SUNDAY WORSHIP CELEBRATION DECEMBER 27, 2015 • 11:15 AM

~ GATHERING ~ If you arrive before 11:00 AM, we welcome you to gather quietly for prayer and reflection,

or to step into the Social Hall for conversation and coffee.

PRELUDE++ “Children’s Songs” (Chick Corea)

WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS++ Adriene Thorne

INTROIT “Joy, Joy to the World” (Matt Huesman, Wendy Wills, David Phelps;

arr. Branch Woodman)

Branch Woodman, tenor

HYMN*++ “Angels We Have Heard on High”

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING* Adriene Thorne

~ REFLECTING ~

ANTHEM “Christmas Lullaby” (Jason Robert Brown) Ann Wazelle, soprano

MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES Jim Kast-Keat “Siyahamba”— We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God.

~ Children stay in worship ~

MORNING PRAYER/LORD’S PRAYER Jim Kast-Keat Ever-loving and holy God, hallowed be your name. Your reign 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, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the reign, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

PASSING OF THE PEACE++

SCRIPTURE Luke 2.41–52 Graham Bridgeman

SERMON “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” Adriene Thorne

~ RESPONDING ~

INVITATION TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT Graham Bridgeman To join Middle Church, see the clergy at the pulpit or visit middlechurch.org/connect/join.

OFFERTORY “One King” (David Phelps)

Ann Wazelle, soprano

Branch Woodman, tenor

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY HYMN / DEDICATION PRAYER* Graham Bridgeman From all that dwell below the skies / Let faith and hope with love arise. Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung / Through every land, by every tongue.

HYMN* “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

BENEDICTION* Adriene Thorne

POSTLUDE “He Is Born” (John Carter)

*Indicates please stand if you are able ++ You may find a seat or an Usher will assist you.

PARTICIPATING IN THE CELEBRATION • Allison Sniffin, organist

Middle Church Choir • Tami L. Petty, D.M.A.–Interim Director of Music — Ann Wazelle, Branch Woodman.

WELCOME TO MIDDLE CHURCH We are glad you are here today. If you are visiting for the first time, we invite you to return often and make Middle Church a home for you, your family, and friends. If you want to join our movement, see a clergy after worship. Complete the pew card or sign the guest book in the narthex to receive our newsletter or eblast. Learn more at middlechurch.org. Please silence your cell phone and leave food or drink outside. Thank you for your cooperation.

By entering the Sanctuary, you grant Middle Collegiate Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit, or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church. You agree that all such material will be the sole property of Middle Collegiate Church. If you are uncomfortable in the Sanctuary, you are welcome to worship in the Sanctuary balcony.

TODAY AT MIDDLE CHURCH • BUTTERFLY MEAL— on hiatus until spring.

• WEE CARE (INFANT–AGE 4) — 9:30 AM–2:30 PM • Wee Care Room — Childcare.

• THE BREAKFAST CLUB (GRADES 7–12) — 10:00–11:00 AM • 4th Floor Studio — Make breakfast and discover ways that the Bible intersects our lives. — Youth Education

• CELEBRATION! WORSHIP — 11:15 AM • Sanctuary — “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” Adriene Thorne, preacher • Special Music from Ann Wazelle and Branch Woodman. — Worship

• THE ARK (GRADES K–6) — Children attend worship in the Sanctuary.

• JOIN THE MIDDLE MOVEMENT! — 12:30 PM • Sanctuary — Join our village of dreamers and stand with us for racial, LGBT, and economic justice. See the clergy at the pulpit.

• CHAT & CHEW — 12:30 PM • Social Hall — Break bread and share conversation with your Middle Church family. — Community

• FREEDOM SCHOOL: VILLAGE CHORUS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH — on hiatus

• WRITING GROUP HOLIDAY READING — 1:15–2:30 PM • Sanctuary — Members of the Creative writing Ggroup present their work. — Adult Education

• FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTION — 1:30–3:00 PM • Community Room — Distribution of food items to the community. For info, contact Alisa at ajoyce@middlechurch.org. — Get Help

• ART & SOUL HOLIDAY REBROADCAST — 5:00–6:00 PM – “Morning Worship: Conference Sunday 2015” Join us at MIDDLECHURCH.ORG — Worship

• AA/BIG BOOK MEETING — 7:00–8:00 PM • 4th Floor Studio. AA.org

WORSHIP VIDEOS AND PODCASTS – Worship music and sermon videos are available on the Middle Collegiate Church channel. Click the YouTube icon at middlechurch.org. Subscribe to Middle Collegiate Church sermon podcasts on iTunes: http://ow.ly/i6fHu.

DEAR MIDDLE FAMILY— You power Middle Church, you power love. In this season, you have a gift to bring that will make our worship, care, education, and justice ministries happen. Our offering goal this year is $575,000. We are at 31% of that goal. Can you help us get to 50% of that goal by December 31 by making a gift today? Thank you for your love and your power to be the change. —Jacqui & Middle Church Consistory

31% Help us meet our goal! middlechurch.org/connect/donate

See Rebecca at the Stewardship table in the Social Hall to learn more about one-time and recurring online giving.

