December 24th, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 December 24th, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent Welcome to this service of worship at Norfield Congregational Church on this Sunday morning. Please join us after worship for Fellowship in the Parish Hall. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able, please stand in body or in spirit. Prelude Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Huron Carol Kaitlin Lazere and David Connell Ringing of the Church Bell Jim Miller Call to Worship: Lighting of the Advent Candles Reader: All: Reader: All: All: A light has dawned, and it fills the earth. God is doing a new thing, God has shared the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, and it is good news for us. We who keep parts of ourselves in the shadows are invited into the light; to embrace the new life God shows us. Go to Bethlehem to see the embodiment of God s grace. Go to experience God s love in human form. The light of the world beckons to us. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among all whom God favors! (Pause while the first four candles of Advent are lit.) We are startled and surprised by the many ways you appear to us, gracious God. As we tend to our mundane tasks, the sudden brilliance of your revealing light awakens us to your presence. We rejoice in the good news you share with us: unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Like the shepherds, may we hasten to see the ways you are making all things new, and may we be inspired to rejoice and proclaim as we re-enter a world yearning to hear words of hope. Amen. *Hymn No. 28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! IN DULCI JUBILO Welcome and Announcements

2 Pastoral Prayer 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Children s Sermon Children will leave at this time for an activity in the Norfield Room. *Hymn No. 48 Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming ES IST EIN ROS HEARING GOD S WORD Scripture Readings John 1: 1-14 (NRSV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father s only son, full of grace and truth. Special Musical Offering Ave Maria Franz Schubert Anneliese Lomas, soloist

3 Luke 10: (NRSV paraphrased) 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. And Martha had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; so she came to him and asked, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But Jesus answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled by many things; there is only one thing needed. And Mary has chosen the better way, which will not be taken away from her. Sermon &Christmas, A Moment Not to be Missed Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson Invitation to Giving Offertory Music Allegro from Concerto VI in B-flat J.S. Bach Kaitlin Lazere and David Connell, piano duet *Doxology So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh; Come, one and all, to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary. Prayer of Dedication GREENSLEEVES *Hymn No.22 Angels, from the Realms of Glory REGENT SQUARE Benediction Response Postlude

4 Welcome Visitors! We are delighted to have you joining us here at Norfield today! Please let us know if you have additional questions, or require further assistance. Do not hesitate to ask one of our greeters or ushers, a deacon (identified by name badges), or one of our ministers. Please also take a moment to fill out a nametag for yourself so we can greet you by name. Infant and toddler care is available in the lower level of the Christian Education Building. An usher can direct you. You can also see and hear the service in the Greene Room if you need to. A Children s sermon is shared most Sundays and all children are invited to come to the front of the altar and join us. Norfield s Church School, called Discovery Hour, meets during the service. Children leave after the Children s Sermon, accompanied by their teachers. All children are welcome and encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is not necessary. Children can then be picked up following the service at the Christian Education Building. Please ask us for directions. Hearing Assistance System amplifiers are available. Please speak with an usher if you would like to use one. Prayer Cards are located in the pew racks. If you have a prayer request, please fill one out and place it in the offering plate or give it to a minister. We pray over these concerns each week. Please fill in your address and any questions you might have on the back of one of the Prayer Cards in the pews, and then put the card in the offering plate or give it to a minister. Please join us, following the service, for our Fellowship Hour in the Parish Hall so we can welcome you personally and introduce ourselves. If you are interested in becoming a member of our church family, please contact Teri Gaberman, NCC Administrative Assistant at tgaberman@norfield.org. Please visit our website at for more information, and for updates on church activities and service schedules, view our online Google calendar also located on our website.

5 Parish Notes December 24th, 2017 Norfield Congregational Church Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Senior Minister Office Hours: Monday Thursday 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Welcome! Thank you for joining us today! We hope that the hour spent in this sacred space will draw you closer to God, and an awareness of God s love. Name Tags! In an effort to maintain and nurture our Norfield family we ask that everyone please put on a name tag. They can be found in the pew box in front of you! Leaders of Worship Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson Associate Minister of Children, Youth and Families Rev. Kelly Hough Rogers Pastoral Associate for Wholeness Ministries Rev. Diane Stevenson Director of Music & Worship Arts Dr. David H. Connell Youth Music Associate Kaitlin Lazere Seminary Intern Ellen Willert Deacon of the Day Tara Quist Advent Candle Lighting The Lomas Family Ushers Judy Albin & Laura Casellas Greeters Woody Bliss Fellowship Hour Host The Robert Family Our Prayer List December) I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2) Prayer Concerns: For all those on our Norfield Prayer List and for our Prayer Warriors. The Christmas Poinsettia Garden is presented in the Joyful and Loving Memory and Presence of Family & Friends. (If you would like to put a name, concern, or joy on the prayer list, please contact the church office at # Your prayer concern will remain on the list for the month; if you would like to extend that time, please contact the church office. Thank You!) D is c o v e r y H o u r Penny Anderson, Christian Education Director Ellen Dickinson, Children s Church Children will leave for an activity in the Norfield Room.

