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An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ 7834 Tennyson Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 Office: 505-856-1004 www.ucccogs.org
No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
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December 10 , 2017
Chuck Qualley, Worship Leader
(*** Indicates to stand, if able)
PRELUDE ......................................... “December Morning” ..................... Dorenda Morse, piano
-by Mark Kellner
***CONGREGATION SINGS .................... Hymn #108 .. “Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old”
Verses 1: Solo
Verses 2 and 4: All
WELCOME ...................................................... ........................................... Rev. TevisTownes
OPENING MEDITATION .......... “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” ............. Patricia Oakley, organ
- arr. Lynn Trapp
Lighting of the Christ and Agape Candles is a symbol of Jesus coming into the presence of this
worshiping community.
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JOYS AND CONCERNS
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
***CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Advent is a time of preparation.
Many: Open our hearts, O God, and prepare us to receive the Good News.
One: Give us the courage and confidence to repent and forgive as we prepare
ourselves for God’s peace.
Many: Enrich us with humility that we might open ourselves to change.
One: The time of peace is upon us. Let us celebrate God together
***MORNING PRAYER One: Please pray with me...
Many: Patient and loving God, we so easily lose ourselves in
preparations for Christmas festivities and gift-giving; and yet we
sometimes forget that the true preparation is the readiness of our
hearts to receive you. Help us look again at our lives and turn them
toward your will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
ANTHEM .................................. “Comfort Ye” and “Every Valley” ................ Lucien Daigle, tenor
- Recitative and Aria from Messiah by G.F. Handel
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SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 18: 15-22
from The New Testament and Psalms, and Inclusive Version
If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by our Heavenly Parent. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.
CONGREGATION SINGS ....................... Hymn #127 ............. “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
SERMON ...................................... “Lighting a Path to Peace” ...................... Rev. TevisTownes
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ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: PEACE
PASTORAL PRAYER- SILENT PRAYER - PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father, our Mother, who is in heaven, Holy be your name.
Your Kin(g)dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the Kin(g)dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
SHARING OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY ..................................... “Carol of the Bells” ..................... Joyful Noise Bell Choir
-arr. Jason Krug
***DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God the source of all our gifts.
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
***PRAYER OF DEDICATION
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Dec. 10 Rev. Sarah TevisTownes
Worship Leader : 11:00 am Chuck Qualley Friendship Time: 11:00 am
Christian Ed: Maribeth Bohley, Ashley Daigle, Christa Manning, Barbara Wolfe Sound System Operators: B.D. Shafer, Ivan Mackenzie Nursery Care: John Leppala, Miles Mitchell
Usher/Greeter Team: 11:00 am
Music: Linda Gilmour, Director of Music; Michelle Sault, Bell Choir Director; Dorenda Morse, Piano; Patricia Oakley, Organist
***CONGREGATION SINGS .................... Hymn #609 .............. “Now Is the Time Approaching”
CLOSING MEDITATION .................... “The Huron Carol” ...................... Dorenda Morse, piano Traditional French-Canadian text and melody Arr. by Brent Edstrom
Extinguishing of the Christ and Agape candles symbolizes our
taking the light of Jesus Christ out into the world, where as
believers, we are to serve.
BENEDICTION
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POSTLUDE ............................. “Keep Awake, Be Always Ready” ........... Patricia Oakley, organ
-arr. Lynn Trapp
As you depart, please greet one another with the spirit of Christ’s love. We also welcome you to
join us in the Hospitality Room for friendship time.
NEXT WEEK’S SCRIPTURE:
Next week, at the 11 a.m. service, we will celebrate the
season with the choir’s Christmas Cantata, “The Promise of
Light: A Christmas Musical by Joel Raney.”
In the 9 a.m. service, we will sing Advent and Christmas
hymns together as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of
Jesus’ birth on Christmas day.
At both services, we will read from Isaiah 58:6-9. This beautiful
text reminds us that the light of Christmas comes not only from
the birth of Jesus, but also from our actions in Jesus’ name:
feeding the hungry, loosening the bonds of injustice,
welcoming the homeless, and reconciling with one another.
