WELCOME!
Whoever you are, and wherever you may be on your journey, you are welcome here.
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We're glad you landed here and we hope that it will be the start of a colorful relationship.
We hope that it will be a relationship that will begin with you getting to know us, and lead toward us getting to know you. At the Belchertown United Church of Christ (BUCC) we believe that the stuff of faith is found in community; folks working and laughing and crying and singing and worshiping together, making a difference in the world. If that's a good place to start, click the TICKET below and let the ride begin! |
Welcome!!!!
Please join us for Sunday Service in the Sanctuary and via Zoom.
Hope to see you there!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ + + + +
BELCHERTOWN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 5, 2021 – 9:30 AM
In-Person & Zoom Online
Invitation, Order of Worship & Announcements
In-Sanctuary
&
Zoom Virtual Sunday Service
12-5-21
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 - #)
Effective September 9, 2021, except where specifically exempted by these regulations, masks are required in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, for all individuals over the age of five (5) years old.
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! We especially welcome any first-time guests today. We hope we provide a place of peace and healing in this coming hour. Announcements are printed for your convenience.
Sung Call to Worship Jan Teaches Emmanuel – you can clap!
Lighting the Advent Wreath Advent II – Peace
One: Citizen unrest, strife, genocide: these are harsh realities in our world. We choose falsely when we suggest that peace on earth is always and everywhere present. (Light 2 purple candles)
All: We light the candles of hope and peace. Swords have not yet been transformed into farm tools, but we yearn for that day, and we trust in its coming.
One: We choose the Prince of Peace, whose Way is one of hope and of comfort, of justice for all and of healing to the broken. Be not afraid!
All: Praise to the Christ! We look to our Servant Lord in everything!
Reminder Advent in Two Minutes
Invitation to Prayer (seated)
Leader: We confess that too often we love things and use people, which is the opposite of what God intends for us. Right now, in this moment, we stop pretending, we stop hiding, and pray together:
Unison Prayer
O Lord God, who has shown us what is good through the law, the prophets, and most especially in Christ Jesus: we confess that often we do not choose that which is good. We try to satisfy the hole inside our hearts with things. Things never satisfy. Stuff just gives us more to rearrange, clean, and store. Help us to realize that once our needs for sustaining life are met, it’s time to make sure others’ needs are met. Only then will we find peace. You have written this on our spiritual DNA. Forgive us when we attempt to violate your well-planned design. By your Spirit, empower us to choose you, and your Way, every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Words of Pardon
One: God’s mercies are new every morning. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, and set free to love and serve! Amen.
Scripture Readings
Epistle Reading, Philippians 1:3-11 Contemporary English Version
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. 5 This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. 6 God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
7 You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. 8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows that I care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand 10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, 11 Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
Gospel Lesson, Luke 1:68-79 New Revised Standard Version
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Homily
Offering & Prayer of Dedication
Song It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Sixpence None the Richer
It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing
All ye beneath life's crushing load Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing
And hear the angels sing
People’s Prayer
One: Lord, in your mercy, All: God, we beseech thee: hear us. (R)
One: Joyous praise and thanks to you, O Creator: for life, and love, and Light: (R)
One: Hear our thanksgiving for friends and family given or chosen; for laughter and romance! (R)
One: For health, for medical care, for support when we need it and when we give it: thank you. (R)
One: We lift up those who are struggling, in ill health, or in despair. (R)
One: We pray for those who are lonely, who lack direction, who are unemployed. (R)
One: We pray you would help us to make peace, to do justice, and to walk in humility. (R)
One: Help us to trust you with everything, to surrender our need to control, to stop worrying. (R)
One: By your Spirit within, help us to know we are loved, and called to love. (R)
One: Please join in silent prayer. (. . .) So we join in the prayer Jesus taught us, saying:
Lord’s Prayer (unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
Communion
Song The Great Peace March/Holly Near
Ancient eyes are watching in the night
The stars come out to guide the way
The sun still shines despite the clouds
And the dawn is dusk is dawn is dusk is day
Farmers rise and dream to feed the world
The world awakes to feed the heart
Hearts beat while a thousand flags are waving
And the farmer sees a dream has played a part
We will have peace, we will because we must
We must because we cherish life
And believe it or not, as daring as it may seem
It is not an empty dream To walk in a powerful path
Neither the first nor the last great peace march
Life is a great and mighty march
Forever for love and for life on the great peace march
Are you black like night or red like clay
Are you gold like sun or brown like earth
Grey like mist or white like moon
My love for you is the reason for my birth
Peace can start with just one heart
From a small step to leaps and bounds
A walk becomes a race for time
And a brave child calls out from the crowd:
We will have peace! We will because we must
We must because we cherish life
And believe it or not, as daring as it may seem
It is not an empty dream To walk in a powerful path
Neither the first nor the last great peace march
Life is a great and mighty march
Forever for love and for life on the great peace march
Blessing & Sharing the Peace of Christ
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Belchertown Board of Health voted unanimously on September 2nd, 2021 to enact the regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional risks posed by the Delta variant.
