Harbor Church
Gathered October 23, 1765 

e Fourth Sunday in Avent, December20th,2020, 10:00 a.m.f
Our 256th year 

WELCOME TO OUR WORSHIP SERVICE
December 20th, 2020
Fourth Sunday in Advent

WE GATHER TOGETHER
Prelude Music

Opening Reflection - Isaiah 41:10
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; 
and the government will be upon his shoulders, 
and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6)

Welcome

Call to Worship 
Leader: When the world is looking for answers…
People: Who would send a baby?

Leader: When the world is praying for health…
People: Who would send a promise?

Leader: When the world is yearning for peace…
People: Who would send an innocent?

Leader: When the world is hungry for hope…
People: Who would send a child?

Leader: Who would send His only begotten son?

People: The Father of Lights, the Perfect Parent, has sent His son into the world, bearing answers, bringing health, providing peace, and restoring hope to all the world!

Song	 “Hark The Herald Angels Sing 
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With th'angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail th'incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that we no more may die
Born to raise us from the earth
Born to give us second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
(Mendelssohn) Words & Music Public Domain CCLI License # 20007620

GOD DRAWS US NEAR 
Advent Wreath Tradition: Lighting The Candle of Peace
Scripture Reading. Luke 2:1-7
Christ is Born 
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Leader: We light this candle as a sign of the peace we find with God in the face of confusion and uncertainty.  It gladdens our hearts to know that God is with us during challenging times. Let this light be the reminder that brings Emmanuel, the promise of God’s presence to us once more.

Unison Prayer: 
O Lord our God, our peace is found in you and you alone. Sustain us through today, and rekindle our glad expectation for a better tomorrow as well, amen.

Disciple’s Moment	“All I want for Christmas…”

Song	 “Go Tell it on the Mountain”
Chorus
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and ev'rywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
[Chorus]

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior's birth
[Chorus]

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn
John W. Work Jr., Words & Music Public Domain, CCLI License # 20007620

Ministry Moment 	A Fireside Christmas Eve

Scripture Reading:
The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds

 “Facing our Fears with Good News!”

WE RESPOND IN FAITHFULNESS
Musical Meditation 	
How can remembering the essence of the Christmas message help me (and others) overcome fear and uncertainty? 

Our Offering & Doxology

Sharing our Joys and Concerns 
For Praise  
•	God’s goodness in spite of everything!
•	Another Holiday Season!
•	Judy Mitchell’s health is improving
For Passings
•	Bill Millikin
•	Lynda Merry Beichner, Cindy Pappas’ Sister
•	Steve Draper
•	Sally Stephens
•	Jay Pinney
For People we Know  
•	Glenn Chadwick recovering from knee surgery
•	Those in our community with the virus
•	Families engaged in ‘distance learning’ at home
•	Ann Henault – recovering from a fall.  
•	Phyllis Lacoste – multiple medical issues.  
•	Glenn Chadwick, knee surgery
For our Nation and the World  
•	A Holiday season where hope triumphs over fear
•	A cure and vaccine for Covid-19 and those sick and suffering from it.  
•	People suffering in the wake of an exceptional season of tropical storms.
•	Progress against systemic racism and movement towards true social equality for all.  
•	Those out of work or in an economic crisis.  
•	For strength and wisdom for our town, regional, and national leaders.
•	For a smooth and peaceful transition to the new administration in our executive branch

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer 
	(“…forgive us our sins")

Song: “Feliz Navidad/Merry Christmas”
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad,Feliz Navidad, 
Prospero año y felicidad
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, 
Prospero año y felicidad

I wanna wish You a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish You a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart!

Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad,Feliz Navidad, 
Prospero año y felicidad
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, 
Prospero año y felicidad

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Songwriter: Jose Feliciano CCLI License # 20007620

Passing of the Peace & Benediction

Postlude

“HAPPY HOLIDAYS!”
– from Old English, the word holiday
is a combination of “holy” and “day”
Now,
May all of your days be holy,
and may your New Year be filled 
with good health, happiness, hope and peace.

