Large print bulletins & hearing devices are available, please ask an usher.

Transcription

1 December 13, 2015 The Order of Worship in the Sanctuary 11:00 A.M. PRELUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel arr. Kevin Keil GATHERING TO WORSHIP INVOCATIONS 5 7 Rev. Dale Beck Stand as you are able, join in the opening hymn. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN #203 Hail to the Lord s Anointed Ellacombe *LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE Frank Philipp, Liturgist The first three candles are lighted. Forsyth & Nahil Families Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:46b 48a; 51 53) Mary a young woman, pregnant and unmarried declares the greatness of God and recognizes the unique calling she has received. As with so many other mothers before and after her, she does not know what joys or sorrows may follow the birth, but she is ready to rejoice in God, her Savior. People: Let not your spirit be downcast. Look upward now and see him appear to confirm the highest aspirations for which we long. *Hymn #213 verse 3 Redeemer come, with us abide; our hearts to you we open wide; Let us thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in us reveal. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dale Beck *PASSING OF THE PEACE: Greet one another saying: Peace be with you. And also with you. CHORAL INTROIT PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY SILENT PRAYER and CHORAL INTERCESSORY PASTORAL CONCERNS PASTORAL PRAYER WORDS OF TRADITION: THE LORD S PRAYER 895 CHILDREN S MOMENTS (Alternative Giving Gilbert) Duane Buys [As the children leave, let us join in singing] Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. THE OFFERING We give in gratitude for the blessings of our life and for making a better world. CHORAL OFFERTORY PREFACE OFFERTORY PRAYER Amy Flynn OFFERTORY Blessed Be That Maid Marie From William Ballet s Lute Book 1594/ arr. Olive Nelson Russell *PRESENTATION OF OFFERING AND HYMN #219 verse 3 So bring him incense, gold and myrrh, come, peasant, king 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. THE WORD OF GOD IN MUSIC *RECESSIONAL HYMN #202 People Look East Besançon *BENEDICTION Rev. Beck *CHORAL RESPONSE *POSTLUDE Choral Partita From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Friedrich Zachau *Please stand as able. Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten A Gift to the Congregation to the Glory of God from the Chancel Choir JoAnn Gudvangen Brown, Conductor Don Hilsberg, Harpist See Ceremony of Carols program insert for more information. Assisting in Worship Music: JoAnn Gudvangen Brown, Director of Music/Organist; Renae Gudvangen, Organist/Pianist; Chancel Choir Greeters: Reda Walsh, Karin Kowalski Ushers: Jeff Flynn, Nate Eckloff, Kelsey Forsyth, Daren Matthews, Les Law Acolytes: Evan Brown, Josh Gonnella Childcare is available in our nursery. Please join us after worship for hospitality time in. Large print bulletins & hearing devices are available, please ask an usher.

2 Peniel The Place Where We Connect & Wrestle with God December 13, 2015 Today s message is provided by Liza Stoltz Hanson. "Putting Faith in the Paradox: Part 3 Love Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken To love is to be vulnerable. CS Lewis Peniel Worship Crew: Liza Stoltz Hanson, Denton Hanson, Kevin Garman, Brittany Collins, Ben Wilkins, Chris Beeson, and Chelsea Pearson. Order of Service Gathering Song Invocation and Announcements Finding 5 Children s Moment Worship Song Scripture Reading Worship Song Joys and Concerns Prayers of the People & the Lord s Prayer Message Closing Song Benediction STAFF Rev. Dale A. Beck, Senior Pastor Rev. Debby Lawrence, Assoc. Pastor of Congregational Care Duane Buys, Director of Christian Education Diane Felt, UPark UMC Administrative Assistant Christina Pacheco, Assist. to Christian Education JoAnn Gudvangen Brown, Director of Music/Organist Steve Felt, Youth Assistant Renae Gudvangen, Assist. Organist/Pianist Liza Stoltz Hanson, Director of Foundation Campus Ministry Ana Spadoni, Chorister Director Liza Stoltz Hanson/Denton Hanson, Peniel Leaders Rev. Linda Bibb, Director of