FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF
WAUWATOSA
December 5, 2004
MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 AND 11:00 A.M.
The 2nd Sunday of Advent
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev.
Steven Peay, Ph.D.
THE PRELUDE O
Morning Star Medley
CHIMES AND TOWER
BELLS
CALL
TO WORSHIP Rev.
Samuel Schaal
Liturgist: A voice cries: In
the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
People: Make
straight in the desert a highway for our God.
All: Come
Lord! Do not delay!
*HYMN OF PRAISE 115 On
JordanÕs Bank the BaptistÕs Cry
*CHORAL
CALL TO WORSHIP
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND
THE LORDÕS PRAYER (unison)
Loving God, give us
the desire, the willingness, and the courage to be part of your dream for a
world of peace and justice. Your servant John came baptizing and calling for
repentance. Help us to hear his voice of judgment, that we may also hear his
word of promise, and be found pure and blameless in that glorious Day when
Christ comes to rule the earth as Prince of Peace, who taught us to prayÉ
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.
*THE
GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 513)
THE CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
The lighting of the Advent Candle
8:45
a.m. The Denny Family 11:00
a.m. The Poulos Family
(After the family reads, the one lighting the
candle says, ÒCome quickly Lord, bring light to our darkened world!Ó to which
the people respond:)
People: Let
us walk in the light of the Lord.
*HYMN
131 Lo,
How a Rose EÕer Blooming
(Children
are dismissed to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.)
THE
CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 11:1-10 Bible,
page 595
THE PSALMODY (responsive) Psalm
72 Hymnal,
page 526, No. 85
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew
3:1-12 Rev.
Carrie Kreps Wegenast
Bible,
page 836
THE ANTHEM 8:45 Every
Valley Drennan
11:00 JosephÕs
Song Grier
THE
CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE
PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE
THE
CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE COMMUNION MEDITATION ÒExpecting the UnexpectedÓ Dr.
Peay
THE CHURCH CELEBRATES HOLY COMMUNION
{our communion service is derived from the
1948Congregational Worship Book for Free Churches}
THE OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM 8:45
a.m. As It Fell Upon
A Night Davis
11:00
a.m. The
Noel Carol Caldwell
*DOXOLOGY
INVITATION OF CHRIST
Hear the
comfortable words of our Lord:
Come unto me,
all you that labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.
Ask, and it
shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto
you. For everyone who asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that
knocks, it shall be opened. You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your
strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.
THE COMMUNION COLLECT
Almighty God,
unto whom all are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that
we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
THE GENERAL CONFESSION (unison)
Almighty
and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost
sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have
offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we
ought to have done; and have done those things which we ought not to have done.
But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those, O God, who confess their
faults to you. Restore those who are penitent; according to your promises
declared unto us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father,
for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to
the glory of your holy name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
THE INVITATION TO THE
LORD'S TABLE
THE PREFACE AND 'HOLY
HOLY'
Minister: Lift
up your hearts.
People: We
lift them up to the Lord our God.
Minister: Let
us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
People: It
is right and proper to give God thanks and praise.
Minister: It
is very right and holy duty that we should at all times and in all places give
thanks unto you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God and we praise
you for Jesus Christ your Son our Savior, by whom you have sent a new light to
shine upon the world, that we who rejoice in that light may be found cleansed
from our sins and without fear when he shall come again to judge the world in
righteousness. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company
of heaven, we glorify and praise your glorious name; evermore praising you and
saying:
glory;
Glory be to you, O Lord, most high. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION OR
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Giving of the Bread
The Lord
Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given
thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for
you: do this in remembrance of me. Ministering to you in his name, I give you
this bread.
Giving of the Cup
After supper
he took the cup and again gave God thanks and praise and said, This is the cup
of the new testament in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it in
remembrance of me.
For as often
as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until
he comes again in glory. Ministering to you in his name, I give you this cup.
THE PRAYER OF
THANKSGIVING (unison)
We give
thanks to you, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this memorial of
your love, and have granted to us the presence of your Son, even Jesus Christ
our Lord; and we ask you to strengthen our faith in you and to increase our
love toward one another; through him who is our redeemer. Amen.
THE
CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE
*HYMN 107 Let
All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
*THE CHARGE AND
BENEDICTION
*THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with
you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know
He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to
others so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above. Go now in
peace, in faith, and in love.
THE POSTLUDE Savior
of the Nations, Come Bach
*The congregation is
invited to stand.
The
Christmas Decorations are provided by the
Board of Deacons
and
through the generous donations of members in honor or in memory of loved ones.
