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PRELUDE

INTROIT “Will We Know Him?” Don Besig Junior Choir and Youth Choir (11 am)

*HYMN NO. 104 “We Hail You God’s Anointed” New Century Hymnal (black) ELLACOMBE

Latecomers may be seated.

*ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING Sixth Grade Youth Group (9 am) Ashna Hille, Emily Cochi, Kate Stuntz, Lydia Barker, Natalie Jain, Anjalie Jain, and Kendall Bartel

Members of the Board of Finance (11 am) Leader: Come, People of God! God is ready to heal our hearts! All: God gives peace to all who wait in hope. Leader: Here is a sign for us: a young woman bears a child, All: And names him “God-is-with-us.”

The light of Christ! Thanks be to God!

Let us pray. Holy God, amid the hard griefs of this life, you send us songs of angels, visions of salvation, hopes of peace.

By the light of these Advent candles, bring us soon to Bethlehem, where Love lies sleeping. Teach us there to refuse evil, choose the good, and bear your love to all the world. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*RESPONSE Gloria in Excelsis Deo

CALL TO CONFESSION John Allen (9 am) Chris Braudaway-Bauman (11 am)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION O Holy God, our Advent waiting is itself a confession. If we are waiting for a Messiah, then the proud are still powerful, the mighty are still exalted, the hungry and homeless still stand in our doorways. If we are waiting for your incarnation in human form, then we have not known you in our sister, not loved you in our brother, not served you in our neighbor. In this time of Advent, hear our deepest confessions. Fill our

waiting hearts with your mercy as we come before you in silent prayer…

*WORDS OF ASSURANCE

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

*HYMN “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”

READING Luke 1:26-38 Pam Emslie (9 am) Audra Teague Mackey (11 am) ANTHEM

“Mary’s Child” Matthew Myer Boulton Village People Vocalists with Jodi Hitzhusen (9 am)

“Hope Was Born That Night” Tom Eggleston Junior and Youth Choir (11 am)

COMMUNAL READING Luke 2:8-18 (See insert)

Shepherd: John Allen (9 am); Chris Braudaway-Bauman (11 am) Child: Luke Hargrave (9 am); Georgia Spangler (11 am)

*HYMN NO. 116 “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Pilgrim Hymnal (red) GLORIA

REFLECTION Mary Luti MUSICAL MEDITATION David Carrier PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER Liz Garrigan-Byerly (9 am) Pam Emslie (11 am)

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, for ever. Amen.

RESPONSE NO. 127 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” New Century Hymnal (black) ES IST EIN’ ROS THE OFFERING

In addition to our offering this morning, the Service Ministry is sponsoring a special offering to Neighbors in Need. NIN is the all-church offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries that address hunger, poverty, violence, human rights, peace-making,

racial and economic justice, environmental concerns and public policy advocacy. Please give generously by placing your cash or check donations in the NIN envelopes provided. Make checks payable to Wellesley Congregational Church and indicate “NIN” in the memo section. Invitation Offertory “And the Glory of the Lord (Messiah)” G. F. Handel

And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

*Doxology and Presentation Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ and Spirit one.

*Dedication

*HYMN NO. 130 “Joy to the World” Pilgrim Hymnal (red) ANTIOCH C.M.

*BLESSING AND SENDING POSTLUDE “Noel” Nicolas Lebegue *Those who are able may stand.

Junior Choir

Youth Choir

Kevin McDonald–Director of Youth Music

Elizabeth Berger Sophia Bililies Carter Blessing

Madeline Blessing Cecily Bua

Emily Cochi Sarah Cochi Lily DeKing

Nicholas Evans Elena Furlong Will Glowacky Luke Hargrave

Ashna Hille

Annie Hodge Anjali Jain Natalie Jain Caitlin Kelly Sean Kelly

Connor McDonald Isabel McKay Abby Reohr

Elise Sharrock Georgia Spangler Sydney Spangler Taylor Stazesky

Emily Abbott Ryan Accardi Charlie Berger Graydon Bower Daniel Carter Will Cramer

Sarah Ditelberg Alex Ebbs

Casey Flood Ariana Furlong Alex Glowacky Caroline Greene James Hammond Isaac Hargrave

