Advent 2 December 4, 2016

Transcription

1 Advent 2 December 4, 2016 *Please stand as you are able. The Life and Work of the Community Congregational responses in bold. Advent Scripture Greeting: One: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. All: Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Advent Chorus: tune (Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus) VU#2 As we wait for God s gift to us of the Christ, the chosen One, may we make our heart and homes places open to the One. Welcome: We are all welcome in this place. Just as you are, whatever hopes or worries are on your mind, you are welcome. Young or old, tall or small, we are all part of God s vision. Lighting of Candles in Advent Wreath Candle-lighting Hymn tune (Angels from the Realms of Glory) VU#36 Now it s time to light the candle, soon God s promise will be here. Young and old we wait together, For the Saviour drawing near. Light will overcome the darkness: See the hope the Christ child brings. Now it s time to light the candle, messengers prepare the way. Wolf and lamb lie down together, righteousness marks God s new day. Light will overcome the darkness: Live the peace the Christ child brings. Written by Rev. Martha Spong. Used with permission. Theme Time

2 -2- DEDICATION OF CELEBRATION TREE *Hymn Morning Has Broken VU#409 Prayer for Understanding Reader: Bill Seaman Isaiah 11:1-10 The spirit of God brings justice and wisdom to the earth. One: This is the witness of Israel. All: Thanks be to God. Romans 15:4-13 Share a welcome of hope, peace, joy, and love. One: This is the witness of the Church. All: Thanks be to God. *Hymn There s a Voice in the Wilderness VU#18 Matthew 3:1-12 The arrival of the messenger. One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to Christ the Word. Reflection Offering Invitation Offertory *Offertory Prayer: ~ Sung to the tune of Good King Wenceslas Here our gifts we offer, God, thankful for your blessings. Take them, Spirit, use them to spread the hopeful message that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation. May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation. Prayer *Hymn: Hark! The Glad Sound VU#29 *Sending Forth: Go from this place as those who have seen the Christ light and who long to share it with others. All: We go with a heart and mind of faith that we may live with high expectation and with great compassion into this season of hope.

3 -3- Choral Closing tune (Hark the Herald Angels Sing) VU#48 In this Advent time of waiting, may we serve the Prince of Peace, Share his love with those around us, joy and hope in all increase. Dream the vision tell the story, healing bring to those in need, Share the promises once more, Christ is near, who came before, Advent comes, the time is here: Jesus Christ will soon appear. Postlude ~Words to music reprinted with permission LicenSing # Resources used in this service: Gathering, Pentecost Welcome to Mount Royal United Church! A Christian Family encouraging spiritual growth through Worship, Friendship, Learning and Action. Your presence enriches our worship. Newcomers and visitors are welcome, and invited to sign our guest book at the back (name and address, if possible). If you are able, please join us for coffee and conversation. Choose a green mug so that we may introduce ourselves to you. If you are new to Mount Royal and would like any information on giving, or how we make a difference in the world through the money we collect, please contact the church office. There are many options including envelopes and PAR (Pre Authorized Remittance) which make it easier to give, and also tax deductible as charitable giving! Help support the vital ministry of Mount Royal! Minister: the Rev Dr Beverly Daley Minister Emeritus: the Rev Ron Maund Music Director: France Henriques Office Administrator: Tracy Parrott Custodian: Wayne Surrette Welcomers: Foreman family Ushers: Mike & Penny McIntyre Church Office: Kitchen Phone & Fax: Office office@mountroyaluc.ca Mount Royal website: Office Hours: Mon Thurs, 9am-3pm Screen Operators for the next 4 weeks: Dec 4 Jim, Dec 11 Erik, Dec 18 Stephen, Dec 25 - Mike/Penny

4 -4- Ushers for the next 4 weeks: (chairlift operator in brackets) Dec 11 Stephen Townsend, (Hinson Calkin) Dec 18 Esther Mah, Joyce & (Norman Bremner), Colin Montgomery Dec 24 Dec 25 This Week s Events Today 12:00pm UCW & Friends Choir Sanctuary practice 6:00pm Cyrano Sanctuary & Church Hall Monday 9:30am Tai Chi Church Hall 2:15-3:15 Sparks Church Hall 6:30pm Beavers Church Hall 7:00pm Worship Committee Boardroom Tuesday 9:00am Craft Group Boardroom 6:30pm Cubs Church Hall Wednesday 9:30am No Tai Chi Church Hall 7:00pm UCW Candlelight Sanctuary Communion Service Thursday 1:30pm Marathon Bridge Church Hall 10-3pm Presbytery PR Comm Boardroom 4-9pm Riverview Art Council Church Hall Christmas Pot Luck Friday 9:30am Tai Chi Church Hall Saturday 10am-12 Tai Chi Church Hall

5 Special Notices: The Christmas letters are in the mail-slots at the back of the church. Couriers, please collect your letters after the service. This is the info for our Christmas families. All families require warm winter coats, sweaters, mitts and socks. Food: rice, potatoes, turkey/chicken, fruit and vegetables. Family 1 Father Mens XL Mother Pregnant due Dec 2016 Ladies small Baby newborn Daughter 9 yrs Girls Grade 4 Son 7 yrs Boys 8 Grade 2 Son 5 yrs Boys 6-6x Kindergarten Son 3 yrs Boys 4-6 Family 2 Mother Ladies large Daughter 6 yrs Girls 7-8 Grade 1 Family 3 Single man Mens Large The UCW Candlelight Communion Service is coming up on Wednesday, December 7. Carol sing at 7pm, service begins at 7:15pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item as your offering. The Comedic Dessert Theater entitled Cyrano, will be performed here at Mount Royal today at 6:00pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. The tickets are $15 and are available downstairs after the service. Today, as part of our service, we will be lighting the outside Christmas tree. People will be able to light bulbs on the outdoor tree celebrating the life of a loved one, naming people they are thankful for, or celebrating a life event. The cost is $5.00 per celebration. You may place this donation in the plate in an envelope marked with the names of those being honoured. Names will be printed in the Dec 18 bulletin. December 18 th, the UCW group will be filling cookie tins for our shut-ins as well as serving hot cider and Christmas baking to the congregation. Anyone who would like to contribute cookies or sweets please leave them in the kitchen on or before the 18 th. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

