Edwards ChurchA U n i t e d C h u r c h o f C h r i s tA n O p e n a n d A ffi r m i n g C o n g r e g a t i o n

In the name of God and Jesus Christ, Edwards Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcomes all who seek to know and worship God. We invite everyone to join in our faith journey and participate in our congregational life.

As a community of faith we take seriously the Biblical call to love God and our neighbors as ourselves, and recognize that although we are many members we are one. We celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. We rejoice in our diversity of views and understanding of our shared faith. We commit ourselves to work diligently to help end oppression and discrimination. We affirm all relationships founded on the principle of God’s love and justice.

We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. Seeking to be the Body of Christ, we welcome into full fellowship and membership all persons of every race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or cognitive ability, and economic status.

39 Edwards StreetFramingham, MA 01701

508-877-2050 www.edwardschurch.org

Fourth Sunday in Advent – Christmas Eve

December 24, 2017 10:00 AM A thought for reflection

Do not wish to be a philosopher in contrast to being a man…do not think as a thinker…think as a living, real being…think in Existence. Love is passion, and only passion is the mark of Existence.

~ Paul Tillich

GOD GATHERS USPrelude “O Holy Night” “The Peace Carol”Greetings and AnnouncementsPassing of the Peace

Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.People: And also with you.

(We invite you to turn to your neighbors and greet them.)

* Hymn of Praise “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” C-10Call to Worship (Please be seated for the Call to Worship and Prayer of Invocation.)

Leader: With angels from the realms of glory, we proclaim the Messiah’s birth.People: With shepherds in the fields, we listen in awe to the heavenly chorus.Leader: But Jesus was not an angel, sent to bewilder us with power.People: Jesus came born as a human, to show us the work of love made flesh.Leader: Christ is born, not in a palace, but in a manger.People: Glory to God in the highest!

Prayer of Invocation and the Lord’s Prayer(Please pray using the Lord’s Prayer using the words you find most meaningful.

You can find several printed versions on the prayer card in your pew rack.)

* Sentences of Praise (Please stand for the Sentences of Praise and Gloria.)Leader: Let us join the angels in songs of praise!People: We lift our voices to give glory to God!

* Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High) C-8Glo- - -ria in excelsis Deo,Glo- - -ria in excelsis Deo.

Prayer of Confession (in unison)We confess before you, Oh God, that we are lower in majesty than the angels. Unlike the

angels, sometimes we lie, we cheat, we steal and we fight. The angels follow your will perfectly, but we act against your will when we fail to treat each other with dignity, respect, and love. Although the angels sing your praises without ceasing, we often take too many of your gifts for granted, most of all your love.

Be with us, holy creator of the universe, as we try our best to be imperfect and beautiful humans, as we stumble in the darkness toward your light. Amen

Assurance of God’s Forgiveness* Stand as you are able

Response from NCH 122Come, O long-expected Jesus, born to set all people free;From our fears and sins release us; grant us your true liberty.

Lighting of the Advent Candle The Stewart-Morales FamilySong “Advent Incantation” C-2Litany

Leader: Love. It’s such an easy word to say, and so we say it all the time.People: We read romance novels about it;Leader: We sing country music songs about it;People: We exclaim that we love ice cream and pizza.Leader: The love represented by this candle isn’t as easy as all that.People: It’s more than a word and more than a feeling.Leader: Love is made real in our actions.People: We make love real through simple acts: a kind word, a helping hand.Leader: We make love real through difficult efforts: acceptance, forgiveness.People: As we light this candle we commit ourselves to making love real.

(After the candle lighting, children may go to Sunday School to work on costumes for tonight.)

GOD MEETS US IN THE WORDThe Word in Scripture, Music, and Reflection

Epistle Lesson Hebrews 2:8-19* Carol It Came Upon the Midnight Clear C-15

Reflection “Why do Angels Sing?”Anthem Lullaby for ChristmasGospel Lesson Luke 1:67-80

* Carol The Holly and the Ivy (See insert.)Reflection “A Thorny Problem”

Call to PrayerCelebrations and ConcernsSilent PrayerPrayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and Petition

GOD CALLS FOR OUR GIFTSOur Offering to God

Sing Along Offertory “I Saw Three Ships” (See insert.)* Doxology (Lasst uns erfreuen) NCH 17

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Alleluia, Alleluia.Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

* Prayer of Dedication

GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD* Carol of sending “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” (See insert.)

