IMAGINE PEACE SUNDAY, December 3, 2017
December 3, 2017 Imagine Peace First Sunday of Advent MISSION STATEMENT Union Congregational Church is a community of diverse believers, sharing with one another and accepting of all. With God s unconditional love, we come together to worship, to nurture each other and to reach out with love to all persons. God is Still Speaking! Please know that no matter who you are, or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. GATHERING MUSIC CHORAL BEGINNING Enter our Hearts (James F. D. Martin) Choir GREETINGS/MOMENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH CALL TO WORSHIP OPENING HYMN NO. 122 Come, O Long Expected Jesus INVOCATION Liturgist, Jeannie Blomme O God, in times past we looked for you in heavenly eclipses. We listened for you in howling winds. We learned of you in quaking mountains. But now we know that you will be found among us. And you will be seen not in the glitter of a mall but in a shelter for the homeless. You will be heard not in the pitch of a commercial but in the whimper of a child. You will come, not in the comforts of the privileged but swaddled in the needs of the neglected. Open our eyes that we might witness the appearance of the angels. Open our ears that we might hear the testimony of the shepherds. Open our hearts that we might ponder the secrets of Mary. And open our mouths that we might shout the good news of the coming of the Lord! THE PASSING OF THE PEACE One: The peace of God be with you. All: And also with you. RESPONSE Sing to the Glory Supplemental Hymnal Page 1 Sing to the glory of the God who creates us, Sing to the glory of the Christ who redeems us, Sing to the glory of the Holy Spirit, who sustains and comforts us; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, World without end, world without end, world without end. Amen. 2
INTRODUCTION TO SILENCE NO. 743 It Is Well VILLE DU HAVRE It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. SILENT PRAYER AND MEDITATION (Two Minutes) CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE It Is Well In a Children s Story WE HEAR GOD S WORD OF JUSTICE AND GRACE SCRIPTURE Isaiah 11:1-9, Philippians 4:6-7 SERMON Imagine Peace Rev. Wendy Jaine Summers RESPONSE Supplemental Hymnal Page 1 May your words to us, O Holy One, be planted in our hearts and blossom in our lives. May our words to you, O Listening One, find harmony in your will. For we pray in the name of the Living One, our Companion and Savior, Jesus Christ. JOYS AND CONCERNS THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION THE PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER (A commonly used form is printed here. You are welcome to use the version of the Lord s Prayer that is most meaningful to you. Alternatives: P. 60 in The New Century Hymnal.) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen. TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION 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. Amen 3
COMMISSION AND BLESSING PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS (Insert) HYMN NO. 120 There s a Voice in the Wilderness THE BENEDICTION THE POSTLUDE ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** CALENDAR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3: Christmas Cookie Sale Happy Birthday: Joy (Jader) Watkins 9:15 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:00 AM Worship Service in Friendship Hall 10:00 AM Nursery downstairs for infants 4 years old 11:00 AM COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP in the Friendship Hall. 5:30 PM Games in Friendship Hall MONDAY, DECEMBER 4: 10:00 AM 11:30 AM Bible Study 1:30 PM 2:30 PM Bone Builders TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5: Happy Birthday: Kris Kayser WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6: 1:30 PM 2:30 PM Bone Builders 5:00 PM Advent Service at St. Paul s THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8: 9:00 AM 12:00 PM Morning Out Breakfast with Santa 1:30 PM 2:30 PM Bone Builders SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10: Happy Birthday: Grace Noonan, Sandy Tauber 9:15 AM Choir Rehearsal 10:00 AM Worship Service in Friendship Hall 10:00 AM Nursery downstairs for infants 4 years old 11:00 AM COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP in the Friendship Hall. 4
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The Longville Area Community Choir will present its Annual Christmas Concert Sing Jubilate Deo! at 4:00 pm on Sunday, December 3 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Longville. Under the direction of Eunice Benson, the all-volunteer members will blend their voices to celebrate the season with sacred and secular music. There will be open seating and free-will donations will gratefully be accepted. ADVENT SCHEDULE Wednesday, December 6, 5:00 at St, Paul s. Wednesday, December 13, at St. Paul s. Wednesday, December 20, 5:00 here at Union with a turkey, holiday dinner being served. UNION CHURCH CHRISTMAS PARTY Thursday, December 14 at 12:00. This is a catered party and registration is needed. There is a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hallway or you can call the church office. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM will be Sunday, December 17, during Worship, in the Sanctuary. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE will be 4:00 PM on Sunday, December 24 th. There will be NO 10:00 AM service that Sunday. SOUP AND A MOVIE Tuesday, December 26 th at 12:00 PM. The Movie will be The Christmas Candle. MISSION OF THE MONTH - The Christmas Fund is a United Church of Christ offering that provides direct financial assistance to retired and active United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks. Special Christmas Fund offering envelopes can be found on the table at the entrance to Friendship Hall. Please use these envelopes for you offering or write Christmas Fund on the memo line of your check. 8