Congregational Church of Birmingham United Church of Christ A Just World for All - Sunday January 3, 2021 10:00 AM
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Congregational Church of Birmingham
United Church of Christ
A Just World for All
Sunday
January 3, 2021
10:00 AMYou May Contact Rev. Ott for any pastoral request or emergency at 989-245-
0092 or REVLRO@aol.com.
Prayer Request? Email Rev. Ott (REVLRO@aol.com) or the church office
(ccbinfo@ccbucc.org) to have prayers included in the worship service prayer
time and the Weekly Prayers email.
Are You in the Loop? Stay current on all CCB news. Contact the church
office to receive our email communications.
View Sunday Worship Broadcasts and previously recorded services on the
“Congregational Church of Birmingham, United Church of Christ” YouTube
channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfTgUDxKOY9u4KkZbExhpw
WORSHIP GUIDE
(Bold indicates in unison.)
PRELUDE “The Gift” Douglas/Brickman
WE GATHER Pastor Louise
Welcome AND one more time… Merry Christmas! What! Why? Because
today is the SECOND Sunday of Christmas. Who doesn’t need Christmas to
extend a bit this year?! So if you are feeling let down, or if Christmas wasn’t
what you wanted or needed, spend this time with us, your friends at the
Congregational Church of Birmingham United Church of Christ, and with me,
Pastor Louise Ott. Today for the last time we listen for the chimes of the
clock-tower in Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. The story is not complete
until Ebenezer is PRESENT with his family. As the bells have rung for Scrooge,
may we also be turned from resentment, fear and isolation.
THRESHOLD MOMENT Pastor Louise
The Christ Child is born and we, as the Body of Christ, are reborn with him.
Our very essence is peace, hope, love, and joy. How will we live this out in
this new year? All season long we have been living with Dickens’ Christmas
Carol story. On this second Sunday after Christmas, we remember that after
that very busy night, Ebenezer Scrooge could not contain his exuberance at
being given the gift of living—truly living—another day. On this first Sundayof the New Year how will our lives continue to be a gift and a blessing for the
sake of “every one?” Let us pray:
PRAYER Pastor Louise
Holy Living God, Blessed Jesus, Guiding Spirit,
on our journey into the past, present and future
you have opened yourself to us
and through your presence among us
in the birth of Jesus, you have
demonstrated your transforming love.
On this first Sunday of the New Year
let your presence be felt in us,
and be a blessing to others, through us.
Let us hear with our hearts and our ears
the voices of those crying for love, hope, joy, and peace
so that your reign of mercy, justice, and love
will be made known to all. Amen.
OPENING SONG “Angels We Have Heard on High” Public Domain,
Sing Along with arr. J. Smallbone,
Katie Simbala L. Smallbone, S. Mosely
MEETING SCROOGE IN OURSELVES
THE PRESENCE - ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE Paul Prange
John 1:1-14
1
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the
Word was God. 2The Word was with God in the beginning. 3Everything came
into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being.
What came into being 4through the Word was life,[a] and the life was the light
for all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t
extinguish the light.
6
A man named John was sent from God. 7He came as a witness to
testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in
the light. 8He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify
concerning the light.9
The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world.
10
The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light. 11The light came to his own people,
and [those] people didn’t welcome him. 12But those who did welcome him,
those who believed, were authorized to become God’s children, 13born not
from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God. 14The
Word became flesh and made a home among us. We have seen this glory,
glory like that of a parent’s child, full of grace and truth.
BLESSING OF THE CHILDREN Dr. Carmel Tinnes,
Director of Christian Education
LEADER: Thank you God for your presence in our lives.
CHILDREN: Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this.
LEADER: Thank you for your presence through the gift of Jesus.
CHILDREN: Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this.
LEADER: Help us keep Christmas in our hearts by being present for others
all the year through.
CHILDREN: Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this.
LEADER: And let all God’s people say and sign:
ALL: AMEN.