Scotia Hille Emma Himmelberger Julia Himmelberger

Peter Hodge Madi Ivey

Hannah Lee Elizabeth Kantrowitz

David Kelly Julia Maney

Jamie Mazzola Lauren McIver

Gillian McTague Michaela McTague

Seamus Merullo Caitlin Pfaff

Grace Seaborn Allison Sibold Claire Sibold Mark Sibold

Sinclaire Vandervoort

Sopranos Phyllis Gibson Frances Gratz Linda Harding Amy Harris

Allie Loehlin Cyndi Miller Helen Sagan

Charlotte Sanner *Annie Schulenburg

Altos Carol Abrahams Ann Belanger

Patricia Buxton Cherie Hoffman

Margorie Mitchell Anne Reece

*Vera Savage Betty Seaborn Alexia Sontag Bobbie Suratt

Julie Thistlethwaite

Tenors David Budding Kenneth Chaulk David Hunter Merrill Mack *Ethan Rowe

Basses Bentley Beaver

Phil Carens Richard Dodds James Loehlin David Oliver

*Matthew Rippere Kenneth Sipe Ron Smith

Allen Steere James Thistlethwaite

Senior Choir

David Carrier–Director of Music

*Section Leaders

David Carrier, Organ Jodi Hitzhusen, Piano

Katie Scholl, Flute Ken Accardi, Trumpet Ed Berger, Trumpet

Clark Davis, Trumpet Ben Scammell, Trumpet

Sarah Rappaport, Horn Angie Diana, Trombone Michael Lee, Trombone

Timmy Maines, Trombone Brian Rolincik, Trombone

Nadine Richardson, Trombone Ken Burke, Tuba

Instrumentalists

Poinsettias are given by the following people in celebration of: Our family: Caitlin and Stephen Pfaff and Barbara and George Howland and Ann

and the late Norman Pfaff by Darlene Howland and Steve Pfaff; Our grandchildren, Nolan, Madelyn and Landon by Kent and Genanne Kissinger; Our grandchildren: Nick, Sarah, John Lefeber; Chris and Corey Stock by Arthur

and Barbara Stock; This Congregation – God’s love at work in our world by Anonymous; Our children and grandchildren by Bob and Joan Murray; The first meaningful Christmas for great grandson, Will Cole Paster by Gretchen

and Bob Morrison; The vibrant life of this church by Ed and Diane Bedrosian; All our family together at Christmas by Pam and Craig Stirrat; The lives of Victoria T., Sherman, and Douglas S. by their son and brother, Ron; My children and grandchildren by Anne Grote; Our precious new grandchild, Grace Marie Harnapp by Sue Sue and Poppy; Our children and grandchildren by Dix and Roxy Leeson; Our family by Parky and Stan Waugh; Our wedding anniversary on December 26th by Carmen A. Chico and Jack Duffy; The music ministry of David Carrier, inspiring teacher and cherished friend by the Senior Choir; Duncan Gibson and Beverly Soska by Phyllis Gibson, Sarah, Matt, Caroline and Ellie Soska; Our family, Darlene and Steve Pfaff and Caitlin and Stephen Pfaff by Barbara and George Howland; My adored grandchildren: Abby, Brian and Molly Rapp and Tyler and Bretton Dietz by Jan Rapp; Grandchildren Lily, Brennen and Kennedy by Susan Sullivan; Family, friends and our wonderful children, Henry and Clara by Rebecca and Scott Renner; Our wonderful grandchildren: Emmett, Finn, Willa, Teddy and Xavie by Bobbie and Dan Suratt; Our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by Casey and Bobbie Hayes; Friends and family, especially our children, grandchildren and significant others,

