SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1500 Main Street Higginsville, MO 64037

December 10, 2017 10:30 a.m. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THE GATHERING

MUSIC BEFORE WORSHIP WELCOME: No matter who you are or where you are in your life’s journey, you are welcome here. Welcome to worship, Christian education and fellowship! Please greet one another in the name of the coming Prince of Peace. NEWS OF THE CONGREGATION

ADDRESSING OURSELVES TO GOD

RINGING OF THE BELL Piano Prelude "What Child Is This?" arr. Roed

* CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Let us hear what God will speak, for the Holy One speaks peace to the people, to the faithful, and to all who turn to God in their hearts. People: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet. Righteousness and peace will kiss. Leader: Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. People: The Holy One will give what is good, and we will bring our praise and song. * HYMN “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” No. 124 * INVOCATION (Unison) God of winter and starlight, you have promised us your presence: to live among us, to right all wrongs, to bring good things to all who wait for your new day. In these dark days, we look for signs of your coming: the sounds of children at play,

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the music that fills our hearts with anticipation, the company of all who serve the last and the least. Make us at home with righteousness, that we may be ready to walk in your holy ways. Amen. LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE: PEACE (First and Second Year Confirmation) Isaiah 40: 1-11; Mark 1: 1-8 Leader: A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare ye a way for the Lord.” People: Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; Leader: the uneven ground shall become level, People: and the rough places a plain. Leader: Arise and Ascend! Let us go to the highest and most visible places, and let us proclaim good tidings of peace: People: Christ is coming! Leader: Do not be afraid, lift up your voices so that all may hear and find peace! People: Christ is coming! Leader: Here is our Peace! Although, as sheep, we have often gone astray, God has gathered us with arms of compassion. We are protected in God’s bosom and led to quiet waters. Let us light this candle as we proclaim peace to all. People: We have been gathered; let us share our song of peace with one another. Leader: Today we relight the candle of Hope, because we have confident hope for the future God is creating. And we light the second candle on our Advent wreath, the candle of Peace. We celebrate and remember that our God offers each and all of us a peace that passes all understanding, a peace that shines most fully in the One who is coming into the world once more. *GLORIA PATRI No. 623 2

HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THE WORD

HYMN “The Advent of Our God” No. 120 (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 "The First Noel" arr. Leatherman *Doxology No. 625

*Dedication Prayer

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed (Printed inside back cover of Hymnal) * HYMN “O Come, All Ye Faithful” No. 145

“Christmas IS Cancelled!”

Introduction: Chaos! How Did We Get Here?

Act I: There’s A Baby In The Barn

Everybody Wants to Be Jesus

Stars Of The Show

Getting Ready

Act II: Mayhem In The Manger

Shepherds: Peace and Quiet

Angels: Glorious Glory From Glory

Small Beginnings

The Map!

Act III: What If Christmas Never Came?

He Came!

Conclusion: This Is How We Got Here 3

THE SENDING

*HYMN “Joy to the World!” No. 125 *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE "Go Tell It On the Mountain" arr. Lindberg 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

Aubrie Clark – Acolyte GREETING YOU TODAY ARE: North Door: Kenneth and Carleen Buchanan South Door: Ken and Angie Green IN OUR PRAYERS: Ray Don Paul, is hospitalized at St. Luke’s Hospital (Plaza). Amanda Long, (Stephanie Morgan’s Daughter-Pigeons’ Nest) is hospitalized at St. Luke’s Hospital (Plaza). Marvin Rinne, is receiving rehabilitation at Monterrey Park, 4600 Little Blue Pkwy., Independence, MO 64057. Mary Kirchhoff, is recovering at Meyer Care Center. Wilma Dieckhoff, is currently residing at Meyer Care Center. Myrna Fette, is residing at New Haven Living Center, Odessa.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION would like to invite everyone to join us in the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies and fellowship following the Children’s Christmas Program. We hope to see you there!

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FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING RESCHEDULED: There wasn’t a quorum at the Fall Congregational Meeting on Sunday, November 19, so it has been rescheduled for next Sunday, December 17. It will be held in the sanctuary, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service. The agenda will be the 2018 budget. 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 11, at noon. Please do not feel obligated to buy everything on the wish list. Whatever you choose to give will be appreciated. 2018 ENVELOPES are available in the Fellowship Hall.

SALEM VETERANS SLIDE SHOW: If you would like to watch the Salem Veterans slide show that was part of the worship services on Sunday, November 12, you can tune into Citizens Cablevision Community Access Channel 3. YOM GIVING TREE PROJECT: As we enter another holiday season, Youth on Mission again invites you to be a part of our giving tree project which offers our campers’ talents to you for your chosen donation. It is a busy time of the year for all of you and we would like to offer our talents to make your life a little easier this season and ALL YEAR LONG. Do you have a task that needs to be done? Our campers will complete it for you and you may make a donation to Youth on Mission with what you think is an appropriate donation. Call Delbert Goetz at 660-641-6773 and he will find a camper to do the work! ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS: Are available in the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office. RIDES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: If you need a ride to the Christmas Eve Service please call the church office by Friday, December 22. We will be happy to pick you up!

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CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION AND CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE will be Sunday, December 24, 2017, 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 Sunday, December 31, 2017. Thank you for your consideration.