SONG “Jesus, Jesus, What a Wonderful Child” Public Domain,
Sing Along with arr. Pilgrim Press
IMMV Band
THE CONVERSATION “God Bless Us – Every One!” Pastor & People
TRANSFORMED WITH PRAYER Pastor Louise
We continue to pray for:
All persons at risk in contracting COVID-19
Annabelle, Cindy Kyle’s mother, recovering from oral surgery
Educators in pandemic challenges
Helen, Heather Schulz’s mom, recovering from cancer surgery
Jean, Cindy Hill’s mother, moving and experiencing compounding
challenges Kevin Wilson, grieving the death of his father, Neal
Kyoko Miyazaki, in radiation treatments
Melissa and Calliope Crook, to be reunited permanently
Rob, Sue Potter’s brother, with metastasized cancer in his bones
Ruth Biersdorf, in treatment for cancer
Suzy, Pastor Louise’s cousin in CA, with advanced lung cancer
Victims of war, violence, and natural disasters everywhere
We hold CCB families in supportive prayer, especially working adults with
children educating at home
Youth and adults with mental health challenges
THE ECUMENICAL PRAYER OF JESUS Pastor & People
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING Pastor Louise
Thank you for worshiping God with us today. To be an open and affirming
congregation in the United Church of Christ illustrates the Presence of God in
every one of us. We are all welcome here. Please say hello in the YouTube
chat or leave us a comment. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. We make
real the presence of God in our humble giving and our gifted service. We
give out of humility. Whether you give online, lend your talents or time, or
send gifts through the mail, you bring the presence of God to the lives of
others. Let us pray:
Generous God,
we give you thanks for all blessings
and we offer our gifts,
our gifts of love, of time, talents, and treasure.
We rejoice in your Presence alive in us,your hands and feet as the Body of Christ.
Help us live gratefully in the present
and joyfully and graciously
with one another as
you bless us, everyone. Amen.
To give electronically go to the “Donate” link at www.ccbucc.org, log in and donate
to whatever fund you choose – Giving Commitments, the five UCC Offerings, other
Outreach partners, and more! Please contact Lynn Wilsher, Treasurer, at
treasurerccb@gmail.com, if you have questions.
MUSIC “God Bless Us Everyone” Ballard/Silvestri,
CCB Virtual Choir arr. Purifoy/Ricketts
BLESSING FOR THE JOURNEY Pastor Louise
So, my friends, go into the world to be the Light, the Love, the Presence of
Christ… not only this day but in all your days. The end of Dickens’, A
Christmas Carol, was a new beginning for Scrooge. Let this be a day and a
year of new beginnings for you too.
May you be blessed by our God who loves you deeply;
by Jesus, the true gift of God to each of us;
and the Spirit who shows up just in time!
God’s love and joy is blessing you and me always! Amen
POSTLUDE “Happy Holiday” from Holiday Inn by Irving Berlin
Credits: Worship design and liturgy adapted from Worship Design Studio
www.worshipdesignstudio.com. Used with permission. CCLI #741179
WE THANK our readers, Tech Team: Gabriel White-Vega and Chris Hiner,
Worship Design Team: Leslie O’Day-Benyo and Elaine Winter, Joe Bentley,
and Marina Stojanovska, for all their help with today’s service.OUR MINISTRY UPDATES
HOLY COMMUNION DURING SOCIAL HOUR TODAY - Please have
your bread and grape juice ready at 11 AM when we come together for
prayers on Zoom. We will celebrate the sacrament together in the
Congregational tradition, as one community of God's people and disciples of
Jesus Christ.
SUNDAY MORNING INFO WITH ZOOM & YOU TUBE LINKS! Check
your email for the Weekly E-Update, sent out each Friday with important
information and all the up-to-date Zoom and YouTube links for the Sunday
Worship Service and Social Hour.
CALL TO MEETING: A Congregational Meeting will be convened via Zoom
immediately following worship on Sunday, January 17, to address the 2021
Funding for Ministry Plan. The 2021 Funding Plan, prepared by Funding
for Ministry, will be distributed by MailChimp for your review on Monday,
January 4, after the Leadership Assembly approves the plan.
If you are unable to attend the meeting and wish to vote by proxy or
absentee ballot, a link will be provided prior to the meeting.
Thank you!
Steve Payer, Moderator
WATER COLLECTION: Help those without access to safe water to wash,
clean, and combat the spread of the coronavirus. Donate by credit card on
Greg Panzica's website: www.PeaceNick.org, OR send a check to CCB with
“People's Water Board” on the memo line, OR send checks directly to:
People's Water Board Coalition, c/o GDABVI, 16625 Grand River Ave,
Detroit, MI 48227. Track water donations at: http://peacenick.org/cgi-
bin/index.pl?fs=4&init=1 Questions? Greg Panzica (313-215-5767) or Paul
von Oeyen (248-891-7509).2021
Get Ready for Epiphany!
