U CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF USTIN
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1 U NITED C HRISTIAN C HURCH OF A USTIN December 2, 2018 Advent I 10am
Transcript of U CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF USTIN
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UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF AUSTIN December 2, 2018 Advent I 10am
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Welcome! United Christian Church of Austin is an Open and Affirming congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person created in God’s image. We welcome into full membership and participation in the Body of Christ persons of every race, ethnic background, age, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, social-economic background, marital status and faith background. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in Christ’s Church. December 2, 2018 Advent I 10am
Prelude
Hymn-Sing Prelude “Lo, How A Rose E’re Blooming” #127, verses 1 & 2 “Of the Parent’s Heart Begotten” #118, verses 1 & 2
“Come, O Long-Expected Jesus” #122, verses 1 & 2
WE GATHER IN FAITH
Welcome Rev. Nikki Stahl
Call to Worship JoAnn Thornton One: There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. Many: Now is the time these things will begin to happen. One: Now is the time the humble learn a new way. Many: May the Holy One make us increase and abound in love for one and
another and for all. One: Make us alert, Holy One, to signs way up in the heavens and right here in the
hope that lives among your people on earth. Many: Let us worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Candle Lighting Song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” #116, verse 1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel , and ransom capt ive Israe l
That mourns in lone ly exi l e here , unt i l the Chi ld o f God appear . Re jo i c e ! Re jo i c e ! Emmanuel shal l come to you, O Israe l !
Lighting the Advent Candle of Hope One: Night and day we pray most earnestly for hope to come again. Many: The people already faint with the fear and foreboding that has come
into this world. One: We must stand up and raise our heads, our hands and our voices. Many: Night and day, we must spark new hope in each other. One: We light one candle today to remember that this light shines in us all. All : [sing refrain] Rejo i c e ! Re jo i c e ! Emmanuel shal l come to you, O Israe l !
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WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Children’s Offering & Message December: socks (see p.6) Children are invited forward to help collect the Children’s Offering and share in the Children’s
Message. Following the Children’s Message, childcare will be offered in Room 3 and the nursery, and Worship & Wonder will be offered for K-2nd in Room 1 and older children in Room 2.
Sending the Children Forth “Shalom Chaverim” (Peace, friends, till we meet again)
Seeking the Word in Scripture from the Christian Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (Pew Bible p. 1076)
Sermon “Now What?” Rev. Dr. Longbottom & Rev. Fisher
WE SHARE OUR PRAYERS
Prayers of the People O God, Hear our prayer. Including Buck Edwards (Mark Edwards’ father); Bobby Bell (Johna Edwards’ uncle); Mary Jane Villreal (Edwards’ daughter-in-law’s aunt), Jesse Ojeda, Gemma Montez, Family of Elvina Mae Johnson, Neil Vanderschaaf; Jim Isenberg (Dennis’ brother); Dorothy Hammerle. Please send updates to Rev. Nikki Stahl at [email protected]
The Lord’s Prayer, using these or whichever words are closest to your heart 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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WE RESPOND IN FAITH
We Share the Peace of Christ Peace be with you. And also with you.
Call to Engagement & Sharing Our Gifts
Welcoming New Members One: Today we rejoice in the pilgrimage of faith that has brought you to this
time and place. We give thanks for every community of faith that has been your spiritual home and the ways the Spirit has walked with you in between, and we celebrate your presence now in this household of faith.
Will you endeavor, by the grace of God, to follow in the way of Jesus Christ, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, mercy and compassion to all, and to witness to the work and word of the Gospel as best you are able?
New Member: I promise, with the help of God. One: Will you participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people,
sharing regularly in the worship of God, in continuing faith formation, and enlisting in the work of this congregation as together we seek to serve our community and the world in Christ’s name?
New Member: I promise, with the help of God. One: Let us, the members of United Christian Church of Austin, express our
welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ. Congregation: We welcome you with joy into membership in this church.
We promise you our friendship, fellowship, and prayers as we share the work and worship of Jesus Christ.
All: By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in the knowledge and love of God and become instruments of God’s purposes of justice, peace, and compassion.
