December 30 bulletin

A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union

First Sunday of Christmas

December 30, 2012

Meditation

As we are glad, Creator God, when the dawn reveals the world to us, innocent and fresh, so may we discover the infant in the manger and in delight be ready to start anew.

                        –New Zealand Prayer Book

Gathering to Worship

Gathering Music Noels   Louis Claude Daquin

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude     In Dulci Jubilo            J.S. Bach

¨  Call to Worship

One:     Light the candles:

All:      the hope of our hearts has been born!

One:     Sing the carols:

All:      the star to guide our spirits has risen!

One:     Embrace your neighbor:

All:      the cradle of compassion receives us all!

One:     Believe in the mystery:

All:      the love we long for is here.

¨  Opening Hymn #434 Black       All the Beautiful March of Days          Forest Green

¨  Prayer of Approach and Confession

One:     Gracious God, you revealed yourself in an ordinary circumstance: a birth.  If we had been there, would we have recognized you, or would we have been put off by the parents’ shabby clothing, the crude surroundings, the smell of the animals, and the crying of the baby?

(silence for reflection)

All:      We acknowledge our attraction to all that seems spectacular or sensational. We confess our inability to see you in places or people that seem unlikely or unlikeable. Amen.

¨ Words of Assurance

One:     God came among us in a babe in Bethlehem to awaken hope in us, and assure us of a love that is everlasting. Let us receive the good news of this grace.

All:      Amen.

¨  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

Special Music                                                           

Epistle Lesson                  Colossians 3:12-17 (p. 1437)

Christ brings new life.

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, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, on the second floor (in the new Conference Room).

Gospel Lesson                  Luke 2:41-52 (p. 1229)

Jesus in the temple.

Sermon     “Grown and Gone”         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.

Offering  Our Gifts

Offertory 

¨  Doxology To God, all glorious, heavenly light; Old Hundredth

                      To Christ revealed in earthly night;

                      To God the Spirit now we raise

                      Our joyful songs of thankful praise.  Amen.

Walking Forward in Faith

¨  Closing Hymn #153 Black         Who Would Think that What Was Needed      Scarlet Ribbons       

¨ Benediction and Sending Forth

   Postlude    Hallelujah       George Frideric Handel

_____________________________

¨   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  Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and our brothers and sisters at the Farristown 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

¨ 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

¨ On December 16 we joyfully welcomed new members into the Union Church family: Kate Grigg, 304 Jackson St., Apt. 4; Chelsey Lloyd, CPO 1013; and Maggie Park

¨ Joy and Tom Frazier have moved to 5044 Dundee Dr., Richmond, KY 40475.  New phone is 859-353-5054.

¨ Barb Taylor at the death on Thursday of her father, Russell Thayer

¨ 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 family, at her death on Christmas Eve.  A service celebrating her life was held here yesterday.

¨ Rev. Jean Huffman has passed away.  She died peacefully on Monday morning. A service will be held in the new year.

¨ Larry Shinn, recovering from a fall

Assisting in Worship

Worship Leader today is Bill Stolte.

We thank Rob Hayden for serving as organist this morning.

Announcements

Anniversary celebration! Judy and Rich Royalty  are inviting the folks of Union Church to join them for an open house TODAY, 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.

Moving Days January 3 & 4 — We will be moving our belongings – temporarily stored in various rooms of the church – to their correct spaces on January 3rd and 4th. If you are available to assist the hired movers who will be here on those days it would help us to keep our costs of moving down if folks can come and help. If you have the time and/or a furniture dolly that the church can borrow, we would sure appreciate you coming to assist. We will start around 8:30 a.m. both days.

Union Church is now able to accept credit cards for contributions.  Please see Rev. Kent after the service.