Watch Some Movies!
Movies Starring:
Courage, Humility & Belonging!
1-17-21 > Just Mercy (Be There)
1-24-21 > A Bug’s Life (Be Family)
1-31-21 > Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (Be Known)
2-07-21 > Rosewood (Be Brave)
2-14-21 > March of the Penguins (Be Together)
Why pollute our worship of God with secular movies? Well, first, there is no such
thing as secular. For those of us who seek to see the world with God’s eyes, all
of life is sacred. In the best of our movie productions, there are glimpses of grace,
messages of inspiration, and transformation to be found for ourselves and our
world. As we pursue the “AHA” of Epiphany season, during the lock-down reality
of living through a pandemic, let’s watch for courage, humility, and belonging.
Stories can bring us closer to God. This was Jesus’ way of teaching. “The kingdom
of God is like…a parent, a child, a shepherd, a landowner…” Let’s look for God’s
justice and loving inclusion through stories of courage, humility and belonging.
We are letting you know early what movies we will discuss in the next 8 weeks,
just in case you want to get a head and start watching. Some are appropriate for
children and some are not. These films will also be the launching points for our
weekly adult education sessions on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM, resuming on
January 19 and ending on February 16.
Why these movies? They all demonstrate the values of courage, humility, and
belonging. As a congregation seeking to be anti-racist, we chose Just Mercy, A
Bug’s Life, and Rosewood. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society pulls
us into our personal and communal depths while March of the Penguins embraces
the greater community of God’s whole creation.
Questions?
Pastor Louise revlro@aol.com
Dr. Carmel carmelf711@yahoo.comWhat’s Happening @ CCB-UCC This Week
Bold indicates CCB and/or UCC related event. Regular font indicates outside usage.
Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School with Carmel (Zoom)
1/3/21 10:00 AM Worship (YouTube)
11:00 AM Social Hour Communion (Zoom)
11:15 AM Leadership Assembly Meeting (Zoom)
Monday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/4/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
Tuesday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/5/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
Wednesday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/6/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
7:00 PM Survivors of Suicide Loss
Thursday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/7/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
Friday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/8/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
Saturday Nothing Today
1/9/21
Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School with Carmel (Zoom)
1/10/21 10:00 AM Worship (YouTube)
11:00 AM Social Hour with “Future Church”
Values Conversation (Zoom)
Monday 7:00 AM Sober Morning AA (AR)
1/11/21 12:00 PM New Beginnings of B.H. AA (AR & FH)
7:00 PM Stephen Ministry Meeting (Zoom)
The complete church calendar is on our website: www.ccbucc.org.A Just World for All
Second Sunday of Christmas January 3, 2021
Welcome to CCB–UCC an “Open and Affirming” Church
We warmly welcome everyone to worship and into the full life and leadership
of the church. Whatever your background - your race, your nationality, your
physical or mental condition, your gender, your sexual orientation - whoever
you are and wherever you come from, we welcome you in love as Jesus Christ
welcomes all. Gathered by the Holy Spirit, may the comfort and challenge of
God’s presence renew and inspire us all throughout the coming week. Again,
welcome!
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
Contact a Stephen Minister Leader:
Dr. Paul von Oeyen 248-646-0837
Rev. Louise R. Ott 989-245-0092
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BIRMINGHAM
1000 CRANBROOK ROAD (@ WOODWARD AVE)
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48304-2725
PHONE: 248-646-4511
EMAIL: ccbinfo@ccbucc.org
CCB WEBSITE: www.ccbucc.org
MICHIGAN CONFERENCE WEBSITE: www.michucc.org
DENOMINATIONAL WEBSITE: www.ucc.org
CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Ministers - The Congregation Rev. Louise R. Ott, Pastor
Carmel Tinnes, Director of Christian Education Joe Bentley, Interim Choral Director
Marina Stojanovska, Substitute Accompanist Beth Prevost, Church Administrator
Office Hours: Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM, lunch break 12:30 PM-1:00 PMYou can also read
