SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1500 North Main

Higginsville, Missouri

web page: salemucchigginsville.org

December 8, 2019 10:30 a.m.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE GATHERING

MUSIC BEFORE WORSHIP

* PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” No. 118

WELCOME: No matter who you are or where you are in your life’s journey, you are welcome here. Welcome! “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2), so let us repent – turn our lives around – and prepare for the Lord’s coming.

NEWS OF THE CONGREGATION

ADDRESSING OURSELVES TO GOD

RINGING OF THE BELL

Piano Prelude “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Brooks/ arr. Hayes * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Long ago the people were given a sign of God’s presence. People: “Look, the young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” Leader: God’s promise to us remains sure and true: God’s anointed Son will soon walk among us, to lighten our darkness, to restore the joy of our salvation, to save us from sin. People: God—the God of all love—is with us. Praise the Lord!

* INVOCATION (Unison) Surprising God, you make your presence known in unexpected ways, and challenge our comfortable assumptions about how you work. Meet us here today and open our hearts to recognize you in our midst calling us to live into your new thing: a world where your love takes shape in justice and peace. In the name of the One who is coming, we pray. Amen.

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LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE: Isaiah 64.1-9 Tania, Hailey, and Tenley Pessetto

Reader 1: God, we light the first candle of Advent. Reader 2: We kindle it with hope. We long for you to come to our world, to break through and reign with compassion, justice, and peace. Reader 1: The prophet Isaiah also cried to God to tear open heaven and come down. He called God's people to do right. Isaiah called them to be refashioned like clay by God, the potter. This Advent, we call out to God. People: Mighty God, creator of the world, break through all that keeps us from you. We ask for your mercy and reform us in your image. This Advent, visit us with your justice, love, and peace. Amen. *GLORIA PATRI No. 623

HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THE WORD

MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES June

HYMN “Lo!, How a Rose E’er Blooming” No. 160

(Please write your joys and concerns on the card and hand it to the usher during the hymn) JOYS AND CONCERNS Preparation for prayer PASTORAL PRAYER, THE LORD’S PRAYER (“debts” and “debtors” words in hymn No. 426)

MORNING OFFERING Offertory “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” Traditional Polish Carol/arr. Thompson *Doxology No. 625

*Dedication Prayer

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Printed inside back cover of Hymnal)

CHANCEL CHOIR “Little Bitty Baby” Price/Besig

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PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING

SCRIPTURE READING Luke 1: 38-55 (N.T. p. 53)

SERMON “God Looks with Favor on God’s Servants” Tommy

THE SENDING

*HYMN “I Surrender All” No. 366

*BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “Sing We Now of Christmas” Traditional French Carol/arr. Hayes

The Worship Service is over and our Service begins. *Indicates please stand if you are able to do so

**************************************** Leading Worship Today:

Rev. Dr. Tommy L. Faris – Pastor Stanton Thompson – Liturgist

June Howell – Christian Education Coordinator Jamie Smith – Substitute Organist/Music Director

Acolyte

GREETING YOU TODAY ARE: North Door: Rickie Goring South Door: Stacy Barnes

IN OUR PRAYERS: Lester Homfeld, is hospitalized at Centerpoint Medical and has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, he will be starting treatment. Charles Cole, is hospitalized at Centerpoint Medical Center with pneumonia and other lung issues. Doris Jane Stoner, is at Meyer Care Center receiving physical therapy. Elva Dean Erdman, has a treatment plan for her cancer. Marvin Rinne, is at home with hospice. Kirk Smith, continued prayers for his lung transplant to happen in God's time.

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WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY TO: The family of Pearl Luehrman. Pearl passed away Thursday, November 28, 2019. Her funeral service was held at Salem, Saturday, December 7, 2019. FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS: Are placed in loving memory of Ann Nuelle by her family. FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS: Are placed in loving memory of Pearl Luehrman by her family. ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADVENT CHORALE: The 37th Advent Chorale will be held today at Salem United Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m. The director will be Jamie Smith. The final rehearsal will be this afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. All who enjoy singing and fellowship are invited to participate! Offering collected will benefit Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy, MO as they recover from flood damage. Eve Circle Schedules for December Eve Circle – December 10, 6:00 p.m., in the Multi-Purpose Room, Pot Luck evening meal. PICTORIAL DIRECTORY: It is Pictorial Directory time! Lifetouch will be at the church Feb 6 & 7 from 2-9 p.m. and Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. We will have sign up before and after both services starting on December 29. You can also reserve your appointment online at https://booknow-

lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b5qq213g/. This time, you also have the option of submitted your own photo, if this is the route you wish to take, please contact Peggy Pragman or Emily Bergsieker. We also need volunteers, so if you would like to help please let us know. See flier insert for more details. ANGEL TREE: The Angel Tree is up and decorated so you can choose the tag or tags you wish to buy for. Buy and wrap the gifts, returning them with the tags number side up, no later than Monday, December 16, at noon.

