God is still speaking

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2 No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey You are welcome here! A SPECIAL WARM WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS! Thank you for joining us today! We hope that you feel the warmth of God s spirit here as we worship together! Please complete the form (in the pew) to let us know a little more about you and place it in the offering plate. As our guests this day it is the only offering we ask. If you should have a prayer concern or would like to meet with the Pastor please indicate this next to your name. Thank you! Following worship please join us in Fellowship Hall for an informal Continental Breakfast. Please note our worship services are online and televised, your participation in the service may be visible during these live ministries. If you should not wish your child to be on screen, please refrain from sending them forward during the children s time or have them sit directly in front of the pews in the front. Large print bulletins and hearing devices are available. Please ask an usher. An elevator is at your disposal for all levels; our west entrance has a ramp. Children are welcome in worship; however, should your child grow restless feel free to sit with them in the Parlor at the rear of the Sanctuary. Nursery/childcare is available for children up to age 2 and is located just off the hall of the main Sanctuary. Children are invited to attend Sunday School following the Children s Message. Classes are offered for all ages. Today there will be Sunday School. At Christmas, all roads lead home. -Marjorie Holmes The Spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and generosity and goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. Thomas Monson Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. Winston Churchill Don t let your past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone. - Taylor Caldwell God is still speaking 2

3 Please pass the clipboard in the pews. Sign in and sign up for events and let us know you re here. PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Scott *SHARING THE PEACE *OPENING SONG #182 O Come All Ye Faithful -Wade/Oakley THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE The Metros Family Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us. ADVENT PRAYER OF GOD S LOVE Light of the World, Emmanuel God with us, this day we receive you as the Babe in the manger who touches our hearts with love. Your birth awakens us and we too want to dance in the streets of Bethlehem, and join in singing with the heavenly host. Today the Christmas trees remind us of your star that shines in the darkest night, transforming our hearts and our world. Today your arrival decorates the world in love, fills our hearts with joy, rekindles our hope, and embraces us in peace. By your birth our lives are forever changed! Thank you God for this greatest of gifts! Amen. 3

4 LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES ADVENT RESPONSE #181 Of The Father s Love Begotten v.1 and 3 -Baker/Neale Plainsong SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-10 Karen Nachtigall CHILDREN S SONG Jesus Loves Me (verse 1) CHILDREN S MESSAGE Pastor Scott The Lord s Prayer (read in unison) 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. SONG Jesus Loves Me (verse 2) CHRISTMAS CAROL #188 Angels We Have Heard on High French Carol SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION MESSAGE Meeting God in Person -Pastor Scott PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Silent Prayer Prayer Pastor Scott OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Pastor Scott Sharing Our Gifts with the Offertory Offertory Music Christmas Hallelujah - Cohen/Cloverton The Band *Presentation of the Gifts with Praise (sung in unison) To God, all glorious heavenly light, To Christ revealed in earthly night, To God the Spirit now we raise, Our joyful song of thankful praise. *Prayer of Dedication 4 Pastor Scott *CLOSING SONG #176 Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates -Hearn *BENEDICTION Ancient Words - Deshazo

5 One of our worship traditions to show our solidarity and love in community is to join hands and sing. If you are visiting with us, we invite you to join us in song and in spirit. *POSTLUDE Joy to the World -Casting Crowns The Band OUR TIME OF WORSHIP TOGETHER HAS ENDED. NOW MAY OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BEGIN! Today s Musicians Vocals: Anthony Berg, Emily Durham Guitar: Owen Cooper Bass: Conor Roe Piano/Horn: Sarah Younker Percussion, Piano, Orchestrations: Justin Kono Percussion: Lily West New Church App Download our new app on your iphone or Android NOW! Just search for our church name. The app will keep you connected real-time. PRAYER CONCERNS AND COMMUNITY JOYS Betty Cheever, Family of Trudi Connick, Rick and Genevieve Franz, California wildfire vicitms, Jeffery Mack for his safety with US Air Forces GREETERS: Barb & Joe Kilar, Julie & Roger Lommatzsch USHERS: Len Clark, Perlie Havel, Jill Rahn, Lora Finucane (HEAD USHER:) Bob Orsula COUNTERS: Lisa Lockett, Mark Lockett (Lead Counter) Larry Ferries This week there is no continental breakfast. Merry Christmas. This Week s Announcements Giving update As of 12/14/17: 2018 Stewardship Regular $305, from 91 pledges Capital $31, from 13 pledges Annual Stewardship Statistics: In 2017 these same pledge units pledged $ 288, Pledge increase over last year $ 17, Pledge % increase over last year 5.99% 5

