WILMOT UNITED CHURCH November 18, 2012

Transcription

1 WILMOT UNITED CHURCH November 18, 2012 Portions of the service printed in bold are spoken by the whole congregation. At the points marked * - those who are able are invited to stand. THE PEOPLE GATHER Organ Prelude: Adagio for Strings (Barber) Welcome to the Church Call to Worship We Light the Christ Candle Opening Prayer (See back of bulletin) (See back of bulletin) * Opening Hymn: Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet VU #245 Story Time for the Young and Young at Heart 1 Rev. E. Beairsto Children s Hymn: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus VU #357 (Children may leave for Sunday School) Connecting to Our Hearts Longing: 1 Samuel 2: 1-10 Silent Prayer * Hymn: Creator God You Gave Us Life MV #27 LISTENING FOR TRUTH Prayer of Preparation Eternal God, open our minds to hear your word, our hearts to love your word, and our lives to be obedient to your word, through the power of your Spirit and the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Nancy Bauer Scripture: 1 Samuel 1: 4-20 Congregational Response: One: This is the witness of God s people. All: Thanks be to God! Anthem: Seek Ye First (Lafferty) Reflection: Peace in our hearts... Rev. R-H Gaskin Time for Silent Reflection * Hymn: When in Our Music God Is Glorified VU #533 RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD DEDICATION OF THE NEW CHOIR MEMORIAL WINDOW WORDS OF DEDICATION In the name of the holy and triune God: Creator, Christ, and Spirit, we dedicate this window to the glory of God. With gratitude and reverence, we dedicate this window to the glory of God. For the beauty of this holy place and for the sake of all God s people, we dedicate this window to the glory of God. This window is dedicated to all choir members, choir directors and organists who have faithfully served God and this church through the ministry of music. PRAYER OF DEDICATION God of the universe, may the light of your love shine through this window we dedicate to your glory. May all who gaze upon it sense your beauty and peace. Reminded of the stories and symbols of your faithfulness, may we give thanks, and grow in faith and love. Amen. Announcements 2

2 3 4 Invitation to The Offering Offertory Music * Doxology VU #540 Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully. * Prayer of Dedication Caring God, may we offer not only our material gifts, but our whole selves to you, and to all those who need our support in the quest for justice. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Liberator. Amen. Prayers of the People Lord, make us instruments of your peace; where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. attributed to St. Francis 12th Century The Lord s Prayer (Sung) VU #960 The Last Word: Ephesians 5: * Closing Hymn: Joyful, Joyful We Adore You VU #232 * Commissioning: Go and join Christ in the world, healing and speaking words of freedom, witnessing to the sacred in the midst of life. * Benediction: May God bless you and keep you. May God s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace. Numbers 6: * Choral Amen VU #970 Postlude: Te Deum (Charpentier) ****************************************************** WELCOME to this service of worship and thank you for being with us today. Please join us for COFFEE AND CONVERSATION in the Dr. G. M. Young Memorial Hall following the service. Your hosts today are: Marg Routledge, Barbara Cross and Elsbeth Gibson. Today: Cliff Moase will have a selection of his turnings in the Dr. G. M. Young Memorial Hall for handling and possible purchase; proceeds to be divided between Mission and Service Fund and the lower hall roof. SYMPATHY: Our love and condolences are extended to Irene & Ernie Forbes and family on the recent death of Irene s Mother, Margaret McConnell. Margaret, who was 104 years old, passed away on Nov. 11 th. A service will be held in Scotsburn, NS at a later date. BAPTISM: We will be celebrating the sacrament of baptism on December 23 rd during 11 am worship. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, please contact Rev. Rose-Hannah at rosehannah@wilmotuc.nb.ca An individual can seek baptism at any age. We also encourage and support the renewal of baptismal vows at significant moments during life s journey. If you would like to talk about baptism or renewal of your baptismal vows, please Rose- Hannah or phone

