Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

 All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
Leader: Rejoice, for the Lord is near!
People: We watch and wait with expectant hearts!
Leader: Lift your eyes to the heavens and see the glory of His coming.
All: We come to worship the Savior, who brings hope, peace, and joy. Amen.

Prayer of Invocation
Heavenly Father, we come before You in this season of Advent with hearts full of
anticipation. We wait, watch, and prepare to welcome the Christ child anew into our
lives. As we gather, let Your Spirit fill us with hope and joy, leading us to celebrate
the great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Be present among us as we lift our
voices and hearts in worship. Amen!

Opening Hymn: “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”

Words of Assurance
Loving God, we come as broken people in need of Your grace. We confess our sins
and the ways we have strayed from Your will. Yet in Christ, You offer us mercy and
forgiveness. We trust in the power of His sacrifice, which alone redeems us and
secures our salvation. May we stand confident in Your unfailing love, forgiven and
renewed by Your grace. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath Robert & Myra Grammo
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 little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

The prophet Isaiah wrote:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.

Scripture Reading(s)
• Psalter Psalm 130:1-8 Stefan Stauber
• Old Testament Micha 5:1-6 Tim Damon
• Gospel Luke 2: 8-20 Lisa Kochian

Sermon Title: Watchful Waiting

Homily: Pastor Nathan Gonzalez

Hymn: “My Soul in Stillness Waits”

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

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!

Prayer of Dedication
Generous God, all we have comes from You. With thankful hearts, we dedicate
these gifts to Your work. May they bring hope to the hopeless, light to those in
darkness, and Your love to a world in need. Bless the hands that give and the hands
that receive, that Your kingdom may flourish on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Communion (Everyone and anyone is welcome to this table…God’s table. You
don’t have to be a member of this church or any church to share the bread and drink of the vine).

One: We remember that the night before Jesus would be betrayed and crucified, he
sat among his friends and took bread, blessed it, broke it, and said, “Take and eat,
for this is my body given for you. As often as you do it, do it in remembrance of
me.”

After the supper had ended, Jesus took the cup, blessed it, and said, “Drink from it,
all of you, for this, is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins.”
Whenever we share this bread and cup, my friends, we remember the compassion
and love Jesus taught and the call to follow Christ in all we do.

After distribution:
One: Let us pray. Holy Creator, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus and all who
follow to bring love and justice to the world. May this bread and drink nourish us as
they symbolize Christ’s essence in all of us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Closing Hymn “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” FOG 239

Benediction
Go now in the peace of the One who calls us to watch and wait. May the light of
Christ shine in your hearts and lead you to share His hope, joy, and love with the
world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, go 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
Leader: Let us bless the God of creation who creates and is creating still.
People: Blessed is the One who has compassion for the earth.
Blessed is the One who is the source of all goodness.
People: For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.

Opening Hymn:  “Come Ye Thankful People Come” RED # 461

Prayer of Awareness
God, each of us has gifts, skills, and talents unique to us that we bring
to this community of faith. May we use our gifts, skills, and talents
with humility and patience for the common good of our community and the world. Help us to recognize and honor each other’s differences.
May we see you, God, in each other’s face. May we continue to grow in our diversity as we encourage, support,
and care for one another. Amen.

Scripture Reading(s)
• Psalter Psalm 100:1-5 Paula Thouin
• Old Testament First Chronicles 16:28-34 Ed Lynch
• Gospel Colossians 3:12-17 Lynda Overlock

Sermon Title: Thanksgiving Meditation

Hymn: “Let All Things Now Living FOG # 389

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
We are thankful for our relation to the earth and the blessings we receive
from one another. Therefore, may our giving be generous and our work
be done with joy. Amen

Closing Hymn “Now Thank We All Are God” RED #29

Benediction
May the Lord bless and keep you; may His face shine and be gracious. Go forth
with renewed faith, strengthened by His love and empowered by His Spirit. As you
carry one another in faith, may you find joy in the journey, courage in your calling,
and peace in your hearts? Go in the grace of Christ, bearing His light to the world.
In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!

Postlude

9:45 am -10 am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming
All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
Leader: Let us worship God, who gives strength to the weak and courage to the
fearful.
People: We come to lift each other in faith, trusting that God is our stronghold
and refuge.
Leader: In our weariness moments, we find rest and renewal.
People: Together, we will worship, pray, and seek the face of our Savior.
Leader: God calls us to carry one another.
All: Let us rejoice in the Lord and lift each other higher in His love! Amen.

