Dec 2 nd, 2018 Hope United Church 10:30 am Prelude ADVENT 1 ~ HOPE Remembering the Halifax Explosion WELCOME ( Please rise in body or in spirit) Welcome and Life & Work of the Church Birthday Coins for the Birthday Church! Happy Birthday to you. To Jesus be true. May God s richest blessings abide over you. FIRST SUNDAY HOPE for God s Presence Advent Candle Lighting Love s Pure Light Choral Introit Responsive Litany Leader: In this season of Advent, we long for God s presence. Leader: In this season of Advent, we search for God s truth. Leader: In this season of Advent, we seek God s guidance. Leader: In this season of Advent, we remember God s promise. Candle Lighting This morning we light the first candle, the candle of hope. This candle reminds us that God s promises give us reason to be filled with hope hope unity in a world of division, hope for healing in a world of pain, and hope for peace in world filled with anger and strife. We remember that Christ is our light and source of our hope. Response O come, O come, Emmanuel and end this gloom of night. Bring hope to the world, bring peace to the earth, And fill us with love s pure light. Prayer Gracious God, as we begin our Advent journey we thank you for the gift of your Son, and for sending hope into a world filled with dread. Help us remember that we are your people and because of your promises we have reason to be hopeful. Take away our doubt and fear, and remind us that Christ is our light, and the true source of hope. Amen. Hymn VU # 50 He Is Born Celebration of Baptism (please see insert) A Time for All Ages We Hear the Word of God Scripture Luke 21:25-36 For the word of God in scripture, among us and within us6 Thanks be to God! When Love Was Born Peggy MacLean Reflection Marilyn Elliott Prayers of the People and The Lord s Prayer Hymn VU # 659 Eternal Father, Strong to Save We Offer our Gifts The Presentation of our Offering: Angels We Have Heard on High Sung Response 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
We Journey Forth Sending Hymn MV # 36 Angels, from the Realms of Glory Commissioning & Benediction Song of Dismissal Why Do We Wait? Nancy Nelson 2017 Why do we wait when there s HOPE all around us? Why do we wait when it s already here? Why do we ache with this keen expectation through the long Advent nights every year? May we feel HOPE anew: what the world has depleted the whole year through; it is time to renew; reconnect with the HOPE we once knew. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today s bulletin is dedicated: by Sarah Pineo in loving memory of sister Joan Testa by Marilyn Elliott in loving memory of father Eric Davidson and all victims of the Halifax Explosion ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks to: Announcements: Clint Riley Reader: Paula Keating Greeters: Sue Hawkes & family Elevator: Parker Verboom Audio/Visual: Jared Oxner and Paul Verboom Bulletin folder: Kathy Morris Social Time: Beelers, Logies, Hales ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reverend Sean Handcock sean@hopeunitedchurch.ca Family/Youth Ministry: Mat Whynott 483-2882 mat@hopeunitedchurch.ca Office: Nancy Nelson Mon-Fri, 9am to noon 902-455-0261 Student Caitlin Smithers caitlinsmithersxo@gmail.com Organist: Rafael Alcolado Music Director: Barbara Pate Percussion: Brad Ruggles Webmaster: Paul Verboom Website: www.hopeunitedchurch.ca Email: office@hopeunitedchurch.ca Ministers Emeritus: Rev. John Roberts, Rev. Diane MacVicar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Celebration of Baptism Statement of Purpose Leader: Sisters and Brothers, let us celebrate God s gift of grace given to us in the sacrament of baptism. People: There is one body and one Spirit; we have hope in Christ. Leader: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, Creator of us all. People: Out of the water of baptism we rise with new life, forgiven, renewed, and one with Christ, members of Christ s body. Presentation of Candidates Worship: On behalf of the board and congregation of Hope United I present Dorian Richard and Jennifer Croall who have brought their child to be baptized. Profession of Faith and Promises Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, and who works in us and others by the Spirit? I do, by the grace of God. Congregational Commitment People: Affirmation of Faith Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations, and to offer God s gift of grace in baptism. Do you, who witness and celebrate this sacrament, promise your love, support and care to the one about to be baptized, as he lives and grows in Christ? We do, by the grace of God. We are not alone, we live in God s world. We believe in God; who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice? Will you proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, in your words and actions? Will you join with your brothers and sisters in this community of faith to celebrate God s presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others? In baptism, your child will take an important step on his journey of faith. Will you care for him and help him to take his place within the mission and witness of Christ s Church? We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Pouring of Water Gracious and Holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation. By water, comes the growth of the earth. Through water, you led the children of Israel to freedom. In the waters of the Jordan your Child Jesus was baptized. Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. People: Amen. Hope United Church December 2 nd, 2018 10:30 am The Act of Baptism What is the name of your child? Jude Stephen David Richard, I baptize you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the blessing of the one God, Mother and Father of us all, be with you today and always. People: Amen. Declaration and Welcome In the name of Jesus Christ, Jude has been received into the holy Catholic Church, the body of Christ in the world. Let us join together in greeting... the newest member of our family. Presentation of Symbols and Certificates Worship: Blessing People: Amen. Jude, take this prayer shawl as a reminder that you are forever wrapped in God s love and always in our prayers. Jude, take this candle as a reminder to let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give Glory to God. Jude, the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, and the Holy Spirit keep you. Jude Stephen David Richard son of Jennifer Lee Croall Dorian George Francis Richard
Community Announcements The combined choirs of Hope UC and Port Wallis UC present: Comfort and Joy Sunday, December 9 th 10:30 am at Hope United 3055 Connaught Ave, Halifax 7:00 pm at Port Wallis United 263 Waverley Road, Dartmouth Helios presents An Illuminated Christmas Sunday, Dec 2, 7:30 pm at St George s Round Church, 2222 Brunswick Street. The classical vocal quintet offers an evening of beauty and calm featuring Renaissance polyphony by Josquin, Gabrieli and Morales; as well as carols ancient and modern from England, France and Germany. When Jesus Went to Egypt: A fundraiser for the Halifax Refugee Clinic on Human Rights Day, December 10, 7:00 pm, St George's Round Church, 2222 Brunswick St. A dramatization imagines Mary and Joseph's refugee hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, followed by a roundtable discussion with refugees, legal experts and psychology professionals. Free, donations appreciated. The Contemporary Arts Society's Christmas Show and Sale will be held at Scotia Square, First Floor, lower end of the Food Court from November 29 th - December 15 th Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am till 6:00 pm. Phone: 902-457-0920 The Halifax Royal Canadian College of Organists presents its annual Service of Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral Church of All Saints on Monday, Dec. 3 rd at 7 pm. An offering will be received. A Musical Kaleidoscope: A special fundraising concert to help with university tuition for Ogo-Oluwa Sobuloka (flute) will be held at St. Matthew s United, Halifax, on Tuesday, Dec 11 th at 7 pm. Assisting in the program will be Mark Lee, Assistant Concert Master, Symphony Nova Scotia, Danbee Ko, pianist and friends. Admission by donation. 902-457-0920 Do you know someone who is a blessing to Hope United? In the spirit of gratefulness which this season inspires we have a new Blessings Box where we will print a thank you to someone who contributes to the life of our faith community. BLESSINGS BOX Thank you to Rev. Diane MacVicar for her continuing support of Hope as Minister Emeritus, including many quiet acts of care and concern for her faith family. Diane, you are a Blessing! We give thanks to God always for all of you 1 Thess. 1:2 THROUGH THE WEEK Dec 3 rd - 9 th Mon 12 noon UCW Christmas Potluck Hall/Kitchen 6:00 pm Special Olympics dinner Hall/Kitchen 7-9 pm 4 Way Harmony Hoyt Room Tue 10-12 am Scrabble/Games Hoyt Room 11:00 am Chair Yoga Parlour 6:00 pm Guiding groups Hall/Parlour Wed 10:00 am Seniors meet & greet Hall 7:00 pm CL&G Parlour 7:30 pm Choir practice Hoyt Room Thu 11:00 am Chair Yoga Parlour 1:00 pm Hope Cottage meal prep Kitchen Fri 9:30-11am Quilters Parlour Sat 1-4 pm Berhan language class Parlour Sun 10:30 am Advent 2 Choir Cantata 12:30 pm Faith Talk study Hoyt Room 7:00 pm Youth Group Hall The UCW will host a potluck lunch on Monday, December 3 rd in the church hall. All women of the congregation are invited and encouraged to come along for a time of socializing, fun and even a few carols as we enter the Christmas season. We will meet at noon and begin our meal at 12:30. There will be a collection of gifts for Phoenix House and Adsum House if you wish to contribute. Hope to see you there!
