1
First Congregational United Church of Christ 700 Poyntz Avenue telephone 785-537-7006 Manhattan, Kansas 66502 www.uccmanhattan.org The Rev. Caela Simmons Wood, Pastor The Rev. David Jones, Campus Pastor Alfred Cochran, Moderator Sandy Nelson, Administrative Assistant Tai Amri Spann-Wilson, Youth Ministry Robert Edwards, Mary Ellen Sutton, Organists Andria Anderson, Director of Children s Ministries Nancy Holmes, Custodian Gretchen Lewis, Choir Director Dave Smit, Treasurer Joy Schell, Financial Secretary Christmas Day December 25, 2016 at 10:45 a.m. Welcome! If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we hope that you will find God s presence among us. Your presence with us enriches our vision of the Body of Christ, and we give thanks that you have joined us today. We hope you will sign the register pad when it is passed. Immediately following worship, refreshments are served at Fellowship Hour in Pioneer and Blachly Halls. Just exit the doors to the left of the pulpit and follow the crowd. Enjoy a cup of fair trade coffee. We look forward to greeting you there. If you have questions, please ask. If you have special needs, please let one of the ushers know. Hearing assist devices, wheelchairs, and walkers are available. The elevator provides access to all three floors of the building. Restrooms are located on each floor. Our lower level has wheelchair accessible, all gender restrooms. A diaper changing table is in the Nursery upstairs. Children are welcome in worship (and we know they may need to wiggle!). If you'd prefer, we do offer activities upstairs. Children ages 3 and under are welcome in the Nursery at any time. After the Word for Children, children 3 and up are invited to join us in the theater for Kids Worship - a worship service that mirrors our service in the Sanctuary. Please check out our website for information about Sunday School for children and adults at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays during the school year. ---- Assisting in Today s Worship ---- Greeters: Jim & Julie Appino Flowers: Poinsettias Reading Scripture: Linda Thurston Fellowship Hour: Mary Ellen Titus Grounds Care: Leo Schell 2
Gathering Gathering Music Welcome & Announcements Prelude in the presence of God Robert Edwards During the prelude, children are invited to bring the pieces of the Nativity forward and set them up so we can welcome the Christ child in our midst. They can also bring in poinsettias to help decorate our worship space. Lighting the Advent Wreath One: A light has dawned, and it fills the earth. God is doing a new thing; it is good news for us. Many: We who keep parts of ourselves in the shadows are invited into the light; to embrace the new life God shows us. One: Go to Bethlehem to see the embodiment of God s grace. Go to experience God s love in human form. Many: We must go in order to see for ourselves. The light of the world beckons to us. (Pause as the Advent candles and Christ candle are lit.) One: Rejoice and be glad for the possibilities of this good news! Many: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among all whom God favors! The Rev. Jeff Nelson Hymn 135 (See page 8) O Come All You Faithful Adeste Fideles Indicates all who are able, please stand. Listening Book The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman for our Still-speaking God Linda Thurston 3
Hymn 124 (See page 9) Away in a Manger Away in a Manger Scripture Lesson: Luke 2:1-12 The Nativity illustrated by Julie Vivas Hymn 139 (See page 10) The First Nowell The First Nowel Responding Call to Offering: The Legend of the Poinsettia from Joy to the World by Tomie depaola in hope and thanksgiving MUSIC AT THE OFFERTORY Doxology (Hymn 128 "In the Bleak Midwinter" v. 4) What can I offer, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise one, I would do my part; But what can I offer: all my heart. PRAYER OF DEDICATION PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH You are invited to share your joy or concern aloud. If you would prefer to have Caela read your prayer aloud, please use one of the cards located at the back of the Sanctuary. We respond: Merciful God...hear our prayer. Each week, we hold a few of our members in prayer, working our way through the entire membership over the course of a year. This week, we hold the following people in prayer: Russell and Ilene Briggs, Kathleen and Nick Broussard. 4
PRAYER OF JESUS (said in unison) Our Father is the traditional way this prayer begins. For many, however, the traditional language is a hindrance to the intimacy of their relationship with God. You are invited to use whatever name for God you find most meaningful (Mother, Father, Creator, God, Friend, etc.). Together, our names for God will create a beautiful chorus reaching out to the Holy. 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Going Forth to be messengers of good news Book Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou, illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher Hymn 153 (See page 12) Who Would Think that What Was Needed Scarlet Ribbons Charge and Benediction The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman 5
Congregational Choral Benediction Go Tell It on the Mountain (Chorus - v. 3 - Chorus) Go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! Down in the lowly manger the humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn Go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! Take time for Taizé Join us on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. for Taizé Worship. Taizé is a 30 minute service of singing, scripture, prayer and silence based on the pattern of worship in use at the ecumenical community at Taizé, France. First Congregational UCC, Manhattan an Open and Affirming Congregation In the spirit of love, openness, and inclusiveness we welcome persons of every race, culture, nationality, age, family configuration, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, and socio-economic status to participate fully in all aspects of our church s life and ministry. from Open and Affirming Statement adopted May 11, 2003 The Mission of First Congregational United Church of Christ is To love and accept others unconditionally as God loves and accepts us, and by example, to encourage others to do the same. To challenge ourselves to grow spiritually through worship, education, nurture, reflection, discussion, fellowship, and outreach. To minister to others locally, nationally, and globally with the same fervor as we minister to ourselves, through the sharing of our talents, gifts, and resources. We hold ourselves accountable before God for this mission statement. 6
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 10:45 a.m. Service of the Word Cozy Christmas around the tree 12:00 p.m. Fellowship Hour 6:00 p.m. Second Helping MONDAY, DECEMBER 26- OFFICE CLOSED No Yoga No Timeless A Cappella 7:30 p.m. MOA Narcotics Anonymous meeting, Art Room WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 7:00 p.m. Turning Point AA meeting, Andover Hall THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 7:00 p.m. Taizé Service, Pioneer Hall 8:00 p.m. MOA Narcotics Anonymous meeting, Art Room FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30 7:30 p.m. MOA Narcotics Anonymous meeting, Art Room NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal 10:45 a.m. Service of Word and Sacrament Fill the breadbasket 12:00 p.m. Fellowship Hour 6:00 p.m. Second Helping Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/uccmanhattanks Ecumenical Campus Ministry at Kansas State University is a cooperative ministry supported by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). For more information on ECM s activities and schedules, please visit us on Facebook (ECM at K-State) or at www.ksu.edu/ecm. 7
Financial Reminders - In order to "close the books" and make a timely Annual Report, final deposits for 2016 will include monies in the offering plate Sunday, Dec. 25 and monies received in the church office by Friday, Dec. 30th. Monies received after that time will be welcomed and included in the 2017 reports. For any making pre-payment on 2017 pledges, please mark this clearly on your check so that we are able to credit it as you intend. Thanks. Joy Schell, Financial Secretary MLK Jr. Day of Service - Come join members of the Manhattan community in service at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service! Together we will assist local non-profits on special projects around Manhattan. The MLK Jr. Day of Service is a part of "United We Serve", the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a beloved community. Locally, MLK Day of Service is observed in conjunction with the community-based Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee. On Monday, January 16, 2017, volunteers will proceed to their designated service site at 8:30 am. Volunteers will serve at their respective sites from 9:00 am until noon. Service sites include Stoneybrook Assisted Living, Ogden Friendship House of Hope, Manhattan Public Library, Manhattan Arts Center, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Salvation Army, and Stoneybrook Retirement Community. To register as an individual volunteer, visit: bit.ly/hoks_signup. To register with a specific volunteer group, visit: bit.ly/hoks_signup and select your organization from the drop down menu. If you can't find your group or for more information, contact: HandsOn Kansas State at (785) 532-3670 or handson@k-state.edu 8
2016 Poinsettia Gifts In Memory of Howard Bigbee In Appreciation of Family & Friends In Memory of Richard C. Keller In Honor of Evelyn J. Keller In Memory of Dorothy, James, Ruth, & Mary Lee In Honor of Jenny Lee, Bernie, Dory Ann, David, Laura Beth, Jacob, & Tyler In Appreciation of Joy & Leo Schell, Ralph & Mary Ellen Titus Virginia Bigbee Mina (Keller) Bruce Alfred Cochran In Memory of Joyce Clarke In Honor of Dede Wills In Memory of Olivier V. De Smedt In Memory of Doren Fredrickson In Honor of Ron & Pat Fredrickson In Memory of Charlotte Wagner Kay Clarke & Beth Davis Elaine M. De Smedt Anne Fredrickson Susanne Gilmore 9
In Memory of Dave Hubler & Bill Dayton In Memory of Robert Towner In Memory of my mother, Theresa Martin In Honor of Veterans In Memory of Elsie Martinez Angela Hubler, Tim Dayton, Jack & Neil Hubler-Dayton Gretchen & Jim Lewis Rachel Mollie Martin Mechelle Martinez In Appreciation of all the people who prepared the Harvest Potluck feast In Memory of Mary Helm In Memory of our parents In Honor of our kids In Appreciation of our Church Family In Honor of Julie Bosma In Memory of my parents, Algie & Elinor Sutton In Memory of my parents John & Marianne Pretzer In Appreciation of Tom Hawk Mike & Martha Miller by Mary H. Pollack Bill & Linda Richter Dave & Lois Sauer Dave & Ann Smit Mary Ellen Sutton Linda Thurston In Memory of Olive, Elbert, & Gerry Macy In Memory of Van Withee, Walker & Carrie Ramsdale In Appreciation of Joy Schell In memory of Arthur & Shirley Zschoche Judy & Pate Willingham Barbara Withee Sue Zschoche 10
11