MIDDLEPRAYS NEEDS PRAYER VOLUNTEERS MiddlePrays is a lay-led group that holds congregants’ joys and concerns in the light. Deacon Malia T. Blake coordinates this team. MiddlePrays needs prayer volunteers—no experience necessary. Contact middlecares@middlechurch.org to volunteer to pray for others or for more information about this ministry to our community.

PRAYER CORNER Please pray with us this week for these people and concerns. Helen Rodriguez; Yolanda Golden; Jasmine Cuascut; Fred Cuascut; Shayna; Eve and Nyah Cuascut; Jorel and Soraya Lopez; Jarred Velez; Jalel; Janel; Josiah and Jaymond Lopez; Molly Patruno; Dominique Patruno; Jacqui’s mom; Djana Maria Hughes; Angie; Kayla; Mia Torres; Ricky Torres; William and Nichelle Golden; James Jones; Roberto Soto Jr.; my Middle family; Leslie Montanez; Alexis and Louis Matias; Steve; Olivia; Laila; Glori and Savanah Montanez; Phyllistine; Jorryn; Joey; Sandy Stone; Donna and Elizabeth; Sandy Robertson; Pastor Ora Gibbs and family; Kristine Wilson; Robin; Preston’s granddaughter; Mustapha; my parents and my aunties; Bring Back Our Girls and all girls and women taken; my sis; Middle clergy and staff; The homeless, underemployed, unemployed; Peace, prosperity, love, and joy throughout the world; Cricket, elephants, rhinos, New York state swans – all endangered; Peace, Love, Joy; Refugees everywhere; Central American children desperate to get into the U.S.; Haitians being deported from the Dominican Republic; Middle East; All affected by gun violence; All who are homeless during the holidays; Dear God, help us bring everyone into the pot called love.

THIS WEEK AT MIDDLE CHURCH Check middlechurch.org for full details of all events.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28 • NA/VILLAGE SPIRITUAL WORKSHOP — 6:30–7:45 PM • 4th Floor Classroom. NA.org

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 • ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS — 7:00–8:00 PM • Artists in Recovery – 4th Floor Studio; Step

Meeting – 3rd Floor Studio. / 8:30–9:30 PM • Closed Discussion – 4th Floor Studio. AA.org

• AL-ANON — 7:30–9:00 PM • Parlor. Al-Anon.org

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 – NO PROGRAMMING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 • CREATIVE WRITING THURSDAYS — on hiatus

• JAZZY NEW YEAR WORSHIP — 6:00 PM • Sanctuary — Ring in the new year with this jazzy tribute from Dionne McClain-Freeney and friends • Jim Kast-Keat, preacher • Adriene Thorne, worship leader. — Worship

• AL-ANON — 7:30–9:00 PM • 3rd Floor Studio. Al-Anon.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 – NEW YEAR’S DAY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY

• NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS — 6:30–8:00 PM • It’s About Change – 3rd Floor Studio. / 8:30–9:30 PM • Finally Found a Home –– 4th Floor Studio. NA.org

• AA/YOUNG AND WISE GROUP — 8:00–9:00 PM • Community Room. AA.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2 • ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS — 7:00–8:00 PM • Beginners – 3rd Floor Studio; Open

Discussion – 4th Floor Studio. / 8:30–9:30 PM • Closed Discussion – 4th Floor Studio. AA.org

• NA/SRA — 8:00–9:00 PM • 5th Floor Parlor. NA.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 • BUTTERFLY MEAL— on hiatus until spring.

• WEE CARE (INFANT–AGE 4) — 9:30 AM–2:30 PM • Wee Care Room — Childcare.

• IN-THE-MIDDLE CHOIR REHEARSAL — 10:00–10:45 AM • 3rd Floor Studio — Attend rehearsal on first Sundays and then sing in worship the same day. — Arts

• THE BREAKFAST CLUB (GRADES 7–12) — 10:00–11:00 AM • 4th Floor Studio — Make breakfast and discover ways that the Bible intersects our lives. — Youth Education

• CELEBRATION! WORSHIP — 11:15 AM • Sanctuary — EPIPHANY “Stars and Dreams and Our Vulnerable God” Adriene Thorne, preacher • In-the-Middle Choir • Communion. — Worship

• THE ARK (GRADES K–6) — Children attend worship in the Sanctuary.

