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Sunday WorshipHi Friends, Gathered October 23, 1765 e Fourth Sunday in Avent, December20th,2020, 10:00 a.m.f Our 256th year
Information & Events: 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!) 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: Luke 2:8-20 The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill to all!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard, just as it was told them.
Message: “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
For Passings
For People we Know
For our Nation and the World
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
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.
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:
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: 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:
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: ��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” 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: Church Office: 401-466-5940 Email: harborchurch1765@gmail.com Website: www.harborchurchblockisland.org We are an affiliate of the American Baptist Churches, USA
Blessings,
Pastor Peter Preiser Harbor Church Box D2 Block Island RI 02807 (860)970-5695 www.harborchurchblockisland.org “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” [Habakkuk 2:14] |
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