Musical Offering “Carol of the Bells” M. Leontovich/Wilhousky
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away. Christmas is here, bringing good cheer, to young and old, meek and the bold. Ding dong, ding dong, that is their song with joyful ring all caroling. One seems to hear words of good cheer from everywhere filling the air. Oh how they pound, raising the sound, o’er hill and dale, telling their tale. Gaily they ring while people sing songs of good cheer, Christmas is here. Merry Christmas! On, on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home.
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WE SHARE HOLY COMMUNION
All are welcome at Christ’s table. Members, guests, first-timers, long-timers, baptized or not, all who desire to know and share the love of God. We receive communion by intinction, coming forward to take a bit of bread and dipping it in the cup before returning to our seats.
Note: All bread is gluten-free. Both red wine and white grape juice are offered.
We Give God Thanks & Praise Rev.s Fisher & Longbottom, & Sula Howell, deacon
Communion Music “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” arr.by Alexander
Sharing the Sacrament …let all God’s people say: Thanks be to God. Amen.
WE GO FORTH TO SERVE
In advent anticipation of the birth of Christ, we close our worship by singing one Christmas carol. *Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” #131
*We Are Sent Forth May God bless you with wonder this Advent. May you be surprised by hope, Uplifted in love and delighted by the wisdom of children. May light shine where you least expect it.
Now our worship is ended. Let our service begin. Amen
Postlude “Carol of the Bells” Leontovich Liturgy written by Rev. Elsa Cook, member of United Christian Church of Austin.
Music License: OneLicense.net License #A722068
Go Green! Download this bulletin in PDF format from www.UCCAustin.org/bulletins
MAKE YOUR OFFERING VIA TEXT MESSAGE! Initially, just text 512.842.6662 with the amount you’d like to contribute, making sure to include the dollar sign before the amount, for example: $25. You’ll receive a text back with a link to register. Once registered, you’ll receive a receipt via email. For future giving, simply send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically.
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS for DECEMBER 2, 2018
TOWN HALL MEETING TODAY Come and learn about what an Interim Minster is and will bring to United Christian Church. Presenters are Rev. Christal Fisher from the Disciples of Christ and Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom from the United Church of Christ. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Sides are welcomed.
DECEMBER CHILDREN’S OFFERING We are collecting socks for our homeless neighbors through our mission center and through the Round Rock Serving Center.
LAST DAY OF BOOK FAIR FUNDRAISER Shop books for your holiday gifts to help kids thrive emotionally, socially, and spiritually. All books are sold at a special discount! 20% of proceeds go the church’s general budget. Look for the display table in the Fellowship Hall. Contact: Rev. Elsa Cook.
POINSETTIA SALES On sale now for $20 in Fellowship Hall. Proceeds go to fund youth mission trip. Poinsettias will decorate the sanctuary on December 16th. You may pick your poinsettia up after worship on the 16th or they will delivered by youth and choir carolers to residents at Pavilion Assisted Living Center. Contact: Meghan Trout, [email protected]
GIFT CARD SALES On sale now in time for the holidays from many retailers! Forms in Fellowship Hall and online (info also in Fellowship Hall). A portion of the proceeds will help fund our youth group’s mission trip. All orders and payment must be in by December 9th, and gift cards will be available for pick up on Sunday, December 16th. Contact: Meghan Trout, [email protected].
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, 12/9 No preparation needed – all are welcome to participate! Costuming at 9:15 a.m. After dressing, the children will have a chance to rehearse their anthem for the following Sunday. Sign-ups for readings are in the Education Wing. Contac: Emily Guerrero [email protected]
COUNCIL ORIENTATION, 12/9 The incoming members of the 2019 UCC council are invited to gather after worship to get acquainted and discuss the year ahead.