Information & Events:
Virtual Worship Experience  Sunday mornings at 10 am  via live-stream.
With the reality of the ongoing pandemic, we have now expanded our viewing options:
Live On our Facebook page: Harbor Church - Block Island, RI. 
Live On Zoom.
Meeting ID: 787 167 9609
**NEW INFORMATION: PASSWORD IS “worship”
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7871679609
One tap mobile +13017158592
Landline Phone Dial-in 301 715 8592 
Recorded for later viewing On Youtube Channel “Pastor Peter Preiser” (‘Catch Up’ with past worship services!)

Holiday Cheer. Steve McQueeney had successful heart surgery but is recovering slowly. He will be in rehab for at least another week. Why not send him a card? 

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Holiday Giving Tree 
Our Virtual Giving Tree was a great blessing for the benefit of children and families in our Block Island community. Presents were delivered this week to many happy families! Thank you for your support! 

Our Live Nativity Scene at Harbor Church on December 15th,was a wonderful, uplifting event. Thank you to everyone who helped bring Christmas to life for our community in this creative way! 

An Advent Study for Everyone! “We may or may not be gathering the same way this year, but we will be celebrating the season all the same!  This Advent Study has something for all ages:
“Sent” - Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas, By Jorge Acevedo
All Resources may be found at  Cokesbury Publishing through this  link: https://www.cokesbury.com/Sent-1?select=571845 

Blue Christmas-“Longest Night” Service of Remembrance
Monday Night, December 21st at 5pm. A service of comfort and encouragement for those who have lost loved ones recently.

A Fireside Christmas Eve. Stay safely close to home and hearth on Christmas Eve, warm and cozy, and still enjoy a multimedia holiday celebration and a seasonal reflectional with Harbor Church. There will be music by Carrie Johnson, dance by Susan Matheke, and holiday message by Pastor Peter.
This virtual event will be posted online to Facebook and YouTube on the 24th of December. 

“Sharing Good News of Great Joy” Resource 
Daily ideas for conversations and activities in December. Possibilities for Sharing Good News of Great Joy include: 
•	Grandparents may use the ideas to engage with their grandchildren.
•	Families may use the guide each day at mealtime or bedtime.
•	A congregation may use the ideas to connect with older adults who may be isolated at home. 
Click Here: Sharing Good News of Great Joy Resource Link 

“Preparing the Way” Coffee Chats with Kathryn Palen
On the first three Wednesdays of December, our Zoom coffee chats will focus on people, places, and practices that help us prepare for God's coming into our lives. These weekly chats are open to anyone in the third third of life and have become a setting for rich and meaningful conversations, as well as place for lots of fun and true community.
For the Zoom link, Contact eldercare@abcori.org 
Connections: 
Devotional Thoughts  are posted on YouTube channel, Pastor Peter Preiser 
Moments of Inspiration  can be enjoyed with us through Instagram @harborchurchbi  
For more resources:
•	Our website: www.harborchurchblockisland.org 
•	Email Pastor Peter directly at: petrospaulos@hotmail.com 
Call Harbor Church by phone at (401) 466-5940

Electronic Giving Options are now available if you wish to donate to Harbor Church.   Harbor Church is now offering the following options for those who wish to support the ongoing ministries of our church:
•	Online through our Website www.harborchurchblockisland.org  
•	Through mobile apps “GivePlus” at Google Playstore ,Apple Store
All Charitable contributions to Harbor Church are tax-deductible. Year-end statements are sent to all donors. All transactions are securely protected and encrypted to ensure the safe handling of debit and credit card data with Vanco’s PCI-DSS Compliance Management Service. For more info visit: 
https://www.vancopayments.com/.
🎂Birthday Club News🎂
🎈Celebrating Birthday Club Members for December!🎈
12/16   Beth Gaffett Tengwall🎊
12/19 Sally Marte🎈
12/21   Andy Transue🎆
Remember this great promise: “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear”
[1John 4:18]
The First Baptist Church of Block Island
Ministers to the World: All Members of the Harbor Church
Rev. Peter P. Preiser, Jr., Pastor
Contact Pastor Peter at 860-970-5695 or by email:
petrospaulos@hotmail.com
Church Office: 401-466-5940Email: harborchurch1765@gmail.com
Website: www.harborchurchblockisland.org
We are an affiliate of the American Baptist Churches, USA