FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WAUWATOSA
December 12, 2004
MORNING WORSHIP 8:45 AND 11:00 A.M.
The Third Sunday of Advent
THE CHURCH GATHERS
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev.
Steven A. Peay, Ph. D.
THE PRELUDE Lo,
How a Rose EÕer Blooming Brahms
CHIMES AND TOWER
BELLS
CALL
TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: Strengthen your
hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
People: We
wait for the Lord.
Liturgist: Be patient,
therefore beloved, until the coming of the Lord.
People: We wait for
the Lord like a farmer waits for the precious crop.
Liturgist: We wait with the
fathers and mothers before us.
People: We wait for
the Lord who is the light.
*HYMN OF PRAISE 110 O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel
*CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP
*INVOCATION AND LORDÕS
PRAYER (unison)
God of light, you
bring hope into our world. As we wait in the darkened wilderness for your
coming, we have hope of the light brought forth by your son. His light often
comes to us in unexpected ways. We ask that in our impatience you teach us to
recognize the light. Help us to see, hear, taste, feel, and know the hope that
is provided through your gift of presence in our world. We continue our prayer
in the name of the Hope that is with us and is to comeÉ
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 Third Advent Candle
8:45
a.m. The Peacock Family 11:00
a.m. Paul Stein and Elizabeth
(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.
THE CHILDRENÕS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
ANTHEM
8:45 Bethlehem
Hallelu Althouse
Cherub
Choir, directed by Michelle Russ
*HYMN
104 Comfort,
Comfort Ye My People
(Children
are dismissed to Sunday School during the singing of the hymn.)
THE
CHURCH HEARS THE WORD
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah
35:1-10 Bible,
page 615
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON (unison) Luke 1:46b-55 Hymnal
No. 126, page 545
GOSPEL LESSON Matthew
11:2-11 Bible,
page 844
THE ANTHEM 11:00 Angel
Tidings Rutter
THE
CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION
THE
PRAYER OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE
THE
CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER
THE SERMON ÒKnowing
the OneÓ Rev.
Carrie Kreps Wegenast
THE
OFFERTORY
THE ANTHEM 8:45 O
Little Town of Bethlehem Vaughan Williams
11:00 Do
You Hear What I Hear? arr.
Simeone
*DOXOLOGY (Hymn 515)
*THE
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE
CHURCH IS SENT FORTH TO LOVE AND SERVE
*HYMN 114 Lift
up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
*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 Prepare
the Way, O Lord Cassler
*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 of 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, Stewart Davis, Dick Clark
Ushers: 11:00 a.m.
Captain: Don Hensch, Tom Winkel,
David Moore, Paul Schulze, Lyle Dobberke
Greeters: 8:45 a.m. Jim & Gloria Walsh
Greeter: 11:00 a.m. Betty Davis
Acolytes: 8:45 a.m. Ellen Restyanszki, Katherine Schalmo
Acolyte: 11:00 a.m. Eric Haas
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 19, 8:45
and 11:00 a.m.
We will have a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Betty Dethmers is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Combined Choir at both
services.
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
Don & Arleen
Haas—Christine Bartoszewicz
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
Susan
Rondeau—Carrie Rondeau, Helen Weidenkopf
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
SUNDAY,
December 12
8:45
a.m. Worship/Christmas Pageant/Cherub
Choir sings/Children in Church/Sunday School
10:00
a.m. Coffee Hr.-S.H., Sun.
Symp. Adult Ed-Lounge, Brass Ensemble Rehearsal-LL5, Jr. Choir Rehearsal-LL4
11:00
a.m. Worship/Christmas
Pageant/ Children in Church/Sunday School
1:00
p.m. Circle 7
1:30
p.m. Choir Rehearsal-Nave
2:30
p.m. Jubilation Ringers-Nave
3:00
p.m. Cookie Packing-Hallway
4:00
p.m. Christmas Concert
5:45
p.m. Sr. PF Advent Mtg.@SchowalterÕs
9:00 a.m. @CH Sub. Ret. MenÕs Club
10:30 a.m. 20th Century Club
6:00 p.m. Pioneer Club (tacos at 5:30)
7:00 p.m. Trustees-R.C., Bd./Benevolence-Conf. Rm.
