First Congregational Church United Church of Christ

Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor, Pastor 10:00am Sunday Worship – Radio AM 940 – WFAW or

Kool FM 106.5 on Packer noon game days Hearing devices, large print hymns and bulletins are available from the ushers.

Senior Choir Director: Marvin Olsen Sunday School Director: Tammy Green

Church Office: (920)563-4802; Fax: (920)563-9958 Email : officefortucc@gmail.com Moderator (Nancy Onufer) uccmoderator2020@gmail.com

Website: www.fortfcc.org Like us on Facebook! Virtual on Youtube: Fort Atkinson United Church of Christ

Our Church Mission Statement

"Founded in scripture and led by the Holy Spirit, our mission is to be a Christ-centered family of faith. Through worship, prayer, study, fellowship and

outreach, we seek to be a loving congregation committed to spiritual nourishment and growth. Empowered by God's grace, we extend an invitation to all to join us serving the local and worldwide community."

You prepare a banquet for me,

where all my enemies can see me;

you welcome me as an honored guest

and fill my cup to the brim.

I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;

and your house will be my home as long as I live.

*PRAYER Rev. Chris

Please join us for our Virtual Christmas Eve Worship Service.

We will not be holding an in person Christmas Eve service. The service will be virtually available on Youtube by December 24th and will also be broadcast on WFAW at 5 pm on December 24th.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Blue Christmas is a gentle, contemplative service for those

who are carrying pain or loss during this season of celebration.

Bringing Hope to the darkness.

Blue Christmas A Service of Memories and Hope

GATHERING MUSIC and SPECIAL MUSIC Mary Ellen Miller WELCOME Mike Rankin PRAYER (Unison)

God of mercy and love, we gather here today as hurting people, bringing our pain, our sorrow and our confusion to this safe space tonight. Would you meet us in our darkness, and give us freedom to struggle together as we seek your presence. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow and peace for the past. Amen.

LIGHT THE CENTRAL CANDLE Sharon Wisch

READING John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was close beside God, and the Word was God. In the beginning, he was close beside God. All things came into existence through him; not one thing that exists came into existence without him. Life was in him and this life was the light of the human race. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

THE EMPTY CHAIR Rev. Chris

LIGHT THE FIRST OUTER CANDLE Tammy Green

* Response: Lord, hear our prayer

LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE Mike Rankin

* Response: Lord, hear our prayer

LIGHT THE THIRD CANDLE Sharon Wisch * Response: Lord, hear our prayer

LIGHT THE FORTH CANDLE Mike Rankin * Response: Amen

FOCUS ON THE CENTRAL CANDLE Rev. Chris

SPECIAL MUSIC “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” #245

PRAYER (Unison) Sharon Wisch Oh God, be with us in our darkness. Make your face shine upon us and

give us peace. We pray for your Holy Spirit to be at work within us, all of us who are gathered here tonight, may your Holy Spirit comfort us, may it sustain us, may it remind us of your constant love for us.

We trust this time of listening to you and ask you to open our hearts and our minds to whatever it is that we need to hear from you tonight.

Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE ”Peace I Am” #136 (Spirit Anew)

Peace I am, Peace I am, Quiet, calm, steady, sure, Peace I am. Love I am, Love I am, Quiet, calm, steady, sure, Love I am.

Joy I am, Joy I am, Quiet, calm, steady, sure, Joy I am.

LIGHTING OUR CANDLES OF REMEMBRANCE Mike Rankin

SHARING THE HOLY MEAL Rev. Chris

HYMN OF REMEMBRANCE “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” #240

CLOSING (Unison) Psalm 23 Rev. Chris

The Lord Our Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths,

as he has promised.

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

I will not be afraid, Lord,

for you are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

Order of Worship December 17, 2020

Hymn of Remembrance—Of The Father’s Love Begotten

#240

Verse 1

Of the Father's love begotten

Ere the worlds began to be

He is Alpha and Omega

He the Source the Ending he

Of the things that are that have been

And that future years shall see

Evermore and evermore

Verse 2

O ye heights of heav'n adore him

Angel hosts his praises sing

All dominions bow before him

And extol our God and King

Let no tongue on earth be silent

Ev'ry voice in concert ring

Evermore and evermore

Verse 3

Christ to thee with God the Father

And O Holy Ghost to thee

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

And unwearied praises be

Honor glory and dominion

And eternal victory

Evermore and evermore

CCLI Song # 7140773

Special Music—O Come O Come Emmanuel # 245

Verse 1

O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Chorus

Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to thee O Israel

Verse 2

O come Thou Dayspring come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

Verse 3

O come Thou Wisdom from on high

And order all things far and nigh

To us the path of knowledge show

And cause us in her ways to go

Verse 4

O come Desire of nations bind

All peoples in one heart and mind

Bid envy strife and quarrels cease

Fill the whole world with heaven's peace

CCLI Song # 31982

Song Being Played during the

Lighting Our Candles of Remembrance

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

Verse 1

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again I'll say amen

And it's still rainin'

Pre-Chorus

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper

Through the rain

I'm with You

And as Your mercy falls

I'll raise my hands

And praise the God who gives

And takes away

Chorus

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And ev'ry tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

Verse 2

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to You

And raised me up again

But my strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

Bridge

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of heaven and earth

CCLI Song # 31982

Audio/Video Operator Kurt Wesemann

Piano Mary Ellen Miller

Service Speakers Mike Rankin, Sharon Wisch, Tammy Green

Blue Poinsettia Firari Family in Memory of Auggie Firari and Dave & Donna Hughes

Blue Poinsettia Green Family in Memory of Everyone and Everything we have lost this year and in Honor of the blessings that remain.