The Federated Church of Orleans
United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist Association
162 Main Street P.O. Box 761 East Orleans, MA 02643
that heals and renews. Christ is to be born - may he find us
waiting in awe and wonder. Amen.
CHORAL RESPONSE
December 13, 2015
10:00 A.M.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
COLLECT
As we enter the sanctuary to praise God and the prelude begins, please
observe a respectful silence for the sake of those who use this time for
prayer and meditation.
PIANO PRELUDE
Trio of Advent Carols
OPENING WORDS OF WELCOME
The Redihan Family
Angels We Have Heard on High
*CALL TO WORSHIP
By your Word, O Light of this whole universe, we live,
move, and have our very being. As you have illuminated the
hearts of people at many times in the past, we pray for your
awakening within us. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
The Rev. Sally E. Norris
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
The Candle of Joy
*HYMN 155
Prepare the Way of the Lord
tune: Gloria
Carol Sylver, liturgist
One: Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again, I say, rejoice! The Lord is
near!
All: As we prepare for the birth of Christ, may our hearts
overflow with God’s peace and joy which surpasses our
understanding!
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
(we begin with a time of silent prayer)
God of power and mercy, God of hope, peace, and joy:
you invite us once again to celebrate the coming of the holy child
– Jesus. Come to us now and spread your grace over us. Assure
us that your light is always overcomes any darkness. Remove
those things which hinder our love of you. Uplift us with a joy
Luke 1: 46 - 55
SERMON
Rev. Norris
HYMN 128 (verses 1, 2, 3)
One Candle is Lit
tune: Cradle Song
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (and the Lord’s Prayer)
SPECIAL MUSIC
Come Unto Him
Janice Gray, Soprano
Handel
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER
The Rev. Kathleen E. Musser
All: We, the members of The Federated Church of Orleans,
joyfully express our welcome to you – Kathy – into the life of our
church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share
the hopes and labors of the church. By the power of the Holy
Spirit may we grow together in the knowledge and love of God.
And so we affirm our mutual ministry in Christ as we read
together the
Church Covenant: (see insert)
All Sing: Blest be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love:
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
Call to Offering
Offertory
Send Us the Light
Schram
The Chancel Choir
*Doxology
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow No. 46
*Prayer of Dedication
We these gifts, dear God, accept the praise and
thanksgiving of our hearts, which rejoice in your goodness
and love. Let our gifts point to your presence in the world.
Through Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us, we pray. Amen.
*SENDING FORTH HYMN 142
People, Look East
tune: Besançon
BENEDICTION
We welcome all our guests this morning and ask you to sign our guest
book in the lower narthex. If you would like to give us more information
about yourself or if you would like further information about our church,
we invite you to fill out the card in the pew rack and place it in the
offering plate. The pastor and liturgist will greet you in the vestry after
the service.
The Advent Candle Lighting liturgy is adapted from resources from
Presbyterian Church USA and liturgies written by Martha Spong. The
hymn is by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, copyright © 2015.
The flowers in the Sanctuary are given by Don and Jane Wick in loving
memory of their daughter, Diane.
Phil Mitchell has given the arrangement on the Landing in loving memory
of his wife, Barbara.
Many thanks to Shirley Lowery, who donated the crèche in the Upper
Narthex to us when she moved away. It was cast and glazed many years
ago by her sister, Frances Gunn.
CHORAL RESPONSE
ORGAN POSTLUDE
Noel
*Congregation invited to stand
Henri Mulet
words in bold print indicate
unison readings
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Flower Committee, who
have so beautifully decorated our building for the Advent Season.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are
welcome here.
United Church of Christ
The Federated Church is an Open and Affirming Congregation of the
United Church of Christ
*************************************
The Federated Church of Orleans Covenant
Acknowledging our long history as a covenantal church, we promise
to be a faithful people committed to justice and mercy in our individual
and community life, whatever it may cost us.
