An open and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ December 2, 2018 at 10 am First Sunday of Advent Welcome to our worship service. Please join us for refreshments and time for fellowship immediately following the service. PRELUDE GATHERING HYMN (see page 8) Sheep May Safely Graze J. S. Bach (1685-1750) Prepare the Way WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: In Advent we watch and wait, and prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world. People: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Leader: In Advent we prepare for a life of discipleship, and watch faithfully for signs of God s light breaking into the world. People: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Leader: As we wait, dear One, we watch for signs of your action in the world, actions of compassion and grace breaking in. People: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Leader: Holy God, we recognize that we do not know the day or the hour, but we know that the day is near. People: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Be born anew in our world and in our lives. *PROCESSIONAL HYMN #102 (Black, New Century) O How Shall I Receive You
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING - FIRST CANDLE - HOPE Leader: Hope takes an old story, and makes a new one out of it. People: When everything looks the same, Hope finds the unexpected difference. Leader: I cling to my solitary way, except Hope asks, who have I left aside? People: At times I hurt so much, but I get resilience back from Hope. Leader: My dependencies pull me off course, until Hope restores my balance. People: I can Hope, if I let myself. Leader: If I let go of Hope, I sacrifice the future. ALL: That star over the baby s cradle, that s my Hope. Leader: We light this candle in anticipation of the star s appearance over Bethlehem. UNISON PRAYER God of all hopefulness, we live in your promise to fulfill your will for earth. With nations in chaos and our lives surrounded by turmoil, we begin our watch this morning for the coming of your Promised One, Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace. In the name of the One who is to come, we pray. Amen. ANTHEM Canticle for Advent Lloyd Larsen Chancel Choir READINGS Psalm 121 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. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Ephesians 3: 14-21 For this reason I bow my knees before our God, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through God s Holy Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be 2
filled with all the fullness of God. Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. SERMON What is it all about? Rev. Heike Werder HYMN #119 (Black, New Century) My Soul Gives Glory to My God OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS In each of our pews today is a black friendship book which we encourage you to fill out and pass to the person next to you during the offering. If you have been with us before, just put down your name, but if you are new today, please let us know who you are. Thanks! Offertory Anthem O Come, Emanuel Music and arrangement by Cici Fougner Hunt Lyrics based on the hymn O Come, O Come Emanuel Dedicated to Heike Werder with great appreciation Sung by The Once in a While Choir Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God, all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Prayer of Dedication CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION Invitation Communion Prayer and Lord s Prayer Words of Institution Prayer of Consecration Sharing of the Bread and Cup EVERYONE is welcome to receive the Bread and Cup. You don't need to be a member of this church or any church. Come forward at the direction of the usher. Pick up a piece of glutenfree bread,, and dip it in the cup. If you are not sure what to do, ask, and we are glad to explain. 3
The cup contains grape juice. Children of any age may receive if their parents are comfortable, or you may bring them forward and we will give them a simple blessing. Everyone is welcome, without exception. If you would like communion brought to you, let the usher know and we are happy to bring it to you in your seat. Communion Music # 107 (NCH) Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn # 106 (NCH) My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise (You are welcome to sing these hymns during communion) Communion Prayer Holy One, you fill the hungry with good things and send the self-satisfied away empty. In this Holy meal you have filled us with the word and the bread of life of your Son Jesus Christ. Make us hunger now for His coming in the hearts and the homes of all. Fill us with His spirit of service and self-forgetting love, that through us, He may become near to people. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. LITURGY OF RELEASE Jackie Allen, Moderator: Our church family is constantly changing, People come and go. Babies are born. Children grow up. People commit themselves to one another. Loved ones and friends among us come the the end of their lives. Individuals move into our community and church life. Others leave us, moving away to new places, new experiences, and new opportunities. It is important and right that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share the time of farewell with our Associate minister who is leaving. Reverend Wendy Vanderhart: On Nov. 29, 1999, Rev. Heike Werder began her service as pastor of the Congregational Church of Needham, United Church of Christ. Reverend Heike Werder: I thank the Congregational Church of Needham, its members and friends, for the love, kindness, and support shown me these last 19 years. I ask forgiveness for the mistakes I have made. I am grateful for the ways my leadership has been accepted. As I 4
