Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand
Call to Worship
Leader: the Magi came from far away following a star, seeking wisdom, and offering their gifts.
People: We come from many places and the star sheds light on our path.
Leader: Arise, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Arise, and bring your gifts of song and praise and love.
People: We have come to the wondrous light, the light of the world, Christ Jesus.

Prayer of Invocation
Leader: We thank you, God, that you have spoken to people of faith at many times and in various ways, and that in Jesus, your living Word, you have revealed yourself among us. We come here longing once more to know your presence and to hear your word.
People: We seek your grace and mercy for the times we have lost our way and grown weary of the journey. We turn our face to your light, O God, and ask tha tyou guide us in the way of life and truth. With humble hearts we give thanks for your great love and faithfulness. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Words of Assurance
All: This is the Good News. By Christ’s word and example we learn that God’s love has no bounds. Grace is unending. Those who hunger and thirst will be satisfied. Those who are lost will be found. In Christ we are forgiven and our lives and hopes are renewed. Glory to God in the highest and peace to all on earth.

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 60:1-6     Carrie Naatz
Matthew 2:10-12    Ed Lynch

Sermon Title: Home by Another Way

Hymn: “As with Gladness Men of Old”

Sharing Time- — Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer, Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message and Second Offering for Margaret’s Pantry
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Communion Hymn: “What Child is This”

Communion — (Everyone and anyone is welcome to this table — God’s table, You don’t have to be a member of this church of any church to share the bread and fruit of the vine (grape juice). Please wait to eat and drink until all have received and the minister invites us).

Invitation to Communion
One; God be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
Many: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Communion prayer (pastor)
One: O God, who has called us from the shadows into the light, we remember your eternal promise to lead your people from bondage to freedom. We recall how in the fullness of time you gave us yourself in Christ Jesus, the light of the world. We thank you that by the power of your Holy Spirit we are born again as children of light. We remember that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, when he had blessed it, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you.” After supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

By the presence of you Holy Spirit may these gifts we offer be transformed from ordinary to holy things, so that as we eat and drink of them we may be fed and nourished with the presence of Christ and so bel united with him until we shall feast face to face at the glorious banquet table of heaven.

The bread which we break is a means of sharing in the body of Christ. The cup of blessing we bless is a means of sharing the blood of Christ.

After distribution (all): Holy Creator, we remember and give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus, heaven’s child born of Mary, to share our life, our joy, our troubles and sorrows. He lived and died and lives again so that your love might be real to us and through us. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn: “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

Benediction
Leader: You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine that others may see the good things you do and give glory to God.
People: God is with us now and always, Let us go out in peace. Amen.

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
O God, creator of light and life, look upon these good people gathered here and lead us in worshipping this day: that our words may praise you, and our lives may bless you, and our meditations glorify you, through Christ Our Lord. And now our Introit.

Introit

Prayer of Invocation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together;
We begin our worship by confessing our sins and asking for your forgiveness for the ways we have compromised our trust in you. We occupy this space and approach your presence with repentant hearts. We come before you now with sincerity, hope and faith. May this room and the people in it be a sign that your Kingdom is real. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Giver of Life, Where’er They Be”

Scripture Readings
Genesis 1:3-5 and 1:14-19 Tim Damon
Job 38:4-7 and 38:19-21 Rev. Randy Purinton

Sermon Title: Knob and Tubing: A Brief History of Family and Faith

Hymn: “Let There Be Light, O God of Host”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn: “Stars and Planets Flung in Orbit”

Benediction

Prelude

Gathering Music

Welcome

Prelude

Lesson     Genesis 1:1-4   Paula Thoin
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness.

Carol   O Come, All Ye Faithful

*All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship     Sharon Midyette
Leader: Unexpectedly, the time came! The child was born!
People: The Savior of the world is here!
Leader: Unexpectedly, the angels told the shepherds of the newborn Savior;
People: The Savior of the world is here!
Leader: Unexpectedly, the shepherds went and found the child, lying in a manger.
People: The Savior of the world is here!
Leader: We wait for Christ to come again, We wait for Christ to enter our world and lives in a new way.
People: Come, Lord Jesus Come!

Carol     It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (verses 1 & 4)

Lesson   John 1:1-5  Helen Gann
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Offering of our Gifts
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry of the United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Carol     Angels We Have Heard on High

Lesson    Luke 2:1-20   Sharon Midyette
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a  great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying;

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which here just as they had been told.

Christmas Eve Reflection     Sharon Midyette

Solo     O Holy Night     Charlie Berrios, tenor

Litany for the Lighting of the Christ Candle     Lisa Kochian
In Jesus, we see the Light of God, Source of Life.
Light, Energy, and Spirit, create and sustain us.
By God’s Light we are empowered to do our work,
To seek justice, to show mercy, and to act in love.
In Jesus, we see the Light of God, Source of Life.
Praise be to you, O God of Light.

Passing of the Light
As the light is passed to you, tip your unlit candle to the lighted one.

