Bulletin, 12/25/2011

• Details
• Parent Category: Sunday Bulletins
• Published on Saturday, 24 December 2011 10:49

CHRISTMAS DAY
25 December 2011 -- 10:00 a.m.

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

THE GATHERING

PRELUDE:   Traditional Carol Arrangements
Nick Catino, trumpet; Liza Catino, Stuart Wilkie, handbells
WELCOME
INTROIT:   See the Little Baby - Donald Swift
CALL TO WORSHIP:    Christmas Beatitudes
Leader:    Blessed are they who find Christmas in the fragrant greens, the cheerful holly, and the soft flicker of candles;
All:    to them shall come bright memories of love and happiness.
Leader:    Blessed are they who find Christmas in the Christmas star;
All:    may their lives ever reflect its beauty and its light.

Leader:    Blessed are they who find Christmas in the happy music of the Christmas season;
All:    a song of joy will sing forever in their hearts.
Leader:    Blessed are they who find Christmas in the age-old story of a baby born in a stable;
All:    for them a little child will always mean hope and promise in a troubled world.
Leader:    Blessed are they who find Christmas in the coming of the prince of Peace;
All:    help them to share his peace on earth and his good will to all.
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 28   Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

LIGHTING THE ADVENT AND CHRIST CANDLES
Leader:    We have waited for weeks.  We have waited all our lives for this time, this blessing.  This is when we pray our yes, like Mary, when we are finally ready to have God enter our lives, filling us with life that is ours.
People:    Like a new mother, we nurture this new life with hopeful belief, peaceful living, loving care, and joyful acceptance.  The Advent candles blaze, symbolizing the light of these gifts in our lives.
Leader:    As we light the Christ candle, may it remind us that Christ is the true center of our lives.
All:    Most gracious God, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may our lives become centered on living in your hope, peace, joy and love.  Amen.                  Priscilla Denham
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 56   The First Nowell

SERVICE OF THE WORD

ANTHEM:                          The First Mercy               Peter Warlock
Liza Catino, soprano
SCRIPTURE:                        John 1: 1 - 14
SERMON:                       "Christmas Morning"              Rev. Robert
*SERMON HYMN: (H & P #46)    On This Day Earth Shall Ring

RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE

ANTHEM:                        O Fair Art Thou           Alessandro Grandi
Charlotte White, soprano
JOYS & CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses)
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY:                    Sussex Carol                      arr. Chilcott
On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth.
Then why should we on earth be sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad:
When from our sin Christ set us free, All for to gain our liberty.
When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place;
Heaven and earth with joy may sing, All for to see the newborn King.
All out of darkness we have light Which made the angels sing this night;
“Glory to God and peace to all, Forevermore, Alleluia! Now and forever.
*HYMNS & PSALMS # 29    Go, Tell It on the Mountain
*UNISON BENEDICTION:                                   Howard Thurman
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with the flocks,
Then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart….  
And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day,
in every way,  in all that we do and in all we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
POSTLUDE:                           Go Tell It               arr. J. M. Michel
+  +  +
Please join us for fellowship and refreshments in the Narthex.

Ushers:  Peter Rebuzzini, Dave Knapp, KC Long, Larry Proctor
Breadbaker:  Beth Milliron

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.   If you have any questions, please call or e-mail Penelope.

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.

Guilford Job Network Next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3rd 7:00pm at the Fr. Sullivan Center behind Saint George’s.  “Four Ways to Jump Start Your Job Search” with Judi Perkins.  All job seekers welcome.  Call Fr. Smith at 203-453-2788 ext 204.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, December 25:  Christmas Day
10:00am  Worship, Clare preaching
No Nursery care, No Church School

Monday, December 26:  Church Offices Closed

Sunday, January 1: New Year’s Day
10:00am  Worship, Rev. Carolyn Johns preaching
No Nursery care or Church School


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–FH                   Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-FH
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm - FH      NA:          Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH


On the Morning Of Christ's Nativity
by John Milton

I
On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
This is the month, and this the happy morn
Wherein the Son of Heav'n's eternal King,
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing,
That he our deadly forfeit should release,
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
II
That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable,
And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty,
Wherewith he wont at Heav'n's high council-table,
To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,
He laid aside, and here with us to be,
Forsook the courts of everlasting day,
And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.
III
Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein
Afford a present to the Infant God?
Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain,
To welcome him to this his new abode,
Now while the heav'n, by the Sun's team untrod,
Hath took no print of the approaching light,
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?
IV
See how from far upon the eastern road
The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet:
O run, prevent them with thy humble ode,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet;
Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet,
And join thy voice unto the angel quire,
From out his secret altar touched with hallowed fire.

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
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