OAK CREEK COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 8:00 and 10:45am First Sunday of Advent November 29, 2015 *You are welcome to stand as you are able. Congregational parts in bold.

PRELUDE

ANNOUNCEMENTS Carol S/Liz I

(Please take a moment to register your presence on the Fellowship Pad and include each

person attending with you and all contact information. If you are visiting us this morning,

welcome! We encourage you to pick up a visitor bag on the bench by the front door as you

leave. Prayer cards are in the chair racks in the Sanctuary. Place the cards in the offering

plate later in the service.)

TIME OF CENTERING

Please ponder this quote in your meditations as you prepare and center yourself for worship Life is a constant call from God to go from where we are to where (God) wants us to be. . . Worship

music at its best is music that calls us to pilgrimage. Transition music may be subtle, but not just

hymns, anthems and songs call us to go deeper, move closer, change, grow. Rev. Dan Motto, from Christian Sound & Song, Issue No. 18, pg.20

THE TRIUNE BELLS We use a three-bell chime to remind us of the Triune God now

present in our worship -- God the Creator/Father, God the Christ/Son, and God the Holy

Spirit.

*CALL TO WORSHIP 8:00 Carol S & 10:45 Robert L

L: The days are surely coming, says our God,

When justice and righteousness will appear.

P: God’s promises will be made known to us,

And we will declare God’s goodness and salvation.

L: Lift up your souls in trust and praise;

Open your hearts and minds to God’s teaching.

P: God’s ways will be demonstrated to us,

And we will seek to walk in them all our days.

L: Render thanksgiving to God for all life’s benefits.

Watch and pray, in holiness and abiding faith.

P: God’s mercy and steadfast love will surround us.

And we will abound in love for one another.

*OPENING SONG Hail to the Lord’s Anointed UMH 203

The United Methodist Hymnal – Red Hymnal (UMH)

*OPENING PRAYER In obedience and trust, we approach you, God of the covenant.

Day by day, your promises are fulfilled among us. Our redemption is drawing near.

Help us to prepare ourselves and our communities for Christ’s coming. Equip us now

to worship you with all the saints, past and present, nearby and far away. Amen.

DRAMA DISCIPLES Hearing the News about the Census

8:00 Mary – Bonnie C and Joseph – Jerry B

10:45 Mary – Jenny V and Joseph – Robert L

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH (see insert)

8:00 Dale and Susan T & 10:45 Kyle & Kristin C

10:45 A MESSAGE FOR EVERY AGE (Following Children’s Time at the late service,

children in 5K-3rd grade are invited to Children’s Church downstairs in the 3rd/4th Grade

Room.)

L: And Jesus said . . . Liz I

All: Let the Children come!

SONG FROM THE PSALMS Psalm 150 UMH 862

CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURE 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 page 192/204

New Testament/Pew Bible

GOSPEL READING Luke 21:25-36 80/85

L: The Word of God for the people of God. New Testament/Pew Bible

P: Thanks be to God.

HYMN SING Rich & Liz I

SONG OF PRAYER Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming UMH 216

SILENT PRAYER and PRAYERS FOR ONE VOICE 8:00 Nancy B 10:45 Liz I

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily

bread. And forgive us our sins*, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not

into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and

the glory, forever. Amen. (*may also say trespasses or debts)

SHARING OUR GIFTS

*SONG OF PRAISE (sung) UMH 94

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia!

Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!

Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*WE SAY THANK YOU TOGETHER Thank you, God, for this family of faith, which

enriches our lives and enables us to share. Thank you for making us aware that some

faint with fear and others dwell in hopelessness. We are grateful that you show us ways

to lift the burdens of our sisters and brothers. May our offerings further this ministry

among us and beyond our community. Amen.

*CLOSING SONG Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates UMH 213

*A GOOD WORD AS WE GO OUT 8:00 Nancy B 10:45 Liz I

POSTLUDE

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*You are welcome to stand as you are able

Mission Statement:

Oak Creek Community United Methodist Church is a Christian fellowship whose mission is to: worship God, love and serve all people, grow in faith and

invite others to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

PHONE: (414) 762-4600 WEB SITE: http://www.occumc.org EMAIL: office@occumc.org or pastor@occumc.org

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: office@occumc.org Find us on Facebook! facebook.com/occumc

No matter where you are on your journey, ALL are welcome here.

Oak Creek Community United Methodist Church

November 29, 2015

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Candle liturgy

L: The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. In

commemoration of that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas

and reflect on the coming of Christ. It is significant that the church has always used that

language—the coming of Christ—because it speaks to a deep truth. Christ is coming.

