Wellesley Congregational Church United Church of Christ The First Sunday of Advent December 1, 2013
ORDER OF WORSHIP December 1, 2013 9:00 am Welcome to First Worship! We extend a welcome as broad as the outstretched arms of God, who calls us to be here together to rejoice in God s glorious presence. Welcome to children of all ages to all the children of God, each one of us. If you are an old friend or here for the first time, we welcome you. Our worship is an intergenerational experience and we want children to feel fully included. Children are welcome to pick up an activity bag and to bring snacks to their seats. We remember that worship offers us all a special place to be with God. In this space we talk a little more softly and walk a little more quietly. We are listening for God. PRELUDE RINGING THE HOUR OPENING SONG O, Beautiful Darkness REFRAIN: O, beautiful darkness. O, comforting darkness. (repeat) The arms of darkness hold us, Revealing now how dear we are. REFRAIN Enfold us and hold us. Inform us, transform us. REFRAIN Surround us, all around us, And hold our light, like sky to star. REFRAIN WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP REFRAIN John Allen
CALL TO CONFESSION PRAYER OF CONFESSION O Lord Hear My Prayer WORDS OF ASSURANCE LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE OF HOPE *P *PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
*S *SUNG RESPONSE Emmanuel SCRIPTURE CRIPTURE Matthew 1:18-25 SERMON ERMON Hearing Voices Diane Anderson
SERMON RESPONSE Here I Am Lord
OFFERING Invitation Offertory SETTING THE TABLE As at communion shape your hands Into a waiting cradle, The gifts of Christ receive, revere, United round the table. INVITATION TO THE TABLE *C *COMMUNION PRAYER AND THE LORD ORD 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 trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen. *W *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *S *SHARING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND CUP
*P *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Put peace into each other s hands And like a treasure hold it Protected like a candle flame, With tenderness enfold it. *B *BENEDICTION
TODAY S NOTES Stewardship Campaign The Stewardship Committee is grateful for the many pledge cards brought forward in the offering during worship last week. If you missed that opportunity, new pledge cards are available again today in the seat back pockets, and they may also be placed as part of the offering. Pastoral Care If you have any pastoral needs or know of any in the Village Church family, please call Diane Anderson at 781.235.1988 x14. The Chancel flowers today are given by Kristin Mawhinney in gratitude for family gatherings. Fellowship Hour 11:15 am, Village Common Please join us for coffee and fellowship. Information for visitors is available at the Welcome Table. Providing hospitality today are members from the Church Mom s Group. Please take a moment to thank them. Healing Prayer Service 11:15 am, Burtt Chapel One of the pastors will be there for a laying on of hands, and anointing with oil, if you like. You may use this time of quiet and music to pray silently, or write your prayer, to be prayed by the pastors. Join us to experience the gift of healing prayer. 7th & 8th Grade Youth Group No meeting tonight. High School Youth Group No meeting tonight. For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. BULLETIN NOTES Parking Please remember to park in the nearby lots and on the side streets if you can, on Sundays and in the evening, and reserve the church spots for those who truly need to park very close to the building. On Sundays, there is parking available immediately behind the Church Square stores (E. A. Davis, Blue Ginger only). We are welcome there. However, please do NOT park in the back lot, off Abbott St. as it contains assigned spaces for store tenants. Thank you! Typhoon Haiyan Relief The Environmental Ministry encourages support for the UCC Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. The UCC immediately sent $15,000 in grants through relief agencies, and is seeking to raise $250,000 for long term aid. Find out more about the UCC response here: http://www.ucc.org/news/typhoon-haiyan-aid-11112013.html. Find out how you can help, and make a donation, here: http://www.ucc.org/disaster/philippines_typhoon_appeal.html. Please note that 100% of donations go directly to the disaster area. If you prefer to mail a check, checks should be made out to United Church of Christ and marked in the memo portion Typhoon Haiyan. Mail to United Church of Christ; Financial Services; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Advent Labyrinth Walk Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 pm, Burtt Chapel You are invited to usher in the Advent season by walking the labyrinth in Burtt Chapel. If you have a favorite nativity figurine from home please bring it with you. We will be using them for our walk. For more information contact Diane Anderson at diane@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.
