CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH Lunenburg, Nova Scotia The United Church of Canada Sunday, November 25 th, 2018 Last Sunday of the Church Year Minister: Minister of Music: Lay Reader: Rev. Grace Caines-Corkum John Scott Carolyn Tanner Email: centralunitedch@bellaliant.com Website: www.centralunitedlunenburg.ca Scent-free Policy at Central United We recognize that some members of our church family are very sensitive to strong odours. We ask that you refrain from wearing any scented products. Prelude Greetings and Announcements Gathering Music: God, the All-Holy VU #484 God, the All Holy, Maker and Mother, gladly we gather, bringing in prayer old hurts for healing, new hopes for holding, giving, receiving loving and care. Spirit, All Seeing, knitting and blending joy in desiring, friendship and ease, make our belonging loyal and lasting, so that our pledging freshens and frees. Christ, All Completing, Nature enfolding, evil exhausting in love s embrace, weaving and mending, make every ending God s new beginning glowing with grace. Central United Used with Permission LicenSing 610384 One License A-717003 CCLI 308623
2 Hymn: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise VU #264 Invitation: One: All creation cries of the coming of the cold, the seasonal change We come wondering, waiting, worrying, wanting One: Our hearts yearn for deepening faith, for widening connections we come seeking for guidance, for understanding, for relationships One: In the midst of the whirlwind of change, the spirit gathers us together in a loving embrace We come to be open to the call of self-giving love, to listen for the message of welcome and joy, and the anticipation of caring community One: we come as individuals with our own thoughts, questions, and struggles some hidden in the most secret places of our hearts But we join as one community to offer ourselves in service and open our hearts to joy Welcome Gathering Prayer: O gentle spirit, our lives are always turning. The days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into years. We have come around and through another church year and our journey of faith continues. We have turned and come through another week and we find ourselves together again in this place. As our lives turn from one thing to another your spirit, O God, is constant in our lives. Help us to grasp with our hearts and minds the power of the spirit living and working in us and through us. May our minds be open to hearing the message of hope, may our hearts be open to love, and may our hands be open to serve. And in our turning, may we turn towards the path of peace and hope. Amen
3 The Prayer of Jesus Gift of Music: Loving Shepherd (Sheep May Safely Graze) J.S. Bach (arr. M. Schweitzer) CHOIR (Shelley Mann & Angela Lake, flutes) Loving shepherd, comfort and guide us, Keep us in thy tender care. And in thy mercy stay beside us, Safely thy lambs now gather, Bring us in faith together, And thy pastures now prepare. And when I walk with darkness around me, Thou art near and I will fear no ill. So with thy love and kindness surround me, Goodness and mercy bringing, From living water springing, Lord of Love grant me thy comfort still. Minute for Mission Offering our Gifts: Regular Offering Benevolent Fund Offering
4 Please stand, as you are able, when the Greeters/Elders bring forward the Offering) Offering Response: We Are Marching (Siyahamba) VU #646 We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God, we are marching in the light, of the light of God. We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching, we are marching in the light of the light of God. We are marching, marching, we are marching, marching, we are marching in the light of God. Dedication of Our Offering: Song: Ameni MV #219 Scripture: Isaiah 61: 1 4, Revelation 1: 4b - 8 May we but wait upon Love s word. Knowing our prayer is heard. (Sing twice) Sermon: The Beginning and The End Celebration of Communion Communion Hymn: We Gather Here VU #469 Communion Prayer (Insert) Sharing the Bread and Cup Please note that a gluten-free option is available.
5 Hymn: God of All Places VU #4 Benediction Sending Us Out: May God s Sheltering Wings MV #214 Postlude May God s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you. May God s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you, and hold you in her love, and hold you in her love. This morning s bulletin is a gift of sponsorship from Shirley Zinck, In memory of her son, Stephen Zinck. Say not in grief, he is no more But live in thankfulness that he was WELCOME Welcome to our Sunday Service. If you are a guest with us, please sign the Guest Book at the back of the sanctuary and introduce yourself to our Minister. ELDERS Jamesie Mayo Diane Macdonald GREETERS Carolyn & Oliver Levy, Jr. FLOWERS donated today in our Sanctuary are in loving memory of Carolyn (Haughn) Mills who passed away November 3 rd, 2018 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Carolyn lived in Saskatoon all her married life but always kept a piece of her heart for Lunenburg & Nova Scotia.
6 SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to Peter & Laureen Stratford on the death of Peter s father, on Monday, November 19 th, in Wales. Peter Stratford, Sr. was 89 years old. He is in our hearts and he will be missed! CELEBRATION SUNDAY Best wishes to everyone who celebrated a birthday or anniversary in the month of November. Celebration names are printed on an insert in the bulletin. CHRISTMAS CHEER BASKETS They will be distributed to the sick and shut-ins of our congregation again this year. If you know of somebody that would benefit from a little Christmas Cheer, please let us know. We are requesting some cheerful fillers Christmas baked goods, candy or treats by Thursday, December 13 th as we plan to pack and deliver them on Friday morning, December 14 th. For information or to pick up items, please call Thelma (902 ) 634-3885 or Joan (902) 634-4432. SEPTEMBER YARD SALE: Final tally for the September Yard sale is: $3,093.00!! COMING WEEK SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 ST 10:30 am Decorating the Church, followed by pizza lunch! 6:00 pm Men s Social Supper Group Church Hall SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 ND ADVENT I 10:30 am CKBW taping of Service of Lessons and Carols with special guests Fathoms Deep Men s Choir LOOKING AHEAD MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 rd 7:00 pm Stewards Meeting Fellowship Room SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 TH ADVENT II 10:30 am Regular Service Central United will welcome guest musicians Jude Pelley and Charlie Wilson, well-known traditional and folk players, along with Highland and Irish dancer, Emerald Lake, for a special Celtic-themed service.
7 This Week at Central United: Wednesday, Nov. 28 th 11 am Living the Questions study group Wednesday, Nov. 28 th 6:30 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary Wednesday, Nov. 28 th 7:45 pm Handbell Choir Practice - Sanctuary Friday, November 30 th 10:00 am Adult Study Group SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 TH ADVENT III 10:30 am Regular Service CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st 10:30 am Decorating our Church! Please join the Decorating committee today at 10:30 am to decorate the Sanctuary of our church for the Advent season. We will decorate from 10:30 am until 12 noon, then enjoy pizza for lunch! ADVENT NEWSLETTER FOR CENTRAL UNITED We are seeking contributions (Christmas recipes, Christmas poems, stories, articles, book reviews etc.) for our Advent Newsletter which will be available on Sunday, December 2 nd. Please email contributions to the church office at: centralsecretary@bellaliant.com or put in the secretary s box, just outside the office door, and Thank you very much!