Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
www.uccneillsville.org
___________________________________________________
December 25, 2016
10:00
a.m.
Christmas Day
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 the Newborn
Christ
PRELUDE Karen Mohr
ÒI Saw Three ShipsÓ (Gordon Young)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING MUSIC Senior Choir – Joe Anderson, Director
ÒRise Up ShepherdsÓ (Mark Hays)
*CALL TO WORSHIP1
Leader: Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward all.
People: For out of GodÕs own being, Jesus has come
to bring light and love to all people.
Leader: Jesus is our Emmanuel–God with us–come to gather our tears and laughter, our work and play into GodÕs love.
All: Glory
to God in the Highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward all.
*HYMN "O Come All Ye Faithful" #89
*GATHERING PRAYER2
God of love and light, we thank you for
giving us the gift of Jesus Christ. We come before you with wonder and delight
that you come to us in the child born in a manger. Be with us on this day of
birth and rebirth. Come, honor us with the presence of your gracious, joyful
Spirit. Fill our weary hearts with renewed hope and joy. Rekindle in our souls
the light of Christ. Glory to you in the highest, O God, glory in the highest!
Amen.
*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL
PRAYERS
*PASSING
THE PEACE
God in Jesus Christ truly wishes for us peace, a peace that passes all understanding. I invite us to look for signs of that peace.
We want the peace that passes all
understanding. We will work toward that peace.
May the peace of Christ 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
ÒHark the Herald Angels SingÓ #94
We Listen for the News of Great Joy
CHILDRENÕS
TIME ÒChristmas GiftsÓ
THE CHOIR SINGS
ÒO How Beautiful the SkyÓ (Paul Christiansen)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 52:7-10
John 1:1-14
MEDITATION "Interlude" Pastor Jacoba Koppert
We Respond to the Birth of Christ
*HYMN
ÒO
Little Town of BethlehemÓ
#99
CENTERING
PRAYER
PRAYERS
OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORDÕS 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
PRAYER RESPONSE ÒAway
in a MangerÓ
Be near me Lord
Jesus, I ask you to stay
close by me forever and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender
care,
and fit us for heaven to live with you
there.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY Karen Mohr
ÒIn Dulci JubiloÓ (J.S Bach)
*CHRISTMAS CAROL ÒWhat Child Is This?Ó
1. What
child is this, who laid to rest on MaryÕs lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while
shepherds watch are keeping? This, this the angels sing, is Christ, GodÕs holy
offering;
Haste, haste your praise to bring the babe
the child of Mary!
2. Why lies the Child
in manger bare where ox and ass are feeding?
Give
heed, draw near; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails,
spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail,
hail the Word made flesh, the babe, the child of Mary!
3. Bring gifts of
incense, gold, and myrrh; come, join in jubilation;
The
holy Child, though meek and mild, has come with GodÕs salvation.
Raise,
raise the song on high, the mother sings her lullaby;
Joy,
joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the child of Mary!
*PRAYER
OF DEDICATION
*HYMN ÒSilent Night, Holy NightÓ
#95
*THE BENEDICTION
*RESPONSE ÒO Thou JoyfulÓ #113
O thou joyful, O thou wonderful,
Grace revealing Christmas tide!
Jesus came to win us: From all sin within
us.
Glorify, glorify the holy child.
O thou joyful, O thou wonderful,
Love revealing Christmas tide!
Loud hosannas singing And all praises
bringing,
May thy love, may thy love with us abide.
O thou joyful, O thou wonderful,
Peace revealing Christmas tide!
Darkness disappeareth, GodÕs own light now neareth, Peace and joy, peace and joy to all be tide.
*POSTLUDE Karen Mohr
The Light of
Christ Leads Us into the World
1Reprinted
from Book of Worship, United Church of Christ Copyright 1986 Permission granted
to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church
education. All publishing rights reserved.
2 Light of the World: Service for Christmas Day was written by the Rev. Mark Suriano.
Copyright 2013 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.
We welcome you to this service of
worship. We hope you will
experience the love of God and your neighbors. 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 Randy and Natalie Hauge in memory of parents, Jim and Jan Hauge and father, George Nast.
It is also sponsored anonymously by a church member.
TODAY: NO Fellowship/Coffee Hour following worship today.
Calendar
Monday, December 26 –Office Closed; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-anon.
Tuesday, December 27 – Newsletter Week; Newsletter articles due in the office by Wednesday, December 28.
Wednesday, December 28 – NO C.D.Õs or Confirmation today.
Next Sunday, January 1 – NO Sunday School; (will resume on Sunday, January 8); 9 a.m. Sr. Choir practice; 10 a.m. Worship;
Communion; Fellowship/Coffee Hour; ÒCookie Potluck;Ó Bring some of your left-over Christmas Cookies! ÒHAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONEÓ
TAKE NOTE CHAIRPERSONS OF BOARDS/COMMITTEES
ANNUAL REPORTS DUE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9
Congregational ANNUAL MEETING Sunday,
January 29 following worship.