A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the
Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2013 10:30 am
Welcome & Announcements
Introduction to Las Posadas
Prelude Savior of the Nations, Come (chorale prelude) J.S. Bach
Posadas Song Please sing the song on opposite page when invited
* Prayer of Confession
One: When we fail to grant compassion because we’re following the letter of the law,
All: Forgive us, and turn our hearts.
One: When we are assured that our way is the best and only way,
All: Forgive us, and turn our hearts.
* Words of Assurance
One: One is coming, and is already here, who restores us, and dries our tears, and re-aligns our hearts. One is coming who teaches us the power of grace.
All: Come, Lord Jesus! Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
* Hymn #116 Black O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 1, 6 Veni Emmanuel
* Passing the Peace of Jesus Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Anthem The White Dove Johannes Brahms
Union Church Choir
1. A dove as white as winter, from heaven came to earth, and greeted there a maid of humble birth. She bowed her head and listened to his words, That she, above all others, was favored by the Lord. Kyrie eleison.
2. The heavenly gates will open, Thou shalt have a son, Emmanuel, Most High, the Chosen One. For know, a blessed mother shalt thou be, the coming generations will laud and honor thee. Kyrie eleison
3. Our hope and expectation, O Jesus appear. Arise thou Sun, above this darkened sphere. With hearts and hands uplifted, Lord to see, the day of earth’s redemption, and ever be with thee. Kyrie eleison.
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 7:10-16
Children’s Moment As the children return to their seats we sing:
May God’s presence guard, protect and guide you.God bless you, God bless you.
Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon Risky Business Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Offertory Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Johannes Brahms
* Doxology Tallis’ Canon
All praise to you, eternal Son, whose advent has our freedom won.
With the Creator we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.
* Prayer of Thanksgiving
Hymn #105 Black Joseph Gentle, Joseph Dear Joseph Lieber, Joseph Mein
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Silent Prayer and Prayers of the Community
Our Lord’s Prayer
One: …Our Maker, our Mother,
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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
* Closing Hymn #117 Black Lift Up Your Heads Truro
* Blessing the Way of Larry Brandenburg
With deep feeling, we commend you to your life and work in other places, taking with you our strong support and sincere prayers.
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano Side: In peace!
Bell Side: In love!
Piano: To teach!
Bell: To learn!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To preach!
Bell: To pray!
Piano: To heal!
Bell: To comfort!
All: Go forth into the world!
Piano: To build!
Bell: To plant!
Piano: To grow!
Bell: To thrive!
All: Go forth into the world to love and serve the Lord.
* Benediction
* Benediction Response In God’s Hand Deborah Payne
Postlude Postlude on God Rest Ye Merry arr. Al Fedak
Especially in our prayers …
Each week we join millions of Christians who pray for one another through the ecumenical prayer cycle and, locally, the Berea Ministerial Association’s prayer cycle. Let us hold the people of Ghana and Nigeria and our brothers and sisters at Emmanuel Baptist Church in your hearts, and pray for them. Please also hold these concerns in your prayers today and throughout the week.
* Those in harm’s way in the service of our country and all those who wait and worry for them.
* Lauri McVicker and Rhonda Edwards are getting legally married on December 26 at noon in Lauri’s sister’s living room in Princeton, NJ. The same minister, Rev. Sue Anne Steffey Morrow, who performed their ceremony on July 17, 1999 in the Princeton University Chapel, will officiate! Congratulations!
* Abigale Embry, at the death of her stepfather, Billy J. West, on December 9
* Gail Burks, friend of the church, injured in an accident
* Lisa Bosley and her family, at the loss of Lisa’s father, Hugh Bosley
* The Panciera family, at the death of Anne’s father, Gordon Erb
* Nancy Jones, recovering at home after a hospital stay
* Ruth Butwell, recovering well at home after hip replacement
* Judy Rowell, recovering at home
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer
* Erin Hay
* Linda Parsons, recovering at home
* Michelle Tooley, awaiting cancer treatment
* Dawn Manor, Dot Kindel’s daughter, as she recovers and they adjust to a new home
* Naomi Brandenburg, Larry’s mother, recovering at home after hip replacement
* Rose Brandenburg, Larry’s aunt, at Berea Health Care Center
* Edith Hansen, at The Terrace
* Klara Welsh, at Berea Health Care Center
* Bernice Robertson, at Berea Health Care Center
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
Check out the Parlor! Many thanks to Don Jiskoot for the donation of the mantle and accessories AND the for the labor and materials framing it. It is beautiful, and we are so grateful!
Sunday School, Children’s Church and Little Church will have a Christmas break until January 5.
Pop-Up Wedding You are cordially invited to join Nick and Rusti Mullins after the worship service for a brief vow renewal service. Celebrating 15 years by having the church wedding they never got to have, they would be overjoyed to have you celebrate with them. All you have to do is stay in the sanctuary after the service . A reception will follow.
Christmas Eve at Union Church We will have two services on Christmas Eve: the first will be at 5:30 pm in the sanctuary, followed by a finger food reception (see below) and the second at 11:00 pm in Cowan Chapel.
Return of the Christmas Eve Reception! For years, Union Church has had the tradition of a Finger Food Reception in Fellowship Hall following the early Christmas Eve service (5:30 pm). Last year we were just barely back in the sanctuary for Christmas, but Fellowship Hall was not yet ready to host the usual large number of church families and guests. This year we want to bring back the tradition, but we will need everyone’s help: please bring savory or sweet finger foods to the kitchen prior to the service.
We also need a number of helpers, both before and during the event, for tasks including decorating and set-up (afternoon); receiving food and arranging platters (one hour prior to the service); serving punch and replenishing platters during the reception; and clean-up afterwards. Please sign up on the bulletin board at the back of the sanctuary.
Advent reading: For the four Sundays of Advent, Debbonnaire Kovacs will be reading her story, “The Christmas Dollar,” here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0nwtbizVDE. She hopes you enjoy it!
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