It is both terrible and comforting
to dwell in the inconceivable nearness of God,
and to be so loved by God
that the first and last gift
is infinity and inconceivability itself.
But we have no choice.
God is with us.
We Gather as God’s People
WELCOME
In this season of holiness we pause.
We stand under the light of the star and feel it
illuminate the dark corners of our lives.
We will not treat Advent like a To-Do List,
counting off days and things to be done.
We will enter the circle of the silence--
where body, soul, and spirit
are embraced by the wild peace of Jesus’ coming.
HYMN God Almighty, We Are Waiting
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather,
We, your people, gather,
for it is time to prepare:
angels are about to burst forth into song,
singing of the peace and hope we need.
We gather,
We, your people, gather,
with expectation our guest:
for joy is inviting us to join in the dance
of the shepherds around the night fire.
We gather,
We, your people, gather,
eager to begin the celebration:
people, longing to reach Bethlehem;
people, eager to kneel at the manger;
people, ready to cradle the Babe;
people, hoping to be made whole.
We gather,
We, your people, gather.
PASSING THE PEACE
We Listen for God’s Word
ADVENT CANDLE 4: LOVE READERS THEATER The Village Gossips
We wait for the coming of Christ,

who is our mighty savior and the source of all light. GOSPEL LESSON Luke 2
Your saving work in our lives is cause for great joy, It happened in those days that a decree was sent out from
the unconditional love and grace Caesar Augustus to enroll the whole world. This was the first
Karl Rahner that overcomes all sin and selfishness. census, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went
A reading from Romans 8:38-39 to their own cities to be registered.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor Now Yosef also went up from the Galil, from the city of
rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor Natzaret, to Yehuda, to the city of David, which is called Bet
height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able Lehem, because he was of the house and family of David. He
to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. went to be enrolled with Miryam, who was engaged to him
Fill our hearts with your great love, and who was pregnant.
and help us to better love our neighbors as you call us to. And it happened that while they were there, the days were
As we light the fourth candle, the candle of love, let us reflect completed for her to give birth, and she bore a son, her
on how we may better love our neighbors and thereby love firstborn, and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
God. him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them
(silence for reflection as four candles are lit) in the upper room.
Loving God,
W&S 3047 guide us in your Way of love and peace. Help us to reach READERS THEATER The Census
out towards those around us with mercy, grace, and care.
May we reflect the light of your love for the world and
proclaim your salvation for all people. In the name of
Christ, whose light overcomes all darkness. Amen.
We Respond to God’s Word
REFLECTION ConCensus
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE
HYMN Like a Child FWS 2092
CAROL Love Has Come W&S 3059
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
OPENING TO GOD Denise Levertov
It's when we face for a moment OFFERTORY & DOXOLOGY
the worst our kind can do, and shudder to know
the taint in our own selves, that awe
cracks the mind's shell and enters the heart:
not to a flower, not to a dolphin, We Are Sent Into God’s World
to no innocent form
ANNOUNCEMENTS
but to this creature vainly sure
it and no other is god-like, God
BENEDICTION
(out of compassion for our ugly
failure to evolve) entrusts,
RESPONSE What Child Is This UMH 219 vs. 1
as guest, as brother,
the Word.
 Birthdays Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Dec 25: Art Bristol Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Dec 28: Wendy Wright
Ongoing Prayers
Dec 30: Paige Johnsen, Jed Billado, Micah Lemmel-Hay Ongoing Prayers, cont.
Arlitha
Michael Parker
Callie
Joyce Moore
A Not-So-Silent Night?
Anne Kennison
Office Hours Dorothy & Alex
Mary Willard
Doug
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Norma Strickland
Carolyn V, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Madeline
Judy & Diezel
Thursdays: Church Office 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Matthew C.
Elissa & Leif
Lifted Up Last Sunday
Greg
Kathryn- great-nephew still facing
Calendar Paula DeMichele challenges, no answers, be with his
Don Strickland family
Tue, 24 Dec: Nest, 10 am
No Mansfield Bible Study Ellie Uckele
Barb- colleague in need of strength and
Cole wisdom
Christmas Eve Family Service: 4:30 pm Gordon Mitchinson
Mitch- healing for Jennette’s parents
Susan
Tim Carolyn V beginning chemotherapy for
Candle Light Service: 8:00 pm
breast cancer
Don Canady
Tue, 31 Dec: Nest, 10 am Harley A nation wounded by division
No Mansfield Bible Study