6 Announcements Celebrate Advent and Christmas 2017 Norfield Congregational Church Christmas Eve 4PM - Children s Service & Shadow Puppet Nativity 6 & 8PM -Traditional Christmas Eve Services w/candles & Carols Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson, preaching Sunday, December 31st: Lessons & Carols 10AM - Worship Service Rev. Kelly Hough Rogers, preaching The Church Office will be closed Monday, December 25 th through Monday, January 1 st, for the holidays. The office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2 nd. The Celery and Staff of Norfield Congregational Church wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year!

7 Led by Rev. Dr. Bernard R. Wilson, our weekly Open Door Bible Study on Wednesdays at 9:30am in the Greene Room explores the Biblical texts to be presented in Worship the next Sunday, and is a great way to get even more out of church. Rev. Wilson presents the readings in historical and literary context, explores how different Christian traditions interpret them, and how to make sense of what the Biblical witness is trying to say to us. The discussion is active and thoughtful, but informal and very welcoming! The Open Door Bible Study Group will resume on Wednesday, January 3 rd. Also, our Mom s Bible Study, led by Rev. Kelly Hough Rogers, is held on Mondays at 9:30am in the Banks Room! The group is structured to suit a mom's busy schedule and provides mothers at any stage of life with thoughtful, biblical encouragement for each and every day. Mom s Bible Study Group will resume on Monday, January 8 th, however in observance of the MLK holiday, there will be NO Bible Study group on Monday, January 15 th. Come and nourish your faith at Bible Study! Music Makers Ministry News Due to the Christmas holiday, Music Makers Ministry WILL NOT be in session on the following dates: December 20 th & 27 th ; and January 3 rd. Music Makers Ministry will resume on Wednesday, January 10 th, See you in the new year! Prophet or Peacemaker? In this time of rapid social change, uncertainty, and sometimes fear, many of us feel called to resistance and many of us are looking for reassurance. As a faith community, how can we raise our prophetic voice, work for justice, and call others to action without politics eclipsing praise? Please join us for good food and great discussion and we look to the example and call set for us by Jesus, some of the ways contemporary religious leaders have put their faith into action, and explore ways that we can do the same. The group will meet (3) Sundays, January 7 th, 21 st, and 28 th. Please join us on any or all of those days at 8:30am for breakfast and discussion facilitated by Seminary Intern Ellen Willert. Some short readings and other materials will be available ahead of each session Annual Meeting SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4th, 2018 In accordance with the Constitution of Norfield Congregational Church (Art. XVII) the Annual Meeting of the Congregation is called by the Church Council to be held on the first Sunday in February (Feb. 4 th, 2018). As a reminder, all board and committee reports are due on or before Tuesday, January 9 th, Thank You!

8 Church Calenda r Day Date Time Event Place Sunday 12/24 10:00am Worship Service Sanctuary 4:00pm Children s Service Sanctuary & Shadow Puppet Nativity 6:00pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service Sanctuary with Candles and Carols 8:00pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service Sanctuary with Candles and Carols Monday 12/25 CHRISTMAS DAY 12/26- Church Office CLOSED 12/29 Sunday 12/31 10:00am Worship Service Sanctuary BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Moderator Rob Sanders Vice Moderator Tracy Pennoyer Church Clerk Shivanthi Edwards Nominating Committee Gaitrie Bos Assistant Treasurer Pam LaFontaine Altar Committee Bobbie Sassano & Gaitrie Bos Board of Trustees Don Gary Board of Deacons David Lummis Human Resources Jean Davis-French Board of Music Bayard Dodge Senior Shepherds Carol Hamilton Board of Fellowship Teri Gaberman Board of Christian Education Christa Gross Prayer Requests Jackie Troxell Prayer Shawl Ministry Jacqueline Pike Shepherds Lois Bechtel & Missy Dorsey Board of Christian Outreach David MacWilliams & Robert Smits Treasurer Kurt Schreder