Kevin Garman, Peniel Band Leader/Student Pastor Marilyn Stranske, Admin. Assistant Sandy Schumm, Bookkeeper Josh Rousis, Building Liaison Regino Pepe Espinoza, Custodian Elizabeth Boyer, Newsletter Editor Angela Hudgens, Wedding Coordinator Larry Grauberger, Jo and Jim Morgan, Lay Leaders University Park United Methodist Church 2180 S. University Blvd. Denver, CO (303) upark@universityparkumc.org for Spiritual Wholeness and Healing 2122 S. Lafayette St. Denver CO (303) evanstoncenter@gmail.com - Third of Advent December 13, 2015 UNIVERSITY PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The UPark Vision: To be a community of Disciple leaders who practice stewardship and hospitality as we engage each other and the world around us. Since 1894 The UPark Core Values: Inclusive, Intergenerational, Interfaith, International

3 Journey with us at the Park UPark Christian Education Classes December 13 9:30 ADULT FORUM We offer presentations from many speakers on diverse and interesting topics. Lower Level Cal Neptune and Jim Fleet facilitate this class. Bryans Room (next to Dec. 13 Jeremy Long Post Guatemala The Medical Side Fellowship Hall) Dec. 20 Christmas Carols CORNERSTONE II This class is geared to families with young children, but is open to all. Family Cornerstone II Room topics are generally discussed with an emphasis on sharing and fellowship. Led by Amy and Jeremy Long. December 13 Mary, Full of Grace December 20 Christmas Carols Paul Seaborn JOURNEYS IN Come discuss Walter Brueggemann s Embracing the Prophets in Contemporary FAITH Culture. Facilitated by Les Law and Tony Winger. December 13 A Thrill of HOPE Part 2 December 20 Christmas Carols in Bryans Room SPECIAL NEEDS Journeys in Faith Room YOUTH CLASSES B03 Wesley Lounge This is a combined school class and worship time. This sacred gathering and experiential learning is especially open to those with cognitive disabilities. We would appreciate volunteer help! Our Middle School class includes 6th 8th grade youth. The High School class includes youth in 9 th 12 th grades with Barb Eulenstein in the 3 rd level Wesley Lounge. The Middle School meets in the B03 classroom with Bethany Hader. CHILDREN S CLASSES All children from preschool through 5th grade meet in the Music/Movement Top Level room at. They are dismissed to their respective areas following Christian Ed Wing a short time of music together. November 29 December 20, Reaction to the Promise CHILDCARE Nursery Main Level Christian Ed Wing Quality care for newborns to three years or potty trained provided by Barbara P Walker and a volunteer, 8:15am 12:15pm. December 13 Early, Mary Ernst; Late, TBD December 20 Early, TBD; Late, Connie Beauchamp CHILDREN S Children s Church provided by Christina Pacheco, Hannah Westra, & Mary Worth. CHURCH Children ages 3.5 through 3rd grade gather following the Children s Message Noakes Hall at the 8:30 & 11:00 services. December 13, 2015 Informal Worship Service in 8:30A.M. Order of Worship PRELUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel Setting, Gregory Hamilton LIGHTING THE CANDLES OF ADVENT Rev. Dale Beck The first three candles are lighted. Harold and Sally Roberts Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:46b 48a; 51 53) Mary a young woman, pregnant and unmarried declares the greatness of God and recognizes the unique calling she has received. As with so many other mothers before and after her, she does not know what joys or sorrows may follow the birth, but she is ready to rejoice in God, her Savior. People: Let not your spirit be downcast. Look upward now and see him appear to confirm the highest aspirations for which we long. Hymn #213 verse 3 Redeemer come, with us abide; our hearts to you we open wide; Let us thy inner presence feel; thy grace and love in us reveal. SHARING/PASSING THE PEACE Please greet the person next to you with the words, Peace be with you. The response is And also with you. HYMN #203 Hail to the Lord s Anointed Ellacombe SCRIPTURE Luke 1:26 33 CHILDREN S MOMENTS (Alternative Giving Gilbert) Duane Buys [As the children This leave, Week let us join at in singing] UPark UMC Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. SILENT PRAYER PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER 895 OFFERTORY HYMN #2092 [TFWS] Like a Child Like a Child OFFERING OFFERTORY PRAYER Connie Beauchamp HOMILY Lift Up Your Hearts: Mary s Story Rev. Beck *HYMN #238 Angels We Have Heard On High Gloria BENEDICTION *SUNG BENEDICTION #143 On Eagle s Wings Joncas POSTLUDE Angels We Have Heard on High French Carol/arr. Kevin Keil *Please stand as able Acolyte: Charlie Seaborn

