Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL United Church Connecticut CHURCH OF GREENWICH of Christ
Founded in 1665
The Songs of Advent The Second Sunday of Advent 6 December 2009 10 o’clock in the morning elcome to this Service of Worship at The First Congregational WChurch. On this second Sunday of Advent we are especially pleased to welcome Dr. Henry Perry as our guest preacher. Dr. Perry, a Senior Associate in the Health Systems Program of the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, has extensive experience with maternal and child health programs as well as in research and teaching about health and health care in resource-poor settings. As we consider mothers and children today, we remember that God’s caring among us embodied a different kind of greatness and power than what the world knows. As George MacDonald wrote,
“They all were looking for a king To slay their foes and lift them high; Thou cam’st, a little baby thing, That made a woman cry.”
PREPARING FOR WORSHIP *All who are able please stand ‡Seating of latecomers
PRELUDE Terence J. Flanagan, organ La Nativité (from Poèmes Èvangéliques, Op.2 ) Jean Langlais
CALL TO COMMUNITY Rev. Avery C. Manchester Please sign and pass the red book.
PRAISING GOD
CALL TO WORSHIP
*‡OPENING HYMN AND PROCESSION Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 103
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE Dana, Dean, Gavin, Nadia and Kameron Zikria
Opening Sentences
Scripture: Luke 1:26-31
Prayer: Eternal Source of birth and new life, we await with great anticipation the coming of the Child. As this season unfolds, help us, like Mary, your servant, to rejoice in your surprising love. Amen.
Lighting of the second Advent Candle: We light the second Advent Candle recalling that visit of long ago that announced the coming of this blessed event. May we, too, respond with openness and trust.
During the lighting of the Advent Wreath, The Palmer Handbells will play What is this Lovely Fragrance, Arranged by Cathy Moklebust.
CONFESSING TO GOD
CALL TO CONFESSION Rev. Mark D. Montgomery
PRAYER OF CONFESSION We are a people of the road, O God, busy with the business of movement to important destinations, vaguely conceived.
We are a people of personal privacy, O God, guarding our spaces from intrusion by this tangled world, vividly pressing.
We are a people of inner hesitance, O God, fearful of going too deeply into the life of discipleship, demandingly present.
Forgive us, O Lord of the lowly Advent, for our rushing, our hiding, our foreboding, for we would be open to that moment of wonder once again where both the simple and the proud draw near to Bethlehem, as we share our common prayer…
LORD'S PRAYER 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. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
‡Congregational Response Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
HEARING GOD'S WORD
FIRST LESSON Olivia Hartwell Psalm 80:1-7 ive ear, O Shepherd of Israel, G you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
SCRIPTURE ANTHEM The Children’s Choir Advent Candlelight Carol Arranged by Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shafferman Advent candle burning bright through the night, shine your light of hope (peace, love, joy) telling people everywhere: soon the Savior comes, soon He will be here! People gather and prepare in the night with the light of hope (peace, love, joy).
SECOND LESSON Olga Hartwell Luke 1:39-55 n those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean “I town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
*‡HYMN Mary, Woman of the Promise New Century (black) Hymnal 123 As the hymn begins, the Church School children and teachers will leave for their classrooms. Children in second grade and older will leave independently. Children in kindergarten and first graders will meet their teachers at the back of the Meetinghouse (Narthex) and will go to their classrooms as a group. It is not necessary for parents to accompany their children because there are Hall Helpers to guide anyone who needs help.
SERMON Mothers and Children Around the World: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Dr. Henry Perry
RESPONDING TO GOD
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel that began in Bethlehem.
I believe in Him whose spirit glorified a little town, Of whose coming only shepherds saw the sign And for whom the crowded inn could find no room.
I believe in Him who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible, Whose birth the angels sang, Whose cradle was a mother’s arms, Whose home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, Who looked at people and made them see what his love saw in them, Who by this love brought sinners back to purity And lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.