Effective September 9, 2021, except where specifically exempted by these regulations, masks are required in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, for all individuals over the age of five (5) years old.
JINGLE BELL BAZAAR at Church of Christ Congregational, The Church on the Hill in the Center of Granby, MA. Saturday December 4th from 9 to 3. Handcrafted items, evergreen décor, visit with Santa, cookie walk, ornament tree, jewelry, bake shop, raffle and treasure table with treasures and gently used items for gift giving on a budget.
THE SERVICE OF LIGHT - On Tuesday, December 21st, the longest night of the year, at 7:00 p.m. here at Belchertown United Church of Christ, we will celebrate a Service of Light (sometimes called a Blue Christmas service). It is designed to be a service for those having trouble finding the joy of the Advent season. We light candles of remembrance, focus on the Bethlehem event, and praise God for the Christ child, God Emmanuel (literally God with us!). Join us in a sharing of God’s Holy Spirit that we might give God all the praise!
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.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION – It looks as though the town has stopped work on renovating and repaving the parking lot for the year. The dirt will remain until Spring when we hope the asphalt can be poured and the water tower erected. Parking is still only available along Park Street and in the parking lot on the common until paving is finished. Hopefully it will be “worth the wait!”.
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)
(so far this year BUCC has made $167.43 from AmazonSmile)
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know.
Register TODAY!!!!!
You shop. Amazon gives.
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND WEDNESDAY Please join us Wednesday evenings for this fun, virtual, get together. We will meet via Zoom, at 6:30pm to share, well, what's on your mind. For about 45 minutes, Bob Stephens will facilitate an open Zoom discussion of relevant topics of the day, or yesterday for that matter, and when possible, sprinkle in opportunities for us to grow in faith. So, zoom us up and join the conversation (or if you don't feel like talking, listen to others) we would love to see you.
By Computer
Please click (control + click) on the following link, by 6:25PM 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 - #)
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
Please join us for Sunday Service in the Sanctuary and via Zoom.
Hope to see you there!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ + + + +
BELCHERTOWN UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
December 5, 2021 – 9:30 AM
In-Person & Zoom Online
Invitation, Order of Worship & Announcements
In-Sanctuary
&
Zoom Virtual Sunday Service
12-5-21
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 - #)
Effective September 9, 2021, except where specifically exempted by these regulations, masks are required in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, for all individuals over the age of five (5) years old.
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! We especially welcome any first-time guests today. We hope we provide a place of peace and healing in this coming hour. Announcements are printed for your convenience.
Sung Call to Worship Jan Teaches Emmanuel – you can clap!
Lighting the Advent Wreath Advent II – Peace
One: Citizen unrest, strife, genocide: these are harsh realities in our world. We choose falsely when we suggest that peace on earth is always and everywhere present. (Light 2 purple candles)
All: We light the candles of hope and peace. Swords have not yet been transformed into farm tools, but we yearn for that day, and we trust in its coming.
One: We choose the Prince of Peace, whose Way is one of hope and of comfort, of justice for all and of healing to the broken. Be not afraid!
All: Praise to the Christ! We look to our Servant Lord in everything!
Reminder Advent in Two Minutes
Invitation to Prayer (seated)
Leader: We confess that too often we love things and use people, which is the opposite of what God intends for us. Right now, in this moment, we stop pretending, we stop hiding, and pray together:
Unison Prayer
O Lord God, who has shown us what is good through the law, the prophets, and most especially in Christ Jesus: we confess that often we do not choose that which is good. We try to satisfy the hole inside our hearts with things. Things never satisfy. Stuff just gives us more to rearrange, clean, and store. Help us to realize that once our needs for sustaining life are met, it’s time to make sure others’ needs are met. Only then will we find peace. You have written this on our spiritual DNA. Forgive us when we attempt to violate your well-planned design. By your Spirit, empower us to choose you, and your Way, every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Words of Pardon
One: God’s mercies are new every morning. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, and set free to love and serve! Amen.