8:00 p.m. AA-LL5
7:00 p.m. Communications-Conf. Rm., Resolve-Lounge, Boy
Scouts-LL2
6:30 a.m. MenÕs Bible Study-Lounge
9:00 a.m. Chapel-Devotions
9:30 & 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.
7:30 p.m. Combined Choir-LL1
8:30 p.m. Chancel Choir-LL1
9:00 a.m. Christmas Play Rehearsal-Nave
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. Dan Schowalter will lead
a discussion on ÒThe Birth of Christianity.Ó Next week Rev. Richard Buchman will present ÒA Special Christmas Story.Ó
This year our Christmas offering will be divided three ways. The recipients are; the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, the Ministerial Aid and Enrichment Fund, and Mission Mazahua. Please help us support these worthwhile organizations. See the December 12 Congregationalist for more detailed information.
Acolytes (2) are needed at both the 7 and 11 p.m. services on Christmas Eve. If you are able to serve, please let the office know.
In an effort to be in better ministry with new members, a New Member Ministries Committee will help current members serve as sponsors to new members, to welcome them into the church community and encourage fellowship through some type of activity. Contact the church office if you are interested in being a sponsor.
The Board of Deacons is accepting contributions for Christmas Decorations. Donation forms are available on the welcome tables.
Wednesday Night Potluck
and Lectionary Bible Study.
This mid-week spiritual refresher continues December 15. The potluck is at 6 pm., discussion at 6:30. Small group Bible studies will follow the lectionary 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.
The Brass Ensemble will rehearse at 10 a.m. today and will play Christmas Carols on Sunday December 19 before both services.
Cookie packing for shut-ins is today at 3 p.m. Cookies may be brought to the catering kitchen before then.
The annual Christmas Concert will be held today 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 next of the Faith in Film series will be Sunday December 19
at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. Join us for ÒKeeping the FaithÓ a story about a priest and a rabbiÕs light-hearted, life-long friendship. The film also explores ethnic and religious boundaries. Rated PG-13.
Save the date-the Annual
Meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday,
January 16 in the Social Hall.
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.
Choir Anthems
Pilgrim Choir 8:45
Chancel Choir 11:00
O Little
Town Of Bethlehem
Bishop
Phillips Brooks
O little town
of Bethlehem,
How still we
see thee lie!
Above thy
deep and dreamless sleep
The silent
stars go by.
Yet in the
dark streets shineth
The
everlasting light;
The hopes and
fears of all the years
Are met in
thee tonight.
How silently,
how silently,
The wondrous
gift is given!
So God
imparts to human hearts
The blessings
of his heaven.
No ear may
hear his coming;
But in this
world of sin,
Where meek
souls will receive him,
still The
dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child
of Bethlehem,
Descend to
us, we pray;
Cast out our
sin, and enter in,
Be born in us
today.
We hear the
Christmas angels
The great
glad tidings tell:
O come to us,
abide with us,
Our Lord
Emmanuel.
Angel
Tidings
John Rutter
In all towns
and villages both far and near,
Angel host
bears tidings in strain full clear:
Joy come to
every nation,
Joy to this
generation,
Christ is
here; Christ is here.
Listen to the
story of his wondrous birth;
How he came
so long ago to us on earth;
Born of a
virgin mother
Blessed above
all other,
Born today,
born today.
In a manger
lying in poverty;
Peace he
brings at Christmastide to you and me;
Tell of his
birth that saved us,
Tell of the
love he gave us,
Christ our
Lord, Christ our Lord.
Sing then and
be joyful on this Christmas night;
Follow with
the wisemen the star so bright;
Lead you to
his own glory,
Tell out the
wondrous story:
Christ is
born, Christ is born today.
Do You
Hear What I Hear?
Noel Regney
and Glaria Shayne
Said the
night wind to the little lamb,
do you see
what I see
Way up in the
sky, little lamb,
do you see
what I see
A star, a
star, dancing in the night
With a tail
as big as a kite
With a tail
as big as a kite
Said the
little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear
what I hear
Ringing
through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear
what I hear
A song, a
song, high above the trees
With a voice
as big as the sea
With a voice
as big as the sea
Said the
shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know
what I know
In your
palace warm, mighty king,
do you know
what I know
A Child, a
Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring
Him silver and gold
Let us bring
Him silver and gold
Said the king
to the people everywhere,
listen to
what I say
Pray for
peace, people everywhere!
listen to
what I say
The Child,
the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring
us goodness and light
He will bring
us goodness and light