4 This Week at UPark UMC Today s Sanctuary flowers are given by Jim Griesemer. DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Dec. 13 Third of Advent Monday Dec. 14 Messenger Deadline Tuesday Dec. 15 Wednesday Dec. 16 8:30am 8:45am 11:00am 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm 9:00am 10:00am 2:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 8:00am 9:00am 9:00am 4:00pm 4:30pm 8:00pm Informal Worship Service Choristers: 2 nd 5 th grade School: children through adult with Liza Stoltz Hanson Peniel Worship Service Choristers: 4 years 1 st grade Traditional Worship Service: Choir Cantata Night Ticket AA with Rev. Dale Beck Gentle Yoga with Kate Chair Yoga Meditation/Mindfulness Class Eating Disorders Anon Denver Metro Group 13AA Stepping Stones Al Anon Prayer Book: #4, page 42, Year C John Blinn Spiritual Direction Men s Fellowship Group with Deacon Debby Lawrence A Child s Song: Piano BMCM Meditation Gentle Yoga with Máire & Ruth John Blinn Spiritual Direction Staff Meeting UMW Bible Study DU Retired Personnel DU Foundation Meeting Rocky Mountain Theater for Kids Peniel Band Practice Forgiveness Al Anon Various Rooms Sanctuary East Fellowship Hall Bryans Room Upper Room Upper Room Conference Room Conference Room Noakes Hall The January Messenger deadline is tomorrow (December 14). Kindly submit articles to Diane Felt: dfelt@universityparkumc.org. Our Editor, Elizabeth Boyer, appreciates your timely attention to the deadline. Thank you! Pledge cards may be mailed to church, placed in the offering plate, or handdelivered to Diane Felt in the office during business hours. If you ve misplaced yours, we have extras at the reception desk or on the desk in the work room, adjacent to Diane s office. Thank you! Advent Devotional For the Advent Season, the Spiritual Life Committee has ordered devotional material designed to help each of us to experience the season more fully. Look for the booklets, Unto Us a Child is Born, at tables near both the chapel and sanctuary. Pick one up & use it privately and/or with family and friends. The daily meditations and prayers focus on the writings of Henri Nouwen, one of the most widely read spiritual authors of all time. Through these reflections, we will deepen our understanding and appreciation of God s grace and love through Jesus Christ and we will be moved to follow Christ as we live in love and service toward others. "While we continue to pray for the families and friends of those who have perished, we must also support our prayers with action." Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence December 14 marks the 3 rd anniversary of the murders by firearm of 20 first graders and 6 adult staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath, December 10 14, commemorates that event. During last year s Sabbath, over 200 people, under the banner of Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence (CFCU) held a vigil at the state capitol, urging legislators to take action to reduce the toll of gun violence in Colorado. The result? All the sensible gun laws passed in 2013 remain on the books, and bills designed to allow for more guns, or to make them more lethal, were defeated. This year we are asking individual congregations to commemorate, in their own ways, those whose lives have been touched by gun violence. In addition, there will be a candlelight vigil at Colorado Boulevard and Hampden on 12/13 at 6:30 p.m.to call attention to this issue. Sandy Hook was, perhaps the most heart wrenching mass shooting in the U.S. Yet, since 2008 there has been a mass shooting, i.e. 4 or more victims, every week. For more information on Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, please visit: cfcu-co.org.

