Worship Bulletin

December 3, 2023           FIRST SUNDAY_OF ADVENT ~ HOPE_ ____ _   _ 10:00 AM
We extend a warm welcome to all who join us for worship.
We pray that the service will offer you peace, comfort, and substance to feed your soul.

                                                    The Community Gathers
Meditation “But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
                                                    ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prelude“Pachelbel’s Canon”                                        by Pachelbel
                                                      Emily Savage, piano

Welcome and Announcements

Moment of Preparation – Let us prepare our hearts and minds for worship.

Introit

Call to Worship
Leader: Today we begin the journey of Advent. Let us pray that we may be ready and
able to welcome the Christ child into our lives again.
People: May the keeping of Advent be upon our hearts and lives.
Leader: May this Advent wreath constantly remind us to prepare for Christ’s coming.
People: The first candle is the candle of HOPE. It was hope that gave people the
courage to go on, and it was hope that directed their prayers toward a
Messiah.
Leader: Because of our trust in what God has already done for us, we are bold to hope
for what God will yet do with us.

(Light the first Advent candle.)

Leader: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
ALL: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” May our lights so shine before
others that they will give glory to our God in heaven! Amen.

*Opening Hymn                       “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”                                         #114

We Welcome New Members
            Robert Clark                                       Jared Thompson
            Chris Kibler                                        Lauren Thompson
            Christina Kibler
The Word of God

The Scripture Reading            Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (OT, p. 503)

Message                       “The Promise of Hope”                     Rev. Scott Cousineau

Anthem                       “We Wait”                          by Ruth Elaine Schraum
                                                          Linda McVety, Cello

We Respond to God’s Word

The Community at Prayer
Sharing Prayers
            Silent Prayer
            Pastoral Prayer
Our Lord’s Prayer (unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be   done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Offering Our Gifts to God
            Invitation
            Offertory

*Doxology                  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
                                             Praise God all creatures here below.
                                             Praise God above ye heavenly hosts,
                                          Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*Prayer of Dedication

(The Sunday school children and youth will join us for communion.)

Sharing the Sacrament of Communion

Invitation to All

Sharing of the Bread and the Cup
(There are gluten-free wafers available in the small packets.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving
*Closing Hymn                      “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”                                    #119

*Benediction

*Choral Postlude                    “Angels We Have Heard on High”
                                               Piano, Organ, Timpani, Senior Choir

*Indicates to please stand if you are able.

The altar flowers this morning are given by Lorie Faubert
In loving memory of Winafred Schnarr.
.

The prayer shawls in the sanctuary are here to be shared. They have been blessed
in their making and in our worship. If you know someone that is in need of comfort and prayer, please share a shawl with them.

Rev. Scott Cousineau, Senior Minister
Kris Galasyn, Director of Christian Education
Jacqueline Savage, Director of Music
William Sawyer, Pianist
Linda McVety, Cello
August Fernandes, Acolyte
Lisa Edstrom, Nursery Care Provider

Congregational Church
UCC, SACO MAINE
12 BEACH STREET | SACO, ME 04072
207-283-3771

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