Service of the Word 16 2018 bulletin 3rd advent...Service of the Word Third Sunday of Advent -Joy antata December 16, 2018 11:00 a.m. Welcome! It is a pleasure to have you with us

Service of the Word Third Sunday of Advent - Joy

Cantata December 16, 2018

11:00 a.m.

Welcome! It is a pleasure to have you with us this morning. This morning we will the use black New Century Hymnal (NCH).

*Indicates when people are invited to stand.

We Gather

Prelude "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" Jonas Dawson Rowland H. Prichard (1887), arr. Mark Hayes Welcome Please sign the red Friendship Book in your pew.

Call of the Engelbrecht Memorial Bell

*Call to Worship One: Rejoice in the Lord always. All: We come to worship and rejoice. One: Again, I say "rejoice!" All: We come to worship and rejoice! One: Let your gentleness be known to everyone. All: We come to worship and rejoice. One: The Lord is near!

All: We come to worship and rejoice the One who is with us! *Opening Hymn Emmanuel, Emmanuel (insert)

*Opening Prayer God of Life and Joy, we celebrate your certain promise of our salvation. We rejoice in St. Paul's message that you are near to us always and everywhere! We are indeed drawing with joy from the well of your salvation. Almighty God, help us to prepare our hearts for the One who came to save us, the one who is coming again, Jesus, the light of the world. Enlighten our prayers, our thoughts and our deeds with the light of the gospel so that we may grow the fruit of right-eousness. Open our ears to the call of the needy; empower us to share the joy of our salvation with all the world. O God, giver of unspeakable joy, bless the church of Christ that we may celebrate aright the incarnation of your love in the person of Jesus. Amen.

*Gloria Patri (in unison) Glory to the Creator and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*Passing the Peace Lighting of the Advent Candle week 3: Joy

Leader : We move from one task to another, from one responsibility to another. The holidays may wear us out with Worries about preparations, about family relationships, About money, about presents! People: We are scattered and busy about too many things. Leader : We call out in our fatigue: People: Where is your joy, O God? Where is your gift of presence in our lives? Leader : We remind ourselves of Paul's ancient advice: Celebrate God all day….revel in God! Help [everyone] see that the Master is about to arrive!... Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.

Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness,

everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It is wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Leader: Let us light this third candle of Advent, a candle of Joy. In its light, let us turn our worries into prayers for God to be present to us right now, as we prepare for the coming of Christ.

Leader: Let this candle of Advent Joy shine in our hearts all week to remind us to pray and praise and place Christ at the center this season.

HYMN With Joy Draw Water, v. 1 NCH #109

We Listen

First Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20 John Brehmer Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38 Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor

(There will be no Sermon or Children’s Message today.)

Cantata Oratorio de Noël (see Program Insert)

Camille Saint-Saëns

Jonas Dawson, Director

Performed by Grace Choir, Guest Soloists & Orchestra

We Respond

Prayers of the People

Call for Tithes and Offerings

Offertory "Watchmen, Tell Us of the Night" Jonas Dawson Joseph Parry (1903), arr. Mark Hayes

The yellow rose on the altar is presented by the Altar Guild in memory of deceased war veterans and in honor of those who have served our country, as well as those currently on active duty.

*Prayer of Dedication *The Lord’s Prayer (in 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

We are Sent

Announcements *Closing Prayer *Closing Hymn Lift up Your Heads NCH #117 *Benediction

Ringing of the Engelbrecht Memorial Bell *Postlude "Paean on 'Wachet Auf'" Jonas Dawson Phillip Nicolai, arr. David Lasky (1957)

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Do you get a little chilly in church?

Please know that there are hand-made shawls available for you to use as you need. They are spread throughout the sanctuary. Please ask an usher if you don't see one near you. Many thanks to Pam Marshall for this idea and for making the shawls!

Welcome to our Guests!

We are delighted that you joined us for worship this morning. Please be sure to sign the red Friendship Book in your pew.

If you have any difficulty hearing the service, one of our ushers can provide you with a hearing assistance device. We also have large print bulletins and hymnals available.

Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us for Children’s Church - a time of Bible lessons, crafts, songs and other fun activities. We leave the Sanctuary following the Children’s Message. For children 5 years and young-er, our Nursery is available during the worship service.

Following the worship service, please join us for fellowship.

Welcome to Grace Church!

Grace Advent & Christmas Calendar

Sunday, December 16 11AM Third Sunday of Advent Worship

Christmas Cantata/Grace Choir

Thursday, December 20 10:30AM Advent Study/Homewood

6:30PM Advent Study/Grace UCC

Sunday, December 23 10:30AM Children’s Rehearsal/Festival of Lessons and Carols

11:00AM Worship Service &

Grace Children’s/Festival of Lessons and Carols

Monday, December 24 7:30PM Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 25 Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 26

4-9PM Grace UCC on

Candlelight Tour of Historic

Houses of Worship - music all evening

Join us for a fun and inspiring service of Lessons and Carols

as we close out the Advent season and prepare for Christ-

mas!

This service of music and readings will feature music and

readings by the children at Grace.

Music practice for the kids will be held on two

Sundays, Dec 9th and 23rd from 10:30-

10:45AM.

Any young people who would like to read in the service,

please let pastor Rob know!

Join us for a fun and inspiring service of

Lessons and Carols featuring the children of Grace!

