December 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent Year C

Transcription

1 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA MELFORT ETHELTON PASTORAL CHARGE Office: (306) Website: Worship Time: 10:30 AM Ministers: All of us Lead Minister: Emmanuel Menyereye Music: Jodi Allen Music Director: Mavis Peters Office Administrator: Denise Todosichuk Caretaker: Faye Greier Today s Greeter: Gina McAvoy Scripture Readers: Wendy Eskowich, Kim Eskowich ORDER OF WORSHIP December 9, 2018 Second Sunday of Advent Year C 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 are a people open to anticipation and ready for a celebration. Behold, the birth of the Christ child is expected. We are a congregation that remembers the message of hope, peace, joy, and love that God shared with us all. Behold, the birth of the Christ is near. We are a community inspired to live lives of service and of wholeness. Behold, the birth of the Christ child will change who we are in this time of worship and beyond. Let us worship. [Written by Bill Steadman, A/C/E Year C Gathering, page 30].

2 -2- HYMN (VU 5) All earth is waiting ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING ADVENT 2C: PEACE (The first purple candle is lit). Today we kindle the Advent candle of peace. (The second purple candle is lit). We welcome the glow that causes us to pause, the glow that entices us to gather together, the glow that shines in hearts of goodwill. Come, Holy Stranger, sharer of peace on this Advent journey: welcome us as we welcome you. We receive the light of peace. HYMN (VU 6) A candle is burning Verses 1 & 2 OPENING PRAYER: (in unison) Holy God, We long for your peace, and trust in your promise; we hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives and welcome you in. Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all. In the Name of the One who is coming, we pray. Amen! HYMN (VU 9) People, look east PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE: based on Luke 1 and 3): in unison) Holy and Loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light; we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts. Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom. Hear our prayer, O God. Amen.

3 -3- WORDS OF ASSURANCE: Friends, I am confident of this: if we repent, God is sure to forgive us. The one who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. Grateful for the promise of joy and peace, let us be thankful for God s mercy on us. PRAYER RESPONSE (MV 64) Because you came Verses 1 & 2 CHOIR ANTHEM: Christmas Peace J. Raney WE LISTEN FOR GOD S WORD TO US ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHILDREN: HYMN (MV 149) Peace for the children THE LORD S PRAYER: MINUTE FOR MISSION: SCRIPTURE READINGS: RESPONSIVE READING: LUKE 1:68-79 (VU p.900): Zechariah sings, Blessed be the God of Israel. HEBREW READING: MALACHI 3:1-4: A refiner s fire and a launderer s soap. EPISTLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11: I thank God every time I remember you. GOSPEL READING: LUKE 3:1-6: A voice calling in the desert. SERMON:

4 -4- OUR RESPONSE OFFERING INVITATION: The world is crying out, Where is the God of justice? The offering is our opportunity to answer them. Your gifts to the church and the M&S fund loudly proclaim that the God of justice is here in this church and around the world, as your gifts are used in service to God s kingdom. OFFERING: OFFERTORY HYMN (MV 191) What can I do? PRAYER OF DEDICATION: (in unison) Gracious God who comes to us as unconditional love, may these gifts be pleasing to you. Refine us with the fire of your fierce love, melt our cold hearts, mould our lives, make us into the stewards you would have us be. Bless the gifts we offer this day for your service in the church and in the world. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Gracious God, your prophets sing the Advent call to prepare the way of the Lord: Hear our prayers, for the whole human family; may your ways be made straight, the valleys filled, the mountains lowered, the crooked straightened, and the rough places smoothed, that all humanity shall see your salvation, as we pray: Let the dawn from on high break upon us; Holy One, you have set your Church free through Jesus the Christ that we might worship you without fear, holy and righteous in your sight all the days of our life: Bring to completion the good work you have begun among us. Let the dawn from on high break upon us;

5 -5- Almighty One, through your prophets you speak your word to rulers of the world: Grant them your wisdom that they may lead us with joy in the light of your glory, with the mercy and righteousness that comes from you. Let the dawn from on high break upon us; Compassionate One, hear the voice of all who cry out in the wilderness of need; all those who suffer from violence or oppression; the poor and discouraged; and all who long for the promise of new life: visit them with your compassion and love. Let the dawn from on high break upon us; Loving One, you visit this community with your power and compassion: Let our neighbours take off the sackcloth of sorrow and affliction and put on forever the beauty of the glory from you. Let the dawn from on high break upon us; Healing God, you anoint our ministries with the compassion of Jesus Christ that we may share your grace with all for whom we pray: Hear our prayers on behalf of those friends we know and also those who are unknown to us. Accept the joy of our thanksgiving for the many blessings that come from your tender compassion. Shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, especially those we name in the comfort of our silence. (Time for silent prayer). Let the dawn from on high break upon us; Amen. SENDING FORTH HYMN (MV 173) Put peace in each other s hands COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION: You are God s messenger for this time. Go out to prepare the way of God in the world. Make a new beginning,

6 -6- by forgiving those who have wronged you. Go in the power of God s forgiving and redeeming love, bringing forgiveness and redemption to your homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Go in the peace of God. Amen. CHORAL BLESSING (MV 209) Go make a difference PRAYER RESOURCES: *The Abingdon Worship Annual 2006; Seasons of the Spirit-SeasonsFUSION, Advent-Christmas-Epiphany ; Feasting on the Word, Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1 Advent Through Pentecost Worship Companion; The United Church of Canada Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Year C Gathering Resources for Worship Planners. Used with permission. NEXT WEEK S (DECEMBER 16, 2018) READINGS: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18. 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 quest 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.

7 -7- THIS WEEK AT MELFORT UNITED CHURCH Wednesday, December 12 7 pm Choir Thursday, December 13 10:30 am Bible 4:15 Bell Choir Friday, December am Pastoral Care 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 MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC you won t want to miss a Sunday! December 16 th Calypso Lullaby J. Raney December 23 rd Joseph s Lullaby MercyMe - Soloist Chris Corbett. 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, December 23 rd Service Special Guests You are all welcome to be in church and listen to Riley and Evelyn Burns as they talk about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its mission. Stewardship Seconds Blessings have many faces; so do the needs of those around us. Let us rejoice in what we have been given and look for others with whom we can share it.