1. 6 December 2015 Second Sunday of Advent A Gathering Around Word and Table

2. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

3. We Gather

4. CENTERING MUSIC Prelude on “Immaculate Mary” J.D. Wilson CHRIST CANDLE We light the candle to remember God’s promise to be present when God’s people gather today. (Please allow this as time for reflection and quieting your heart and thoughts for worship.) WELCOME AND PRAYER CONGREGATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

5. your bulletin lists most of them DECEMBER F.O.N.-A-THON ~ Every Sunday in December Feeding Our Neighbors December 12 th, 4PM, @UNO Center (57 River St., NA) Assemble Lunches December 13 th, 12.30pm @ Bracewell Park (River & Houghton) Give out lunches and communion

6. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

7. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

8. *GATHERING PRAYER Faithful God, who promises presence, ready our hearts for the brightness of Jesus’ birth once again, that we might shine your presence to the world. Amen.

9. *GATHERING SONGS Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates UMH #213 Benedictus: An Advent Hymn by Jane Marino

10. Benedictus: An Advent Hymn (to the tune of O Perfect Love UMH #645) We wait for thee, our Lord and mighty Savior Born to redeem, to set thy people free Promised of old by word of holy prophet In silent worship we prepare for thee. Thy word is true, a covenant of mercy In quiet prayer we wait the opening day Fearless we rise to greet the unknown future Strong in the faith that you will guard our way. Show us thy path, O God of great compassion, From all our sin grant us a sure release. Let thy dawn break for us who dwell in darkness And guide our feet into the way of peace.

11. STORIES OF NEW HOPE

12. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

13. UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION On behalf of the global Church, we confess our sin before God and one another. Ever present God, in the midst of a busy season we confess that at times we are distracted. Forgive us when we fail to be your presence in the world through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Free our lives to be your carols of praise so that the world would hear the good news announcing the coming of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. INDIVIDUAL SILENT CONFESSION

14. ASSURANCE OF GRACE Leader: In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. People: In the name of Jesus Christ, We are forgiven. All: Alleluia. Thanks be to God. *SHARING SIGNS OF GOD’S PEACE

15. We Listen and Respond

16. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

17. ANTHEM Prepare the Royal Highway Hal Hopson SCRIPTURE Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 (moment of silent reflection upon today’s scripture) Lector: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. All: Thanks be to God.

18. SERMON “Holy Connections” Pastor Courtney

20. RESPONSE Giving Thanks for Holy Connections

21. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

22. OUR PRAYERS SHARING OUR JOYS & CONCERNS For each request shared, please respond: Lord, hear our prayer.

23. A CANDLE TO SYMBOLIZE GOD’S GLOBAL VISION OF COMPASSION, JUSTICE, AND PEACE: ~ We pray for those who feel alone this Advent Season: for those who grieve the loss of friends or family. ~ May Jesus’ compassionate hand reach out to those who are hurting in tangible ways with holy connections. Help us to know you as Emmanuel.

24. PRAYER FOR OUR CONGREGATION AND WORLD

25. LORD’S PRAYER (variation on traditional English version) Our Father in Heaven. Your Name is Holy. Your Kingdom come. As Your will is done in heaven, may it also be done on earth. Give our daily bread to us today; Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us; Lead us not into temptation, And deliver us from Evil; For the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to you forever and ever. Amen.

26. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

27. PRESENTING A TITHE AND OFFERING OF OUR TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT TO GOD This week’s food offering will be distributed to the Friendship Center food pantry in North Adams. OFFERTORY Offertorio Pastorale Anon., arr. W. Leopold

28. *DOXOLOGY AND SINGING PRAISE (to the tune of UMH #95) Praise God, who is our Emmanuel; Praise God, who was pleased with us to dwell; Praise God, all you in heaven and on earth; Praise our Triune God of matchless worth. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION

29. SHARING IN COMMUNION Invitation (please follow along with the bulletin) Receiving the Bread and Cup Song During Communion to the tune of TFWS #2255 (until all are fed) In the singing, in the silence, in the hands expectant, open, in the blessing, in the breaking, in the Presence at this table. Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the wine of grace: Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the bread of peace. In the question, in the answer, in the moment of acceptance, in the heart’s cry, in the healing, in the circle of your people. Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the wine of grace: Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, be the bread of peace. Prayer After Communion

30. We Go into the World to Share God’s Love

31. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Congregational Announcements Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Stories of New Hope Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Our Prayers Sharing Joys & Concerns Lighting God’s Candle Prayer for Our Congregation & World Lord’s Prayer Offering & Offertory Doxology & Dedication Communion WE GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE Sending Hymn Benediction & Blessing Music for Reflection Carrying the Light of Christ into the World Congregational Amen

32. *SENDING HYMNS Blest Be the Tie That Binds UMH #557 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. We share each other’s woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like that above. This Little Light of Mine UMH #585

33. BENEDITION/BLESSING TO LIVE AS GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE WORLD MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Partita on “People Look East” J. Bertolozzi CARRYING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST INTO THE WORLD CONGREGATIONAL AMEN: AMEN!

34. Connect with New Hope www.new-hopeumc.org info@new-hopeumc.org 413.458.3183 Mailing: Gathering: P.O. Box 744 Images Cinema North Adams, MA 01247 Williamstown, MA 01267