5 UPark offers a Bible Study based on We Make the Road by Walking, the 2014 Brian McLaren book. Brian McLaren is a prolific writer and a leader in the emergent church movement. 52 chapter cover a large portion of the Bible through these themes: Alive in the Story of Creation; Alive in the Adventure of Jesus; Alive in a Global Uprising; Alive in the Spirit of God. You may participate on a drop in basis. We have three study options: Mornings, at with Liza Stoltz Hanson in. Geared to young adults, young professionals, young at heart. Evenings, at at our with Rev. Dale Beck. Tuesday Afternoons, at 2 pm in our with Rev Debby Lawrence. Please Diane Felt with questions: dfelt@universityparkumc.org. Dear Amigos! Soon many of you will have children or grandchildren at home over Christmas break! What better way to feed everyone than to purchase burritos and stash them in the freezer for that last minute meal! We only have 20 fully loaded frozen breakfast burritos left from our October fundraiser. You may purchase additional ones for yourself or donate towards the UPark Youth taking warm burritos to Civic Center Park in lieu of the traditional PB&J sandwich. The price of each burrito is $3.00. Please contact Duane Buys if you would like to order or donate. Make checks payable to UPark UMC and write burritos on the memo line. The UPark UMYF youth thank you for supporting their 2016 summer mission trips via this burrito fundraiser! Contact Duane: dbuys@universityparkumc.org. UMW Bible Study, Wednesday, December 16,,. Mitten, Hat, Scarf Tree!! The Knitting or Knot circle invites your donations! We need your help to keep the needy warm and meet our goal of 300 items to give away. The hat and mitten tree is already up in the Narthex. The scarves and hats made by our UPark knitters are a good start to meeting our goal. We need everyone s generosity to be a part of this effort. Please bring hats, scarves, and mittens and place them on the tree. Lola Ozman and the STC women made lovely poinsettia napkin rings that were once used for the Christmas dinners. As time has passed, these dinners are no longer held. Lola has decided to sell them in order to benefit UMW. They are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. They will be available on in the foyer. DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Thursday Dec. 17 7:00pm 7:15pm Yoga for the People with Kate Ross Sangha Meditation Choir Practice Sanctuary Friday Dec. 18 Saturday Dec. 19 Dec. 20 Fourth of Advent 8:30am 7:45am 10:00am 4:00pm 5:00pm 8:30am 8:45am 11:00am 6:00pm 5:00pm This Week at UPark UMC (Continued) Mary Nicholas Foot Care Clinic: by appt. PB&J Ministry Deacon Debby s Friday Bible Study F.A. in Recovery Alzheimer s Support Group Society of Friends Gathering Post High School Gathering Informal Worship Service Choristers: 2 nd 5 th grade School: children through adult with Liza Stoltz Hanson Peniel Worship Service Choristers: 4 years 1 st grade Traditional Worship Service: Impromptu Children s Christmas Pageant UPark UMYF Youth: Christmas Party Night Ticket AA Blue Christmas Service with Rev. Dale Beck Bride s Room Kitchen, Civic Center Park East Fellowship, Kitchen Various Rooms Sanctuary B03 Classroom East Fellowship Hall Red Poinsettias to Adorn the Sanctuary and Chapel For $10 you may purchase a poinsettia to adorn the sanctuary or chapel for Christmas Eve. You may take it home following the 7pm or 11pm Christmas Eve services. A sign up chart is available on the kiosk in the foyer. Please act quickly for we only have 54 ordered! Make your check payable to UPark UMC and give it to Diane Felt in the office or go to http//: and click on the Giving tab and pay through the Flower Fund. Contact Diane with questions: dfelt@universityparkumc.org; KIDS CANS FOR KIDS BRING THOSE ALUMINUM CANS! Our latest can redemption for 2015 resulted in 116 pounds worth $26.94 for aluminum cans and other miscellaneous metals; for a total of $ thus far this year. We will continue to send these funds to the Children s Hospital Chaplaincy department to supply Bibles for patients and their families including Spanish Bibles and to supply other reading materials for their mobile interfaith book cart. Please separate different types of metals.

