First Sunday of Advent Communion and Family Sunday Hanging of the Greens December 2, 2018 10:00 A.M. White Prelude See Amid the Winter s Snow by John Goss, arr. Douglas Wagner Advent Noel by Charles Alexis Chauvet, arr. Michael Ryan Ringing of the Bell Lighting of the Advent Wreath Nancy and Wally Roby Welcome and Informal Moments Choral Introit *Call to Worship L: As we await the Christmas celebration to come, we gather in eager anticipation to experience the gifts of Jesus once more. P: We long for signs of hope when we feel hopeless. L: We long for signs of peace in the chaos often seen and felt. P: We long for signs of joy to sustain us through this life. L: We long for signs of love to redeem us this day and forevermore. P: In Advent, we wait for the gifts of Jesus. Come, let us worship. *Opening Hymn My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise No. 124 Unison Prayer of Confession and Lord s Prayer Most Merciful God, as we live, we strive to be beacons of your hope in the world. When we forget to shine your love and live in your hope, forgive us. Wipe the tears from our eyes and transform our lives, as we seek to embody our living faith in you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray saying, 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.
Words of Assurance Anthem Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence French Carol, arr. Stephen Cleobury Scripture Isaiah 40:1-11 Joan Shea Time for Children (The children will remain with their families during worship.) Joys and Concerns Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer Choral Prayer Response Offering Invitation Offertory Praeludium by Simon Sechter *Doxology No. 44 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen (As our morning offerings are brought forward, so too are the non-perishable food offerings from the basket in the Narthex for St. Philip's Food Pantry.) *Unison Prayer of Dedication Holy God, bless the gifts that we place before you. May they be transformed into ministries of living hope in our community and our world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Opening Prayer Hanging of the Greens Star Wreath carried by Susan Kubler Matthew 2: 1-11 Martha Speed L: When Jesus was born in the time of King Herod, a brilliant star appeared in the east. It led magi to Bethlehem to see the infant king and offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. P: The star wreath reminds us of Jesus birth. Hymn O Morning Star, O Cheering Sight No. 133 Heart Wreath carried by Kent and Cheryl Wusterbarth 1 John 4: 7-12 Beth Maxwell L: Love comes from God, and God s love became flesh in Jesus. Since God loves us, we ought to love one another. When we do, God lives in us. P: The heart wreath reminds us that in Jesus, God s love could be heard and seen and touched. Hymn O Christ, How Shall I Meet You? (vs. 1&2) No.130 Cross Wreath carried by Roger and Beth Whitney Philippians 2: 5-11 John Ross L: Jesus taught us to share our lives with others. In sharing his life, he was put to death on the cross and was raised to new life with God. P: The cross wreath reminds us of Jesus compassion, courage and resurrection. Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This (vs. 1 & 2) No. 183
Circle Wreath carried by Michelle and Ed Peele 1 John 5: 13-15, 20-21 David Lenz L: The circle wreath reminds us that God s love never ends. We celebrate the eternal love of God that is with us in every place and every moment of our lives. All: O God, thank you for this season of Advent, and these symbols of Christian faith. Help us to live out our faith in every season, with compassion and great joy. Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (vs.1,5) No. 149 Invitation Communion Prayer & Consecration Words of Institution Sharing of the Bread and the Cup THE ORDER OF HOLY COMMUNION *Unison Prayer of Thanksgiving Dear God, we give you thanks for this simple and sacred meal. May our lives be a living prayer of thanksgiving, as we serve you in joy of the one whose birth we wait to celebrate. Amen. *Closing Hymn O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright No. 161 *Benediction *Congregational Benediction Postlude Go Now in Peace (in the back of the hymnal) Voluntary by Maurice Greene *All who are able may stand. Visitors are invited to join us after worship for coffee in Fellowship Hall.
