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“Founded in 1924 in the belief that there is more that binds us together than separates us in the worship of God.”

12.29.2019

WELCOME

Recognizing the wide welcome offered to all through Jesus Christ, Community Church opens its arms to all. We strive to offer Christ’s wide welcome to all people, regardless of creed, age, race, or sexual identity.

We invite you to join our congregation in worship and in membership, as we allow our lives to be shaped by the loving outreach of Christ.

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*Please rise in body or spirit. Bold text indicates congregational participation.

Please refrain from applause during worship until invited.

Families are asked to check-in children Pre-K through 5th

grade in Commotion prior to the start of worship to participate

in Sunday school. All children participating must be checked in and out of Commotion. Families are always welcome to

worship together in the service.

Nursery care available during our 10:00 a.m. worship service.

Our service is live-streamed via internet, capturing the chancel & the congregation and may appear on social media.

THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE

PRELUDE Carol Rhapsody Andrew R. Galuska, organ Richard Purvis

COMMUNITY WORDS Dr. Robert T. Baggott

CHIMING OF THE HOUR

CALL TO WORSHIP AND OPENING PRAYER Dr. Casey G. Baggott *PROCESSIONAL HYMN AND ENTRANCE OF THE CHRIST LIGHT “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” CAROL

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*LITANY John Smith

One: Hear the announcement the angel voices bring. All: Good News! Our savior has come! One: God offers grace and comfort to every human heart. All: We will lift up our voices and sing for joy! One: Let us tell the weary world that hope is born anew. Let us pray.

*UNISON PRAYER

Today, O God, we raise our voices together in joyous song and thankful prayer. Bless, we pray, each note of praise, each voice raised in hope, each phrase uttered in gratitude for the birth of the Christ child. Let your Spirit fill our hearts as our gratitude fills this room. As we proclaim your gift of salvation to the world, may your message of love grow in us, that our lives may ever declare the Good News. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI

*PASSING OF THE PEACE Rev. Holly H. Adams

ATTENDING TO GOD’S WORD

ANTIPHONAL READING FROM THE PSALTER Clergy, Cantor, and Congregation

Antiphon: Congregation may join the cantor in singing the antiphon.

Psalm 148:1-4, 11-14

Cantor and Congregation

One: 1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

Cantor and Congregation

One: 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Cantor and Congregation

One: 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the LORD!

Cantor and Congregation

RESPONSE

One: May God who commanded light to shine out of darkness enlighten our way today. All: Amen.

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READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Elizabeth B. Hipp

One: God’s message finds utterance in our midst. All: We wait and listen for God’s word to us today.

Isaiah 63:7-9

7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8 For he said, ‘Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely’; and he became their savior 9 in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

RESPONSE

One: Surely we are God’s treasured children who have received steadfast love since the days of old. All: Our gracious God hears our distress and redeems us. In mercy, God has given us a savior.

*HYMN OF DEVOTION “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” CHRISTMAS

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CALL TO THE GOSPEL Rev. David W. Johnson

One: Silence in us, O God, any voice but your own. All: May your Word be proclaimed and received here today.

Luke 2:8-20

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

RESPONSE One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. All: Thanks be to God!

SOLO “What Child Is This” Josh Pinnock, bass

arr. Andrew R. Galuska

SERMON “Why Shepherds?” Dr. Robert T. Baggott In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ~ Luke 2:8

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THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

UNISON CALL TO OFFERING John Smith Wondrous God, though we may not bring offerings worthy of the Christ child, yet we trust you to disburse our best gifts through your world where they may announce the Good News: Christ is born! Amen.

OFFERTORY “Noel” Andrew R. Galuska, organ

Jean-Francois Dandrieu

*DOXOLOGY

CALL TO PRAYER Dr. Casey G. Baggott

One: God be with you. All: And with your spirit. One: Let us pray. O Lord, show us your mercy. All: And grant us your salvation. One: O God, make clean our hearts within us. All: And take not your Holy Spirit from us.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father which 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.

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One License A-721401 /CCS-8076

THE SENDING FORTH

*RECESSIONAL HYMN “Joy to the World” ANTIOCH

*BENEDICTION Dr. Robert T. Baggott

POSTLUDE Toccata on “Joy to the World” Andrew R. Galuska, organ

If you desire anointing and prayer for yourself or a loved one, please meet John Hillhouse, Called to Care Minister, at the Chancel Steps following the service today.

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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 5TH: We will resume our normal worship schedule beginning on Sunday, January 5th with our 8:30 a.m. Chapel service, our 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary service, and our 10:00 a.m. C2 service in Community Hall. Nursery care is available during our C2 and Sanctuary worship services. Sunday School is available at our 10:00 a.m. worship services. All are welcome!

NER YEAR’S DAY WEEK SCHEDULE:

Bible Study groups will not meet during the week of New Year’s day. We will resume on January 7th.

