Peace is not something you wish for; It s something you make; something you do; something you are; and something you give away.

Transcription

1 Peace is not something you wish for; It s something you make; something you do; something you are; and something you give away. Robert Fulghum

2 Music to Gather Us Welcome & Announcements WELCOME TO PICTOU UNITED CHURCH Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity B.A., B.Th., M.Div. David & Shelley Pos: Ministry of Music December 9 th, 2018 Second Sunday in Advent Live PEACE We Gather in Community As the music begins, we are invited to prepare ourselves for worship. Gathering Words ~ Moment To Pause We Are Gathered Together This is Advent... waiting, preparing, dreaming. This is Advent... worrying, grieving, longing. This is Advent... giving, receiving, birthing. This is Advent and so much more. In this moment, in this place, all is wonder, all is grace. In this moment, in this place, peace awaits. sung twice ~ words & music by Trisha Watts ~Season of the Spirit God is good! All the time! All the time! God is good! Today we remember God s goodness, as we listen to the Christmas story. Mary, Joseph, Angels, Innkeeper, Shepherds, Animals, Wise Ones everyone- All experienced God s goodness! As we gather together: Singing our songs; joining in worship; sharing our gifts; We feel God s goodness! God is good! All the time! 2

3 Hymn All the time! God is good! Sing of a Promise Sing of a star light glimpse in the heavens. Sing of a beacon, guides from afar. Sing of a promise, shines like tomorrow. Bringing a child who ll carry us far. Sing of a town where trav llers are passing. Sing of a place where families come home. Sing of a host that welcomes the strangers. Making a bed where love might be born. Emmanuel, God is here, Emmanuel. Sing of a silence harbouring twilight. Sing of the herders watching the night. Sing of the choir whose song opens heaven. Gifting us peace to make the world right. Sing of three gifts of balm, gold and incense. Sing of the treasures wise people bring. Sing from our hearts our humble self-giving. Offering the Child whose praises we ring. Emmanuel, God is here, Emmanuel. Sing of the child who rocks on the waters. Sing of the landless seeking a shore. Sing of the lives still broken by sorrow. Open our hearts and make them a home. Emmanuel, God is here, Emmanuel. Sing of the morn when justice is coming. Sing of the day when love comes to town. Sing of the time when peace is our pathway. Glory to Christ who makes all his own. lyrics Craig Mitchell; music - Craig Mitchell & Allan D Hoare used with permission craigmitchell.typepad.com Gathering Prayer in unison Bright star-maker God, travel with us through Advent shine into our dark corners 3

4 lead us into ways of justice warm us with joy and wonder bring us to new birth. by Ruth Burgess in Candles & Conifers Love us into fullness, Hold us in your care, cheer us with your presence here and everywhere. More Voices 81 tune Voices United 396 We Mark our Advent Journey LIVE PEACE Our Advent Reverse Calendar The season of Advent challenges us to hear God's voice calling anew; to see God's vision of how our world could be; to be God s holy people. Hope and Peace made flesh in Jesus; Hope and Peace made flesh in us. As We Sing, We Light our Advent Candles 4,3,2,1...Count the weeks til Jesus comes. Each week we add another light, our hope for all the world. We pray, we share, we do our part, giving each day from our hearts: Sharing HOPE with everyone. 4,3,2,1...Count the weeks til Jesus comes. Each week we add another light, our hope for all the world. We pray, we share, we do our part, giving each day from our hearts: Sharing PEACE with everyone. adapted by Shelley Pos tune: Frosty the Snowman 4

5 We Open Ourselves to Wisdom Deep, deep and still. Holy is the silence. Our cares set aside for a time. Sacred is the hush that falls upon us, that calls upon us to listen, listen, listen to the voice sublime, of truth, deep and still, Holy in the silence, within us and around us now. words & music by Scott Kearns Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 9: 2-3a, 6-7 Light Shines Hymn Dream a Dream verses 1 & 2 More Voices 158 Words to Ponder "Advent" means "coming" of course, and the promise of Advent is that what is coming is an unimaginable invasion. The mythology of our age has to do with flying saucers and invasions from outer space, and that is unimaginable enough. But what is upon us now is even more so a close encounter not of the third kind but of a different kind altogether. An invasion of holiness. That is what Advent is about. from Frederick Buechner in The Clown in the Belfry Hymn Dream a Dream verses 3 & 4 More Voices 158 A A Star is Born Through story, music & drama, let us experience the Christmas Story anew. During A Star is Born please join in singing the following hymns: Mary poor, though great in faith Loving, brave and tender Heard and chose the way of life Let God s Spirit guide her. Through her womb that brings to birth, Through her hands caressing, Through her courage and her pain, God this world is blessing. tune: Gentle Mary Voices United 46 5

6 Joy, joy, joy; glad tidings of great joy! For through God s holy incarnation Christ is born for our salvation. Joy, joy, joy; glad tidings of great joy! Voices United 47 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. Voices United 64 Jesus, our brother, kind and good, Was humbly born in a stable rude, And the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, kind and good. I said the cow, all white and red, I gave him my manger for a bed, I gave him hay to pillow his head, I said the cow, all white and red, I said the sheep with curly horn, I gave him my wool for his blanket warm, he wore my coat on Christmas morn; I, said the sheep, with curly horn. Thus, all the beasts by some good spell, In the stable dark were glad to tell Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel, the gifts they gave Emmanuel. Voices United 56 A light is gleaming, spreading its arms throughout the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God's radiant love is burning bright, living in the light. Voices United 82 refrain 6