We trust in God revealed in scripture and mirrored in the life of
Jesus. We respond to the love and the power of the spirit of God alive
among us. We covenant to support The Federated Church of Orleans as
we seek to serve the world we touch:
to gather in worship, to listen to each other, to share in the joy
of discipleship, to stand with the hurt, the hungry and the excluded, to
relieve suffering and alienation where we find it, and to work toward a
time of peace for all people, trusting in an unknown future.
**************************************
Ministers: People
Pastor: The Rev. Sally E. Norris
Pastoral Assistant: The Rev. Robert Richardson
Moderator: Jimmy Dishner
Vice Moderator: Nina Kaars
Treasurers: Ernie Rogers & Christine King
Treas. Assistants: Russ Stockwell & Financial Sec’y. Amy Redihan
Clerk: William Stoeckert
Chair, Board of Deacons: Deborah MacLachlan
Chair, Board of Living Mission in Action: Jane Wick
Chair, Board of Trustees: Carl Ericson
Chair, Board of Christian Education: Eric Ehnstrom
Sunday School Director: Tina Williamson
Director of Music/Chancel Choir: Elizabeth Kelly
Handbell Choir Director: Bonnie Brenner
Organist: Joanne Bodley
Sexton: Ross Witt-Long
Administrator/Financial Assistant: Marti Johnson
Office Assistant: Donna Sutton
Church Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. -Closed Friday
162 Main Street P.O. Box 761 East Orleans, MA 02643
Phone: 508 255-3060 Fax: 508 255-3423
E-mail: administrator@fedchurchorleans.org
Church website: www.fedchurchorleans.org
www.facebook.com/FederatedChurchOrleans
Barnstable Association UCC: www.capecoducc.org
Mass. Conference UCC: www.macucc.org
National UCC: www.ucc.org
UUA: www.uua.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 13, 2015
Good morning and welcome to The Federated Church of Orleans. Our
goal on this third Sunday of Advent is to have fellowship with our living
Lord and with one another. Our Head Deacon this morning is Debbie
MacLachlan assisted by Deacon Martha Grogan. All are invited to share
fellowship following worship, sponsored by our Men’s Fellowship and
hosted today by Nina Kaars and Phil Mitchell.
OUR CHURCH
Worship is a time of quiet reflection and prayer. As such, we would ask
that you please put your cell phone on vibrate. If it is absolutely
necessary to take a call during worship, please do so downstairs in the
Lower Narthex or Vestry. Thank you.
STEWARDSHIP NEWS ON OUR PLEDGE DRIVE: We have received one more
pledge this week making our total 101 pledges for $197,094.00. We are
expecting 18 more pledges in the very near future. Since the budget for
2016 is being finalized very soon, we hope that all pledges will be
received during this next week. Thank you all for your wonderful support
of our church.
TO BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS We received a flurry
of Annual Reports up to last week… but they’ve slowed down
considerably. We’re still in need of 27 more reports – is yours one of
them? Please bring, e-mail, snail-mail, carrier pigeon - it to office by
December 14 – tomorrow – so we have sufficient time to prepare the
full report for the congregation. We are most grateful.
“Christmas comes but once a year but when it comes it brings good
cheer!” Please help bring “good cheer” to our shut-ins. We have ordered
Christmas cactus plants and will have them ready for distribution at your
convenience the week of December 14th. You can volunteer by using the
order form or by signing up in the Vestry. Thank You!
A CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER will be served at Our Lady of the Cape
Catholic Church in Brewster – Hors d’oeuvres at 12:30, dinner served at
1:00 pm. This dinner is open to all who will be alone on Christmas Day or
who wish to join others to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. Invite your
friends to join you. Call Kathy DeMeyer, 508 776-6040, for reservations.
Rides are available, as is home delivery within a reasonable distance from
the church.
.
BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY The Friday Bible Study is beginning a
new study, "Come to the Waters....." Water has played a very important
role in our biblical history, from the story of Noah, to the Red Sea, to the
Baptism of Jesus, which is symbolic of our own baptism. Just as humans
cannot live without water, Christians cannot imagine living without the
Word of God. Come and join us each Friday: Fellowship and
refreshments at 8:15am: the Bible Study from 8:45-9:45. For further
information contact Don Wick at 774 801-2390.
