Get documents about "Building A Beloved Community A Beloved Community
Document Sample
Building
A Beloved Community
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Happy Anniversary Hope Church
hope church
open minds • open hands • open hearts
www.hopeboston.org
Hope Church
Invitation to Today’s Meeting of
The Hope Church Body
All are welcomed and encouraged to attend the all church business meeting wherein
Hope Church (United Church of Christ and Christian Church/Disciples of Christ) of 25
Cummings Highway, Roslindale, MA will reflect upon and vote on business matters.
All are welcomed to attend and offer input to the discussion.
Voting will include those who have become Covenant Partners of Hope Church.
Elect Leadership Circle and Search Committee
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Immediately following Worship (6:45 pm)
Today’s meeting will elect a slate of Leadership Circle Members and Search
Committee Members of Hope Church. The slate of candidates has been
published for three Sundays in writing and on the church web site.
The Slate of Nominees for the Leadership Circle includes:
Class of 2011: Bob Drake, Christie Dustman, Judy Wagoner
Class of 2010: Stacey Schamber, J. Conlon (Moderator), John Brock
Class of 2009: Frank Stevens, Kevin Tucker, Kathie Mainzer
Please note that Stacey Schamber, J. Conlon, Frank Stevens, Kevin Tucker, and Kathie Mainser
have served as members of the Leadership Circle since it was created.
The Slate of Nominees for the Search Committee includes:
1. Beth Chandler, Chair
2. Nancy Azar, Recording Secretary
3. Robin Joyce, Chaplain
4. Bob Brown
5. LK Case
6. Kate Covintree
7. Deborah Malone
8. Chad Smith
9. Ex-Officio Liaison from the Leadership Circle: to be designated by the
Leadership Circle
GATHERING
You are invited to light a candle at any time during worship that we might all share in the Light.
During Communion you will find members of our prayer team available to pray with you and lay hands on you.
Our prayer team will pray through the week the prayers that you offer either verbally or via the prayer request form.
We hope you will let us know that you have been with us by completing the form in the bulletin.
Welcome
The Second Sunday in Advent: Comfort, Strengthen, Promise
One: The first Advent candle reminds us that we wait in hope.
(Light first blue candle).
We remember our longing for God to be with us.
Two: Today, we light a second candle.
(Light second blue candle.)
One: This candle reminds us of our dreams for peace in the world.
Two: This candle reminds us that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is coming.
One: This candle is a symbol of God’s promise of peace,
and comfort, and strength.
All: Come, holy God, travel with us through Advent.
Give us courage to spread peace in the world. Amen.
Candle Hymn “One Candle Is Lit” --tune: CRADLE SONG
Come quickly, shalom, teach us how to prepare
for a gift that compels us with justice to care.
Our spirits are restless till sin and war cease.
One candle is lit for the reign of God’s peace.
PRAYING
Confession Prayer and Silence
Sung Confession: O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer - Our spirits by Thine advent here -
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night - And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
*Assurance of Forgiveness and God’s Presence
Passing of the Peace: One: The peace of Christ be with you all
All: And also with you
Sung Celebration: Good Christian friends rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
now you know of endless bliss, Jesus Christ was born for this!
God has opened heaven’s door, and you are blessed forever more,
Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!
An Anniversary Celebration of Hope Church!!
A Farewell Blessing for Christine Evans
One: The church is a family… together we have loved and lived.
All: We feel sorrow in your leaving, yet we rejoice with you in anticipation of this new phase
of your life. We will miss your love and support yet we know you will add much to the
lives of those who will be your new church family, as you have added much to our
lives. We will pray for you and the whole family of God.
Laying on of hands and prayer of blessing
You are invited to move toward the middle aisle to lay hands on Christine for the prayer
Call to Prayer Hope Church Singers
Prayers of the People
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
First Reading Isaiah 40:1-11
Gospel Mark 1:1-8
One: The Word of Truth All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon WILDERNESS SURVIVAL Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade
Hymn “Prepare the Way of the Lord”
COMMUNION
Offering
Invitation to Joyful Stewardship
* Sung Response (Amen) and Procession of Gifts
* Prayer of Dedication
Holy Communion
Invitation to the Feast: This is an open table; everyone is welcome. You are invited forward to receive the bread
and dip it into the bowls of grape juice or the chalice of wine. Gluten Free “bread” is available. Should you need
assistance; a server will bring you the communion elements.
Communion Prayer
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayer of our Savior (sins; sins against us)
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power
and the glory, forever, amen.
Sharing the Bread and Cup
SENDING
Invitation to Discipleship: Joining Hope Church means entering into covenant with this community to engage in practices
of Christian spirituality, in order to grow more deeply into the people God created us to be.
Living Hope
Closing Hymn “Comfort, Comfort You My People”
Benediction
LIVING HOPE
CHURCH SCHOOL
During worship children are invited upstairs to hear a Godly Play story and then work on what they desire
to process the story (or what is going on in their lives). They are encouraged with special crafts,
materials, books, and especially their very own fellowship. The room is their own and thus limited to two
adult staff/volunteers at any time. We invite all the children to explore the stories of our faith together and
then come to the table with the whole church family. There will continue to be nursery care downstairs for
children under three. Many blessings.
W O R S H I P T H I S W E E K & B E Y O N D : Invite a friend to come along and join us for worship.
Sunday, December 7, First Sunday Pot Luck Supper, 4:00 pm
Sunday, December 7, Worship 5:30 pm. Second Sunday of Advent: Rev. Wendy will preach on the
topic of “Wilderness Survival” with John the Baptizer pointing the way. We also recall the prophet Isaiah’s
call to preach comfort to the people!
Sunday, December 7, 6:45 pm. A Meeting of The Hope Church Body, Immediately following Worship
there is a meeting to elect the slate of Leadership Circle Members and Search Committee Members of
Hope Church. A paper copy of the slate of candidates is available..
Next Sunday, December 14, Worship 5:30 pm. Third Sunday of Advent: In the midst of the waiting,
as we prepare for the coming of Christ, on Gaudete Sunday we light the rose candle and “dare to rejoice”
in God’s faithfulness. Rev. Wendy preaches from the Gospel of John, wherein John the Baptizer
“Witnesses to the Light.”
C H R I S T M A S E V E W O R S H I P , D E C E M B E R 2 4 T H W I L L B E G I N A T 6 : 30 PM AND BE SHARED WITH
OUR FRIENDS FROM ROSLINDALE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
SM AL L GROUPS & MINIST RIES
th
Ecclesiastical Council for Kent French, Tuesday December 9 at 7:30 pm at RCC (25 Cummins
Highway). Hope Church hosts this final step in Kent’s preparation for ordination. Please let Rev. Wendy
or Fred know if you can help to host the meeting with warm greetings, extravagant welcome and light
crackers).
refreshments (tea, hot chocolate, cookies and cheese and crackers). We need the goodies and well as
the staff for Tuesday evening.
Meeting,
Stewardship and Finance Meeting Wednesday Dec 10, 6:00—8:00 pm, meeting in Boston this month
at conference room at BI – contact Robin Joyce.
Office:
Advent Study Group at Church Office Tuesday, Dec 16 (7:00 - 8:00 pm) "Building A Beloved
Community: A Year of Transition, A Year of Possibility, A Year of Hope." Our discussion began this past
week with reflections on the theme of “Occupying Holy Ground.” We shared experiences of the holy
spaces created in worship and small groups at Hope and sought to learn more about how this gift might
be shared. Join us for more on this topic as we “prepare” this Advent to occupy holy ground as a
community.
st
Leadership Circle Meeting: Sunday December 21 at 3:00 PM in the RCC Parlor. Newly elected LC
members are invited to join. Any items for consideration should be forwarded to moderator J. Conlon or
to staff to be referred.
Knitting Group: Hope Church Knitting Group meets every Thursday at 7pm; we knit the night away at
various locations. Please join us; whether you knit a little or a lot or want to learn, there is always a place
for you. We enjoy tea and cookies and conversation, plus the added benefit of creating beautiful
pieces...you may also find us at J. P. Licks if it is first Thursday in Jamaica Plain. Please contact Robin
bpacheco2@hotmail.com).
(rmjoyce@mac.com) or Beverly (bpacheco2@hotmail.com
Stewardship Corner
We see Hope Church as a truly beloved community, where
as
everyone can openly share their joys as well as their sorrows, a place
where all generations are knit together not just by bonds of Christian
love but by real friendship and enduring devotion.
This picture of a beloved community is not a dream but a real
possibility. We are on our way to being this kind of church. The signs
are everywhere. But the dream can only become a reality if we all
o
commit ourselves to Build a Beloved Community. Part of that
commitment is expressed through your pledge of financial support.
Pledge Cards are available on the Welcome Table.
Drop-In Book Group: Next date: Thursday January 22nd (note it is a Thursday) we need some-one to
host the group in January. Please contact Christie Dustman, christie@christiedustman.com Next Book:
The Power and the Glory by Graham Green. The book is available on the Welcome table. Contact the
office for information. The book is available on the welcome table.
Fair Trade: Help make Hope Church a fair trade church, and help other organizations in Roslindale and
JP make the switch—join the Hope fair trade team. Contact Abbi (oldeforest@gmail.com) for more
information.
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE AND OUR CHU R CH F AM ILY
To assist our recycling efforts please take all Bulletins and Flyers with you from the
pews at the end of the service. There is a box for recycle under the Welcome Table if
you do not wish to take them home.
HOPE CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Ministers: All of us!
Interim Pastor: Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade, pastor@hopeboston.org
Children’s Church J.C. Mitchell, johnchristianm@yahoo.com
Administrative Manager: Frederick Hayes, office@hopeboston.org, 617.522.0600
Moderator: J Conlon, board@hopeboston.org
Music Leadership: Hope Church Singers
Todor Stoinov, Bobby Hall, Sara Goplin, Neil Helme
HOPE CHURCH MINISTRIES
Hope Church is a vibrant and growing community with lots of ways to get involved.
Please contact these leaders and let us know where you feel called to serve and we’ll plug you in!
Casserole Care: Kathy Bermingham
Children’s Church: JC Mitchell
Finance and Stewardship: Kathie Mainzer & Frank Stevens
Hospitality: Ron Scanlon
Nominating Committee: Laura Everett
Prayer Ministry: Beverly Pacheco
Seminarian Support: Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade
Social Justice: Lisa Price
Welcome Baby: Barbara McQueen
Welcome Wagon: Jean Vandergrift
Welcome to Hope Church…
Welcome to all who have no church home, need strength, want to
follow Christ, have doubts, or do not believe.
Welcome to new visitors and to old friends.
Welcome to grandparents, to mothers, fathers, and single people.
Welcome to people of all colors, cultures, abilities, and sexual
orientations, to old and young, to believers and questioners –
and welcome to questioning believers.
Welcome to everyone!
ght
Tonight we are all invited to live into God's love, peace, and justice.
CONTACT:
Hope Church
United Church of Christ & Disciples of Christ
25 Cummins Highway
Roslindale, MA 02131
617.522.0600
info@hopeboston.org
The Office:
67 Poplar Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
hope church
open minds • open hands • open hearts
www.hopeboston.org
