Errata – the correct anthem and piano solos are as follows:
GATHERING MUSIC: Lo, How a Rose — trad./arr. HKJ
PRELUDE: O LIttle Town of Bethlehem — Redner/arr. HKJ
ANTHEM: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day — Calkin
OFFERTORY: 3 Chanukkah Songs — trad. Jewish folk tunes
POSTLUDE: Silver Bells — Livingston & Evans
LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
A Just Peace Church
An Open and Affirming Church
A Creation Justice Church
10:30 am
December 18, 2022
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SONGS OF THE SEASON 10:15AM
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING THE PEACE CANDLE Michelle Cloutier, Liturgist
If I were president, what would I do? I would stop the war. I would come to peace with our adversaries. I don’t like the thought of people dying over land or oil. It makes me feel sad that people are losing their lives.
Ellen Michaela Doyle, age 10, St. Petersburg, Florida
PRELUDE O Little Town of Bethlehem Redner/arr. HKJ
* OPENING READING Raymond Chapman, adapted
Child of Bethlehem,
weak and helpless,
loved and cherished,
peaceful in a manger,
hold us with your strong love.
* HYMN Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child 139
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH – Love
Unison Prayer
We give thanks for the many ways that love is made manifest in our lives and in our world. We need the gift of love to sustain us on life’s journey. May we look for signs of love in the darkening days of this Advent season. May we be signs of love for the world. Amen.
Response: Light Our Way Joyce Rupp
Please See Insert
READING Jesus Is Born Archbishop Desmond Tutu
* HYMN Away in a Manger 124
SERMON Oh, Baby! Rev. Kim P. Wells
UNISON READING John Harvey
‘You are deeply, deeply loved,
just as you are,
forgiven, loved and challenged to be
the very best you can be.
So I’m speaking to you in the only way I know how —
from a stable,
in a child born into poverty,
soon to grow to maturity,
born to show you,
in a human life,
the love of God.’
.
ANTHEM The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came Basque Carol
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal is to:
- Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives & in our world.
- Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people.
- Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.
MORNING OFFERING
Morning offerings may be brought forward and placed in the plates on the altar. You are invited to write your prayer requests on the sheets provided in
the bulletin and bring them forward and place them in the basket on the altar. If you would like assistance, please turn to someone seated near you.
Offertory Good Christians All Rejoice and Sing trad./arr. HKJ
* Prayer of Dedication Thom M Shuman
Help us to set down
our parcels of expectations
to reach down and scoop
you up in our arms,
‘ your laughing breath
giving us life. Amen.
* PREPARATION FOR PRAYER Jesus, Our Brother 138
MORNING PRAYERS – SAVIOR’S PRAYER
Our Creator in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
LINING THE CRADLE
Responsive Reading Shirley Erena Murray
Spirit of love, you move within creation,
drawing the threads to color and design;
life into life, you knit our true salvation,
come, work with us,
and weave us into one.
Though we have frayed the fabric of your making,
tearing away from all that you intend,
yet, to be whole, humanity is aching —
come, work with us,
and weave us into one.
Great loom of God, where history is woven,
you are the frame that holds us to the truth,
Christ is the theme, the pattern you have given —
come, work with us,
and weave us into one.
* Hymn Cloth for the Cradle See Insert
During the singing of the hymn you are invited to come forward and place a strip of fabric in the manger.
*BENEDICTION
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (please form a circle) Rosemary Crow
Weave, weave, weave us together; weave us together in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together; weave us together, together in love.
*POSTLUDE It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Willson
Circle of Concern: Erik Johnson, Katherine Conover, Danielle Hintz, Colombian Family, Ann Quinn is under Hospice care, Maggie Brizendine, Janet Hall, Tony Larson, Don Ritchie, who is moving, and Yvonne Riesen. All those suffering from COVID-19 and all healthcare workers, Schools: Students, families, teachers, and staff
Announcements
All Church Read – Access a copy of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. It’s a very short story. This book is also available as an audio book. Join in a discussion of this beautiful story December 22 @ 6:30 via zoom.
Zoom Link: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648 Meeting Id: 270 068 3648
Baby Time – Family Promise of Pinellas County is a faith-based coalition helping families without a house to move toward residential stability. This ministry to families without homes has been supported by LUCC for many years. This year Family Promise has asked that we collect diapers for the families in the program. Please bring donations of diapers- any size, any style- to church
CHRISTMAS EVE
6:30 Music of the Season
7:00 Service with candlelight and communion. All ages welcome! t
Family Promise Needs – Word was received this week that Family Promise, a local ministry to houseless families with children, is in need of the following items:
Milk, Water (small bottles), Paper Goods (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, plates, cups) Cleaning Supplies (disinfectants, sponges, dish soap, laundry soap.
Please bring items to the church and place them on the shelves behind the curtain in the hallway.
Guided labyrinth walks Wednesday mornings at 9:00am – Each week there is a guided labyrinth walk on the outdoor labyrinth at the church. It’s a time of prayerful faith sharing, and a time to listen more deeply to our spiritual lives. In case of rain, the walks are held on Thursday Morning.
WINTER SOLSTICE
The longest night is a time for reflection and wonder. Join in a fireside gathering at
5:41pm on Wednesday December 21 at the church.
NEW YEARS DAY
There will be a service on Sunday @ 10:30 to start the New Year. Rituals will help set the heart’s intentions for the year ahead.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 