Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ Founded in 1665 Third Sunday of Advent 14 December 2014 10 o clock in the morning www.stushiart.com
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God s guidance in our journey of faith. W elcome to this Third Sunday of Advent at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich. Let us share Peace and Joy as we worship together this morning. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand. PRELUDE CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. Dr. Craig Scott Symons, organ Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP Sarah Mickley Leader: Our souls magnify God People: For God has looked upon us with favor. Leader: You are blessed. People: For generations, we have been blessed. Leader: God has looked upon us in mercy. People: Feeding our hunger, taming our sorrows, caring for our spirits. Leader: God is good and worthy of our gratitude and praise. People: We are blessed. All: Let us worship God. Adaptation of the Magnificat
* HYMN Of the Father s Love Begotten Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 111 UNISON PRAYER Merciful God of peace, your work, spoken by the prophets, restores your people's life and hope. Fill our hearts with the joy of your grace that we may hold fast to your great goodness and in our lives proclaim your peace in all the world. We gather here seeking your presence and encouragement, So that we may be empowered and blessed for the journey to which you call us. Let us pray as Jesus taught us LORD'S PRAYER 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 Erna & Ken Olson and Irene & Bill Savage Reader: "And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name'" (Luke 1:46-49) Reader: Today we remember Mary, innocent and powerful, sacred and scared, worried and waiting as the Savior of all grows in her womb. She sings boldly when she might be meek; she bears her role in history with the confidence of a warrior; she is the beginning of a mighty revolution as the proud are brought down and the lowly lifted up.
Reader: Today we give thanks for the Marys among us, who step out of the roles society has planned; unintended pioneers determined to do as God asks; fearless and fearfully stepping out in faith, and beckoning us to do the same. Reader: On this third Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of Mary, mother of God, bearer of the Way. Lighting of the Third Advent Candle MUSIC DURING CANDLE LIGHTING The Palmer Handbell Choir Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light J.S. Bach (1685-1750) FIRST LESSON T HEARING GOD'S WORD Psalm 125 Daniel Lepoutre hose who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous might not stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts. But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel! From New Revised Standard Version SOLO Drew Seigla, tenor Some Children See Him Alfred Burt (1920-1954)
Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, with tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heav'n to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair. Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. Some children see Him almond-eyed, with skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, and, ah! they love Him, too! The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus' face like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering, come worship now the infant King. 'Tis love that's born tonight! SECOND LESSON Virginia Richards B 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 e cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. Don t suppress the Spirit, and don t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together spirit, soul, and body and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he ll do it! From The Message
(As the congregation starts singing the following hymn, the Church School children and teachers will leave for their classrooms. Children in second grade and older will leave independently. Children in kindergarten and first grade will meet their teachers at the back of the Meetinghouse (narthex) and will go to their classrooms as a group.) * HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 128 SERMON Settling In Rev. Mark D. Montgomery PASTORAL PRAYER CALL TO OFFERING RESPONDING TO GOD OFFERTORY The Chancel Choir When God s Time Had Ripened Alfred Fedak (b. 1953) When God's time had ripened, Mary's womb bore fruit, scion of the Godhead, sprung from Jesse's root: so the True Vine branches from the lily's stem, the Rose without blemish blooms in Bethlehem. More than mind can fathom, limit or untwine, this mysterious yoking, human and divine, but what reason fetters faith at length unlocks, and wise hearts discover truth in paradox. As the Bread of heaven, that we might be fed, chose a manger cradle in the House of Bread, so has Life Eternal mingled in the womb with our mortal nature to confound the tomb. For this swaddled infant in a humble place holds our hope of glory and our means of grace; in the Love enfleshed here dawns the world's rebirth, promise of salvation, pledge of peace on earth.
*DOXOLOGY *PRAYER OF DEDICATION GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD * HYMN God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 122 *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Lord God, Now Be Praised J. S. Bach Please join us for Fellowship Hour in the Auditorium following the worship service. The Chancel Committee would like to thank Pam Grunow and Loretta Stagen for their help in decorating the Church for Christmas. They would also like to thank Gary Zinsmeyer from GaryZ of Stamford (gary@garyzofstamford.com) for providing exceptional flowers each Sunday for our worship service.
