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Welcome!!!!
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Please join us for Sunday Service at 9:30am. Details below.
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BELCHERTOWN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
November 27, 2022 – 9:30 AM
In-Person & Zoom Online
Invitation, Order of Worship & Announcements
The Reverend Jan Powers
+ + +
To Join the Service
By Computer
Please click (control + click) on the following link, by 9:25 AM and follow the prompts:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/715073542?pwd=UWlLWGNobVdTVWhwRGhHclVFZ2p2UT09
By Phone
Dial: (253) 215 8782
Meeting ID: 715 073 542, followed by #, (no participant code - #)
Belchertown United Church of Christ, Belchertown, MA
November 27, 2022 The First Sunday of Advent
Prelude
Announcements
Welcome
No matter who you are, whatever your life circumstance, and wherever you are in the journey of faith, we welcome you; Jesus welcomes you! Today is the First Sunday of Advent. The Advent Season includes the weeks beginning the fourth Sunday prior to the twelve days of Christmas. It’s traditionally a time of preparation, as we prepare our hearts and homes for the celebration of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah (Hebrew word; anointed one) or Christ (Greek word). Isaiah says the Messiah is “Emmanuel” or God-with-us. We will hear the voice of Isaiah the prophet, sharing a vision of Shalom (Hebrew for wholeness, or oneness in peace with justice).
Warming Up Emmanuel (Powers)
Lighting of the Advent Wreath congregation remains seated
Advent Testifiers read Romans 13:8-12, Contemporary English Version
8 Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. 9 In the Law there are many commands, such as, “Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not want what belongs to others.” But all of these are summed up in the command that says, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 10 No one who loves others will harm them. So love is all that the Law demands.
11 You know what sort of times we live in, and so you should live properly. It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord. 12 Night is almost over, and day will soon appear!
All: Today we light the candle of hope. We are grateful for the Hope of the World in Jesus.
Choral Introit
Call to Worship Standing as you are able
One: Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel. Come and lead us.
All: Awaken your might; come and save us!
One: Restore us, O God. Make your face shine on us.
All: Return to us, God. Look down from heaven and see!
Opening Hymn 125 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Invitation to Prayer (seated)
One: We admit our lives are broken, praying:
Opening Prayer unison
O God, your prophets tell us your judgments of the way things are, and they tell us a vision of the way you want things to be. They call us to a way of wholeness, where everyone is treated fairly, and where none are hungry or left out, where the whole creation has cause to sing for joy. Jesus pioneered this Way of living. He surrounded himself with outcasts and sinners. Help us, by your grace, to follow in that way. Give us hearts to sense the in-breaking of your extravagant love to shake things up, move us off center, and propel us in new directions, chosen by you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Words of Pardon
The love is God is deeper, broader, and more penetrating than we can imagine. May it work its way in you, to heal and to empower. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, and freed to serve. All: Amen!
Children’s Time
Song Waiting on the World to Change written and performed by John Clayton Mayer
Me and all my friends, We're all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing, and There's no way we ever could
Now we see everything that's going wrong, With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don't have the means, To rise above and beat it
So we keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
It's hard to be persistent, When we're standing at a distance
So we keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
Now if we had the power, To bring our neighbors home from war
They would've never missed a Christmas, No more ribbons on their door
And when you trust your television, What you get is what you got
'Cause when they own the information, oh, They can bend it all they want.
That's why we're waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
It's not that we don't care, We just know that the fight ain't fair
So we keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
And we're still waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change
One day our generation Is gonna rule the population
So we keep on waiting (waiting) Waiting on the world to change
Now we keep on waiting (waiting), Waiting on the world to change . . .
Scripture Reading Isaiah 11:1-10
Sermon Shalom Is For Everyone
Offering and Blessing
Sung Response 134 Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Choir Anthem
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer unison
Our Father who 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 trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Closing Song One Voice written by Ruth Moody and performed by Clayton State University Chorale
You may come to the front of the church for laying on of hands and prayers, if you have a birthday, an anniversary, to memorialize and give thanks for one who has died, or for any other particular prayer request. You may light a candle in prayer, or write in the Gratitude Journal.
This is the sound of one voice; One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice; This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two; The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through; This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three; Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery; This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us; Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust; This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice; One people, one voice
A song for every one of us; This is the sound of one voice, This is the sound of one voice
Benediction
No one is more “for us” than God. The Spirit Advocates for us. Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us, our friend and savior. While we wait for the fullness of God’s Shalom, we catch glimpses – more than glimpses – of it right now. May you have a felt-experience of this blessing, and share it with others. Amen.