Carol  Silent Night
1. Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent Night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

3. Silent Night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

4. Silent Night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

Christmas Prayer
Loving God, moved by the coming of Christ to our lives, we seek to be your people. Help us to live in faithful covenant with you and with one another. Let the peace of Christ guide us all in that we do and say, let Christ’s message in all its richness live in our hearts and our actions, may we praise you without ceasing. Amen.

Carol     Go Tell it on the Mountain

Benediction     Sharon Midyette
My friends, as we leave this Holy place tonight let us remember that the world 2000 years ago was changed by a baby. Let us remember that we all have the ability to change our world today. AMEN.

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: We come seeking love from You, the One who sits upon the throne.
All: Restore us, O God; let your face shine.
One: We come seeking ot worship You, the One who dwells with us always.
All: Restore us, O god; let your face shine.
One: We come seeking to witness your love, a child to be born in a coming night
All: Restore us, O God; let your face shine.

Opening Prayer
God of love — fierce, unending and everlasting love — we gather this morning with gratitude for the way your love has called us out of our darkness and into your marvelous light. we stand in awe of your deeds of love. In our time revive this light. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel. Stir up your might in this place and come. Amen.

Opening Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle: Love

“Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19

What does love feel like in the new world?

Love feels like knowing I am a sacred part of a magnificent whole.
Love feels like acceptance and gratitude.
Love feels like being cherished.
Love feels like being home.

Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where you, and me, and all of God’s creation are treasured and beloved. May it be so.

Advent Carol
O come O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here Until the son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Prayers of Joy and Concern
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

Service of Lessons and Carols

First Lesson      Isaiah 9:2, 6 (Wonderful Counselor…)  Paula Thoin

The Carol   O Little Town of Bethlehem

Second Lesson   Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9 (A shoot from Jesse)   Ed Lynch

The Carol   Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming

Third Lesson    Luke 1:26b-33 (The Annunciation)   Carrie Naatz

The Carol  What Child is This Who Laid to Rest

Fourth Lesson   Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)   Robert Grammo

The Carol   O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

Fifth Lesson   Matthew 1:18024 (Angle appears to Joseph)  Myra Cardona-Grammo

The Carol Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine

Sixth Lesson   Luke 2:1-7 (Birth of Jesus)  Tim Damon

The Carol   Away in a Manger

Seventh Lesson   Luke 2:8-19 (Shepherds and Angels)  Lisa Kochian

The Carol  Angels We Have Heard on High

Eighth Lesson  Matthew 2:1012 (The Kings)

The Carol   We Three Kings of Orient Are
(The Three Kings sing verses 1-4)
(Congregation joins in on verse 5 only)

The Christmas Offering and Second Offering for Rebekah’s Closet
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with The United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Prayer of Dedication
May these gifts be a dim reflection of the mighty love with which you have gifted us. May we continue to live out our call to bring your love to birth in our midst. Love comes down at Christmas time. May this timeless truth bless our gifts. AMEN.

Ninth Lesson   John 1:1-14 (In the beginning was the Word)  Rev. Carrie Bail

The Carol   God Rest You Merry, Gentleman

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
Our souls magnify the Lord: our spirits rejoice in God our savior.
We come today with eager hope, awaiting God’s new revelation.
The mighty One has done great things! God’s mercy covers generations!
We come today with ready peace, trusting with anticipation.
The One who lifted up the lowly and filled the hungry dwells with us.
We come today with fervent joy, we worship with great expectation.

Opening Prayer
Holy One, Redeemer, Mighty Builder who delights in making spaces of safety and beauty, who rejoices in giving God’s people a future of hope, fill us this day with the gifts we need to join you in life-sustaining, hope-giving work in the world, Let us share in your joyful vision of beauty and justice in this Kin-dom you have created and loved. In the name of the One who is coming soon.

Opening Hymn: “My Soul Gives Glory to My God”

Words of Assurance
Holy One, we give you thanks that you meet us in our struggles and call us into a future of hope and joy. You have promised to be ever faithful, and we open our hearts to you in trust, in the name of the one you send. We are ever grateful.

Lighting the Third Advent Candle: Joy   Tim Damon & Paula Thoin

Isiah 35:1-2 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.

What does joy feel like in a new world?
-Joy feels like everlasting love
-Joy feels like the freedom to be who God created us to be.
-Joy feels like sharing love and kindness.
-Joy feels like pride.

Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where joy bubbles up in unexpected places. May it be so!

Advent Carol     O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!

Scripture Readings     Isiah 35: 1-10     Carrie Naatz

Luke 1:46-55      Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: Rejoice in Justice, with Joy and Singing

Hymn: “Strengthen All the Weary Hands”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Soloist     “I Wonder as I Wander”     Michelle Prindle

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Doxology
Praise God form whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Closing Hymn: “Joy to the World”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: A shoot soon comes from Jesse’s stump and a branch shall spring from roots.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children. Let all the people give God praise.
One: A leader soon comes who will lift the poor, with righteousness around his waist.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children, Let all the people give God praise.
One: A child soon comes from innocence, with wisdom and might he’ll lead the way.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children. Let all the people give God praise.

