Sunday, December 16, 2001 - Advent 3 – Sunday School Presentation
By this time in Advent the anticipation of the season is palpable as people decorate homes, shop for family and friends, and attend Christmas Concerts. Yet our culture’s anticipation of the joys of “seasonal holidays” does not always match the Advent anticipation of our faith. Today’s readings raise the question of what we are waiting for and what we do while we wait.
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 “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Calkin
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: The Advent journey is underway. Let us walk with our neighbours as caregivers and truth seekers. Let us engage the world around us with a concern for peace and wholeness. Let us come before our God with humility and with love.
All: God is a God of wholeness; Christ is the Anointed One who shows us the way of Peace.
One: We shall walk humbly before our God;
All: We shall serve one another with gladness and with joy.
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Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation. But it can be hard to wait. And we can get confused about what it is that we are waiting for. Sometimes it seems we just want to wait for all of the busyness of this season to end. And while many of the carols we sing speak of joy we sometimes wonder what that really means. Help us, loving God, to prepare ourselves in a new way for your presence in our lives. Help us to remember that true joy does not mean being happy all the time. Help us to remember that true joy comes not from the biggest present or the perfect Christmas feast but from knowing you and trusting in your promises of justice and shalom. Amen
Hymn #29 “Hark the Glad Sound”
One: Today is the third Sunday in Advent. We join with the writers of the Bible in shouting for joy that God is always with us. The child of Mary brought a message of compassion and healing, the things that make for real joy. That joy spreads as we follow Jesus’ words and actions.
Two: The first Advent candle reminds us to have hope for a better world.
(Reader One lights the first blue candle)
The second Advent candle reminds us that God’s dreams for peace can become real in our world.
(Reader One lights the second blue candle)
One: Today, we light the third Advent candle. It reminds us that God calls us to be part of the healing of the world – to bring real joy.
(Reader Two lights the third blue candle)
All: Dear God, so many people need your healing and hope. In this season of giving and on every day of the year, help us to say and do those things that will help bring Christ’s compassion and caring to all. Amen.
Hymn #6 “A Candle is Burning” vs. 3
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
God of light, you shine in the light of day, and in the stars of night; You shine in Christ, and in the faces of the faithful; You shine in the innocence of children, the steadfast hope of the old, and in all places where love and forgiveness rule. Your light is everywhere, even in the darkest place of the earth. Forgive us our dark thoughts, our dark words, and our dark actions. Bring all these things out in the light. Dispel the darkness. Help us bear witness to the light…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
Through the prophets, through John the Baptist, and through Christ himself, God calls us to repent, turn our lives around, accept God’s infinite love, grace, and mercy, and know God’s forgiveness. We are a forgiven people! Thanks be to God!
Biblical Notes
The Messengers from John the Baptist
Luke 1:46-55 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 75
Mary’s Song of Praise
(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #36 “Angels, From the Realms of Glory”
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.
Faithful God, we give you thanks for the good news of your love. Bless now these gifts that they may do your work, enabling the blind to see, the lame to walk, the broken to be made whole. Bless these gifts that they may be the good news of your love for all persons. Amen.
Hymn #75 “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
Sunday School presents: “Kings and Angels”
Hymn #69 “Away In A Manger”
Commissioning
Let us go from this hour of worship committed to living Advent to its fullest. We are a people waiting on the Lord. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Choral Amen
“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” by Sunday School
Postlude “The First Noel”
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
Thank you to the Sunday School and Youth Group for their participation in today’s service. Thanks to our teachers and superintendent for their hard work in putting this program together.
Volunteers are Desperately Needed for our Nursery. If you would be available to help please call the office and leave your name. Thanks!
If you would like to have a Name Tag please indicate so on the Friendship Register and one will be ordered for you. There is no charge for this. When they arrive they will be placed in the appropriate alphabetical bin under the stained glass window in the Narthex.
Elkwater United Church Camp A Presbytery directed preliminary meeting will be held at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church at 4:30 p.m. to set up a committee to administrate the camp for a period of time. We need at least two volunteers from Westminster to attend this meeting.
Kiwanis Christmas Dinner will be held on Dec 25 @ the Veiner Centre. Entertainment starts at 1:00 PM with dinner served at 1:30 PM. This dinner is for anyone alone at Christmas. Application forms are on our bulletin board (Memorial Hall) or available from the Strathcona Centre or Veiner Centre.
Honouring Your Spirit! Westminster’s Women’s Retreat at Camp Okonoki from Fri., Jan. 19th – Sun., Jan. 20th, 2002. The Facilitator is Glenda Staples; Music: June Reid; Spiritual Direction: Jane Clarke. Registration is $75.00. Please pick up a registration form from the bulletin board on the way to Memorial Hall.
Scripture Verse
“My soul proclaims God’s greatness, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:47
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Street People.
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
Thought For Today
“A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine,
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22 KJV)
Summary of Board of Elders Meeting
December 11, 2001 @ 7:00 p.m.
The meeting commenced at 7:05 p.m. with 14 elders and 2 ministers present. James opened with prayer.
On December 16, 2001 at 4:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church a meeting will be held to consider the administration at Camp Okonoki (our Elkwater Camp). On December 9, 2001 our Presbytery considered the present and long-term crisis of the camp and passed the following motion:
1. Have a committee of two or three persons willing to administer the camp for a period of three months (Dec. 9/01 to March 2002) and
2. Have a team of people undertake an evaluation process similar to a needs assessment, to assess the ministry and future of Camp Okonoki.
If you would like more information or would like to participate in either task outlined in the Presbytery motion or would simply appreciate observing the process, please attend this meeting on December 16.
The Nursery is in desperate need of staffing. Jane Clarke and our present Nursery Coordinator will be establishing a roster in the New Year to help with ensuring we have staff for our Sunday services.
Congratulations to the Sunday School and the efforts of our congregation as the “Toonie Drive” held in October/November has resulted in the purchase of a combination TV/VCR for the Sunday School.
The Christmas candlelight services will be held at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on December 24, 2001.
The nomination committee continues its quest to fill vacancies on the Board of Elders. Interest in this very worthwhile opportunity may be expressed to James, Jane or myself.
Bishop Spong is coming to Westminster on April 12 for a weekend workshop. We already have a substantial number of seats filled. Pamphlets for this event are available in the Church Office and on the ramp in the sanctuary.
The Board and Staff also wish each and everyone health and happiness during this season of Advent. May we all remember the real meaning of the season.
Respectfully submitted, Dave Curtis
Kings and Angels
click on image to enlarge
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