Sunday, December 23rd -- 11:00 AM (during worship)

Advent Study: The Gift of the Nutcracker

Thursdays throughout Advent 12/20

Morning or Evening Study Group 10:30 AM at Homewood (activities room )

or 6:30 PM at Grace Church (pizza and drinks provided)

The Nutcracker was first performed in 1892, and quickly became a holiday tradition, one that continues for many families to this day. In The Gift of The Nutcracker, Matt Rawle takes a look at this Christmas classic in a new way—through the lens of faith. In this

four-week Advent study, Rawle uses the iconic tale to help us understand God’s great-est gift of the Christ child and of the kingdom Christ came to build.

Join us!

All are Welcome!!

Join us at Rick’s China Buffet

following Christmas Eve Service.

It is Grace UCC tradition to go

to Rick’s China Buffet

after Christmas Eve Service.

Pledge/Offering Options

Use Offering Envelopes, Electronic Giving,

Automatic Bank Draft to Grace UCC.

I. 2019 Offering Envelopes: Sign-up in the narthex today. Order will be placed

end of November.

II. Two Electronic Giving Options:

VANCO (UCC’s e-giving platform) allows you to have regular, recurring

donations drafted from your bank account, or charged to your credit card.

(To get started, simply pick up an authorization form in the Narthex, or

contact the church office.)

PAYPAL: Make donations using PayPal via www.GraceUCC.com. Simply click

the PayPal button at the bottom of the www.grucc.com home page.

If you decide to participate in our electronic giving programs, you can pick up

some “I give electronically” cards to place in the offering plate on Sunday

mornings in lieu of an envelope/paper payment.

III. Bank Draft/Automatic Payment to Grace UCC. Call the church office for more

information.

October Treasurer’s Report

November 2018 2018 Year-to-Date

Income: $ 19,116.87 $ 173,400.46

Expenses: ($ 12,057.90) ($ 220,727.62)

Difference: $ 7,058.97 ($ 47,327.16)

Daily Bible ReadingDaily Bible Reading

Dec 16 Third Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18

Monday, December 17, 2018

Isaiah 11:1-9 Numbers 16:1-19 Hebrews 13:7-17

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Isaiah 11:1-9 Numbers 16:20-35 Acts 28:23-31

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Isaiah 11:1-9 Micah 4:8-13x Luke 7:31-35

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Psalm 80:1-7 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 10:10-18

Friday, December 21, 2018

Psalm 80:1-7 Isaiah 42:10-18 Hebrews 10:32-39

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Psalm 80:1-7 Isaiah 66:7-11 Luke 13:31-35

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 23, 2018 Micah 5:2-5a

Luke 1:46b-55 Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Christmas Eve/Monday, December 24 Christmas Day/Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Nativity of the Lord - Proper I

Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

CHURCH DIRECTORIES

Do you need an updated copy of our member directory? Please contact the

church office or speak to an usher on Sunday morning. Due to privacy concerns,

we do not publish our directory on the church website.

CARING AND SHARING

The following are members and friends of our church family who are currently ill, hospitalized, or home-bound. Please keep them in your prayers and perhaps send a note or a card. Addresses can be obtained from the church office, or you can pick up a church di-rectory from one of the ushers. If you know of anyone who

should be added to this list, please call the church office.

Millie Davis ~ Joe Free ~ Jean Gaver Paul and Miriam Himes ~ Pam Kehne ~ Betty Linton

Please note that hospitals are no longer permitted to contact churches on be-half of their patients. If you know of a church member who is hospitalized, please inform the church office. If you or a family member is hospitalized in an emergency situation, please call Pastor Rob at 240-217-2767.

Sunday, December 16 3rd Sunday of Advent 9:45 AM Christian Education classes 11:00 AM Worship & Christmas Cantata 5:00 PM Grace Volunteers at FCAA Soup Kitchen 5:00 PM Redemption City Church (S) Monday, December 17 10:00AM Eileen Estes - voice lessons (rm 3) 6:30 PM TFC Young Adult Group (2nd fl)

Tuesday, December 18 5:30PM Eileen Estes - voice lessons (rm 3) 6:30 PM ManKind Project (bsmt)

Wednesday, December 19 6:30PM TFC Youth Group (downstairs)

Thursday, December 20 10:30 AM Advent Study at Homewood 6:00 PM Fred. Co. Support Group (bsmt) 6:30 PM Advent Study at Grace (rm 13) Friday, December 21 12:30PM Coffee with COIPP (GSR) Saturday, December 22

Sunday, December 23 4th Sunday of Advent 9:45 AM Christian Education classes 11:00 AM Worship & Festival of Lessons & Carols 5:00 PM Redemption City Church (S)

Monday, December 24 7:30 PM Christmas Eve Service

GRACE CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, December 16

Scripture Reader: John Brehmer

Altar Guild: Joan Princler

Sunday, December 23

Scripture Reader: Sarah Drenning

Altar Guild: Sergei Travis

Grace United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation

25 East 2nd Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701 301-662-3312 ~ Office Hours: 9AM-3PM/M-F

[email protected] ~ www.grucc.com

Rev. Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor, Pastor [email protected] Jonas Dawson, Director of Music [email protected] James Taylor, Bell Choir director [email protected] Tammy Eyler, Nursery Attendant [email protected] Tom Tobery, Caretaker Sarah Petermann, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

If you would like to serve as a greeter, or host fellowship time after worship, please add your name to the sign up sheet in the Good Shepherd Room.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

SUNDAY WORSHIP

11:00 AM

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.

Monday, December 24

Scripture Reader:

Altar Guild: Elizabeth Damazo