THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC THE THIRD SUNDAY OF...
Transcript of THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC THE THIRD SUNDAY OF...
THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017
1
VISION STATEMENT
We are the Church of the Redeemer, United Church of Christ,
an inclusive community committed to the worship of God, the work of justice,
and the recognition of our common humanity in the struggles of life.
We follow Jesus Christ, who welcomes all people to his table.
We celebrate the rich diversity of God’s people:
in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities,
marital and economic status and culture.
Join us on a journey of the Holy Spirit,
where faith and intellect meet, learning never ends,
and music and the arts draw us closer to our Creator.
2
WELCOME
We are pleased that you could join us this morning; wherever you are on your life
and faith journey, you are welcome at the Church of the Redeemer. If you have
any questions, please speak with an usher at the back of the Sanctuary. If you
would like more information about the church, fill out the visitor information form at
the back of this bulletin and put it in an offering plate. We hope you will join us after
the service at Coffee Hour for a time of fellowship – go out the side door and follow
the crowds.
ABOUT US
The Church of the Redeemer is an open and affirming, theologically progressive,
mainline Protestant church affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC). It was
founded as a Congregational church in New Haven in 1838. Our identity is
summarized by our vision statement.
CHILDCARE DURING AND AFTER CHURCH
Children are always welcome in church. Activity bags for older children and
rocking chairs for adults with babies are available at the rear of the sanctuary. We
have a nursery downstairs for children through age 6; you can take your child there
at any time (follow the "Nursery" signs in the Tower Lobby or ask the ushers at the
back).
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES
If you are having trouble reading this bulletin or hearing the
service, the ushers can provide you with a large-print bulletin or
an assistive listening device.
3
The Church of the Redeemer UCC
The Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 17, 2017
PRELUDE Alexandre Guilmant Magnificat in G major
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WELCOME Jordan Rebholz
INTROIT Tim Olsen O Antiphons
Julia Blue Raspe, soprano
Please sing the refrain with the choirs when you are invited.
Julia sings it first, and then all of us.
CALL TO WORSHIP please stand Kathy Czepiel
Leader: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God;
People: For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered
me with the robe of righteousness.
Leader: As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns
herself with her jewels.
People: For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is
sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and
praise to spring up before all the nations.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Hark the glad sound
see page 9
4
ADVENT WREATH: LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF JOY Caryne Eskridge
Today is the third Sunday of Advent in which we celebrate the joy God gives the
world in Jesus. We re-light the candles of hope and peace and add the light of
joy.
From the prophet Isaiah, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and
all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
(Isaiah 55:12)
Personal testimony of joy
People: Father, we are filled with joy because we have hope and peace that
you have sent your son for all that believe. Help us to be the joyful
voices that proclaim grace and truth. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
ANTHEM Elizabeth Poston Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
Sarah Reed, soprano; Julia Blue Raspe, mezzo-soprano
Paul Berry, tenor; Brian Robinson, bass
The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit and always green:
the trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree.
His beauty doth all things excel: by faith I know, but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree.
For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see ‘tis found in Christ the apple tree.
I’m weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest a while:
under the shadow I will be of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree.
5
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Let us welcome one another with the traditional Christian greeting
“Peace be with you." "And also with you."
Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers through age 6. Parents may
accompany new children to get them settled and return to worship at any time.
Activity bags are available in the rear of the sanctuary for those children that
remain in the worship service.
HYMN While shepherds watched their flocks
see page 10
ADVENT PAGEANT
Scene 1
Hymn Angels we have heard on high
Verse one only
see page 11
Scene 2
Hymn Angels we have heard on high
Verse two only
Scene 3
Hymn Angels we have heard on high
Verse three only
MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
PRAYERS AND SILENT MEDITATION
Prayer requests may be offered aloud at this time.
THE LORD'S PRAYER unison
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into
6
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen.
PRAYER RESPONSE In the bleak mid-winter
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-720478
7
OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY ANTHEM Gustav Holst Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Sarah Reed, soprano
Brian Robinson, bass
Let all mortal flesh keep silence and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded for with blessing in his hand
Christ our Lord descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood
he will give to all the faithful, his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way
as the light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day;
that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, Lord most high. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL DOXOLOGY (Tune: Lasst uns erfreuen)
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship God in humbleness:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God and Jesus Christ the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One:
O Praise God, O Praise God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
8
RECESSIONAL HYMN Fling wide the door
see page 13
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Alexandre Guilmant Magnificat in G major
Allegro
Andante
Please be seated during the postlude and use this time for silent reflection.
Please join us for a Silver Tea in the upstairs parlor.
You can get to the Parlor by exiting the side door at the front of the church.
9
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-720478
10
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-720478
11
12
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-720478
13
14
All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net. A-720478
15
THANK YOU TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THIS MORNING’S WORSHIP SERVICE
Deacon Shepherd: Tony Forman
Reader: Kathy Czepiel
Hospitality: Silver Tea
Ushers: Brad, Kathy, Ellie and Meggie Czepiel
Nursery Assistant: Two nursery assistants
Thank you to Bobby Rebholz for the beautiful cover art for this bulletin.
Thank you to everyone participating in the Advent Pageant this morning.
