God Gathers Us For Worship

Transcription

1 GRACE AND WOODHOUSE UNITED CHURCHES Port Dover Woodhouse Pastoral Charge Box 814, 18 Chapman St. West, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N0 Church Office: Fax: Website: Ministers All People of the Congregation Organist Woodhouse Pat Tiller Choir Director Woodhouse Willie Moore Music Director Grace Bill Erwin Secretary Linda Brzozowski Pastor The Rev. Jeffrey Smith Guest Speaker - Annaleise Carr Guest Worship Leader - Heather King Grace Mission Statement: Grace United Church is a welcoming family of Christian faith, committed to living, learning, growing, and sharing God's love; acting with acceptance, caring and joy, in our community and the world. Sunday December 7, 2014 Advent 2 * indicates that you are invited to stand as you are able Preparation for Worship Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Mathew 5:9 Prelude: God Gathers Us For Worship Music in Preparation for Worship Welcome, Life and Work, Greeting: Rev. Jeffrey Smith

2 Call to Worship:* Leader: God of Hope and Peace, we come into your presence this morning with confidence that you will meet us here. People: Where there is sadness bring joy. Where there is tiredness, bring refreshment. Where there is despair, bring a renewed sense of hope. Where there is hostility, bring peace. Leader: Let this place be a sanctuary, a safe haven for us People: A home for holy words and songs and prayers as we devote ourselves to you. Unison: Jesus calls us here, Jesus calls us from far and near to hear a message of peace. Amen. Hymn: #6 VU* A Candle is Burning Advent Wreath Litany: ADVENT TWO Hymn: #7 Vs. 1&2 VU* Hope Is a Star Light the hope candle and the second candle the candle of peace. Linda & Joe Misener Voice one: We light the candle of peace. The light of Christ has come into our world the light that brings peace to all people on this earth. A peace that crosses all boundaries, a peace that can be in all situations. The peace of Jesus who brought goodwill to our world.

3 Voice two: Luke 1:68 79 Voice three: No person can say that they truly understand the peace of God, but every person can experience it. We can be God s instruments of peace in all that we do. Let s share God s peace with each other now by tracing the sign of the cross on each other s forehead and saying The peace of God be with you. (Those leading show how to do this and then encourage everyone else to follow their lead) Voice four: God of peace, you came into our world not with a loud noise like thunder and lightning, not with a great army or with fireworks, but as a little baby. This child was the peace-maker for the world. Help us to be peace-makers, and to share the light of Christ in a world that needs to remember at Christmas that you gave us the best gift in the world the Prince of Peace. Amen. Opening Prayer: Anthem: Woodhouse - Once in Royal David s City Grace Star-Led and Wonder Bound Young at Heart: Hymn#684 VU* Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

4 God s Word Is Proclaimed Scriptures Philippians 4: 4-9 Responsive Psalm Reading: Psalm: 40 Page #764 VU Gloria Patri (Sung) Glory be to the Father, to the Son and the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen. Slide Show: We are the World Reflection by: Annaleise Carr Music: by Duane Rutter God Awaits Our Response Presentation of our Gifts and Offering: Stewards help to create a new heaven and a new earth by living as though they are already here. Offertory: VU # 541 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures high and low; Give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word and Spirit, One. Prayer of Dedication

5 Good News and Prayer Time The Fellowship of Prayer The Lord s Prayer: (together) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen Hymn#35VU* Good Christian Friends Rejoice Commissioning and Benediction (together) As we journey down this Advent road Grant us the courage to make peace. Peace in our hearts, Peace in our homes Peace in our communities. Amen. Parting Song (Sung)* Go Now In Peace Go now in peace. Never be afraid. God will go with you each hour ev ry day. Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know He will guide you in all you do.

6 Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to others so all the world can see. God will be there watching from above. Go now in peace, in faith, and in love. Amen, Amen, Amen. Postlude: Music in Preparation for Service Welcome to all visiting with us this morning! We ask that you sign our guest book at the back of the Church. If you are new in our midst, please take a few minutes following this morning s service to introduce yourself to our Ministers and to complete the green information card found at the back of the sanctuary. Sunday December 14, 2014 Third Sunday of Advent Joy White Gift Sunday Grace- Christmas Pagaent Woodhouse Mary and Elizabeth Reader: WH only Dave Stone Home Communion If you or someone you know would like Communion in their home before Christmas, please contact the church office. Prayers for Advent- There are a few Prayers for Advent brochures at the back of the sanctuaries. Please pick one up for yourself or someone whom you feel would like one.