Worship Services (Date and Times)
Dec. 17: 9 am Worship Service 11 am (Christmas Cantata) Dec. 24: 11 am regular service plus special evening 4 pm and 6 pm services Dec. 31: 11 am only
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Our members:
Audra Bond, Shantih Bisland, Renee Crowder, Nancy Eberhardt, Wanita Eberhardt, Frank
Harrison, David McElhaney, Penny McElhaney, Kay Main, Lester and Mildred Hoak, Stewart
Johnson, Elizabeth Lewis, Martha and Michael Tucker, Paula Paul, Ethel Shepard, Lynne and
Patrick Xavier.
Long-term care:
Dalton Kessler (grandson of Susan Olson and son of Amy Mueller), Charles Lamb (son of Diana
Lamb), Kira Marie McSherry (daughter of Linc Nagle).
Our extended family:
Austin (grandson of Paula Paul), Tille and Viginia Attencio (friends of Katherine and Brent
Williams), Lynne Aube (cousin of Susan Mackenzie), Roland Birkner (friend of Christina Moss),
Pepa Brown (Friends of Asaera Cote and Deb May), Ben Church (son of Ed Church), Charlie
(friend of Vicki McNown Miller), Susan Cokel (sister-in-law of Kennette Weatherford), Taylor Ann
Coppage (granddaughter of Floyd and Shirlee Coppage), Cynthia Copper (friend of Beth Clark),
Dave Crosby (brother of Doug Crosby), The Debussman Family, Jana Eiche (friend of Brent and
Katherine Williams), Lee and Bill Evans (grandparents of Mackenzie Hill), Elizabeth Galloway
(sister of Christin Dobbeck), Troy Garrett (husband of Chloe Winegar-Garrett), Rusty Henle (friend
of Brent and Katherine Williams), Erica Hernandez (niece of Jill Marjama-Lyons), Bill Hill
(grandfather of MacKenzie Hill), Ian Hucke (friends of Jill and Rick Crawley), Fred Hurd (friend of
Carol and Hal Henthorne), Tammy Hurst (friend of Deborah May), Michael Kuhlmeyer (friend of
Christina Moss), Kate Laning (niece of Nancy Kolenc), Chris Loring (sister-in-law of Jenny
Sanchez), Luana Mansfield (friend of Susie Tagliapietra), Kyle Maggert (friend of COGS), Owen
Marjama (dad of Jill Marjama-Lyons), Mark Miller (friend of Maribeth Bohley and Frances Clark),
Kevin Moore (friend of Chris Connor), Venn Moore (cousin of Dew Williams), Roy Morgan (father
of Ashley Daigle), Shelly Moriston and her family and friends (friends of Brad Measures), Amy
Mueller (daughter of Susan Olson), Paul Nagle (brother of Linc Nagle), Margot Nelson (friend of
Main family), Don and Sue Newman (friends of COGS), Lupe Nuedecker (mother of Becky
Leppala), Nan Olszewski (grandmother of Ashley Daigle), Mike Parman (brother of Nancy Kolenc),
Colt Salerno, Margaret Sanger (friend of Kennette Weatherford), Dayton Shaw (friend of Deb
May), Susan Smith (daughter of Ethel Shepard), Aurelio Soto (cousin of Lucien Daigle), Rhys and
Kaylee Weatherford (family of Kennette Weatherford), Jack Williams (brother of Dew Williams),
Gerald Wolfe (husband of Barbara Wolfe), Vincent Xavier (father of Patrick Xavier), Andrew and
Bridget Xavier (children of Patrick Xavier)
Bulletin Board
Adult Only Game Night Contact: Donna Lockridge
Phone: (505) 280-5210
E-mail: [email protected]
Date: Friday, December 15
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Hospitality Room
Details: They say playing games is bad for relationships, but they're perfect for game night!!!! Join us in the hospitality room for some good old fashion fun. Games include everything from Mexican Train Dominoes to Settlers of Catan. Don't know how to play? Don't worry, there is always someone to teach you. Bring a game, play a game, or learn a new one! It changes every time. We do the food potluck style. Finger food works great, so we can play games and munch on some grub. All are welcome. Sign up on the Connection Card to let is know you are coming!
The Promise of Light: A Christmas Cantata
Contact: Linda Gilmour, Director of Music
Date: Sunday, December 17
Time: During 11:00 am Worship Service
Place: Sanctuary
Details: "The Promise of Light," a Christmas
cantata by Joel Raney, will be presented at the
11:00 a.m. worship service on December 17,
2017. Experience a journey of hope, promise and
light through music and inspirational readings,
with additional carols written and arranged by
Ola Gjeilo, Peter Anglea and Philip Kern.