* ChargePostlude

(Please feel free to remain and listen, or to greet one another in the narthex and at coffee hour.)

Our Worship Has Ended… Let Our Service Begin! Ministers All the People of Edwards ChurchPastor The Rev. Dr. Deborah ClarkAssociate Pastor, Faith Formation & Outreach The Rev. Mr. Shane MontoyaCommissioned Minister of Music Rick SeaholmOrganist Cheryl ElkinsPianist Susan MinorAdministrative Assistant Nicola SeaholmSexton Lori WilsonDeacon-in-Charge Ellie KellLiturgist Mary Memmott

Janis Steigman of Mother’s Helpers is in charge of the nursery this morning.

We are very grateful to our band, On the Fence: Ric Carl, Jane Ezbicki, Len Ezbicki, Kelly Lopez, & George Marcincavage

Christmas Eve Services5:00pm A Christmas Pageant for All Ages9:00pm Candlelight Service of Lessons and CarolsPlease join us tonight for one or both of these meaningful services!

Welcome Visitors! We are glad you are here. Please join us for coffee and fellowship, following the service. Sign our guestbook too! In the Education Building (out the side door follow hallway) are the restrooms and where coffee hour is held. The nursery and Sunday school classes are on the lower level. If you have questions, or suggestions, feel free to talk with the greeter or Deacon-in-Charge.

Accessibility Available in the Narthex (front entrance hallway): Sound-enhancing assistive listening devices Large print edition of the church bulletin

Accessible parking spots are marked and located near the Education Building entrance. Accessible entrance is located on the lower level of the Education Building (to the left of

the Church main entrance). Elevator is located in the Education Building next to the stairs. Accessible restroom is located on the upper level of the Education Building.

Large Print

THIS WEEK AT EDWARDS CHURCHDecember 24-30, 2017

SUNDAY Christmas Eve9:00am Rental............................................................Edwards Hall9:00am Adult Bible Study...........................................Youth Room10:00am Worship.............................................................Sanctuary10:15am Sunday School.....................................Education Building11:00am Coffee Hour.................................Susan P. Dickerman Hall1:00pm Rental.................................................................Sanctuary1:00pm Rental...........................................Susan P. Dickerman Hall3:30pm Pageant Set-up.............................Susan P. Dickerman Hall4:30pm Kids arrive for Pageant...............Susan P. Dickerman Hall5:00pm Christmas Pageant.............................................Sanctuary5:30pm Pageant Reception.....................Susan P. Dickerman Hall7:00pm Rental.................................................................Sanctuary9:00pm Candlelight Service............................................Sanctuary

MONDAY Christmas Day: OFFICE CLOSED10:00am Rental.................................................................Sanctuary

TUESDAY OFFICE CLOSED10:30am Rental...........................................Susan P. Dickerman Hall5:30pm Hatha Yoga...............................Susan P. Dickerman Hall

WEDNESDAY 9:30am Chairobics...................................Susan P. Dickerman Hall10:30am Steeple Mailing........................................Jonathan House7:30pm Rental............................................................Edwards Hall

THURSDAY OFFICE CLOSED9:00am Qi Gong / Tai Chi.......................Susan P. Dickerman Hall9:30am Not-Your-Ordinary Yoga Class....................Edwards Hall6:00pm Cancer Support Group..................................Youth Room7:30pm AA Meeting....................................................Edwards Hall

FRIDAY 9:30am Chairobics...................................Susan P. Dickerman Hall7:00am Rental.........................................Edwards Hall Classrooms

SATURDAY 4:30pm Rental.................................................................Sanctuary6:00pm Rental............................................................Edwards Hall7:00pm Rental.................................................................Sanctuary

Debbie will be away from December 25 through December 29. Shane will be away from December 27 through January 4. If you have a pastoral concern during that time, please contact deacon Shelly Cichowlas at 508-904-6123.

The office will be closed December 25 and 26, will be open on December 27, and will be closed December 28 and 29.

