The United Church of Canada Bathurst Pastoral Charge First United Church, Bathurst THE COMMUNITY GATHERS

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1 The United Church of Canada Bathurst Pastoral Charge First United Church, Bathurst November 29, 2015 First Sunday of Advent Clergy Rev. Blair Lewis Organist Martha Vickers Office Adm. Isabel Clouston Greeters Dorothy Ann McCallum Custodian Alan Wilcox Beth Sullivan All musical selections reprinted under licence #606499, LicenSing for Churches. Lectionary for today Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25 I Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Lectionary for next Sunday Baruch 5: 1-9 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The asterisk * identifies those times in the service where the congregation is invited to stand as able. We welcome the Men s choir today and thank them for leading our music. Organ Prelude: *Choral Opening: Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel; God with us, revealed in us; His name is called Emmanuel. Welcoming: One: The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill my promise to my people. All: Justice and righteousness will fill the land and all will live in peace and safety. [Jeremiah 33:14 to 16] Welcoming Friends Worshipping by CD: Announcements: -1- Lighting the Advent Candle: The Candle of Hope One: Advent s here are you ready? Every year (yes, already) The cycle comes round, The Christ to be found. Join us in the walk to Bethlehem! Hope s alive in our living. Mistakes are made, but there s forgiving. This Christmas we ll share The Good News everywhere. Join us in the walk to Bethlehem! All: In our lives there can be gloom and sorrow, Fears, frustrations yes- they can abound But the Christ child is coming (not tomorrow). In this little one our hopes are found! One: Advent s here are you ready? Every year (yes, already) This first candle we light To guide through the night. All: Join us in the walk to Bethlehem! (The first candle is lit) Advent Candle-Lighting Hymn: A Light Is Gleaming #82 VU 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. Call To Worship: One: There will be signs in the heavens and distress among the nations. All: When Christ returns in power and glory people will faint with fear. One: But when you see these things, lift up your heads: All: our redemption is drawing near! One: All: Heaven and earth may pass away, but the word of God will stand unshaken. -2-

2 Prayer of Approach: (in unison) You are the hope of the world, God. You are the guiding light in our lives. Open our eyes to your word. Open our hearts to your presence. Open our lives to your hope that we might be eyes, hearts, and hands of hope everywhere we go. We ask it in Christ s name. May it be so! Amen *Opening Hymn: Advent s Call (Tune: Winchester New #20VU) Here in these northern lands we bear The ice, the snow, the frosty air; But we renew our Christian Year In Avent s call that God is near. Through Sunday s four, each year we trace The movement of God s giving grace. Hope like a diamond in a ring Is promise of all love can bring. Hope is the farmer in the field. Sowing the seeds with unknown yield; Planting with heart and faith so stout gainst insects, hail, frost, flood and drought. When we have hope, we pray for peace; From strife and conflict, a release. Instead of spending on war tools, For girls and boys, we build some schools. In stable small, rough, calloused hands Enwrap a babe in swathing bands; Then fear and anguish turn to joy As now the parents hold their boy. This babe is God s own gift of love The angles sing in sky above; While in the heav ns, a shining sphere Announces God in Christ is here. -3- Children of All Ages: *The Lord s Prayer: THE SERVICE OF THE WORD Prayer for Understanding: O God, beginning and end, by whose command time runs its course: bless our impatience, perfect our faith, and, while we await the fulfillment of your promises, grant us hope in your Word. Amen. Scripture Readings: Cheryl Brewster Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Responsive Psalm: Psalm 25 #752 VU New Testament Reading: Luke 21 :25-36 *Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus #2VU Meditation: Anthem: Being faithful to God while we wait O Come, O Come Emmanuel THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS Presentation of Gifts and Self to God: Choral Response: In the Bleak Midwinter #55VU vs.4 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. *Prayer of Dedication: (in unison) As we prepare, O God, for the festival of Christ s birth, help us to give in expectation of his return. May our gifts be used to prepare the world for Christ s coming, when all creation shall sing your praise. Amen. -4-