j
Wed, 1 Jan: No Animated Bible Study

Thu, 2 Jan: Thursday Companions, 2 pm in Parlor

Sun, 5 Jan: Epiphany Sunday

Essex Center United Methodist Church
A Reconciling Congregation
Mon, 6 Jan: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Tue, 7 Jan: Mansfield Bible Study Resumes, 2:00 pm.
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Wed, 8 Jan: The Bible Project (Animated Bible Study) cell/text: 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
resumes. Luke-Acts. 7:00 pm.
Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Sat, 11 Jan: Lay Speakers Meeting Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Wed 26 Feb: Ash Wednesday; Lent Begins
Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Bob McLane
Essex Center
Un-Tied Methodist Church
Nursery Helper Sally J next week: Claire N
Parent Helper: Liz R next week: Elissa J
Pulpit and Altar Coverings - given in memory of Greeters: Liz & David R next week: Sherry M
Peggy Thompson by Norm Thompson. Ushers: next week: Fred H & Vickie C 22 December 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent
 Christmas Poinsettias
In Honor of:
Our Children & Grandchildren
Our Children
Rev. Robert & Carolyn Deming
Christmas Poinsettias
Given by: In Honor of:
Pat & John Mitchell Our Children & Grandchildren
Wesley & Ruth Bristol Our Children
Ron & Linda Deming Rev. Robert & Carolyn Deming
Christmas Poinsettias
Given by: In Honor of:
Pat & John Mitchell Our Children & Grandchildren
Wesley & Ruth Bristol Our Children
Ron & Linda Deming Rev. Robert & Carolyn Deming
Given by:
Pat & John Mitchell
Wesley & Ruth Bristol
Ron & Linda Deming

in memory of: Given by: in memory of: Given by: in memory of: Given by:
Stanley St John Marjorie St John Stanley St John Marjorie St John Stanley St John Marjorie St John
Parents David & Tracy Jones Parents David & Tracy Jones Parents David & Tracy Jones
Wilma Patton, James Patton Gail Godfrey Wilma Patton, James Patton Gail Godfrey Wilma Patton, James Patton Gail Godfrey
Gary Patton, Hector Godfrey Gary Patton, Hector Godfrey Gary Patton, Hector Godfrey
Bill & Dora Godfrey Bill & Dora Godfrey Bill & Dora Godfrey
Peggy Thompson Norm Thompson Peggy Thompson Norm Thompson Peggy Thompson Norm Thompson
Edith & Edwin Parsonage The Evans Family Edith & Edwin Parsonage The Evans Family Edith & Edwin Parsonage The Evans Family
Maureen & Lindsey Evans Maureen & Lindsey Evans Maureen & Lindsey Evans
Bud & Ruth Roberts, Vickie Casazza Bud & Ruth Roberts, Vickie Casazza Bud & Ruth Roberts, Vickie Casazza
Joe Casazza, Charlotte Brown Joe Casazza, Charlotte Brown Joe Casazza, Charlotte Brown
Loved Ones Bill & Maureen Wiegner Loved Ones Bill & Maureen Wiegner Loved Ones Bill & Maureen Wiegner
Alice Crane Sally Jablonski Alice Crane Sally Jablonski Alice Crane Sally Jablonski
Sharyn Brown, Auntie Charlotte Jenna Olson Sharyn Brown, Auntie Charlotte Jenna Olson Sharyn Brown, Auntie Charlotte Jenna Olson
Margaret Bailey Gil & Barb Myers Margaret Bailey Gil & Barb Myers Margaret Bailey Gil & Barb Myers
Our Parents Wesley & Ruth Bristol Our Parents Wesley & Ruth Bristol Our Parents Wesley & Ruth Bristol
Ken Yates Midge Yates Ken Yates Midge Yates Ken Yates Midge Yates
Benjamin & Gloria McKeen Narda Carlson Benjamin & Gloria McKeen Narda Carlson Benjamin & Gloria McKeen Narda Carlson
Scott Carlson, Judy McDonald Scott Carlson, Judy McDonald Scott Carlson, Judy McDonald
Rev. Rod Entrekin The Klinedinst family Rev. Rod Entrekin The Klinedinst family Rev. Rod Entrekin The Klinedinst family
Our Parents Our Parents Our Parents