Congregational Church of Boca Raton SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 A.M. DECEMBER 28, 2014 Welcome to Worship!  No matter who you are or where you are on Life’s journey, you are welcome at Congregational Church of Boca Raton, UCC. Our doors are wide open to all who desire a closer relationship with God. We welcome believers, seekers, and doubters; ANYONE, JUST AS YOU ARE.   Large-print bulletin and hearing devices are available from the ushers. Please keep this a time of quiet reflection in preparation of worship.  God is calling you today, but not on your cell phone! Please remember to turn it off, or you may leave it with our head usher if you are expecting an emergency call.  Nursery and pre-school care is available during worship, if you wish. All children are encouraged to come to the altar during Children's Time. Following Children’s Time, the children will go as a group to their Sunday School classes.  Please fill out the Friendship Pad at the end of each pew, then pass it along to your neighbor to sign. If you are a visitor or guest, please include your mailing and/or email addresses so we may keep in touch.  Adult Fellowship invites you to join us before worship for coffee in the foyer area. After worship, please join us for conversation, coffee, punch, and cookies in the fellowship hall. Pastor Tom Lacey tomlacey@churchofboca.org 251 SW Fourth Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33432 Quiet Time “Be still, and know that I am God.” Prelude A Christmas Fantasy Psalm 46:10 Traditional Welcome Rev. Vardell Swett Today is a new day, rising fresh from the Creator’s hand. Today we begin again, with praise and thanks to God who made us, Christ who redeemed us and the Spirit who guides us. Here we participate in the fellowship of the forgiven, the church. It is good to be together today. Prayer Requests Call to Worship Presents unwrapped, Batteries are all run-down. Christmas trees are turning brown. Still, one present glows so bright— The Child in a manger with heavenly light. Christmas continues the whole year round Whenever love and kindness abound. So gather your wits and sing loud and strong. Christmas continues, so raise up your song! * Hymn (PH #125) Good Christian Men, Rejoice Prayer of Confession Let us pray Almighty god, you have wondrously revealed yourself in the Holy Child of Bethlehem. By faith we kneel beside the manger-throne, hoping that somehow he will be born in us here and now. For Jesus’ sake, grant that we may share in a new birth of faith. Teach us to recognize your presence in our lives, and bring us at the last to the realm of your glory, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Children’s Time Announcements Scripture (NT p. 211) Choral Anthem 2 Timothy 1:6-10 What Child Is This? Message traditional Fear Not Pastoral Prayer God be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to God Most High. It is right to give God thanks and praise. Lord’s Prayer (Debts/Debtors) Sharing the Peace The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you. Meet Someone New Offering of Tithes and Gifts Gracious and loving God, giver of all that is good and true, may our offerings represent our work, our blessings, and our faith. May they be good and true offerings as they witness to our gratitude and love for you, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Solo God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Juan Mansilla * Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise God, all creatures here below Praise God above, ye heavenly host Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. * Hymn (PH #348) * Benediction * Spirit Song O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love. My Faith Look Up to Thee Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul. O let him have the things that hold you, and his Spirit like a dove will descend upon your life and make you whole. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs. Postlude Auld Lang Syne Scottish Folk Medley * Those who are able may stand Prayer Requests December 28, 2014 Thank you for the wonderful service by our children on Sunday. And thank you to all the leaders and parents who gave of themselves as well. Holy God, may we see in the babe of Bethlehem how very much you love us. May our worship and praise glorify you through Him. We pray for a solution to the crisis in Crimea and the Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Israel and Palestine. We pray for all those displaced and terrorized by war and violence, and we pray for victims and families of all those affected by natural disasters around our world. We continue to pray for all those facing tough economic situations, for those who still can’t find work. We pray for our leaders to have continuing compassion and care for those who are struggling. We pray for members, friends, and our neighbors: Family and friends of: Vernon Ebert; Eric Zachrisson; Louise Seeds; Ruth Hawkins; Ed Hindle; Mildred Bird; Margaret Sorenson; Rhoda Alter; Leo Hermann; Willy Willard; and all those who are grieving loved ones. Selwyn Sherman; Marie Williams; Eleanor Magee; Noelle and Daniel; Arlene Esposito, Bonnie and Bob Tust; Susan Whitten; Tamara Pope; Kim Smith; Lynn Baker Diers; Beth Soufleris; Seth Peterson and family; Rose Breakell; Donna O’Connor; Randall Garland; Arnold Sams; Bill and Maria Collins; Florence Gomes and her daughter, Mala; Audrey Eisnor; Annika Ljungberg. We pray for our service men and women. ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS The Christmas Fund Today Remembering Those Who Serve Our Church provides financial aid to retired and active ministers and their surviving spouses and children who face overwhelming financial demands. It is a ministry carried out by the UCC Pension Boards. This special offering is received annually at Christmas. Prayer Fellowship Friday, January 2nd The Prayer Fellowship and Bible Study meets every Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Rosser room. Everyone is invited to join us. We use the Upper Room devotional as our study guide. For more information please contact John Bird at 561-400-5604. Adult Fellowship Luncheon Wednesday, January 7th The regular meeting of the Adult Fellowship will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, January 7th. As part of our “Health and Wellness” series, our guest speaker is Reiki Master Rey Lourdes. Lunch will be available for $5.00. Please sign up in the Rosser room. Adult Study Group Wednesday, January 7th You are invited to join the Adult Study Group as we explore the Bible from the beginning. The Adult Study Group meets on Wednesday evenings, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Our study is based on the Kerygma program: Discovering the Bible. For more information, please call Pastor Tom at 561-395-9255. Collection Envelopes The 2015 Collection envelopes, for everyone who requested a box, have arrived. Please pick up your box in the Rosser room. There are a few sets of envelopes available. Please contact Sandi in the church office if you would like one. 561-395-9255 B.C.E.O. Thursday, January 8th Boca Christians Eating Out takes place each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and conversation. Due to the holidays, the next B.C.E.O will be on January 8th at Checkers Old Munchen German/ American Restaurant, 2209 E. Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach. So that we can reserve enough room, please sign up in the Rosser room or call the church anytime before that Thursday. 561-395-9255. New Member Orientation Sunday, January 11th Are you interested in becoming a member of Congregational Church of Boca Raton? Join Pastor Tom for an orientation class on January 11th immediately after worship. We will be welcoming new members into the congregation on January 25th. Adult Study Group Tuesday, January 13th You are invited to join our Tuesday afternoon Adult Study Group as we begin “Learning to Walk in the Dark.” The Adult Study Group meets on Tuesday afternoons, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information or information on purchasing the book by Barbara Brown Taylor, please call Pastor Tom at 561-395-9255. Lunch Bunch Wednesday, January 14th A time for Food, Fellowship and Fun. Come to church at noon on Wednesdays with a sandwich. We serve beverages and dessert. After lunch stay and play Mah Jongg (beginners welcome!) or bring a favorite game of your own to share. Knit One, Crafts Too! Friday, January 16th Join us on Friday morning, December 19 at 9:00 a.m. for a joyful hour of crafts. Bring your project, or help us make preemie caps and blankets for local hospitals. We have had a special request for tiny baby blankets for the smallest of babies. Free knitting lessons if you want to learn in order