THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

     Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

 

December 24, 2017                                                 10:00 a.m.

Fourth 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                                                                Eileen Zank

 

RINGING OF THE BELL               

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

*GATHERING MUSIC ÒPrepare the WayÓ

                                           

 

 

Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-723900

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:   Angels are nearby.   

People:  There is good news of great joy!

Leader:   A woman is with child; a baby will be born.

People:   O come, O come Emmanuel.

 

*HYMN     ÒO Come, O Come EmmanuelÓ     vs. 1, 2 & 4 #86                          

*GATHERING PRAYER1

Holy God, Loving Christ, Living Spirit; 

You are present in the everyday occurrences;

you are revealed in startling and wondrous encounters.

Let the revelation of your mystery unfold again this day that we may see it together.

Let the secret of the ages shed new light on our relationship to you, and each other, as we praise the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

*PASSING THE PEACE

A baby will soon be born in Bethlehem, one whose love knows no end. He comes commanding us to love God and one another.

His commandments are hard – yet we know only as we love as he loves us – will peace truly come to the world.

We pray for the promised peace. Nothing is impossible for God.

We will do our best to make peace with one another, for with God nothing is impossible.

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   

Ashely, Travis, Iris, Jocelyn and Theamore Vine

(The Candle of Joy is lit.)

This is the fourth Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. Today, we light one pink candle and three blue candles. The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. On the second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. On the third Sunday, we lit the candle of joy. Today, we light the candle of peace. Our world is not always a peaceful world. People hurt other people. Countries are at war today. People don't take care of the world. People yell and scream at other people. But God promises peace. During Advent, we pray that we, as well as all people, will seek God's peace.

(Light the first, second, third, and fourth candles.)

When we look at the fourth candle, we remember God's promise of peace. We recall the words of Jesus in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." When there is a lot of fighting and people still hurting it's hard to remember that Jesus comes to bring peace. On this Sunday, let us work together with God to make our world more peaceful

 

THE CHILDRENÕS TIME      ÒMaking PeaceÓ

PRAYER:    Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for everyone who tries to create peace in our world today.  Help us look for ways to be peacemakers at home, at church and at school. Amen.

 

SCRIPTURE READING     Luke 1:26-38

 

SERMON     ÒMaryÕs YesÓ                 Pastor Jacoba Koppert

 

SCRIPTURE READING     Luke 2:1-20

 Tye Kranz & Jim Filitz

 

 

 

We Respond to the Good News

CHOIR ANTHEM

        ÒHallelujah! A Baby is BornÓ                      (Jay Althouse)

 

     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                                           

 THE OFFERTORY                                                 Eileen Zank

*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   ÒO Little Town of BethlehemÓ                               #99

    

*THE BENEDICTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

*RESPONSE     ÒGo, Tell it on the MountainÓ                      #105

     Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching

OÕer silent flocks by night, Behold through-out the heavens There shone a holy light.

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born!

 

*POSTLUDE                                                       Eileen Zank                                     

 

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World

1Adapted from Valleys to Mountains, Service Prayers for the 4rd 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

 

 

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 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.

 

No Fellowship/Coffee Hour following worship today.

 

Radio Broadcast Sponsors –  The radio broadcast portion of our worship service today is given by two of our church families; it is given anonymously by one of our members and also given by Anita Harder in loving memory of her husband, Rene Harder.

 4:30 p.m. Family Christmas Eve

Service – Communion (Intinction)

Christmas Carols – Special Music

Candle Lighting –

           (battery operated candles)

7:30p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve

                          Candlelight Service - Christmas Carols –

                          Senior Choir Singing – Christmas Message                                                                                                                                   

                                 Communion Served (Intinction)

                                          Candle Lighting

Calendar

Monday, December 25-  (Office Closed) NO Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, December 26 – (Office Closed)

Wednesday, December 27 – No CDÕs or Confirmation.

 

Christmas Fund Special Offering – This special UCC offering cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the UCC.  Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors in need, but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants and Christmas ÒThank YouÓ Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees.  Your gifts are needed more than ever.  You will find special Christmas Fund envelopes in the pew racks.  Thank you for your gift.

 

2018 Offering Envelopes are on the table out in the Narthex for those of you that wanted them.  Please pick them up.  If you want envelopes and do not have them.  See or call Audrey. 

 

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.

 

Advent Offering – Your Advent Offering/Folders will go towards local mission projects.  Thank you for your support!