Old Greenwich, Connecticut THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GREENWICH Celebrating 350 Years ~ 1665-2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent 20 December 2015 10 o clock in the morning United Church of Christ
Cover Art Credit: Festival of Lights by John August Swanson Some thoughts about Festival of Lights, written in March, 2000, from John August Swanson: It is a dark night with a star-filled sky. Tiny lights are seen on the distant hillsides, gradually becoming figures carrying candles as they come closer to the foreground of the painting. Since 1967, the beginning of my work in art, I began making sketches of marches and processions in many forms and contexts. This image of the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS began developing in the last four years. I thought about liturgical processions I had seen. I remembered walking with groups in candlelight for peace in Central America. The symbol of candles shining in the dark night is powerful to me. Star-filled nights are images that help give me a sense of the place we are in the universe. My original thought was that this would be a procession of children from every city and town. The children would bring light and peace to the world. They would gather from many places, joining an unending procession towards peace and nonviolence for all children of the world. 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 fourth and final Sunday of Advent at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich. As we light the fourth candle, we remember the Love of God. May this love transform you this day, and always. We are glad you are here with us this morning. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. *All who are able please stand. PRELUDE Dr. Craig Scott Symons, piano Recollections James Stevens (b. 1961) CALL TO COMMUNITY Please sign and pass the red book. STEWARDSHIP MOMENT FIRST CHURCH FLASHBACK Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. Chris Hartwell S. McCalley PRAISING GOD CALL TO WORSHIP Cameron Delcristo, Confirmand Leader: Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us. People: Hatred and warfare, injustice and suffering, are not the last word, for they are not of God. Leader: We hear again the promise of peace, coming in the one who lived Shalom among all people. People: We come to embrace the new advent, to be renewed in faith, hope and love. CHORAL INTROIT *HYMN Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 107
ADVENT FOUR CANDLE OF LOVE Katie Halloran & Mike Gacek CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord Leader 1: In this season of Advent, we are here to watch and wait and pray for the coming of light into the world. We long for the day when the things of darkness selfishness and greed, suffering and oppression shall be no more. Today we light the fourth candle of Advent the sign of God s love. Loving God, come to us again this Advent. May the light of your love be born anew within us once more. All: A candle burns, the final marker of our Advent journey. As we approach our journey s end, may we travel with hope, peace, joy and love, as we recognize our God who travels with us every step of the way. Leader 2: Lord, by your presence, light up the past, that we might learn from it with thankfulness. Light up the present, that we might live in it with love. Light up the future, that we might prepare for it in hope. All: As we watch and wait and pray this Advent season, may we always be ready to encounter the Lord who is already and always with us. Amen. The candle of Love is lit. MUSIC DURING CANDLE LIGHTING The Palmer Handbell Choir Joy to the World Arr. Anna Laura Page CHILDREN S MESSAGE Rev. Meghan D. Young CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE This Little Light of Mine This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine;
This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine; This little light of mine, I m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine; Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine; Everywhere I go, I m gonna let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. (During the Congregational Response, 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. Note: The 678 class will meet in in the Binney Conference Room behind the stage.) FIRST LESSON T HEARING GOD'S WORD Isaiah 7:13-15 Sue McCalley hen Isaiah said: Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. From New Revised Standard Version ANTHEM The Chancel Choir Christo Paremus Eric Haas (b. 1956) Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis gloria! Christo paremus cantica, in excelsis Gloria! When Christ was born of Mary free In Bethlem, in that fair city Angels ere sung with mirth and glee. In excelsis gloria.
Herdsmen beheld these angels bright, to them appeared with great light, and said God s Son is born this night! In excelsis gloria. This king is come to save his kind in the scripture as we find; Therefore this song we have in mind: In excelsis gloria. Then dear Lord for thy great grace, grant us in bliss to see thy face where we may sing to thy solace: In excelsis gloria. SECOND LESSON Pat Mendelsohn I Luke 1:26-38 n the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God. Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Then the angel departed from her. From New Revised Standard Version
*HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 128 SERMON Hail Mary Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr. PASTORAL PRAYER 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. RESPONDING TO GOD CALL TO OFFERING Rev. Avery C. Manchester OFFERTORY Gabriel s Message Linnea Conley, mezzo soprano Craig Scott Symons Mary Fike, flute The angel Gabriel from heaven came His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame "All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady," Gloria! "For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee, Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold Most highly favored lady," Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said, "My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name." Most highly favored lady. Gloria! Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: "Most highly favored lady," Gloria!
