Colonial Park United Church of Christ s1

Colonial Park United Church of Christ 5000 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 717-545-3782 www.cpucc.org

December 8, 2013- Early Service

The Rev. Dr. Bonita Zobeck No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. * Please stand, if you are able.

Expressing God’s Love Welcome – Parish Joys and Concerns – Prayer Requests

Organ Prelude “Isengard” Gregg Sewell * Gathering Hymn “Come, O Long Expected Jesus” No. 122 * Call to Worship * Opening Prayer Advent God: We thank and praise you for the faithfulness of Joseph, who listened to and acted in faith as your messenger spoke to him in a dream; He could have said, “No” but instead assured his beloved Mary that they would go through this GOD THING together. May our love for you give us the courage needed to respond to your messengers with courage like Joseph’s. Strengthen and enlighten us this Advent Season. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN. * Call to Confession * Prayer of Confession God, we are not all as brave as Joseph. Often we reject your directions because they just don’t make sense. We fear people’s opinions more than doing things your way. We cannot see beyond our own trepidation, we cannot understand how anyone would want to follow such an uncertain path. We seek your blessings even if we don’t understand them. Forgive us God and lead us back to you. AMEN

* Words of Assurance

* Response “Glory be to the Father” No. 759 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen. Amen.

* Passing the Peace of Christ (The congregation may greet each other with a sign of reconciliation and peace, such as a handshake or embrace and say these or similar words.) One: The peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you. Growing in Our Faith Show and Tell

First Lesson Isaiah 7:10-16 Bible Page 636 Reader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Lesson Matthew 1:18-25 Bible Page 1 Leader: God is still speaking! People: Spread the Good News!

Sermon "I Believe Even When….Love Feels Remote"

* Affirmation of Faith God’s Freeing Love God’s love frees me to be the person I am without having to become more attractive, more intelligent, more popular. God’s love frees me to live in confidence, not needing to be self- absorbed, but ready to listen and to hear the stories of others. God’s love frees me to take risks, to surprise even myself with courage, sometimes to fall flat on my face—but always to move onward with the knowledge that God is encouraging me. God’s love frees me to view the world from the perspective of relationships lived and human love shared. God’s love frees me to put my sins behind me, to know that no sin is too great or too small to be left open and healed by God’s gentle touch. Thanks be to God, AMEN.

Practicing our Spirituality * Christ Carol “The First Nowell”

The First Nowell, the Angel did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star, Shining in the east beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with His love mankind hath sought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.

Prayers of the People

Our Lord’s Prayer Hymnal Page 9 Option C 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, for ever. Amen. Living Faith Meghan Rhoads Invitation to Offering What can you offer to God? Offertory “A Strange Way to Save the World” Have you made a courageous decision that * The Offertory Response “Doxology” Praise God from whom all blessings flow; showed someone Praise God, all creatures here below; special in your life Praise God for all that love has done; how much you care? Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.

* Unison Prayer of Dedication There are many ways we can offer our thanks for the gifts we receive. We choose to show our gratitude, for when we are lost, God returns us to the fold, and when we have given up all hope, we are redeemed.

Going Out into Community * Sending Hymn “Now Bless the God of Israel” No. 110 * Benediction * Benediction Response “Danish Threefold” No. 812 * Organ Postlude “A Trumpet Postlude” Dennis Eliot