3 2012 ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY: We celebrated Anniversary Sunday in June this year in conjunction with the Anniversary of the United Church of Canada. If you weren t able to join us and were wanting to make a special contribution to the church to recognize our 221 st Anniversary, please put your gift in an envelope marked Anniversary Sunday and place it in the offering plate or hand it in at the office. Thanks to everyone for their continuing commitment to the life and ministry of our congregation. POTLUCK SUPPER: The Interchurch Refugee Committee (Forest Hill, St. Paul s and Wilmot) is hosting a potluck supper today 5-7 pm in Wilmot Church Parlour to welcome the two refugee families who arrived in the summer from Syria. Please come and join us in welcoming them to our community. FAITH FORMATION COMMITTEE will meet on Monday, Nov. 19 at 7 pm in the Parlour. WILMOT SENIORS: Please join us on Tuesday, November 20 at 1:30 in the Parlour for an afternoon of fun and games! If you enjoy Scrabble, 45's and other games this will be perfect for you. A refreshment time will follow, this month provided by Group 2. All Seniors and Retirees are warmly welcome. Looking ahead: Christmas Buffet lunch at Aggie's on December 4. GREAT GATHERING - Working together to make Fredericton better. Join hundreds of others from all sectors of our community at the Great Gathering to share your passions and concerns and create solutions together to make our city a better place to live, work and play. The Great Gathering, an Open Space Forum, will be held on November 23 and 24 at the Convention Centre on Queen Street. Participants are free to come and go as they are able. More information and registration at or or Shirley Cleave, ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25, the Outreach committee will welcome Freddy Wangabo Mwenengabo, a Peace and Civil Rights Advocate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who raised awareness by his hunger strike earlier this year. His discussion will include the historical background of the Congo, recent hopeful developments at the Francophonie Summit attended by Stephen Harper and local NB politicians, and what we as individuals can do to support change in the Congo. Please join us in the parlour following church. 5 Sounds of the Season Nov 24: Wilmot United Church presents a fundraising concert on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 pm featuring tenor Derrick Paul Miller along with Carolyn Holyoke and Steven Peacock. The concert will be an eclectic mix of Christmas, Classical, and Celtic music, along with a few surprises. These musicians will be joined by pianist Dianne Roxborough Brown and the Fredericton Male Chorus accompanied by Doris Nicholson. Tickets are $20, students with ID $15, children 12 and under $10 and are available at the Church office, Westminster Books and at the door. For information call PALESTINE-ISRAEL DISCUSSION: This past summer at the 41st meeting of the United Church of Canada's General Council, it was decided that all Israeli products coming from Palestine should be boycotted. This was a complex and controversial decision to say the least. On Wednesday, November 21 at 7 pm, Forest Hill United Church welcomes GC41 commissioners Barbara Kelly, Rev. Steve Longmoore and Rev. Lori Beth Sheffield-Bowles to educate us on the issue, inform us of the discussion that led to the decision, and discuss the implications. There may be time for discussion of other General Council activities as well. All are welcome to this informal conversation. For more info, contact revalismith@gmail.com LOOKING AHEAD WHITE GIFT SUNDAY - Dec. 2: One may recall the fable in which peasants and lords were able to participate equally in the celebration of the king s birthday because all the gifts for the king were wrapped in the same white covering. Perhaps building on that fable, a tradition was born in 1903 when a small Methodist congregation gave white-covered gifts to others in need. In both situations, anonymity ensured that all gifts were appreciated equally. Mary and Joseph were parents with little money, few rights, and little identity. They were anonymous among the faceless crowds of the Roman Empire. Yet they received the greatest gift of all the baby Jesus. In turn, they gave their greatest gift to him their love and a name from God. It was a gift exchange that changed the world. To follow along with this tradition, we ask that you to bring in an item, wrapped in white paper or not, to be gathered at the front of the sanctuary on December 2. These items can be such things as shampoos, deodorants, slippers, socks, razors, books for children, etc. All items gathered will be used in the Christmas Hampers program. 6

