Neillsville,
Wisconsin
Pastor Jacoba Koppert
Church 715-743-2147
Pastor's Office
715-743-2117
www.uccneillsville.org
___________________________________________________
December 1, 2019
10:00 a.m.
We Gather to Worship God
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.
PRELUDE Karen Mohr
ÒWachet
auf, ruft uns die StimmeÓ
(JS. 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 a 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 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.
PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: When our lives are turned upside down,
People: we turn to you, O God.
Leader: When we are
separated from all that is dear to us,
People: we
turn to you, O God.
Leader: When chaos threatens the order that comforts us,
People: we
turn to you, O God.
Leader: Come, Let us worship together.
*HYMN ÒAwake, Awake,
and Greet the New MornÓ (Insert)
ADVENT
CANDLE LIGHTING
First Reader: The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into
the world. In commemoration of
that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas and
reflect on the coming of Christ.
It is significant that the church has always used that language
– because the coming of Christ – because it speaks to a
deep truth. Christ is coming. Christ is always coming, always
entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so, we light the first candle, the candle of hope, and
dare to express our longing for peace, for healing, and the well-being of all
creation.
Second Reader: Let us take time in the busyness of this Advent season, for quiet
reflection – looking for God moments. May we be surprised by wonder and set aside to offer God
thanks. Let us welcome Christ into
our hearts and be guided by his ministry.
Christ is coming. Christ is always coming.
(First candle is lit)
ALL:
Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, We open all the dark places
in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of
hope. Prepare our hearts to be
transformed by you, That we may walk in the light of Christ.
ÒO Come, O Come EmmanuelÓ
O
come, O come, Emmanuel
And
ransom captive Israel,
That
mourns in lonely exile here,
Until
the Son of God appear,
Rejoice,
rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee, o Israel!
We Confess Our Sin and Seek GodÕs Forgiveness
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy One, Word made flesh, Eternity captive in time, Heaven
in a manger, Light in our darkness, we pray that you will forgive us our sins
and make us clean and fair for your coming. Loose us from our treacheries toward you and our cruelties
toward one another. So feast us this
day on the bread that does not perish that we may arise to new daylights of
hope, and give into our hands your healing Cup whereby we shall be made whole
again; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*THE ACT OF PRAISE AND THANSGIVING (Sung 2 times)
Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
Music Copyright ©1978 Les Presses de Taize G.I. A. Publications Inc. Reprinted under
OneLicense.net A703773
*PASSING THE
PEACE
Jesus said, ÒPeace I leave with
you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives to you. Do
not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.Ó May we each
know this peace. Let us share ChristÕs peace with one another. 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 "the peace of Christ be with you" and responding
" and also with you.")
We
Listen for Words that
Encourage and
Challenge Us As Jesus Followers
CHILDRENÕS
TIME
CHOIR MUSIC
ÒIs Your Heart Prepared
for a King?Ó
(Robert Lau)
OLD TESTAMENT
LESSON Isaiah 2:1-5
NEW TESTAMENT
LESSON Matthew 24:36-44
SERMON ÒSneaky JesusÓ
Pastor James Mohr
RESPONSE TO THE WORD UCC Statement of Faith
(Screen)
We Respond in Faith to GodÕs Love for the
World
*HYMN
ÒSteal AwayÓ
(Insert)
MORNING PRAYERS
INVITATION TO
OFFERING
THE OFFERTORY
Karen Mohr
ÒLet All Mortal Flesh Keep SilenceÓ (Gordon Young)
*THE DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF
DEDICATION
*COMMUNION HYMN
ÒLet All Mortal Flesh Keep SilenceÓ (Vs. 1&2) #83
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.
Invitation
Pastor: Beloved in Christ the
Gospel tells us that on the first day of the week Jesus Christ was raised from
death, appeared to Mary Magdalene, on that same day sat at the table with two
disciples, and was made known to them in the breaking of the bread
All: (sung) This is
the joyful feast
Of the people of God.
Men and women,
Youth and Children,
Come from
the east and the west,
From the north and the south,
And gather about ChristÕs table.
