December 17, 2017
Third Sunday of Advent
Prelude: Noel X Louis Claude D’Aquin
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #136 Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Choral Introit: Raise a Song of Gladness
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle – Joy
Choir: The light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All: Christ’s light shines in the hearts gathered here today.
Choir: We are the church-called to be a beacon of light to the world.
All: We are shepherds of the light- called to be ministers of Christ’s gospel of reconciliation.
Choir: We will carry Christ’s light forth into the world.
All: We will proclaim the Good News, rejoicing with exceeding great joy!
Choir: Today, we light the third candle – the “Gaudete” Candle – in celebration of the joy of Christ’s coming into the world, and the joy of discipleship! “Gaudete” means “Rejoice!” Like the shepherds who rejoiced at the message of the angel, we rejoice today; and we are called to bear the message to the world that this tiny babe is God’s promise of hope, peace and joy to us all. Thanks be to God!
Choral Response: Light Three Candles to Watch for Messiah
Call to Worship
One: The Promised One of God brings good news to the oppressed and binds up the brokenhearted.
We are witnesses to the light of Christ! The Promised One of God proclaims liberty to captives and release to prisoners. We are witnesses to the light of Christ!
The Promised One of God comforts all who mourn and gives a mantle of praise instead of faint spirit.
Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, holding fast to what is good, we are witnesses to the light of Christ! Come, let us worship God together!
Opening Prayer (in unison)
We thank you, O God, for all those who have pointed to Christ: for your prophets Elijah and Isaiah, for other prophets, and for John. We thank you too, for those in our lives who have pointed us to Christ: pastors and teachers, strangers and friends. Give us eyes to see Christ today among those who are oppressed, imprisoned, brokenhearted, or beaten down, and we will give our testimony, too: how Christ releases and sets free; how Christ turns ashes into garlands; how Christ repairs and builds up what was ruined. We, too, will point others to Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
Merciful God, you love justice; why, then, do we persist in wrongdoing and every form of evil? You have given us the gift of your Spirit; why, then, do we quench the Spirit among us? You have given us the words of the prophets and the Word himself; why, then, do we despise and ignore what we have heard from you? You have sent the light into the world; why, then, have we loved darkness rather than light? Forgive us. Restore us. Till and tend us as your garden until righteousness and praise spring up, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Hear us now as we turn to you with our silent confessions, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
*Gloria Patri: #583 Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest! Glory to God, glory to God, alleluia, alleluia!
Responsive Reading – Psalm 126
(Page 704 HS in pew bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Isaiah 6:1-4, 8-11
(Page 778 HS in the pew bible)
Children’s Message & Lord’s Prayer
(Children leave for Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group)
*Hymn: #143 Angels from the Realms of Glory
Offering of our Gifts
Anthem: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming arr. Michael Praetorius
*Doxology: #607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more; praise Triune God whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – John 1:1-8, 19-28
(Page 42 NT in the pew bible)
Sermon: “Sowing Seeds of Joy!”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer
Response: He came down that we may have joy!
* Hymn: #134 Joy to the World
Benediction
Response: And Heaven and Nature Sing (sung by all)
Postlude: Noel X Louis Claude D’Aquin
(* Please stand if able.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
The poinsettia today is dedicated in loving memory of Jeri & Trish Johnson by Gordon Johnson.
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please see an usher:
If you would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Today’s host is Nancy Rossi.
Many thanks to:
Karin Noyes for serving as lay reader
The Choir for lighting the Advent wreath.
Sheryl Kennedy for leading our Youth Discussion Group
Janet Accardo & Joe Catania for ushering
Prayer List
Barbara Pogue, George Kieffer, Keith Grant, Ellie Owens, Jack Ritchie, Marian Ferguson, Jane Fitting, Libby Bishop, Miles Bishop, Chuck Carroll, Andrew Gunderson, Dick Taber, Gail Weigel, Paula Blumberg, Harriet, Emily, Anne, Bill, Carolyn and Peter and those among us who struggle with anxiety, depression and addiction.
TIME OF REFLECTION DURING ADVENT
You are invited to stop in to the Meeting House Monday through Thursday from 5:00-5:30pm for a time of quiet prayer during Advent. Pastor Diane will offer a brief reflection. Take a break from the busyness of the holiday and come into the Meeting House to breathe deeply, reflect prayerfully and contemplate the blessings of the season.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
Today: 11:15 am Christmas Caroling
4 pm Chorus Angelicus Concert
Monday: 5 – 7pm Baker’s TKD Christmas Gathering
Tuesday: 5:15 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Deacons’ Meeting
7 pm HousaTonics
Next Sunday: Christmas Eve
10 am 4th Sunday of Advent Worship Service
5:30 pm Bell Choir Prelude
6 pm Christmas Eve Worship Service
OPPORTUNITIES
SIGN UP FOR CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
You are invited to contribute a plant in the name of a loved one and take the plant home with you after Christmas Eve service. Donations are $15 for each plant. Please send a check, along with a form to the office, or to pay by credit card, please use the Give Online button on the website. Deadline is tomorrow, December 18th.
CHORUS ANGELICUS ~ TODAY at 4:00 P.M.
Chorus Angelicus, of Joyful Noise, Inc., will perform their annual concert this afternoon at 4pm in our Meetinghouse. The choir will perform a blend of traditional and contemporary carols, hymns and seasonal selection. Come and experience the joy of “those singing angels”! Tickets are $30 for general seating, $45 for priority seating and $10 for students.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
Join us for Christmas Eve Worship on Sunday, December 24 at 6:00 pm. The Bell Choir prelude will start at 5:30 p.m.
An Advent Worship Service will be held at 10 am.