Announcements for December 2 nd Because of your kind hearts and generosity for our friends in need, this week we delivered 80 pairs of new socks and 39 pairs of new underwear to Brunswick Street Mission and Metro Turning Point. Thanks so much from the Mission & Outreach Committee for your support and a very special thanks from the men and women who will be so pleased to receive these personal items. The warm winter wear from the Mitten Tree was delivered this week to Phoenix House, Brunswick Street Mission, Adsum House and Cunard Street Children s Centre. Your warm hearts will warm others in body and soul. Thank you from the UCW! Hope Cottage Meal: We will be serving Forgotten Stew on Thursday, December 6 th at Hope Cottage. Janet Ward will be in the church kitchen at 1:00 pm to receive the casseroles. Recipes are available at the back of the church or from the office. Please let me or Nancy know if you plan to contribute, and thanks in advance for your continued support for this important ministry. Janet W. FundScrip: allows our church to turn your everyday spending into ongoing fundraising. Buy gift cards from us or on-line for participating retailers and up to 15% is donated back to the church. Use invitation code 3M3RWE at www.fundscrip.com/retailers or contact Barb Baker 457-1112 for info. Order day is the first Sunday of the month with pick up the following week. Advent Canned Christmas Tree: Throughout advent we will be building our Christmas tree of canned goods collected for Parker St. Food Bank. The tree will start on Sunday December 2 nd Advent 1, Dec 2: 796ml or 28oz e.g. large soups, beans, tomatoes Advent 2, Dec 9: 796ml or 28oz e.g. large soups, beans, tomatoes Advent 3, Dec 16: 540ml or 19oz e.g. chunky soup, beans Advent 4, Dec 23: 284ml or 10oz e.g. condensed soup, vegetables Please make yourselves acquainted with "GIFTS WITH VISION" This "Giving Catalogue" broadens knowledge and awareness of the work of the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada. It is an opportunity for special family projects or to mark celebrations and honour special persons in our lives. Feel free to borrow a hard copy from the back of the sanctuary or access on line: giftswithvision.ca The Mission & Outreach Annual Christmas Stocking Project is underway. Each year, through the generosity of the congregation at Hope United, this project provides personal items of toiletries, hats, mitts, scarves, underwear, socks, treats, etc. for approximately 40 men at Metro Turning Point as well as gifts of toys, clothes, books, treats, etc. for approximately 25 children at Stepping Stone. How it works: Please choose a stocking, fill it with gift items of your choice (or as suggested); bring the filled stocking back to the church before Sunday, December 16th; deliveries will be made on December 17th. (Please ensure that the tag is still attached for the Stepping Stone stocking when you bring it back.) Your continued support of this worthwhile community outreach is very much appreciated. To Our Envelope Holders: Thank you for your generous support in 2018! Your 2019 envelope sets will be available in mid-december. In order to reduce the number of boxed sets ordered, we will be reassigning some current envelope numbers, in particular those with a number higher than 100. Also, any givers who use fewer than 6 envelopes/year will be assigned a new number and provided with a smaller set including special occasion envelopes. All changes will be clearly marked on your new envelopes and will begin on January 1, 2019. Any questions please contact Nancy in the Church Office. Weekly offering envelopes and Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR): If you are considering weekly offering envelopes or PAR please contact the office at 902-455-0261 or office@hopeunitedchurch.ca. Faith Talk Study: A time of study and conversation with Rev Sean, using David Bruce s Jesus 24/7 as a guide to explore questions of God, faith, and being a disciple in the 21 st Century. Each Sunday 12:30 pm 1:30 pm in the Hoyt Room till December 16 th.