White Gift Service. He Is Born. Christmas Is A Feeling Calypso Noel. St. James United Church December 11,

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1 St. James United Church December 11, 2011 Minister: Rev. Bill Bartlett Minister of Visitation/MUN Chaplain Rev. Pamela Jones-Fitzgerald C.E. Lay Minister: Susan Sheppard Organist/Choir Director: Philip Roberts Assistant Organist: Allan Morgan Youth Choir/AOTS Doreen Brown White Gift Service Organ Prelude: Welcome: Introit: He Is Born Call To Worship: (unison) In the long night of the winter sky, a star. In the grunts and snorts and stampings of a stable, a baby s cry. In the wilderness beside the Jordan, a witness to the Light. See and hear and sense the signs, the signs of your call to be bearers of God s justice and peace. We hear your call, O God, and in love we answer. Prayer Of Approach: (unison) O Love Divine, on this third Sunday of Advent when everything seems to speed up, with the exception of our ability to keep up, draw near to us. Come close that we may feel your Presence and thus be reminded that what we are hurrying toward is somehow here already. Quiet our fretfulness for a few moments that we may feel cradled in the Love we seek, and thus be loving in our intentions, in our conversations, in our action. This we pray as we gather in community. Amen. Hymn: Joyful, Joyful We Adore You Lighting of the Advent Candle The Candle of Joy Today our sanctuary is adorned with a Christmas tree under which we will place many gifts. Reader 2: In the ancient world, evergreens were seen to have magical powers because they never lost their needles. Their green colour amid leafless and brown trees became a symbol of life. Legend tells us that the Christmas tree originated in Germany when a man, walking home one Christmas Eve, looked up through an evergreen tree and saw hundreds of stars twinkling like diamonds. He was so enthralled that he cut down the tree, took it home, and adorned it with lights in an effort to recreate this beauty and mystery for his sick child, who could not go outdoors to see it for herself. The Christmas tree came to North America in the 1800s with German immigrants and soon found itself at the centre of most Christmas celebrations. It is under the Christmas tree that we place our gifts. We give gifts to those we love as a sign of joy, the joy that comes from knowing that we are loved and accepted by God simply because God created us. Reader 2: Today we will place under our Christmas tree gifts wrapped in white following the tradition started by Mrs. Winters in These gifts are given out of love for others, those who are not known to us, but are known to and named by God. Knowing that God will take our gifts of love and use them where they are needed gives us great joy. We light this third candle to speak of our joy, a joy that comes from being God s people. Hymn: Hope is a Star (verse 3) 7 Presentation of White Gifts Christmas Is A Feeling Calypso Noel

2 Time with the children: -3- Carol: Away in a Manger 69 Solo: Gesu Bambino Kelsey Brown Life And Work of St. James: Offertory Invitation: (unison) With JOY, let us present offerings of commitment and support for the work of the church. We remember during this Advent season that there is room for everyone in God s kingdom. The smallest, the weakest, the least powerful are made welcome by our gifts. That happens through the work of our local church, our White Gifts and through the work of the United Church of Canada across our country and around the world, made possible by our gifts to the Mission and Service Fund -4- Pastoral Prayer: (unison) Many are struggling today O God bring us strength. Many are ill today O God bring us healing. Many are scared today O God bring us courage. Many are lost today O God bring us guidance. Many are looking for answers today O God bring us answers. Many are silent today O God be our voice. Many need to know you are there today O God hold us fast. Many have things we must say to you, many of us need a moment to listen for your voice O God, hear our prayers and in your love answer. The Lord s Prayer: Lullaby On A Silent Night Angels Carol Soloist Noah Sheppard Offertory: Sheep Fast Asleep Carol: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 48 Offertory Carol: In the Bleak Mid Winter (verse 4) 55 Offertory Prayer: Gracious and loving God, in JOY we offer these gifts and those given through PAR to continue to fulfill the mandate of the prophet Isaiah, to bring good news to the oppressed, encourage the broken hearted and proclaim liberty to those held in captivity. Amen Scripture: Isaiah 61: 1-4, The spirit of the Lord is upon me Christmas Gloria Do You Hear What I Hear? Gospel: John 1: 6-8, John testified to the Light Carol: I Am the Light of the World 87 Commissioning: Benediction: Let There Be Peace Soloist Joel Le Feuvre Organ Postlude: ***************************** Resources for today s service was taken from Gathering, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany ************************** Head Usher: Eric King Greeters: Eric and Roma Paul Ushers: Ruth Baker Grace Dean Oliver Wellon Daphne Coish Melvin Burt Betty Burt Don Blackmore

3 Memory Tree Form This time of the year thoughts of our loved ones are never far from our minds. One of the ways we acknowledge this is through the Memory Tree. For a donation of $5.00 a colored bulb will be changed to a white one in memory of your loved one. The changing of the lights is a beautiful seasonal visible symbol. Even when the tree comes down the gift continues in the ongoing projects here at St. James. Name of person donating: In Memory of: Address: Env #: The deadline for donations to the Memory Tree and also for the Christmas Eve 6 p.m. services will be noon, December 21. Donations received after the 21 will be printed in the January 1, 2012 bulletin. Memorial Fund We acknowledge a donation in loving memory of Sidney French from his wife Enid, son Ron and daughter in-law Cynthia. Congregational Meeting: There will be a Congregational Meeting on December 18 following the morning service to review/approve the report from the Joint Needs Assessment Committee and to establish a Joint Search Committee.