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 17th 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 13, 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 14, or by noon on Friday, December 15, (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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Narrator: Janice Hoefer

Everybody wants to be Jesus Brooklyn Bergsieker Jesse Cramer Emory Gash Micah Gibler Garrison Salyer Nolan Salyer Bray Stoner Nolan Stoner Charlie Thaller Teacher: Teri Salyer Parent #1 Tina Gibler Parent #2 Brooke Cramer Parent #3 Courtney Bergsieker

Stars of the Show Stella Barnes Abby Cramer Tenley Pessetto Addison Schloman Ada Stoner Dixie Thaller Bailey Urfer Teacher: BJ Salyer

Narrator and Innkeeper Innkeeper: Dawson Goetz

Shepherds Peace and Quiet Jaxon Barnes Abby Cramer Zayden Fisher Charles Grumke Addison Schloman Parson Stoner Teacher: Stacy Barnes

Angels Glorious Glory From Glory Blair Bergsieker Aubrie Clark Kaylee Harden Hailey Pessetto Jordan Smith

Small Beginnings Jaxon Barnes Stella Barnes Blair Bergsieker Aubrie Clark Zayden Fisher Charles Grumke Hailey Pessetto Parson Stoner Dixie Thaller

The Map! Lane Borchers Cooper Fisher Carson Starke

What If Christmas Never Came? Jaxon Barnes Aubrie Clark Cooper Fisher Dawson Goetz Charles Grumke Lydia Grumke Kaylee Harden Sadie Kumm Kendra LaRue Jordan Smith Logan Tracy

Manikins Jaxon Barnes Blair Bergsieker Lane Borchers Cooper Fisher Dawson Goetz Charles Grumke Lydia Grumke Kaylee Hardin Sadie Kumm Kendra LaRue Hailey Pessetto Kristen Smith Carson Starke Logan Tracy

Thank you to:

The teachers and shepherds who volunteer their time each

week

Jamie Smith for her amazing musical talents.

Stacy Barnes, Courtney Bergsieker, Brooke Cramer, Tina

Gibler, Amy Goetz, Rhonda Grumke, Janice Hoefer, Alivia

Kumm, Tania Pessetto, Teri Salyer, B.J. Salyer, and Mandy

Thaller for all the time put in to make this program happen.

Board of Christian Education for serving at the reception

The men that stayed after church last Sunday to set up the

stage (Keill Borchers, Delbert Goetz, Lowell Grumke, Wes

Homfeld, Paul Howell, Dave Starke, Pete Thaller) and to

the men that will be taking it back down today after the

program.

Joe & Lindsey Rolf for the sound system set-up

To everyone who made delicious cookies and brought them

to share with our congregation and our youth today!

June Howell for being the director

To all the parents and children who dedicated their time to

this program

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He Came! Kristen Smith

Costume coordinators Amy Goetz Rhonda Grumke Tania Pessetto

Music Jamie Smith

COMMUNITY NEWS: CMFA ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Lafayette County C-1 Blue and Gold Singers will perform at the Confederate Chapel this afternoon, Sunday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments of Homemade cookies and apple cider will be served following the concert.

CHORUS OF FRIENDS PRESENTS: And It Came to Pass Emmanuel, by Jay Rouse and Rose Aspianll (Conducted by: Dr. Guy D’Aurelio) Performance Schedule: Sunday, December 10, 4:00 p.m., Higginsville Immanuel Lutheran Monday, December 11, 7:30 p.m., Odessa Church of Christ Friday, December 15, 7:30 p.m., Lexington United Methodist Saturday, December 16, 4:00 p.m., Alma Trinity Lutheran Church Sunday, December 17, 4:00 p.m., Wellington United Methodist

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 Bible Study during the month of December, Father Tom Hawkins (Catholic) during the month of January, Terry Cook (Methodist) during the month of February, Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) during the month of March. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room.

UP COMING DATES: December 11 – Please have Angel Tree gifts to church December 13 – Please call church office if placing a poinsettia in church December 14 – Homebound Communion (Out of Town) Please have Poinsettias to church December 15 – Homebound Communion (In Town) Please have Poinsettias to church this day by noon December 17 – Third Sunday of Advent Rescheduled Fall Congregational Meeting Youth on Mission Cookie Sale December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 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. OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to Noon & 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE: Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office (584-3603) to make arrangements. 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

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THIS WEEK’S EVENTS AT SALEM

December 10, thru December 17, 2017 Sunday - Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 8:45 a.m. Christmas Program Practice 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship/Children’s Christmas Program Noon, Ryland Homfeld Family Christmas Party Monday - Please have Angel Tree Gifts to Church 4:00 p.m. Brownie Troop 3152 5:00 p.m. Tomorrow’s Leaders Photo Pickup Tuesday - Afternoon Quilting 7:00 p.m. Webelos

Wednesday – Please Call Church Office About Poinsettias 10:30 a.m. Lafayette Area Pastors Meeting 2:00 p.m. Young Peacemakers 4:30 p.m. Arrow of Light 5:00 p.m. Bear Den 6:00 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Al-Anon Meeting 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursday - Homebound Communion (Out of Town) Please Have Poinsettias to Church Afternoon Quilting 6:00 p.m. Board of Elders Meeting 7:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting Friday - Homebound Communion (In Town) Please Have Poinsettias to Church by Noon Saturday - Angel Tree Gift Delivery 9:30 a.m. A. A. Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent YOM Cookie Sale 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Rescheduled Fall Congregational Meeting following 10:30 a.m. Worship