BRIDGEWATER CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN at Worship December 1, 2019 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

First Sunday of Advent

In this [Advent] season when we are suspended between realization and

expectation, may we be found honest about the darkness

more perceptive of the light.

~ Jack Boozer

GATHERING

PRELUDE (11:00) “Savior of the nations, come” (HWB 173) J. S. Bach

WELCOME AND SHARING THE WORK OF THE CHURCH Please sign and pass the Friendship Register pad located at the inside aisle

of the pew. Signing helps us learn the names of those worshiping near us.

After all have signed, the pad can be passed back to the inside aisle.

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP Festival Introit for Advent John Barr

THE ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING …PEACE CAN’T WAIT Sarah Are sanctifiedart.org

One: I will wait for the sky to clear.

All: We will wait for the plot to thicken.

One: I will wait for vacation to arrive.

All: We will wait for snow to fall. One: I will wait for dinner to be ready.

All: We will wait for you to be confident. One: I will wait for my child to walk.

All: We will wait for the leaves to change.

One: I will wait for the dust to settle.

All: We will wait for the lab results. One: I will wait for Christmas to arrive.

All: We will wait for a lot of things, but we will not wait for peace. One: This world is rampant with division grudge-holding, and self-doubt.

I do not want to be a passive bystander in this division.

All: We do not want to be passive bystanders in this division.

One: So today we light the candle of peace as a reminder that we have a

role to play.

All: May the desire to sow peace kindle in us like a light in the darkness.

HYMN INSERT While we are waiting, come (v. 1) Insert

STORY OF PEACE Bill Faw

RESPONSIVE PRAYER Back of Bulletin

*HYMN # 178 Come, thou long-expected Jesus Hyfrydol

PROCLAIMING

CHILDREN’S TIME (11:00) Christy Dowdy Children of ALL ages are invited to the front of the sanctuary for a time

of building upon and connecting to faith through stories and interactions.

SCRIPTURE READINGS Isaiah 2: 1-5 & Matthew 24: 36-44 NRSV

SERMON Peace Can’t Wait Christy Dowdy

HYMN INSERT Put peace into each other’s hands St. Columba

RESPONDING

REFLECTIONS (8:30) Music for contemplation, followed by conversation.

TIME OF PRAYER

Community Concerns and Joys

Prayer of the People

OFFERING

Invitation

Offertory (8:30) We bring our tithes and offerings to the worship center. (11:00) Ushers receive our tithes and offerings.

Trumpet Voluntary on: (HELMSLEY) John Barr

“Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”

Prayer of Dedication

*HYMN # 408 O day of Peace Jerusalem

*SENDING Back of Bulletin

*BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE (11:00) Agincourt Hymn (DEO GRACIAS) John Dunstable

(“O love, how deep, how broad, how high!”)

* Rise as able in body and spirit.

MEETINGS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE & NURTURE

December 1-7, 2019 (All events are p.m. unless noted)

Sun. 9 a.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal Choir Room

Children’s Worship during Worship at 11 – Agape Room

Noon Youth Fundraiser Lunch Social Hall

5:00 Sr. High Movie Night Zepp’s

Tues. 7:00 Childcare Exploration Agape

7:00 Food Pantry Social Hall

Wed. 12-7 Salvation Army Bell Ringing @ Bridgewater Foods

5:30 Wednesday Night Meal Social Hall

Prepared by Palmer Lee Berry

Menu: Beef Stew, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Corn,

Chicken Nuggets, Cookies, Hot Chocolate

Suggested Minimum Donation: $10 adults / $5 kids

5:30 Cherub Choir Rehearsal Agape Room

6:00 Carol Choir Rehearsal Agape Room

6:45 Yorffs Rehearsal Room # 35

7:30 Witness & Nurture Commission Open Door Room

Thurs. 9-7 Salvation Army Bell Ringing @ Bridgewater Foods

9:30 a.m. Church Advent Decorating

Noon Interfaith Association EMU

6:00 Brethren Student Movement Carter Center

7:00 Puppets Rehearsal Agape Room

7:30 Sanctus Choir Rehearsal Choir Room

Fri. 9:30 a.m. Church Advent Decorating

12-7 Salvation Army Bell Ringing @ Bridgewater Foods

Sat. 10 a.m. Bridgewater Christmas Parade

BRIDGEWATER CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

An inclusive family of faith seeking to follow Jesus

and live the love of God.

Our Mission…

As an inclusive community of faith, we commit ourselves to embody the

love of God and to share our diverse lives and gifts with each other and

the world. Through faith formation, worship, mission, and fellowship we

boldly proclaim the peace and love of Christ. Together we work for

justice, extend grace, and partner with God to offer abundant life,

healing, and hope to our community and the world.

Our Values…

Sharing life together and including all persons in our common life.

Growing in faith, compassion, and understanding.

Serving one another and our neighbor’s good.

Sharing the love of God and the God that is love.

PASTORAL MINISTRY STAFF

Christy Dowdy – Interim Senior Pastor Chris Zepp – Associate Pastor

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FACILITIES MINISTRY STAFF

Fortunato Correa – Custodian

Phil Flory – Treasurer

Karissa Hunt – Financial Secretary Shannon Puffenbarger – Administrative Assistant

Leon Rhodes – Head Teller

PROGRAM & MUSIC MINISTRY STAFF

Kathleen Arndt – Child Care Center Administrator

John Barr – Organist

Jim Benedict – Bell Choir Director Kasey Carns – Ministry Intern

Josh Eye – Interim Christian Education Director

Mary Beth Flory – Pianist

Marianne Houff – Children’s Choir Director

Ellsworth Neff – Sound, Light, Video Coordinator Curtis Nolley – Sanctus Choir Director & Music Coordinator

Clarke & Hope Staton – Youth Ministry Coordinators

CONTACT INFORMATION

420 College View Drive, Bridgewater, VA 22812

www.bwcob.org / (540) 828-3711

Normal office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- Noon, and 1-5 p.m.