Christ is always coming, always entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so we

light the first candle, the candle of hope, and dare to express our longing for peace, for

healing, and the well-being of all creation.

(Light the first candle.)

All: Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, we open all the dark places in our

lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of

hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of

Christ.

L: Take time, in the busyness of this season, for quiet reflection.

For the light of God’s love is discernible everywhere.

P: We will let ourselves be surprised by wonder,

And set aside time to offer quiet thanks. L: The good news of Advent is this:

Christ is coming. Christ is always coming.

P: We will welcome Christ into our hearts.

We will let ourselves be guided by his ministry.

We will go forth from this place in hope.

Song of Response O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211, vs. 1

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Candle liturgy

L: The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. In

commemoration of that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas

and reflect on the coming of Christ. It is significant that the church has always used that

language—the coming of Christ—because it speaks to a deep truth. Christ is coming.

Christ is always coming, always entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so we

light the first candle, the candle of hope, and dare to express our longing for peace, for

healing, and the well-being of all creation.

(Light the first candle.)

All: Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, we open all the dark places in our

lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of

hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of

Christ.

L: Take time, in the busyness of this season, for quiet reflection.

For the light of God’s love is discernible everywhere.

P: We will let ourselves be surprised by wonder,

And set aside time to offer quiet thanks. L: The good news of Advent is this:

Christ is coming. Christ is always coming.

P: We will welcome Christ into our hearts.

We will let ourselves be guided by his ministry.

We will go forth from this place in hope.

Song of Response O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211, vs. 1

Our Staff: NURSERY ATTENDANTS Beverly PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR Sara H CHOIR DIRECTOR Shelly S BELL CHOIR Shelly S CHOIR ACCOMPANIST Jeanne R CHILDREN’S CHOIR Sarah T ORGANIST Todd A ADMIN. ASSIST. Debbie R CUSTODIAN Amy P PASTOR Rev. Wendee Assisting In Worship: LITURGIST 8:00 Carol S 10:45 Robert L ACOLYTE 8:00 10:45 USHERS 8:00 Dale & Susan T 10:45 Michelle & Sean G GREETERS 8:00 Kurt V 10:45 Nancy B HYMN SING LEADERS Rich & Liz I CHILDREN’S CHURCH Lynn W Diana J ADVENT WREATH 8:00 Dale & Susan T 10:45 Kyle & Kristin C COUNTERS Jennifer F Kary S UNLOCKING

Our South East District has established a district-

wide prayer connection, inviting churches to pray

for each other in a unified way. The District sends

us a list showing which church to pray for each

week

This week we will pray for: Evansville UMC,

Their pastor, Norman Bude, and their 212

members. November 30 – December 8

Calendar Sunday – November 29 UM Student Day 8:00am Worship/coffee hour 9:00am Children’s choir 9:30am NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:45am Worship/coffee hour Monday – November 30 9:00am Preschool 7:00 p.m. AA Tuesday – December 1 GIVING TUESDAY 9:00am Preschool 1:00pm DBS 6:30pm DBS Wednesday –December 2 9:00am Preschool 5:30pm Dinner gathering 6:00pm Advent interactive event 6:15pm Bell Choir 7:30pm Altar Choir 7:30pm Pastor at S Milw charge conf Thursday – December 3 9:00am Preschool 6:00pm Thursday night Bible Study Sunday – December 6 8:00am Worship/coffee hour 9:00am Children’s choir 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship/coffee hour 12:00pm Potluck 12:30pm Charge Conference

Serve a Meal at Bay View United

Methodist Church Please help Bay View United Methodist Church by

serving a meal on Sunday December 13th

from 2-

5:30pm. We will be carpooling from church.

Leaving at 1:30. We do not provide the food, only

help serve the meal. Please contact Joan C by

December 6th

to volunteer. Joan’s email:

califdreamin@wi.rr.com, cell 414-322-8315 (voice

mail or text). Time for the Giving Season

Giving Tuesday December 1, 2015

Giving Tuesday is a global day dedicated to giving

back. On December 1, businesses, families,

churches, charities, students, and more will come

together for one common purpose: to celebrate

generosity and to give.

Please consider giving a donation to Advance

#901375 this year! Go to www.umcmission.org to

make your donation to United Methodist

Volunteers In Mission - North Central Jurisdiction.

Or perhaps you would donate to UMCOR Global

Refugee/Migration Advance #3022144. Or you

can go to umcom.org/givingtuesday to donate to

the technology side of the Conference as they save

lives by meeting technological emergencies.

Global Ministries will allocate matching funds up

to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects

received online on Dec. 1, 2015, between 12:00am

and 11:59pm CT.

