Welcome to:
North Stonington Congregational Church
We are an Open and Affirming Church
The Congregational Church
of
North Stonington, U.C.C.
89 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
860-535-0379
November 28, 2021
First Sunday of Advent
1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10 am
“As an Open and Affirming church:
We respect the worth and dignity of all persons who come into our church family regardless of race, age, marital standing, gender, economic status, mental or physical challenges, nationality, or sexual orientation. We promise to support one another in our personal struggles, to understand and accept differences in one another, and pray to strengthen our love and acceptance.”
*indicates those who are able are invited to stand
WELCOME AND THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
Prelude “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” - arr. Purifoy
SILENT MEDITATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
*CALL TO WORSHIP
We are watching and waiting for signs of God’s kingdom;
Be awake, be alert; do not worry, and do not be afraid;
Look! Christ is coming. Christ is breaking into our world,
and into our lives in a new way.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
*HYMN #103 Watcher, Tell Us of the Night Aberystwyth
ADVENT READING, CANDLE LIGHTING The Candle of Hope
The Gadaree Family
ADVENT PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER (debts/debtors)
Christ we sit in darkness. You are the light we long for - coming into our hearts, into our lives and into our world. You are the One for whom all the peoples of the earth wait. Our world has been shaken by pandemic and unrest. So we anticipate, expecting Your light to penetrate our darkness and radiate within us. In the midst of our doubts and our insecurities we are reminded that you are never shaken. Your faithfulness reaches to the ends of the earth. You are our rock and our refuge, an ever present help in trouble. Come down, come in, walk with us so that we trust in you and not be shaken. In Jesus’ name we pray, Our Father…
*SUNG RESPONSE (Chalice #128, Cradle Song)
Come surely, Lord Jesus, as dawn follows night,
Our hearts long to greet you, as roses the light.
Salvation draw near us, our vision engage.
One candle is lit for the hope of the age.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
May the peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
(Children are invited to attend Church School now)
Senior Choir “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” - Hopson
SCRIPTURE LESSONS (OT page 738) Jeremiah 33:14-16
(NT page 85) Luke 21:25-36
SERMON Signs of the Times
MOMENTS OF SILENCE
*HYMN #112 Keep Awake, Be Always Ready Wachtet Auf
OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS
Please place your prayer requests in the offering plate.
Offertory “A Time of Meditation” - Michael Thomas Benoit
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all blessing flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above, you heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
*HYMN #609 Now Is The Time Approaching Webb
*BENEDICTION POSTLUDE “Festive Fanfare” - Telemann
It is customary to remain seated to listen to the postlude.
If you need to exit, please do so quietly.
We are live-streaming worship and recording it
for viewing on our website.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE DURING WORSHIP
Welcome to worship. Thank you for worshiping with us today! Social distancing and masks are required in order to protect one another. The service is available at www.northstoningtonucc.com
We light one white candle each Sunday to remember and pray for military and civilians serving our country and in harm’s way.
The flowers today are given by Patty Danley in honor of her daughter Antoinette’s birthday.
The Steeple To honor or remember someone by lighting the steeple please contact the church office.
Serving in worship today: Dave McCord, deacon; Paul Ames, Pat Danley, ushers.
We Pray For: those affected by the CoVID-19; the grieving; those serving overseas; all battling cancer; all struggling with financial crisis; those working to bear the burdens of others, and the healing of: Stephanie Murray; Anita Ames; Larry; Grace (Teddy) Graber; Seya Bishop, Janet Allen; Deb Janda; George and Arline McCullen; George Danley; Mark Ball (Pat Danley’s son); Dave Larson; Mike Laing; David Roode; Quinn, Karen Clarke; the Bliven family; Elaine Falk Smith; Christy Wohlleber; Aggie & John Terril; Susan (Melanie Ouellette’s friend); Don Ouellette; William Jones (Julie’s brother); and Mike Turano (Mary (Wohlleber) Turano’s husband. Our prayers of sympathy are extended to the family of Anita Ames, whose service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Old Plains Cemetery.
If you mail a check to Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center for holiday food baskets please send to:
PNC PO Box 1697, Pawcatuck, CT 06379
“How often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.”
- Matthew 18:21-22 (NRSV)
I’ll admit that I have really struggled with Jesus on the issue of forgiveness. In the wake of conflict: he wants us to forgive. But you know what I wish he had done? I wish he would have told us what it means to forgive.
Here’s what my prayer life has taught me:
First of all: Forgiveness is transactional, and the math will never add up.
Second: Forgiveness does not mean forgetting the wrong. It is not giving up on justice. In fact, we can plan and pray for justice while forgiving someone else. But hear this: forgiveness does not require reconciling with the perpetrator.
Instead, forgiveness is a movement towards a place in our memories where the wrong holds less intensity. It is a breath of fresh air. It is a cool drink of water in a parched space. It is an act of mercy and grace that God grants us first. Look to God. Look for that grace that will give you the chance to forgive. - Kaji Douša. Kaji Douša is the Senior Pastor of The Park Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the UCC, in New York City.
Global Ministries Prayer for Thailand - Lord Jesus Christ, we know that you suffered, not just one day, but every day of your ministry here. You knew the pain of all people, the longing, the despair, and not just our hard-heartedness and self-centeredness. And yet, love and mercy were, and are, always first with you. We ask, as we wait and long for your Kingdom, your Realm, to come, that love and mercy would also come first in our hearts. Save us from the “days of punishment,” and give us the strength and compassion to be part of your saving work. Until the day you come with great power and splendor, Amen.
Weekly Church Bulletin online