3 Prayer Of Confession: All: O God beyond space and clan and time, O God beyond our imaginings, we come to grow our love, our faith, our hope. We come in joy to celebrate your goodness. One: Give words to our feelings, give music to our thoughts, give spirit to our gathering here, we pray. All: We your people have much to confess. We have not been good stewards of your creation. We have not been good ministers of your grace. We have not been good apostles of your child, Jesus. We get distracted, we forget are calling, we can be selfish. Forgive us, and all humanity. Help us to repent and seek a new course. One: We pray that you will hear us o God, as we bear our souls to you. Amen Choral Response: O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today. Assurance of Pardon: One: The Good News of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life. Let us commit our lives to Christ s way of hope and peace. All: Thanks be to the Advent God, who comes among us, setting us free to love and serve. Pastoral Prayer: One: Spirit of Hope, in a time of busyness that threatens to overpower the sound of your voice, and blind us to the needs of those around us, we pray for ourselves: that we might not become so preoccupied with our own schedules, that we forget we live within your time, that we might not be anxious about tomorrow that we may trust you to bring about your love and peace, that we might work together to share Good News with those around and beyond us. (silence) We offer our prayers for nations and people at war, All: In your mercy, Lord, save us. One: For all who suffer from violence, in the streets or in their homes. All: In your mercy, Lord save us. One: For all who live in worry or fear. All: In your mercy, Lord save us. One: For all who are living with illness and who search for a better tomorrow. All: May the comfort of your love save us. One: For those who have never heard of your rescuing love, All: in your mercy, Lord save us. One: For all those who have lost hope, or never had it at all, All: in your mercy, Lord save us. One: Creator of Joy, we wait with excitement and impatience. Surround us with your stillness, quiet us with your Spirit, that we might be ready to receive the light of the world. Amen. Reflective Music: Silent Prayer:

4 THE COMMUNITY GOES FORTH *Closing Hymn: I Have Called You by Your Name #161 MV I have called you by your name, you are mine, I have gifted you and ask you now to shine. I will not abandon you; all my promises are true. You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine. I will help you learn my name as you go; Read it written in my people, help them grow. Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim, Offer Jesus body given long ago. I know you will need my touch as you go; Feel it pulsing in creation s ebb and flow. Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt, Hold the hem of Jesus robe, then let it go. I have given you a name, it is mine; I have given you my Spirit as a sign. With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole; Go and tell my precious people they are mine. *Commissioning: ( in unison) God who leads by a Star, show us the direction to Bethlehem. Lead us to the place where love is to be born in our lives. Give us signs along the road as we make our journey, that we may follow in your way. *Blessing: 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 6:24-26 * Choral Closing: I am Walking a Path of Peace (#221 MV) I am walking a path of Hope I am walking a path of Hope I am walking a path of Hope lead me home, lead me home. Organ Postlude: -7- Church News This Week at First United Nov 30 Dec. 5 Monday 9am Ways & Means Eddy Rm 6:15 Beavers Rms 1.2&3 Tuesday 2pm Bible Study 6:15 Cubs & Scouts DEMH GYM Wednesday 6:30pm Choir Practice Thursday 1:30pm Pastoral Care - RMR Peanut Butter for Volunteer Centre Commitment December 31, Total to Date 762 To meet our obligation, we will need to collect jars of peanut butter per week. The Volunteer Center supplies, on average, 430 households monthly with that amount growing to over 530 during the Christmas season. Christmas Hymn Sing Waiting for Bethlehem s Light The annual Christmas Hymn Sing will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, (storm date Dec. 17 th ) at7pm at First United. Come join with us as we celebrate the Christmas season with familiar carols as well as new selections you are sure to enjoy. The choir will be joined by Take Note, BHS Choir and other special guests. Cost $10 Adults $5 Children. Tickets are available from choir members and the church office Poinsettia Fund: Once again this year we are hoping to have the beauty of our sanctuary enhanced with poinsettias for the Christmas season. Those wishing to contribute to the annual poinsettia fund may place an envelope in the offering plate on Sunday morning. Please mark clearly on the face of the envelope Poinsettia Fund with your name, PAR or envelope number. List the names that you wish to have printed in the Christmas bulletin insert. Donations will also be received in the church office deadline is December 13,

