UNITED CHURCH OF DORSET AND EAST RUPERT DECEMBER 24, 2015 ~ FAMILY SERVICE

Transcription

1 Unto you is born this day in the city of David A Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. UNITED CHURCH OF DORSET AND EAST RUPERT DECEMBER 24, 2015 ~ FAMILY SERVICE

2 WORSHIP SERVICE~DECEMBER 24, 2015 ~FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE *Means those who are able, are invited to stand. SILENT MEDITATION During many pastoral visits, people share with me how overwhelmed they feel about the problems facing our world, how listening to the news and watching television generates despair. Many have ceased watching, ceased listening. "Where is the good news to balance the bad?" they wonder. The good news for the world is the story of Christmas. As it was proclaimed to the shepherds, so it is proclaimed to us all. "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news and great joy for all people. To you is born this day...a Savior. This will be a sign: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger... " Dear friends, Christmas gives us a choice--to live according to the good news, or the bad. I'm not talking about living in naiveté, false innocence or make believe. I'm talking about not letting fear govern life, not letting doom dictate direction, but instead, living according to the "better angels of our nature" and literally making belief into reality, by believing in the possibility of God's "good news. GATHERING MUSIC When Hope Was Born DeFord Marcia Holland WELCOME AND PASSING OF CHRISTMAS PEACE ENTER THE FLAME AND THE WORD CALL TO WORSHIP L: Behold, God is good, and has set a star in the heavens to guide us to the truth. P: We follow it with joy, knowing that God will give us strength to climb the hills and sight to conquer the darkness. L: Behold, God is good, and has promised us a Savior to lead us to righteousness. P: As he came once long ago, so we live in hope that his holy birth may occur again and again and for our lives too. L: Let us worship the God of all seasons, through the Christ of Christmas

3 *HYMN (CH) # 148 1, 2, 4 O Come All Ye Faithful PRAYER OF CONFESSION O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant Oh come ye O come ye to Bethlehem; come and behold him born the King of angels; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him O come let us adore him Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest. O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him O come let us adore him Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born for our salvation Jesus, to thee be glory given; word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord L: The Lord be with you. P: And also with you. L: Let us pray ALL: We sing, "0 Come All Ye Faithful, but we confess that we are not always faithful. We could believe in love, but instead believe in hate. We could believe in grace, but instead believe in judgment. We could believe in justice, but instead believe in greed. We could believe in compassion but instead believe in retribution. We could believe in new Christ-like possibilities, but instead believe in old human patterns. Send us your light to see with new eyes, feel with a new heart, think with a new mind, not conformed to the world, but guided by the Holy Spirit of Christmas. Amen. MOMENT OF SILENT CONFESSION WORDS OF ASSURANCE OF PARDON Jesus came, not to judge us, but to show us the grace of God. In the name of Christ, our sin is forgiven. Let the gift of new life be born in each of us this Christmas and become our lifelong gift. *THE LORD S PRAYER (trespasses) AND GLORIA Glo - ri - a, Glo - ri - a, in ex - cel - sis De - o! Glo - ri - a, Glo - ri - a, in ex - cel - sis De - o!

4 TIME WITH THE YOUNG LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE Introduction and Scripture Reading Lighting of the Advent Candle Prayer The Welsh Family PASTORAL PRAYER *HYMN (CH) # 147 Away in the Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there. SCRIPTURE LESSON Luke 2:1-20 CHRISTMAS EVE STORY The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth By Howard Schade CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING Born is the Light of the World DeFord Marcia Holland 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. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION

5 BENEDICTION AND SHARING OF THE CHRIST-CANDLE FLAME (Our ushers will bring the Christmas Flame to the first person in each pew, who will then carefully pass the flame to each person holding a candle. We will close by singing three verses of Silent Night.) *HYMN Silent Night (a capella) Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior is born, Christ, the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. ~Please hum one verse~ Our thanks to today s ushers, Michael and Thea Kelly, Jane LoBrutto and Dan Zimmerman Our thanks for the beautiful music to Marcia Holland Our thanks to the Welsh Family for lighting the Advent Wreath candles