7 Please call the church office for assistance at or for an emergency, contact The Rev. Jeffrey L. Smith Pastoral Charge Home # ; Cell# or jsmith1368@hotmail.com OFFICE OPEN 9:00 AM 11:30 AM (Mon. Thurs.) You can reach Jeff at the office Mon. Thurs. (9-10 am) at Grace Thursday (10:30 am 12:30 pm) at Woodhouse Other Times by appointment Requests from Rev. Jeff Smith: Favourite Hymns please let Jeff know. Also, I would like to have your address. Please feel free to Jeff at jsmith1368@hotmail.com Pictures are arriving! Please check the Grace bulletin board list for your name and make arrangements to pick up your Photo at the church office. MAGAZINE It is time to renew your subscription. The cost is $20. Please contact Win Wilson. New subscribers are very welcome.

8 WEEK AT A GLANCE - MON. Dec. 8 - SUN. Dec. 14, 2014 Nursing Home Communion Dec Mon. 9:00 am Staff Mtg. Office Tue. 6 :00 pm LUYS s Wed. 10:00 am 7:00 pm 7:45 pm Access./Fundraising Committee PC Board Grace Choir Parlour Parlour Sanctuary Thurs. 1:30 pm WH Choir Woodhouse Fri. Office Closed Sun. 9:30 am 11:00 am 7:00 pm Advent 3 - Joy White Gift Sunday Woodhouse Service Grace Service/Christmas Pageant FUNDSCRIP Shop/Support pickup (Help families at Lakewood School) Candle Light Christmas Tide Service Woodhouse Grace Grace Woodhouse Sunday, December 14, 2014 Sunday School Christmas Pageant at Grace White Gift Sunday Please bring food gifts for the food bank. Please do not wrap them. If you wish, they can be brought in a white plastic bag or cash donations. Live, Laugh & Love Everyone Welcome Sundays Kool You can help by bringing your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends to our Sundays listed below or with YOU to all our morning services with The Rev. Jeff Smith that s Jeff to all you kids Dec. 7 (practice after church), Dec. 14 (pageant). We are eager to see you and look forward to learning together about our Christian faith.

9 Sun. Dec. 7 (7:00 Sydenham Street UC. Brantford A Christmas Musical Admission: A non perishable food item. Refreshments and fellowship following. Sun., Dec. 7 (7 p.m.) at Mt. Pleasant UC and Sun., Dec. 14 (7 p.m.) at Balfour Street UC in Brantford Mt. Pleasant United and Balfour Street United churches are pleased to present a special two-evening Christmas Programme, featuring a joint choir and Christmas carol sing-a-long. The programme will be varied between the two events. A time of fellowship and refreshments to follow both events. Donations of food or money for the Food Bank is appreciated. Everyone is welcome. Sun. Jan. 18, 2015 (3:00 pm) at Grace - Covenanting Service for Rev. Jeff Smith THANK YOU Many thanks to the Worship and Music Committee. Led by Win Wilson; with members Helen Colombus, Rosemary Cossar, Pat Forrest and Gina Mummery; this group ensures readers and greeters are scheduled and that the church is decorated for special occasions. They plan special worship services, including the Lenten breakfasts, as well as communions and baptisms. Many thanks to this hard working group. Par Donation- why I give using Par I find Par very convenient because I can just set up to donate and then don't have to remember each week to fill out an envelope and write a cheque. I also am glad to know that the church receives much needed funds even if I can't be at church that Sunday. Please consider signing up for par- you'll be glad you did! -- Jim Dawson

10 Pre-Authorised Remittance (PAR) is a simple, efficient way to give regularly to the church. It allows you to specify what you want to give to the church monthly and then automatically makes the donation to the church on the 20 th of each month. No need to deal with envelopes cash, cheques or remember which Sundays you were at church. It also simplifies bookkeeping at the church. If you would like to try this, please see Joan Smith and/or pick up a brochure in the rack at the back of the church or fill out the blue slip enclosed in the bulletin today. Thank you so much for all you do for Grace! Lakewood School Christmas Program - Dec 14 Lakewood school has identified some families in need who they want to help in this Christmas season. The plan is to be able to give gift cards from either Walmart or Loblaws (No-Frills) to the families so they will not be singled out by receiving a gift basket. There are collection boxes at the back of the church so please consider helping out either by purchasing a gift card or by putting in cash and we will buy the cards. Please bring your donation by Sunday Dec 14 so we can be in time for the end of school. Fundscrip: Today is the last day to order gift cards for delivery before Christmas. These cards will be available for pick next Sunday, December 14. The specials for December are: Fairmont Hotels, Kernels Popcorn, and CARA Restaurants. See Nancy Sherwin or Lynda Simpson for a complete list of cards available and to place your order.