or Speckled, 6.5 inches with foil pot cover. $6.00 each. Name: Phone: Given by: # of Red Plants # of Speckled Plants In memory/honor/celebration (please circle one) of: In memory/honor/celebration (please circle one) of: Please indicate the amount enclosed $ and return this form with payment to the church office no later than December 7th. Checks may be payable to Peace UCC and marked for poinsettias in the memo line. *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE

7 Peace Groups opportunities for Fellowship, Learning and Service Beyond the Book Looking for something fun to do the Friday after Thanksgiving? Join us in Ferguson for BBQ and Blues! Friday, November 27, 9:00p.m at J&C BBQ & Blues: 304 S Florissant Road, Ferguson, MO Men s Breakfast We meet at 8:00 a.m. on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Steak and Shake at Elm and Watson Road. Job Jar We meet at the church on the first and third Mondays of the month. Join us at 9:15 a.m. for coffee, fellowship, and a few chores around the church. Moms Group Calling all moms. What are the Christmas traditions of your family of origin? What have you kept or changed? Come put your feet up, in the middle of advent, and share your stories. The Moms' group will meet Friday Dec 11 at 9:30. Please call Dee Ban ahead of time if you need child care. The Peace UCC Quilters and Artists will meet for lunch at 11:30 on Thursday, December 10 at Mary Ann's Tea Room, 4732 McPherson in the Central West End. We welcome anyone to join us! Those wishing to carpool should meet in the lower parking lot at church for an 11 a.m. departure. Please RSVP to Lola Contestable at gconte1653@charter.net or that reservations can be made. The Mary Martha Circle will meet on Wednesday, December 9th at 10am at the Chapel at Eden Seminary for the Christmas Concert. After the concert we will have time to visit followed by lunch ($6.00) in the commons at 12p.m. Santa Claus is coming to Peace Skip the long lines at the mall and save money too, by enjoying a nice visit with Santa in the Fireside Room at Peace UCC. Individuals and families of all ages and configurations, are invited to be photographed with Santa while enjoying some homemade hot cocoa and Christmas cookies on Saturday, November 28, 10a.m.- 1p.m. Witnessing Whiteness All over the country, especially in St Louis (including several local UCC congregations) and at Peace many people are willing to work on our own internalized, perhaps subconscious, racism. Do you want to be part of such a group that is open to both Peace UCC and the local community? In 2011, Amy Hunter started the first WW group here and hundreds of people have participated since. She also started WW groups in 16 YWCAs across the country. Here in St Louis, there are also groups for African-Americans & other people of color on internalized racism. Based on the material available at Each WW group meets 10 times - particular dates are sometimes rescheduled for holidays, weather, etc. That is usually worked out at the first session. The YWCA facilitator doesn't expect participants will make every session or read every word of the WW book. The work in the WW groups is related to but separate from the text. The YWCA has a supply of books because ordering takes a while (the publisher prints when it has an order) and are $23. An e-book is also available from online sources. Beyond the Book's goal is to commit to sponsoring a group by the end of December so that in January the YWCA will begin to coordinate groups that will start in March/ April timeframe. If Peace wants to have a group the target number of participants is 25 and the Y will provide facilitators. Do you want to go Beyond the Book? Please contact Janet Rundquist if you'd like to participate or have questions. jsrkitten@aol.com THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 TODAY 8:30a.m. Worship Service 9:45a.m. Coffee Fellowship 9:45a.m. Learning Hour See offerings and locations on page 2. 11:00a.m. Worship Service 12:00p.m. Thanksgiving Lunch in Fellowship Hall 12:30p.m. Healing Touch (by appt) with Debbie Kelly ( ) 2:00p.m. Korean Drumming Group 3:00p.m. Girl Scouts Oberkrom 7:00p.m. Narcotics Anonymous MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 8:30a.m. (Former YMCA) Walking Group WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 1:30p.m. 2:00p.m. Staff Meeting Noteworthy Music School for Strings Paul Huppert THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 The Church Office is closed in observance of Thanksgiving. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 The Church Office is closed in observance of Thanksgiving. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 9:00a.m. 10:00a.m. 10:30a.m. Hanging of the Greens Photos with Santa Narcotics Anonymous For a complete calendar visit: Bulletin recycling: Though we invite you to take your bulletin home to review the prayers and opportunities throughout the week, if you choose to leave your bulletin after the 8:30a.m. service, place it in the basket and we will use it again. Bulletins placed in the basket after the 11:00a.m. service will be recycled. Notes: Sources for words, images, and music are noted where available. Permission to reprint music and words from sources other than The New Century Hymnal is granted under OneLicense.net, license no. A , and/or LicenSing.org.