Erin, Andrew and Marco and Jeff and Jenny by Margie and Ken Sipe; Jane Maloney on her 100th birthday by Myra Hart and Kent Hewitt; Nola and Isla Doorley by Tom and Gail Doorley; Chris, Rachelle and Scott Doorley by Tom and Gail Doorley; Poinsettias are given by the following people in loving memory of: Our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory T. Bachman and Dr. and Mrs. Per K. Frolich by Bob and Libby Bachman; Ed and Ruth Woods and Ken Dean by Joanne Woods; Our parents by Ruth and Wil Breden; Richard “Woody” Woodrich, Ruby Minsch, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Woodrich by Judy Woodrich, Stacia Fritz and Scott Woodrich; Percy and Jess Larkan and Gordon Hunt by Trevor and Jillian Larkan and family; Robert Day by Pat Day and family;

Frank Wilson by his family; Marilyn Erwin by her grandsons, Evan and Henry Lyle; Ruth Dorfman and Rebecca Lenci by Bev and Mark Lenci; Liz Martin by Jake Martin; Our parents by Paul and Carol Peterson; Beloved father, Howard Lloyd Banting (1918-2013) by Heather Banting; Our parents: Joseph Mulqueen, Thomas Steele, and Pattie Steele by Maggie Mulqueen and Alan Steele; Clinton and Eunice Loehlin and Robert and Alice Walker by Jim and Allie Loehlin; Lori and Lillian Yermal and John S. and John J. Petrlik by The Yermal and Hutchinson families; George A. Ritsert by Joanne, Tyler, Owen, Jen and Chris; Our parents: Howard and Connie Blackway and Jack and Nellie Murray by Bob and Joan Murray; Our parents: Wilbur and Marion Baker and David and Ruth Ann Froh by Barbara Baker and Bob Froh; Gabriel Sanchez by Myra Hart and Kent Hewitt; Tom Farr by Myra Hart and Kent Hewitt; Barbara, Frank and Bruce by Pat Buxton; Lars Soderholm and Anne and Louis Hauer by Bob, Diane and Kristin Soderholm; Our parents and Sally’s brothers by Sally and Jay Hammerness; Lovey by her granddaughters: Sydney, Georgia and Riley; Jane Kathleen Hodge by Tom and Caroline Hodge; Melissa Bell Meisenhelder by her parents, Janice and Bob Heyn; My beloved aunt and “second Mum” Connie Earl (June 1925-December 2104) by Anne Reece; Our parents and Anne’s brother, Jim by Steve and Anne Kott; Our parents: Mary and John Schule and Harrison and Georgina Howland by

Barbara and George Howland; Issac E. Reid and Margo Reid and Warren Himmelberger by the Reid - Himmelberger family; Our beloved Stephen Harrington by Charlotte Harrington; Harvey and Florence Jones, Fred and Clarine Norman, Alexa Caronna Jones by their families; Royden Jones by his family; Our parents, Frank Mongiardo and Edward and Phroso Jaboolian by Jim and Judy Mongiardo; Barbara and Walter and Mary and Tuck by the Carens family; The Rev. William Phifer, Jr. and Evelyn Phifer by Nancy, Robert, Vanessa and Jessica Phifer; Charles and Phyllis Law, Randi Law Mather by Nancy, Robert, Vanessa and Jessica Phifer; Special friends: “Woody” Woodrich, Ruby Minsch, Clark Truesdell, George

Maly, George Ritsert, Melissa Meisenhelder, Joey Gonzales, Rick Johansen, Lena Sorensen by Margie and Ken Sipe

Parents/grandparents: Margaret and George Hamilton, Dora and Levere Sipe by

Margie, Ken, Erin and Jeff Sipe; Our parents by Casey and Bobbie Hayes; Emma and Lawrene Doorley and Nella and Fred Schwartz by Tom and Gail,

Chris, Scott, Rachelle, Nola and Isla Doorley; The Reverands Mabel and William Sahakian and Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis L. Saulnier

by Catherine, Rick and Will Sahakian; David Rockwell by his wife Betty and family.

