THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

December 2, 2018 10:00 a.m.

The First 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

‘Wachet ouf, ruft uns die Stimme’ (J.S. Bach)

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to welcome all of you who have gathered with us today for worship. We come from many places to this time and place. From our varied and hectic lives, we gather in this sacred space, as community to be challenged, to give thanks and to worship. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here.

GATHERING MUSIC Choir

“Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” Marty Haugen

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS

CALL TO WORSHIP¹ Delaney Rochester and Sue Voigt

Leader: In Advent we watch and wait and prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world.

People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Leader: In Advent we prepare for a life of discipleship and watch faithfully for signs of God’s light breaking into our world.

People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Leader: As we wait, Holy One, we watch for signs of your action in the world. Actions of compassion and grace breaking in.

People: Come, Lord, Jesus, come!

Leader: Holy God, we recognize that we do not know the day or the hour but know that the day is near.

People: Come, Lord Jesus, come! Be born anew in our world and in our lives.

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

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹

Holy and Loving God, we give thanks for the promise of this sacred season and for the joy we find in the Christ Child. Yet even as we rejoice, we recognize that we often fail to live with the hope of redemption. In this season of anticipation, we know that we are easily distracted by our own projects and preparation. We lose focus on the one who is the Source of our joy. Forgive us, God, and restore our hope in you. Amen.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION

*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS¹

The promise of the season of Advent is the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus calls us to keep awake so that we are ready for God’s arrival. Therefore, let us lay aside all those things that distract us from faithful watching for God. Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

*PASSING THE PEACE

Pastor: God comes bringing hope, peace, joy and love.

People: We are eager for the coming of Christ into the world.

Pastor: May the hope we know bring peace to you.

People: And also, to you.

We are invited to greet others with handshakes or hugs while saying to them "Peace be with you." And then responding, " And also with you."

*OUR RESPONSE

“O How Shall I Receive You”

You come, O Christ, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill, To bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still. In patient expectation we live for that great day

When a renewed creation your glory shall display.

We Listen for the Good News

CHILDREN’S TIME “Advent”

LIGHTING OF THE FIRST CANDLE OF ADVENT²

“Holy Signs” Delaney Rochester and Sue Voigt

In the season of Advent, we are actively watching and waiting for signs of Christ’s return into the world. As we prepare for Christmas, we are preparing for God to enter our world and our lives in a new way. Look all around for the signs that God is doing something new in our world. Look all around to see what God is doing new in your lives. Seek the signs of God’s reign around us.

(Light the First Candle)

Signs of light and wonder, signs of hope, may we treasure what we have heard and seen, and ponder them in our hearts this Advent. Amen.

CHOIR MUSIC “Advent Grace” (Arr. Lloyd Larson)

SCRIPTURE READING Luke 21:25-36

MEDITATION “Holy Signs”

We Respond to the Word of God

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE OFFERTORY Karen Mohr

“The Advent Chorale” (Mendelssohn)

*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

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

The United Church of Christ practices open communion. People of all ages who confess Jesus Christ as Savior are welcome. Today we will receive the elements remaining in our pews. The Deacons/nesses will serve bread; Pastor Jacoba will serve the gluten-free wafers in the pews to those who request it. Light colored glasses contain juice and dark glasses contain wine. Please hold the elements until all have received them and we will commune together as one body.

INVITATION

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING³

May the coming God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts, people of God, your redemption draws near.

We will offer our hearts to the One who leads us down paths of faithfulness.

Join together in singing thanksgiving to God, our righteousness.

We praise the One for whom we wait, this day and every day.

Pastor continues prayer…

SANCTUS

Holy, holy, holy are you, God our righteousness.

Because of you, all creation awaits your advent,

praising your glory, O God Most High.
Blessed is the One who you sent in your name

to save us from fear and sin.

SONG OF PRAISE “Gloria Canon”

Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

Pastor Continues prayer…

PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR

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.

THE BREAKING AND THE POURING

SHARING THE ELEMENTS

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVNG

Gracious God, we thank you for this meal where Jesus has made ordinary bread and fruit of the vine holy. Help us to see your holy presence in one another and in all the world. Open our eyes to the wonders of your world as we prepare ourselves for Christ’s return. Open our hearts to all who hunger for hope. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

* HYMN “Hope of the World” #229

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”

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

¹Written by Rev. Christopher Ney, Copywrite 2018 INFO Team, United Church of Christ. Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material in services of worship. All publishing rights reserved.

²written by Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, http://rev-o-lution.org.

³Written by Thom M. Shuman @ Lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com – adapted by Pastor Jacoba

Announcements

We welcome you to this service of worship. We hope you will experience the love of God and your neighbors. Following worship, you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee/refreshments and conversation.

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 today’s service is sponsored by the late Mildred Lawson.

TODAY: 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; 4 p.m. Sunday School Christmas Caroling! (Meet at Neillsville Retirement Community) Sunday School are asking that church members join them.

Monday, December 3 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, December 4 – 6 p.m. Pastor/Parish meeting.

Wednesday, December 5 - 3:30 p.m. CD’s and Confirmation.

6 p.m. Volunteer Night at UCC - Christmas Angel Project

Saturday, December 8- 9 a.m. Volunteer Day – Christmas Angel Project.

Thursday, December 13 – 12 Noon – Circle of Friends Annual Christmas ‘potluck” Party. Join us!

Friday, December 14 – 2 p.m. Communion served at Riverside Assisted Living.

***Order your Poinsettia! $13.00 each. Make checks out to “Falls Florist” Deadline December 16. Check with Audrey.