Youth Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, December 4, 6:15 pm, Youth Choir Room For information, email Kevin McDonald at mcdonaldkevin23@yahoo.com. 4 pm Family Christmas Eve Pageant Signups Sign-up on the boards in the preschool and rotation hallways. Christmas Tea Sponsored By The Village Churchwomen Tuesday, December 10 at 1 pm, Burtt Chapel and Village Common Come be mesmerized by the beautiful voices of the "Voci Angelica Trio" which includes our very own Jodi Hitzhusen, Music Director of First Worship. "Voci Angelica Trio" is Latin for "voices of angels." The Trio has riveting arrangements of global songs from every continent and the vocal harmonies intertwined with lush cello lines and vibrant percussion create a musical fusion that transcends cultural divisions. Please feel free to invite a friend to enjoy this celebration of music and fellowship! Sign-up on sheet on the bulletin board in the Central Street Lobby or email sallykellogg@verizon.net to RSVP by December 3. At Table Wednesday, December 4, 6 pm, Upper Room Before there were pews and pulpits, Christians threw dinner parties. Jesus' first followers gathered at tables where they sang, told stories, broke bread, read letters, and prayed with one another. Join John Allen and others from the Village Church family for evening worship in the style of the early Christian meal. A light dinner will be provided. Jesus and the Disinherited Book Group Wednesdays, December 4 and 11, 7 pm In this modern theological classic, Howard Thurman, renowned as the theological mentor of Martin Luther King, finds in the Gospel a message that resonates with those who are isolated and oppressed due to poverty and racism. We will cover this short book over two weeks in December. For more information, contact John Anderson at johnjanderson1980@gmailcom. Christmas Craft Night Friday, December 13, 6:30 9 pm, Village Hall Suggested donation $10 per family. Pizza, decorate your own cookies, Christmas crafts galore and FUN!! Don t miss out on this annual tradition. Contact Michaela at michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org with questions. NWW Holiday Gifts Now through Sunday, December 9 The Newton Wellesley Weston Committee for Community Living's annual holiday party for adults with developmental disabilities will be held Wednesday, December 11 at Grace Church in Newton. Members of the Village Church Confirmation class will serve as hosts. Traditionally our congregation has provided small gifts to be given to each of the sixty guests including games/puzzles (easy but geared to adult interests), activity books, calendars, DVDs, CDs, costume jewelry, hats, scarves, mittens, Boston sport team stuff, Dunkin Donuts gift cards, mugs/commuter cups, jewelry (no earrings), perfume/cologne, hand lotions, fragranced body washes and holiday themed items (i.e. ornaments). If you would like to make a donation, please have women's gifts wrapped in red, men's gifts wrapped in green and unisex gifts wrapped in blue. Gifts should be brought to the church and placed in the designated basket in the cloister hallway. For more information email Judy Mongiardo at jmongiardo@earthlink.net. City Mission Society We will again collect new toys, clothes, and gift cards for the City Mission Society s Christmas Gift Shop. Please bring your unwrapped gifts anytime between Now and Sunday, December 15, and place them in collection boxes located in the Cloister. Contact Michaela with questions at Michaela@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.
GIFT in Discernment Series to begin January 8 Where in your life are you seeking God s guidance and wisdom? How might our congregational practices of spiritual discernment inform your personal practices of discerning God s movement in your life? Beginning January 8 and continuing every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 pm for 14 weeks, we ll take up these questions and more in this year s GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) adult education series. To sign up to participate, contact Tricia at tricia@wellesleyvillagechurch.org. H.O.M.E. Store Due to the first weekend in December also being Thanksgiving weekend, the H.O.M.E. store sale has been postponed to the weekend of March 15, 2014. We will celebrate St. Patrick s Day instead of Christmas this year. Please put the new date on your calendars. Chancel Flowers Sponsors for 2014 The new 2014 calendar is here! If you would like to sponsor flowers in celebration of an event or in memory of a person/s in your life, contact Felicia Nadel at 781.235.1988 x21 or Linda Smith at 781.237.6813. The cost of the flowers is $75. Thank you! Interested In Mentoring a Prison Inmate? New teams are being formed to mentor inmates enrolled in the Partakers/BU College Behind Bars Program. Contact Diane Anderson at diane@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or David Oliver at dgoliver@aol.com. Alternative Christmas Gift Fair Plan to start your Christmas shopping on December 8 at the annual Alternative Christmas Fair. Ten organizations will join us this year for the Fair. Embrace this opportunity to purchase meaningful gifts for your loved ones for Christmas while supporting ten wonderful not-for-profit organizations. The fair will be held from 10 am to noon in Village Common. Each organization will have gift cards for you to distribute to those lucky recipients of your very special gifts. Wrappers Needed Thursday, December 12, 9 am-5 pm and Friday, December 13, 9 am-3 pm Wrappers are needed for Christmas gifts to be given to children at a homeless shelter in Waltham. Please bring a roll of wrapping paper with you. Contact Sally Chaulk at 781-237-2594 or at sbchaulk@verizon.net with any questions. Sponsored by Chaplains on the Way.
Poinsettia Plant Donation Return this form with your payment to the drop box on the table in the Central Street Lobby by Monday, December 9, 9 am. Given In (check only one) Loving memory of Celebration of PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY By By (your name) Cash Check $ $ Plants are $15 each, payable to Wellesley Congregational Church. Please note Poinsettia on your check. Following services on December 22, the plants will be taken to those in need of encouragement or support.
What s happening in 10 am Church School today? Kindergarten students and younger will be welcomed in their classrooms before 10 am worship begins. The Infant/ Toddler Room is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the Chancel. 2 year olds through Kindergarten classrooms are located on the upper floor. Children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of worship. Grades 1-8 will worship with their parents until it is time for class, as indicated in the bulletin. At that time, Grades 1 5 will meet together in Village Hall for a combined activity. Grades 6, 7 & 8 will meet in the art studio for the art mural workshop. Students in Grades 3 and below should be met by their parents at their classrooms. The Family Room is available for parents who aren t quite ready to leave their infants and toddlers in childcare. In this room, parents will be able to listen to the worship service while their child naps or plays. This room is located upstairs beyond the library. VILLAGE CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver Senior Pastor Diane E. Anderson Interim Minister of Pastoral Care The Rev. Pamela H. Emslie Associate Pastor The Rev. Christina L. Braudaway-Bauman Pastor at Large The Rev. John C. Allen Pastoral Resident Audra C. Teague Mackey Pastoral Resident Linda C. Smith Pastoral Residency Coordinator Michaela F. McDonald Director of Children s Ministries David R. Carrier Director of Music Dr. Kevin J. McDonald Director of Youth Music Jodi M. Hitzhusen Music Director of First Worship Erin I. Donato Church Administrator Leslie W. Petzing Controller Barbara P. Kucich Church Accountant Tricia T. Kibbe IT and Administrative Coordinator Felicia R. Nadel Administrative Assistant Christy L. Cadigan Administrative Assistant Donald S. Banks Sexton Dolphe Richard Assistant to the Sexton Gerardo Ortiz Assistant to the Sexton 2 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 781.235.1988 wellesleyvillagechurch.org An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST