LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Transcription

1 PRELUDE Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella Sue Clauss arr. Phyllis Avidan Louke WELCOME OPENING WORDS Worship Ways We come to witness a miracle. We sing the miracle of God s steadfast love. New life bursts forth in unexpected ways. We shout the good news: God s covenant endures forever! The desert blooms; what was barren is fertile! With our mouths we proclaim God s faithfulness to all generations: God is the Rock of our Salvation! Amen. *HYMN NCH #135 "O Come All You Faithful" Tune: Adeste Fiedetes December 24, 2017 LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE The Johnson Family Carol McPherson Advent is a time of wonder the wonder of the Light of the world. On this fourth Sunday of Advent we light this candle for love and we wonder, How can we find love in a world broken and divided by hatred and violence? We light this candle for love and we wonder, God s love has found us! We light this candle for love and we know the Light of the world illumines our lives with love, that we might see and walk the path of justice and peace.

2 Christmas Eve Family Service Sunday, December 24th at 4:00pm All are welcome at this festive service, complete with a walk-on Nativity Pageant. Any child wanting to participate should meet at 3:30pm in room 21 to pick out a costume (shepherds, angels, animals). Adults will oversee the children in the narthex during the service and send children into the sanctuary at the proper time in the story. Children will walk down the aisle and sit in the chancel to recreate the familiar Nativity scene. Christmas Eve Candle Light Service December 24th at 11:00pm We gather in the darkness for a traditional candle light service of readings and carols. Communion will be shared and the Chancel Choir will sing as we prepare for the coming of the light into the world on Christmas day. PRAYER In the advent season, when the past has fled, unasked, away and there is nothing left to do but wait, God, shelter us. Be our surrounding darkness; be fertile soil out of which hope springs in due time. In uncertain times, help us to greet the dawn and labor on, love on, in faith awaiting your purpose hid in you waiting to be born in due time. Ruth Duck *RESPONSE "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" Tune: Veni Emmanuel Christmas Giving Opportunities The Peace UCC Christmas Offering is part of our budgeted income for the general support of the church. The Christmas Fund which is administered by the UCC Pension Boards. This fund provides support for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund, which remembers those who serve our church. These help provide pension and health premium supplementation to lower-income retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy or lay church employees in need, and Christmas Thank You gift checks to hundreds of annuitants. You may find envelops for each of these special giving opportunities in the pews or on the table in the narthex. The purple envelops are for The Christmas Fund. Thank you for your generosity!

3 A READING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION Luke 2:1-6 NRSV In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. A READING FROM THIS TIME AND PLACE Che Jesus Anonymous, Cordoba, Argentina, at Christmas, 1970 (Words in italics were changed to be more inclusive of all people) Che Jesus, They told me that you came back to be born every Christmas. Man, you re crazy! with the stubborn gesture of coming back every Christmas you are trying to tell us something. That the revolution that all proclaim begins first of all in each one s heart, That it doesn t mean only changing structures but changing selfishness for love, That we have to stop being wolves and return to being siblings. That we.begin to work seriously for individual conversion and social change that will give to all the possibility of having bread, education, freedom, and dignity. That you have a message called the Gospel, And a Church, and that s us A Church that wants to be servant of all, A Church that knows that because God became human one Christmas there is no other way to love God but to love all people. If that s the way it is, Jesus, come to my house this Christmas, Come to my country, Come to the world of all people. And first of all, come to my heart. 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 TIME Following the story, young children are encouraged to remain in worship or they may go to the nursery (birth-3). Attendance pads will be passed out at this time, please sign-in so that we may celebrate that you were here. SPECIAL MUSIC Green Sleeves to a Ground Sue Clauss Anonymous Our Christmas poinsettias are gifts In Memory of Ann Hanlon and Christina DiMaria by Peggy Thater In Memory of Walt Thater by Peggy Thater In Memory of Fienup Family by Peggy Thater In Memory of Joe Ulrich by Marilynn Ulrich In Memory of Carolyn and Norm Touchette by The Touchette Family In Memory of Eleanor and Wally Wissman by The Touchette Family In Celebration of Family by Bob and Gigi Hill In Honor of Samantha Kroll by The Davis Family In Memory of Joe Ulrich by The Davis Family In Memory of Joan Gilmore by Colleen Gilmore and Loretta Haggard In Memory of Marcia Haggard by Colleen Gilmore and Loretta Haggard In Memory of Lynn Haggard Rumney by Colleen Gilmore and Loretta Haggard In Memory of Loved Ones by Darcy Swanson and Carolyn Held In Memory of Bobette Harke by Ron Harke In Memory of Marlene by Ron Harke In Celebration of Family and Friends by The Detrick Family In Memory of Lilly Helen Jensen and Alta Shepard Jensen by Nancy McDonald In Memory of Esther and Oscar Vasterling by Jan and Paul Vasterling In Memory of Earl and Joyce Brown by Carol Crooks

4 Our Christmas poinsettias are gifts In Memory of Della Hines by Melissa Hattman In Memory of Jeff and Sam Hattman by Melissa Hattman In Honor of Lilly, Lacy, and Olivia Beach by Christine Rohloff In Memory of Ron and Kay Rohloff by Christine Rohloff In Memory of Gwen Beach by Christine Rohloff In Celebration of the Season by Al Schon and Roger Bridgewater In Memory of Donnie Neale by Danica and Eric Johnson In Memory of Sara Johnson by Danica and Eric Johnson In Honor of Frankie Johnson by Danica and Eric Johnson In Celebration of Chris, Brian, Eve, Rosie, Rafi, and Hector by Scott and Judy Guerrero In Celebration of Dear Friends by Scott and Judy Guerrero In Memory of Paul Pullen by Karen Schlaeger In Celebration of New of Beginnings by Karen Schlaeger In Celebration of Thom and Cloe s Marriage by Lewis and Helen Wall In Celebration of Jimmy and Anna s Engagement by Lewis and Helen Wall In Memory of Norma Eilering by The Eilering Family In Memory of Beatriz Thompson by The Eilering Family In Celebration of Family and Friends by Debbie Gregg In Memory of Kevin Houston by Jim Heaton and Kevin Burten In Memory of Fabion Burten by Jim Heaton and Kevin Burten SERMON Rev. Wendy Bruner *HYMN "Love Has Come Tune: Bring a Torch 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. PRAYER This is a time for quiet reflection. LORD S PRAYER Creator, hallowed be your name. Your kin-dom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5 CELEBRATION OF GIVING We are invited to share our tithes and gifts to support the work of this community in the service to God. In Our Prayers Elaine Alexander healing prayers for continued health issues RESPONSE NCH#758 "Gloria" Jacques Berthier Please remain seated PRAYER OF DEDICATION Worship Ways God s steadfast love is established forever like the moon, an enduring witness in the skies. God s faithfulness is as firm as the heavens like stars that never grow dim. May God bless this offering that Christ s light will shine throughout the ages. Amen. Servant Team Advent Offerings for 2017 The servant team has chosen these 4 special giving opportunities for Advent The Christmas Fund this is the UCC (5 for 5) giving which cares for retired clergy & lay leaders. 2. Adopt a Family We requested and were given two families (senior citizens) by Webster-RockHill Ministries. The Servant Team has done the shopping and ask that you donate $$ to pay for our purchases of food and three gift cards. Look for a jar for donations of cash or checks. Checks should be made out to Peace UCC with W-RH Adopt a family written in the memo line. 3. Heifer Project look on the table by the Home Sweet Home bin for a chick or Biogas Stove ornament to put on the tree. Look for a jar for donations of cash or checks. Checks should be made out to Peace UCC with Heifer stove or chicks written in the memo line. 4. Providing Christmas for a young mom with 3 children just starting a job. HOW WILL WE DO GOD S WORK IN THE WORLD THIS WEEK? 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 T-Shirts If you did not get an In This House We Believe t-shirt, we now have more available. The cost is $15.00 per t-shirt. Sizes available are medium, large, extra large, and one extra extra large. Please contact the church office if you want a t-shirt. In This House We Believe Signs If you did not get an In This House We Believe yard sign, we now have more available. The cost is $ Please contact the church to arrange a time to pick one up. *HYMN NCH#133 "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Tune: St. Louis 23rd Annual Community Celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Steger Sixth Grade Center, 710 N. Rock Hill Rd, Rock Hill Missouri 4:30pm March begins at Webster Groves City Hall 5:00pm Dinner Reception at Steger Cafeteria 5:45pm Community Celebration at Steger Auditorium *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE 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. 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.

7 Opportunities to do God s work at Peace Peace Talks: January 14, 2018 after the 11:00 am service Whether you are considering membership or just want to learn more about Peace UCC, you are invited to attend Peace Talks on Sunday, January 14, 2018 right after the 11:00 am service. RSVP by January 7 to Pastor Wendy at wendybruner@peaceuccstl.org or (314) Mom's group will meet on Friday, January 12 at 9:30 in the fireside room. Time to debrief the holidays and set our sights on the new year. Please call Dee Ban ahead of time if you need childcare. Liturgist: If you would like to be a liturgist on a Sunday morning, contact Pastor Wendy at wendybruner@peaceuccstl.org or (314) Colorcycle The Green Team, Peace UCC and Sts. Clare and Francis are taking part in a Crayola Company program! We are collecting old markers (regular, dry erase and highlighters, any brand) that are no longer usable. In conjunction with a program at an elementary school, we can send them to Crayola cost-free, where they will be repurposed. There is a small table outside the Fireside Room, on the right side, marked as the marker collection box. Please save markers and bring them to church. Yellow Bag Ministry - Food Collection Peace has been collecting boxed and canned food in the grocery cart in an obscure corner of the narthex for many years. Check out the cart to the left of the entry to the sanctuary. There, you will find a list of suggested items for meals and yellow bags to put the items in. Of course, all food you put in the cart will be greatly appreciated and any bag you use is ok too. Detergent, soap, toilet paper etc. too. We are now taking the food to Pilgrim Food Pantry on Union Ave., or Webster/RockHill Ministries in Webster. How can we do God's work in the world? Just add a few $$ worth of food to your cart this week and add it to the church cart the 1st Sunday of each month. When we combine our donations, we can make a difference in a person, a child, a family's life. The deadline for submissions to our weekly publications, the Sunday Bulletin and News & Notes, is Thursday morning at 10AM. If you are not receiving our weekly e-newsletter News and Notes and would like to, please contact the church office. THIS WEEK AT PEACE UCC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 TODAY 11:00a.m. Worship Service 4:00p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service 11:00p.m. Christmas Eve Candle Light Service MONDAY, DECEMBER 25 Office Closed for the Holiday TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27 1:30p.m. Staff Meeting THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 For a complete calendar visit: Mission, Vision & Values Our Mission Following the God made known in the life and teachings of Jesus, we at Peace United Church of Christ gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship, learn and serve. Our Values As a community, Peace United Church of Christ celebrates the values embodied in the ministry of Jesus: Inclusiveness in our diversity, Intentionality in our commitment to social justice, Intimacy in our fellowship together, Inspiration in our communal worship and Inquisitiveness in our personal spiritual growth. Our Vision We desire to be a leader in helping the wider community affirm that God is still speaking.