to help with this Good Deed! For more information call Sandi in the office, 561-395-9255. Walk on Water January 16th—18th Teens, mark your calendars now for Walk on Water in Miami, FL. This is a weekend-long conference for middle school and high school youth. Please contact Marit Lacey for details. Registration deadline is January 3rd. Prime Time! Wednesday, January 21st Dinner is served at 6:00 pm. Followed by band practice and Drama Club. Sign up for Spring! The spring session will meet January 21, February 11 and 25, March 11 and 25, April 15 and 29, and May 13. The cost to cover some of the expenses for dinners and materials for the spring session will be $25 for one child and $35 for more than one! Bowling Sunday, January 25 Calling all bowlers for bowling after church at Strikes Boca Raton. A lot of fun for serious bowlers, but mostly for bowlers of all ages who are serious about having fun with Church friends! $10 per person includes bowling, shoes, pizza and drink. Sign up on the sign-up sheet so we know how many lanes to book. Morning Communion Service Wednesday, January 28th Start your morning in communion with God as you join us for a midweek worship service. We will be resuming our Wednesday morning communion services at 8:30 am on January 28th. Teaching/Acolyte Schedule This Week: One Room .............................. Rachel and Tony Borchers Next Week: Preschool/K............................ Barbara Lacey 1 - 3 ........................................ Marit Lacey 4 - 5 ........................................ Rachel and Tony Borchers Middle/High ........................... Family Worship Saturday, January 31, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rosser Room and Fellowship Hall We Need: You, your friends and your neighbors to donate stuff they no longer need. Let’s all de-clutter in the New Year! Spread the word. (Plus it’s tax deductible!) We also need: Volunteers to help set up and/or work during the sale. This is a wonderful fellowship opportunity! Please sign up in the Rosser Room with the hours you are willing to volunteer. Donations: Household items, tools, furniture, kitchen ware, linens, shoes, bags, books, toys, jewelry. Boutique-style women’s/men’s clothing, gently used, cleaned and on hangers please. NO computers or their components. NO older or large appliances. Please call ahead to bring in your sale items. Regular Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekend drop off can be arranged. Pickup may also be arranged. Please be sure to call the church office (561) 395-9255 and speak with Sandi. Setup will be Monday-Friday, January 26-30. Look for the signup sheet in the Rosser Room for volunteer hours. Sale hours: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 31st! Please sign up for hours you can serve; training will be provided. Why: To raise money for church needs and a time for fellowship! Let's all work together and make this another successful sale! 10:00 am Worship Communion 4 28 10:00 am Worship Rev. Vardell Swett Sunday Monday 5 29 6:30 pm AA Epiphany 6:30 pm AA Tuesday 6 30 7 7:00 pm Choir rehearsal 6:00 pm Adult Study 12:00 noon Adult Fellowship Luncheon New Year’s Eve 31 Wednesday 1 7:00 pm AA 6:30 am B.C.E.O 8 Office Closed New Year’s Day Thursday 10:00 am Prayer Fellowship 10:00 am Prayer Fellowship Friday 9 2 3 10 Saturday Congregational Church of Boca Raton 251 SW 4th Avenue Boca Raton, Florida 33432 Phone: 561-395-9255 e-mail: office@churchofboca.org Web site: www.churchofboca.org Pastor: Tom Lacey: Home: 561-381-5222 Cell: 561-306-5208 Moderator: John Fenner: 561-750-5044 Staff Administrator Sandi Kilbride Children’s Ministry Director Marit Lacey Sound: Wendell Jackson Sexton: Nicholas R. Wurster Music Ministry Director Juan Mansilla Organist/Pianist: Nicholas R. Wurster Section Leaders Lindsey Novitske, Alto Linda Siers, Soprano Jorge Valls, Tenor This Week’s Volunteers Deacon of the Sunday: Kathy & Joe Cogley Office Helpers: Lucille Bruno, Grayce Esposito, Audrey Michele, George Sinclair, Carol Vass, and Diana Willard Hospitality: Frances Bell; Gail and Barry Donovan; Grayce Esposito, Lorraine Folino; Sarah Hugus; Audrey Michele; Judy Vandermark, Larry Williams Children’s Choir: Marit Lacey Youth Choir: Nest Jones-Teixeira Sunday School Volunteers: One Room ............. Rachel & Tony Borchers We welcome everyone, no matter who they are, or where they are on life’s journey!