Welcome & Announcements
Introduction to Las Posadas
Prelude Savior of the Nations, Come (Chorale and Var. 2) Hugo Distler
Posadas Song Please sing the song on opposite page when invited
* Prayer of Confession
One: When we reject those who appear different than us and our clan,
All: Forgive us, and turn our hearts.
One: When we seek to pay homage to fear more than to love,
All: Forgive us, and turn our hearts.
* Words of Assurance
One: One is coming, and is already here, who will beat swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, who will take the hardest of hearts and melt it into a warm embrace.
All: Come, Lord Jesus! Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
* Hymn #116 Black O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
Verses 1,4
* 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 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Daniel Gawthrop
Union Church Choir
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 11:1-10
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.
Following Children’s Moment, Little Church for children Preschool & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Fellowship Hall, and Children’s Church, for grades K-3, takes place in the chapel. If this is your child’s first time attending Little Church or Children’s Church, please accompany hi or her to fill out a registration form. Otherwise, children are welcome to follow volunteers to their worship spaces.
Gospel Lesson Matthew 3:1-12
Sermon Lions and Lambs and Snakes—Oh My! Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Offertory Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Divinum Mysterium) Wilbur Held
* 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 #127 Black Lo, How a Rose (Es ist ein’ Ros entsprugen) Es Ist Ein’Ros
St. 1—soloist (sung in German) with handbells; St. 2 & 3, all
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 #108 Black Isaiah the Prophet Judas and Mary
* Benediction
Postlude Joy to the World Wilbur Held
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 Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal and our brothers and sisters at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 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.
* 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
* Ruth Butwell, recovering well at home after hip replacement
* Judy Rowell, hospitalized with complications from surgery
* Greg Bolster, Steve’s brother, fighting cancer
* Erin Hay
* Linda Parsons, recovering home
* Gail Wolford, recovering at home
* Michelle Tooley, awaiting cancer treatment
* Dawn Manor, Dot Kindel’s daughter, recovering at the Kindels’ 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
* Shirley Dean, on hospice care for lung cancer
* The family of James Bonta, at his grandmother’s death
The Alternative Giving Sunday was a great success! Appreciation to all who participated! Thanks to the church for hosting it. Thanks to the cooks for all the food. Thanks to everyone for all that work! Thanks to all the committed folks who staffed the 26 displays! It was an education seeing all the presentations and learning about the projects and concerns. The fellowship and warmth of all the interaction of the people was so lovely. The event was a success over and above the funds raised. To Michelle Tooley, John Payne and all the good people responsible for the day, thank you for such a good start to the Christmas season.
21st annual Danish-American Christmas Celebration TODAY Dec. 8th 5:30 PM – 8 PM at Russel Acton Folk Center. Santa Lucia Processional, Santa’s workshops, music and carols by Al and Alice White, and live candles on the Christmas tree. This is a free, family-friendly event sponsored by the Folk Circle Association. Information at 986-7584, or www.berea-folk-circle.org.
Sunday School , Children’s Church and Little Church will have a Christmas break on December 15 for the Christmas Pageant and on December 22 & 29th. All will resume on January 5.
Wednesday Nite Live for December 11: Doug Hindman will discuss Emergency Preparedness. Also— Hair dyeing! Many of our youth AND Rev. Rachel will be dyeing their hair BLUE! Thanks to all who have contributed to sending us to camp. It is the event of the year for many of our youth.
Thank you from the Mission & Service and Community Life & Growth Boards for all of the program presenters during the fall. We have had a wonderful variety of programs, along with the food and fellowship. If you would like to present or have suggestions for WNL programs in the new year, please speak to Michelle Tooley or Betty Hibler.
Children’s Choirs and Youth will rehearse for the Christmas Pageant this Wednesday during WNL and this Saturday from 10—noon. Parents, please stay with your kids through rehearsal on Saturday, in case we are able to release them early.
Youth Skating Trip! The Youth Group will go ice skating Friday, Dec. 13. Meet at church at 5:30, bring $15 for skating & dinner.
Congregational Meeting to act upon the 2014 budget and conduct other church business, December 15, after church and a lunch by Women’s Creative Sewing and Crafts (formerly Woman’s Industrial). Hard copies of the 2014 Budget are available today in the vestibule and will also be at WNL — or by email—just ask & we’ll send it to you.
The Berea Classic Chorale’s Christmas Concert is next Sunday, December 15, 2:30 pm in the sanctuary. Under the direction of Larry Brandenburg, this is the Chorale’s inaugural concert. This newly-formed community choir of 22 voices will sing a variety of Christmas pieces, both accompanied and a cappella. The music ranges from a short cantata (“In Dulci Jubilo”) by the Baroque master, Buxtehude, to English carol settings to American folk settings. The choir is accompanied by B. G Hibbard, assisted by strings, flute and percussion. There is no admission charge, but a free will offering will be taken. Plan to enhance your Advent/Christmas season by attending—and bring a friend!
Christmas Caroling Wednesday, December 18 – Come One, Come All! All are invited to the 5:45 p.m. supper of soup and trimmings. We will then set out to carol in two groups: one group will walk to those houses nearby and a second group will be driven to those homes a little farther away by Kevin Burke in the trolley (great fun last year!). We will meet back at the church for cookies and hot chocolate. Whether you join us for caroling or not, cookie contributions will be much appreciated.
The Long Night Service will be Thursday, December 19, 7:00. This will be a special “Long Night Service for Prayers of Healing.” This special quiet service is for anyone who is suffering in body, mind, or spirit during the holidays: Those who have lost loved ones, who are divorced or widowed, suffering depression, lost their jobs, or are simply mindful of the pain of the world. Set near the longest night of the year, the service is meant as a loving community of care as we wait for the light to return.
Poinsettias Needed for Christmas! If you would like to bring a poinsettia to church, please do so by Friday, Dec. 20. If it is to be “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone, please get that dedication to the office by noon on Thursday, Dec. 19 Note: if this seems to be a week later than usual—it is. The Christmas Pageant on the 15th will be using all the space on the platform.
New Opportunity School for Women Celebration and Fundraiser December 13, 5:00—7:00 pm, First Christian Church’s Fellowship Hall.
- Come & enjoy free food, drinks and holiday music, purchase unique, handcrafted ornaments
- Enter to win prizes to be awarded every 15 minutes (Tickets available at door, Must be present to win)
- Bid on spectacular silent auction items, including
food baskets, jewelry, crafts, artwork and more - Make a donation to NOSW in the name of a loved one (NOSW will send a small gift and holiday card notifying them of your gift)
- Please RSVP by calling 859-985-7200
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!
Loriel Warren (eyeonloriel@gmail.com) would like to let everyone know that she is available for holiday party planning, set up, clean up and decorating help. Email her to set up an appointment
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