The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

2 Ferry Road

Old Lyme, Connecticut

(860) 434-8686

Website: www.fccol.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Steven R. Jungkeit, Senior Minister

Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager, Senior Associate Minister

Carleen R. Gerber, Associate Minister

Simon D. Holt, Director of Music

December 1, 2019 First Sunday of Advent 11:00 AM

Prelude

*Processional Hymn: #114 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

*Call to Worship:

Arise, shine your light is come!

The Spirit’s call to heed In dreams, in the deep of night

we open our hearts, look around

And reflect the light for others to see Arise, shine your light is come!

Let us worship God together! (Is 60:1-4)

*Invocation

*The Lord’s Prayer

Welcome and News of the Church

Advent Wreath Lighting

*Unison Reading:

"Blessed are you in whom the light lives,

in whom the brightness blazes --

your heart a chapel, an altar where

in the deepest night can be seen

the fire that shines forth in you

in unaccountable faith, in stubborn hope,

in love that illumines every broken thing it finds.

-Jan Richardson

*Gloria Patri: (#36 in hymnal)

Scripture: Isaiah 45:3 (OT p. 640); Matthew 1:18-25 (NT p. 1)

*Hymn: #113 “Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old”

Pastoral Prayer

Pastoral Prayer Response: Come and Fill Our Hearts

Offertory Invitation

Offertory Selection

*Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen

*Offertory Prayer

Sermon: You May Say I’m a Dreamer: Learning to Walk in the Dark

Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager

*Hymn: #116 “People, Look East”

Benediction

Postlude

*Congregation Standing

We thank you for worshipping with us. Following the life and teachings of Jesus,

we are a church that strives to be a place of grace, welcoming all regardless of theological

expression, age, race, gender, sexual identity, national origin or financial means.

In our Church Constitution we recognize that “each member shall have the undisturbed

right to follow the word of God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience, under

the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.” The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme,

established in 1665, cherishes this proud Pilgrim tradition. We are honored by your presence

among us, and we invite you to help us become what we endeavor to be.

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The image on the cover, “ Advent Dreams ” was created by Jan Richardson.

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The memorial flowers this morning are given by Bob & Sally McCracken in loving

memory of their parents Henry & Eleanor McCracken and Charles & Carolyn Wood.

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The deacon on duty is Martha Gibson.

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Childcare is available this morning in the nursery downstairs at the 9:00 am service.

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If you are visiting us for worship this morning, we welcome you, and invite you

to join us in Fellowship Hall for fellowship and refreshments. We invite you

to pick up a “Welcome” packet, which can be found in the vestibule.

We hope this information will be helpful in acquainting you with

our church and its activities and programs.

Quiet Activity Bags for young children are in the vestibule.

They are colorful bags with quiet projects for our youngest members.

Please feel free to offer these bags to your children.

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The Rev. David W. Good serves as our Minister Emeritus.

The Rev. Rebecca T. Crosby is our Minister for Haitian Outreach.

Rebecca A. Francisco, a recent graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary,

serves as minister to the South Lyme Union Chapel.

Large print versions of the bulletin are available from the ushers.

Adult Forum Today’s adult forum speaker is Fred Behringer, who will discuss genetically modified food

products.

God’s Neighborhood News

Today in God’s Neighborhood we will be reading the story of the angel Gabriel announcing the

upcoming birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph. We will also be making a Kindness Calendar for

Advent. Please come! Everyone Welcome!

Looking ahead:

December 8: Mary and Elizabeth

December 15: Jesus is Born

Pageant on December 15: 2:30 rehearsal and 5 p.m. performance.

December 22: The Shepherds Visit

December 22: Midnight Run for High School

Write a Letter, Save a Life Join our local high school Amnesty International group led by John McGannon and Bella

Hine in its observance of International Human Rights Week and write a letter to save a

life. This Sunday, Dec. 1, 10:00 am -12:30 pm, during Fellowship Hour you can add your

voice to millions from around the world to end some of the most urgent human rights abuses.

Letters will be provided and refreshments will be served. It takes just a few minutes to make

a big difference, so please make plans to join us. All are welcome!

Elephants in Winter Christmas Sale Saturday, December 7th 9 – 2 and Sunday, December 8th 9 – 1

Christmas home decorations, artificial trees, garlands and wreaths for indoors

and outside, strings of lights, window candles, holiday china and glassware,

baskets and cookie tins, tree ornaments, stuffed animals and toys, gently used,

good condition, all at bargain prices. Find new unique gifts for your Christmas

list – original works of art from Haiti and lovingly sewn or knitted creations

from Ladies Who Stitch: beautiful mittens, hats, scarves, shawls, throws, totes

and more. Coffee, cider donuts available while you shop and get an early start

on the holiday!

Introducing the Formation of FCCOL Agape Singers!

A Capella group dedicated to singing to people who are homebound or at a facility and would

benefit from the joyful and healing comfort of song. We envision developing a mixed ensemble

(SATB) that will provide large and/or small group “sings” depending on the location and

circumstances. Next rehearsals will be December 3rd and December 10th at 6pm in Sheffield.

Please contact Lisa Feltes with questions at lisafeltes@sbcglobal.net or 860-908-9933.

Blue Christmas Service: Wednesday, December 4th, 6:30 pm The Advent and Christmas season can be a time of growing darkness and sadness for many who

remember those they have loved and lost. Join us as we take time to gather in community and

care with those who carry heavy burdens in this holy and hard season. All are welcome!

