Welcome to Worship
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Love
December 19, 2021
Join us here for a live-stream beginning at 9:15am
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS- Rev. Andy Bachmann
PRELUDE– Christmas Carol Sing-along with the All-Church Band, directed by Larry Reimer
INVOCATION- “The Mighty Pilgrimage,” by Christina Rodgers. Read by Rev. Talia Raymond
to set out, taking
the light of the star
as our light, following
in the footsteps
of the shepherds
who ran forward
with such joy,
the angel song still
shimmering in the air,
to kneel at the placewhere even kings fall
prostrate – where
gifts of gold shine
no greater than any
other gift – for the
greatest gift is love.
All who gather here
know this as we
place our hearts
beside the manger
once more.
Please sing verse one of “Watcher, Tell Us of the Night,”
Watcher, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are.
Traveler, O a wondrous sight! See that glory beaming star!
Watcher, does its beauteous ray news of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes; it brings the day, promised day of Israel!
THE LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH ADVENT CANDLE, LOVE – Eric Lemstrom and Marthe Walters
Verse two of “Watcher, Tell Us of The Night”
Watcher, tell us of the night, higher yet that star ascends.
Traveler, blessedness and light, brace, and truth its course portends.
Watcher, will its beams alone gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own; see, it bursts o’er all the earth!
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Rev. Andy Bachmann
BIRTHDAYS
INTERLUDE– Verse three of “Watcher, Tell us of the Night”
Watcher, tell us of the night, for the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, shadows take their flight, doubt and terror are withdrawn.
Watcher, you may go your way; hasten to your quiet home.
Traveler, I rejoice today, for Emmanuel has come!
READING – “Shadows,” by Phoebe Papadi
Take time.
Be still.
Be quiet.
Let shadows fold you in peace.
See what comes.
Perhaps shadows come from light dimming, and darkness wrapping around you.
When you need to rest and heal and reconnect with your true self.
To go into dark, unafraid, sure of light that is to come.
When you need you to be.
Just be.
Perhaps shadows come from light just glimmering into being, to lift you out of your gloom.
When you are ready for joy and awe and your self is expanding and thrilling back into life.
When all around you is expectant, shining, waiting for you to see through to your soul.
To your full, glorious, marvelous, never-to-be-duplicated-from-now-to-the-end-of-time — you.
We exist in shadows.
From dark.
From light.
And back again.
In this Advent season, take time.
Be still.
Be quiet.
Let shadows fold you in peace.
See what comes.
PRAYER CONCERNS- Rev. Talia Raymond
SUNG RESPONSE- “Wait for the Lord”
Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart!
OFFERTORY AND SPECIAL MUSIC- “Hallelujah” with lyrics by Larry Reimer. Offered by Larry Reimer, flugelhorn; Andy Bachmann, guitar; Stella Bachmann, vocals
Please join in on the chorus
SCRIPTURE- Matthew 2:1-12
SERMON- “The Gifts We Bring,” Rev. Andy Bachmann
CLOSING SONG- “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here,
until the child of God appear
Chorus: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you O Israel
O Come, O Wisdom from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and help us in that way to go.
Chorus
BENEDICTION – “Possibility Prayer,” by Dar Mikula
God grant me the availability and focus
to stay vibrating with the love.
May I know truth from a centered place
and remain compassionate, conscious, expressed
and hope-full in all my interactions
and undertakings today.
May the faith that has sustained the power of
love and magic for generations before me
be carried on in me today
as I greet each new moment
with an attitude of possibility and miracle.
CHORAL RESPONSE
O Come, Desire of Nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind:
Bid envy strife and quarrels cease,
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
POSTLUDE
Here are the UCG friends celebrating a birthday this week!
Happy Birthday!
|
Emma |
Beachy |
12/14 |
|
Claudia |
Connelly |
12/14 |
|
Calissa |
Harris |
12/14 |
|
Karen |
Brown |
12/15 |
|
Ellery |
Burgess |
12/16 |
|
Dick |
Elkins |
12/16 |
|
Jim |
McClave |
12/16 |
|
Cathy |
Owen |
12/16 |
|
Tenley |
Hemmerich-Sullivan |
12/18 |
Announcements
Adult Advent Reflection booklets, with a reading for each day, are available in the Foyer. These special and beautiful booklets feature original artwork, photos, and writings by UCG members.
Recordings of our beautiful Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols will be available for a $10 donation this Sunday between services. You may purchase a CD of vocal recording, a CD of Prelude instrumental music (free with vocal CD), or a digital USB of all vocal + instrumental recordings. Pre-order for Sunday pickup and pay online by clicking here.
Calling all puzzle lovers – Stop by the Puzzlers’ Table in front of Seminar B on Sunday. Take home some puzzles this week (instead of waiting until our usual 4th Sunday), in time for the upcoming holidays. You can bring puzzles to swap, or not; we have plenty to share.Racial Justice Committee will be selling all sizes of BLM t-shirts this coming Sunday in the courtyard between services. Martin Luther King Day is Monday, January 17, 2022. Help us make UCG a big presence on the march that day. Cost of shirts is $10.00.
Youth Christmas Party TODAY, 5:30 – 9:00pm in the Courtyard.
Every December we receive donations for Ray Meeks, UCG member who was on death row for 42 years when his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Ray uses the money for personal items like clothing, toiletries, snacks, and the use of his tablet for email, music, and movies. There is a basket for contributions in the Foyer. Please include your name if you give cash. Ray likes to write thank you notes.
A Service for the Longest Night – December 21 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary – A service of grief, loss, reflection, and quiet hope. All are welcome.
Christmas Eve Emergency Loan Fund Offering: The offerings at all three Christmas Eve services are designated for our Emergency Loan Fund used to assist people, both in and out of the church, who need help with utilities, rent, food, and emergency shelter. We hope you will give generously on Christmas Eve.
The church office is closed from December 24 through January 2 and no church activities, other than Sunday worship, are scheduled. Voice mail will be checked Monday – Thursday. Any situation that needs immediate attention will be referred to one of the ministers or to the appropriate staff person. Note that e-mail will not be checked during this Christmas break. Happy Holidays!
As our fiscal year draws to a close, we hope that everyone will be able to fulfill their pledge commitment to 2021. If you have any questions, please email me catherinec@ucgainesville.org. Although the office will be closed the week after Christmas, I will check email periodically during that time and answer questions as needed. Please indicate the fiscal year – 2021 or 2022 – on your payment to avoid any confusion. As always, THANK YOU for your continued support of our church!
- 4:30pm– A multi-sensory service for all ages
- 7:30pm – Special music, candles, and a sermon from Bromleigh McCleneghan
- 9:30pm – The choir sings, candles are lit, and Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan preaches
All services end with a candlelight circle in the Courtyard as we sing “Silent Night.”
December 18 COVID Update