Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ
Sunday Worship - December 07, 2025
Welcome to worship at Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ! We are so glad to have you with us today. If you have a name tag in the wooden rack by the entrance, please wear it so others might know you by name. If not, let us know if you’d like one!
Please be aware that we stream our worship on our Fauntleroy Church YouTube channel, sharing worship with those who cannot be here in person. Parents should know that children might momentarily be shown on our recordings if they come forward for the Time with Children, music, or communion, for example. If this is a concern to you, children are welcome to sit in the front pews or in front of the pastor instead of on the chancel steps so they are not facing in the direction of the camera. They can also enjoy these times with their families in the pews.
Please be aware that we stream our worship on our Fauntleroy Church YouTube channel, sharing worship with those who cannot be here in person. Know that the care and safety of children and youth is at the heart of our ministry at Fauntleroy Church. This is as true on our church campus as it is in our on-line presence. There are special times in our church year when our children are at the center of worship, so will be on camera with parent permission. For the Time with Children that recurs weekly, however, our camera focus will be on the cross and not on the chancel steps so all families can feel safe sending their children forward for this special time. Parents should know that children still might momentarily be shown on our recordings if they come forward for music or communion, for example.
Please remember to silence your cell phone during worship. You're welcome to check-in on social media to let your family and friends know that you are at Fauntleroy Church, U.C.C. You can invite others to watch services at youtube.com/fauntleroyucc. These are great ways to share your love for this church with others! And who knows? Someone you know may be looking for and needing a church like ours. And God may be looking for and needing a voice like yours to connect them to us.
*Asterisks invite those who are comfortable to please stand.
PRELUDE - Mayumi Tayake, Guest Accompanist
WELCOME - Rev. Karyn Frazier
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT - Pastor Karyn
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
You are invited to turn to your neighbors and greet them with the peace of Christ. A greeting, should you engage it, might be “May Advent’s peace be with you” with a response of “And also with you.”
A THRESHOLD MOMENT - Pastors Leah and Karyn
THRESHOLD SONG
All: O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Zach Fitzgerald: We’re on our way; we’re on our way
Dream of the day when hope holds sway
With all the earth, in all our hearts
We’re on our way...
This is the day
*CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive) - Pastor Leah
Leader: The journey continues...
RESPONSE: We’re on our way to more peace.
Leader: Life is full of expectations and concern about the right time, the right answer, the right opportunity.
RESPONSE: We are a restless people who long for Good News.
Leader: But there are times when we can center ourselves in this one sacred moment of being together and perhaps get a sense of what true peace might feel like.
RESPONSE: God’s light is with us now as we wait with a childlike wonder. And God’s light will go before us. We are not alone.
ALL (sung)
We’re on our way; we’re on our way
Dream of the day when peace holds sway
With all the earth, in all our hearts
We’re on our way...
This is the day!
*OPENING PRAYER (unison)
Holy and Living God, often we are anxious and impatient as we desperately want to chart our life’s path with certainty. Call us to pause in peaceful surrender and then to feel the awe and wonder of realizing our story is already and always held within your fuller story of hope and peace. Open our hearts to know your enduring presence in this moment, in this waiting time. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus, the Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING - Pastor Karyn
SINGING THE CHILDREN BACK TO THEIR PEWS
Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load.
Been a long time, little donkey through the winter’s night.
Don’t give up now, little donkey; Bethlehem’s in sight.
A TIME FOR GIVING - Pastor Karyn
OFFERTORY - Mayumi Tayake
*SUNG RESPONSE, No. 128, vs. 4
Words: Christina G. Rossetti, 1872; alt. Music: Gustav Holst, 1906. Public Domain.
What can I offer, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise one, I would do my part;
But what can I offer: all--ll my heart.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (unison) - Pastor Leah
Holy One, we know you are near. We know that your Spirit resides with us and within us, growing day by day into the fullness of your peace. In this moment, we offer thanks for that fullness and for the way it manifests in healing connection and service in community, in the delight of children, and in the possibility of surprising transformation along our Advent journey. May these be some of the gifts we can offer to meet the needs of your world. Amen.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT - "The Donkey’s Christmas”
Original script and songs by Angela Yardy. Used with permission.