Scripture Readings
Epistle Reading, Philippians 1:3-11 Contemporary English Version
3 Every time I think of you, I thank my God. 4 And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. 5 This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. 6 God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
7 You have a special place in my heart. So it is only natural for me to feel the way I do. All of you have helped in the work that God has given me, as I defend the good news and tell about it here in jail. 8 God himself knows how much I want to see you. He knows that I care for you in the same way that Christ Jesus does.
9 I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand 10 how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, 11 Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.
Gospel Lesson, Luke 1:68-79 New Revised Standard Version
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Homily
Offering & Prayer of Dedication
Song It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Sixpence None the Richer
It came upon a midnight clear, That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing
All ye beneath life's crushing load Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing
And hear the angels sing
People’s Prayer
One: Lord, in your mercy, All: God, we beseech thee: hear us. (R)
One: Joyous praise and thanks to you, O Creator: for life, and love, and Light: (R)
One: Hear our thanksgiving for friends and family given or chosen; for laughter and romance! (R)
One: For health, for medical care, for support when we need it and when we give it: thank you. (R)
One: We lift up those who are struggling, in ill health, or in despair. (R)
One: We pray for those who are lonely, who lack direction, who are unemployed. (R)
One: We pray you would help us to make peace, to do justice, and to walk in humility. (R)
One: Help us to trust you with everything, to surrender our need to control, to stop worrying. (R)
One: By your Spirit within, help us to know we are loved, and called to love. (R)
One: Please join in silent prayer. (. . .) So we join in the prayer Jesus taught us, saying:
Lord’s Prayer (unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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.
Communion
Song The Great Peace March/Holly Near
Ancient eyes are watching in the night
The stars come out to guide the way
The sun still shines despite the clouds
And the dawn is dusk is dawn is dusk is day
Farmers rise and dream to feed the world
The world awakes to feed the heart
Hearts beat while a thousand flags are waving
And the farmer sees a dream has played a part
We will have peace, we will because we must
We must because we cherish life
And believe it or not, as daring as it may seem
It is not an empty dream To walk in a powerful path
Neither the first nor the last great peace march
Life is a great and mighty march
Forever for love and for life on the great peace march
Are you black like night or red like clay
Are you gold like sun or brown like earth
Grey like mist or white like moon
My love for you is the reason for my birth
Peace can start with just one heart
From a small step to leaps and bounds
A walk becomes a race for time
And a brave child calls out from the crowd:
We will have peace! We will because we must
We must because we cherish life
And believe it or not, as daring as it may seem
It is not an empty dream To walk in a powerful path
Neither the first nor the last great peace march
Life is a great and mighty march
Forever for love and for life on the great peace march
Blessing & Sharing the Peace of Christ
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Belchertown Board of Health voted unanimously on September 2nd, 2021 to enact the regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and additional risks posed by the Delta variant.
Effective September 9, 2021, except where specifically exempted by these regulations, masks are required in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, for all individuals over the age of five (5) years old.
JINGLE BELL BAZAAR at Church of Christ Congregational, The Church on the Hill in the Center of Granby, MA. Saturday December 4th from 9 to 3. Handcrafted items, evergreen décor, visit with Santa, cookie walk, ornament tree, jewelry, bake shop, raffle and treasure table with treasures and gently used items for gift giving on a budget.
THE SERVICE OF LIGHT - On Tuesday, December 21st, the longest night of the year, at 7:00 p.m. here at Belchertown United Church of Christ, we will celebrate a Service of Light (sometimes called a Blue Christmas service). It is designed to be a service for those having trouble finding the joy of the Advent season. We light candles of remembrance, focus on the Bethlehem event, and praise God for the Christ child, God Emmanuel (literally God with us!). Join us in a sharing of God’s Holy Spirit that we might give God all the praise!
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.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION – It looks as though the town has stopped work on renovating and repaving the parking lot for the year. The dirt will remain until Spring when we hope the asphalt can be poured and the water tower erected. Parking is still only available along Park Street and in the parking lot on the common until paving is finished. Hopefully it will be “worth the wait!”.
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)
(so far this year BUCC has made $167.43 from AmazonSmile)
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know.
Register TODAY!!!!!
You shop. Amazon gives.
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND WEDNESDAY Please join us Wednesday evenings for this fun, virtual, get together. We will meet via Zoom, at 6:30pm to share, well, what's on your mind. For about 45 minutes, Bob Stephens will facilitate an open Zoom discussion of relevant topics of the day, or yesterday for that matter, and when possible, sprinkle in opportunities for us to grow in faith. So, zoom us up and join the conversation (or if you don't feel like talking, listen to others) we would love to see you.
By Computer
Please click (control + click) on the following link, by 6:25PM 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 - #)
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