5 Annual Christmas Benevolence Program: For those interested in supporting this benevolence program, donation envelopes are available, on the Christmas tree located at the entrance to the sanctuary. The White gift service will be on Sunday, December 6 and the envelopes can be returned at that time. Any personal cheque may be made payable to First United Church. Donations to this fund will be used to support the volunteer center as well as those people in our congregation who find it difficult, financially, throughout the year. The CD titled, "Christmas on the Bay", is now available. It features a variety of Christmas music by Linda Knowles MacPherson, with help from friends, Donald Eddy, Archie Fowlie, and Anne Marie Hocquard. A copy may be obtained with a donation to First United Church. Please contact Isabel at the church office to obtain or reserve a copy. Notice: Sound system units for hearing impaired individuals are available. Please ask the soundboard operator for assistance Envelopes: The Givings Envelopes for 2016 are located in the narthex. Please insure that envelopes for the correct year are used as individual contribution # s may have changed. The Upper Room for Nov. and Dec. are in the Narthex. Please feel free to take one. A container for donations is located with the publication. Notice from the Property Management Team For security reasons, all doors to the sanctuary will be kept locked except the one closest to the office. To enter the church during business hours, please use the St. Patrick Street entrance. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles~ -9- Community Events A Very Special Holiday Musical Celebration in support of the Spirit of Christmas and the S. P. C. A. will feature the talents of Rosalind Kennedy-Townsend and Dorothy Roy Nini along with: Anick Carruthers, Alysa Collins, Bathurst High School Choir, Bathurst Community Band, Craig Caldwell, Eddy Edwards, Gabrielle Carruthers, Jasmine LaPointe, Jason Nicol, Jody Smith, Larissa Godin, Derek Knowles, Linda Knowles-MacPherson, Parkwood Heights Elementary School Choir, Stacy Hickey-Buraglia, Suzanne Cyr, and Take Note. There will be two performances with one on Saturday, November 28, and the other on Sunday, November 29. Performances begin at 7:00 P. M. in the Gwendolyn Kent Auditorium, Bathurst High School. Tickets cost $15.00 and are available at: Captain s Cabin, Parkwood Heights Elementary School, S. P. C. A. and from the participants. Evening of entertainment and Fun Auction in support of Holy Family Church on Saturday, December 5 th, in the church hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment by Stacy Hickey-Buraglia, Father David Ferguson, Gabriella Buraglia, Regan Riordon and Deborah Lafolley. The price of admission is only $5.00. Pick up your tickets after weekend Masses at Holy Family or contact Cletus, Great items up for auction such as Titan Hockey tickets, homemade crafts, Christmas center pieces and much more! Saint George s Anglican Church Choir will be presenting and evening of Christmas music on Thursday, Dec. 10 th at 7:00 pm. A light lunch will follow in the Hall. Bathurst Christian Women invite you to our Joy to the World Luncheon Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Danny s Inn and Conference Center $15 from 11:15am - 1:00pm. We will be carol singing around the piano and guest speaker Peter Scott will bring his message Wise Men Still Seek Him. Reservations are necessary. Please contact Joanne at or ejgodin@rogers.com or contact Connie at Caring For Colin Breakfast Saint George s Monthly Community Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 12 th from 8:00-10:30 am. All proceeds from this event will go to assist little two-year-old Colin who is suffering from a rare genetic condition and must travel to Texas for surgery. -10-

6 Recipe for Christmas All Year Long Take a heap of child-like wonder That opens up our eyes To the unexpected gifts in life Each day a sweet surprise. Mix in fond appreciation For the people whom we know; Like festive Christmas candles, Each one has a special glow. Add some giggles and some laughter, A dash of Christmas food, (Amazing how a piece of pie Improves our attitude!) Stir it all with human kindness; Wrap it up in love and peace, Decorate with optimism, and Our joy will never cease. If we use this healthy recipe, We know we will remember To be in the Christmas spirit, Even when it's not December. By Joanna Fuchs

7 Jeremiah 33:14-16 New International Version (NIV) 14 The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it [a] will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. Luke 21:25-36 New International Version (NIV) 25 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 29 He told them this parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

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