December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas

Transcription

1 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA MELFORT ETHELTON PASTORAL CHARGE Office: (306) Website: Worship Time: 10:30 AM Ministers: All of us Worship Leader: Jeanette Stevenson Music: Grace Wilton Music Director: Mavis Peters Office Administrator: Denise Todosichuk Caretaker: Faye Greier Today s Greeter: Glenn George Scripture Readers: Marlene Stevenson, Grace Wilton ORDER OF WORSHIP December 30, 2018 First Sunday after Christmas WE GATHER AS A COMMUNITY OF GOD S PEOPLE As we gather for worship today we acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty 6 Territory. We honour the Cree and Métis people for whom this place has been a homeland for thousands of years. We respect the sacredness of our home and the ground on which we walk and we are grateful to gather here in peace and hope. ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNIVERSARIES & CONCERNS: CALL TO WORSHIP: We have come here today to worship you, Lord. Open our hearts and minds to receive the message you have given us through your precious gift of Jesus. HYMN (VU 68) All Poor Ones and Humble OPENING PRAYER: God be with us in this time and place: in our praying and our singing,

2 -2- in our silence and our thinking, in our words and in our actions, in this time together and in all the days to come. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen. HYMN (VU 79) Arise, Your Light is Come PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE: (in unison) Merciful God, we admit that it is hard for us to do your will. We do not always believe in your presence. We want to do things our way. We allow ourselves to get caught up in things we ought not to do. We put too much emphasis on pleasures and possessions. We do not pay attention to those who are hurting or in need. Even when we turn to you, it is often with conditions. O Lord, in your mercy, forgive us and help us to do better. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE: There is good news. God is always with us. He forgives our sins and gives us second chances. He wants us to forgive ourselves and each other. He will never forsake us. Thanks be to God! PRAYER RESPONSE (VU 400) Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying WE LISTEN FOR GOD S WORD TO US CHILDREN S TIME: THE LORD S PRAYER (VU 959): MINUTE FOR MISSION:

3 -3- SCRIPTURE READINGS: RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 148 (VU p. 871) Let the whole creation praise God. EPISTLE READING: Colossians 3:12-17 Clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness. A READING: The Manger is Empty - Written by Walter Wangerin, Jr. (Adapted) ANTHEM: Rise Up Shepherd, an African- American Spiritual OUR RESPONSE OFFERING INVITATION: God has given us the wonderful gift of Jesus. Now let us offer what we can in gratitude and thankfulness. OFFERING: OFFERTORY HYMN (VU 55) In the Bleak Midwinter Verse 4 PRAYER OF DEDICATION: (in unison) Lord, in this season of many gifts, we bring you ours today. We pray that they may be used to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to our world in this time and place. Receive our offerings, whether large or small, and bless all those whose lives they touch. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

4 -4- PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Loving God, we come here with our hearts open to your touch. No two of us are the same. We bring different emotions and different needs, but you hear them all and touch us with your love. We sing, we hear your word, and we pray to grow in wisdom, to deepen our faith journey and to celebrate your loving touch. We pray for healing for those who are hurting. We pray for an end to the injustices, wars, and calamities that cause so much suffering in this world. We pray for our leaders that they have the wisdom to make decisions for the good of all. Lord, we are about to enter a new year. We come before you with excitement, anticipation, fear, and uncertainty. In all these emotions you are here with us. God of many blessings we thank you for your boundless gifts: this earth that sustains us with its resources and beauty; this created life with all its relationships of which we are a part; our family and friends who fill us with belonging; studies and ministries that challenge and excite us; good health and happiness; your church which is a community of those who came before us, those who are here now, and those who are yet to come. Help us to work together that we might live in justice, peace, and harmony with all. We thank you for your empowering grace and your sustaining love. We thank you for the gift of your son in whose name we pray. Amen. SENDING FORTH HYMN (VU 45) Joy is Now in Every Place COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION: As you leave this place of worship, go with the knowledge that God will never leave you. Take his blessing of love into your heart so that you can feel compassion, wisdom, and a desire for justice in the world around you. Go in love and peace. Amen. CHORAL BLESSING (VU 967) Amen

5 -5- NEXT WEEK S (January 6 th, 2019) READINGS: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, (VU p. 790 Parts One and Two) Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome: Welcome to worship here today. Whether you are worshipping with us today for the first time or you have been here before or longer than you can remember, you are welcome to be here and to participate however you feel comfortable. Sometimes you may be invited to stand and you want to stay sitting, or you might feel comfortable standing but no one else is. Do what feels right and comfortable for you. We each bring something of ourselves to worship, and it enhances the experience for each of us. Regardless of your age, stage, gender, sexual identity, or how great or small you feel your faith is, God, through us, welcomes you to worship. Please remember to sign our guest book at the entrance of the church, and stay back for a cup of coffee and conversation at the CE Centre immediately following the service. THIS WEEK AT MELFORT UNITED CHURCH Wednesday, January 2 nd Church Office Reopens Rev. Emmanuel s Office Hours & Contact Information Office Hours: Tuesday Friday 10:00 am 4:00 pm Office Number: Cell Number: For emergency pastoral care call

6 -6- JNAC Informational Sessions The Joint Needs Assessment Committee (comprised of Reverend Dave Whalley and, Larry Chalifour from Presbytery, and Rick Peters, Kristine Dean and Sue Amundrud from the local congregation) are continuing their work as directed by the Church Board. As a next step, we have arranged for an external facilitator to hold discussions on what members think is important for, and would like to see in, our church. Please try to attend one of the following two sessions to be held in the CE Centre at the church, and please share this information with others (including those who may not be regular attendees) so we get as much input as possible. This is your opportunity to impact the future direction of Melfort United Church. Saturday, January 5 at 1:00 pm, or Monday, January 7 at 7:00 pm Hope to see you there. January Featured Artists! January 6 th Lauren Dean January 13 th Graydon Eskowich January 20 th - Alexis Heavin January 27 th We ll Make a Better World Donnelly/Strid United Church Women Annual Report If you have a submission/report for the 2018 UCW Annual Report please or drop it off at the church office by Wednesday, January 2 nd Annual Congregational Report If you have a submission/report for the 2018 Annual Report please or drop it off at the church office by Wednesday, January 2 nd, Stewardship Seconds Let God s grace and gifts flow freely; from God to us, from us to others.