Hello Union Church Presbyterians,
Worship this Sunday, December 12 will be in-person and streamed on YouTube to view at home. We will share prayers, songs, and reflections.
HOW TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE: YouTube broadcast will begin at 10:25 am.
For ALL devices: https://www.youtube.com/user/NewburghPresby
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Union Church, Newburgh NY
December 12, 2021 10:30 am
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
USHERS today are Dan and Karen Olson
Ushers still needed for Christmas Eve service. If you would like to usher, contact Dan Olson.
FELLOWSHIP TIME HOST today is Barbara Mamazza and Juliet Mamazza
Hosting can be simple. Host with a friend! Signup chart in the Fellowship Hall.
ADVENT donation envelopes available in the back of the sanctuary. Proceeds will support the Deacons.
THE JOSHUA TREE this year will once again provide Food Pantry recipients with personal items that will free up cash for them to buy gifts for their families. There will be 88 ornaments. Gifts will include, dish soap, liquid hand soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, bags of candy and boxes of cookies. Please return the ornament with the donation so the Deacons can keep track of ornaments left to be returned.
CHRISTIAN ED needs volunteers for the Living Nativity Scene with live animals. There are 8 roles to be filled: Mary, Joseph, (1) Angel, (3) wise men, and (2) shepherds. All ages are welcome. The Living Nativity is Sunday, Dec 19 from 5-6:30PM in front of the church.
CHRISTMAS MUSICALE TODAY at 2 pm, Union Church presents the Tower Trio of Goshen. Featuring Jonathan Hall on organ, piano, harpsichord, and recorder, Bill Powers on multiple woodwinds, and Soprano Mary Lee Farris. followed by a Carol sing in the garden (weather permitting).
CHRISTMAS EVE service with Communion Friday, Dec 24 at 5PM. This is a brief service.
FOOD PANTRY: NEXT OPEN Monday, Dec 20 and Wednesday, Dec 22 from 9:30-11:30 am. Serving LOTS of people! If you would like to help, contact Kathy or Debby.
CLOTHES CLOSET needs winter clothes for adults and children.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE O Come, O Come Emmanuel Arr. Alec Wyton
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Hillary and Ryan Prince, with Blake and Mia
CALL TO WORSHIP (adapted from Isaiah 12)
Leader: Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. PEOPLE: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Leader: And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. PEOPLE: Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. ALL: Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
INVOCATION
MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
**OPENING HYMN O Come, O Come Emmanuel Red #133
CALL TO CONFESSION
In the hustle and bustle of this season, let us take time to remember that we need to keep making room for God, in this season and in all seasons. Join me in confessing our sins.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Dearest God, have mercy upon us as we make this, our confession. The afflicted await good tidings. The broken-hearted want their wounds treated and bound, and those who mourn remain to be comforted. Forgive us when we fail to answer Christ’s call to faithful ministry, restore us and make us worthy, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
In the words of Paul concerning the assurance that we have in Christ, “The one who calls you is faithful, and will bless you and keep you, all of your days,” Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (From the PCUSA Brief Statement of Faith, 1983)
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain, and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
**HYMN OF PRAISE What a Friend We Have in Jesus RED #622
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that our hearts and minds may be opened. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT Zephaniah 3:14-20 Theresa Cotanche
EPISTLE Philippians 4:4-7
GOSPEL Luke 3:7-18
SERMON Holiday Housekeeping John Redman, CRE
PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER
Gracious God, keep in our hearts all those whose names you already know and who ask for healing in their own quiet ways, and let us join to pray as Jesus taught us, saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Let us all consider what we have been blessed with and how we can best share it with those in greater need, even as we gift our church for its greater work to the Glory of God and the undying love of Jesus.
OFFERTORY Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Arr. Paul Manz
**DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts in tribute, they be put to good and purposeful use in assisting those in greater need even as we seek to serve you and our community and the greater world. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
**HYMN OF PARTING For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed RED #143
BENEDICTION
May the peace and the joy of our God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds, keeping you safe in union with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
CLOSING VOLUNTARY Hark the Glad Sound, the Savior Comes Arr. Paul Manz
INVITATION TO FELLOWSHIP TIME
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
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