*DOXOLOGY Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 515 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. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD * HYMN Mary, Woman of the Promise New Century (black) Hymnal 123 *BENEDICTION *CHORAL RESPONSE POSTLUDE Magnificat Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) * * * Directly following the service, one of our pastors will remain in the Chapel to be available to anyone who has a pastoral care concern. Please join us for Fellowship Hour in the Auditorium following the 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. We also now have two rows in the back of the chapel reserved for parents with infants or little ones who are not ready for the Nursery where the parents can be comfortable and still be part of worship. Please see an usher if you need help finding either of these locations. 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. Christmas Memory/Honor Flowers and Decorations The decorations in the Meetinghouse this morning are given in joyful and loving memory of: John Fountain by his family, Nancy, Katharine and Sarah Kimberly Dawn Pacent, our beautiful and talented daughter and sister, by Paul, Karen and Nicole Pacent with all our love John L. Putnam by Wendy Putnam and Jennifer Maloney Joan and Jim Kreuter by their children and grandchildren Charlie and Bill Robertson by Eric and Betsy Kreuter John and Betty Briggs by the Kreuter family Melita and John Magness, and Dana Andersen by their family Edward A. Coleman, Esther M. Coleman and Lucinda G. Wells by Judy Coleman Nicholas T. Ghaffari by his family Bertrand Moss and Lee Davenport by Doris Moss Davenport Vincent Dougherty by Kelly Dougherty Phillips Our dads, Howie Flierl and Arthur L. Billings Jr., who would have both celebrated their 100 th birthdays this year, by Shirley Billings Flierl and Peter J. Flierl Catherine (Kay) Mallett by the Mallett family
Our parents, Victoria and Efraim Olson, and Ryan and Margaret Rosendale, and aunt, Erna Nelson by Ken and Erna Olson Departed loved ones by the Liddel family Our parents, Alma and Steve Karch, and Betty and Fred Breismeister, and Don s brother, Fred, by Ginny and Don Breismeister Michel A. Scrivan by his loving family William J. Provoost Jr. by his wife Suzanne; daughter, Patti; and son, Jack My parents Dorothy and John Green, in-laws Willa and Bill Provoost, Sr., and grandson, John Provoost by Suzanne Provoost John Provoost by Jack, Judy, Michael, Jennifer and David Provoost Our parents Louise and Harrison Reed, and Margaret and Carleton Gisborne by Ruth and Gifford Reed Catherine G. Weigner by husband, Arthur, and sons, Stephen A. and Ronald C. Weigner Our parents by Pat and Bob Mendelsohn Richmond Benner Hopkins by his family All those lovable family members who have brought such joy into our lives by the Hoffman and Kneen families Paul G. Hudson and Robert G. Finch by Jane Finch Family who are no longer with us by Bobby Littlefield Albert & Mildred Isaacson and Mrs. Mary Suitts by Gerald Isaacson My father and sister, Eric and Susan Robertson, by Lynn Robertson
My brother, Lloyd Oberlin Shawber, parents (Shawber) and grandparents (Oberlin) by Anne Shawber Stolley My friend, Susan Jordan, by Betty Bonsal Charles J. Veith IV by his sister, Linda Veith Glover Our parents Purisima and Feliciano Teria, and Louise and Richard Haviland by Erlinda and Larry Haviland Our parents and grandparents, James Anderson III, and Donald and Barbara M. Tufts by Cyndy, Ty, Jay and Katie Anderson Charles W. Ford, Sr., Calvin G. Ford, and Marie B. Ford by April, Olivia and Peter Gurciullo and Granny Ford Patricia and Michael Russell, Sr. by the Russell family The decorations in the Meetinghouse this morning are given in honor of: Our grandchildren, Finn, June, Gunther and Alta Breismeister by Ginny and Don Breismeister A donation to the decorations in the Meetinghouse this morning are given by: Eleanor Olsen Anonymous Christmas Eve Giving Opportunity A Christmas Tradition: White Gifts A long-standing tradition at First Church has been on Christmas Eve the congregation brings gifts for children wrapped in white paper, which, as we place them under the trees during the offering, gives the illusion of snow. Gifts of clothing, toys, books or other useful items are then given to Covenant to Care for Children. Ribbon and bows
are not necessary. (Hint: if you find yourself without white paper at the last minute, some patterned papers reverse to white or you can use white tissue paper). Calendar TODAY Church School Today most of our classes will be considering Christmas Journeys that of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the journey of the shepherds to the manger, the journeys we all take sometime during the Christmas season. We are saving the journey of the Magi for Epiphany Sunday when we return to Church School on January 3. We are still in need of several cast members for Christmas Eve, especially the 6:00 pm service. We hope to see many of you on Christmas Eve and, if we don t, we wish you many Christmas blessings and wonderful times with family and friends. Cherub, Children s & Youth Choir Rehearsal Cherub Choir (grades K-2) will be rehearsing today in Room 104 (Lower Level) from11:15-11:45 am - Donald Haviland, director. Children s Choir (grades 3-6) will be rehearsing in the Green Door in the Preschool from 11:15 am-12:00 pm - Craig Symons, director. Youth Choir (grades 7-12) will be rehearsing in the Meetinghouse from11:15 am to 12:15 pm Carolyn Paulus, director. Parish Nurse Sue Asselin, R.N. is available for blood pressure screenings and health consultations following today s Worship Service. Look for her in the Lounge during Fellowship Hour. Get Your 350 th Anniversary Christmas Ornament! Don t miss the opportunity to get this keepsake ornament to mark our 350 th Anniversary! It makes a perfect Christmas gift. This uniquely designed brass ornament is a reproduction of the beautiful stained glass Christmas panel from the Chancel window in the Meetinghouse. Pick up your commemorative ornaments at Fellowship Hour today or in the Church Office this week. $15 for one/$10 for each additional. Merry Christmas!
