SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1500 North Main Higginsville, Missouri web page: salemucchigginsville.org
December 9, 2018 10:30 a.m. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT THE GATHERING MUSIC BEFORE WORSHIP WELCOME: No matter who you are or where you are in your life s journey, you are welcome here. We re one week closer! As we prepare our worship space and our homes for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, let us also prepare our hearts. NEWS OF THE CONGREGATION ADDRESSING OURSELVES TO GOD RINGING OF THE BELL Piano Prelude "What Child Is This?" arr. Roed * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: A voice cries out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord! People: Make God s paths straight. Leader: Every valley will be filled, and every mountain will be leveled. People: The crooked will be made straight. Leader: The rough and rocky ways will be smoothed. People: All will see the salvation of God. Leader: See the light from on high. The dawn is breaking. People: The Lord is coming! The Lord is coming! * HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful No. 145 * INVOCATION (Unison) Holy God, we long for your peace, and trust in your promise; we hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives and 1
welcome you in. Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all. In the Name of the One who is coming, we pray. Amen. LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE: PEACE (Board of Christian Education) Malachi 3: 1-4, Luke 1: 68-79 Leader: In this holy place, O God, we seek to prepare a path through the wilderness of our lives. People: Quiet our souls that we may hear your voice. Leader: Keep us mindful of the work yet to be done in your Kingdom. People: Remind us to see that work through the lens of possibility. Leader: Help us remember the convent of hope you forged with our ancestors, even as we yearn for your presence in our world today. People: Illuminate our path, that our feet may be guided toward the way of peace. Leader: Today we light the second candle on our Advent wreath, the candle of Peace. People: May the Peace of the coming Christ child live within us all. Prayer *GLORIA PATRI No. 623 HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THE WORD HYMN Infant Holy, Infant Lowly No. 143 (Please write your joys and concerns on the card and hand it to the usher during the hymn) JOYS AND CONCERNS Preparation for prayer PASTORAL PRAYER, THE LORD S PRAYER ( debts and debtors words in hymn No. 426) 2
MORNING OFFERING Offertory "The First Noel" arr. Leatherman *Doxology No. 625 *Dedication Prayer *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle s Creed (Printed inside back cover of Hymnal) CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM A Bedtime Story: Twas the Night before Christmas THE SENDING *RECESSIONAL HYMN Joy to the World! No. 125 *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE "Go Tell It On the Mountain" arr. Lindberg The Worship Service is over and our Service begins. *Indicates please stand if you are able to do so **************************************** Leading Worship Today: Rev. Dr. Tommy L. Faris Pastor Stanton Thompson Liturgist Jamie Smith Substitute Organist/Music Director Jaxon Barnes Acolyte GREETING YOU TODAY ARE: North Door: B.J. Salyer South Door: Deanna Gash IN OUR PRAYERS: Charles Cole, is hospitalized at Center Point Medical Center. Arthur Thaller, is recovering at home Gene Starke, is recovering at home. Bill Wallpe, will have surgery at North Kansas City Hospital on December 31, to remove his left kidney. Pearl Luehrman, is receiving weekly cancer treatment at KU. Al Dieckhoff, is recovering at Meyer Care Center. 3
ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION would like to invite everyone to join us in the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies and fellowship following the Children s Christmas Program. We hope to see you there! POINSETTIAS: We will appreciate having poinsettias in church again this Christmas. If you wish to place a plant in memory of someone, please notify the church secretary (584-3603) by Wednesday, December 19, so that she can print it in the church bulletin. Be sure your name is on the plant that you bring. Please leave it in the fellowship hall on the stage by Thursday, December 20, or by noon on Friday, December 21, (Please do not bring the poinsettias before these dates), the flower committee will place the plants in the sanctuary. You may collect your poinsettia after the Christmas Eve Service. YOM COOKIE/BAKE SALE: Do you need some yummy, homemade cookies and/or baked goodies this holiday season? Our annual cookie/bake sale will be held after BOTH worship services on Sunday, December 16 th in the Fellowship Hall, and as in the past, you may fill a box (or more!) and make a donation to Youth on Mission at that time. Can t make it to our cookie/bake sale that day? Call Amy Goetz at 660-641-2406 to place your order and it will be delivered to you! Stuart Starke Mission Scholarship: We are happy to announce Paige Goetz as our first recipient of the Stuart Starke Mission Scholarship, which will cover 2/3 of the cost of her trip to Uganda this summer. She is seeking donations to help cover the other 1/3. If you would like to donate, go to: www.fieldsofdreamsuganda.org/ and click on "Donate" - once you get to the section labeled "Gift Information" look for "If you are supporting a volunteer who is traveling with us, please provide their name." It is there you need to insert Paige's name. You may also donate via check or cash - make the check to FoDU, put it in an envelope marked Paige Goetz, put it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office. Thank you! 4
