FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Watertown, Wisconsin
Rev. Dr. Christopher Ross, Pastor
Second Sunday of Advent
Annual Congregational Budget Meeting
�December 10, 2023 10:00 a.m. Worship�
“Jesus doesn’t reject anyone; neither do we!”
RINGING OF THE CHURCH BELL
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome all Seekers, Sojourners, and Guests: whether you are in this room or watching on a screen, we are so glad to worship with you. All are welcome at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. If you have any questions or would simply like to learn a little more about this community of faith, please speak with a member or the pastor.
We acknowledge that our community resides on lands of the Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi peoples. We would like to acknowledge the Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi communities and pay our respects.
GREETING AND CALL TO SILENCE & REFLECTION
LITURGIST: In the desert of life, prepare a pathway for God. In the wilderness, make a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; and the glory of God shall be revealed among us. Now, please take a moment to quiet your hearts and minds as we receive this morning’s prelude.
PRELUDE “One Small Child” Thomas Rusch
CALL TO WORSHIP
HYMN: “The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore” #115 New Century
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
MOMENT OF SILENCE
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
PASSING THE PEACE
TIME FOR THE YOUNG & YOUNG-AT-HEART
LIGHTING OF THE SECOND CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH
RESPONSE
HEBREW SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11, NRSV
GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:1-8, NRSV
ANTHEM “Advent Canticle” Senior Choir
SERMON: “This is the Beginning”
HYMN: “All Earth Is Waiting” #121 New Century
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Pastoral Prayer
Moment of Silence
PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOR
CALL TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY “Still, Still, Still” Thomas Rusch
DOXOLOGY
DEDICATION
HYMN: “Incarnate God, Immortal Love” #414 New Century
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Go Now in Love & Peace”
POSTLUDE “The Holly and the Ivy” Thomas Rusch
All rights reserved. Permission to reprint and stream music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-714559 or Christian Copyright Licensing International with copyright license #21694513 and streaming license #21694520
One Small Child; David Meece, arr. by Jay Rouse; Copyright © 1971 Word Music
The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore; Tune: WINCHESTER, Musikalisches Handbuch; Text: Charles Coffin; Translation Copyright © 1993 The Pilgrim Press
Advent Candlelight Carol; BURGUNDIAN CAROL, arr. with new words by Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shafferman; Copyright ©2000 Alfred Publishing Co.
Advent Canticle; Lloyd Larson; words based on Isaiah 40:3-5; Copyright © 2001 Hal Leonard Corporation
All Earth is Waiting; Tune: TAULE, Albert Taulé, Harm. Skinner Chávez-Melo; Text: Alberto Taulé, Trans. Gertrude C. Suppe; Words and music Copyright © 1972 The Pastoral Musicians. English translation Copyright © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. Harmonization Copyright © 1988 Skinner Chávez-Melo.
Still, Still, Still; Austrian Melody, arr. by Brent Edstrom; Copyright © 2015 by Hal Leonard Corporation
Incarnate God, Immortal Love; Tune: ROCKINGHAM, Anon., Adapt. Edward Miller; Text: Alfred Tennyson; PUBLIC DOMAIN
Go Now in Love and Peace; Patrick M. Liebergen; Copyright © 1992 Jubilate Music
The Holly and the Ivy; 18th Century English Carol, arr. by Brent Edstrom; Copyright © 2015 by Hal Leonard Corporation