6 Mark your Calendars! - Epiphany Lunch Celebration January 10th following worship - All are invited for lunch and short program as we celebrate Epiphany with the Wise people in Bethlehem. We are looking for people to donate soup, salad, bread, star cookies, king cake as well as people to bring their favorite nativity scene to share as center pieces. Also, looking for people to share their story of following their epiphany "star" last year. Or if you would be willing to share a story, tradition, song or poem related to Epiphany we would love to hear it. Sign up during coffee hour in the weeks to come or call or Gretchen Lima at gretchenlima@aol.com OUR THANKS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL POINSETTIAS TO: Ann Tisdale & Barbara Mihalke In memory of our mother, Bunny Howard Linda Chapman, Mary Ann Essex & Joan McNulty In memory of Muggs & Victor Bennet Nan Leach In loving memory of Howard Leach Nan Leach In honor of The Bradder Family Joann and Bob Limbacher Happy Holidays! Meg Mithoefer In loving memory of my mother and father Karen Allen Diane & Reg Jennings Nancy and Bob McCafferty Merry Christmas to all! The Gapshi Family Doris Ibbetson and Nora Larsen Nancy and Bob Faesy Merry Christmas to all! Essie Cruikshank In loving memory of Bill Essie & Reeve Cantus Merry Christmas to All Gail and Donald Brodie Merry Christmas to All The Hittle Family Marcia Holland and Alan Wiegand In loving memories of family The Welsh Family In memory of Carol Porter Welsh The Welsh Family In memory of Carol Bockoven Welsh The Welsh Family In memory of Barbara Lee Porter Mary McFall In memory of Robert & Veronica McFall & William McFall Millie and Linda O Leary Lynne and Scott Welsh In loving memory & in honor of our families

7

8 CHURCH DIRECTORY 2015 PASTOR...Rev. Dr. James H. Gray* MUSIC DIRECTOR...Jane Wood* CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR...Gretchen Lima ADMINISTRATOR...Jane A. LoBrutto* BOOKKEEPER/ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTANT.. Diane Jennings SEXTON...Lynn Jennings MODERATOR...Linda O Leary* CLERK... * TREASURER...Al Lindsey* MEMBER-AT-LARGE...Muriel Roeth* CHURCH DELEGATES...Diane and Reg Jennings, Dan Zimmerman MANSE LIAISON..Clarissa Lennox TRUSTEES David Chandler, Chair; Rev. Jordan (Skip) Dickinson, Gail Ebling, Rehana Grip, Carl Hedman, Nan Leach, Chris Lima, Andy Longacre, Ray Prescott BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE Michael Finnegan; Shawn Hazelton, Carl Hedman, Trustee Rep.; Chris Lima, Ellen Maloney, Bill Melhado, Theron Troumbley, INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Harry Chandler, Dick Freeman, Andy Longacre, Trustee Rep., Al Lindsey, Treasurer; Ellen Maloney Bill Melhado, Tom Smith STEWARDSHIP Henry Chandler (A), Rev. Jordan (Skip) Dickinson, Gail Ebling, Trustee rep.; Diane Jennings (A), Clarissa Lennox, Jane LoBrutto (A) DIACONATE Robin Chandler, Bob Ebling, Ginger Foss, Eric Hangen; Betty Hazelton; Shawn Hazelton; Suzanne Hittle, Nora Larsen, Co-Chair; Keith Michl, Co-Chair; Pam O Neil, Amy Thebault, Dan Zimmerman Samantha Citron and Walker May Youth Deacons WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP Lucinda Gregory*, President; Betty Hazelton, Secretary; Diane Jennings, Treasurer PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Nan Leach, Henry Chandler HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE Gail Brodie (A), Linda Drunsic, Secretary; Cindy Gregory (A), Betty Hazelton (A), Sandra Hoverkamp (A), Diane Jennings Nan Leach, (Chair); Jane LoBrutto (A), Megan LoBrutto (A), Barbara Melhado (A), Muriel Roeth (A), Caroline Sargent, Funeral Coordinator; Sylvia Smith, Dotty Streeter (A), Treasurer; Rose Watrous MISSION COMMITTEE Karen Allen (A), Derry Dickinson, Chair (A); Caryl & Joe DeFelice (A); Cheryl Gasperetti, Diane Jennings*, Rehana Grip, Trustee Rep.; Ellen Maloney, Sid Staunton (A), Dan Zimmerman (A) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE Janet Chandler, Youth Group Rep.; Gretchen Lima (Chair), Nan Leach, Ellen Leeds, Megan LoBrutto, Jane LoBrutto, Heather McGuire Mark Putnam, Daniela Stewart, Dotty Streeter, Ellen Wright (A) SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Sid Staunton, Linda Chapman, Esther Gray, Janet Chandler, Lucinda Gregory, Megan LoBrutto PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE David Chandler, Trustee Rep.; Nora Larsen; Deacon Rep. Muriel Roeth, Member-at-Large; Roger Squire and Peter Davis, Pastor Reps. *Member of the Cabinet (A) Appointed UNITED CHURCH OF DORSET & EAST RUPERT, UCC 143 CHURCH ST. ~ P.O. BOX 263 ~ DORSET, VT PH/FX dorsetchurch@gmail.com Visit our website at