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THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN HARTFORD An Open and Affirming Congregation of
The United Church of Christ
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
December 1, 2013 10:30 AM Welcome ~ Bienvenidos
WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH. We are glad you have joined us for this service of worship and the fellowship of this congregation. We hope that you will be both comforted and challenged by the Word of God for us today. If you are new to our community, we hope you will consider making this your church home. Any of our worship leaders or ushers will be able to help with your questions. If you are already a member, be sure to extend a friendly greeting to those around you, starting with someone you don’t know…yet.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
"Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”
~ George Iles
CHIMING OF THE HOUR and GREETING
Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices before the service of Worship begins.
A comfortable nursery is available in the basement of the Meeting House where parents may take young children who are restless.
The service can be heard through a speaker system in the nursery.
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COMING BEFORE GOD
PRELUDE
Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Choral Petition
Holy God music: Alexander Archangelsky (1846-1924); arr.
text: ancient Greek; transl.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.
This prayer is known as the Trisagion, or, “Thrice Holy.” It dates to the early years of the Church and is used primarily by Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic denominations.
*CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 122
Leader: Awaken to a season of anticipation. God is offering peace within and among us.
People: It is good to gather in God’s House!
Leader: God calls us to celebrate our diversity. Differences will no longer divide us.
People: We want to see one another through God’s eyes.
Leader: We will look for the good in our neighbors. We will seek the best for each other.
All: We will follow where God leads us. Our ears are open to hear God’s instruction to us today.
THE LIGHTING of the First Advent Candle Church School
Leader: O God, we light the first candle of Advent.
Leader: We kindle it with hope. We long for you to come to our world, to break through and reign with compassion, justice, and peace.
People: Shine on us, God of justice! Guide our path through gloom of night and bear within us Wisdom's glory! Come to us, Christ the Light!
* Those who are able are invited to stand.
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*HYMN No. 112 Keep Awake, Be Always Ready WACHET AUF
PRAYER OF INVOCATION and THE 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.
(* = traditional wording but you may use alternative wording, such as “God,” “Creator,” or “Mother,” as seems fitting.)
CONFESSION
CALL TO CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION
God of promises and possibilities, we admit we color the world with our own limited vision. We ignore your cries for justice in order to benefit ourselves. Our own individualism works against building genuine community. Often, we are jealous of each other and quarrel with one another. May we be so captivated by your hope that we cannot help but become channels of your restoring grace wherever we may go. Amen.
SILENCE FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Leader: God is bringing to you new hope and peace. This is God’s gift to us, one that you can’t earn, given especially for you.
People: Thanks be to God, the giver of all great gifts. Amen.
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THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
*INVITATION TO THE TABLE PRAYEROFTHANKSGIVING WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
Music for Communion
Here I Am, Lord Daniel Schutte arr. Malcolm Archer
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
I the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne y people's pain I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts from love alone.
I will speak my word to them, whom shall I send?
[Refrain]
I the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
[Refrain]
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UNISON PRAYER OF GRATITUDE AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, O God, for refreshing us at your holy table. We thank you for our brothers and sisters in this community and around the world. May we always be reminded to see the world through Christ's eyes, and to work for a time when all may share together at Your table. Amen.
RESPONSE
*Congregational Response
Glory to God the Creator music: Ronald A. Nelson, 1986 text: Gloria patri, 3rd century, transl.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
Leader: The love of God, the Peace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Since in Christ we have been reconciled, let us share his peace with one another.
*HYMN for Faith Formation No. 526 We Are Marching in the Light of God SIYAHAMBA
We will sing this South African song twice, as printed in the hymnal: the first time in Swahili, the second time in English. Church School Students and Teachers will leave
the Meeting House during the singing of “We Are Marching in the Light of God”
in order to walk to the Church House for their classes.
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PROCLAIMING GOD’S LIVING WORD
PSALTER READING
Psalm 122 NRSV: Old Testament, p. 560
HEBREW SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 2:1-5 NRSV: Old Testament, p. 618
NEW TESTAMENT READING
Romans 13:11-14 NRSV: New Testament, p. 1036
SERMON New Beginnings Rebecca Richards, Warburton Director of Outreach Ministries
RESPONDING IN FAITH
*HYMN No. 417 This Is a Day of New Beginnings BEGINNINGS THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Choral Response
Wait for the Lord music and text: Jacques Berthier, 1978
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord: Be strong, take heart!
THE OFFERING OF GIFTS AND TITHES
Anthem for Choir
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come music: Paul O. Manz, 1954 text: from Revelation 22
Peace be to you and grace from him Rejoice in heaven,
who freed us from our sins, all ye that dwell therein, Who loved us all and shed his blood Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, that we might saved be. for Christ is coming soon.
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Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord, E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, the Lord, Almighty God, and night shall be no more,
Who was and is and is to come, They need no light nor lamp nor sun, sing Holy, Holy Lord! for Christ will be their All!
*Advent Hymn of Presentation
Jesus Comes on Clouds Triumphant REGENT SQUARE music: Henry T. Smart, 1867;
harm. John Barnard, 1982 text: Godfrey Thring (1823-1903)
*UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of hopeful waiting, we give thanks for all of the ways in which you reveal yourself to us. May these offerings nurture all of the ways in which your promise is breaking into the world in acts of compassion and justice.
Amen.
GOING FORTH
Hymn No. 122 Come, O Long-Expected Jesus STUTTGART BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
Come Now, Savior of the Gentiles Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
BEING THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
HIGHLIGHTING OUR MINISTRIES DISMISSAL
Leader: Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