I confess our everlasting need of God, The need of forgiveness for our greed and selfishness, The need of life for empty souls, The need of love for hearts grown cold. I acknowledge in Christ a faith in life redeemed, That looks beyond the present evil; And I pray that this redemption may begin in us! Amen.
*Advent Gloria (refrain from Angels We Have Heard on High) Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.
CALL TO OFFERING Rev. Dr. David D. Young OFFERTORY ANTHEM The Chancel Choir; Carolyn Paulus, soprano Magnificat in G Charles Villiers Stanford For text, see Second Lesson.
*Advent Response (verse 3 of As With Gladness Men of Old) As they offered gifts most rare, At the manger rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ to thee, our heavenly King.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER (seated)
Prayer of Consecration
Serving of the Bread and Cup In the tradition of our church, let us partake of the bread as it is served, remembering our individual uniqueness in the eyes of God and our diversity within the Body of Christ. Let us hold the cup until all have been served, remembering our oneness with God and our unity in the Body of Christ.
Prayer of Thanksgiving Since, dear God, in this place, at this table, we have touched, we have tasted, and we have heard the signs of your love for us, grant that we may go away from this house filled with our love for you and overflowing with your love for those who are around us and who share our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
GOING FORTH TO SERVE GOD
*CLOSING HYMN AND PROCESSION Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Pilgrim (red) Hymnal 107
*CLOSING SENTENCES Leader: A child in a foul stable Where the beasts feed and foam, People: Only where he was homeless And you and I at home. Leader: We have hands that fashion and heads that know, But our hearts we lost - How long ago! People: In a place no chart nor ship can show Under the sky’s dome. (G.K. Chesterton)
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
POSTLUDE Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland; BWV 661 Johann Sebastian Bach
The flowers in the Meetinghouse this morning have been given with grateful memories of their parents by Barbara and John Norrgard.
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich declares itself to be open and affirming; open to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God's guidance in our journey of faith.
We have child care for babies and toddlers every Sunday in the Preschool area. Your children are always welcome for the entire service or for a respite time if needed. Please see an usher if you need directions.
The 10:00 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church’s website, www.fccog.org. A bulletin can be found there as well as a link to the live broadcast. Previous sermons may also be found there.
Calendar TODAY
Church School Today we will meet in our classes after the second lesson. We will focus on Advent, the anticipation of the season and God’s gift to us, Jesus. The 6th Grade will prepare for their visit to Pilgrim Towers next week and Pastors’ Class begins a three week Christmas movie series.
Second Hour Following Worship, please join us for a very special Second Hour in the Auditorium with Dr. Perry as he focuses on the work of Curamericas Global, an agency with which he works very closely. (www.curamericas.org)
Today our Confirmation Class will hold their annual Bake Sale during Coffee Hour to raise funds for their Christmas Outreach project.
Last Call: There are only a few gift tags left on the FCCOG Giving Tree. We hope you will choose to participate in this annual program of First Church gifting for our neighbors at H.O.M.E. and Pilgrim Towers. We ask that gifts be returned to the church, wrapped and tagged, by this Wednesday, December 9. You may leave your gifts in the Church Office.
Blood Pressure Screening A member of the Wellness Committee is available to check blood pressures in Room 203 following the Worship Service.
Cherub Choir rehearses today in Room 104 from 11:15 to 11:45 am.
Youth Choir rehearses today in the Choir Room from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm.
Christmas Tree Sale Reminder Sales continue today until 4:30 pm and on weekends until the trees are sold out. Be sure to get yours soon! The sales benefit our outreach programs.
SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship, 9-12 grades, meets in Room 103 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
______THIS WEEK
First Congregational Church Pictorial Directory Last call… tomorrow is the last opportunity for photos to be taken. Appointments begin at 3:00 pm and are scheduled every 10 minutes, ending at 9:10 pm. Please call for an appointment! Dial 1-800-866-2263, give the name of our church, the contract #47383 and schedule your appointment. You will receive a free 8x10 portrait of your family as well as an opportunity to order other photos for gifts to friends and family members. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity!
JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship, 6-8 grades, meets on Tuesday in Room 103 from 6:00 to 7:15 pm. Swell the Chorus! Rehearsals of the Community Chorus for our annual Messiah are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, December 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Registration begins this Tuesday at 7:30. Bring a $20.00 deposit for your red score. There will also be an opportunity to purchase a learning CD from Rehearsal Arts. If choral singing is your gift, be there! Talk to John Stansell if you have questions.
Tai Chi Tai Chi continues on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Every class is different and very enjoyable. Please come join us. If you have any questions, please contact Prill Meyer at 203-637-4214.
The Children’s Choir rehearses on Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Choir Room.
The Palmer Handbells rehearse on Thursday evening from 6:15 to 7:15 pm in the Meetinghouse.
Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the Choir Room.
______NEXT SUNDAY
Our Annual Christmas Dinner and Carol Sing will take place on December 13 at 6:00 pm. We had such a fantastic turnout last year and hope that you will be a part of this year’s celebration. Please call the Church Office to RSVP or sign up today during Coffee Hour. Also, remember to bring a side dish to share. There will be special activities for kids this year, too!
______NEWS AND NOTICES
The 43nd annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, Part I and Hallelujah Chorus, will take place Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21at 4:00 pm. Hannah Golodinskii, Wanda Brister, Thomas Mooney and Erik Kroncke are our soloists. No tickets are required. A $20.00 per person donation is requested. Plan now to attend. You’ll be glad you did!
Bible Study - 2010 The popular Bible Studies will continue in late January with Paul’s letter to the Romans, a weighty treatise to be sure, but not impossible. This is the book that dawned so brilliantly on Martin Luther and was the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. It is the summary of all that God revealed to Paul about the meaning of Jesus’ life and ministry and the truths that impelled early Christians to tell the gospel to the whole world. For modern Christians, it gives grounding and content to our faith and will move us beyond a mere vague emotional connection to the church and to God. Be sure to be a part of this series. Also… new to the church’s web page are recordings of Dan England’s Bible Studies (well, most of them anyway) beginning with the Genesis study that started in the fall. There are also CDs of each session available for loan in the Church Office.
The Rummage Room The demand for Christmas items and Christmas clothing is greater than usual this year. The Rummage Room needs everything Christmas that you can spare to donate, which includes all decorations and Christmas clothing. The last day for other donations was Saturday, December 5 until after New Year’s. The Shop will have its annual Christmas Party on Friday, December 18 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and then be closed for the Holidays until Monday, January 4, 2010. Thank you to all the angels who donate, shop and volunteer at The Rummage Room. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Celebrate Advent and Christmas at First Church
The Services of Advent Part I of Handel’s Messiah and Hallelujah Chorus Sunday Worship at 10:00 am December 6, 13 and 20 Our annual candlelight performances of this masterpiece Christmas Eve Services will be held in the Meetinghouse on: 10:00 am - Carols and Stories 4:00 pm - Family Service December 19 and 20 at 4:00 pm and Pageant: As always, we will have a Once in Royal David’s City spectacular chorus as well as four 5:00 pm - Community featured soloists including our Carol Sing own Hanna Golodinskii 8:00 pm - Carols and
Communion
11:00 pm - Candlelight Service
Christmas Dinner and Carol Sing
Join us for a night of food, fellowship and a rousing Christmas Carol sing along.
Sunday, December 13 at 6:00 pm
Please call the Church Office to RSVP or sign up during Coffee Hour for this favorite Christmas event! ------
Christmas Memorial/Honor Flowers and Decorations
The Chancel Committee invites contributions for decorations for the Meetinghouse this Christmas. Any amount is welcome. Please deliver the completed form with your check to the Church Office (payable to the First Church Flower Fund) on or before Sunday, December 13. Thank you.
In Memory/Honor of ______
By ______
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $______
Please print names legibly to minimize spelling errors.
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The First Congregational Church of Greenwich 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut, 06870 (203) 637-1791 www.fccog.org
Ministers: Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester Associate Pastor for Christian Education: Rev. Kate S. Forer Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove