Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Third Sunday of Advent – Joy
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Welcome
Prelude “Your Mercy Like Rain” Rory Cooney
Call to Worship (based on a conversation between John the Baptist and his followers)
One: “Teacher,” the crowd asked, “What should we do?”
All: If you have two shirts, give one away. Hold onto hope. Live like we belong to one another. Speak the truth. Look for God. Do the good that is yours to do.
One: It’s all that easy, and it’s all that hard.
All: Let us worship our present and active God.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 2 * “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Lighting the Advent Candle of Joy Youth Group
One: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
All: Let us start small. Let us begin with what is right in front of us. Let us do the good that is ours to do, and let us do it with joy!
One: Yes, let us begin with joy. Today we light the candles of hope, peace, and joy.
All: May these lights remind us of what could be. May these lights inspire action. May the warmth of these lights fill us with joy.
One: May it be so! Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson as Responsive Reading Matthew 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Hymn 66 * “We Three Kings of Orient Are”
The Wise Ones Return Home
An original play written by Pastor Robin Miller Currás
Imagine that the three wise ones who traveled to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus were siblings. They arrive home after their long journey to their hometown and their mother who is a leader of the village. They have good news to share. Villagers transform into characters in the story as they hear of their loved ones’ amazing pilgrimage.
Cast:
Owen: Owen Bradley
Violet: Violet Lohmeyer
Mother: Morayo Akiwowo
Wise 1: Yemi Akiwowo
Wise 2: Isa Bradley
Wise 3: Ben Rutledge
Herod: Joshua Rutledge
Mary: Scarlett Lohmeyer
Joseph: Finn deVinck
Shepherd 1: Jack Bradley
Shepherd 2: Sam Kennedy
Speaking Angel: Sophia Rutledge
Angels: Sophia Rutledge, Violet Lohmeyer, Indigo deVinck, Finn deVinck
Villagers/Cookie Hander-Outers: Jeremiah and Teresa Tobierre
Songs within the Play #12 “People, Look East”
#31 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Hymn 29 * “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”
Affirmation of Faith from a Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in Jesus Christ,
Fully human, fully God.
Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
preaching good news to the poor
and release to the captives,
teaching by word and deed
and blessing the children,
healing the sick
and binding up the brokenhearted,
eating with outcasts,
forgiving sinners,
and calling all to repent and believe the gospel.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Lesson Luke 3:4-6
Brief Message The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Pastoral Prayer concluding with 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offertory “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” adapt. Michael Praetorius
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Hymn 8 * “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
Announcements
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy comes from Sanctified Art.
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, December 15, 10:00 am, Christmas Pageant followed by live animals, cookies and cocoa
Sunday, December 15, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Youth Group Christmas Party at Union Congregational
Tuesday, December 17, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8:00 am at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave.
Wednesday, December 18, 2:30 pm, Pastor Robin’s Womens’ Bible Study at the Manse
Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 pm, Blue Christmas Service with Union Congregational at UCC chapel
Thursday, December 19, 9:00 am, Devotion Group Remembrance of Jane Leggett, online, see below under “Daily Devotionals” for sign in information.
Tuesday, December 24, 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship service in the sanctuary at UCC
Wednesday, December 25, 10 am, Lay-Led Christmas Day service in the chapel at UCC
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Fill out an Estimate of Giving Form for 2025 on Tithely! For those of you who already give online, please use your current login information to fill in your estimate of giving card. If you are new to Tithely, you may put in your information and you do not need to sign up for giving online when you do so. Feel free to also use the printed forms or to let the office know what you will be giving for 2025.