THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH Office Hours this week are Tuesday - Friday- 9AM-1PM. Pastor Brad will be in on Tuesday and Thursday. Christmas Decorating for the Church will be this Saturday, 9 AM, Volunteers are needed to help trim the tree and hang decorations. Bible Study is Thursday at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall. Women s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon is Tuesday, December 4, at noon, at the Delray Beach Golf Club. Tickets are $20 and includes lunch, entertainment and door prizes. Call Margot Beck if you would like to attend, 561-737-0012. Church of the Palms is supporting City of Delray One Soldier At a Time, deadline for donations is December 7 th. Stewardship Pledge Cards are due As Soon As Possible. Cards and offering envelop order forms are in the back of the church. Women s Fellowship Special Meeting is on Tuesday, December 11, 11 AM, in Fellowship Hall. Volunteers are needed to serve as liturgists, ushers, greeters, and Communion servers. Sign up at the back of the church. Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, December 2 10am - Advent Wreath lighting begins and Holy Communion 11am - Adventure Potluck with games & prizes, carols & crafts Saturday, December 8, 10am-12:30pm (refreshments served at 9:30am) Advent Spiritual Retreat (advance sign up at the Church or call the Office) Saturday, December 8, 3:30pm Blue Christmas Service for those struggling with loss, grief and/or sadness at the holidays. Sunday, December 16, 3:00pm Christmas Cantata presented by the Chancel Choir Sunday, December 23, 10am A special service of Advent Carols and Lessons Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve 6:30pm Christmas Chorale presented by the Chancel Choir 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service of Candlelight and Communion
Church of the Palms United Church of Christ Where faith happens and love abounds 1960 N. Swinton Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33444 561.276.6347 + www.churchofthepalms.net Sunday, November 25, 2018 + 10:00 am Reign of Christ Sunday after Pentecost No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, No matter who you love, you are welcome here! Visitors are a special blessing! Please sign our Guest Book, located in the back of the sanctuary. If you would like to receive our newsletters and weekly emails, include your email address. And join us after worship for conversation and refreshments in the Friendship Center. To enhance your worship experience Kindly silence your cell phone in the sanctuary Back cushions are available in the back pew or ask an usher A hearing loop encircles the sanctuary for those with hearing aids There are no assigned seats sit where you feel most comfortable If you do not wish to keep your bulletin, please place it in the recycle box as you exit to Friendship Center Let us know what we can do for you! Nursery Care is available for infants and toddlers in the education building. Ask an usher for assistance. Sunday School classes meet in the Education Building following the Children s Conversation. Prayer Requests may be submitted using a form in the pew rack and placing it on the offering plate. Requests are at Prayer Ministry Gatherings on the 1 st & 3 rd Thursdays of the month, 10:30am. Requests may also be called in to the Church Office during the week.
Reign of Christ Scripture Revelation 1:4b-8 Hymn #301(verses 1, 5) Crown with Your Richest Crowns *Prayer of Thanksgiving One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. One: We praise you, great God, for you are ruler of the universe, and have sent your Son to be King of kings. We rejoice that he has triumphed over all the powers of this world, and governs the nations in justice and righteousness. We celebrate his victory in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension to honor and might at your side. By your Spirit, claim our complete loyalty, establish Christ s rule in every land and in every heart. All: Accept our homage as we offer our lives in the service of Christ s Reign. He is Lord forever and ever. Amen. *Sending and Blessing *Closing Song (all singing) Hallelujah Chorus You are invited to exit quietly or remain seated during the postlude to enjoy a last moment of worship. Postlude Come, Thou Almighty King arr. Innes <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> PARTICIPATING IN TODAY S SERVICE Rev. Brad S. Lutz, M.Div., Designated Term Pastor Ed Krynicki, Director of Music Elaine Reinhardt, Pianist Barbara Sinclair, Liturgist Beverly Drolette and Barbara Small, Greeters <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Celebration of the Church Year: Part Two Holy Week Scripture Hebrews 10:16-25 Hymn #224, vss. 1, 4 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Christ of glory died, My richest gain I count by loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Easter Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. Scripture Acts 10:34-43 Anthem Joyful, Joyful Hallelujah Beethoven Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah unto God s almighty Son. Hallelujah unto God s almighty Son! Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day. Joyful, joyful hallelujah, joyful, joyful hallelujah, joyful, joyful hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, unto God s almighty Son. Hallelujah unto God s almighty Son! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, praise the Lord in holy songs of joy, in holy songs of joy. Praise the Lord in holy songs, in holy songs. Praise the Lord in songs of joy. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord in holy songs of joy, in holy songs of Joy! Pentecost Scripture Acts 2:1-6, 12 Hymn #293, verse 1 & refrain Sweet, Sweet Spirit There s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I know that it s the Spirit of the Lord; there are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord. Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove, stay right here with us, filling us with your love; And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise, Without a doubt we ll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place.
A SERVICE OF SONG AND WORSHIP FOR REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY *please stand in body or spirit Welcome and Life of the Church Prelude All Creatures of Our God and King arr. Innes/Fasig Introduction Choral Call to Worship Majesty Hayford Greeting (Texts from the Book of Revelation) One: I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. All: Blessing and honor and glory and might be unto the Lamb! One: Worthy is Christ who has ransomed us by his blood from every tribe and tongue and nation, and made his people a kingdom, and priests to our God. All: Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Amen. *Hymn #304 All Hail the Power of Jesus Name *Gathering Prayer One: Christ is with us. All: Christ is in our midst. One: Let us pray: All: Almighty God, who gave your Son Jesus Christ a realm where all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; make us loyal followers of our living Christ, that we may always hear his word, follow his teachings, and live in his Spirit; and hasten the day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Sovereign; to your eternal glory. Amen. Children s Conversation Song: To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus! My desire to be like Jesus! All through life s journey from earth to glory, My desire to be like Jesus. Prayer for Understanding
A Celebration of the Church Year: Part One Advent Scripture Luke 1:46-55 Hymn #122, vss. 1, 4 Come, O Long Expected Jesus Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; From our fears and sins release us, grant us your true liberty. By your own eternal Spirit, come to claim us as your own; By your all sufficient merit, let us share your cross and crown. Christmas Scripture John 1:1-14 Anthem Twas in the Moon of Wintertime French folk melody Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled, that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead; Before their light the stars grew dim, and wondering hunters heard the hymn: Jesus Emmanuel, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria. Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found; a ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round; But as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high: Jesus Emmanuel, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria. The earliest moon of winter time is not so round and fair as was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there. The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt. Jesus Emmanuel, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria. O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou, the holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you. Come kneel before the radiant Child, who brings you beauty, peace, so mild. Jesus Emmanuel, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.
Epiphany Isaiah 60:1-6 Hymn #160, verse 2, 4 & refrain Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Joyful, all you saints arise, Jesus, the light of the world; Join the triumph of the skies, Jesus, the light of the world. Refrain We will follow the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world. Hail the bearer of God s peace! Jesus, the light of the world; Hail the Sun of righteousness! Jesus, the light of the world. Refrain as above Lent Scripture Mark 8:31-38 Solo Give Me a Clean Heart Douroux Joe Rugare Prayers of the People, Prayer of Jesus (trespasses) and Response #769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God, Incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace. Invitation to the Offering Offertory O Lord, You Are My God and King arr. Whitsett *Doxology (you may sing the traditional words or the inclusive version below) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. *Prayer of Dedication Righteous ruler, accept all that we have offered to you. May these gifts we gather participate in your realm of truth. Amen.