THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

             www.uccneillsville.org

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.