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ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS: Are available in the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office. 2020 ENVELOPES are available in the Fellowship Hall. Children's Christmas Program Practice: There will be a Saturday practice on December 14th. The name of the Play is "Star Stuck, It’s A Miracle" The Christmas Program will be December 15th during the 10:30 worship Service. COOKIES NEEDED: Anyone willing to make a dozen or so cookies for the Children's Christmas Program Reception, please drop them off in the office during the week of December 8th through the 13th. Thank you! VOLUNTEERS: Everyone who is willing to help in setting up the stage for the Christmas Program, please meet in the sanctuary toady after the Advent Chorale. Any and all help is appreciated! YOM COOKIE/BAKE SALE: Do you need some yummy, homemade cookies and/or baked goodies this holiday season? Our annual cookie/bake sale will be held after BOTH worship services on Sunday, December 22nd in the Fellowship Hall, and as in the past, you may fill a box (or more!) and make a donation to Youth on Mission at that time. Can’t make it to our cookie/bake sale that day? Call Amy Goetz at 660-641-2406 to place your order and it will be delivered to you! POINSETTIAS: We will appreciate having poinsettias in church again this Christmas. If you wish to place a plant in memory of someone, please notify the church secretary (584-3603) by Wednesday, December 18, so that she can print it in the church bulletin. Be sure your name is on the plant that you bring. Please leave it in the fellowship hall on the stage by Thursday, December 19, or by noon on Friday, December 20, (Please do not bring the poinsettias before these dates), the flower committee will place the plants in the sanctuary. You may collect your poinsettia after the Christmas Eve Service.

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RIDES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: If you need a ride to the Christmas Eve Service please call the church office by Monday, December 23. We will be happy to pick you up! CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION AND CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE will be Tuesday, December 24, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES: If you will not be able to attend the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service or you do not have boxed envelopes with the Christmas Eve offering envelope, please use the purple envelopes in the back of the sanctuary marked “Christmas Fund”. The Christmas Eve offering always goes to a mission. We always send a gift from us to the “Christmas Fund” (Formerly known as “Veterans of the Cross”). YEAR END CHURCH BUSINESS: Please have all church financial contributions and business transactions to the church office by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Thank you for your consideration. WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEW THEATRE TRIP: The Women’s Fellowship will be attending the New Theatre matinee on April 8, 2020 to see Church Basement Ladies starring Cindy Williams. We have reserved 12 seats for that date. The cost will be $32.00 per person. A signup sheet is posted on the bulletin board by the church office. Please sign up and turn in money by December 18, 2019. Ladies, we will have to share rides as we do not have a church van. We will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. on April 8, 2020. STEWARDSHIP NEWS: Please mail or bring to the Church Office your Stewardship “Heart Work” Inventories. Thank you.

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INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELLATIONS: If the church council makes the decision to close church because of inclement weather, these are the stations that will have the cancelation notices: KMBC 9, KCWE 29, Fox 4, KCTV 5, 41 Action News, KMMO, KMZU, KOKO. To be added to the church closing text list, send a text message to 81010 with the message @h8k8f7, when you do this you will get a text message telling you the church will be closed if there is inclement weather. Thank you to June Howell for coordinating this! NEWS FROM THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE: Pick up one of the Dream Cards to share your dreams for the future of Salem. These will be on display during the year as we remember our past, serve our present, and celebrate our future together. SALEM STORIES: Our 150th anniversary celebration continues when we tell our stories! We hope that you take time to interview someone in the church and let someone interview you! The committee is recommending that you download the StoryCorps app for Apple or Android and utilize this easy to use method for recording your conversation. If this will not work for you, Crystal will be happy to schedule a time with you for you to use one of her devices. More detailed instructions are available in the multipurpose room. Let’s gather our Salem Stories!