Accompanied by piano, keyboard, percussion
and the Joyful Noise Bell Choir, this year's
Chancel Choir presentation is sure to leave you
humming and smiling.
Date Time Event Location
Mon., Dec. 11 1:30 PM Generosity Team Meeting Parlor
Tues., Dec. 12 11:00 AM Pastor Bible Study Adult Learning Center
6:00 PM Church Council Meeting Social Hall
Wed., Dec. 13 10:00 AM Extended Hours: COGS Crafters Adult Learning Center
6:00 PM Bell Choir Practice Sanctuary
Thurs., Dec. 14 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Practice Sanctuary
Fri., Dec. 15 6:00 PM Adult Only game Night Hospitality
Sat., Dec. 16 10:00 AM Cantata Practice Sanctuary
Sun., Dec. 17 9:00 AM Worship Service Sanctuary
11:00 AM Christmas Cantata Worship Service Sanctuary
Upcoming Week at COGS:
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December 10, 2017
Christmas Posole Dinner is On!
Contact: Donna Lockridge
Phone: (505) 280-5210
E-mail: [email protected]
Date: Sunday, December 24
Time: 7:15 p.m.
(After the 6 pm Christmas Eve Service)
Place: Social Hall
Details: Come and celebrate the season with our
Annual Christmas Posole Dinner. Last year was a
smashing success with over 60 people in
attendance, so we will be doing it again this year.
Sign up will begin on this week's Connection Card.
You will have an opportunity to sign up to help out
and to bring a dish to share.
2017 COGS Giving Tree
Contact: Donna Lockridge, Phone: (505) 280-5210
E-mail: [email protected]
Date: Accepting items beginning Dec 01 and
ending December 24.
Place: Hospitality Room
Details: Each year COGS sponsors a "Giving
Tree" and this year the benefactor is Casa Q, a
place providing safe haven and help to youth of the
LGBTQ community.
The tree will have cards with specific gift requests
hanging on the tree. Please feel free to grab one
and then bring the full-filled wish back to the
church and leave it under the tree. There will also
be a place to leave monetary donations to help
out.
Project Share Returns!
Contact: Jenny Sanchez
Phone: (941) 724-0238
E-mail: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, December 30
Details: A couple times a year, COGS, in
association with St. Martin's Hospitality Center,
prepares and serves a meal to the homeless
community.
St. Martin's mission is to assist people who are
experiencing homelessness by providing
resources, opportunities, and hope. With a vision
of ending homelessness, one person at a time.
This is your chance to be involved.
We start the day in the COGS kitchen at 10 am
where we cook and prepare the meal. There are
ample opportunities to help during the day with
babysitting the food as it cooks, then transporting
the meal to St Martins, and ending with serving
food the people who come by. Join us in closing
out the year with purposeful intent!
Sign up in the hallway continues today!
Have a Need?
Ask the Care Team Lead!
Our Care Team Lead for the month of December
is Donna Lockridge. If you have or know of a need
that you feel the Care Team can assist with,
please call Meg in the church office at (505) 856-
1004.
You may also contact Donna directly
at (505) 280-5210 or email her at
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We are delighted to have you worshiping with us today!
Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC is a dynamic congregation with a rich history and an exciting ministry in the community.
Our church is a part of a blend of four major Protestant denominations that united together in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ.
We claim the early Pilgrim and Puritan settlers of this country as part of our heritage, and celebrate the words of Pastor John Robinson, who in his farewell remarks to the Pilgrims as they were leaving for the “new world,” said,
“There is still more light and truth to break forth from God’s holy word.”
We are a church that:
• Takes the Bible seriously, but not literally.
• Worships God with joyful hearts and open minds.
• Includes children in the life and ministry of the church.
• Celebrates creativity and the arts.
• Seeks to be inclusive of ALL people.
• Believes that growth in wisdom and understanding happens at all
stages of life.
• Is committed to work for justice for all people and for the environment.
• Cares for one another, laughs easily, and rests in God’s love.
• Looks to Jesus as teacher, prophet and Child of God.
The mission of Church of the
Good Shepherd is to build a
just world through community
one life at a time.
Church of the Good Shepherd desires
to be an inclusive community that
shares Divine love as a path to peace
and justice in the world.