Our Worship: August 2018

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

December 30, 2018 First Sunday of Christmas

THEME:

NOTES:

SCRIPTURE:
8:30 AM Order of Service

The Gathering

Welcome

Prelude

We Gather in The Light of Christ

Lighting the Christ Candles

Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader: In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!

Hymn of Praise:"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (all verses)

Call to Worship

Leader: A new day has dawned, a new year begun

People: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice

Leader: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future

People: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path

Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement

People: O Lord, remind us that You lead us

O Lord, guide us as look to You, and worship You.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution website. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Invocation (UNISON)

Eternal God,

you call us to ventures,

of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown.

Give us faith

to go out with courage, not knowing

where we go but only that your hand

is leading us,

and your love supporting us.

~ written by Eric Milner White. Posted on Christine Jerrett’s blog. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture Colossians 3: 12-17

Sermon

We Pray Together

We Share Our Joys & Concern

Prayer Hymn:"Still, Still, Still" (both verses)

Praying Together

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn:#172 "We Three Kings" (verses 1, 2, & 5)

The Elder’s Prayer of Communion

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Supper

All are welcome to share at the Table. Come forward using the center aisle. As you partake of the bread and the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the table. The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church.

The Lord’s Prayer

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn:#161 "I Wonder as I Wander" (verses 1, 2, & 4)

Blessing

Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

10:40AM Service

Welcome

Prelude

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship

Leader: A new day has dawned, a new year begun

People: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice

Leader: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future

People: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path

Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement

People: O Lord, remind us that You lead us

O Lord, guide us as look to You, and worship You.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution website. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Hymn of Praise:"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (all verses)

Invocation (UNISON)

Eternal God,

you call us to ventures,

of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown.

Give us faith

to go out with courage, not knowing

where we go but only that your hand

is leading us,

and your love supporting us.

~ written by Eric Milner White. Posted on Christine Jerrett’s blog. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.

Hymn of Faith:"O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture

Anthem

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn:"Still, Still, Still" (both verses)

Praying Together

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#172 "We Three Kings" (verses 1, 2, & 5)

The Elder’s Prayer of Communion

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Prayer

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn:#161 "I Wonder as I Wander" (verses 1, 2, & 4)

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing

Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,

People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

Parting Song:

December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve

December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve, 7pm

Theme: Journey to Christmas, God with Us Revealed

Time: Set-up at 6:30pm, Service Starts at 7pm

Scripture: Luke 2: 1-18
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.Order of Worship

December 24, 2018

We Gather to Celebrate the Light of Christ

Welcome
Good evening. On this Christmas Eve, we are gathered as God's people to celebrate again what Christ's coming means to the world. We join with Christians all over the world who are celebrating tonight.

Prelude

Call to Worship                Lisa & Mark CR
Reader 1: When we wait in the night
in the hush that only stars can hold
People: as they bend towards the coming of the light;

Reader 2: When we wait in the night
labouring with anticipation
People: of what midnight shall bring;

Reader 1: When we wait in the night
listening to the cadence of minutes beat
People: in rhythm with the birth of hope;

Reader 2: May we hold our collective breaths
with the angelic host as they clutch their restless alleluias,
People: for God is on the way:

Reader 1: The mother is laboring, the father pacing,
the stable readying, the word waiting, the light sliding,
People: and the promise is breaking through!

Reader 2: When we wait in the longing for midnight
in expectation of Good News
People: may we choose to wait together.

Reader 1: May we find we have moved to the edge of justice
for in such anticipation is the only place
People: for the Word to be born among us.

~ written by Reverend Roddy Hamilton and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Hymn #148                 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”                 sts. 1, 3 & 4

Opening Prayer                                 Unison

We have waited for a long time
for your hope, your joy, your love
to shine in the darkness of this world, Almighty God.
Even now, in our gathering here, we await you.
In our hearts, we still hope that your light will blaze forth,
banishing the shadows of this world
and flooding it with the power of your love.
Illumine our hearts, gracious God,
that we might speak anew the Good News of Emmanuel, God with us! Amen.

~ adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH.

We Hear the Good News

Scripture:    Isaiah 9:2, 6-7                                                    Kyle Sowers
2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Lighting of the Christ Candle in Advent Wreath
Leader:Tonight We relight the four Advent candles and recall the gifts that God gives us as we journey together to Christmas.
People: Hope. Peace. Love. Joy.
Leader: Jesus Christ is the greatest gift who makes all the other gifts possible. So, we light the Christ candle now, as we think about what Christ's coming means to us.
People: God gives the gift of Jesus Christ.
Leader: We thank you, God, for your gift of Jesus hrist to the entire world. We thank you that Christ's coming makes Hope, Peace, Love and Joy possible for every person in every nation. Encourage us to do our part to bring peace and good will to our families, our churches, our neighborhoods and the world. Now let your SPirit put us in touch with you the living God, through the words and music we share tonight. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray,
People: Amen.

Advent Hymn CH#128 “One Candle is Lit”    ALL

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5                             Mark CR
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Hymn #147                             "Away in the Manger"    ALL

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18                                                 Kyle Sowers
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Hymn #155               “Angels We Have Heard on High”        sts. 1 & 3

We Come to the Lord's Table

Meditation:                                                              Lisa CR

Call to Communion                                Mark CR
God is telling a story in our lives.
It’s quite a story-
full of the promises God makes
and our struggles to trust;
full of mystery and angels
with surprising news;
full of hard endings
and unexpected new beginnings.

