Pastor Lena Mark

Sunday, December 18, 2016

~Wiggling is appropriate & welcome.

*Those who able are invited to stand in praise.

PRELUDE Organist

INTROIT Choir

WELCOME

The Lord be with you, And also with you.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: Jim Poplin (by Rev. Jackson Henry – adapted, © 2016 by Discipleship Ministries, UMC)

Liturgist: For many people, this is a season of grief. When

wandering through dark and lonely places, it is best to go with

a friend―one who knows us and cares for us. Finding an

embrace in the midst of despair can help us overcome our

fears and give us confidence and strength to face tomorrow. It

is in this season of anguish that we again encounter a timeless

message from the prophet Isaiah.

Listen for the Word of the Lord from Isaiah 7:10-16 NRSV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord

your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz

said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then

Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you

to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the

Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with

child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He…

…shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse

the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how

to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose

two kings you are in dread will be deserted.”

The Word of God for the People of God.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

(RE-Lighting of the first, second, and third candles.)

Congregation: Immanuel means, “God with us.” God put on

flesh and became human to be with us, to renew our hope, to

show us how to live, and to deliver us from sin and death. We

light this candle today remembering that God began that work

and will be faithful to complete it. Deliverance is at hand!

(Lighting of the fourth candle.)

Liturgist: And so we offer this heartfelt prayer:

Congregation: Lord Jesus, come quickly and light our lives

with your deliverance.

READING Carol Owen

Christmas Eve by Christina Rosetti

DRAMATIZATION Youth

Sound of Silence (Disturbed)

READING Dr. Phyllis Porter

Guesthouse by Rumi

SHADOW PUPPET DRAMATIZATION Youth

What Child Is This? (Elle Zamudio, Bold Christmas)

READING Sunday School Children

Christmas Star (in Short Christmas Poems)

CHOIR Look-A That Star

READING Richard Clason Sr.

The Old Shepherd (www.plough.com)

CHOIR Were You There On That Christmas Night?

READING Ken Schultz

The Journey of the Magi by W.R.Rodgers (1909 – 1969)

SOLO Vic French

O Holy Night (Traditional)

READING John Banks

The Epiphany by Godfrey Rust (www.wordsout.co.uk)

DRAMATIZATION Laura Nerz

Mary Did You Know? (Pentatonix)

BLESSING (“When the Song of the Angel is Stilled” by Howard Thurman)

“When the song of the angel is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost--To heal the broken--To feed the hungry--

To release the prisoner--To rebuild the nations--

To bring peace among brothers and sisters--

To make music in the heart.”

Let the work begin! Amen.

OFFERING Organist

Collection baskets are available at each of the exits

~POSTLUDE Joy to the World by Pentatonix

If you are a first time visitor please see the welcome card

in your pew for more details and tips. Welcome! www.PeterboroughUMC.org

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Pastor Lena Mark

ASSISTING IN WORSHIP

AT PUMC TODAY: Organist:

Gene Brochu Choir Director:

Wendy Dunning Liturgist: Jim Poplin

EVENTS: Events this week:

Mon Confidential Meeting 6-8p Wed Open Sanctuary 10a-1p

Wed Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Wed Newsletter submissions due

Thu Choir Rehearsal 6:30p Sat Christmas Eve Service & special offering 7p Sun No worship service – Merry Christmas!

Announcements & Upcoming:

Open Mic Night on hold until January Book Group on hold until January

Please send Prayer Concerns, Events, and any announcements to Melissa French at

info@PeterboroughUMC.org or 603-924-6960 by Wednesday evening.

If you are a first time visitor please see the welcome card in your pew for more details and tips. Welcome!

www.PeterboroughUMC.org

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Pastor Lena Mark

ASSISTING IN WORSHIP

AT PUMC TODAY: Organist:

Gene Brochu Choir Director:

Wendy Dunning Liturgist: Jim Poplin

EVENTS: Events this week:

Mon Confidential Meeting 6-8p Wed Open Sanctuary 10a-1p

Wed Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Wed Newsletter submissions due

Thu Choir Rehearsal 6:30p Sat Christmas Eve Service & special offering 7p Sun No worship service – Merry Christmas!

Announcements & Upcoming:

Open Mic Night on hold until January Book Group on hold until January

Please send Prayer Concerns, Events, and any

announcements to Melissa French at info@PeterboroughUMC.org or 603-924-6960

by Wednesday evening.

If you are a first time visitor please see the welcome card

in your pew for more details and tips. Welcome!

www.PeterboroughUMC.org

Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on the darkest night of the year

Wednesday December 21

Keene Gather at 5, start at 5:30pm

Central Square

Peterborough

5 pm Peterborough Town House

Homeless Person’s Memorial Day on the darkest night of the year

Wednesday December 21

Keene Gather at 5, start at 5:30pm

Central Square

Peterborough

5 pm Peterborough Town House