A Service of LESSONS AND CAROLS With Living Crèche THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CANTON CENTER, CT United Church of Christ December 17, 2017 ~ 10:00 a.m. The Third Sunday of Advent
ORDER OF WORSHIP CHIMES Bob Oswald WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Brief announcements from the congregation are welcome. Those wishing to make Announcements are asked to be in the front pews at the start of the announcements period. There will be opportunity to share prayer requests at the time of the Prayers of the Church. If you wish to offer a prayer request in written form, please fill out one of the yellow prayer request cards found in the pews and place it in the offering plate at the time of the offering. Large print editions of the bulletin and Chalice Hymnal are available at the back of the sanctuary. Nursery Room is available in the lower level of the Parish House. Children ages Birth-3 years may visit the Nursery with a parent at any time. *All who are able, please stand. Bold denotes unison voice. PRELUDE While The Shepherds Were Watching C. Armstrong Gibbs CALL TO WORSHIP Come, people of God, and journey deeper into Advent; watch and wait, ponder and hope, for the Lord of Advent is coming. Open your eyes, ready your hearts; lift up your spirits, awaken your minds, for the Lord of Advent is coming. Into the world as it is, into us as we are, God's word is breaking in, the Lord of Advent is coming! Bev Sealand *CAROL 140 Pilgrim (red) What Child Is This *GATHERING PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER Gather us now once more, O God, as a hopeful, expectant people, as those who believe you are coming, still and always...
into our hearts, where we are holding fear, into the heart of the world, that longs for peace. Come and announce your birth to us, disturb us with its newness, help us welcome the Christ always and everywhere. We gather our prayers into one prayer, as we also say together: *SUNG RESPONSE 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. Amen. LIGHTING OF THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE: JOY Jason Levine and Declan Emirzian, confirmands, and Carole Fisher, mentor Today, on the third Sunday of Advent, we light the third candle, for joy. We remember the first candle, for hope; the second, for peace. Today the light increases: hope and peace add joy. With the pink candle, we are reminded that in the midst of our Advent waiting, joy is already visible. We glimpse it and cherish it, even as we wait for its fullness. We remember that in the midst of all our human uncertainty, worry and struggle, God's joy can find us.
Isaiah says it this way: "The Lord sends comfort to all who mourn, good news to the poor and broken-hearted, joy and gladness instead of grief, a song of praise instead of sorrow." (Isa. 61) Joy is persistent, joy is contagious, joy keeps us open and helps us see good, helps us see God. The third candle is lit. Sung response: "One Candle Is Lit," v. 3 Come, festively sing while awaiting the birth, Join angels in dancing from heaven to earth. Wave banners of good news, lift high thankful praise: One candle is lit for the joy of these days. ADVENT REFLECTION THE OFFERING OF GIFTS Invitation Offertory Anthem Ding Dong, Merrily On High Sandra Eithun Cherry Brook Chimes, Marianne Rannenberg, recorder *Doxology What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. But what I can, I give him... give my heart. (from "In the Bleak Midwinter) *Prayer of Dedication PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer
THE SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS ANTHEM Once In Royal David's City V. 1 Maria Emirzian, soloist V.2 Women of the choir V. 3 Men & women of the choir V. 4 Congregation And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; For that child who seemed so helpless lives and reigns in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. THE FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 11:1, 2, 6; 9:2, 6, 7 Kathy Byko, reader The Prophet Foretells the Coming of a Savior ANTHEM Tuya es la Gloria (Yours is the Glory) Susan T. Sylvester Cherry Brook Chimes, Jerry Alonzy-guitar, Marianne Rannenberg-recorder, Claire Byko-cymbals THE SECOND LESSON: Luke 1:26-38 The Angel's Annunciation to Mary Kim Treadwell, reader ANTHEM Angels' Carol John Rutter Senior Choir THE THIRD LESSON: Luke 2:1-7 Julia Baldwin, reader Jesus is Born in Bethlehem ANTHEM A Child Is Born Today Walter Pelz Senior Choir, Cindy Webb-flute, Claire Byko-percussion, Marianne Rannenberg-recorder THE FOURTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-20 The Shepherds Go to the Manger Joshua Levine, reader ANTHEM Gaelic Alleluia Craig Courtney Senior Choir, Bob Oswald & Mary Lou-piano, Claire-Irish bodhran/tambourine THE FIFTH LESSON: Matthew 2:1-12 Dave Heyer, reader The Visit of the Magi
CAROL (seated) What Child Is This, Verse 3 So bring him incense, gold and myrrh, come rich and poor 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 LIVING CRECHE The congregation remains seated for the carols. CAROL 116, Pilgrim (red) Angels We Have Heard on High Verse 1 CAROL Jesus, Our Brother, Strong and Good Jesus, our brother, strong and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood; Jesus, our brother, strong and good. "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown, "I carried your mother uphill and down, I carried your mother to Bethlehem town; I" said the donkey, shaggy and brown. "I," said the cow, all white and red, "I gave you my manger for your bed. I gave you my hay to pillow your head; I", said the cow, all white and red. "I," said the sheep with curly horn, "I gave you my wool for a blanket warm, you wore my coat on Christmas morn; I", said the sheep with curly horn. Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel. CAROL 134, Pilgrim (red) O Little Town of Bethlehem Verses 1 & 2 CAROL 141, Pilgrim (red) The First Nowell Verse 1 CAROL 143, Pilgrim (red) We Three Kings Verse 1 A CHRISTMAS BLESSING *CAROL 164, Chalice (blue) Good Christian Friends, Rejoice *BENEDICTION *RECESSIONAL Pat-a-pan arr. Hart Morris
ANNOUNCEMENTS Church Members are asked to remain in place at the end of the service for the Congregational Meeting that will start immediately. Coffee hour will follow in the Parish Hall. The flowers are given in Celebration of his Life and in Loving Memory of Richard C. Johnson, Sr., given by The Johnson Family. TODAY'S SPECIAL OFFERING: THE UCC CHRISTMAS FUND - The Christmas Fund collection envelope this morning is an emergency assistance fund for retired and active clergy, missionaries and other church workers who have devoted their lives to the service of the church and have emergency financial needs with which they need help. "GIVING TREE" GIFTS FOR FAMILIES IN NEED - You may bring hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and socks to decorate the tree, through December 30th.We are also collecting unused hotel toiletries for The Hands of Grace. They will be given to those in need. 2018 PLEDGES AND BOXED ENVELOPES - We ask all our members to make every effort to complete your current-year pledges by the end of the calendar year. If you would like your 2017 contributions included on your 2017 year-end statement, they must be received by Dec. 31, 2017. If you have not yet pledged, we ask you to please consider doing so. If you need a pledge form, you may contact the church office. Your 2018 boxed pledge envelopes are ready for pick up from the Parish Hall. ORDER YOUR SCRIP FOR CHRISTMAS -TODAY! - Today is the last day to place a custom order of gift cards for Christmas. Place your order at the scrip table after church today and pick up next Sunday morning, 12/24 (or ask Casey about pick-up/delivery on Friday 12/22). The scrip table WILL be open right before and after the morning service on 12/24 for order pick-up and last minute shopping from our selection of inventory. Merry Christmas! CHURCH SCHOOL REMINDER - There is no church school on 12/24 or 12/31. Church school resumes on 1/7 (start in class) and we will welcome our new Director of Faith Formation, Sarah Pradhan. Sunday 17 Monday 18 Tuesday 19 Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 Friday 22 Saturday 23 Worship with Lessons, Carols & Crèche 10:00 am Congregational Meeting Choir 7 pm ACA 7 pm AA 7 pm Bell Choir 7 pm AA 11 pm Wreath pick up
WELCOME We re glad you ve joined us for worship today. Please know that whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here! If you are visiting today, please help us get to know you better by filling out one of the visitor cards in the pews and placing it in the offering plate. Questions? Please feel free to ask the pastor, or call the church office during the week. OUR MISSION STATEMENT We gather as a welcoming community in worship, learning, service and fellowship, to embody Christ s message of love, compassion and justice. Joining faith with action, both within and beyond our church, we strive to build a community that serves all. Dec. 24, DECEMBER WORSHIP All Sunday Services begin at 10:00 am Advent IV - An abbreviated morning service for the final Sunday of Advent. We ll sing carols, join in prayers, prepare our hearts for true Christmas. 5 & 7 pm Christmas Eve Services - Similar services of readings, special music, prayers, and candlelighting to celebrate the birth of Christ. Let every heart prepare him room! Children s message at 5 p.m. and Homily at 7 p.m. Dec. 31, First Sunday after Christmas - We continue in the season of Christmastide, and share our hopes and prayers for the new year about to begin. Lay-led service. Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza Director of Music: Mary Lou Keefe Interim Dir. of Faith Formation: Sarah Pradhan Duty Deacons: Bev Sealand & Dave Heyer Ushers: Art Mauger Ministers: Every Member Secretary: Kristen DiMattia Sexton: Walt LeGeyt Duty Trustee: Sue Lampros Greeters: Geri Bunnell THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 184 Cherry Brook Road, PO Box 133, Canton Center CT 06020-0133 Church Office 860-693-4581 E-mail: office@cantoncenterchurch.org www.cantoncenterchurch.org