6 Upcoming dates: Saturday, January 13 th : NAMI mental Health Workshop - free to participate, includes lunch January: New member church exploration opportunity come learn about who we are January 14th after church with lunch, New Member Sunday January 21st March 4 th : Elmhurst College Jazz Ensemble will be sharing a Worship and Arts Art and Soul Concert here at the church. Time TBA. Women's Fellowship - Ladies of the Morning and Evening: We're going out for Breakfast! Friday, January 5 at 9:30 AM at Lemont Street Café, 7329 Lemont Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60516, (630) If you plan on coming please or call me. It is nice to have some idea of how big a table to get. Peggy Gutzke H-630/ peggy.gutzke@gmail.com. FCC BOOK CLUB: Friends, our next book selection is "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown. We will be able to pick up the book at the library by asking for it at the check out station as we have done in the past. We will be looking at using the library's Book Bags for future books, so come to our next meeting to have input into the book selections. We will meet Wednesday, January 10, in the Parlor at 6:30 PM. Look forward to seeing you there! Blood Drive: We are entering our 36th year of blood drives at First Congregational! Can we count on YOU for continued success? Please plan on supporting the blood drive on Tuesday, January 16 from 3-7 pm. You can be someone s lifesaver! One unit of blood helps 3 people. Come and see how safe and easy it is to be a donor. You will be glad you did! All participants will receive a coupon for a noodle bowl (a $13.00 value) from Noodles & Co. You can make an appointment at or contact Joyce at (630) jddoemland@aol.com. Walk-ins are also welcome. Thank you! Caring for Creation: Save that Styrofoam that came with your Christmas gifts! Caring for Creation will be collecting Styrofoam for recycling on Sunday, December 31 and Sunday, January 7. We will take anything with the #6 PS symbol packaging foam and food service containers, but NO packing peanuts. Any food service containers MUST Be clean and rinsed, or they will be discarded. No straws, plastic wrap, or trash. Please contact Laurel Carlson at lacduke@comcast.net if you have any questions. Recycle your old Christmas lights: Through Sunday, January 14, the Caring for Creation team will collect the following types of lights Italian mini-lights, traditional lights, rope lights and LED lights. Lights can be in working or non-working condition. We will also accept extension cords. The collection box will be located in 6

7 the back of the parlor. Lights and extension cords will be taken to Downers Grove village hall, which accepts lights from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F. Mission Ministry: Calling all volunteers - join our prison ministry team at the Illinois Youth Center (Warrenville)! Each Thursday evening, two members of our team teach a life skills class to help better prepare the youth for life outside the juvenile justice system. You can volunteer as often as you would like, but you don t need to be there every week. Our spring semester will begin in February If you are interested in this rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact Amy Curran at amyccurran@gmail.com or for more information. PADS Christmas Gifts: On Christmas night, our church will host overnight PADS guests in Fellowship Hall. Since 2012, our church members and friends have generously responded to provide personal gifts for over 370 PADS guests. We hope to continue this tradition in Our goal is to provide one ($50) gift or gift card per adult and several smaller gifts per child. You will be assigned a name and a desired gift. Most of the gift cards can be purchased at the Manna table. If you would like to share in this most worthwhile cause, please Tom Williams at dontomas23@aol.com or call/text at Thank you. On January 18, 2018, faith leaders from around the country will join together for National Day of Fasting and Witness in protest of Wendy s executives ongoing and unconscionable refusal to join the Fair Food Program. Following what s sure to be an exciting fall season in the Wendy s campaign (with a major march to the New York City offices of Board Chair Nelson Peltz coming up on November 20!), this mobilization will galvanize faith communities nationwide into action both in commemoration of the great strides that have been made over the course of our decades-long struggle for justice in the fields, and in advancement of the urgent campaign to bring Wendy s into the Fair Food fold.. Please consider a fast along with CIW on January 18th to bring awareness with them. Chancel Flowers: Did you know that the flowers displayed on the Chancel are donated by church members? Everyone is invited to donate flowers in joy, celebration or remembrance of a loved one. The cost to donate is $35.00 and there is a sign up calendar on the bulletin board on the Sanctuary level, south entrance. When you donate a floral arrangement you are encouraged to take it home with you following service so that you may enjoy its purpose. We do ask, however that you return the vase so that we can recycle them with the florist. Any questions, please see Linda Schranz or Barb Hammack. 7

