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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December 4, 2016 10:00 a.m.

The Second 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

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus with

He Shall Feed His Flock” (Arr. By Anna Laura Page)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

“We Want to be Ready” (Don Besig)

*CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 11:1-3 Doris Bakker

Leader: “A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse, a branch will sprout from his roots.

People: The LORD’s spirit will rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding,

Leader: a spirit of planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

People: He will delight in fearing the LORD.”

Leader: We praise God for the coming of Christ our Savior.

People: We rejoice in the One who brings hope and promises peace.

*HYMN "On Jordan’s Bank" #84

*GATHERING PRAYER¹(Responsive)

Holy God, We long for your peace, we hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives and welcome you in.

We confess we do not always follow in the ways of Jesus Christ. We do not always fully trust in your promise. Our hope is replaced with fear and despair.

Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom

and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together

may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all.

In the Name of the One who is coming, we pray. Amen!

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

Hear the good news: Jesus, savior from sin, is present with us

in the painstaking work of the Reign of God forgiving our weakness, rebuilding our relationships, restoring our joy.

Let us celebrate this great grace by offering to one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

*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” (sing twice)

Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

Darrin Loberg, Lane Kranz and Luke Erickson

Advent is a reminder of our faith in the newborn. In this time of fear and uncertainty, we trust our faith will lead us toward peace.

Faith will help us overcome our anxieties and help us work for a better future for our sons, daughters and the whole world.

The One who brought good news to Israel in the first century, will bring good news of comfort for all who suffer, despair and cry for peace in our day.

Faith helps us see a new day, with new opportunities for reconciliation.

Faith will reveal to us the things unexpected. The prophet announces:

“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters over the sea.”

On that day the baby born in Bethlehem shall be a sign to all the people; the nations will inquire of him and all shall be filled with peace.

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

“I Wonder as I Wander” (John Jacob Niles)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Romans 15:4-13 Doris Bakker

Matthew 3:1-12

SERMON "Abounding in Hope" Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Holy Spirit's Leading

*HYMN "Hope of the World" #229

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly with

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Arr. By Anna Laura Page)

*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

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

COMMUNION PRAYER²

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

BLESSING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

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

SHARING OF THE MEAL

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome. Today we will receive the elements remaining in our pews. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine. Please hold the elements until all have received them and we will commune together as one body.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Holy Creator, Bread of Life, Everlasting Salvation,

A light shines in the night and the night will not over come it.

In this meal we have been replenished and strengthened,

And the light of your love is rekindled within us.

We will be bold to carry this light into the world.

Thank you for recharging our spirits

and reviving your hope, peace, joy and love within us.

You are the power in our lives that never gives out

- eternally renewable and sustainable.

Thank you God

Thank you Christ

Thank you Spirit Amen.

*HYMN "O How Shall I Receive You " (pg. 6 bulletin)

*THE BENEDICTION

*RESPONSE "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers" #87

Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear!

Arise, thou Sun so longed for, O’er this benighted sphere!

With hearts and hands uplifted, We plead, O Lord to see

The day of earth’s redemption That brings us unto thee.

*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

¹To Dream God’s Dream: Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Copyright 2016 Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

²Adapted from Our Faith Cries Out, Resilient: Service of Holy Communion for Advent, was written by the Rev. Penny L. Lowes, Worship Ways. Copyright 2011, United Church of Christ, Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. All publishing rights reserved.

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.

Today: Ordered “Pot Pies” may be picked up today following worship service;

Circle of Friends selling “greeting cards” downstairs in the card room;

3:00 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; come and join us.

Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given in loving memory of Clarence Miller by his children: Gary Miller, Glen Miller, Linette Kuhn, Wendell Miller, Steve Miller, Janice Miller, Daniel Miller and Jeffrey Miller.

Calendar

Monday, December 5 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, December 6 – 6 p.m. Pastor/Parish Committee meeting.

Wednesday, December 7 – 6 p.m. CD’s helping with the Angel Tree project; 4-7 p.m. ordered “Pot Pies may be picked up;

6 p.m. Angel Tree Work night; 7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

Thursday, December 8 – 12 Noon Circle of Friends potluck “Christmas Party.”

Saturday, December 10 – 9 a.m. Angel Tree Work day.

Next Sunday, December 11 – 9 a.m. Sr. Choir practice; 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; New Member Reception.

“Open House”

Pastor Jacoba’s Home

506 West 2^nd Street

Wednesday, December 14

2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.

“Dutch Treats”

All Welcome

This is my gift to you – there will be plenty

to eat and drink – including some healthy

alternatives (think veggie tray)

Sunday, December 18 – 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program; Jesus’ Birthday Party following the service.

Christmas Eve Services

Saturday, December 24

4:30 p.m. Early Christmas Eve Service

Communion – Christmas Hymns

7:30 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service

Communion – Senior Choir – Christmas Hymns

Candlelighting

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 Eve service or on Christmas Day. Deadline for ordering poinsettias Sunday, December 11.