Pastor:
This table
is for all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the
community of GodÕs people.
Communion Prayer
Pastor: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to God.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor:
Holy
God, we praise and bless you for creation and the gift of life and for your
abiding love which brings us close to you, the source of all blessing. We thank you for revealing your will
for us in the giving of the law and in the preaching of the prophets.
We thank you
especially that in the fullness of
time you sent Jesus, born of Mary, to live in our midst, to share in our
suffering, and to accept the pain of death at the hands of those whom Jesus
loved.
We rejoice that
in a perfect victory over the grave you raised Christ with power to become
sovereign in your realm.
We celebrate
the coming of the Holy Spirit to gather your church by which your work may be
done in the world and through which we share the gift of eternal life.
With the
faithful in every place and time, we praise with joy your holy name:
All:
Holy, holy, holy
God of love and
majesty,
The whole
universes speaks of your glory,
O God Most High.
Blessed is the one
Who comes in the
name of our God!
Hosanna in the
highest!
Pastor: We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took
bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the
disciples, saying: ÒThis is my
body which is broken for you. Do this
in remembrance of me.Ó
Consecrate,
therefore, by your Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, and bless us
that as we receive them at this table, we may offer you our faith and praise,
we may be united with Christ and with one another, and we may continue faithful in all things.
All: In the strength Christ gives us,
We offer ourselves to
you, eternal God,
and give thanks that you
have called us to serve you.
Amen.
Breaking Bread and Pouring
Wine
Prayer of our Savior
Sharing the Elements
Today we will receive the elements
remaining in our pews. The Deacons/nesses will serve the elements; Pastor
Jim will serve the gluten-free
wafers in the pews to those who request it. We serve both wine and grape juice;
the wine is dark in color and the grape juice is light in color. Please hold
the elements until all have received them so that we can commune together as
one body.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Almighty
God, we give you thanks for the gift of our SaviorÕs
presence in the simplicity and splendor of this holy
meal. Unite us with all who are
fed by ChristÕs body
and blood that we may faithfully proclaim the good
news of your love and that your universal church may be a
rainbow of hope in an uncertain world; through
Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
*HYMN ÒKeep Awake, Be Always ReadyÓ (Insert)
*THE BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION 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 Karen Mohr
Announcements
Today: Following our worship service you are
invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs 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.
Today: Following our worship service volunteers are NEEDED to help decorate the church for our Christmas/Advent season.
Radio Broadcast Sponsors – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given anonymously by a faithful radio listener.
Calendar
Monday, December 2 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.
Wednesday, December 4– 3:30 p.m. Confirmands trimming Christmas tree; and working with Angel Tree Project;
6 p.m. Christmas Angel Project Worknight
Saturday, December 7 – 7 a.m. UCC MenÕs Club Breakfast;
9 a.m. Christmas Angel Project Workday.
Next Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday of ADVENT –
Second Candle lit; 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Home; join us if you wish.
Dates to Remember
Christmas Angel Project
Worknights/Workdays –
6 p.m. Wednesday, December 4; 9 a.m. Saturday, December 7;
6 p.m. Wednesday, December 11;
9 a.m. Saturday, December 14.
Sunday, December 8 – 3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community.
Thursday, December 12 12 Noon Circle of Friends Annual Potluck Christmas Party; come and join us!
Sunday, December 22 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program followed by JesusÕ Birthday Party hosted by the Christian Education Board.
Tuesday, December 24 – 4:30 Family Christmas Eve Service with communion/candle lighting; 7:30 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service with Communion.
Poinsettia
Orders – ItÕs time to order your poinsettia if you wish to
have one. They are the same price
as last year. $12.00. You have a
choice of either red or white.
Please specify when you order.
Make your check out to Falls Florist. The
poinsettia will be placed in front of the Sanctuary on Christmas Eve. You may take it home with you following
the 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service.
Names will be printed on an insert in the Christmas Eve bulletins. Order in honor, in memory or for any
other reason you ay have. Thank you for your orders. Deadline for ordering will be Sunday,
December 15.
ADVENT OFFERING – Remember your ADVENT offerings. The monies collected will be used for local mission