Bulletin, 12/18/2011

• Details
• Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
• Published on Saturday, 17 December 2011 15:02

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL SERVICE
18 December 2011  --   8:30 & 10:00 a.m.

“Blessed are the peacemakers….”
Matthew 5: 9

THE GATHERING

PRELUDE:        Traditional Carol Arrangements   arr. Ferguson, Held,
Chapman
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTROIT:              Ding, Dong, Merrily on High       arr. Bill Ingram
First Church Ringers

CALL TO WORSHIP:

adapted from Madeleine L’Engle
Leader:    God did not wait till the world was ready,
till nations were at peace.
God came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
People:    God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

Leader:    God did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy God came to a tarnished world of doubt.
To a world like ours, God came
and God's  Light would not go out.
People:    God came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
All:    We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our need, to touch our pain,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
+*HYMNS & PSALMS # 22    Angels From the Realms of Glory

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES

THE CANDLE OF LOVE                                         The Varley Family
Today is fourth Sunday in Advent and we re- light the candles of Peace, Hope and Joy.  Today we light the candle of Love to remember our God who loves us so much that we are given the ultimate gift.  In Christ - Emmanuel - we experience the fullness of God’s love.  Throughout life, and in every circumstance, God’s steadfast love endures forever.
SCRIPTURE:    John 15: 11-12
Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
UNISON PRAYER:                   (adapted from Howard Thurman)
O God, we light candles this Advent:
candles of gratitude, in the face of selfishness;
candles of love to inspire all our living;
candles of joy, despite all sadness;
candles of hope, when despair keeps watch;
candles of peace for tempest-tossed days;
candles of courage, for fears ever present;
candles of grace to ease heavy burdens;
candles that will burn all the year long.
In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 23    Angels We Have Heard on High
After the first verse of this hymn, Church School participants in grades Pre-K through 8 may leave to go to their classrooms.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE:                       Luke 1: 26-35                      Deacon Dear
ANTHEM:                    Glory to God (Messiah)              G. F. Handel
SERMON:                          “Christmas Music”                   Rev. Robert
*SERMON HYMN:  (H & P # 19)   Once in Royal David’s City

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

JOYS & CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses)
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY:         Mary had a Baby     African American spiritual
Cyndie Hasty, soloist
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 40    Joy to the World!
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE: :  See the Little Baby     Donald Swift
POSTLUDE:        God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen         A. Fedak
+ + +
Please join us for refreshments and fellowship, today hosted by the Board of Finance, downstairs in Fellowship Hall immediately following the 10:00am worship service.  Also in Fellowship Hall is the Pilgrim Fellowship Cookie Walk!  Support the PF and their Mission Trip while taking home some delicious goodies!

CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House; sermon recordings are on our website: wwwfirstchurchguilford.org.  

Deaconess for December is Carrie Federici (203-458-6276).  Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  Call Mary Norris (203-457-9483) for information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Deacon for December is Bill Shank (203-470-4893).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chairpersons of Boards and Committees: Please remember Annual Reports are due by Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.   Please e-mail it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or you may submit it “copy-ready.”  If you need me to key it in, please drop it off at the church office by Jan. 5th.  Thank you.

Update:  The Associate Pastor Search Committee has received over sixty (60) profiles from candidates who are interested in our Church.  The Search Committee continues to utilize a screening process using information obtained from congregational input.  This initial step removes from consideration those candidates who do not meet our established criteria.  Those candidates who meet criteria are then closely scrutinized and follow-up informal phone contacts are completed to clarify or obtain additional information.

The Search Committee has established questions for formal phone interviews and face-to-face interviews. At this time we are in process of reaching out to six candidates to complete formal phone interviews.  We are still receiving profiles on a regular basis and continue to screen those candidates as noted previously. The Search Committee is meeting at least twice monthly as we move forward, and will continue to provide updates to the congregation.

Pilgrim Fellowship Meeting Tonight 7 – 9pm in Fellowship Hall.

