Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
December 16, 2018 10:00
a.m.
The 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 Kelly Nielsen
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 lifeÕs
journey you are welcome here.
GATHERING MUSIC
ÒAway
in a MangerÓ
Be near us, Lord Jesus, we ask you to stay
close by us forever and love us, we pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with you there.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS
CALL
TO WORSHIP1
Derek
Zschernitz and Ray Weyer
Leader: The joy of the season is upon us. The time is almost here.
People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Leader: Show us how to serve you.
People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Leader: Show us how to create joy in the world.
People: Come,
Lord, Jesus, come!
Leader: May all people see the salvation of God.
People: Come,
Lord Jesus, come! Be born anew in our world and in our lives.
*HYMN ÒO
Come, O Come EmmanuelÓ vs. 1, 3 4 #86
We Confess Our
Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness
*CALL TO CONFESSION
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION1
O God, we thank you for Jesus who was born in Bethlehem.
Forgive us when we forget that he is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
We thank you for all the things he taught us.
Forgive us when we do not love others as he loves them. Forgive us when
we are not kind and when we do things that disappoint him.
O God, we thank you that you are always near.
Interrupt our lives with your presence.
*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Even when we deny GodÕs
expectations; even when we fail to honor God or follow Jesus, God still loves
us. But as any parent, God hopes we will change our ways when we are not
faithful. So as God forgives us, Jesus also calls us to work harder to make
this world more loving.
*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 abundant joy Christ wants for all his followers
be yours. May this joy and peace
be with you.
People: And also with 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."
*SONG OF PRAISE
ÒGloria CanonÓ
Gloria, gloria,
in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, gloria,
alleluia, alleluia!
We Listen for the Good News
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 3:7-18
CHILDRENÕS TIME ÒHoly InterruptionsÓ
LIGHTING OF THE FIRST CANDLE OF
ADVENT
ÒHoly InterruptionsÓ Derek Zschernitz
In the season of Advent, we get so busy we feel we have no time. For Elizabeth and Mary, the news of a baby interrupted their lives in unexpected, scary, and wonderful ways. As we prepare for Christmas, may we be messengers who create signs of GodÕs love by interrupting our busy-ness doing good works: by helping others who need some help, by visiting those who are sick or who canÕt easily leave their homes anymore, and by making cookies or gifts for people who are lonely.
Holy God, help us to remember how you
interrupted the world with the birth of Jesus. May we enjoy the beauty and
wonder of this season and share your love in our world. Amen.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS
PROGRAM
ÒChristmas
Is JesusÓ
Readers:
Lexi Bergemann Landon Bergemann
Krue Czarnecki Dottie Holm
Haylee Erickson Kyson Erickson
Kalvin Heck Clayton Sexauer
Quinn Sexauer Iris Vine
Colton Williams Tyler Williams
Lexi Woods Reese Ziegler
William Ziegler
Chorus:
Morgan Erickson Sophie Heck
Jake Keller Addy Sadowska
Layne Woods Claire Ziegler
We want to give a special thank-you to the Senior Choir for
Helping us sing the songs this year, and we invite the
congregation to sing with us anytime throughout the program
These are all songs you know and love.
Thank you also to the parents for bringing your children to
practice. We love our smallest disciples!
Merry
Christmas to all!
We Respond to the Word of God
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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 OFFERTORY Kelly
Nielsen
*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 ÒHail to the LordÕs AnointedÓ #88
*THE BENEDICTION
*CHORAL
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
The Light of Christ Leads Us into the
World
1 Prayer of Confession was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, and adapted by
Rev. Jacoba Koppert. Copyright 2018 Faith 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. 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 todayÕs service is sponsored anonymously by a faithful radio listener.
Calendar:
Monday, December 17 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.
Tuesday, December 18 – 5:30 p.m. Trustees;
6:30 p.m. Deacon/Deaconesses; 7:30 p.m. Church Council.
Wednesday, December 19 - NO CDÕs or Confirmation.
Thursday, December 20 – 10-11:30 a.m. Sun CatcherÕs CafŽ.
Neillsville High School Choir singing.
***Order your Poinsettia! $13.00 each. Make checks out to ÒFalls FloristÓ Deadline December 16. Check with Audrey
Christmas
Eve Services
4:30 p.m. Family Service (with battery operated candles & Communion at the altar)
7:30 p.m. Traditional Candle Light Service (Choir sings & communion at the Altar)
Remember
your ADVENT Offerings and the
Christmas
Fund.