UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Neillsville, Wisconsin

Pastor Jacoba Koppert

Church 715-743-2147

Pastor's Office 715-743-2117

www.uccneillsville.org

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December 8, 2019 10:00 a.m.

We Gather to Worship God

Second 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 Vicente Cortez

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 life’s journey you are welcome here.

PREPARING FOR PRAYER “Away in a Manger”

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 WORSHIP¹

Leader: The Reign of God is drawing near.

People: The prophet, John the Baptist, calls us to change our lives.

Leader: Prepare the way for the Lord!

People: A just and peaceful path.

Leader: Welcome one another, for Christ welcomes you.

People: For the glory of God.

OPENING PRAYER¹

*HYMN “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” #79

We Confess Our Sin and Seek God’s Forgiveness

*CALL TO CONFESSION

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION¹

O God, you call us to turn our lives around and work with patience and diligence to prepare the way for your Reign, but we get discouraged and give up too soon.

Holy One, have mercy.

O God, you call us to collaborate in community to prepare the way for your Reign, but we neither trust nor honor the gifts of others.

Christ, have Mercy.

O God, you call us to be full of joyful confidence to prepare the way for your Reign, but we burden ourselves with anxiety and fear.

Holy One, have mercy.

*SILENCE FOR PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

Forgive us, O God, and lead us in the ways of patience, community and joy.

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON¹

*PASSING THE PEACE

(All are invited to greet others, saying to one another "the peace of Christ be with you" and responding " and also with you.")

*PRAISING GOD (Sung 2 times)

Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, Gloria, alleluia, alleluia!

OneLicense.net A703773

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES² Nancy and Kirk Rodman

First Reader: Last Sunday we lit the first candle—the candle of hope. Today we light the second candle, the candle of peace. We light it knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is almost completely absent. Yet in this season of Advent, we trust that God is never absent from us. God is always preparing something new. And even where there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families, or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities.

Second Reader We take our encouragement from Christ, who even in the midst of conflict found peace. God empowers each of us to be peacemakers. With Christ leading the way, we too will work for peace. Let us welcome Christ into our hearts and be guided by his ministry. Christ is coming. Christ is always coming.

ADVENT HYMN “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

O come, Desire of Nations bind,

All peoples in one heart and mind.

Make envy, strife, and quarrels cease;

fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

ADVENT PRAYER

Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning,
We thank you for the hope and peace

you unfailingly offer us.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ.

We Listen for Words that

Prepare Us for the Coming of Our Savior

CHILDREN’S TIME “Preparing for the Birth of Jesus”

SPECIAL MUSIC “Toda la Tierra” Vicente Cortez

SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 11:1-11

Romans 15:4-13

SERMON Pastor Jacoba Koppert

“Let There Be Peace on Earth: Imagining Peace!”

We Respond in Faith to God’s Love for the World

*HYMN “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #94

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 Vicente Cortez

*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 DEDICATION¹

With these gifts, dear God, accept the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts, which rejoice in your goodness and love. Let our gifts point to your presence in the world, and further your dream for the world through Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Amen.

*HYMN “All Earth is Waiting” (Insert)

*THE BENEDICTION

*CHORAL RESPONSE ”Let There Be Peace On Earth”

By Sy Miller and Jill Jackson

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and

live each moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Reprinted under OneLiense.net A-723900

*POSTLUDE Vicente Cortez

The Light of Christ Leads Us into the World to Serve

¹To Dream God’s Dream: Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent, was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship and Gospel Arts, Justice and Local Church Ministries UCC.

²Written by Jeanyne Slettom and adapted by Pastor Jacoba Koppert; https://processandfaith.org/advent-candle-liturgy/By Andrew Schwartz Published on May 27, 2015.

Announcements

Today: Following our worship service you are invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall downstairs for coffee/refreshments and conversation.

3 p.m. Communion served at Neillsville Retirement Community; come and join us.

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 – Today the radio broadcast portion of our worship service is given by Doris Bakker in celebration of the Birth of Jesus.

Calendar

Monday, December 9- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nar-Anon.

Tuesday, December 10 – 10 a.m. Ministerial Alliance meeting at Marshfield Medical Center – Neillsville.

Wednesday, December 11– 3:30 p.m. Confirmands;

6 p.m. Christmas Angel Project Worknight.

Thursday, December 12 12 Noon Circle of Friends Annual Potluck Christmas Party; come and join us!

Saturday, December 14 9 a.m. Christmas Angel Project Workday.

Dates to Remember

Sunday, December 22 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program followed by Jesus’ 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 – If you wish to place a poinsettia in our sanctuary for Christmas Eve it’s time to order your poinsettia. 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.

Remember our special mission this month “The Christmas Fund.” Envelopes can be found in the pew racks.