7 The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay a keeping their sheep on a cold winter s night that was so deep. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel. Voices United 91 Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o er the plains, and the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Voices United 38 There s a star in the east on Christmas morn, rise up, shepherd, and follow; it will lead to the place where the Christ was born; rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow, follow; rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow the star of Bethlehem. Rise up, shepherd, and follow. If you take good heed to the angel s words, rise up, shepherd, and follow, you ll forget your flocks, you ll forget your herds; rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow, follow. Voices United 70 Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born. Voices United 43 Ministry of Music New Star music & text -Sharon Chatwell arrangement- Nathan J Larsen 7

8 We Respond and Move into the World We Prepare to Offer our Gifts ~ Offertory ~ Prayer What can I give him, 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; yet what I can I give him give my heart. Voices United 55 We Go into the World to Share the Gifts of Peace May the love of Mary & Joseph be seen in us. May the generosity of the innkeeper and the stable animals inspire us. May the joy of the angels fill us. May the wonder of the shepherds open our hearts. May the awe of the Wise Ones be ours to share. May the light of the Christmas star stir us, guide us, and shine through us. Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth. When God is a child there's joy in our song. The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid. Voices United 7 Music to Send Us Out Into The World A HUGE Thank You to All involved in this year s year s Christmas Drama. A special note of thanks to our stars stars stars - Hannah Fleury & Nicole MacKenzie. A Star is Born Born was inspired by New Star Star - a play written by Sharon Chatwell. It was adapted and rere-written for our use by Rev. MaryMary-Beth. This week's bulletin is dedicated in celebration of family by Jane & Brian Burris. 8

9 A place of welcome A place of learning A place of exploring A place of laughter A place of prayer A holy place A people of faith making a difference in our community and our world. WELCOME Greeting the congregation are JoAnn & Jim Turple. Our Steward today is Luke Young. Our Ambassador today is Sharon Cheverie. Visit pictouunited.com & united-church.ca FINANCIAL UPDATE: Last week s attendance: 85. Offering was $6, (includes PAR & fundraisers). Budget for the week was $2, This Afternoon Monday, Dec. 10 Tuesday, Dec. 11 Wed. Dec. 12 THIS WEEK AT PUC O TUE. 8:30-12:30, M /W /T 3:30-5:30 & S &. B = 5 7:00 pm Choir practice. All Welcome! 8:30 am 11:00 am 1:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm PU Healthy Lifers Grab & Go Lunch Program Prayer Shawl Ministry Worship Committee Meeting TAPESTRY Christmas Potluck *see schedule Thursday, Dec :30 am Living Nativity - Our Advent Gathering *see schedule Friday, Dec. 14 3:00 pm Songs for the Season of Love CD Release 6:00 pm CAiRN Meeting 9:30 am Friday FunDay Saturday, Dec :00 am Caroling with the Choir *see schedule Next Sunday 9:45 am Join us for Second Cup - Coffee & Conversation 10:30 am All-Ages Worship Gathering in our Church Hall As we in the Northern Hemisphere prepare to enter the darkest time of the year, we will, once again, ponder the meaning of the Advent season through the spiritual practice of the Advent Spiral. Light Shines in the Darkness PUC is a NUT & SCENT AWARE ZONE. Please remember when providing food for events. Please be aware of scent sensitivities of others. Thank you. HEARING LOOP Switch to T-COIL The PICTOU ADVOCATE has PUC Sunday Reports 9

10 Wednesday, December 12 th T Potluck Supper gathering at 5:30 pm - eating by 6:00 pm All women of the congregation are invited to this evening of food, friendship & faith-filled fun. { We are planning our unique TAPESTRY version of Ugly Sweater called Unique Socks Buy a pair of Festive Christmas Socks (yes the kind you put on your feet) or perhaps you have a pair you are willing to part with, and put a treat or 2 in each sock (e.g. homemade treats, chocolate bar, small soap, lip gloss suggested $5 value) Tie each sock separately with a bow and bring them along. { Thursday, December 13 th 10:30-11:30 am Advent Gathering Living Nativity Saturday, December 15 th 11:00 am Caroling with the Choir Our Choir invites you to go caroling in downtown Pictou Sunday, December 16 th Advent 3 ~ SPREAD JOY 9:45 am onward Second Cup Sunday Come early! Friendship, conversation, coffee, tea and goodies! 10:30 am All-Ages Worship Gathering in our Church Hall As we in the Northern Hemisphere prepare to enter the darkest time of the year, we will, once again, ponder the meaning of the Advent season through the spiritual practice of the Advent Spiral. Light Shines in the Darkness Do you have a favorite nativity set? For many of us the preparation for Christmas involves the unpacking of our nativity or creche scenes, placing each piece in proper position bearing witness to the coming of the one we name Emmanuel : God With Us. Guided by resources from Janice MacLean (The Prayer Bench), each of our Gatherings will draw upon one of our Nativity figures: their story connecting us to the larger story of divine love made flesh. Thursdays - December 13 th and 2o th from 10:30-11:30 am 10