A Gathering in Worship offered by the People of Church of Christ, Union
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2012
Meditation
“He who loves brings God and the world together.”
—Martin Buber, At the Turning, 1952
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Chorale Prelude on WACHET AUF! J.S. Bach
Introit Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates arr. Schweizer
When invited, please sing the refrain:
Reading from the Prophets Micah 5:2-5a (p. 1097)
A promised ruler.
Advent Candle Lighting: LOVE
The Advent Wreath tradition reaches back to pre-Christian northern Europeans who lit candles awaiting the winter solstice. By the 1500s, both Lutherans and Catholics had adopted the Advent Wreath as a devotional way to prepare for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Each week as we wait through Advent, we light a new candle representing an aspect of the light God intends for all people. This Sunday the candle of LOVE is lit.
Lighting the Candle of Love (adapted from a liturgy by Jeanyne Slettom)
One: We have lit three candles—for hope, for peace, and for joy. Today we light the fourth candle—the candle of love.
One: With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times, but that we recognize that love in a special way in this Advent season. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, and have the power to love, because God loves us, and draws close to us in every moment.
One: Let us pray together as we open ourselves to the light of Love:
All: Loving God, we open ourselves to you as Christmas draws close. As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared. Magnify your love within us, and our love of you in the world. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.
¨ Opening Hymn #106 Black My Heart Sings Out Marias Lovsang
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: While we may want to cry out like Mary did, O God, full of rejoicing and praise for all that you’ve done, sometimes we find it a little hard to do. Sometimes we are stuck more in her first reaction: “How can this be?” What will become of me? We let the demon of fear be our guide rather than the angel of courage, good news, and love. Our servitude to that fear leads us into other unsavory behavior and thoughts, until we are far, far from singing a Magnificat. We balance our values according to the world’s standards, rich over poor, powerful over lowly. We ignore your system of justice, in which the poor in wealth and spirit are exalted. We become distracted, and in so doing, we turn our backs on the loving way of life you offer.
All: Forgive us our betrayal of your joy and love. Help us turn again to see the blessings that you bestow even in unlikely people and places. Restore our faith in you, and help us sing once more.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: Hear now the Good News: God is able to break into the darkest of spaces. God is able to see in the darkest of nights. God is able to transform even you and even me.
All: God is able! Let us allow God in! Thanks be to God.
¨ Passing the Peace of 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.
Hearing the word
Anthem “Signs and Wonders (FREU DICH SEHR)” arr.D. Cherwein
Union Church Choir
Signs and wonders lead the dancing from the heart God frees from fear: Wings of angels greet the maiden, and God finds a dwelling here; Boldly may we lift our hands, bow the head, and voice Amen; Thus does glory shine at midnight: open hearts invite the starlight.
Hope and freedom join the circle; Mary to the garden came, Saw the radiance of the marvel, heard the Risen call her name; Boldly may we heed Christ’s call, step beyond the garden wall: Beautiful the feet proceeding with good news of death’s defeating.
Cast aside all fear and hiding: hand in hand we dance the round, God is with us, Christ, abiding, and the Spirit’s gifts abound. Hand in hand we dance the round. Called by God to holiness, let us boldly serve and bless; And to hearts that sigh and hunger may our lives dance signs and wonders. Hand in hand we dance the round.
Susan Palo Cherwien
Gospel Lesson Luke 1: 39-55(p. 1225)
Mary visits Elizabeth.
Reflection “God Getting Bigger” Rev. Kent Gilbert
Prayers of the People
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 Prayers & Prayers of the Community
Our 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 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.
Christmas Pageant The Best Story: Katherine Willis Pershey
An Imperfect Christmas Pageant (adaptations from Douglas Adams & the Union Church cast)
There will be opportunities to join in singing with the pageant cast. Please join us for these songs, found in the red or blue hymnals in the pew.
#112 Away in a Manger
Offering
We Three Kings
1. We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.
2. Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
3. Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh. Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
4. Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice. Alleluia, alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies.
#106 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
#115 Go, Tell it on the Mountain
Walking Forward in Faith
¨ Benediction and Sending Forth
Postlude Fugue on the “Magnificat” Johann Pachelbel
“Adeste Fidelis” Hal Hopson
_____________________________
¨ Those who wish to may stand
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 the Holy Pentecostal Sanctuary 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
¨ The families of those killed in Connecticut, and victims of violence everywhere
¨ J. Donald Graham, retiring as pastor of Kirksville Christian Church after a long career
¨ Barb Taylor’s father, Russell Thayer, as he approaches the end of his life
¨ Renee and Billy Wellinghurst at the birth of Whitney Louise, born at 25 weeks on December 8, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. Please hold the family in prayer as Whitney faces some serious health challenges.
¨ Abi Dietz, who is now in rehab in Philadelphia. Cards may be sent care of her mom, Georgina Bard, 403 Edge Hill Rd., Glenside, PA, 19038
¨ Edith Hansen, at The Terrace nursing home
¨ Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
¨ Ruth Wesley, very ill at home. Cards welcome, to 215 Peachbloom Hill
¨ Hamdy Kemp’s address is 3217 Mist Lake Court, Lexington, KY, 40515, cards are welcome.
¨ Rev. Jean Huffman has passed away. She died peacefully on Monday morning. A service will be held in the new year.
¨ Jean Seals, a long-time friend of Union Church, has died. Her life was celebrated at a service on Friday
¨ Larry Shinn, recovering from a fall
Assisting in Worship
Worship Leader today is Sarah Belanger.
Announcements
Church Council recognizes Dave Kobersmith for his extraordinary service and extra hours to keep our building projects on track and moving ahead. Church Council voted to commend him and, along with the congregation, to offer our profound thanks.
There will be two services on Christmas Eve: 5:30 pm a special 11:00 pm service to welcome the Christ child at midnight. There will be no Christmas Day services at the church so everyone can keep Christmas with their families and friends.
We are very sorry to report that, due to renovations, there will NOT be a reception after the Christmas Eve service.
Anniversary celebration! Judy and Rich Royalty are inviting the folks of Union Church to join them for an open house on Dec. 30, 2012, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. The address is 101 Bryon Ave., Berea. No gifts, please, unless it is a gift to the church. Please RSVP to 985-8265.
Union Church is now able to accept credit cards for contributions. Please see Rev. Kent after the service.
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