COMMUNITY NEWS: JKV AND MEYER CARE CENTER BIBLE STUDY: John Knox Village and Meyer Care Center have a weekly Bible Study that is led, on a rotational schedule, by the Ministerial Fellowship. Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) will be leading during the month of December. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room.

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CHORUS OF FRIENDS PRESENTS: The Glory of Christmas (Conducted by: Dr. Guy D’Aurelio) Performance Schedule: Sunday, December 8, 4:00 p.m., Higginsville Immanuel Lutheran Church Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m., Waverly Christian Church Saturday, December 14, 4:00 p.m., Corder Zion Lutheran Church Sunday, December 15, 4:00 p.m., Wellington United Methodist Church Cantata by Lloyd Larson

UP COMING DATES: December 15 – Third Sunday of Advent Children’s Christmas Program (10:30 a.m. Service)

December 16 – Please have Angel Tree gifts to church

December 18 – Please call Church Office with Poinsettia Information December 19 – Homebound Communion December 20 – Homebound Communion Please have Poinsettias to church this day by noon December 22 – Fourth Sunday of Advent Youth on Mission Cookie Sale December 24 – 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle Light/ Communion Service

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CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! If your child is most comfortable with you in worship, they are welcome. If you prefer, the nursery room is open and available for parents who would like to take their child there and stay with them. CHURCH INFORMATION

Tommy’s email: tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy’s cell phone: 816-352-2052

Church Telephone: 660-584-3603, Fax: 660-584-5666 Church Email: salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE: Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office (584-3603) to make arrangements.

OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to Noon & 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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THIS WEEK’S EVENTS AT SALEM December 8, thru December 15, 2019

Sunday - Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 8:45 a.m. Youth Choir Rehearsal

9:15 a.m. Sunday School/Christmas Program Practice 9:15 am. Chime Bell Choir Rehearsal 9:25 a.m. Little Notes Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:45 a.m. Confirmation 2:00 p.m. Advent Chorale Practice

4:00 p.m. Advent Chorale Reception Following Stage Set-up for Christmas Program

Monday - No Activities Scheduled

Tuesday - Food Pantry

Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. Lafayette Area Pastors Meeting 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous

7:00 p.m. Al-Anon

Thursday - 6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack Meeting 6:00 p.m. Board of Elders Meeting

Friday - 7:00 p.m. A. A.

Saturday - 9:00 a.m. Christmas Program Practice 9:30 a.m. A. A.

Sunday- Third Sunday of Advent 8:15 a.m. Christmas Program Practice 8:30 a.m. Early Worship

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship/Children’s Christmas Program Reception Following Worship

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UCC Mission Moment At General Synod earlier this year, delegates to the gathering made resolutions to address many issues facing our nation and world, including the country’s growing opioid addiction crisis. Delegates challenged local churches and conferences to recognize opioid addiction as a health epidemic and to partner with corporations, governments, and health care providers. Even before the Synod resolution, Fusion United Church of Christ, an interfaith spiritual community in Piqua, Ohio was already engaged in the fight. After they learned that 310 people in their small town had overdosed on opioids in 2017, the faith community took a stand. Working with the sheriff’s department, they became a host site for Project DAWN. Project DAWN is a training program that teaches residents about addiction and the effects opioids have on breathing. Students come away from the course not only with knowledge, but also with a nasal spray they can administer to a victim in the case of an overdose. The spray can reverse the overdose, and help the patient live to receive addiction-recovery services. The training is also an opportunity for fellowship, community-building and spiritual growth, as participants are also invited for a meal and a devotional time. The path to addiction and overdose has many stops along the way. Fusion UCC’s partnership with Project DAWN is just one way to combat addiction, but it is an important one. Karen Tompkins Jamison, pastor of the interfaith community, says that not all the participants are drug users themselves. The church has offered the training for teens who frequently come across parents who have overdosed. She also notes that, “offering a meal is a way to deal with food insecurity in our area.” One participant came just for the meal on a Thursday, ended up staying for the training and by Sunday she had used the training on a neighbor. You can find out more about the Fusion community’s presence in their neighborhood by checking out their website: fusionucc.org.

Second Sunday of Advent - Prayer for Peace O come, O come Emmanuel! There is violence and dis-ease in our hearts and in our world.

Save us, we pray, from the brutality of war, and all assaults on our inner peace. Remind us that you bring the peace

that passes all understanding. Help us to be purveyors of your peace,

here and now and always. Amen.