We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday in the Preschool classrooms. Your children are always welcome in child care for the entire worship service or for a respite time if needed. On Church School Sundays, we also have a class for 3 and 4 year olds during the entire 10:00 am service. Please see an usher if you need directions to child care or Church School. The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church s website: www.fccog.org. A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there. Giving Opportunities White Gifts White Gifts are offerings of new clothing, toys, books or other useful items wrapped in white paper that are offered during our 10:00 am, 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm services on Christmas Eve. The white paper gives the illusion of snow under the trees in the Meetinghouse. Ribbon and bows are not necessary but please attach a tag listing the contents, including age, gender and size. (Hint: If you find yourself without white paper, some patterned papers reverse to white, or use white tissue paper.) All gifts donated to Covenant to Care for Children. Christmas Tree Sale Last Chance for Trees! One of the ways we increase the amount we are able to share through the Outreach Budget of First Church is through our annual Christmas Tree Sale which continues today (11 am-4 pm). This year s sale benefits the following agencies: Shelter for the Homeless, Inspirica, Den for Grieving Kids, Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Young Mariner s Foundation and Meals on Wheels. Calendar TODAY
Church School Children will be in worship next Sunday, except our 3 and 4 year olds who will have their regular Church School class. Our 4th and 5th graders are going to the annual Christmas Party at Pilgrim Towers today at 11:45 am. Remember to tell Rosemary if your children would like to be in one of the Christmas Eve pageants or if you would like to be part of a live crèche outside with our sheep on Sunday, December 21. Parish Nurse Sue Asselin, R.N. is available for blood pressure screenings and health consultations in Room 203 following today s Worship Service. Choir Rehearsals Cherub Choir (grades K-2): Room 104 (Lower Level) 11:15-11:45 am (note new times) - Donald Haviland, director. Children s Choir (grades 3-6): Room 303 (Craig s office, 3rd floor) 11:15 am - 12:00 pm - Craig Symons, director. Youth Choir (grades 7-12): Choir Room (3rd floor), 11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Carolyn Paulus, director. NEXT WEEK Interactive Live Nativity Don t miss First Church s 2 nd annual Live Nativity around the crèche on the front lawn next Sunday, December 21, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. There will be live sheep, live people and, new this year, The Buzz Truck with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other goodies (until 1:30) and your first cup is free! If you would like to participate as a player in the Live Nativity, please email Rosemary at RosemaryL@fccog.org asap. NEWS AND NOTICES Christmas News from The Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich Monday, December 15: Only five more shopping days before The Rummage Room closes for the Holidays!!! ALL merchandise, including Christmas items, will be 50% off for the week.
Friday, December 19: The Rummage Room's annual Christmas Party will take place between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. Please join us for cookies and Christmas cheer. Friday, December 19: The Shop will close its doors for the Christmas and New Year's Holidays, promptly at 5:00 pm. NOTE: While we appreciate all your donations, due to space limitations and the overwhelming response this holiday season, we are not able to take donations again until Friday, January 2, 2015 when the shop reopens. Also, please do not leave donations while the shop is closed. There will be no one to bring them into the shop. Friday, January 2, 2015: The Rummage Room will reopen for business as usual at 10:00 am with 75% off Christmas merchandise, and 50% off Winter Clearance Sale. Donations will also be taken again from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Thought for the Holidays: Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day. ~Helen Steiner Rice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Memorial/Honor Flowers and Decorations The Chancel Committee invites contributions for decorations for the Meetinghouse this Christmas. Any amount is welcome. Please return form below with your check (payable to First Congregational Church Flower Fund) TODAY in either Fellowship Hour or in the Church Office. Thank you. In Memory/Honor of (please circle one): By: Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ Please print names legibly to minimize spelling errors. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas at First Church 21: Live Nativity on the front lawn by the crèche - 11:30 to 2 pm. 24: Christmas Eve Celebrations Note new times 10 am: Lessons and Carols for our youngest families; Nativity Pageant; Cherub Choir; White Gift Offerings* 3 pm: Family Service; Once in Royal David s City Nativity Pageant; Children s Choir; White Gift Offerings* 4 pm: Community Carol Sing around the crèche on the front lawn 6 pm: Festival Carol Service with Brass Ensemble; Once in Royal David s City Nativity Pageant; Chancel Choir; White Gift Offerings* 9 pm: Candlelight Service with Communion; Youth/Alumni Choir *White Gifts are clothing, toys, books or other useful items wrapped in white paper to be offered during our 10 am, 3 pm and 6 pm services on Christmas Eve. The white paper gives the illusion of snow under the trees in the Meetinghouse. Ribbon and bows are not necessary but gifts should be labeled, indicating an appropriate age and gender.
Next Week at First Congregational Church 10:00 am Worship Service Meetinghouse 4th Sunday of Advent Music by: The Palmer Handbell Choir: Unto Us a Child is Born The Chancel Choir: People, Look East by Malcolm Archer Linnea Conley, mezzo soprano: A Christmas Carol by Malcolm Davidson Special Presentation by 678 Youth Where to find us: www.fccog.org, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870 203-637-1791; www.fccog.org Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Director of Communications: Barbara Wilkov Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove Director of Music Emeritus: Dr. John Stansell