1. 20 December 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent A Gathering Around Word and Table

2. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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 Chorale Prelude on “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Johannes Brahms 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

5. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

6. LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

7. *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.

8. *GATHERING SONGS O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH #211 Benedictus: An Advent Hymn by Jane Marino

9. 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.

10. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. We Listen and Respond

14. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

15. ANTHEM Were You There on that Christmas Night? Natalie Sleeth SCRIPTURE Luke 1:39-55 (moment of silent reflection upon today’s scripture) Lector: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. All: Thanks be to God.

16. SERMON “Receiving the Gift” Pastor Dan

18. RESPONSE Stories of New Hope & Announcements

19. CONGREGATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (please refer to your bulletin for most announcements) DECEMBER F.O.N.-A-THON ~ Every Sunday in December Feeding Our Neighbors December 26 th, 4PM, @UNO Center (57 River St., NA) Assemble Lunches December 27 th, 12.30pm @ Bracewell Park (River & Houghton) Give out lunches and communion January 6 th Epiphany Party 6:30 pm

20. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

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

22. A CANDLE TO SYMBOLIZE GOD’S GLOBAL VISION OF COMPASSION, JUSTICE, AND PEACE: ~ We pray for those facing home insecurity whether refugees, strangers, or friends. ~ May Christians meet them in their need that they would know God’s presence and find in Jesus a compassionate friend.

23. PRAYER FOR OUR CONGREGATION AND WORLD (you are invited to pray silently while the worship leader prays aloud)

24. 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.

25. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

26. PRESENTING A TITHE AND OFFERING OF OUR TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT TO GOD This week’s food offering will be distributed to the Berkshire Food Project in North Adams. OFFERTORY Still, Still, Still Emma Lou Diemer

27. *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

28. SHARING IN COMMUNION Invitation & Communion Prayer (please follow along with the bulletin) Receiving the Bread and Cup Song During Communion Come to the Table of Grace Worship&Song #3168 Prayer After Communion (please follow along with the bulletin)

29. SHARING IN COMMUNION (continued) Come to the Table of Grace Worship&Song #3168 1 Come to the table of grace. Come to the table of grace. This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of grace. 2 Come to the table of peace… 3 Come to the table of love… 4 Come to the table of hope… 5 Come to the table of joy…

30. SHARING IN COMMUNION Invitation & Communion Prayer (please follow along with the bulletin) Receiving the Bread and Cup Song During Communion Come to the Table of Grace Worship&Song #3168 Prayer After Communion (please follow along with the bulletin)

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

32. ORDER OF WORSHIP WE GATHER Centering Music Christ Candle Welcome & Prayer Lighting the Advent Wreath Gathering Prayer Gathering Songs Unison Prayer of Confession Individual Silent Confession Assurance of Grace Sharing Signs of New Hope WE LISTEN & RESPOND Anthem Scripture Sermon Response Stories of New Hope & Announcements 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

33. *SENDING HYMNS Christ for The World We Sing UMH #568 BENEDICTION / BLESSING TO LIVE AS GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE WORLD MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Advent Voluntary William Gudger 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