8 MANNA: Manna Cards- Manna Cards- There are three easy ways to purchase cards and increase income for our church ministries. You can purchase or order for purchase actual cards, you can reload cards you have purchased and you can now get ecards on your device. You can go to Questions? Laurie Olseon at and Steve Johnson at or come by the Manna Table during Coffee Hour. Conscious Bean Coffee- This is the direct trade coffee served during coffee hour that travels from San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala to our church. We purchase the coffee for North Central College Enactus a student run organization. You can purchase this coffee for your own use during coffee hour. It is available in one pound bags or KCups. New flavored coffees are now available. Come learn more! Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack: Join church members each Wednesday evening from 6:00 9:00 pm for a food repack session. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, which is just off the Stevenson Expressway at Pulaski Road. For more information, contact David Hersemann at dah5@comcast.net, or Laurel Carlson at lacduke@comcast.net. Christian Witness in Society: Make a positive difference. UCC.org examines current justice issues within the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in today s world, and offers opportunities to take personal action. Receive weekly justice action alerts from the UCC by going to ucc.org. Click on Advocate for Justice, then click on Take Action. You can receive justice alerts by or text. Sign up. You CAN make a difference in the world. Amazon Smile: When you Amazon will make a donation to First Congregational United Church of Christ. 8

9 Dorothy Allen in memory of John Allen & Sam & Louise Woodruff Judy Anderson in memory of Frances & Jack Cox????? Or need NAMES Forsman Bosco Family in memory of James Bequeaith Forsman Bosco Family in memory of Jenny Muresan Forsman Bosco Family in memory of Karen Shahnasarian Forsman Bosco Family in memory of Jared Gordon Lyle & Betty Cheever in memory of Stanley & Kathryn Cheever Lyle & Betty Cheever in memory of Clare & Jessie Sanford Len & Gail Clark in memory of our parents, Al & Pat Haferbecker and Jim & Ruth Clark Len & Gail Clark in memory of our son, Joshua Clark Joyce & Dave Doemland in memory of Bob & Iris Doemland and Frank & Irene Krejci Michael & Claudia Feeney in memory of Jean Jones Michael & Claudia Feeney in memory of Denise Schoen Michael & Claudia Feeney in memory of Michael & Josephine Feeney Michael & Claudia Feeney in memory of Don & Mary Anda Sandy Gales and the Gales Family in memory of Ron & Amy Gales Sandy Gales and the Gales Family in memory of Char & Els Steinhauer Nancy Given in memory of Wally Given and Susan Moody Barbara & Bill Hammack in memory of Al & Maurine DeCamp and Jimmie Dee & Eberly Hammack Susan L. Hanson in memory of Edward A. Hanson Marilyn Jelinek in memory of Tricia Green (niece) Marilyn Jelinek in memory of Nancy Green (sister) Brett Johnson in memory of Pat Johnson (aunt) Virginia Johnson in memory of our Leonard Sue Larsen Jennifer, Brian, Madison & Lexi Reed in memory of Martha Johnson Sue Larsen, Jennifer, Brian, Madison & Lexi Reed in memory of Elmer Johnson Edith Larson in memory of Howard Mochel & Madeleine Mochel Pedersen (parents) Edith Larson in memory of Scott Eichmann & David Larson (sons) Dennis & Patty Lewis in memory of Dorothy & Quinton Lewis Dennis & Patty Lewis in memory of John Linden & Father Emmet Linden 9