Christmas Giving Tree That most wonderful time of the year is rapidly

approaching. The Christmas Giving Tree will be

going up on November

22nd in the Friendship

Room. The Mission

Work Area will be

preparing 75 tags for the

tree this year, with the

hope that members and friends of the congregation

will help bring some smiles and joy to children in

need. The value of the gift should be in the $20-

$25 range.

The unwrapped gifts will be collected through

December 13, wrapped at church, and distributed

to the children at Northcott Neighborhood House

on Milwaukee’s north side. Anyone who would

like to assist with wrapping the gifts is welcome.

Please contact Alicia or Harold W. at 414-421-

7388.

Volunteer Opportunities Interfaith can always use volunteers to visit

isolated older adults who would enjoy a visit from

individuals or families, perhaps with a lunch to

share. Call the South Shore Regional Interfaith

office at 762-1998 for more information.

If you would like to deliver food to home-bound or

homeless veterans, check out VolunteerMatch.org,

which is working with Interfaith to reach out to this

group.

Please fill the bin in the Fellowship Room with

non-perishable items, 2016 calendars, and

Christmas cards for South Shore Regional

Interfaith. Our deadline is Dec 13.

St. Benedict the Moor (St. Ben’s), 1015 N. 9th

Street, needs volunteers to help with their Holiday

Food Box Drive by sorting food and preparing

holiday boxes for distribution. Volunteers are

needed Nov. 1 to Dec. 23

Christmas Family Feast at the Wisconsin

Center, December 25 from 11-2:30 PM. They

need volunteers from December 23-25, go to

myVolunteerPage.com

The Festival Choir will present

their Christmas musical

LIGHT Out of the Darkness Friday December 4th at 7pm and

Saturday, December 5th at 3pm & 5:30pm

(note the times on Saturday are

earlier than past years)

at Hales Corners Lutheran Church

12300 W. Janesville Rd, Hales Corners

A number of our church members sing with

the Festival Choir.

Please join us to hear the message

of this Holy Season.

Is it You? We are in need of volunteers for several

things.

Perhaps now is the time for you to take your

turn at:

Ushering – talk to Joanne M or sign up on the

clipboard

Liturgist – contact the church office or sign

up online

Greeting – contact Joan A or sign up on the

clipboard

Unlocking the church – contact the church

office

Bulletin assembly– contact the church office

Children’s church – see Christal Bind

Sunday morning Nursery –see Ann K

Newsletter assembly– contact the church

office

Counters – contact Edith G

Drama team – contact Christal

There’s a spot for you in our church family.

Christmas is coming!! Please consider buying SCRIP cards to use at

your favorite retailers for Christmas shopping

or give the cards as Christmas gifts.

SCRIP cards are exactly the same as the gift

cards you buy in the store, and the church will

receive a percentage for each card sold.

SCRIP orders are taken between church

services at the table near the coat rack. Please

stop by the table for more information.

Remember the

Christmas Poinsettia Donation

This year the Worship

Committee is offering you the

opportunity to purchase one or

more poinsettias in honor of or

in memory of someone. They

are $9 each. You may take your flower home

after the last service on Christmas Eve.

Poinsettias may be given in honor or in

memory of a loved one by filling out the form

below and placing it in the offering plate or

sending it to the church office no later than

Nov. 29th

. Payment must accompany your

order (checks should be made payable to

OCCUMC). Clearly mark “flowers” on the

check.

Flowers come in red, white, or pink. Please

use the order form found in your bulletin.

Teach your young ones how to care for

others by participating with them in the

U R

ALONE

Card Drive

See the green bulletin insert.

Annual All-Church

Charge Conference

Meeting

Sunday, December 6 Potluck Lunch

following the 10:45am service

Meeting will start

at 12:30pm

Messy Church experiment

Advent Wednesdays:

Celebrating the Angels in the Advent

and Christmas Stories

The Hospitality Team encourages all

members and friends of all ages to

participate in this new Messy Church

experiment:

5:30pm FREE dinner

6:00pm interactive simple worship

service

6:15 p.m. stories, activities, and

crafts that center on one of the angels

that make an appearance in the Advent

and Christmas stories.

Sign-up is located in the Friendship

Room outside of the Sanctuary. Come

early for food and worship and leave

when you need to get to Bell and/or

Adult Choirs or home and school work.

Wednesday, Dec 2 –

Zachariah & Elizabeth have an

encounter with an angel

Wednesday, Dec 9 –

Mary sees an angel

Wednesday, Dec 16 –

Joseph encounters an angel