Prayer of Invocation
Gracious God, we come before You with hearts open to receive Your wisdom,
courage, and grace. In this time of worship, may Your Spirit flow through us,
renewing us with strength to support one another in faith. May our words, songs,
and prayers unite us for one purpose—to honor and glorify Your holy name. As we
gather, let us find inspiration in Your love, compassion in our fellowship, and
purpose in our calling. Lead us to carry each other in faith that we may prevail and
excel together as Your people. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen!

Opening Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord is King” RED 204

Words of Assurance
Merciful God, we come before You, confessing our sins and seeking the assurance
of forgiveness that only Christ can bring. We acknowledge our failures, our doubts,
and our missteps. But we trust in Your promise—that our sins are forgiven through
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and we are made new. Wash over us with Your grace,
remove our guilt, and fill us with the peace from Your salvation. We rest in the
power of Christ alone, who has conquered sin and death and opened the way to
eternal life. In the name of Jesus, we receive Your forgiveness and the fullness of
Your salvation. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading(s)
• Psalter Psalm 61:1-5 Lisa Kochian
• Old Testament Isaiah 35:3-10 Sherry Bewsee
• Gospel Mark 2:1-12 Robert Grammo

Sermon Title: The Weight of Faith

Homily: Pastor Nathan Gonzalez

Hymn: “Be Still, My Soul” FOG 77

Sharing Time – Our Joys and Concerns

Time of Silent Reflection & Lord’s Prayer

Offertory Message and Second Offering for Rebekah’s Closet
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
Loving God, we dedicate these gifts to You with hearts full of gratitude. May these
tithes and offerings further Your kingdom, extend Your grace, and uplift those in
need. Bless every giver, and guide us in using these resources to support the work
of Your church and bless our community. Let this act of giving be a reminder that
all we have is from You, and may our contributions multiply in Your hands to bring
healing, hope, and faith to others. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn “My Life Flows On” Chalice Hymnal 619

Benediction
May the Lord bless and keep you; may His face shine and be gracious. Go forth
with renewed faith, strengthened by His love and empowered by His Spirit. As you
carry one another in faith, may you find joy in the journey, courage in your calling,
and peace in your hearts? Go in the grace of Christ, bearing His light to the world.
In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!

Postlude

9:45 am -10 am Shared Music, Listening, & Singing Along

Ringing of the Hour

Prelude & Bringing in the Light of God

Welcoming

All who are able, please stand

Call to Worship
Leader: God is our refuge and strength, a present help in times of trouble.
People: We come to find hope in His presence.
Leader: Though the earth may tremble, though the waters roar, we will not fear.
People: God is with us, a sanctuary in our times of need.
Leader: Let us seek the Lord, who renews our hearts and minds.
People: We will praise our God, who gives us hope and leads us home. Amen!

*Prayer of Invocation
Heavenly Father, we gather in Your presence with gratitude and reverence. Amid
our trials and fears, we come seeking Your strength and guidance. Lord, we pray
that Your Spirit would dwell among us, renewing our hearts and lifting our burdens.
May Your words of hope and promise fill us, reminding us that You are our
sanctuary, refuge, and rest. We commit this time of worship to You. Be glorified in
our hearts and lives, and let Your light shine through our praise. In Jesus’ Name, we
pray. Amen!

Opening Hymn:  “This is the Day” Pilgrim 504

Words of Assurance
Merciful God, we come before You, acknowledging our sins and seeking Your
forgiveness. Through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection, we are promised salvation, healing, and a new life. We ask for the assurance of Your grace, knowing we are restored and redeemed through Your love alone. Thank You for giving us new hearts and filling us with Your Spirit. May we live as Your forgiven and
beloved children, forever secure in Your love and grace. In the mighty name of
Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading(s)
• Psalter Psalm 46:1-5 Paula Thouin
• Old Testament 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Tim Damon
• Gospel 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Ed Lynch

Sermon Title: Imagine by John Lennon

Homily: Pastor Nathan Gonzalez

Hymn:  “Here I am, Lord”

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
Generous Father, we offer these gifts to You as a token of our gratitude and love.
Use them for Your purposes, that they may bless those in need, uphold Your work,
and spread hope to the hurting. Bless each giver, and lead us to be faithful stewards of all You have entrusted to us. May these offerings build Your kingdom here on earth, where Your light and love shine into every heart and every home. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn  “God of Our Fathers” FOG 687

Benediction
Go now in the hope of the God who walks with us through every trial. May His
Spirit renew your heart and fill you with courage and peace. May His love sustain
you, His promise restore you, and His presence always remain with you. Go in
peace, for you are His people, and He is your God. In the Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen!

Postlude