Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
December 23, 2018 10:00
a.m.
The 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 Vincente Cortez
ÒThe King Shall Come when the Morning
DawnsÓ
John Brownlie an Morning Song
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.
MISSION MOMENT ÒChristmas
Fund OfferingÓ
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
Logan
Erickson and Mike Perkl
Leader: In the season of Advent, we remember ÒGod so loved the world.Ó
People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Leader: The Mighty One has done great things for us.
People: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Leader: God lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things.
People: Come,
Lord, Jesus, come!
Leader: God shows mercy to everyone from one generation to the next; to all who honor the Lord as God.
People: Come,
Lord Jesus, come! Be born anew in our world and in our lives.
*HYMN ÒCome,
Thou Long Expected JesusÓ #79
We Confess Our
Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness
*CALL TO RECONCILIATION1
Every notion we have about power, success,
wealth and achievement, God takes and tosses out the window. More
importantly, God comes to us, to upset our idea that we must save
ourselves. In Jesus, God comes to us, removing our sin, our failures, our
expectations, so we might have life. Please join me as we pray together,
saying,
* PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS1
Holy God,
we confess we are not the people you hope us to be.
The very people you
favorÉ
All too often, we ignore them, or worse ridicule
them.
The ones you pull
off their pedestalsÉ
We continue to admire them, imitating their
ways.
The desire for more
and moreÉ
We also want more and more, therefore risking
being sent away empty.
Mighty God, forgive us; You come to us in the
weakness of a baby, looking at us with grace so we might see your love shining
down.
You
want us to live secure in your hope, to be peacemakers in our world, to learn
to do your will, and welcome Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, into our hearts
and into our lives.
Silence is kept
*ASSURANCE OF
PARDON1
God blesses us
with mercy,
from generation
to generation, always loving,
always
forgiving, always calling us to new life.
As we open our
hearts to God, we are filled
with the Joy
that was sung at the Birth,
with the
Hope that walked among us,
with Peace that passes
all understanding,
with the Love
and Grace which never ends,
Thanks
be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
*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 ChristÕs never-ending love for the world fill you
with peace. May this love 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 of ChristÕs
Coming
CHILDRENÕS TIME ÒMaryÓ
CHOIR SINGS
ÒRise Up, Come On and Get ReadyÓ (Pepper Choplin)
LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE OF
ADVENT
ÒHoly SongsÓ Logan Erickson and Mike Perkl
In the season of Advent, Zechariah sings the praises of John the Baptist, Mary sings of her Son who is about to be born. Soon we will hear the angels singing. We too sing songs which remind us of the coming of Jesus Christ. May our songs express our hope, peace, joy and love for Jesus and the world he enters.
Holy God, help us to sing your praises. May
our songs express our faith and our desire to work to bring your kingdom on
earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Luke 1:26-66
Hannah Erickson, Karen Mohr, Barb Shoemaker
SERMON ÒHoly SongsÓ Pastor Jacoba Koppert
We Respond to the Word of God
*HYMN ÒO Little Town of BethlehemÓ #99
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.
INVITATION TO OFFERING
THE OFFERTORY Vincente Cortez
ÒThere Is a LongingÓ (Anne Quigly)
*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 Vincente Cortez
ÒWe Walk by FaithÓ (Henry Alford/Marty Haugen)
The Light of Christ Leads Us into the
World
1 Written
by Thom M. Shuman with adaptation by Rev. Jacoba Koppert http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com/2017/03/liturgy-wcommunion-for-april-2-2017.html
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 by two of our church families; Jim and Rosie Repinski are sponsoring in memory of loved ones lost and it is also being sponsored anonymously by another church family
Calendar
.
Monday, December 24
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)
Poinsettias – Note: Names will be listed in the Christmas Eve Bulletins. Please take your poinsettia(s) home with you following the 7:30 Christmas Eve service.
Tuesday, December 25 - Christmas Day (Office Closed)
ÒMerry ChristmasÓ to everyone!
Wednesday, December 26 – NO CDÕs or Confirmation.
Next Sunday, December 30 – Fellowship/Coffee ÒPotluck CookiesÓ Bring your left-over Christmas cookies! Thanks.
Tuesday, January 1 – New YearÕs Day (Office Closed)
Happy New Year!Ó
January Newsletter will be out on Sunday, January 6.
9 a.m. Sunday School; 9 a.m. Sr. Choir practice; Communion.
Remember
your ADVENT Offerings and the
Christmas
Fund.
2019 Offering Envelopes: For those of you using offering envelopes you will find them on the table in the narthex. Please pick them up.