6 The Denver Interfaith Sing Along MESSIAH with orchestra and soloists is Friday, December 18, 7pm at the Hope UMC Sanctuary, 5101 S. Dayton St. This event is presented by Hope UMC and The LDS Church. A $10 donation is suggested to benefit The Village Resource Center. Limited Messiah scores available, please bring your own. Visit denverinterfaithmessiah.weebly.com. Christmas Alternative Gift Catalog Today and on December 20th you may give to your favorite agencies as a lovely alternative for Christmas giving. Stop by the table after church to look at the gift catalog your gift will make a difference. Please contact Angela Grun with questions: or angelagrun@yahoo.com. Blue Christmas Service of Comfort and Hope, December 20, 5:00pm The Chapel 2122 S. Lafayette St. ~ Denver For many people, the season of Christmas is more a time of struggle or heartache than a time of celebration. Joyous musical refrains fill our malls, churches, radios, and televisions, focusing on the happiness of the season. But Christmas often reminds people of what they have lost or never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation, the loss of a family member, the loss of a beloved family pet all these can contribute to feeling blue, depressed, or discouraged at a time when it seems as if everyone in the world around us is celebrating. It is important to take the time and space to acknowledge one s feelings and to connect with the light of Christ. For those who are living with the loss of a loved one, depression, broken relationships, loneliness or just the need to step away from the chaos of the season. Through music, scripture, prayer and candlelight, we acknowledge the pain and look toward the hope to come. Come as you are. All are welcome! Comments from past Blue Christmas Attendees: I was so fortunate to have found out about the service as I know many people who struggle with the "holiday season. This was indeed an experience that I will recommend to others. During the holiday season, the tough things that have happened in my life often come to the forefront. I came to this peaceful, thoughtful worship setting and found prayer and gratitude amidst the loud voices and hectic consumer noise of December. It was wonderful! I was going through a rough time, and I found a real sense of community there I did. Lift up your heads; Lift up your hearts Join us during this Advent Season! December 13 3rd of Advent: Love 8:30am, Informal Service,, Peniel,, Advent Series: Putting Faith in the Paradox 11am, Christmas Cantata, A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten Pick up UMW Cookie orders! Purchase Alternative Gifts! Add hats, mittens, scarves to the foyer tree! December 20 4 th of Advent: Joy 8:30am, Informal Service,, Peniel,, Advent Series: Putting Faith in the Paradox 11am, Sanctuary, An Impromptu Children s Pageant Purchase Alternative Gifts! Add hats, mittens, scarves to the foyer tree! 12pm, UPark UMYF Youth Christmas UPark 5pm, Blue Christmas Service, December 24 - Christmas Eve 4pm, For Children & Adults Who Love Children, Sanctuary 7pm, Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, Sanctuary 11pm, Candlelight Communion Service, December 25 Christmas Day Join the Peniel Worship Service attendees of bringing Christmas Joy to others. To participate, please contact Liza Stoltz Hanson: l.stoltzhanson@gmail.com. December 27 - Christmas, One Unified Service 11am, Sanctuary

7 Chancel Choir Presents Benjamin Britten s A Ceremony of Carols Benjamin Britten ( ) A leading British composer in the early 20 th century, Britten responded eagerly to a desire to create both nationalist and modernist identities in his music while maintaining an accessible style that could be loved alike by professional and amateur. A Ceremony of Carols for choir and harp was composed in 1942 on Britten s five-week return journey to England from the United States. The texts are from The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems by Gerald Bullett, a compilation Britten discovered in Halifax, Nova Scotia during a stop on the voyage. Having returned to the U.K. from the U.S. to face a tribunal as a conscientious objector and pacifist, this is also the year Britten s opera Peter Grimes premiered and the year he wrote the Hymn to St. Cecilia. Britten s music is known for being deceptively conservative and inviting while also being intrinsically modern with the use of dissonance, irregular meters, unusual timbres, and a Western perspective of Oriental sound. He also maintains the traditional English choral sound, characterized by tight registers between voice parts, emotional intensity tempered by coolness, and lyrical lines for treble voices. Recurring themes in Britten s music include capturing the attention of children, innocence (followed often by innocence destroyed too early), and being an outsider within society. The deep awareness of many composers during the Second World War of a need for compassionate, compelling, accessible music shines through. Literary themes incorporating war and ultimate hope, as seen in such contemporaries as T.H. White and C.S. Lewis, are also found. Bookended by Latin plainchant, an antiphon for Christmas Vespers, the piece is written in Middle English. The story begins with an animated Welcome to the new church year followed by a celebration of Jesus s birth, and a cantabile lullaby ( Balulalow ). As Dew in Aprille uses music to paint the words, as dew continuously falls through staggered entrances and counterpoint. The sudden dark contrast of This Little Babe, marking Britten s response to the crisis of war uses the baby Jesus as foil against evil, comes through in sharply accented martial ensigns and arrows framed by a propulsive rhythmic accompaniment. This section is so thoroughly modern as to be shocking, similar to T.H. White s use of the airplane and other anachronisms in The Once and Future King. Harp interludes provide respite before the Freezing Winter Night, with its achingly dissonant seconds, followed by the return to spring when the birds duet. In Deo Gracias there is a return to gratitude. During a time of upheaval, war, and worldwide loss of innocence, Britten s Carol brings hope and resilience within the eyes-wide-open scene he sets. ~ Petra Meyer-Frazier The Chancel Choir wishes you the joys of the season as we move from Advent into Christmas and Epiphany!