NEWS AND NOTICES Found Ring Recently a men s 14K white gold wedding ring was found in the Meetinghouse. If you or someone you know has lost a ring and you would like to check to see if this is it, please email barbaraw@fccog.org or call the Church Office. Hats Off Book Discussion Group in January Our book study group, Hats Off, has chosen its first read of 2016 American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North American by Colin Woodard. This award-winning journalist and historian takes readers on a journey through the history of our fractured continent, offering a revolutionary and revelatory take on American identity, and how the conflicts between them have shaped our past and continue to mold our future. Please contact Jean Bruder at 203-661-1685 to order your paperback. We will begin our 2016 study group on Thursday, January 7 in the Binney Conference Room (2 nd floor of the Church Office building) from 10:00-11:30 am. Merry Christmas from The Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue Monday, December 21: The Rummage Room is CLOSED for the holidays! Please do not leave donations while the shop is closed. Monday, January 4: The Rummage Room REOPENS at 10:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. Tuesday, January 5: Donations accepted again 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Come by and view The Rummage Room windows during the holidays. The Rummage Room was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from The Garden Club of Old Greenwich, who called the windows, The best reflection of Christmas Past. The windows were designed and decorated by Manager Leanne Meyer and Assistant Manager Nancy Hamilton. All items used in the windows were donations from customers. The Rummage Room windows have received 30+ awards over the years! A Continuing Thought: As we celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus, we are saddened that three years after the Sandy Hook Elementary
School shootings, 554 more children under the age of 12 have been killed by gunfire. That adds up to one child dying every other day! Parents of the Sandy Hook children who died on December 14, 2012 have asked the nation, if all of us would treat one another more kindly every day of the year it would hopefully lead to something good. Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous. Tai Chi Classes Come and experience the many wonderful benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises. Classes are held on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Only $10 per class. Drop-ins are welcome. Neighbor to Neighbor Food Collection Barrel in Entrance to the Church Please don t forget those in need this holiday season. Items especially needed are dry beans (kidney, garbanzo, etc.) Also, cereal, canned fruit, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, sheets & towels. Tuna is not needed. Next Week at First Congregational Church December 27, 2015 The Sunday after Christmas 10:00 am Worship Service in the Meetinghouse Music by: The Chancel Choir While By My Sheep by Hugo Jungst The Savior of the World is Come by Gustav Holst Rev. Avery Manchester, preaching
Christmas Eve at First Church 24: Christmas Eve Celebrations: 10 am: Lessons and Carols for our youngest families; Nativity Pageant; Cherub Choir sings; White Gift Offerings* 3 pm: Family Service; Once in Royal David s City Nativity Pageant; Children s Choir sings; White Gift Offerings* 4 pm: Community Carol Sing in Binney Park 6 pm: Festival Carol Service with Brass & Timpani; Once in Royal David s City Nativity Pageant; Chancel Choir sings; White Gift Offerings* 9 pm: Candlelight Service with Communion; Youth/Alumni Choir sings *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.
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. Transitional Associate Pastor: Rev. Meghan D. Young Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie Youth Coordinator: Donald Haviland Director of Church Administration & Finance: Steve Summerton Office Manager/Sr. Administrative Assistant: Donna White Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Director of Communications: Barbara Wilkov Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Director of Preschool: Darla Kohler Steiner