Opening Prayer
O God of all those who wander in the wilderness: we enter this time of worship expecting that when we leave, we will be full of the courage needed to stand as a sign of peace. We come to the mountain to feel closer to your presence, O God. May righteousness flourish and peace abound.  You, alone, are the God who does wondrous things. May your glory fill this place as we worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Opening Hymn: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Words of Assurance
Beloved, know that God’s grace and mercy abound, and in God and Christ, we are forgiven. Let us live into this gift. Amen.

Advent Candle Lighting     Robert and Myra Grammo
We light the candles this season to prepare for the birth of our Lord.
We light again the candle of HOPE and today, add the candle of PEACE.

What does peace look like in the new world?
–Peace looks like a flowing river where every living thing has what they need to flourish.

–Peace looks like a place where those who are weak are not afraid of those who are strong.

–Peace looks like good conversations around big tables.

Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where we can boldly build a good life together.

Advent Carol   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you. O Israel!

Children’s Time     Tim Damon

Scripture Readings     Matthew 3:1-12     Tim Damon
                                            Isiah 11:1-10          Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: On Gold’s Holy Mountain

Hymn: “When Peace, Like a River”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection

Lord’s Prayer (from A New Zealand Prayerbook)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving god, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In the times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. AMEN.

Offertory Message and Second Offering for Margaret’s Pantry
Thank you for sharing your gifts for the ministry with the United Congregational Church of Holyoke

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Communion Hymn: “As We Gather at Your Table”

Invitation to Communion:
One: God be with you.
Many: And also with you.
One; Life up your hearts.
Many: We lift them up to God.
One: Let us give thanks to God.
Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise

Communion Prayer: (pastor)
God, you have made an astounding promise: “I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up.” In the wilderness, a voice crise out, longing for the Refiner’s fire, repair, and renewal, the promised birth (and rebirth) of hope, Called to bear the weight of the promise, Mary sings an ancient song — that God comes to fill the hungry and lift the humble. In the midst of uncertainty, Jesus assures his disciples: just as the tree blooms, so the signs are clear that the kingdom of God is near. In the midst of the darkness of our time we look for the signs: the bud of hope and the branch of peace. While around us the snares of fear and conflict lie in wait for the infant hope, you, O Wisdom, are there keeping vigil with us. We gather at this table, praying that crooked ways be made straight, that the valley’s peace be lifted up and mountains might be brought low so that all God’s people might rejoice together, giving thanks for the mystery and wonder revealed that first night. With your people of all times and places, we await with hope and peace and fulfillment of your vision for all creation.

Bless us, O God, and bless these your gifts. Encourage us to share your life and love, which makes the gifts we share truly holy. Transform us, God, and your world, and bless all your children: the fearful, the lonely, the violated, the hungry, the rejected. O God in Christ, hear our prayer.

Words of Institution
Sharing the Bread & Cup

Prayer of Thanksgiving: (Unison)
At this table, Christ is the host, welcoming all who hunger. At our tables, may Christ be our guest this day and always, as we welcome hope, peace, joy, and love into our lives. Lead us to the mangers of our time, where hope and peace are born again so that we might be heralds of your love and joy. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “In Came Upon A Midnight Clear”

Benediction

Postlude

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Brining in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
One: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go up to the house of the Giver of hope!”
All: We come today with eager expectation, Our feet are standing within God’s gates.
One; Come, let us go up to the mountain so that the Giver may teach us how to hope.
All: We come today with holy expectation, Our hands are lifted with grateful praise.
One: We gather at the edge of the reign of justice.
All: come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Opening Prayer
God of the faith that the bleak past taught us, God of the hope tha tthe present has brought us: we call on you in this hour of worship, even while knowing you are already and always with us — Emmanuel, even before the child was born. we open our hearts to receive your gifts. You are the Giver of hope, the Giver of peace, the Giver of joy, the Giver of love. we come to you with open hearts. AMEN.

Opening Hymn: “Keep Awake, Be Always Ready”

Words of Assurance

Lighting of the Advent Wreath   Carrie Naatz & Shaloma Robinson
We light candles this season to prepare for the birth of our Lord.
The first candle is the light of HOPE.
Hope — like a seed buried deep within the earth;
Hidden, covered by layers — disappointment, struggle, pain;
Buried yet stretching, growing and becoming.
Hope — like a seed, becoming new life.

Advent Carol
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!

The prophet Isiah wrote:
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sward against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.

Scripture Reading

Isiah 2: 1-5     Paula Thouin

Romans 12: 11-14     Rev. Carrie Bail

Sermon Title: In the Days to Come

Hymn: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Sharing Time — Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection

Lord’s Prayer (from A New Zealand Prayerbook)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The allowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us,
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials to great to endure, spare us,
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. AMEN.

Offertory Message
Thank you for sharing your gifts of the ministry with The United Congregational Church of Holyoke.

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!

Prayer of Dedication

Closing Hymn “Come, O Long-Expected Jesus”

Benediction