Head Greeters: Mark Hendrickson, David Moore
Head Usher: Susie Daigneau
Ushers:
8:45 a.m. Captain: Charlie
Wakefield, Merrill York, Doug Jacobson, Tom Tanger, Dick Clark
Ushers: 11:00 a.m.
Captain: Don Hensch, Tom Winkel,
David Moore, Paul Schulze, John OÕMeara
Greeters: 8:45 a.m. Julia, Bladen and Jack Burns
Greeters: 11:00 a.m. Sue Schmitt & Ann Johnson
Acolytes: 8:45 a.m. Aaron Blazich, Kevin Meyer
Acolyte: 11:00 a.m. Colleen Rowbottom
CARE
FOR CHILDREN
A nursery for infants and toddlers is available
during the 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. services.
Sunday School at 8:45 and 11:00.
Worship Preview for Sunday, December 12, 8:45
and 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Kreps Wegenast will present the message.
Betty Dethmers is the organist. The Cherub Choir
directed by Michele Russ, sings at 8:45. Lee Jacobi directs the Pilgrim Choir
at 8:45 and the Chancel Choir at 11:00.
FOR THE ADVENT SEASON
Donations to the
Christmas Decorations were made by—in honor of:
Anne, Phil, Erin &
Bryn Callen—Joyce Cave and Dorothy Callen
Cindy
Payette—Hailey and Madeline Sgarlata
George & Sally
Wells—Merrick II and Noah Wells
Donations to the
Christmas Decorations were made by—in memory of:
Bill, Tammy & Kurt
Bokern—Taschia Bokern
Eugenia
Jacobus—Charles D. Jacobus
Jane Kolberg—Del
Kolberg, Sr. & Donnie Kolberg
Diane Miller—Marvin
D. Miller
Bob & Helen
Milne—their parents; the BaileyÕs & MilneÕs, and Ric and Peter Milne
Lucy Miyazaki &
Family—Jim Miyazaki
Steve & Julie
Peay—Doris and Willard Peay
Richard & Sharon
Raymond—Andrew Dyko, Diane Dyko, Evelyn and Gordon Raymond
Doug, Beth, Hayley &
Madison Sawyer—Dwight W. Sawyer
The Schowalter
Families—Anita Stomner and Loraine Schowalter
Mary Beth Stevenson—Catherine
Drescher
Donations were also
received from:
Jean Whitmore
Choir Anthems
Pilgrim Choir 8:45
Chancel Choir 11:00
Every
Valley
Isaiah 40:4,5
EvÕry valley
shall be exalted, and evÕry mountain made low;
and the
crooked made straight, and the rough places plain.
And the glory
of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh
shall see it together;
for the mouth
of the Lord hath spoken it.
As It Fell
Upon A Night
Katherine K.
Davis
As it fell
upon a night
In the winter
weather,
Angels bright
in starry height
began to sing
together.
Shepherds
sleeping on the plain
Woke to see
the glory,
All amazed
they stood and gazed
And heard the
angelsÕ story.
Unto you a
Child is born
In a manger
lowly.
Humble He,
yet born to be
the King of
Love most holy.
In a manger
now He lies,
Ox and ass
before Him;
All the world
at last shall come
to worship
and adore Him.
Though it be
a winter night,
Love is still
appearing!
Through the
sound of war and woe
That song we
still are hearing!
Happy angels
from afar,
Cease your
singing never!
"In
excelsis gloria!"
Forever and
forever.
Joseph's
Song
Gene Grier
What shall I
give this child born on this Christmas night?
How shall I
let him know he is our shining light?
What shall I
give this child born in a lowly stall?
How shall I
let him know he lives to save us all?
Joseph,
dearest, Joseph mine, help me rock our child divine.
Let us sing
him a lullabye, our gift of love for little baby Jesus.
Yes, we will
give this child our gift of love in song.
That's how we'll
let him know he's born to save us all.
The Noel
Carol
15th Century
French
Once more
remember the prophet of old,
Wondrous the
story he foretold.
Cometh to
earth sweet Holy Child,
Born of a
virgin pure and mild.
Glad
prophecy, O Virgin so fair,
A Son from
heaven now declare!
Sing we Noel,
Noel, Noel!
Hark to the
angels' glorious strain,
Raising to
God their glad refrain.
Lo! in the
east yon shining star,
Guiding the
wise men from afar.
Noel, See
there He lies, rejoice, rejoice!
In praise now
lift a joyful voice,
Noel, Noel,
Sing we Noel, Noel, Noel!
