THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

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November 27, 2016 10:00 a.m.

The First Sunday of Advent

All who are comfortably able are invited to stand at those

places in the service indicated by an asterisk*

We ask you to please turn off all telephones and electronic devices.

We Gather to Worship

PRELUDE Karen Mohr

“Chorale Prelude on ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme”

(J.S. Bach)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

“Is Your Heart Prepared for a King?” (Robert Lau)

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: O sing a new song! O sing to God, all the earth!

People: Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice,

Leader: let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

People: let the field exult, and everything in it!

Leader: Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before God, for God comes to judge the earth.

People: God will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with truth.

*HYMN "Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn"

(page 5 & 6 Bulletin)

We Confess Our Sin as We Seek God’s Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

God of the Past, in the voice of the prophet you challenged your people to beat their swords into plowshares. We thank you for that message of peace. We are sorry that too often we have practiced war.

God of the Present, even now you are among us. Forgive us that often we have failed to recognize your presence with us, and have felt deserted and alone. Make strong in our hearts the faith that enables us to live serenely and triumphantly.

God of the Future, you have promised that Christ’s reign is coming. Teach us to live in expectation. That what we are and do today may be anchored in the certainty of your tomorrow. Through the grace of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

*PASSING THE PEACE

(All are invited to greet others with handshakes or hugs while saying to them "The peace of Christ be with you" and responding "and also with you.")

*SONG OF PRAISE “Gloria Canon”

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Hannah Erickson, Emily, Erin and Riley Voigt

We hope that the coming Messiah will bring peace to a world torn by conflict and war.

Advent season is a time of hope.

We wait for The Promised One who will bring a new message of forgiveness from which a new world is created.

Advent season is a time of hope.

We wait for a world full of justice for each person who suffers, for each one who grieves, and for all who wait for redemption.

Advent season is a time of hope.

We hope for a change of hearts and minds, so we all can live in peace and experience the richness of God’s abundant grace.

Advent season is a time of hope–hope in the one who came from God to bring us a vision of a world in which all are called friends of Christ, sons and daughters of God.

ADVENT SONG

Hope is a candle, once lit by the prophets,

Never consumed, though it burns through the years;

Dim in the daylight of power and privilege,

When they are gone, hope will shine on.

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDREN’S TIME

THE CHOIR SINGS

“Antiphonal Advent Carol” (Susan and Lee Dengler)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Isaiah 2:1-5

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

SERMON "Live in Expectation" Pastor James D. Mohr

We Respond to the Holy Spirit's Leading

*HYMN "The King of Glory" #75

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE 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.

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“Veni, Emmanuel” (Alec Whyton)

*THE DOXOLOGY

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.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" #78

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE "Lead Us from Death to Life"

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace; let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

OneLicense.net A723900

Announcements

We welcome you to this service of worship. We hope you will experience the love of God and your neighbors. You are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Note: You will find the attendance folders in the pews on the center racks of every pew - please take time to fill out the attendance sheet including your full address and return them to the side aisles, ushers will collect them during the last hymn. Thank you.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Jim and Rosie Repinski in memory of Enola Kottal’s birthday.

Calendar

Monday, November 28- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Wednesday, November 30 – 3:30 p.m. CD’s trimming the Christmas tree; 6 p.m. Angel Tree Work night.

Saturday, December 3 – 7 a.m. UCC Men’s Club Breakfast;

9 a.m. Angel Tree Work day.

Next Sunday, December 4 – 9 a.m. Sr. Choir practice; 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; Communion (pews); 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community.

Orders for Chicken Pot Pies can be picked up on Sunday December 4 after church or on Wednesday, December 7 from

4-7 p.m. Payment due on pick-up

Order Your Poinsettia NOW - We are taking orders. The cost for each plant is $13.00. If you make out a check, please make it out to Falls Florist. Names will be printed in the Christmas Eve service bulletins. Order in memory, in honor of someone or for any other reason you may choose. Take your poinsettia home with you following the 7:30 p.m. Christmas Ever service or on Christmas Day.

Blue Christmas Service? There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those of you that are interested in attending a “Blue Christmas” service. The service would be held on the evening of Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. This signup will help us decide if there is enough interest to offer this service. Anyone who finds themselves not joyful and cheery for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future, those suffering from seasonal affective disorder, and a number of other situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregation and community. This service will be reflective, accepting where we really are, and surrounding each other with healing and hope.

Advent Offerings – You will find ADVENT folders on the table in the Narthex for your Advent offering if you wish to have one. If you write just one check, be sure to write Advent Offering in the memo line. Advent monies will be used for local missions.

Advent Devotion Booklets There are a few Advent Devotional Booklets still left. Pick one up for yourself in the Narthex.