Prelude Chilliwack United Church Reformation Sunday Sacrament of Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. We Gather to Celebrate God's Presence Welcoming Our Neighbours Gathering Song & Lighting the Christ Candle No. 356 VU Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Hallelu, hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelu, hallelujah. Call to Worship Seek Ye First Hymn No. 245 VU Praise the Lord With the Sound of Trumpet Hebrew Scripture Jeremiah 31:31-34 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by - 1 -
the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, 'Know the Lord', for they shall all know me, for the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Opening Prayer Anthem Gentle Spirit Dwell in Me Reception of New Member Bert Hillmer Purpose & Presentation Questions & Promises A New Creed Page 918 VU Hearing God's Word Mark 12:28-34 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, Which commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Then the scribe said to him, You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and besides him there is no other ; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one s neighbour as oneself, this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. After that no one dared to ask him any question. - 2 -
Responsive Psalm No. 46 Page 770 VU (Refrain #1) John 8:31-36 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered him, We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, You will be made free? Jesus answered them, Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God! Amen. Reflection Sacrament of Holy Communion Communion Hymn No. 469 VU We Gather Here Communion Prayer The Lord's Prayer (Sung) (See Insert) No. 959 VU Sharing the Bread & Cup - 3 -
Sung Response Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelu, hallelujah. No. 356 VU Responding to God's Word The Life & Work of the Church Presentation of Our Offering Sung Response No. 542 VU We give you but your own, whate'er the gift may be; all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully. Prayer of Dedication (In Unison) Accept, O God, the tokens of our love and signs of pledge and commitment which we bring forward today. By your word of blessing and grace, may them blossom forth as leaves on a tree, as flowers in our hearts, as blessing in your kingdom, as joy in Jesus Christ. Amen. A Litany of Commitment to God's Word Living God, by your holy word, all that we know has come into existence: our universe, our world, our lives, our loved ones, and all that we have and hold so dear. By your holy word, you sent forth your Son to unite our lives with you forever through the cross of death and resurrection. By your holy word, you have called us together to be a Church of love and justice in the world. By your holy word, we know that we live in grace and hope. Keep us ever close to your word, that it might be written upon our hearts. - 4 -
Help us to grow in faith and love toward you, so that we might always live in trust and hope. Center us in routines that keep us close to you, Faithful God. Center us in weekly worship. Center us in daily prayer. Center us in be-friending holy scripture. Center us in the mission of the church. Center us in lives of thankful giving and loving for all the blessings which you have bestowed upon us. By your word, O Lord, guide our lives, forgive our sins, inspire our thoughts, shape our attitudes, lighten our darkness, give us eternal hope, and fill our hearts with joy, assuring us of your constant presence, until you reveal the fullness of your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ - our Way, our Truth, our Life. Amen. Hymn No. 264 VU Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Commissioning & Blessing Sung Blessing No. 211 MV - Sing Twice - (You are invited to join hands with those around you to form a blessings circle ) Go now in peace guided by the light of Christ, so you may be nourished by the Word of Life. - 5 -
Postlude The church has a supply of hearing units for improved sound in the sanctuary. If you wish to use a set for the Sunday service, please pick one up from the sound booth at the back of the sanctuary. Announcements Leading the Service Today: Clergy; Rev. Heather Anderson Musician; Rod Swanson Music Director; Marilyn Taves Scripture Reader; Trevor Rollins Lectionary Readings for November 8, 2015 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 Budget Summary Average Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2015 Operating Budget $ 3,492.00 Average Weekly Revenue to September 30, 2015 2,983.00 Deficit as of September 30, 2015 (16,394.00) Deficit as of September 30, 2014 (21,212.00) Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2015 Objective $ 211.00 Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Received to September 30, 2015 212.00 Mission & Service Funds Received to Date September 30, 2015 8,281.00 Mission & Service Funds Received to Date September 30, 2014 8,114.00 For your information, complete regular Monthly Financial Statements are posted in the Narthex on the bulletin board next to the ramp. - 6 -
Keep on top of the latest news! Be sure to contact the church office at 604-792-4634 or email chwkuc@shaw.ca, and add your name to our email list! Learn to De-Stress, brought back by popular demand! Thursday, November 5, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with a focus on sleep Regional Youth Group: Our local United Church Youth Group is meeting on Sundays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Carman United Church. Youth Middle School age and older are welcome to come and be a part of the fun. The garden on Spadina Avenue needs to be renovated. Some of the shrubs are too large and are being offered for sale. Late fall is the perfect time to transplant Rhododendrons and Hardy Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon). Cost is $25./shrub (you dig!) with proceeds going toward the new landscaping. If you would like to purchase one or more of these beautiful, mature shrubs, please contact Debora Soutar at 604-792-9556. The 2016 Church Calendars are now available for only $6.00! They will be available at church or contact Sandra to reserve one 604-792-9459. Catalogues for Gifts With Vision are now available in the Narthex and at the church office. This is a great way to honour your family and friends and help a worthy cause abroad or at home. Once again you will be able to order Purdy's Chocolates for gifts or your own sweet tooth. Catalogues are in the office and the Narthex. Orders will be taken until Sunday, November 15 and will be available for pick up on Tuesday, December 8. A Social Justice Film Festival, featuring Highway of Tears is being hosted by Agassiz United Church, 6860 Lougheed Highway, Agassiz on November 6 and 7. Check the poster in the Narthex for information on all the movies being featured. - 7 -
Sponsoring Syrian Refugees Come to Carman United Church, 7258 Vedder Rd., on Thursday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. The United Church is a long time Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the federal government, which allows us to move quickly on sponsorship action. On November 19 we will hear what the United Church has been doing to support and sponsor Syrian refugees, and we will do some initial planning to sponsor a family here in Chilliwack. Christmas is coming sooner than you think! Now is a good time to start baking the Christmas treats everyone loves for the always popular Cookie Sale & Tea on Saturday, December 5. The Mission Ministry Unit continues to collect food items for the Cyrus Centre for their House on Wellington Ave. They provide shelter and services for at Risk Teens and require items for lunches. Specifically, we are collecting peanut butter, Cheese Whiz and margarine. They also need breakfast cereal. Bring your donations to church for delivery to their house. Food Bank Cupboards Are Getting Bare The Chilliwack Food Bank (Salvation Army) shelves are getting bare. Consider bringing a donation of nonperishable food and dropping it in our collection bin in the Narthex. First United - Did You Know? It s not always visible to those outside the neighbourhood, but many, many Downtown Eastside residents live rich, meaningful lives touched by love, laughter, hope, and opportunities to contribute to and make a difference in the lives of others. Even though mental health or addiction treatment could make things better, often all that s really missing is a sufficient income and stable housing. - 8 -
Chilliwack United Church Monday, November 2 to Sunday, November 8 Monday, November 2 No meetings scheduled for today. Tuesday, November 3 9:30 Growth Ministry Unit 1:00 Thrift Shop 7:30 Choir Practice Come make a joyful noise! Wednesday, November 4 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 10:30 Drop In Bible Study 1:30 Celebration Ministry Unit Thursday, November 5 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 1:00 Learn to De-Stress 1:30 Lynnwood Service Friday, November 6 10:00 Thrift Shop Open Saturday, November 7 10:00 Thrift Shop Open Sunday, November 8 Remembrance Sunday 10:30 All Ages Worship Service 12:00 Congregational Pot Luck Lunch Upcoming Opportunities During Advent Donations of mitts, toques, scarves, socks, underwear, toiletries and oral hygiene items will be collected Sunday, December 6 and 13 and distributed to folks attending our Saturday Manna Lunch on Saturday, December 19. Information about the Salvation Army Adopt-A- Family Program will be available very soon. We will be sponsoring two families. - 9 -
Advent Praise: Sunday, December 6 must be put on your calendar! The service, Advent Praise, will be held that day in our church sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. Admission for this wonderful afternoon of music is a nonperishable food item to help fill the Food Bank cupboards. Listen to seven choirs perform their own special Advent songs, and then hear them all together in the Mass Choir, directed by Debora Soutar. There will be a sing-a-long of Christmas Carols to get you into the Christmas Spirit. Christmas is Coming! Do you look forward to the joys of the season, but dread the stress that seems to go along with it? Treat yourself to some respite and relief with some QUIET CHRISTMAS on Mondays in Advent 6:30-6:50 p.m. Come in for 20 minutes of prayerful candlelight, music, scripture, story and silence. The sanctuary will remain open until 7:30 p.m. for those who wish to linger in the quiet. November 30, December 7, 14, and 21. Prepare for the Christ in Christmas by putting on the mind of Christ. Join others in the sanctuary for PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES on Tuesdays in Advent 11:00-11:45 a.m. Lectio Devina is a way of allowing scripture to speak prayerfully to both our minds and our hearts. December 1, 8, 15 and 22. Chilliwack United Church 45835 Spadina Ave., Chilliwack, BC V2P 1T4 Phone: 604-792-4634 Fax: 604-792-9667 Email: chwkuc@shaw.ca www.chilliwackunitedchurch.com - 10 -
Minute for Mission Haiti Farmers When you look across the hills of eastern Haiti, all you see are terraces built into the hillsides. This is farming at its toughest. People climb up and down thin, slippery trails to reach their plots. At planting time they carry satchels full of seed or tubers. During the growing season, they tend their crops regularly using simple tools, a machete and hoe. The harvest is welcomed but involves many treks up and down to carry the produce home and eventually to market. And if a hurricane blows through, all can be lost. It s a precarious existence for farmers and their families. The government is invisible, and in its place organizations like the Institut Culturel Karl Lévêque help farmers organize themselves into associations and collectives. Karl Lévêque was a Haitian priest who lived in Montreal during the Duvalier dictatorship. He was also a well-known radio personality who spoke about social transformation in Haiti. Sadly, he died before he could return to Haiti once the Duvaliers were overthrown. In his memory, the institute was founded to work with smallhold farmers, supporting them to transform their lives. For example, in the isolated region of Bellefontaine, Haiti, the institute has been able to install a pump for farmers so they can water their communal plots directly from a river rather than making the perilous journey up and down or relying solely on rain. Our gifts to the Mission and Service Fund mean our partners like the Institut Culturel Karl Lévêque can respond to the needs of isolated communities and celebrate God s presence. Thank you, and please let s continue to give generously. Mighty and tender God, through our gifts for Mission and Service we respond to your call to mend the world. - 11 -