Caring and Sharing will not meet during the week of New Year’s day. We will resume on January 7th.

Community@Community will not be held on Wednesday, January 1st or 8th and will resume on Wednesday, January 15th.

The Prayer group will not meet during the week of New Year’s day. We will resume on January 7th.

Middle School Youth will not meet on Wednesday, January 1st and will resume on Wednesday, January 8th. Please note our new time will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Music - There will be no Choir, Chamber Singers, or Handbell rehearsals during New Year’s day week. Choir and Chamber Singer rehearsals will resume on January 8th. Handbell rehearsals will resume the week of January 5th.

OFFICE HOURS: In celebration of the New Year’s Day Holiday, the office will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st.

THANK YOU TO OUR GREETERS: A Big Thank You to the DeSchouwer family, Gerry Duhaime, Judy and John Gordon, and Glade Gracey for warmly welcoming everyone on Sunday!

USHERS NEEDED: Want to meet more church members? Here’s how! Become an usher! You will also be helping your church in the process. For more information, please contact Bruce Metcalfe at bmetcalfe@comcast.net or 860.214.5407.

ANNOUNCEMENTS...

DEACON: John Smith ACOLYTE: Emma Middleton

TODAY WE REMEMBER… (Phyllis) June Patton who died on June 18th, 2019. A service will be held in the Chapel

on January 4th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Constance (Connie) Richardson who died on December 7th, 2019. A service will be held in the Chapel

on January 3rd, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

THE FLOWERS TODAY ARE DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND GIVEN… by Marianne and Bill Johnson and Ginny Hayes in celebration of

Elizabeth Hipp’s ordination into the ministry and the wedding of Elizabeth Hipp and David Johnson.

Please join us outside Community Hall for refreshments and conversation.

IN WORSHIP TODAY

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CARING AND SHARING: The Caring and Sharing group, meeting every Tuesday, has evolved into a lively discussion about the joys and challenges of aging. Refreshments begin at 10:30 a.m. and discussion at 11:00 a.m. in Room 113. Please consider joining us. Any questions, please contact Holly Adams at holly.adams@ccovb.org. We will not meet during New Year’s day week.

LIFELONG FITNESS CLASSES: Lifelong Fitness classes are held each Monday and Wednesday. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Led by Elaine Matthes, we work on balance, flexibility, strength training, and endurance. We will meet on Monday, December 23rd but there will be no classes until the week of January 6th. All are welcome.

SURVIVING GRIEF: If you or someone you know have lost a loved one within the last year or so, we have a small community-within-Community Church to offer you as a refuge. We hope you’ll join our group on Wednesdays between 11:00 a.m. and noon to lighten the burden of your loss and to find comfort in a sharing community. Coffee and refreshments will be provided in Room 113. Come for conversation and companionship. For more information, please contact Rev. Holly Adams at holly.adams@ccovb.org or 772.469.2348.

LABYRINTH WALK: Join us on the first Sunday of each month following the 10:00 a.m. worship services. Guided walks will be available for our labyrinth in the Tabernacle of the Education building. Our next guided walk will be January 5th following the 10:00 a.m. services.

PERSONAL COUNSELING: Individual or couples counseling for personal anxiety, depression, or relationships, etc. is available at NO cost from Dr. Donald White on Wednesdays. We are fortunate to have this highly qualified professional who is willing to offer his expertise and guidance. Call Suzanne Rice to schedule an appointment at 772.469.2303.

SACRED PAUSE: Please join us on Monday mornings.. We offer “Sacred Pause” at 7:45 a.m. each week in Grace Chapel. Join us for 15 to 20 minutes of guided meditation to focus your day and week. There will be no gathering on Monday, December 30th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS...

PLEASE JOIN US

Please plan to join us THIS AFTERNOON, Sunday, December 29th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary for the

Ordination of Elizabeth Bunting Hipp

Elizabeth has been our Ministry Associate for Emerging Generations since joining us in January of 2017. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity this year. Our Church’s Peebles Fund was instrumental in helping her achieve this exciting accomplishment. We will celebrate and welcome her into her ministry on December 29th. A reception will be held in Community Hall following the ordination service.

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ADULT EDUCATION

BIBLE STUDY: Come to learn about sacred texts of our faith, and to let them speak to us in ways that challenge, affirm, comfort, and support us. Participants enjoy learning with and from one another as they gather to discuss this week’s lectionary scripture. All are welcome.

Women’s Bible Study: Tuesday classes are from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. The 11:00 a.m. group is held on Wednesdays. Both classes are led by Elizabeth Hipp and meet in Community Hall East. Women’s bible study will not meet during New Year’s day week.

Men’s Bible Study: Classes are held on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. (donuts and coffee provided) in Community Hall East and are led by Rev. David W. Johnson. Men’s bible study will not meet during New Year’s day week.

