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 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.  

 

 

 

Announcements

 

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.