Poinsettia DedicationsNils & Patti Arnheim in memory of Olof Arnheim and Ethel Gardner

The Aufman-Cornish family in memory of Jessie Aufman and Christine Cornish

Jenny Baylor in memory of Denny Baylor

Fran Bogle & Debbie Clark in memory of Reese & Betty Bogle, Jeanette Nieman, and our grandparents

The Carls in memory of Tom Casey, Marty & Wally Carl, Larry Fagan, Jill Tremblay, and Monica Phipps

Norma Hart and family in memory of John Hart

Amy Hendrick & Paul Blow in memory of Joshua Spooner Hendrick and Susan P. Dickerman

Jeannette Loughman in memory of Leo Loughman

The Marcincavage-Lopez family in memory of George & Eleanor Marcincavage and John A. Lopez, Jr.

Evelyn McGuirk in memory of my husband Alexander, my sisters Marilyn & Marcia, and my brother Paul

Carlotta Messana in memory of Walter & Nennele Bernhardt and Frank & Providenza Messana

The Mogavero Family in memory of Ron Mogavero

The Plackowski-Lewis family in memory of Aloysius & Dolores Plackowski

Gloria Sadler in memory of loved ones

Nicola Seaholm in memory of Kathie Crawley and Orlena Allison

Dick & Judy Sebastian in memory of Ryan O. Sebastian, Alma & Pat Sebastian, and Ruth & Oscar Johnson

Joanne Sewell in memory of Quentin C. Sewell

Linda Telfer in memory of loved ones

Matt Walker in memory of all family and friends that have gone before me

Jenny Baylor in honor of Joyce Baylor

Fran Bogle & Debbie Clark in honor of beloved family

Lee Ann & Tom Friedman in honor of Mike, Marjan, Mia, Sencer, Lily, Daniel, & Nicole

Judy Pugatch in honor of Janet Sanders

Rick Seaholm in honor of the Edwards Church Choir

Matt Walker in honor of the Edwards Church community

The Chancel Committee extends a special thank-you to those who contributed poinsettias.

The Holly and the Ivy Traditional English Carol

COMING UP AT OPEN SPIRITLiving and Dying WellA Discussion based on Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul GawandeSunday, January 7, 3-4:30 pm in Edwards HallAtul Gawande, a surgeon at Mass General Hospital, draws upon his experience as a doctor and as the child of a terminally ill father in his reflection on what it means to live and die well. Rev. Dr. Debbie Clark will lead this conversation, beginning with quotations from the book and moving into reflections from our own lives. Read the book if you are able—it is worth it. If you do not read the book, you will still find the discussion meaningful. Donations to support Open Spirit appreciated.

Buddhist Meditation Returns!Tuesday, January 9, 7 pm in Sue Dickerman HallJoin us on the second Tuesday of every month, for an hour of meditation, with guidance and inspiration offered by Bhante Pannasiri from New England Buddhist Vihara. Venerable Debokkawe Pannasiri was born in Sri Lanka. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1998 and received his higher ordination in 2005. He taught Buddhism in Sumana Buddhist Institute in Colombo and also worked as a religious lecturer/counselor at the National Drug Prevention Operation Unit at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. Donations to support Open Spirit appreciated.

I Saw Three ShipsI saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;I saw three ships come sailing inOn Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?And what was in those ships all three,On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,On Christmas Day in the morning.

We Wish You a Merry ChristmasWe wish you a merry Christmas,We wish you a merry Christmas,We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year.Good tidings we bringTo you and your kin;We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year!

Oh, bring us some figgy pudding,Oh, bring us some figgy pudding,Oh, bring us some figgy pudding,And bring it right here.Good tidings we bringTo you and your kin;We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year!

We won't go till we get some,We won't go till we get some,

We won't go till we get some,So bring it right here.Good tidings we bringTo you and your kin;We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year!

We all like our figgy pudding,We all like our figgy pudding,We all like our figgy pudding,With all its good cheersGood tidings we bringTo you and your kin;We wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year.

We wish you a merry ChristmasWe wish you a merry ChristmasWe wish you a merry ChristmasAnd a happy New Year!