This is a church events calendar and does not include all building events use.

Please be sure to schedule ALL EVENTS through the church office.

SUNDAY MORNING INFORMATION & TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS

HOSPITALITY CENTER in the Greeting Hall

Nametags; large-print Bibles, hymnals, & bulletins; listening

receivers; and information are available here.

PARKING ASSISTANCE: 10:30-10:55 a.m. every Sunday.

CHILDREN ARE WELCOME!

Children are always welcome among us and in our corporate

worship gatherings. Activity bags are available in the greeting hall

for their use and enjoyment. Additionally, childcare for children

ages birth to kindergarten is available as well as a “cry room” for

those who wish to listen and see the worship service in a separate

room from the sanctuary. Ushers are more than willing to help you

locate these resources.

Decorators – Decorating Committee

Fellowship Host – Beth Day Miller

Candlelighter (11:00) – Brycen Propst

Head Usher – Palmer Lee Berry

Guitarist (8:30) – Brent Holl

Van Driver – Donnie Fulk

Worship Leader – Bill Faw

ATTENDANCE / STEWARDSHIP FOR SUNDAY: 11/24/19

Worship Attendance: 8:30 – 37 11:00 – 200 Sunday School: 124

Pledges & Envelope Giving $6,813.00

Loose Offering 617.17

Food Pantry 100.00

Disaster Relief 50.00

Wednesday Night Meals 333.00

Youth Programs 10.00

College Care Packages 120.00 NEXT SUNDAY– December 8, 2019

Worship: 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. – Sanctuary

Preaching: Christy Dowdy Sermon: “Hope Can’t Wait”

Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10 & Matthew 1:1-17

Children’s Worship during Worship at 11

Bell Choir Rehearsal – 9 a.m. – Choir Room

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m. – Classrooms

Youth Chillax – Noon – Youth Room

InMotion Dance Recital – 4 p.m. – Sanctuary

Lovelight Service – 7 p.m. – BRC Lantz Chapel

FESTIVAL INTROIT FOR ADVENT WRITTEN BY JOHN BARR

This morning’s call to worship, “Festival Introit for Advent” by John

Barr, is written for the BWCOB Sanctus Choir. Today’s presentation in

worship is the premier of one of a group of call to worship settings by

John celebrating high Sundays in the liturgical year.

TODAY’S CHORAL INTROIT TEXT: Philip Doddridge, 1735, alt.

Hark! The glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long.

Let ev’ry heart prepare a throne, and ev’ry voice a song.

He comes, the pris’ners to release, in Satan’s bondage held,

The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,

And with treasure of his grace to bless the humble poor.

Hark! The glad sound! The Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long.

Let ev’ry heart prepare a throne, and ev’ry voice a song. © P. Doddridge, 1735.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-717854

ADVENT FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

Looking for a family devotional for Advent? Check out 25 Days to

Jesus in the church library. The daily scriptures, stories and prayers are

supplemented with activities.

ADVENT OPPORTUNITIES

During the Fellowship Meal on December 4, your family has two Advent

opportunities. Helpers of all ages are needed to decorate the large

Christmas tree in the Greeting Hall. Also, the supersize stars for the

Christmas parade float will be ready for your creative touches. Use the

supplies provided or bring your own.

2019 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL: Ready By Frank Ramirez

The Christmas story is a great drama with colorful characters and

surprising plot twists. But the original scene two thousand years ago

may bear little resemblance to your nativity set at home. Get ready to

learn something new, to see the One who came to us in human flesh in

new light. Get your copy of the devotional booklet from the literature

rack in the greeting hall.

2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The 2020 executive committee was called by the board at the most recent

board meeting, November 20. Thank you to these persons who have agreed

to serve for the coming year.

Ted Flory, Board Chair.

Rufus Huffman, Vice Chair.

Heather Driver, At-large.

Gladys Remnant, At-large.

Steve Longenecker, Moderator.

John Hipps, Associate Moderator.

Sally Jane Conner, Clerk.

Christy Dowdy, Pastor.

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT

The Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, under the direction of Curtis

Nolley, will present its 50th anniversary Christmas concert on Friday,

December 13, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 15, at 3:00 p.m., in our

sanctuary. The concert will feature John Rutter’s ”Magnificat”

accompanied by the SVCS Chamber orchestra and guest soloist, Anne

Wick. The second half of the concert includes a variety of new and

traditional carol settings highlighted by the premier of a new arrangement

of the French carol “Patapan” by the nationally known composer Howard

Helvey, commissioned in celebration of SVCS’s anniversary year. Tickets

are available at the door, on-line at www.singshenandoah.org, Red Front

Supermarket, Bridgewater Foods, or from Choral Society members.

Admission is $15 for adults/$12 for seniors and students.

TROMBONE RECITAL

Kyle Remnant will present his second DMA trombone recital on Saturday,

December 14, at 4pm. The program includes works by Frank Gulino, Bert

Appermont, Jean-Michel Defaye, Launy Grondahl, and Herbert Clarke.

Kyle will be joined by Amy Robertson on piano and John Nye on Trumpet.

The recital will be held in the Recital Hall of JMU’s Forbes Center.

Put peace into each other’s hands ST. COLUMBA

Music: Irish melody

Text: Fred Kaan © 1989 Hope Publishing Company.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-717854

http://www.singshenandoah.org/

While we are waiting Come

Music: Don Cason, arr. By Ken Barker

Text: Claire Cloninger © 1989 Hope Publishing Company.

All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-717854