4 St. James United Church December 11, 2011 Mission Statement The Church is a fellowship of believers who have responded to God s call through Jesus Christ. As members of a Christian community initiated by Christ to proclaim God s love for the whole creation, we are called to: (1) Believe in God and God s love made visible in Jesus Christ; (2) To participate in a spiritual journey, intentionally proclaiming, celebrating and deepening spiritual consciousness; (3) To be good stewards of all that we possess and to care for the earth which is God s creation; (4) To develop meaningful and caring relationships with others as well as with God; (5) To empower individuals and groups, in response to the call of Christ, to increase their awareness of the oppressive forces around them, and with God s help, to seek justice for all people. Church Directory Minister:... Rev. Bill Bartlett Minister of Visitation.. Rev. Pamela-Jones Fitzgerald C.E. Lay Minister... Susan Sheppard Minister Emeritus... Rev. Dr. Wallace Baker Clerk of Session... Clyde Flight Chief Usher... David Hapgood Organist & Sr. Choir Director... Philip Roberts Assistant Organist... Allan Morgan Youth Choir... Doreen Brown Children s Choir... Susan Sheppard Office Secretary/Manager... Margaret Hodder Church Custodians/Maintenance... Keith Davis, Dave Hapgood and Linda Martin Dec 12 UCW Christmas Social 5:30 for 6 pm Dec 13 Escasoni Worship Service Council Meeting 2:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dec 18 Advent 4 - Contemporary Worship Special Music with Senior Choir 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Dec 21 AOTS Christmas Social 6:30 for 7 Dec 24 Note Time Changes Christmas Eve Christmas Family Service (You are reminded to bring a small flashlight for the 6 pm service) Christmas Eve Carol Sing Christmas Communion Service 6 p.m. 9 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Dec 25 Christmas Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Jan 1 Baptism 11:00 a.m. Memorial Fund We acknowledge donations in loving memory of Susie Andrews from the following: St. James United Church Women Bob and Beverley Bellefleur Nape Bowling League Sympathy and Condolences We extend sincere sympathy and condolences to Tom Rose and family on the recent death of his brother-in-law Newman Bartlett. The funeral took place on Tuesday this past week in Grand Bank. Drama and Sunday School Christmas Party Due to the congregational meeting following the service next Sunday the Pageant and Party had to be rescheduled. These events will now take place in the sanctuary and fellowship room starting at 2 p.m Givings The financial year-end will be December 31. If a contribution is marked for year 2011 by January 1, 2012 it will be recorded in If you have further questions, please call our church treasurer, Jean Thompson.

5 2012 Church Envelopes Envelopes are placed on the window ledges. Please take the time to pick yours up today. Maybe you could take your neighbours. Any discrepancy on your name or address, please call the church office. Scripture Readers. We are in need of volunteers to read scripture on Sunday mornings. Persons willing to submit their names are asked to sign the signup sheet provided in the church foyer. ***************** Escasoni Christmas Carolling -Thursday, December 15, 7 at p.m. Join us for Christmas Carolling with the residents at Escasoni. Please contact the church office if you will be attending. Also we are in need of someone to play guitar or other musical instrument as we sing. Call Rev. Pam at the church office. Winter Solstice Service Tuesday, Dec 21 at 7 p.m. in Susan s front yard, 397 Thorburn Road. Join us as we celebrate the longest night of the year and the return of Light to the world around the bonfire. Bring along a mug and flashlight. For more information, contact Susan. (Dress warm) Discussion Group Culture, Ethnicity, Multicultural, Intercultural. What do they mean and how do they relate to us in our church community? The group will not meet tomorrow night but will resume again on Jan 9 at 7 p.m. MUN Chaplaincy Every year chaplains at Memorial provide hampers for single parent students, international students families or students in general who are struggling. This year the need for student hampers have almost doubled. Persons willing to help can choose items from the following list: Canned goods (gravy), cheese whiz, peanut butter, jam, sugar, flour, Christmas chocolates or monetary donations for purchase of turkey, vegetables and fruit. For more information, contact Rev. Pam, United Church Chaplain at , and church office at or mununitedchaplain@gmail.com No Plans for Christmas? St. Thomas Annual Christmas Outreach Dinner will be offered again this year. This will be their 10 th year of providing a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day, to our brothers and sisters in the community. We all need the nourishment for body and soul and the warmth of human contact at this time of the year. There will be 2 seatings - 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The meal is free! Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a seat, or arrange transportation, (including Wheelways), please call , ext 223 or christmas_dinner@hotmail.com Scent Sensitive Please remember that many people, including some in our congregation, are extremely sensitive to the chemicals used to make scented products such as colognes, perfumes, body sprays, shampoos and other household items. In consideration of our friends and neighbours here at St. James. Let s all do our part to make our church gatherings as scent-free as possible. Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving Barrett s Funeral Home invites you and your family to a special service on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel on Adams Avenue. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, a non-perishable food item would be appreciated. Sing We Joyous All Together 2011 Take a break from the gift wrapping to wrap yourself in the warmth of Christmas, with the international award-winning voices of QVE and the Holy Heart Chamber Choir, renowned Newfoundland baritone Calvin Powell singing "O Holy Night", choral delights by Rutter and Rachmaninoff, and all your holiday favourites! Sunday, December 18 3 p.m. at Cochrane Street United Church. Tickets: $20 adults, $18 students/seniors available at Holy Heart Theatre Box Office ( ), (online service charge applies), and at the door. Into the December Darkness Blue Christmas In the context of the festive season, the darkness may heighten feelings of grief or sadness, pain or loneliness that may be associated with past experiences or present circumstances. Thus, Blue Christmas services have been developed as a pastoral response to this reality. The emphasis in such services is on quiet carols, scripture, and silence, recognizing that it is not necessarily or always a season of joy for everyone. It provides a place to deal with the fact that Christmas is difficult for many and it offers a time to reflect and deal with some of the less festive feelings. On Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm a shared service of the four downtown Churches will be held at Wesley United Church Chapel. This is an Ecumenical Blue Christmas service. Everyone is welcome!