THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

     Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

 

December 17, 2017                                                   10:00 a.m.

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 God

PRELUDE                                                                Karen Mohr

ÒInfant Holy Infant LowlyÓ with ÒJesu Joy of ManÕs DesiringÓ

                                                                 (arr. Anna Laura Page)

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GATHERING MUSIC ÒPrepare the WayÓ

                                         

 

 

 

 

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900

*CALL TO WORSHIP1

Leader:   We gather to worship with expectations. May God come to us revealed in new and astonishing ways.   

People:  God comes to us in real time as we feel her presence near us. God comes to us in dreams as we awaken with fresh joy and new insights.

Leader:   Sometimes GodÕs presence is hard to take in.

People:  O God, we long to believe. Help our unbelief!  

Leader:   God is present here. God is working in our midst.  

 

*HYMN           ÒThe King of GloryÓ                                     #75                   

 

We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (based on Luke 1:50-55)

      GodÕs mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. GodÕs strength is made known as the proud are scattered and the powerful are brought down while the lowly are lifted up. The hungry are fed good things and the rich are sent away. God helps his servants as God remembers her mercy according to the promises made to our ancestors. Let us confess our sin.  

We bow our heads in holy reverence.1 

Oh God, we long to be free of burdens that hold us captive. 

We long to be bearers of good news to the oppressed. 

We long to return to your favor. 

Forgive us our transgressions; 

loosen the chains of doubt that bind us. 

Hear our prayersÉ

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS

*ASSSURANCE OF PARDON1

We are forgiven! God loves us. God blesses us with new beginnings and new life. Let us put aside our old ways and become new! God gives a garland instead of ashes, 

the oil of gladness instead of mourning. 

Sing, dance, rejoice! Never forget the gift

of GodÕs redeeming grace. Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

At peace with God, let us now offer the peace of Christ to one another. 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 ÒThe peace of Christ be with youÓ and responding, Òand also

with you.Ó)

 

*SONG OF PRAISE                       ÒGloria CanonÓ  (sing twice)

      Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!

      Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

 

We Listen for the Good News

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE2   

Destini, Michael, Clayton and Quinn Sexauer

(The Candle of Joy is lit.)

This is the third Sunday in Advent. Today we light two blue candles and the pink candle. The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. On the second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. Today, we light the candle of joy, the pink candle. One thing that sometimes happens as we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birth is we expect to be happy all the time. Joy is not the same as happy. Joy is a deeper feeling created by knowing that God cares for us. Joy is remembering that God sent Jesus so we would always know of God's care. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God's gift of Jesus to the world and know the joy that gift brings to all people.

When we look at the third candle, we remember God's promise of joy. God promised to send a Savior to the people. Jesus came bringing good news to people having a really hard time. Jesus came to bring joy to the world.

 

SCRIPTURE    ÒI will sing for joy in God, and explode in praise from deep in my soul.Ó       Isaiah 61:10 (The Message)

 

CHILDRENÕS TIME      ÒSinging for Joy in GodÓ

     PRAYER2      

   Dear God, Thank you for your Son, Jesus. Thank you for the joy we have when we think about baby Jesus.  Help us to say and do the things so that others know the joy you give to the followers of Jesus. Amen.

 

CHOIR ANTHEM 

        ÒIs Your Heart Prepared for a King?Ó           (Robert Lau)

 

SCRIPTURE READING     Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

                                                Luke 1:46b-55

 

SERMON             ÒFinding JoyÓ           Pastor Jacoba Koppert

       

We Respond to the Good News

    *HYMN          ÒHail to the LordÕs AnointedÓ                        #88

 

     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.

 

INVITATION TO OFFERING                         

THE OFFERTORY                                             Karen Mohr

              ÒChorale Prelude on ÔDen die Hirten lobten sehreÕÓ

                                                                                (Helmut Walcha)

*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                 ÒJoy to the WorldÓ                                      #313     

*THE BENEDICTION

 

*RESPONSE       ÒLift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty GatesÓ

      Redeemer, come, with us abide; Our Hearts to thee we       open wide; Let us thy inner presence feel, Thy grace     and love in us reveal.

 

*POSTLUDE                                                        Karen Mohr

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1Adapted from Valleys to Mountains, Service Prayers for the 3rd Sunday of Advent written by Rev. Penny L Lowes, Copyright 2017, Faith Formation Ministry Team UCC, Permission granted to reproduce or adapt. All publishing rights reserved.

2 Adapted from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/2017-advent-home-worship  written by MaryJane Pierce Norton

 

 

Sunday, December 24

        Fourth Sunday of Advent

              10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship

                 Senior Choir singing

 

       4:30 p.m. Family Christmas Eve

Service – Communion (Intinction)

Christmas Carols – Special Music

Lighting of Candles

            (Battery operated Candles)

                                            

7:30 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve

          Candlelight Service

   Christmas Carols – Senior Choir singing

   Communion Served (Intinction) Candle Lighting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advent Activities for Week 32

Second Week of Advent – Joy

Monday, December 18, 2017: Today read John 1:6-8. Make a list together of the things that bring light to our lives and make us joyful. Paint or draw a picture of something that makes you joyful.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017: Is there someone you know who needs to hear words of joy? Make or select a card for that person and mail it today.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017: Joy is something we need in our city. Think about different leaders of our city. Select one leader of our city. Pray for that leader today.

Thursday, December 21, 2017: As we get ready to celebrate again the birth of Jesus, we sometimes get very busy. Today, take a ten-minute break. Sit quietly. If it helps you to concentrate, look at your Advent wreath. Pray, asking God's help to bring quiet and calm to a busy world.

Friday, December 22, 2017: Think about your family. Some may live with you. Others may be far away. Who in your family needs God's joy? Pray for this family member today.

Saturday, December 23, 2017: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's joy. Select someone to visit today. Visit by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone you see in a place where you go to eat. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she brings joy to you.
 

 

 

 

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  where ever you are on lifeÕs 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 –  The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given by Berdella and Roger Carl

in loving memory of husband/father, Herman Carl.

 

Calendar

Monday, December 18 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, December 19 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees meet; 6:30 p.m. Deacons/Deaconesses meet; 7:30 p.m. Church Council meets.

Wednesday, December 20- NO CDÕs or Confirmation; 7 p.m. Sr. Choir practice.

Thursday, December 21 – 10-11:30 p.m. Memory CafŽ .

 

2018 Offering Envelopes are on the table out in the Narthex.  Please pick them up. 

 

2018 Offering Envelopes are on the table out in the Narthex.  Please pick them up.  If you want envelopes and do not have them.  See or call Audrey.  715-743-2147.

 

Note:  We will be working on the 2018 schedules for Ushers and Greeters –if you do not want to be on the schedule, please let Audrey know.  If you have a preference when you want to be scheduled, please let me know as well.  Thank you.