Ladies Who Stitch We meet most Mondays in the Sheffield Auditorium from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, sewing,

knitting, crocheting and crafting things to sell and donate. Our next sales event will be during

Elephants In Winter on December 7th and 8th — and we also welcome shoppers during our

Monday working hours. All proceeds go to the Ladies Benevolent Society to support the many

missions and programs of FCCOL. Occasionally, we can handle special requests for mending

and repairs. Questions: Email Eunice at eunicetaylor@me.com.

Holiday Pop-up Store The Partnership Co-op of FCCOL (Haitian Art, Palestinian goods, and Tribal Crafts) will be set

up in a storefront next to the Big Y in Old Lyme (the former music shop). We will have an

opening on Thursday, December 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The shop will be open for two

weeks: Thursdays - Sundays, December 12-15 and December 19 -22 from 10 am - 5 pm. We

are looking for volunteers to help with set-up and sales. Please contact Becky Crosby

<rtcros@ftcrosby.com> if you would like to volunteer. Come and support the Lakota, Haitian

and Palestinian craftsman!

Christmas Celebration: Saturday, December 14, 5:30 pm

Join us for our FCCOL Christmas Celebration at the Florence Griswold Museum on Saturday,

Dec 14 from 5:30 to 7:30pm, as we celebrate the spirit and beauty of the holiday season. We

will have the opportunity to visit the exhibit "Nothing More American" without an admission

charge. Hors d'oeuvres (potluck for those who are able to contribute, and also provided by local

shops) beverages, fellowship, and carols to warm the heart. Join us if you can!

“Where Your Treasure is, There Will Your Heart be Also…”

Please follow your heart and make a commitment to our Stewardship Campaign this year.

So far we have received 246 commitments for $504,746 toward our goal of $600,000.

Thank you!

Walt’s Studio: Pottery at FCCOL STARTS TODAY!

New Beginner's Class with Ellen Perry Sundays December 1st-January 5th 1:00 - 3:00pm, only

2 spots left! $75 includes use of the studio and 20 lb. block of clay. Checks can be made

payable to FCCOL with “Pottery Class” in the memo. Great activity for parents and children!

For questions about Walt's Studio or pottery classes contact: Paul at pfitz.nager@gmail.com.

A Journey Toward Hope: A Tree of Life Journey to the Holy Land Please join us for an orientation meeting for our March 2020 Tree of Life journey; TODAY, at

10:15 am in the Library. This journey will be led by Ghoufran Allababidi, President of

Tree of Life Educational Fund, a non-profit organization established by our church. Also, co-

leading this journey will be the Rev. Dr. Steven Jungkeit and Dr. Reza Mansoor, President of

the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford. On this journey we will meet many outstanding

and involved people, including Palestinian families, former Israeli soldiers, Palestinian farmers

and Israeli and Palestinian dreamers and visionaries. We would love to have a large contingent

from this congregation join our friends from the Berlin Mosque on this journey! Please come to

this Orientation meeting. Please bring your questions and your friends! (Itinerary, cost and

schedule can be found on the Tree of Life website, www.tolef.org.)

Credit Card Contributions to the Church

We can now accept credit card payments to your 2019 or 2020 Stewardship commitments! To

make your contributions, go to the church website at www.fccol.org and click on “Donate” in

the upper right of the home page. Once you set up an account with the church, succeeding

payments will be very straightforward. More detailed instructions can be found in the

December newsletter either in the printed (mailed) version, the e-newsletter, or under the “Who

We Are” tab on the church website.

We Need Your Email Address!

We are in the process of building the capability of making credit card donations to the church

into our accounting system. In order for this to work properly, we need an accurate and current

email address for all of those who may want this capability. This is the way our system

identifies you so we can give the proper credit. It is preferable that you email fccol@fccol.org

with your current email address. We NEVER share email addresses with anyone. Thanks. Bob

McCracken.

Can you help?

Our food pantry could use some boxes of dry spaghetti noodles in the weeks to come. Please

bring in a box on Sunday mornings if you can!

Calendar of Events and Meetings for This Week

Sunday School TODAY at 9 am Service.

Children’s Choir TODAY at 10:45 am downstairs.

Tree of Life Orientation TODAY at 10:15 am in the Library.

Pottery with Ellen TODAY at 1:00 pm in Walt’s Studio.

Ladies Who Stitch Monday, December 2 at 10:00 am in the Sheffield Auditor ium.

Agape Singers Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 pm in the Sheffield Auditor ium.

Blue Christmas W ednesday, December 4 at 6:30 pm in the Meetinghouse.

Senior Choir Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 pm in the Sheffield Auditorium.

Essex Meadows Bible Study Friday, December 6 at 10:00 am at Essex Meadows.

Elephants in Winter Sale Saturday, December 7 at 9:00 am–2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Elephants in Winter Sale Sunday, December 8 at 9:00 am–2:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM

Saturday, December 14th at 5:30-7:30 PM

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES*

Tuesday, December 24

THE LIVING MANGER

5:00 PM Service for families with young children

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS

8:00 PM and 10:00 PM Services

UNITY SERVICE

Sunday, December 29

One Service Only at 11 AM And No Sunday School

*CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE MEMORIAL MUSIC & FLOWERS If you would like to make a contribution to our special Christmas Eve music

and flowers in memory of a loved one, please leave a message at the church office,

<fccol@fccol.org> or 860-434-8686 by Monday, December 9th.