Those Serving You Today Bell Ringer: Steve Hatt Ushers: Steve & Sarah Whitfield Communion Servers: John Ross, Becky Lenz, Roger Whitney, Sarah Whitfield Flowers: Carol Bradford Announcements If you have a prayer request, please enter it in the book at the rear of the sanctuary. The book will be brought forward during the first hymn. Today: First Sunday of Advent Hanging of the Greens Communion and Family Sunday Advent Workshop 12-2 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Concert 3pm BB Congregational Dec. 3: Game Night 6pm Dec. 4: Wiscasset Garden Club Board meeting 1:30 pm Game Night 6:00 pm Last Day to Order Poinsettias! Dec. 5: Organ Society 9:30 am Dec. 6: Wiscasset Garden Club 10:30 am Holiday Marketfest Crafter Setup 3:00 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal 4:00 pm Dec. 7: Holiday Marketfest Craft Show 10 am 4 pm Dec. 8: Holiday Marketfest Craft Show 10 am 4 pm Dec. 9: Second Sunday of Advent Christmas Fund Offering
Poinsettia Orders Due December 4! Advent Craft Workshop Today 12-2 pm Join us after Worship today to make Christmas cards, gingerbread houses, tree ornaments & table decorations, as well as making (and eating) holiday hors d œuvres and decorating cookies! Today is Drop Day for Children s Christmas Gifts! If you picked up a tag from the Christmas Tree in Fellowship Hall, please drop those unwrapped items off, tag attached, in the box in Fellowship Hall today. Feed Our Scholars Bake Sale Ames Hardware, Saturday, Dec. 8 th, 7am to 1pm Feed Our Scholars will be holding a Bake Sale at Ames on Saturday, Dec. 8th, from 7am to1pm. Baked goods would be greatly appreciated. The baked goods can be brought to Ames after 7am on Saturday or left at St. Philip s on Friday. In addition, Feed Our Scholars would appreciate donations of hats and/or mittens for our local children. Please call Nancy Roby with any questions (home 207-882-6441, cell 207-380- 9081). Organ Society Cookie Sale Dec. 16th The Organ Society s Annual Cookie Sale will be after worship on Dec. 16. If you can donate cookies for the sale, please bring them to the church by 9:30 am on Saturday, Dec. 15. These will be great additions to your holiday festivities, so come prepared to buy! Holiday Marketfest Craft Show On Friday, December 7 th and Saturday, December 8 th, the church will be hosting, in Fellowship Hall, a pop-up craft show as part of the Chamber of Commerce event. In addition to other Maine crafters, the Ladies Organ Society will have a table and the church will be selling muffins, chili, cookies, and more as a revenue raiser. To help, please sign up in Fellowship Hall or contact Beth Maxwell at 207-882-6180 or at emaxwell@myfairpoint.net.
Christmas Fund Offering Dec. 9th On Sunday, December 9, we will be collecting the special Christmas Fund Offering which is one of the four Special Mission Offerings of the UCC. The Christmas Fund provides UCC congregations an opportunity to reach out in kindheartedness to those who have faithfully shepherded our Church and who now find themselves facing unexpected financial needs. This is a way for lay people to be the Church to those who have done Christ s work on earth so faithfully. Virtual Advent Calendar To participate, sign up on our website (http://uccwicasset.org) or request a print copy from the office. Through Dec. 24 th, you will receive a special message each day from Rev. Josh with a little note and a suggestion of something to do that day as we seek to share the hope, peace, joy, and love that we celebrate each Advent season. Christmas Music Sunday Dec. 16, 10am Join us for this special music Sunday as our talented and dedicated choir, under the direction of Linda Adams, presents Christmas PRESENCE BY Pepper Choplin. This Christmas Cantata brings us into the spirit of the season, as we journey toward the celebration of Christ s birth. Minister: Rev. Josh Fitterling Music Director: Ms. Leela Koilpillai Church School Teacher & Coordinator: Ms. Colleen Crowley Office Administrator: Ms. Janet Leonard Sexton Ms. Mary McKinney Church Email - fccw@myfairpoint.net Church Office 207-882-7544 www.uccwiscasset.org First Congregational Church United Church of Christ 28 High Street, P.O. Box 350 Wiscasset, ME 04578