• JOIN THE MIDDLE MOVEMENT! — 12:30 PM • Sanctuary — Join our village of dreamers and stand with us for racial, LGBT, and economic justice. — Community

• CHAT & CHEW — 12:30 PM • Social Hall — Break bread and share conversation with your Middle Church family. — Community

• FREEDOM SCHOOL: VILLAGE CHORUS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH — on hiatus

• READING THE BIBLE FROM THE MIDDLE — 1:15–2:30 PM • Sanctuary — Bible study and sermon talkback exploring this Sunday’s text and sermon themes. — Adult Education

• CLOTHING BOUTIQUE DISTRIBUTION — 1:30–3:00 PM • Community Room — Distribute career clothing to the community. Contact Alisa at ajoyce@middlechurch.org. — Get Help

• AA/BIG BOOK MEETING — 7:00–8:00 PM • 4th Floor Studio. AA.org

IDNYC AT MIDDLE CHURCH — DECEMBER 14–30, 9 AM–5 PM! All New York City residents 14 years and older are eligible for the New York City ID, regardless of immigration status. Appointments preferred; walk-ins not guaranteed. To make an appointment visit www.nyc.gov/idnyc or call 311. (Closed Christmas Day, December 25.)

SING WITH THE IN-THE-MIDDLE CHOIR ON FIRST SUNDAYS! Sing with the In-the-Middle Choir at its next performance on Sunday, January 3. Simply wear dark colors and show up at 10:00 AM on any first Sunday of the month and then sing at the 11:15 AM Celebration! worship the same day. For information, contact Tami at tpetty@middlechurch.org

What is art & soul? Pablo Picasso once said,

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Art & Soul at Middle Church is —

A cool drink of art for your soul, and a chance to bathe in Love. Worship at night, outside and in between the lines. Fantastic music that makes you get off your feet or weep. Sermons that are bold, meaningful, and make you think. A safe space to be unsure of Spirit, but to lean into it anyway. A powerful pause from the busy, and a way to jumpstart your heart.

Art & Soul is The Word Made Art. Come again next week, and bring a friend.

THIS WEEK: HOW TO BE HOT, HOLY, AND HUMBLE • tk

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LAST WEEK: THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

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MI DDLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D. – SENIOR MINISTER

Rev. Adriene Thorne – EXECUTIVE MINISTER Chad Tanaka Pack, M.Div. – MINISTER Rev. Jim Kast-Keat – ASSOCIATE MINISTER Alisa Joyce, M.Div. – ASSISTANT MINISTER

SANCTUARY 112 Second Avenue (at 7th St.) OFFICE 50 East 7th Street New York, NY 10003 TELEPHONE 212-477-0666 CARE LINE 917-439-9268 E-MAIL middleinfo@middlechurch.org WEBSITE middlechurch.org

FOLLOW US! facebook.com/MiddleCollegiateChurch facebook.com/Rev.Jacqui.Lewis youtube.com/MiddleNYC vimeo.com/middlechurch twitter.com/middlechurch twitter.com/RevJacquiLewis

CONSISTORY ELDERS Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D. Veronica Carrera Kent Holliday Jeff Mummert Shanta Thake Chair Darren Major James Wu

DEACONS Malia T. Blake Graham Bridgeman Johanna Goepel Erica Hunt Jonathan Lucas Hadaryah Morgan

Representatives to INTERSECTIONS Elder – Danita Branam Deacon – Marvin Rodriguez

THIS WEEK: I DON’T WANNA GROW UP These are a few of the grown up questions Jesus posed. Which will guide your 2016? • Who do you say I am? • What do you think? • Who is it you are looking for? • Which one was a neighbor to that man? • You of little faith, why are you afraid? • Does this offend you? • Do you want to be made well? • Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? • Who is greater, the one at the table or the one who serves? • What can a man give in exchange for his soul? • Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? • Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? • Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and ignore the plank in your own?

LAST WEEK: THIS WEEK: THIS ONE CHILD • Who is the ALL in “all flesh will see the salvation of God?” • Has news of a birth caused you to leap for joy? • In these times, why does the multicultural nature of Jesus matter?

MIDDLE LITERARY MAGAZINE NEEDS YOU! Submit your writing and/or art to our 5th annual Literary Magazine! The theme will be “Revolutionary Love.” Poetry, fiction, essay, art, photos, children’s work—even a video clip—are all welcome! Send your submissions by February 7 to editor Carol Wierzbicki at litmag@middlechurch.org.

MI DDLE C OLLEGIAT E CHURCH VISIO N STAT EMENT Middle Collegiate Church is a celebrating, culturally diverse, inclusive and growing community of faith where all persons are welcomed just as they are as they come through the door. Rooted in Christian tradition as the oldest continuous Protestant Church in North America, Middle Church is called by God to boldly do a new thing on the earth.

As a teaching congregation that celebrates the arts, our ministries include rich and meaningful worship, care, and education that nurture the mind, body, and spirit, social action which embraces the global community, and participation in interfaith dialogue for the purpose of justice and reconciliation. :: middlechurch.org

“Total Praise” (Richard Smallwood)

“Let There Be Peace on Earth” (Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller)

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

With God our Creator Family all are we, Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With ev’ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow;

To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally!

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Copyright © 1955 by Jan-Lee Music. Copyright renewed 1983. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.