The children have worked so hard over the past few weeks and are so excited for
you all to be here. Thank you also to the Sunday School teachers who have made
this all possible. We hope you enjoy the show!
Next Sunday
Hospitality: Nancy Carrington, Peggy Strickler and Chuck Peterson
Ushers: Roslyn Hamilton, Twila Harper and Peggy Strickler
16
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY: THE CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING
Today we will receive the Christmas Fund Offering, the final all church UCC offering
of the year. This offering goes to help retired clergy and lay employees of UCC
churches and chaplaincies. These funds can be used in emergencies, for
supplemental health care, and pension supplements for clergy who retired before
our pension system was as it is today, or those who served small churches whose
contributions to their pensions were small. Please give generously to help these
servants of God.
THE NOON BOOK GROUP
The Noon Book Group’s first meeting in January will take place on Tuesday,
January 9 when the group will discuss Threading My Prayer Rug: One Woman's
Journey from Pakistani Muslim to American Muslim by Sabeeha Rehman. Bring your
lunch and join in the discussion and fellowship!
THE EVENING BOOK GROUP
The next meeting of the Evening Book Group will be at 7:30 on January 22nd to
discuss The Leavers by Lisa Ko. The meeting will be held at the home of Carol
Nardini. As always, new members are always welcome!
THE KNITTING GROUP
The Knitting Group The Knitting Group meets every third Thursday of the month at
2:30 in the afternoon in the Sterling Room. Please join us for this vital ministry of
creating prayer shawls for those who need comfort in difficult times. The pattern is
very simple and we will teach the stitches to anyone who joins us. We also can
supply the yarn. We would love to have some new members! The next meeting is
January 18.
17
CHRISTMAS
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC
Today
10:00 am Advent Pageant
Silver Tea, following in the Parlor
Sunday, December 24
10:00 am Worship
CHRISTMAS EVE
5:15 pm SPECIAL MUSIC
5:30 pm CANDLELIGHT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harp accompaniment
18
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY TODAY
DOCUMENTARY TO BE SHOWN DECEMBER 19
Over the past several years, a documentary company, Purple States, negotiated
with the Connecticut Department of Correction to produce a documentary about
people returning from prison. Several people returning to their communities were
given cameras to record their encounters and were also filmed by Purple States
professionals.
Purple States coordinated its efforts with the Public Broadcasting System and the
New York Times. The documentary was shown on Frontline (a PBS program) in July
and the New York Times produced several accompanying articles in the
newspaper and clips on line.
On Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at 6 pm, the documentary will be shown at the
downtown New Haven Library followed by conversation with the producer, former
parolees and criminal justice professionals.
19
20
CHURCH MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Sunday, December 17, 2017 8:30 am Senior Choir, sanctuary
9:15 am Pageant rehearsal, sanctuary
10:00 am Worship and Advent Pageant
11:15 am Children’s choirs rehearse
5:00 pm Youth Group Christmas Party,
North Haven Congregational,
28 Church Street, North Haven
Monday, December 18, 2017 Poinsettia orders due in office
Thursday, December 21, 2017 2:30 pm Knitting Group, Sterling
7:45 pm Senior Choir, sanctuary
Sunday, December 24, 2017 8:55 am Senior Choir, sanctuary
10:00 am Worship
2:00 pm Quartet rehearses
3:00 pm Senior and Girls’ choirs rehearse
4:45 pm Chancel Choir rehearses
5:15 pm Prelude
5:30 pm Christmas Eve worship
Monday, December 25, 2017 Merry Christmas!
The church office will be closed.
21
22
SAFE CHURCH POLICY
The Church of the Redeemer aspires to provide a safe environment for people of all
ages; physical and sexual abuse and harassment will not be tolerated in any way.
The full text of our Safe Church policy is available on our website.
REDEEMER OFFICE HOURS
The Redeemer office is open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
You may also contact the office by sending an email to
CONTACT REVEREND MURTHA
Susan may be reached via the Redeemer office at (203) 787-5711. You may also
reach her via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (203) 936-9356.
WELCOME VISITORS TO THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER UCC! Please let us know more about you and how we can serve you.
Please complete this card and place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher.
Name:_________________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________________________________________
Email address: __________________________________________________________________
___ I would like to be on your mailing list to receive newsletter (email or USPS)
___ I would like information about Sunday School for my children:
Name(s)/Ages(s): __________________________________________________________
___ I would like a call from the Pastor.
23
The Church of the Redeemer
United Church of Christ
185 Cold Spring Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: 203-787-5711
http://uccredeemer.org
Join us on Facebook at Church of the Redeemer New Haven
Susan J. Murtha, Interim Senior Minister
Jordan Rebholz, Minister for Faith Formation
Robert Parker, Moderator of the Church
Henry Sykes, Treasurer
Kay Comendul, Clerk
Marguerite Brooks, Director of Music
Julia Blue Raspe, Chancel Choir Director and Alto Section Leader
Paul Berry, Boys' Choir Director and Tenor Section Leader
Sarah Reed, Soprano Section Leader
Brian Robinson, Bass Section Leader
Larry Bishop, Organist
Barbara Repetsky, Office Administrator and Financial Secretary
Collin Morrissey, Security
Lou and Valarie Fanelli, Sextons
Margaret Fraser, Nursery Attendant
Emily Novicki, Nursery Attendant