Third Sunday of Advent: Love
Preludes Two Chorale Preludes on “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”
P 386 by J. Pachelbel (1653-1706); BWV 599 by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Welcome
Call to Worship Isaiah 12: 2-6
*Opening Hymn No. 14 Savior of the Nations, Come
*Prayer of Invocation and Love
God of the past, in the wilderness you sent a messenger of love to open human hearts for the coming of Christ. Open our hearts again today.
God of the present, even now you are among us. Forgive us when we focus on so many empty distractions and neglect your message of presence and power.
God of the future, we know that Mary, Joseph and Jesus have gifts and graces yet to be revealed. Empower our expectation, excitement and exuberance for this new life as your eternal gift. Amen.
The Prophet of Love 1 John 4: 9-11
The Candles of Love ** Wendy Donnell, Emma Oliphant, Elodie Weinzierl
The Prayer of Advent
Children proceed to the Great Hall (sung, seated)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel;
To us the path of knowledge show, and help us in that way to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.
The Prophet of Restoration Zephaniah 3: 14-20
The Morning Meditation Kenneth Baily
Vocal Duet O Come, Holy Savior Arr. by Anna Laura Page
Celebration of Communion including The Lord’s Prayer
(“Our father and mother… trespasses”)
All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, for God’s presence, for peace.
Leader: God be with you. All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to God!
Leader: Let us praise God, saying
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are
full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Hymn of Departure (insert) Now Bless the God of Israel
*Assurance and Blessing Philippians 4: 4-7
Postlude Chorale Variations on “Nun komm” (LV 50) W.F. Zachow (1663-1712)
* Those who are able please stand
** Candles of Love are available to everyone this week. You may come forward and light a candle and (briefly) say where you seek or see love this year, using the microphone, please. Many candles spread much light.
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During this time of covid caution we welcome all
to safe, careful congregational assembly with masks.
(Except for worship leaders while they are speaking/singing.)
Note that our leaders are vaccinated and boosted.
We have a touch-free offering today
That is, you may leave a gift in the basket,
deliver an envelope after worship, send a gift
via email or online, or any touch-free method you wish
Thanks to worship leaders Wendy Donnell, Ken Baily, Lynd Matt, Natacha Rist,
vocalists Amanda Ketchpaw and Samantha Whitbeck and
deacons Yumiko Matsuoka, Tony Rudié, Joy Huber and Isabelle Draper
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. Pauls says“In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898