Have no fear, but come to the table where all are welcome.
Gather at the table, where Jesus Christ is our host.
Through his life among us, his death as one of us, and his resurrection into new life for all of us, we have encountered the love and grace of God.

Pay attention to the angels’ message
in your heart
in this place and time.

Then join all creation
in worshipping the God
who tells it
full of grace and truth;
who comes in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
and makes our story holy.

~ posted on Christine Jerrett. https://christinejerrett.wordpress.com/

Hymn #144                  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”       sts. 1 & 4

Prayers for Bread and Cup                                                                Elders

Words of Institution                                                                            Elders

Communion
All are welcome to share at the Table. Come forward using the center aisle. As you partake of the bread and the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the table. The offering you share supports the ministries and life of Christ’s church. As you leave the table, please form a circle around the walls of the room for the Lighting of the Candles.

Prayer of Thanksgiving                                                                UNISON

God of Love and Light, You spoke light into being as Your first act of creation. Darkness did not overcome Your light when it was born into our world in Jesus Christ. You have called us to be filled with Your light, and to shine that all the world may see You. As we light these candles tonight, we give thanks for this calling - to dine at your table, to be your children, to shine your light. May others find shelter in the light of your love as we shine in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

Passing the Light
The ministers will begin the Passing of the Light by lighting their candles from the Christ candle. Please tip your unlit candle towards the lit candle as it reaches you.

Hymn #145                  “Silent Night”                             ALL

Benediction                                                                                        Lisa CR

Hymn #150        “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”                   stanza 1

December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday in Advent

THEME: JOY on the Journey to Christmas

We have only one service (10:40) this week following

the Christmas Breakfast at 9:30am.

NOTES: This fourth Sunday of Advent, we celebrate JOY. We listen to Mary's song and ponder how she found joy and delight in the challenge offered to her by God's messenger. She finds JOY because she recognizes God's presence with her. What challenges will we take JOY in this Christmas season?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:46-56
⁴⁶And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

⁵⁶Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

10:40AM Service

Welcome

Prelude

We Gather in the Light of Christ

Call to Worship

Leader: Listen–all creation rejoices, can you hear it?
People: There is so much noise and chatter, are you sure there is music?
Leader: Listen–the wilderness and desert are breaking out in song, can you hear it?
People: It’s been so long since we’ve heard a melody of praise.
Leader: Listen–the crocus blooms with joyful singing, the very mountains join in the refrain.
Can you hear it?
People: We join our voices in hope,worshipping our God who brings forth a new song in the world.

~ written by Rev. Nancy J. and posted on wonderings thru life and other such nonsense. http://ruminari.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/advent-3a-call-to-worship/

Hymn of Praise: CH #150 "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" All

Invocation (UNISON)

God with us,

kindle your spark of JOY within us,

that together we may shine forth your light,

we might banish the shadows of this world,

we might be the continuation of the Christmas miracle:

Emmanuel is in this world,

God is with us, now and evermore. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational in Rochester, NH.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Leader: We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world.
With the coming of this light there is JOY. JOY is not ours only at Christmas, but always.
People: God gives us JOY.

Leader: O Holy One, as Christmas draws near,
there is a sense of excitement in the air. We can feel a JOY in our lives ad see it in the world around us.
The sorrow of loss lingers among us and loneliness can be a heavy load, but the JOY you give is not daunted by sadness. Help us to touch today the deepest JOY of all, the JOY of loving and being loved. As we carry this gift of JOY with us, may it lighten the burdens of all who experience it. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Advent Hymn: CH#128 "One Candle is Lit" st. 3

Passing of the Peace

We return to our seats as the piano music begins.

Hymn of Faith:#155 "Angels We Have Heard on High" verses 1, 3, & 4

We Contemplate God’s Word

Scripture

Anthem

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

We Prayer Together

We Share Our Joys & Concerns

Prayer Hymn:#149 "Angels From the Realms of Glory" verses 1, 2, & 4

Praying Together

We Gather at The Lord’s Table

Invitation to the Table

Communion Hymn#151 "The First Noel" verses 1, 2, & 4

The Elder’s Prayer of Communion

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Prayer

We Go Forth into the World

Challenge for Discipleship

Discipleship Hymn:#143 :Joy to the World" all verses

Acolytes come forward.

Blessing

Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.

Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,

People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!

Parting Song:#445 "Go in Peace" sing once

Sanctuary

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

December 30, 2018 First Sunday of Christmas

Leader: A new day has dawned, a new year begun

People: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice

Leader: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future

People: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path

Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement

People: O Lord, remind us that You lead us

O Lord, guide us as look to You, and worship You.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution website. http://rev-o-lution.org/

Leader: A new day has dawned, a new year begun

People: O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice

Leader: The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future

People: O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path

Leader: We enter this new year with hope and excitement

People: O Lord, remind us that You lead us

O Lord, guide us as look to You, and worship You.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on her Rev-o-lution website. http://rev-o-lution.org/

December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve

December 23, 2018 Fourth Sunday in Advent