Monday evening Bible Study: Men and women are welcome to join Rev. David W. Johnson at 6:30 p.m. in the Garden Room for an in-depth study of the text used in worship on the previous Sunday. Monday evening bible study will not meet during New Year’s day week.

MEN’S RETREAT: Hey Guys, by February, after the Super Bowl, you’re going to need something to look forward to…an elixir… a refreshing look at your life. We’ve got just the thing, the 2020 Men’s Retreat, “Rocks with Cracks, Peter speaks to Men today”. The retreat will be led by Doug Wysockey-Johnson of Richmond, VT, who is the Executive Director, Lumunos, Inc. You can expect to learn what the life of the disciple Peter and your life have in common. And you may even become more accepting about how you handle the ups and downs in your life. Join us at the Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center, located in N. Palm Beach from Thursday, February 6th at 4:00 p.m. to Friday, February 7th at 3:00 p.m. What can be better...for $200 you get accommodations in Palm Beach, three delicious meals, and an exciting, stimulating leader. All are welcome. Registration forms are available in the kiosk throughout campus. For more information please contact David Mrotek at 203.829.4254.

ANNOUNCEMENTS...

SAVE THE DATES!

Saturday, January 18th, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Community Hall

A celebration of Drs. Bob and Casey Baggott’s remarkable and accomplished careers in ministry among us.

Sunday, January 19th, 10:00 a.m.

Drs. Bob and Casey will lead our congregation in a very special, final worship service as we gather together in the Sanctuary. A courtyard reception will follow.

We are establishing a designated gift fund. If you wish to honor the Baggotts with a gift toward their transition to retirement, please direct your contribution to Community Church with a notation that it is for this fund. Your gift will be reflected on your statement as a tax – deductible donation.

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COMMUNITY@COMMUNITY: Community@Community will not meet again until Wednesday, January 15th.

See you in the New Year!

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY

NURSERY CARE: Today we offer nursery care (infants - 3 year olds) during the Sanctuary worship services. Parents are asked to please bring their children to the 2nd floor of our Education Building prior to service. Infants - 23 months meet in Rm. 221, and toddlers (2-3 year olds) meet in Rm. 222.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES: There will be no confirmation class today. Classes will resume on January 12th.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Youth Group will resume on January 8th, 2020 at a new time! Come and join us from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for all the same fun, food, fellowship at a new time!

MUSIC AND FINE ART

ANNOUNCEMENTS...

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STAFF DIRECTORY

Pastoral Staff

Rev. Holly H. Adams Interim Minister of Pastoral Care holly.adams@ccovb.org

Dr. Casey G. Baggott Executive Minister casey.baggott@ccovb.org

Dr. Robert T. Baggott Senior Minister bob.baggott@ccovb.org

Elizabeth B. Hipp Ministry Associate for Emerging Generations elizabeth.hipp@ccovb.org

Rev. David W. Johnson Minister of Mission & Education david.johnson@ccovb.org

Doug Johnson Ministry Associate for Emerging Generations doug.johnson@ccovb.org

Elaine Matthes Ministry Associate for Spiritual Formation elaine.matthes@ccovb.org

Program Staff

Charlene Applegate Executive Asst. for Drs. Bob & Casey Baggott charlene.applegate@ccovb.org Admin. Asst. for Emerging Generations Ministries

Shawna Carawan Director of Development shawna.stout@ccovb.org

Rachel E. Carter Assistant Director of Music rachel.carter@ccovb.org

Ron Cook Facilities ron.cook@ccovb.org

Nick DeRosa Director of Technical Arts nick.derosa@ccovb.org

Andrew R. Galuska Director of Music and Fine Arts andrew.galuska@ccovb.org

Rick Heller Facilities Manager rick.heller@ccovb.org

Diane Jones Administrative Assistant diane.jones@ccovb.org

Dan Lamson Social Media Coordinator / Website Administrator dan.lamson@ccovb.org

David Mundy Worship Leader - C2 Worship david.mundy@ccovb.org

Suzanne Rice Admin. Assist. for Pastoral Care & Music Ministry suzanne.rice@ccovb.org

Susan Rachor Accounts Payable susan.rachor@ccovb.org

Kathryn Self Facilities / Kitchen kathryn.self@ccovb.org

Tom Snellgrove Music Director - C2 Worship tom.snellgrove@ccovb.org

Stephanie Squires Director of Community Preschool stephanie.squires@ccovb.org

Carolyn Steere Accounting Supervisor / Wedding Coordinator carolyn.steere@ccovb.org

Shawna Stout Director of Development shawna.stout@ccovb.org

Stephanie Toomey Business Administrator stephanie.toomey@ccovb.org

Jill A. Truax Associate Director of Music jill.truax@ccovb.org

Church Office 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Phone: (772) 562-3633 Fax: (772) 562-9425 Email: info@ccovb.org Website: www.ccovb.org

Pastoral Care (after hours): (772) 617-4324

Office Hours Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.