4 FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANGING OF THE GREENS: The Sanctuary Committee invite members of the congregation interested in placing flowers at the front of the church, in memory of loved ones on December 9, to have them to the church by 11 am on December 8. Please advise Marlene, no later than Thursday, Dec. 6 as to whom your donation is in memory of so that it can be noted in the bulletin. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRESSIVE DINNER - For an evening of fun, fellowship and great food, be sure to mark your calendars for our pot luck Progressive Dinner which will be held on Friday, December 14th!! This year, Appetizers will be hosted by Sally McAllister and Rose- Hannah Gaskin; Main course by Gil and Kirby Keyser; and Dessert by Barb and George Cross. Watch for more information and details as December approaches. VOLUNTEERS needed for Christmas Eve Services: We are looking for volunteers to help greet, usher and general hospitality at our Christmas Eve Services (7 pm and 11 pm). If you are able to help, please contact Shirley Cleave ( or scleave@unb.ca). If you are interested in helping serve communion at our 11 pm service, please contact Anne Colpitts ( or colvez@nbnet.nb.ca) or Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin at or rose-hannah@wilmotuc.nb.ca UCW BAKE SALE and NEW TO YOU SALE Friday, Nov. 30 th from 9 am until 1 pm. Food donations will be received on Thursday, Nov. 29 th from 1-8 pm. GOSPEL NIGHT: An evening of Gospel Music tonight at 7:00 pm at Nashwaaksis United Church. There will be a Freewill offering. All welcome. PORK DINNER: Gibson Memorial United Church, will be hosting a "Pork Dinner" on Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 4-6 p.m. Tickets available by calling or by chance at the door. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: St. Paul's UCW will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 24 beginning at 10 a.m. This year we will feature the following: Bake table, craft table, mince meat pies, frozen casseroles, new to you table, Christmas bows, Christmas ornaments, gently used Christmas decorations, jewellery and a coffee to go window. TURKEY SUPPER at Forest Hill United Church on Saturday, Nov. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Prices: $12 for adults and $5 for ages OPEN HOUSE: Come to "The Cat's Whiskers" Open House on Saturday, November 24, from 10:00am - 3:00pm and find a unique, flat, easy-to-mail gift to make your Christmas shopping and shipping so easy! At the same time, you will be donating money to our "Raise the Roof" campaign at Wilmot! There will be aprons and more aprons in lively, bright colours and designs; Muffin Mufflers (we will tell you what they are when you come)! What about the "Lovely Lapkin"? Of course, there will also be big and cozy baby blankets; napkins and some tablecloths! Please come to 126 Waterloo Row next Saturday. 10% of all sales will be donated to the Church roof.. Welcome to "The Cat's Whiskers"...Barbara and George Cross HANDMADE FOR YOU FROM AROUND THE WORLD! Ten Thousand Villages is coming to Wilmot United Church! The Fredericton Mennonites are hosting a sale of beautiful, fairly-traded gifts benefiting artisans from more than 30 developing countries. Ten Thousand Villages is a project of Mennonite Central Committee, the outreach arm of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. The Festival Sale will be held Friday, November 23rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wilmot United Church. Admission is free. The gifts you buy at the Ten Thousand Villages Sales will give the blessings of steady work, fair wages, and a better life for struggling families around the world. For more information call Jill at Your purchase makes a difference! FALL BRIDGE LUNCHEON On November 29th, UCW of Nashwaaksis United Church will host a Fall Luncheon Bridge at 12 noon in the auditorium at 46 Main Street. Proceeds will go toward church and community outreach initiatives. Call Sharon at to book a table. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: On Saturday, December 1st, the Oromocto Public Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar at the Oromocto Mall from 8:30 am until 3 pm. All proceeds from this event will be used to help purchase patient comfort items and much need equipment for OPH. If you would like to help this auxiliary towards their fund raising goals, they are accepting donations of crafts and food items (pickles, jams, jellies, rolls, bread, cookies, pies, etc.) Donations can be delivered to the Oromocto Mall after 8:30am on Dec. 1 st. CHRISTMAS DINNER: Dec. 2 nd at St. Andrews United Church - Harvey. 8

