Order of Service

9:00 AM

On-going Revelation: Letting Go to Grow

Led by Rev. Deborah Bennett

Thank you to this morning’s Worship Team

Pianist:  Nonetta Shatakhtsian
Lay Pastoral Care Associate:  
Tech Host:  Lance Collins

Centering Thought

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Anne Lamott

Chalice Lighting

Welcome and Centering    words by John O’Donohue, Rev. Deborah

Opening Hymn            #1063, Winter Solstice Chant

Unison Affirmation
Love is the spirit of this church
And service our mission
This is our great covenant
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another

Joys and Sorrows      Allen Mongeau
To share your personal joy or sorrow with the congregation please fill out a joys and sorrows card located at the front door prior to service. A lay pastoral care team member will be available after service if you would like to speak with someone.

Reflective Hymn      #55 Dark Winter

Homily      The Gift of the Darkness, Rev. Deborah

Solstice Meditation      Rev. Deborah

Closing Hymn       #235 Deck the Halls

Closing Words         Rev. Deborah

Our Work in the World

Share the Plate
Each month, our Social Economic and Environmental Justice committee chooses a values-aligned organization as our justice partner.

This month, we are proud to join forces with DARE.
(Direct Action for Rights and Equality).
More information is located in the foyer of the Parish House.

 

 10:30 AM

Follow the Star:
An Ancient and Contemporary Christmas Pageant

Led by
Rev. Deborah Bennett and Rev. Jeannette Bessinger

 Thank you to this morning’s Worship Team

Pianist:  Nonetta Shatakhtsian
Lay Pastoral Care Associate:  Allen Mongeau
Ushers:  Sandra Norris & Bob Walker

Tech Host:  Lance Collins

Centering Thought:
“If we celebrate with such solemnity the birth of Jesus, it is to bear witness that every human being [is] somebody unique and unrepeatable…somebody thought of and chosen from eternity, someone called and identified by his own name.” – St. John Paul II

Welcome and Chalice Lighting       Rev. Deborah

The Tale of Two Stories 

*Opening Hymn            #1051 We Are

*Unison Affirmation 
Love is the spirit of this church
And service our mission
This is our great covenant
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another

Let the Pageant Begin

Song         O Litle Town of Bethlehem

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.
How silently, how silently, the wonder is made known,
when God imparts to human hearts the gift that is our own.
No ear may hear that coming, but in the worldly din
When souls are truly humble, then the dear babe rests within.

Song 2           #131 Love Will Guide Us
Love will guide us, peace has tried us,
Hope inside us will lead the way
On the road from greed to giving.
Love will guide us through the hard night.

Song 3           #1053 How Could Anyone

How could anyone ever tell you
you were anything less than beautiful?
How could anyone ever tell you
you were less than whole?
How could anyone fail to notice
that your loving is a miracle?
How deeply you’re connected to my soul.

Song 4     Angels We have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Song 5     From You I Receive

From you I receive,
to you I give.
Together we share,
and from this we live.

Song 6           This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
 This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
 This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
 Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine…
Every day and every night, I’m gonna let it shine..

Song 7 Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Call for the Offering      Direct Action Rights and Equality (DARE)

Each month, our Social Economic, and Environmental Justice committee chooses a values-aligned organization as our justice partner.

This month, we are proud to join forces with DARE.
(Direct Action for Rights and Equality).
More information is located in the foyer of the Parish House.

Offertory O Come Little Children by Johan Schulz, arr. by Malcolm Kogut.

Joys and Sorrows      Allen Mongeau
To share your personal joy or sorrow with the congregation please fill out a joys and sorrows card located at the front door prior to service. A lay pastoral care team member will be available after service if you would like to speak with someone.

*Closing Song      We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin,
Good Tiding for Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Closing Words      Rev. Deborah
Extinguishing the Chalice
Carry the Flame in Peace and Love until we meet again. (repeat)