Christmas Pageant Christmas Eve at 5pm in the Sanctuary:

Arrival times:    Participants: please arrive by 4:30 in Fellowship Hall, Junior Choir please arrive by 4:15 in Sanctuary.  Please come already dressed in costumes.  Needed:  a group of strong people willing to set up staging beforehand and clean up staging afterward.   If you can help us create this beloved tradition; please let Chris know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 203-453-3324.  Thank you!

A Special Note: The Pageant is a worship service and, while we understand that people want to capture their loved ones in this moment, we ask that you respect this and refrain from applause and do not use cameras/electronic devices of any kind.  A "photo opportunity" will be offered at the conclusion of the Pageant.

Introduction to Christian Meditation CD – If you requested a copy of the CD Clare created, it is available in Spencer House Kitchen.  

Guilford Food Bank Needs: 100% fruit juices; canned fruit, tuna, ham, hash, stews; pancake/potato/cake/mac & cheese mixes; dry milk, cereal.  You may leave your donations in the narthex.

Grocery Cards for sale: Purchase a Big Y, Bishop’s Orchards or Stop & Shop card and a percentage goes to the church.  After worship see Bob Howard, Joe Catino or Shannon Clarkson.

Guilford Job Network next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 3rd at 7:00pm at the Fr. Sullivan Center behind Saint George’s..  All job seekers welcome.   Please call Fr. Smith at 203-453-2788 ext 204.

CHURCH CALENDAR

FH - Fellowship Hall;  GH – Griswold Hall; ML – Minear Library;
CR – Choir Room; CSB – Church School Bldg; BR – Bride’s Room

Sunday, December 18:    7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

Monday, December 19:  7:00pm  Board of Finance – ML

7:30pm  Business Committee - SHK
Tuesday, December 20:  7:00pm  Human Resources Comm. - ML

Wed., December 21:       4:00pm  Junior Choir – FH
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – GH

Thurs., December 22:     7:00pm  Boy Scout Troop 474- FH
7:15pm  Senior Choir Rehearsal- CR
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day- see next page

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA:  Sun.,  7:15am – GH            Alanon:  Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – Room 9                         Wed., 10:00am - FH
Wed. 7:30pm–GH                   Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-GH
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm - FH      NA:          Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH

Christmas at First Church
All are welcome!


Christmas Eve Pageant
5:00pm  presented by the Children


Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
10:00pm - Dr. Kendrick Norris preaching
First Church Senior Choir and guest musicians


Christmas Day
Worship at 10:00am only - Rev. Clare Robert preaching
No Nursery care or Church School


New Year’s Day
Worship at 10:00am only - Rev. Carolyn Johns preaching
No Nursery care or Church School

WELCOME TO FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH!

United Church of Christ
An Open and Affirming Congregation

122 Broad Street,
Guilford, CT  06437
Telephone: 203-453-5249              Fax:  203-453-5589
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website: www.firstchurchguilford.org

We are pleased that you are here to worship with us today, and we trust that you have found inspiration and fellowship.  If we can be of service to you, please speak with one of the ministers after worship, or call or email us:  Dr. Norris – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Rev. Robert – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Our Staff – Partners in Ministry
Kendrick L. Norris                                                    Senior Minister
Clare Robert                                            Interim Associate Minister
Christopher Solimene  Acting Dir. of Children & Family Ministries
William C. Speed                                 Director of Music Ministries
Penelope Rebuzzini                                                  Office Manager
Larry Donahue                                                                        Sexton
Salisha Miller                                    Director of Pilgrim Fellowship
Liza Catino                                                  Director of Junior Choir
Gail Etter                                                    Director of Cherub Choir
-------------------------------Tear here-----------------------------------
Are you a visitor this morning?  Please take a Welcome brochure from the pew rack.  Would you like a: ___ Phone call?  ___ visit?  ____ more information about our Church?   Please drop this in the offering plate.

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