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 11, 2016 10:00 a.m.

The Third 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 “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her”

(Johann Pochelbel)

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director

“Lo, How a Rose” (F.M. Christiansen)

*CALL TO WORSHIP Isaiah 35:1-3, 10 CEB

Leader: “The desert and the dry land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice into bloom, and rejoice with joy and singing.

People: They will see the LORD’s glory, the splendor of our God.

Leader: Strengthen the weak hands, and support unsteady knees.

People: Say to those who are panicking: ‘Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God! ... God will come to save you.’

Leader: The LORD’S ransomed ones will return and enter

Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads.

People: Happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and groaning will flee away.”

*HYMN "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding" #77

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹(Responsive)

Upside-down God, you announce your coming with exciting news: the hungry will eat their fill, the oppressed will dance in newfound freedom; you proclaim your mission with hard news: the well fed will go hungry, the powerful will lose their status.
We find ourselves squirming as we acknowledge our participation in structures that oppress and marginalize. Help us accept and proclaim the coming of your Son as truly good news. Give us the courage to set aside our privilege,
and help bring about this upside-down world,
where everyone can sing together for joy.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

Our God transforms our sorrow and sighing into joy and gladness. We are forgiven and offered another opportunity to accept the ways of the up-side down God. Let us work with God to bring love, hope, justice and peace into our world.

*PASSING THE PEACE

May God’s love, justice and peace be with you.

And also with you.

(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 (Responsive)

Monte and Ashlee Diestler and Rachel Anderson

Advent season speaks to us about God’s love for all. The Lord is good to all and God’s compassion is over all God has made.

God calls us to love our families, our sons and daughters, our fathers and mothers, and all those who love us in return.

Jesus challenged us to go one step further when he said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

God looks into our hearts and sees we need the ultimate expression of love. So, God sends the Messiah, Jesus our Lord.

This season shall be a reminder of God’s love and God’s forgiveness. In spite of our sins, God still loves us with a love that knows no end. We are invited in these holy days to accept God’s love for us and all creation.

We commit ourselves to love the same way God has loved us, to express that love in all our relationships and even to love those who do not love us.

ADVENT SONG (sing twice)

Love is a candle whose light makes a circle,

where every face is the face of a friend.

Widen the circle by sharing and giving,

God’s holy dare: love everywhere.

We Listen for the Word of God

CHILDREN’S TIME

THE CHOIR SINGS

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” (Noel Ragney & Gloria Shayne)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Matthew 11:2-6 Arianna Rochester

Luke 1:46b-55

SERMON "Jumbled Up Tenses" Pastor Jacoba Koppert

We Respond to the Holy Spirit's Leading

*HYMN “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #79

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS (See Insert)

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

“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child with

Sheep May Safely Graze” (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

*HYMN "Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” #88

*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

¹Reprinted from ministrymatters.com by Laura Jaquith Bartlett

RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS²

Mitchell Erickson & Casidhe Suda

INVITATION

SENTENCES

QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES

Pastor: Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith

and family of Jesus Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Candidates: I do.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

Pastor: Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?

Candidates: I promise, with the help of God.

THE STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,

God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,

and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death. You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself. You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

ADDRESS

QUESTIONS ABOUT PARTICIPATION

Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world?

Candidates: I promise with the help of God.

WELCOME AND RECEPTION

Pastor: Let us, the members of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.

*People: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.

GREETING IN CHRISTIAN LOVE

Pastor and Representative Craig Sigurdson, Moderator

In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the United Church of Christ Neillsville, we extend to you the hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company of this local church.

PRAYER

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Go in peace of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God.

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 Berdella Carl in loving memory of Herman and friends.

Calendar

Monday, December 12 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.

Tuesday, December 13 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting.

Wednesday, December 14 – 3:30 p.m. C.D.’s & Confirmation

7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

“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)

Next 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

Deadline TODAY to Order a Poinsettia - 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 bulletins. Take your poinsettia home following the Christmas Eve Service or on Christmas Day.