Sing glad
Hosannas now o'er all the earth,
Sound forth
the Infant Jesus' birth.
Joyous the
tidings of a Saviour King.
To men
salvation shall He bring,
Noel! O Lord
of all, for evermore
Thy blessed
Name shall we adore,
Noel, Noel,
Sing Noel, Noel, Noel!
SUNDAY,
December 5
8:45
a.m.
Worship/Communion/Children in Church/Sunday School
10:00
a.m. Coffee Hr.-S.H., Sun.
Symp. Adult Ed-Lounge, Christmas Pageant Rehearsal-Nave, Cherub Choir
Rehearsal-Nave, Jr. Choir Rehearsal-LL5, New Member Comm.-Parlor
10:30
a.m. @CH-Jubilation Ringers
11:00
a.m.
Worship/Communion/Children in Church/Sunday School
1:30
p.m. Combined Rehearsal-Nave
3:00
p.m. Christmas Workshop-LL2-5
3:30
p.m. @CH-Joe Martin Piano
Concert
5:30
p.m. Workshop pizza
dinner-S.H.
6:30
p.m. PF Advent Mtg.@ CallenÕs
10:00 a.m. Music Jamboree
7:00 p.m. Bd/Christian Ed.-R.C., Governance Comm.-Parlor
8:00 p.m. AA-LL5
9:00 a.m. Ret. MenÕs Club-S.H., Nave, Lounge
7:00 p.m. Bd/Deacons-Parlor, Boy Scouts-LL2
6:30 a.m. MenÕs Ministry-Lounge
9:00 a.m. Chapel-Devotions
9:30 a.m. Pilates & Prayer-S.H.
10:00 a.m. @Harwood-Comm. & Chat
10:45 a.m. Prayer & Pilates-S.H.
4:30 p.m. Personnel-R.C
6:00 p.m. Lectionary Bible Study Potluck-S.H.
6:30 p.m. Lect. Bible Study-Parlor, Conf. Rm.
7:00 p.m. Jubilation Ringers-LL5
7:30 p.m. Combined Choir-LL1
8:30 p.m. Chancel Choir-LL1
10:00 a.m. @CH Hug-A-Tot
8:00 a.m. WomenÕs Group
9:00 a.m. Christmas Play Rehearsal-Nave
7:00 p.m. PF Second Saturday-S.H.
For those who wear a hearing aid, our Nave is equipped with an FM loop system. Simply, set your hearing aid to the ÒTÓ setting.
Welcome to all visitors joining us today. Please check the welcome tables at the back of the Nave or in the hallways for fliers with information about scheduled activities.
Sunday Symposium Adult Ed—Rev. Harvard Stephens from Carthage College
will discuss ÒWhy Rites of Passage Matter.Ó Next week, Rev. Dan
Schowalter will lead a discussion on ÒThe Birth of Christianity.Ó
The Congregational Home is hosting a piano concert featuring renowned pianist Joseph M. Martin, today at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel/Auditorium. Light refreshments will follow.
The Board of Deacons is accepting contributions for Christmas Decorations. Donation forms are available on the welcome tables.
The Christmas Workshop will be held today from 3-5:30 p.m. Craft prices
range from $.25 to $1.00. Everyone is welcome. A pizza dinner will be served afterward for those who
pre-registered.
Circle 8 will meet at the Congregational Home at 9 a.m., Tuesday, December 7. Help decorate for Christmas and wrap gifts. Lunch will be provided.
Wednesday Night Potluck
and Lectionary Bible Study.
Gather at the church for a mid-week spiritual refresher beginning December 8. The potluck is at 6 pm., discussion at 6:30. Small group Bible studies will follow the lection texts used for the next Sunday worship. Adults do not need to pre-register, but if you need childcare please let us know in advance.
Brass Players are needed to play Christmas Carols on Sunday
December 19 before both services. WeÕll rehearse at 10 a.m. on December 12. If
interested call Dave Miles at 414-643-8089.
Cookie packing for shut-ins will take place on Sunday, December 12 at 3 p.m. Cookies may be brought to the church office before Friday, December 10 at 2 p.m. or taken to the catering kitchen any time before Sunday at 3 p.m.
The annual Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 12 at 4 p.m. in the Nave. Come enjoy the sounds of the season with the Combined Choir, the Jubilation Ringers and the Junior Choir.
The C.E. Board is looking for
volunteers to write a daily Lenten devotional or two for our Lenten booklet. Stop at the table in the atrium today and make a
selection of various Bible verses.