Christmas Shopping that Changes Lives: During the holiday season, we are bombarded with ads for all sorts of stuff. If you re like most of us, these options rarely fill a NEED; shopping with Fields of Dreams Uganda is different. Throughout the month of December, drop by the Fields of Dreams Uganda table in the worship area, to shop or donate. If you are an online shopper, go to https://hope-marketplace-byfodu.myshopify.com/ to purchase additional hand-made items. Insert LOCALPICKUP in the coupon line, and we will deliver if you are in town! You may also read about and donate for hygiene kits online at https://www.fieldsofdreamsuganda.org/hhd ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS: Are available in the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office. 2019 ENVELOPES are available in the Fellowship Hall. ANGEL TREE: The Angel Tree is up and decorated so you can choose the tag or tags you wish to buy for. Buy and wrap the gifts, returning them with the tags number side up, no later than Monday, December 10, at noon. Please do not feel obligated to buy everything on the wish list. Whatever you choose to give will be appreciated. RIDES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: If you need a ride to the Christmas Eve Service please call the church office by Friday, December 21. We will be happy to pick you up! CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION AND CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE will be Monday, December 24, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES: If you will not be able to attend the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service or you do not have boxed envelopes with the Christmas Eve offering envelope, please use the purple envelopes in the back of the sanctuary marked Christmas Fund. The Christmas Eve offering always goes to a mission. We always send a gift from us to the Christmas Fund (Formerly known as Veterans of the Cross ). 5
YEAR END CHURCH BUSINESS: Please have all church financial contributions and business transactions to the church office by 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 31, 2018. Thank you for your consideration. COMMUNITY NEWS: JKV AND MEYER CARE CENTER BIBLE STUDY: John Knox Village and Meyer Care Center have a weekly Bible Study that is led, on a rotational schedule, by the Ministerial Fellowship. Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) will be leading during the month of December. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room. CHORUS OF FRIENDS PRESENTS: Christmas Presence (a Cantata by Pepper Choplin) (Conducted by: Dr. Guy D Aurelio) Performance Schedule: Sunday, December 9, 4:00 p.m., Higginsville Immanuel Lutheran Church Saturday, December 15, 4:00 p.m., Lexington Grace Lutheran Church Sunday, December 16, 4:00 p.m., Wellington United Methodist Church FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT THE CHAPEL: The annual Christmas Concert at the Confederate Chapel will be this afternoon, at 3:00 p.m. The entertainment will be presented by the Warren s Recorder Consort, a musical ensemble based in Warrensburg since 1979. The historic chapel will be decked out in all of its old fashioned finery for the holidays, complete with a twenty foot Christmas tree beautifully decorated with period ornaments. Sponsored by the Confederate Memorial Friends Association 6
EVENING OF JAZZ: Join the High School Jazz Band for a festive evening of fun! Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include salad, bread, spaghetti with meat sauce, fettuccine alfredo, holiday desserts, and hot chocolate or coffee. After dinner we will open the dance floor and kick off the jazz tunes. Proceeds from this event will help support the Husker Band Trip to Orlando, Florida next December. This event will be Saturday, December 15, in the High School Café, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are: Adults $7 in advance or $10 at the door, students are $5. If interested in purchasing advanced tickets, you may see Lydia or Charles Grumke. COMMUNITY FUND RAISER TO BENEFIT THE FOOD PANTRY: Zack Fisher, of Fisher s Furniture, is having a benefit raffle for the food pantry. The prize is a queen-sized adjustable bed with tickets on sale at Fisher s for $5 each, or 5 for $20 until December 12, when the winner will be announced. Tickets are available during normal business hours at the store. UP COMING DATES: December 10 Please have Angel Tree gifts to church December 13 Homebound Communion (In Town) December 14 Homebound Communion (Out of Town) December 16 Third Sunday of Advent Youth on Mission Cookie Sale December 19 Please call Church Office with Poinsettia Information December 21 Please have Poinsettias to church this day by noon December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle Light/ Communion Service CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! If your child is most comfortable with you in worship, they are welcome. If you prefer, the nursery room is open and available for parents who would like to take their child there and stay with them. 7
CHURCH INFORMATION Tommy s email: tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy s cell phone: 816-352-2052 Church Telephone: 660-584-3603, Fax: 660-584-5666 Church Email: salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE: Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office (584-3603) to make arrangements. OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. to Noon & 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. 8
THIS WEEK S EVENTS AT SALEM December 9, thru December 16, 2018 Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 8:30 a.m. Christmas Program Practice 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship (Children s Christmas Program) Reception Following 10:30 a.m. Worship Please have Angel Tree Gifts to Church Food Pantry 7:00 p.m. Webelos II Wednesday 10:30 a.m. Lafayette Area Pastors Meeting 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Al-Anon Meeting 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday - Homebound Communion (In Town) 6:00 p.m. Board of Elders Meeting Homebound Communion (Out of Town) Angel Tree Gift Delivery 9:30 a.m. A. A. Third Sunday of Advent YOM Cookie Sale 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:45 a.m. Confirmation 11:45 a.m. 150 th Anniversary Committee 9
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Thank you to: The teachers and shepherds who volunteer their time each week. Jamie Smith for her amazing musical talents. Board of Christian Education for serving at the reception The men that stayed after church last Sunday to set up the stage and to the men that will be taking it back down today after the program. Joe & Lindsey Rolf for the sound system set-up. To everyone who made delicious cookies and brought them to share with our congregation and our youth today! Courtney Bergsieker for being the director. To all the parents and children who dedicated their time to this program. Narrator: Cindy Nuelle Jaxon Barnes Stella Barnes Blair Bergsieker Brooklyn Bergsieker Dillon Bergsieker Abby Cramer Jesse Cramer Cooper Fisher Emory Gash Micah Gibler Dawson Goetz Charles Grumke Lydia Grumke Brooke Harris Ty Harris Sadie Kumm Kendra LaRue Hailey Pessetto Tenley Pessetto Garrison Salyer Nolan Salyer Addison Schloman Jordan Smith Ada Stoner Bray Stoner Nolan Stoner Parson Stoner Charlie Thaller Dixie Thaller Bailey Urfer