December 15, 2002 - Advent III – Sunday School Presentation
Rejoicing is always about freedom and new life, even when they have yet to appear. To live right now as free people who have already received new life, completely changes the present. Even when we are in deep sorrow, if we can wrap ourselves in the joy that new life is coming, that new life arrives.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: We come in the bright joy of anticipated celebration. We come in the dark grief of unanticipated losses.
All: In all times and places, we come to rejoice and give thanks!
One: We come from homes of comfort and feasting. We come from homes of discomfort and famine.
All: In all times and places, we come to rejoice and give thanks.
One: We come in silent anticipation, seeking Advent glory.
All: In all times and places, we come to rejoice and give thanks!
One: We come with as many reasons as there are people. We come in all circumstances.
All: In all times and places, we come to rejoice and give thanks!
One: Let us continue to unite our hearts in prayer.
All: Jesus, we will search among the most powerful nations, and not find you. We will search among the most religious men and women, and not find you. We will search among the momentous events of our time, and not find you. We will search high and low, in palace, in government, and in church, and not find you. Jesus, you will surprise us. You will reveal yourself to us in an unexpected call for justice, in an unseen deed of compassion, and in a caring and empowered community.
One: With music and song, with laughter and mirth, with movement and dance,
All: let us celebrate the source of joy, the spirit of life who will be born in our midst.
One: With stillness and prayer, with wisdom and depth, with passion and heart,
All: let us celebrate the source of joy, the spirit of life who will be born in our midst.
One: With action and care, with service and love, with respect and grace,
All: let us celebrate the source of joy, the spirit of life who will be born in our midst.
One: In the midst of planning and rushing, in the midst of shopping and feasting, in the midst of worshipping and candle-lighting,
All: let us celebrate the source of joy, the spirit of life who will be born in our midst.
(lighting of the third Advent candle)
Hymn #7 “Hope Is a Star” vs. 1-3
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
One: To Mary, unsure and unprepared, came the call to serve her God.
All: Keep us open, God, to your call, wherever, and whenever it may come to us.
One: To Mary, came the call to leave the tried and tested ways behind and to venture out.
All: Keep us alert to the need to tread unfamiliar pathways, knowing you will go with us.
One: To Mary, an ordinary young woman, came the call to accept a radical change in her life’s pattern.
All: Enable us to face the risk of faithfulness and our regrets over what has been left behind.
One: To Mary, came a call to understand and accept God’s presence in her life.
All: Keep us sensitive, God, to your presence in the routine of our lives, and to the faithful messengers who come unbidden to guide us…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
In thorough reflection, and with a renewed dedication to a life that is caring, questioning, inspiring, and hopeful, will come pardon and peace. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Biblical Notes
The Word of Life (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #29 “Hark the Glad Sound” vs 1, 3 & 4
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Junior Choir “Get Ready”
Get ready Advent is here, Get ready, Christmas is near,
Get ready, we’ve got so much to do to get ready for the birthing day.
At Advent we remember how many long years ago,
The people of Israel waited for a saviour to be born, R
An angel spoke to Mary: she’d have a baby son.
Emmanuel, Jesus, is his name, he’s God’s anointed one. R
Today we all remember how Jesus used to say:
“There is a new day being born, when all will live God’s way.” R
Hymn #69 “Away in a Manger”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him – give my heart.
Living God, in our offering, may we accept the reality of proclaiming the Good News in Word and deed today. The reality is that without gifts shared, talents used, and time made available, Christ’s work cannot be done and your realm will not come closer. As you bless these gifts, grant us wisdom to use them in the Way of Jesus.
Hymn #45 “Joy Is Now in Every Place”
Commissioning (Responsive)
One: Christ is coming, rejoice!
All: From generation to Generation we are blessed.
One: Christ is coming, rejoice!
All: The lowly will receive confidence, the powerful will be put in their place.
One: Christ is coming, rejoice!
All: There is hope for the poor and the hungry.
One: Christ is coming, rejoice!
All: God, faithful in times past, will remain faithful to us and to our church.
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here”
When you walk from here, when you walk from here.
Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
The poinsettia plants have been placed by the UCW
The flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of:
my husband, Ed
by
Alice Felesky
Next Week’s Readings from: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
Thought For Today
Go forth into the busy world and love it.
Interest yourself in its life,
mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows,
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Summary of the Board of Elders Meeting
December 10th, 2002
We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.
The meeting of the Board took place December 10th, 2002 with 13 Elders and James and Jane in attendance.
- Janet Kruijer, who has been secretary of the board for the past 4 years, has regrettably resigned her position. Linda Nikoleychuk kindly agreed to fill the vacancy. The Board thanks Janet for her excellent service!!
Nancy D’Agostino presented amendments to the 2003 Budget, which were discussed and accepted by motion. (A copy of same will be included in the Annual Report and presented to the Annual Meeting to take place on January 26, 2003.)
Salvation Army Christmas Kettle - Donna Scharf who was in charge of the times of Westminster volunteers re. The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle reported there was a disappointing number of volunteers for the Xmas 2002 season.
A letter was received from a concerned parishioner with reference to the usage of styrofoam by various groups of our church. Everyone is reminded the City of Medicine Hat no longer recycles styrofoam, so please make a concerted effort to refrain from the use of this impractical product.
When a peaceful hush falls over the world,
And the holiday rush is through,
When the wrapping is done and the last errand run,
May everyone reflect anew.
Of the deeper meaning of Christmas
And the beauty that it imparts -
Not the Christmas we see waiting beneath the tree,
But the Christmas within our hearts.
At this time, on behalf of the Board members, please accept sincere wishes that each and every one of you enjoys a Joyous, Blessed Christmas and an especially Healthy, Happy New Year!!
Yours in faith,
Marilynn Piotrowski,
Chairperson.
Spirit Connection
Renew your faith in television…
Sunday evenings – 6:30 p.m. on Vision TV
Produced by United Church Television, Spirit Connection is a broadcast presence unique to The United Church of Canada and its partners around the world. Royal Orr, an active United Church layperson, hosts Spirit Connection.
If you don’t get Vision TV, Spirit Connection programs can be borrowed from AVEL. Or you can purchase copies from UCRD. Spirit Connection is made possible by the Mission and Service Fund.
December 15 - Blessed Among Women
December 22 - Journey to Bethlehem
December 29 - A Christmas Card
January 5 - When A Bird Has Wings: Haiti
January 12 - The Hidden Story: Confronting Colombia's Dirty War
January 19 - All that Glitters
January 26 - Striking the Anvil: Mozambique