Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Candle of Love
December 18, 2022
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m.
Silent Prayer
Eternal God of power and grace, who comes to us in surprising ways—in angel appearances, in defeat of enemies, and in resurrection from the dead—show us the face of Immanuel in our time. Bring us from fear to awe, we pray; in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
one God, now and forever. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude The First Noel English Carol Arr. Bill Ingram
Welcome
Introit Arise, Your Light is Come! R #167
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
*Call to Worship & Advent Candle Lighting * Love
Reader One: Because too many people are wandering in the wilderness, because too many people are sitting in the valley of the shadow of death, because too many of our conversations are laced with conflict and bitterness, we light candles…
All: Because people all over the world are suffering, and we are often too distracted to notice, we light candles…
Reader Two: One for hope, one for peace, one for joy, and one for love… (Light the fourth candle in your Advent wreath.)
All: May the light from these candles overwhelm the world.
Reader One: May the light from these candles illuminate the valley of the shadow of death.
All: And may the fire from these candles burn away whatever would prevent God’s love from being born among us.
Reader Two: Friends, be not afraid, even now — even now — God’s love is overwhelming the world, on earth as it already is in heaven!
Special Music Lucy Ashmore
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Of Eternal Love Begotten R. #129
Of eternal love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, Christ is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heaven sing praises, angel hosts sweet anthems sing! And on earth let all the faithful now their joyous carols ring,
ev’ry tongue Christ’s name confessing, countless voices answering, evermore and evermore!
Christ, to thee, with God Creator, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore!
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
God who takes on flesh, you are not confined by the rigid and narrow. Your love is expansive and flexible. Your compassion is deep. Your Wisdom is ancient and always being reborn. May we be open to you in all your manifestations, familiar and new, that we might not miss the miracle of your dwelling with us. Amen
Children’s Message “All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings”
Old Testament Reading Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 New Testament Reading Matthew 1:18-25
Special Music A Christmas Lullaby Trad. German Carol Arr. Bill Ingram
MessageHymn Young Mary Was to Be My Wife R. #125
Young Mary was to be my wife, the mother of my sons,
But when I heard she was with child, I would not take her home.
No other’s love would be my bride, no other’s child, my son.
Then in a dream I heard God’s voice, “Go love her as your own.”
Despite my shame and shattered hopes, I took the angel’s word.
Another’s love lay in my arms; I loved her as my own.
With joy and pain she bore a child, I thought, “no son of mine.”
Yet, when I held him in my arms, I loved him as my own.
Although he was too young to speak, the blessing which he gave
was love incarnate in the flesh, a presence which will save.
In this child’s birth we hear God’s word to all who have no home.
“You are no other’s love or child, I love you as my own,”
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Lead me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou Lord, thou Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Invitation to Offering – All that we have is the Lord’s. All that we may become and receive is in God’s hands. For the sake of the joy that is ours when our bonds grow deep with others,
let us give generously for the well-being of the world.
Offertory Alleluia for Advent Hancock UCC Choir English Carol/ Liebergen
*The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen
*Prayer of Dedication (spoken in unison)
Holy God, you bless us with many gifts, you retrieve us from despair and fear, you visit us with surprising proclamations, and you intend for us good things. We thank you for your steadfast love, for sending signs of assurance, and for the gift of faith. Use our gifts to bring comfort and justice to those in need, reforming the ways of our world for the sake of new life. Amen
*Hymn Hark! the Herald Angels Sing R. #137
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased on earth with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise all souls on earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Go With Us, Lord R. #336
Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day,
That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.
Handbell Choir directed by Pat Summerer, with Mary Angela Davis; Nick Davis;
Jeanne Edwards; Christopher Hudson; and Debbie Riley
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Everett Espling & Vicky Espling
Liturgist – Mary Beth DiMarco
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.org
or visit this link to our PayPal account: paypal.me/hancockucc
or mail offerings to:
Union Congregational Church, PO Box 443, Hancock, ME 04640 (Attention: Treasurer)
Contact Us
hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@hancockucc.com
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Resources
enfleshed: liturgies that matter and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Arise, Your Light is Come!
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words and Music - ©2020 Stephen DeCesare / Exultet Music
Contributors: Charles Wesley, Felix Mendelssohn, Stephen DeCesare
Go with Us, Lord
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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