leave, I carry with me all that I have learned here. Congregation: We receive your thankfulness, offer forgiveness, and accept that you now leave to minister elsewhere. We express our gratitude for your time among us. We ask your forgiveness for our mistakes. Your influence on our faith and faithfulness will not leave us at your departure. Reverend Heike: I forgive you and accept your gratitude, trusting that our time together and our parting are pleasing to God. VOWS OF RELEASE Reverend Wendy: Do you, the members and friends of the Congregational Church of Needham, release Reverend Heike Werder from the duties of pastor? People: We do, with the help of God. Reverend Wendy: Do you offer your encouragement for her/his ministry as it unfolds in new ways? People: We do, with the help of God. Reverend Wendy: Do you, Reverend Heike, release the Congregational Church of Needham from turning to you and depending on you? Reverend Heike: I do, with the help of God. Reverend Wendy: Do you offer your encouragement for the continued ministry here and for the relationship with another who will come to serve? Reverend Heike: I do, with the help of God. Reverend Wendy: On behalf of the Metropolitan Boston Association of the United Church of Christ, I witness to the words spoken: words of thankfulness, forgiveness, and release. The member churches of our association and conference hold you in prayer. We pledge our support in the transitions signified in this service. People: Thanks be to God. Reverend Wendy: God of all life, beginnings and endings, we turn to you in gratitude for the faithful ministry enacted here. We are thankful for the fruits of the partnership between this congregation and Reverend Heike. We know you are pleased with the journey that has been taken and steps that yet lie ahead informed by this shared ministry. Bless each and every one as 5
they bid goodbye and take up your service in different places. May all that was said and done here blossom and flourish to bring your realm ever more fully here on earth. In Christ s name we pray. Amen. *CLOSING HYMN #122 (Black, New Century) Come, O Long-Expected Jesus BENEDICTION Let s bless each other and together As we journey on - together and apart, may God be our help. God will not let us stumble or fall; the one who watches over us never tires and never sleeps. It is God who watches over us, whose protective presence stands beside us. Neither the bright light of the sun, nor the dim light of the moon will harm us. May God continue to watch over us as we come and go, keeping us safe from harm, this day and forever. CHORAL BENEDICTION The Lord Bless You and Keep You Peter C. Lutkin(1858-1931) POSTLUDE Sifonia No. 6 Bach (1685-1750) Worship Assistant: Lennig Chang Advent Wreath: Caryl and Dave Johnson Deacons: Paul Brown, Sue Cotton Communion Servers: Dibby Moder, Kevin Blume, Scott Stewart, Flowers: Connie Kaufman Flower Delivery: Jean Veigas Altar Guild: Denice Koljonen, Carol Miller Ushers: Jim Leighton, Rich Weitzel, Robert Kennedy The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Binna Mann by her family. 6
Church Covenant We strive to be a joyful, welcoming Christian Community. We seek to be faithful in a world torn by suffering, injustice, oppression, and war. We are inspired by God, Christ s Ministry, and the examples of other faithful people. We join together in worship and song, fellowship, study, and mission to embrace the risks and challenges of continuing Christ s ministry We struggle to live out our faith in the world by furthering justice and peace, witnessing to the truth, and proclaiming God s love and mercy for all people. Open and Affirming Statement As a covenant community we are committed to the belief that all people are created equal before God. In affirmation of the inclusive love of Christ Jesus, we welcome persons of any race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and economic circumstance to full participation in our community life and ministry. We strive to reflect these beliefs in the language and content of our worship and in our lives together. (This statement adopted in 2000, reflects the welcome of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their friends and families.) Update from the Board of Directors As we journey through a period of transition in our pastoral relationships, please keep our community and our ministers in your prayers. The Board of Directors and Board of Deacons want you to know of these upcoming dates and events: Thursdays, December 6, 13, & 20 Advent lunches with Rev. Rick Chrisman. Tuesday, January 1 Rev. John Gage begins as our Senior Minister. Sunday, January 6- Rev. Gage s first Sunday with us and congregational lunch. Parish Care Team The new Parish Care Team has been formed to attend to the needs of our church community. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a call or a visit from a Parish Care Team member, or a minister, please contact Dibby Moder at 781-444-5061 or dmoder@verizon.net. You can also call the church office (781-444-2510) with your request for a visit. 7
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2018 Collections* 11/25/2018= $1,600 11/25/2018 Worship Attendance = 118 people October Electronic Pledge Amunt: $11,565.48 Please contact the church office 781-444-2510 or office@needhamucc.org to find out how you can give electronically. *Collection amount does not include additional pledges received electronically. Our current pledge amount for 2018 is $392,968. This represents a budget shortfall of $57,032 for the year. The Board is responsible for the overall administrative life of the church including buildings, finances, personnel and the overall health of the church. Moderator: Jackie Allen Clerk: Jane Brand Term Ends 2019: Jim Conroy, Diane Rees, Kristin Mollerus, Keith McClelland Term Ends 2020: Howard Sesso, Barbra Morton, Amanda Angel Term Ends 2021: Craig Morrison, Scott Lively, Amy Hurley The Deacons are responsible for the spiritual life and well-being of the church. Term Ends 2019: Rick Devereux, Dibby Moder, Scott Stewart, Carol Miller, Jean Veigas Term Ends 2020: Kevin Blume, Paul Brown, Sue Cotton, Lucy Slosser Term Ends 2021: Jim Ruetenik, Phil Gotwals, KM Abraham, Patty Morrison, Janet Rubenstein The Outreach Committee advocates to the church and its members about important issues relating to social justice in our church, community, city state and the world. They provide opportunities to volunteer and guide us in financial giving. We aim to give 15% of our income from pledges to the church to Outreach financial giving. Term Ends 2019: Bill Rees, Fred Moder, Hiroko Hardebeck, Lynn Gotwals, Term Ends 2020: Carol Brown, Mi Herzog, Tom Mollerus Term Ends 2021: Connie Kaufman The PRC is an independent group that supports and maintains an open and healthy relationship between the Minister(s) and Members of the Congregation. The PRC does not take the place of communications between the Members and the Minister(s), but rather helps those who need advice and assistance with such communications. Members: Tom Mollerus, Fred Moder, Martha Lamb 9
Welcome to all who are new or here for the first time! If you are interested in learning more about our church, please email Rev. Jim at revjim@needhamucc.org, Rev Heike at revheike@needhamucc.org or call the office at 781-444-2510 to set up a conversation. For updates on church life, our family ministries, Christian Education and Youth Ministries follow us at: @NeedhamUCC on Instagram Congregational Church of Needham UCC on Facebook @needhamucc on Twitter www.needhamucc.org Please silence your cell phone before attending the service. You can Check In on Facebook and let people know you are here. Feel free to Tweet, Snapchat, or Instagram during the service. If you would like or need a hearing device an usher will be able to assist you. Children s Childcare is offered for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the Nursery located downstairs during the service. Rev. Rick Chrisman s Office Hours Please contact the church office to schedule an appointment during his office hours on Wednesdays 1 5pm. Hours are also available by appointment. *If these mes do not work for you please contact the office for alternate availability. Senior Minister The Rev. Rick Chrisman RevRick@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 106 Associate Minister The Rev. Heike Werder RevHeike@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 105 Director of Children &Youth Ministries The Rev. Madelyn Foster RevMaddie@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 104 Organist/Accompanist Sangyoung Kim Housekeeper Sanira Alchaar Staff Church Administrator Danielle Jurdan Office@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 101 Office Assistant & Bookkeeper Cindy Sullivan Office2@needhamucc.org 781 444 2510, ext. 100 Music Director Valerie Becker musicdirector@needhamucc.org Handyman Bill Donovan The Congregational Church of Needham 1154 Great Plain Avenue Needham, Massachusetts 02492 www.needhamucc.org Facebook: Congrega onal Church of Needham UCC Twi er @needhamucc Instagram: needhamucc 781 444 2510 of ice@needhamucc.org The Rev. Dr. Paul Clayton, Pastor Emeritus 10
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS December 2, 2018 The Music Committee is planning for the Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 2 at 4 PM. Mark your calendar for a beautiful afternoon of Christmas music and carols. If you would like to donate, please email debabraham@comcast.net or call the office. Carry on the Concert Tradition. Bakers, cooks and deviled egg makers are needed to help with the Christmas Concert reception. Do you have a special recipe or maybe you made a batch of Doris s favorite deviled eggs last year. Please consider helping us keep a joyous tradition going. We need mini sandwiches, fruit, veggies and dip, crackers and chips, cheeses and desserts. Contact Deb Abraham (debabraham@comcast.net or 781-444-8453) or Lynn McClelland (kmmlkm@rcn.com or 781-444-6585). On Sunday after worship, December 9 th, Rev. Rick Chrisman will facilitate a Transition Dialogue to field members thoughts and concerns about the changes taking place. We will meet in the Reception Room at 11:30 a.m. Those unable to attend but who would like to can let me know and another installment can be scheduled. A follow-up session to these may also be scheduled if need be. Contact Rick at RevRick@needhamucc.org, or leave a voicemail message on the church office phone line. Do you need a hostess gift for the holiday parties you re attending or to replace a tired wreath that no longer brings a smile to everyone or discovering a space that calls out for something bright? CHRISTMAS WREATHS and table decorations are on sale & DIS- COUNTED in Fellowship Hall and on the walls in Linden. WREATHS will continue to be available for sale until 12/23. Come support your church with your purchase and bring added pleasure to your Christmas season! Christmas Flower Offering Envelopes Are Now Available We are collecting donations in memory of loved ones for the poinsettias that decorate the church at Christmas time. Christmas Flower Offering envelopes will be available in the church pews and the church office. Please return envelopes to the office by December 16. After the Christmas Eve services, many of the plants will be given to people in our congregation who are sick, homebound or in need of a little extra attention. Parish Care Team The newly formed Parish Care Team has recently met with Rev. Heike to identify ways that we can attend to the needs of our church community. In this time of transition and beyond we would like to be as attentive as we can to the needs of our church members, their families and friends. If you or anyone you know could benefit from a call or a visit from a Parish Care Team member, please contact Dibby Moder, the chair of the Deacons, at 781-444- 5061 or dmoder@verizon.net. You can also call the church office (781-444-2510) with your request for a visit. Don t forget that Rev. Rick is also available for pastoral visits. 11
Advent Lunches are Coming!! Mark you calendars for Thursdays in December leading up to Christmas. Our Advent Lunch dates are December 6, 13, and 20 starting at noon. Rev. Rick will be with us to lead a short program each Thursday. Yummy snacks for Coffee Hour! We invite you to host or co-host a Sunday! Families and individuals are invited to sign up for a Sunday to provide the food. You can use this opportunity to celebrate someone s birthday, anniversary or honor a person in your family or an occasion by providing goodies for coffee hour. Your sponsorship will be mentioned in the bulletin. The office has set up an online sign-up form at https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10c0844a8aa23a2fd0-coffee or you can simply call the office to do so. Please call the office if you have any questions at 781-444-2510. Calendars to Support Education in Santa Maria Tzeja Beautiful calendars prepared by NIS- GUA (Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala) will again be sold, with proceeds to benefit education in our partner village. Stop by the Guatemala table after worship any Sunday during December. Looking for a Meaningful Gift? Consider giving someone you love, or a great teacher, a beautiful gift card indicating that you contributed in their name to the cost of Middle School teaching materials in Santa Maria Tzeja, Guatemala. Contributions in any amount gratefully appreciated! Stop by the Guatemala table after worship during December to see what this is all about. Community Dinners coincide with monthly Baby Basics Diaper distribution. Volunteers are invited to join in our effort to provide a healthy dinner for our guests and members of the church on the following date: December 4, 2018. Volunteers are welcome to help with setting up, cooking the main meal, serving, visiting and eating with our Baby Basics families, and clean up. Please contact Rev. Heike or Diana Conroy (revheike@needhamucc.org ; conroyjd@rcn.com) if you are interested in helping out. Volunteer Opportunity for Baby Basics We are looking for a person who can host the distribution table on the first Tuesday of every month. This entails giving families diapers from 6-7 pm, dinner provided for you and your family. Contact Jennifer Haggerty at jenniferhaggerty@hotmail.com for more information or to volunteer. 12
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Sunday December 2nd Monday December 3rd Tuesday December 4th Thursday December 6th Sunday December 9th Monday December 10th Wednesday December 12th Thursday December 13th 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 3:00 pm 4:00 pm Once In A While Choir, Fellowship Hall Worship, Sanctuary Advent Workshop, Linden Hall Youth Choir, Choir Room Chimers Rehearsal, Sanctuary Youth Group Christmas Movie Christmas Concert 9:15 am Cancer Support Group, Reception Room 6:00 pm Community Dinner, Linden Hall 12:00 pm Advent Lunch, Library 8:30 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 9:15 am 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Transition Dialogue with Rev. Rick, Reception Room Guatemala Partnership Meeting, Library Mindful Meditation, Chapel Pageant Lunch, Linden Hall Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Cancer Support Group, Reception Room Board Meeting, Library 7:00 pm Deacon s Meeting, Library 12:00 pm Advent Lunch, Library Sunday December 16th 8:15 am 8:30 am 9:15 am 10:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 3:00 pm Men s Breakfast, Library Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Chimer s Rehearsal, Sanctuary Worship, Sanctuary Pageant Lunch Pageant Rehearsal Christmas Caroling Blue Christmas Service on Sun., Dec. 23 rd at 2pm - The holiday season can be emotionally hard for people who have lost a loved one or experienced other significant losses. We will gather in such a way as to evoke love and gratitude and diminish misery. There will be song and word and prayer, some silence, and remembrances by name with candlelight. Rev. Maddie and Rev. Rick will lead the service bringing together resources from poetry and scripture. Everyone is welcome. Please invite all who may find comfort in this contemplative service. 14