10 Bill & Pat Lockett in memory of our parents Lisa & Mark Lockett in memory of Joseph & Elsie Dina Lisa & Mark Lockett in memory of Ina & Grace Nafziger Lisa & Mark Lockett in memory of Pearl Lockett Lisa & Mark Lockett in memory of Marjorie Lane Dawn, Bob, Dale, Grace & Ryan Magliola in memory of Gail Tice (mother & grandmother) Bob, Dawn, Dale, Grace & Ryan Magliola in memory of Carolyn & Mike Magliola (parents& grandparent) Rick & Jan Martin in memory of Bailey Rose (our sweet granddaughter) Rick & Jan Martin in memory of Fruit Grandma, Papa, (Er Crum) & Bubba (Carl Martin) Patti Miller & Family in memory of Bill Miller, (loving husband, father and grandfather) Ann Mullen & Family in memory of Wayne Mullen (husband & father) Kimberly Nagy in memory of Donald Ormsby Bob & Paula Orsula in memory of Rudy & Millie Orsula, Dove & Lois Rice Alan & Linda Prochot in memory of Ted & Alice Prochot Alan & Linda Prochot in memory of Lorraine Freres Doug Purcell in memory of John & Vivian Lehan (grandparents) Doug Purcell in memory of Robert Purcell (grandparent) Joann Purcell in memory of Jim & Eileen Nolan (grandparents) Joann Purcell in memory of Toni Cieply (grandparent) Jill Rahn in memory of William H. Rahn Sue Lacey Reinertson in memory of Allan & Florence Lacey Cathy Sanders in memory of Anita Irvine Olgha Sandman in memory of Rev. Dr. Robert Sandman & Richard Sandman (son) Elaine Smith Nancy Strutzenberg in memory of Vert & Louise Jim Thonn in memory of friends who have passed John & Mary Vercellino in memory of Catherine & Virgil Pfafer and Irene & Ernest Vercellino Fred Widmann in memory of Phil Wadycki & Marilyn Widmann 10

11 Coming Up This Week SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, :30 AM - 10:30 AM Christmas Worship Service 4:30 PM Christmas Worship Candlelight Family-Service 11:00 PM Christmas Worship Candlelight Traditional Service MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2017 CHRISTMAS DAY-OFFICE CLOSED FCLC Closed 6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel 6:00 PM PADS Overnight Guest-Fellowship Hall TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2017 CHRISTMAS OBSERVED OFFICE CLOSED FCLC CLosed 6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 7:00 AM PADS Departure- Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM Adult Coloring Group-Parlor WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study (at members' homes) 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting-Library 12:00 PM Administrative Deadline for Bulletin 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Grounds of Hope Worship Service-Coffee House 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Alanon meeting-coffee House THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM FCLC Jumpbunch Chapel 6:30 PM Cabinet meeting-503 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room 7:00 PM Last Thursday-Two Way Coffee House Open Mike 7:00 PM Last Thursday-Two Way Coffee House Open Mike 7:00 PM Scouts-Fellowship Hall FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel 8:15 PM Two Way Street Concert-Coffee House SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, :00 AM - 1:00 PM Martial Arts 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM All Bridge Saints-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Country Western Jam-Coffee House 11

12 An Open and Affirming Congregation 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL OUR CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor... Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation... Karen Nachtigall, Pastoral Ministry Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries... Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music... Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries... Michelle Rafacz, Acting Director of Family Minsitries. Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary... Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper... Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor... Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center... Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House... Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist... Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries... Justin Kono, Band Director... The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus Our church staff is available Monday Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment. Office Phone: Office FCUCC@UCCDG.org In pastoral emergencies, Pastor Scott can be reached at Visit our weekly Sunday Service on channel 6 each Sunday at 11:30am or view the service online at Website: First Congregational Learning Center FCLC Website: Facebook: twitter.com/ uccdg facebook.com/uccdg Donate 12