Advent Journey: Understanding Race This 3-part series will examine
Race: the Power of an Illusion. Mondays, December 14 and 21 from 4
pm at St. Christopher’s Church, 625 Main Street, Chatham. Contact
Jackie Venner at 508 945-3430 for more information.
WIDER CHURCH
The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle asks us to pray
this week for Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.
Refugees can end up walking hundreds of miles to their asylum
destinations. They desperately need a safer, more comfortable way to
carry their babies and toddlers. Carry the Future is accepting new and
used carrier donations. The Federated Church is a Lower Cape drop-off
location. More information is available at www.carrythefuture.org.
With heating bills adding to stretched budgets, the winter months are
especially difficult for our neighbors in need. The numbers of struggling
households just in Orleans alone is hard to consider. Because food stamps
cannot be used to purchase essential items, for the months of December
and January the Orleans Food Pantry is in need of: toothpaste, paper
towels, bar soap and shampoo. Please consider making a donation in the
container next to the office. Each item will help.
COMMUNITY
THE OUTER CAPE CHORALE PRESENTS – CLASSICAL JAZZ!
featuring some traditional American jazz standards, as well as some
classical jazz compositions by British composers Will Todd and Bob
Chilcott. Concert is at Orleans’ Middle School today, December 13 at
3:00 pm. The concert is free. A goodwill collection will be taken. The
concerts will mark the final performances conducted by the group’s
founder, Jon Arterton, who will be moving to Florida where he and his
husband, James Mack, hope to start a new community chorus! The new
Chorale director is Allison Beavan, longtime director of choruses at Nauset
High School.
Next Sunday, December 20, at 2:00 and 5:00 pm, The Chatham Chorale
will present A CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS, Traditional sounds of the
season performed by voices, strings, and organ. Tickets ($30
reserved, $25 open seating) for both performances to be held at Brewster
Baptist Church can be obtained at www.chathamchorale.org or by calling
888 556-2707.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 13, 2015
9:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
11:15 A.M.
11:45 A.M.
5:00 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
1:00
4:00
4:00
7:00
7:30
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
Today – The Third Sunday of Advent
Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
Worship led by The Rev. Sally Norris, New members
welcomed; Guest Musician is soprano Janice Gray; Children
exit for Sunday School
Meetinghouse Preschool Cookie Walk, Vestry
Sally’s Sabbatical Reflection, Sanctuary
Am HaYam Hanukkah Celebration & Potluck, Vestry
N. A., Vestry
Monday, December 14
Pastor/Parish, Parlor
Nominating Committee
Fellowship Room in use, B. Kelly
Concert Rehearsal, F’ship Rm.
A. A., Vestry
9:30 A.M.
10:45 A.M.
10:00 A.M.
3:15 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
Tuesday, December 15
Embroidery Guild, Vestry
Where 2 or 3 Gather…, Parlor
Strong for Life, F’ship Rm.
Bd. of Living Mission in Action, Vestry
Staff Christmas Party
9 – 1 P.M.
12:00 P.M.
9 – 6 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
Wednesday, December 16
C. E. Office Hours
Federated Clergy Lunch, Vestry
Fellowship Room in use
Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, December 17
10:00 A.M. Sight Loss Support, Fellowship Room
5:30 P.M. Preschool Holiday Gathering,
12:00 P.M. Handbell Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary
Friday, December 18
8:15 A.M. Bible Study, Fellowship Room
9 – 1 P.M. C. E. Office Hours
10:00 A.M. Strong for Life, Vestry
7:00 P.M. Deck the Halls Christmas Concert, Sanctuary
Saturday, December 19
8:30 A.M. Community Breakfast
10:00 A.M. National Alliance on Mental Illness, Parlor
Next Sunday, December 20
9:00 A.M. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:00 A.M. Worship led by The Rev. Sally E. Norris; Children exit for
Sunday School
11:30 A.M. Music Committee, Fellowship Room
7:30 P.M. N. A., Vestry