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Postlude
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Isaiah 11:1-10
Like a branch that sprouts from a stump, someone from David's family will someday be king.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will be with him to give him understanding, wisdom, and insight.
He will be powerful, and he will know and honor the Lord.
3 His greatest joy will be to obey the Lord.
This king won't judge by appearances or listen to rumors.
4 The poor and the needy will be treated with fairness and with justice.
His word will be law everywhere in the land.
5 Honesty and fairness will be his royal robes.
6 Leopards will lie down with young goats, and wolves will rest with lambs.
Calves and lions will eat together and be cared for by little children.
7 Cows and bears will share the same pasture; their young will rest side by side.
Lions and oxen will both eat straw. 8 Little children will play safely near snake holes.
They will stick their hands into dens of poisonous snakes and never be hurt.
9 Nothing harmful will take place on the Lord's holy mountain.
Just as water fills the sea, the land will be filled with people who know and honor the Lord.
10 The time is coming when one of David's descendants will be the signal for the people of all nations
to come together. They will follow his advice, and his own nation will become famous.
Advent Schedule
Week 1, Nov 27, Jan Powers will preach. The theme will be “Framing the Conversation.” She will offer a biblical world view that shifts our focus from dichotomies to shalom. This echoes, in Advent, the vision of the prophet Isaiah, of a “peaceable kingdom” (11:1-10) In a word: SHALOM
Week 2, Dec 4, Jan Powers will preach and lead communion. Referencing week 1, she will help us choose to mirror God’s extravagance, even during times of scarcity (inflation). This echoes, in Advent, the vision of Isaiah, chapter 2, in which God’s people choose a way that is not the way of the world. In a word: EXTRAVAGANCE
Week 3, Dec 11, Bill Ault will preach. Luke 1:4b – 55, is Mary’s Magnificat, in which she speaks of God’s power, so different than the world’s power. Bill will help us choose to make a manger in our lives for God’s power, live into it, and learn to share it. In a word: POWER
A Blue Christmas
Wed, Dec 14, at 7 Pm
Maybe you’re not feeling jolly and light hearted this year. Come and worship in honesty; receive encouragement while we avoid giving trite advice. Instead of “comfort and joy” we will focus on just comfort in our loss or grief, depression or just the blues. If you need a little hope this service is for you. Led by Jan Powers
Week 4, Dec 18, Bill Ault will preach. Romans 1:1-7 reminds us that the ancient story is our story. The angels instruct, “Do not fear!” Mary and Elizabeth whisper exciting confidences. The Shepherds run to see the babe. The stars lead the wise. The angels sing and the heavenly trumpets sound. And all the world is invited into joy. In a word: JOY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
“WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND WEDNESDAYS” on Zoom will restart on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 6:30 PM - 7:25PM and weekly thereafter. This year What’s on Your Mind Wednesdays will be led by Jen LeBeau and the topics will be - well, whatever’s on your mind! This is a chance to connect with friends in a COVID safe Zoom format, share thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams and to support one another during these trying times. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jen LeBeau at 413-256-1595.
SAVE THE DATE: 11/25/2022 – 10 AM – Decorate the sanctuary
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE – A list of organizations accepting donations is available in the sanctuary or emailed upon request from the church office. We have also contacted Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ludlow to identify material donations being gathered to be shipped to Europe. Their wish list with Amazon is available through the link I Stand with Ukraine. Please donate as you are able.
For additional information see http://welcomehomenorthampton.org.
PRAYER REQUESTS – You are invited to Personal Message your requests for prayers of joy or concern on the church FaceBook page - www.facebook.com/BelchertownUnitedChurchOfChrist and note desire whether or not to mention during Sunday worship. Peace and wellness to all.
SUPPORT BUCC WHILE YOU SHOP! - By starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com .
AMAZON DONATES 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Belchertown United Church of Christ (BUCC). AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Register TODAY!!!!! You shop. Amazon gives.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 9am-2pm, Tues through Fri
Belchertown United Church of Christ
18 Park Street, P. O. Box 603
Belchertown, MA 01007
Church Office Phone: (413) 323-7442
Church Office email: belchertownucc@gmail.com