Our children and youth offer this early Christmas gift: “The Donkey’s Christmas”. Can a sweet but grumpy donkey find their place and purpose in the Christmas story? Can you? Our children will tell that story of tender, transforming love but invite us all to join in the songs and a little silliness! Hold on to your bulletin and be ready to be cued to join your heart to theirs!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SONGS
“THE DONKEY CARRIED MARY”
(to the tune of “The Wise Man Built His House upon the Rock”)
The donkey carried Ma-ry on her way. The donkey carried Ma-ry on her way.
The donkey carried Ma-ry on her way, and he moaned and groaned all day.
He moaned and groaned and he clipped and clopped.
He moaned and groaned and he clipped and clopped.
He moaned and groaned and he clipped and clopped,
and suddenly the donkey stopped.
(Pause for narrator...)
He moaned and groaned, and he walked a little more.
He moaned and groaned, and he walked a little more.
He moaned and groaned, and he walked a little more,
and he walked till his feet were sore.
(Pause for narrator....)
The donkey carried Ma-ry all the way. The donkey carried Ma-ry all the way.
The donkey carried Ma-ry all the way. Now they needed a place to stay!
“O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM”
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.
“DO NOT BE AFRAID, WE ARE ANGELS”
(sung to the tune of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”)
Stand then sit or raise your hands when it’s your side’s turn.
Lectern side: “Do not be afraid, we are angels! We bring you good news of great joy.”
Pulpit side: Today in the town of David God’s child has been born, a boy!
Lectern side: Go now!
Pulpit side: Go now!
Lectern side: Yes, go find your Savior in Bethlehem!
Pulpit side: Go now!
Lectern side: Go now!
Pulpit side: Yes, go find your Savior today!
Lectern side: You’ll find Jesus laid in a manger. You’ll find Him wrapped up in the hay.
Pulpit side: You’ll find Jesus laid in a manger, so go find your Savior today!
Lectern side: Go now!
Pulpit side: Go now!
Lectern side: Yes, go find your Savior in Bethlehem!
Pulpit side: Go now!
Lectern side: Go now!
Pulpit side: Yes, go find your Savior today!
“GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN”
Refrain:
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere!
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a Holy light (refrain)
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When, lo! Above the Earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth (refrain)
“WE THREE KINGS”
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
O----o, star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
*“JOY TO THE WORLD”
Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy!
JOYFUL THANKS AND BENEDICTION - Pastor Karyn
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE “Joy to the World” vs 3
Christ rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of God’s righteousness
and wonders of God's love, and wonders of God's love,
and wonders, wonders of God's love!.
*POSTLUDE - Mayumi Tayake
OFFERING: If you did not bring an offering with you today, we invite you to give at www.fauntleroyucc.org
Thank you for considering how you can support the work of this congregation.
As an open and affirming congregation, the members and staff of Fauntleroy Church are committed to fostering community among people of all races, cultures, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Leah Atkinson Bilinski, Senior Pastor
Karyn Frazier, Associate Pastor
Zachary Fitzgerald, Music Director
Sarah Ackers, Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator
Allen Lambert, Caretaker
Aimee Pinckney, Financial Assistant
Pat Gedney, Financial Assistant
Carol Gilderoy, Lead Sunday School Teacher
Carol Smith, Nursery Supervisor
Sebastian Dwyer, Nursery Assistant
Kyle Lorenzen, Office Assistant & Worship Technician
Thanks to the following volunteers, who make Sunday mornings happen:
Building Opener: Steve Garrett
Usher Team: Al Bernahl- captain, Paul Koppe, Elliot Sales, Glenn Seaverns
Greeters: Patricia McCall and Nancy Olson
AV Tech: Ben Ackers
Sound Tech: Katie Ackers and Mike Goldfine
Nursery: Carol Smith and Sebastian Dwyer
Coffee Hour: Marilynn Bernahl and Evan Shelby