5 9 10 Reserved seating at 4 and 5:30 pm. Tickets available by phoning or Menu: Turkey dinner with all the fixings, rolls, pie and cider. $12 CHRISTMAS AT GRACE: Grace Memorial Baptist Church will host Christmas at Grace - A Community Open House on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 & 2 from 4:00-8:00 PM. Families will be free to browse through the Festival of Trees, the Nativity with live animals, a children's craft activity, enjoy refreshments in the Bethlehem Inn, and attend concerts by our church choirs, the Celebration Orchestra and other instrumentalists. Everyone is welcome to attend. COUNTRY KITCHEN PARTY: New Life Community Church will once again be host their annual CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY KITCHEN PARTY. This night of Gospel Music will be held on November 30th at 7:00 pm at the Prince William 50 Plus senior hall. This night of Gospel music not only starts off the Christmas season but it is also used as a fund raiser for Gospel for Asia; where the church will be taking a free will offering to help out families again this year in Asia. Music will be provided by Lawrence and Connie Dunham; Sterling Peterson; Randy and Tammy Griffiths and Wayne Blinn just to name a few of the people who will be giving their time and talents to raise fund for Gospel for Asia. A free will offering will be taken and a Lunch is provided. Everyone is welcome. Ministers: Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin Rev. Ellen Beairsto Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Bob Jones, Rev. Cliff Moase, Rev. Vic Moriarty Organist: Virginia Leiter Choir Director: Steven Peacock Secretary: Marlene Phillips Sexton: Randy Randall Church Office: THIS WEEK AT WILMOT Nov TODAY: 11:00 am WORSHIP 12:00 pm COFFEE & CONVERSATION 1:00 pm FREDERICTON MALE CHORUS 4-8 pm POT LUCK SUPPER - to welcome refugee families.. Monday, Nov. 19: 2-4 & 6:30 FREE LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC 6:00 pm FAITH FORMATION COMMITTEE - Parlour 6:30 pm SPECIAL OLYMPICS 6:45 pm TOASTMASTERS CLUB - Board Room Tuesday, Nov 20: 10:30 am COMMUNION at Pine Grove. Everyone welcome. 12:00 pm OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS - Fireside Room 1:30 pm SENIORS - Parlour 6:30 pm SPANISH CLUB - Board Room 7:00 pm RADICAL HOSPITALITY - Parlour 7:00 pm MARTIAL ARTS - Gym Wednesday, Nov. 21: 9:00 am MORNING OUT/QUILTERS - Parlour 10:00 am WILMOT - Fireside Room 10:00 am TOY LIBRARY 7:00 pm TRUSTEES - Parlour 7:00 pm NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS - Fireside Room Thursday, Nov. 22: PRESBYTERY meets in Nackawic 1:00 pm WILMOT WRITERS - Parlour 6:30 pm HANDBELL CHOIR PRACTICE 7:30 pm SENIOR CHOIR PRACTICE Friday, Nov. 23: 10:00 am TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES SALE - Gym Sat. Nov. 24: SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Concert 9:00 am TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES SALE - Gym 10:00 am TOY LIBRARY 6:30 pm DROP-IN CENTRE 7:30 pm SOUNDS OF THE SEASON - Sanctuary Sunday, Nov. 25: SOUP LUNCHEON 9:30 am ADULT BIBLE CONVERSATION - Board Room 11:00 am WORSHIP & SUNDAY SCHOOL 12:00 pm SOUP LUNCHEON 1:00 pm F TON MALE CHORUS REHEARSAL

6 ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: It's not too late to book your table at the Forest Hill United Church Arts and Crafts Fair. The fair will be held Saturday December 1st from 9 to 3. Among the homemade items will be wreaths, jewellery, paintings, rug hooking and a selection of knit articles. Call Mary Grant at or grantma@mcmaster.ca to book your 8 foot long table. Rental cost is $ BAZAAR & LUNCH: Gibson Memorial United Church, will be hosting a "Christmas Bazaar & Turkey Pie Luncheon" on Saturday, Dec. 1, 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Tickets: $8 per person. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: On Saturday, December 1st, the Oromocto Public Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar at the Oromocto Mall from 8:30 am until 3 pm. All proceeds from this event will be used to help purchase patient comfort items and much need equipment for OPH. If you would like to help this auxiliary towards their fund raising goals, they are accepting donations of crafts and food items (pickles, jams, jellies, rolls, bread, cookies, pies, etc.) Donations can be delivered to the Oromocto Mall after 8:30am on Dec. 1 st. SINGLE CHRISTIANS CHRISTMAS PARTY: Age 35 and up at Odell Park Lodge on December 15, at 5:30 pm. Tickets $16 (Meal included). Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at the Lighthouse Bookstore or Word of Faith Church. For more information, please contact or Ministers: Rev. Rose-Hannah Gaskin Rev. Ellen Beairsto Ministers Emeriti: Rev. Bob Jones, Rev. Cliff Moase, Rev. Vic Moriarty Organist: Virginia Leiter Choir Director: Steven Peacock Secretary: Marlene Phillips Sexton: Randy Randall Church Office: To the Congregation of Wilmot United Church, In my correspondence with Ian Stewart I heard about the beautiful service last weekend, on Remembrance Day. How fitting is it that along with the distinguished veterans and the sacrifices of the men and women at arms we also take a moment to remember others lost, including my mother, Jane Foster. While I do not know all the details, I received word of Bob and Susan Breen's words of my mother and of her donation to Wilmot. I wanted to say thank you to all of you. My mother loved Wilmot, and so do I. After moving across the country 10 years ago, to a place where we had no ties, it was amazing to come to a place where we were received as members of a family. It was somewhere we always felt welcome, and is one of the favourite places I've found in the past decade. Indeed, Wilmot introduced us to many friends with whom I am always excited to see, and even set me on my path to studying music. With such a great influence in our lives, it was only right that you should be included in my mother's final wishes. After all you've done for my family after my mother's passing, I will forever be grateful. As I sit here, looking out my apartment window at the rainy Vancouver landscape, you are all in my thoughts, and I grow teary eyed knowing that thanks to you all, my mother lives on in your thoughts. Thank you, Much love to everyone, Jack Foster 12

7 13 14 Christmas Hampers For new arrivals in Fredericton THE MITTEN TREE will be up each Sunday in the gym from November 18 to December 2. Each paper mitten on the tree identifies a gift item - these items will be included in the Christmas Hampers for families that have moved to Fredericton, many as refugees from Bhutan, Chad, Ethiopia, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Congo (DRC) and Liberia. The families that receive hampers, including gifts and grocery gift certificates, have left their extended families behind, along with the support network that extended families represent. So aside from the fact that they need the warm items that we provide for them, the warmth that they receive along with our gifts is very much needed and appreciated. HERE S HOW YOU CAN HELP 1. You can take and return a mitten with the gift item that is written on it. The gift, unwrapped, with the mitten to be returned to the church no later than Dec.6. Including wrapping paper or gift bag would be very helpful. 2. If you prefer, you may make a cash donation any Sunday, writing on the envelope that the money is for the Christmas Hamper Program. 3. You can help with wrapping gifts. The gift-wrapping will take place on Wednesday, December 12 beginning at 6 pm in the gym. 4. Delivery will be on Friday, December 14. Volunteers are needed for gift-wrapping, and for delivery of the hampers. There will be sign up sheets for volunteers to help with this project at the Mitten Tree or contact Elaine Kenyon at An Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration December 9, 2012 Let s celebrate again with our traditional Christmas crafts and dinner at Wilmot. Our day begins with a worship service in the church and the beautiful Hanging of the Greens. At 3:00 you are asked to return to the Sunday School hall to begin making Christmas crafts this is open to all ages. At 4:15 we will return to the church for carol singing led by Steven Peacock and Virginia Leiter you can choose some of your favourites as we join our voices together in anticipation of the Christmas season. This year we will be purchasing turkeys and hams for the dinner and would ask for volunteers to cook these for our dinner. The cooked turkeys and hams will need to be brought to the kitchen between 3:30 and 4:00. When the turkey dinner is ready, we ll be called to the gymnasium for a buffet dinner prepared by members of Wilmot. We ll be calling for volunteers as we come closer to the date. Please let Terri MacLean ( ) know if you are willing to help with the crafts, or dinner. Dinner Cost - $9/person or $20/family