MUSIC SUNDAY, 12/16 Don’t miss this special Sunday when you’ll get to sing along with your favorite Christmas music! You’ll enjoy hearing from the Chancel Choir, the Bell Choir, and the Children’s Choir! Dress rehearsals will be before worship, 12/16: Bell Choir at 8:40, Chancel Choir at 9:00, and Children’s Choir at 9:20. Contact: Rev. Anna, [email protected]
CAROLING, 12/16 The Youth Group and the Chancel Choir are teaming up to go caroling at noon at Pavilion Assisted Living Center. We will be delivering poinsettias and Christmas Cheer! Contact: Meghan Trout, [email protected]
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ON-GOING THIS WEEK Breakfast Fellowship, Tuesdays @ 8am, Jim’s Restaurant at Spicewood Springs Rd.
and Hwy 183. For more info, contact Kenneth Dalley, [email protected] Spearheads Alcoholics Anonymous, Tuesdays @ 7pm, Rm 6. AA meeting for men Choir Rehearsal, Wednesdays @ 7:15pm, sanctuary, Rev. Anna, [email protected] Bell Rehearsal, Sundays @ 12:00pm, Rm 10, Rev. Anna, [email protected]
FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION, AND MISSION GROUPS Sundays @ 5pm (member homes) Lyn Brown, [email protected] Book Group, 4th Weds @ 6:30pm Cherie Hinch, [email protected] Saturdays @ 6pm (Stahl’s house) Rev. Nikki Stahl, [email protected]
LEADERSHIP MEETINGS Regular Staff Meeting Tue @ 10am, Room 10 Rev. Nikki Stahl, [email protected] 2019 Council Orientation Sunday @ 11:30, Room 10 Cherie, [email protected]
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS Acolytes: OPEN; Advent Candle Lighters: Chase Larson and Patrick Riordan; After Church Clean-Up: Carol Barrett; Deacons: Lisa Deane, Ryan Chody, Sula Howell, Barbara DysonWilliams; Elder: OPEN; Flowers: OPEN; Greeters: OPEN; Liturgist: JoAnn Thornton; Tellers: Tracy Brown and Rebecca Mollis; Sound Room: Carol Barrett
WORSHIP SCHEDULE for ADVENT through EPIPHANY
December 2 @ 10am ........... Rev. Don Longbottom, UCC Conference Minister and Rev. Christal Fisher, DOC Regional Minister, preaching and teaching December 9 @ 10am .................................................................. Christmas Pageant December 16 @ 10am ............. Service of Lessons & Carols, Rev. Anna Humble December 20 @ 7pm, Thursday ............... Longest Night Service, Arlene Turner December 23 @ 10am .......................................... Rev. Anna Humble, preaching December 24 @ 4pm ......................................... Christmas Eve, Emily Guerrero @ 11pm ............................................... Rev. Nikki Stahl, preaching December 30 @ 10am ............................. Pastor Carl Schwartz-King, preaching Rainbow Elephant Gift Swap to follow January 6 @ 9am & 11am ........................................... Rev. Elsa Cook, preaching
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UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF AUSTIN A member congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) & the United Church of Christ www.uccaustin.org [email protected] CLERGY & STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION United Christian Church of Austin ...................... 3500 W. Parmer Ln., Austin, TX 78727 tel 512.218.8110 / fax 512.218.8190, weekday office hours: please call first www.UCCAustin.org and www.facebook.com/UnitedChristian Rev. Nikki Williams Stahl, executive minster ............................................ [email protected] Pastor Carl Schwartz-King, licensed minister ............................................. [email protected] Rev. Anna Humble, minister of music ..................................................... [email protected] Emily Guerrero, children’s ministries coordinator ...................................... [email protected] Meghan Trout, youth ministry coordinator ................................................ [email protected] Ann Vanderschaaf, accompanist GOVERNING BODY CONTACT INFORMATION Chris McCubbin, council chair ...................................................... [email protected] Tony Hunt, vice chair/personnel ........................................................ [email protected] Laurie Thornhill, secretary .................................................................. [email protected] Vacant, financial secretary ............................................................... [email protected] Dean Jones, treasurer .......................................................................... [email protected] Alyssa Naley, clerk/historian ...................................................................... [email protected] Samantha Laurence & Stacey Hackenberg, social justice .................... [email protected] Rebecca Molis, stewardship and finance .................................................. [email protected] Jenny Veninga & Arlene Turner, worship ......................................... [email protected] Linda Laurence, deacons ...................................................................... [email protected] Vacant, Christian education ............................................................. [email protected] Clark Thompson, elders ........................................................................... [email protected] Maddie Hackenberg, fellowship ....................................................... [email protected] Jan Keeling & Lynette Alcorn, communications ................. [email protected] Vacant, property .................................................................................. [email protected]