__________________________

TODAY’S NOTES Today’s Music Daryl Robbins is our trumpeter this morning. Many thanks to all the people who helped decorate the church this Christmas season. Fellowship Hour 10:00 am, Village Common Following worship, please join us for coffee and conversation in Village Common. If you are new to Village Church, please stop by the Welcome Table. We are eager to help you find a home with us! Pastoral Care There are many ways that the Pastors and Members of Village Church help one another during the challenges of life. If you have, or know of, a pastoral care need, please contact Liz Garrigan-Byerly at 781-235-1988 ext.14. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call 334-521-2481. Care Kits and Hearing Devices If during the worship service you find you need a tissue, cough drop, or a drink of water, please ask an Usher to help you. The Ushers are in the back of the sanctuary. Hearing devices amplify sound anywhere in the Sanctuary. They are available at the back of the church. For assistance, please speak with an Usher. Would you like to deliver a poinsettia plant? The Community Deacons invite you to share in the spirit of Christmas by delivering a poinsettia plant after 11 am Worship today. If you wish to help deliver Christmas greetings from our church, please proceed to the chancel after 11 am Worship to pick up a poinsettia and card with the name and address of the recipient. Thank you for helping to share the true meaning of Christmas. Middle School Youth Group 5:00 pm, Youth Room High School Youth Group 7:00 pm, Youth Room For information about youth programs, contact Pam Emslie at 781.235.1988 x15 or pam@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.

BULLETIN NOTES

Church Office Hours Christmas Week: Monday: 9 am—1 pm Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 am—4 pm Church Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday. The church doors are also unlocked ahead of scheduled evening meetings and other gatherings of the church that fall outside these regular times. Please notify Church Administrator, Erin Donato, if you have a special need to have the doors unlocked. December 28 – The First Sunday of Christmas 9:00 am Worship in Village Hall Please join us for a relaxed and joyous celebration for all ages. This will be our only worship service this Sunday. Ordination of Alanna Copenhaver Sunday, January 11, 3:00 pm, The Memorial Church in Harvard Yard, Cambridge Join Village Church member Alanna Copenhaver and her family for this long-anticipated day! At Alanna's request, the ordination will take place at Harvard’s Memorial Church in Harvard Yard, the setting where she has been carrying out her ministry for almost two years. Village Church will travel to Cambridge to covenant with her there, and to cheer her on as she takes this final step on her journey. We encourage everyone to make the trip! Parking is scarce in Harvard Square. A special motor coach from Village Church direct to Cambridge and return will be available. If you are interested, please contact Tricia Kibbe by email at tricia@wellesleyvillagechurch.org or at 781-235-1988 ext. 17. GIFTs in Testimony - Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:00 (January 7 - April 15) Testimony lies at the foundation of Christian community. In the book of Acts, we read that Jesus’ first followers, the apostles, “continued to testify… and an abundance of grace was at work among them all.” Telling your story. Telling the truth of your life. Speaking about where you see God in the world. All of these are practices of testimony. This year’s Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) program will focus on the Christian practice of testimony. We will learn to share our story, and learn how to listen to the stories of others. In so doing, we will seek insight into how God is moving in the world, grow in our faith, and deepe n in our love for one another and for God. To sign up for GIFT contact Tricia Kibbe (tricia@wellesleyvillagechurch.org) or look for a sign up sheet after worship. Our small group facilitators are also all wearing special name tags so you can ask them about GIFT!

Childcare Today

There will be no Church School so that families may worship together in the Sanctuary. • Infants, Two’s and Threes in the room (#206) at the top of the stairs on right. Older children who might need a break part way through the service will be welcomed into the 2/3 room for a video / craft.

Children should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of worship.

The Family Room, is available for parents who aren’t quite ready to leave their infants and toddlers in childcare. In this room, parents will be able to listen to the worship service while their child naps or plays. This room is located upstairs beyond the library. The Infant Room for parents and infants is located on the main floor just outside the Sanctuary to the left of the Chancel. Worship is on a live feed and can be heard in this room.

Christmas Eve Worship 4:00 pm Family Worship Interactive telling of the Christmas story for young children and their families Sanctuary 7:00 pm Christmas Pageant Re-enactment of the birth of Jesus, narration and song by Junior and Youth Choirs Sanctuary 8:30 pm Communion Worship Meditation and song Burtt Chapel 9:15 pm Reception For returning Senior High Youth Group Alumni Parlor 10:00 pm Candlelight Worship Traditional readings and carols, Senior Choir singing Sanctuary