6 -6- All Committee Chairs and Group Leaders With year-end quickly approaching please consider your 2016 reports for submission for the Annual Report. The deadline for this publication is January 26. We need help for our BLAST program! If you are interested in helping with BLAST (even for a few Sundays), please see Katelyn Montgomery. Grocery Cards are available downstairs after the service of worship. The UCW continues to collect: Postage stamps for Oxfam Canada. The border of the stamps should be trimmed to ¼. eye glasses for distribution to Third world countries. Milk bags for sleeping mats for Haiti (Hillcrest School). Plastic bread bag closure tabs/campbell s soup labels Aluminum pop can closure tabs You may drop any of these items in the containers at the entrance of the Bessborough door. Thank you for helping with these endeavours. Community Notices: Helios Vocal Ensemble, featuring Andrew Pickett, will be having a concert, An Illuminated Christmas", on Sunday, December 18 at 4 pm. Admission is by free will offering. Riversong presents Songs for a Winter s Night on Tuesday, December 20 at 7pm at Mount Royal. Tickets are $15, $10 for Seniors and students, under 12 free. Available at Staples Drugs and Cover to Cover Books. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to YWCA Monc. Sistema NB Holiday Concert featuring our Bach String Orchestra and Vivaldi Wind Ensemble at 7:00pm on December 21 at Central UC, 150 Queen St. Free Admission. Advent Bible Study, St. John's UC, 12-1 pm, Nov 29, Dec 6 & 13 with the theme "The Christmas Stories Close Up". Reading the Biblical stories: What role does Bethlehem play? Mary's role? Birth in a stable? Wise Men? These and other questions will be the focus of this year's four sessions. The 1 st session is at 12 noon on Tues, Nov 22. The study will be led by the Rev. Dr. Doug MacEachern. Please bring a Bible and a sandwich. Tea/ coffee will be provided. To help us plan, please register at the Church office , sjuc@nb.aibn.com or ing Doug at dougjune@nb.sympatico.ca. The Advent studies are open to all

7 Here is a "wish list" of most needed items at ReConnect: Deodorant, Toothpaste/Toothbrush, Razors, Soap, Shampoo, Toilet Paper, Tampons, Pet food (cat/dog), Codiac Transit Bus tickets, Food vouchers for grocery store, Cash donations (to assist with identification, damage deposits etc.) Hats/Scarves/Gloves (in winter), Gently used bed sheets/blankets, Towels, sleeping bags/tents, Gently used footwear (boots, sneakers etc), Gently used winter jackets, Non-Perishable Food Items, Hearty soups, Pasta noodles/pasta sauce, Coffee, granola bars, kraft dinner, peanut butter, Canned Ravioli/pastas, Canned meat, Evaporated milk, powdered milk. For your information these items can be dropped off at a collection box at the YMCA. Chignecto Presbytery Notes - November 16, 2016 More than 50 representatives of pastoral charges gathered at St. Paul s United in Riverview on November 16 th with responsibility to consider Remits 1 and 4. This business is also being considered by the Boards or sessions of each charge. These discussions, led by Rev. Steve Berubé, were lengthy and detailed and resulted in approval of both remits. Members of the presbytery were given the opportunity to participate in small groups to discuss ways in which this level of governance can become more collegial. The hope is that understanding the common and special problems each pastoral charge and each individual faces will help us get to know each other better. Welcoming all the members of the communities in which we live and work is a high priority for the entire church. The Finance and Property Committee continues to work on the sale of surplus buildings and changes to cemetery responsibilities. It was noted that closing congregations choose to disburse their funds to varied recipients and these disbursements are confirmed at both the Presbytery and Conference level. Appointments were approved for Rev. Charlotte Youland to Harrisville Steeves Memorial Pastoral Charge; Rev Lynda MacCulloch to McCully Pastoral Charge; and Eric Tusz-King to the Rexton Pastoral Charge as supervisor. The Moncton area hospital chaplaincy has officially become a Presbytery recognized ministry with Rev. Ron Maund employed in the position. The next regular meeting of Chignecto Presbytery will be held at St. Paul s United Church in Riverview on February 15, 2017.

8 If you are aware of a member of the church who is in hospital and would like a clergy visit, please contact the office at Please remember to continue to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank the second week of each month. Thank you. If you have and would like to receive notices regarding cancellations and other items of interest, please put your name and address on a piece of paper in the collection plate. Thank you. We now have a transport wheelchair, rollator and walker in the church. These will be stored at the back of the sanctuary and are there should the need arise for anyone experiencing mobility issues during services or activities at the church. No Scents make good sense. The church office will be closed for the Holidays from Dec 24 (noon)- Jan 3. If you would like to make a financial gift to the church for the 2016 tax year it should be placed in the offering plate today, Dec 11 th, 18 th, Dec 24 th or Dec 25 th in order to appear on your 2016 tax receipt