Advent 4 December 18, 2016 *Please stand as you are able. Prelude The Life and Work of the Community Congregational responses in bold. Piano Solo played by Natsuki Advent Scripture Greeting One: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. All: Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Choral Opening: As we wait for God s gift to us (tune VU#2) of the Christ, the chosen One, may we make our heart and homes places open to the One. While by the Sheep We Watched Welcome: We are all welcome in this place. Just as you are, whatever hopes or worries are on your mind, you are welcome. Young or old, tall or small, we are all part of God s vision. *Hymn O Come All Ye Faithful VU#60 Opening Prayer: God of dreams and dreamers, you speak to us at all times and sometimes when we least expect it. Help us to pay attention to you as did Joseph and Mary and to be trusting and faithful. May we continue to see and hear your word come alive in word and music as we await once more the birth in Bethlehem.
-2- Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth - Mateo on snare drum Lighting of the Advent Candle Advent Candle Song tune (Angels from the Realms of Glory) VU#36 Now it s time to light the candle, soon God s promise will be here. Young and old we wait together, For the Saviour drawing near. Light will overcome the darkness: See the hope the Christ child brings. Now it s time to light the candle, messengers prepare the way. Wolf and lamb lie down together, righteousness marks God s new day. Light will overcome the darkness: Live the peace the Christ child brings. Now it s time to light the candle, in God s name we will rejoice. Bells and organ play together, we will shout in one loud voice! Light will overcome the darkness Sing the joy the Christ child brings. Now it s time to light the candle, Shining love in Jesus name. When all people join together earth will never be the same. Light will overcome the darkness: Be the love the Christ child brings. Written by Rev. Martha Spong. Used with permission. Theme Time Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas The Snow Begins to Fall Grace Melanson Scripture Isaiah 7:10-16 Reader: Joan Rogers One: This is the witness of Israel. All: Thanks be to God. Pacem Noël Scripture Matthew 1:18-21 O Come, O Come Emmanuel *Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High VU#38 Scripture Matthew 1:22-25 One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to Christ the Word.
Offering Invitation Offertory -3- Huron Carol Natsuki *Offertory Prayer: ~ Sung to the tune of Good King Wenceslas Here our gifts we offer, God, thankful for your blessings. Take them, Spirit, use them to spread the hopeful message that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation. May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation. Prayer Silent Night, Silent World Born to Set Us Free *Hymn: Joy to the World VU#59 Happy Christmas Sending Forth: One: An angel came to Joseph and proclaimed: All: Emmanuel! God is with us! One: In this final week before Christmas Day, may our waiting proclaim: All: Emmanuel! God is with us! One: Go forth in joy to tell the world: All: Emmanuel! God is with us! Postlude Thanks to our Instrumentalists:Charlie, Lee, Candace, Mateo, France, Valerie, Eleanor and Ensor, and to our vocalists, Grace Melanson, Cathy, Jill, and Mount Royal United Church Choir ~Words to music reprinted with permission LicenSing #621976 Resources used in this service: Seasons of the Spirit, Advent 2016; Minister s Annual Manual 2015-2016; Gathering, Advent/Christmas 2016
-4- Welcome to Mount Royal United Church! A Christian Family encouraging spiritual growth through Worship, Friendship, Learning and Action. Your presence enriches our worship. Newcomers and visitors are welcome, and invited to sign our guest book at the back (name and address, if possible). If you are able, please join us for coffee and conversation. Choose a green mug so that we may introduce ourselves to you. If you are new to Mount Royal and would like any information on giving, or how we make a difference in the world through the money we collect, please contact the church office. There are many options including envelopes and PAR (Pre Authorized Remittance) which make it easier to give, and also tax deductible as charitable giving! Help support the vital ministry of Mount Royal! Minister: the Rev Dr Beverly Daley Minister Emeritus: the Rev Ron Maund Director: France Henriques Office Administrator: Tracy Parrott Custodian: Wayne Surrette Welcomers: Ed & Joyce MacLeod Ushers: Esther Mah, Joyce & (Norman Bremner), Colin Montgomery Church Office: 855-5771 Kitchen Phone & Fax: 855-7180 Office e-mail: office@mountroyaluc.ca Mount Royal website: www.mountroyaluc.ca Office Hours: Mon Thurs, 9am-3pm Screen Operators for the next 4 weeks: Dec 18 Stephen, Dec 24 Jim, Dec 25- Mike/Penny, Jan 1 Erik Ushers for the next 4 weeks: (chairlift operator in brackets) Dec 24 Dec 25 Jan 1 Mike Matheson, (Ron Roper), Baxter & Pat Sweet Jan 8 Mildred Underhill, Thelma Barclay, Ellen Close, Barb Campbell This Week s Events Tuesday 9:00am Craft Group Boardroom 7:00pm Riversong Concert Sanctuary
Wednesday 7:00pm Sistema NB Holiday Concert Saturday 4:00pm Children s Christmas Eve Service Central UC 150 Queen St Sanctuary 7:00pm Family Service Sanctuary Next Sunday 10:30am Christmas morning service Sanctuary Special Notices: We are looking for a laptop for our tellers. If you have an old laptop that is no longer being used, please speak to Terry Foreman. Thanks! There will be no BLAST program for Dec 25 th and Jan 1 st. You can find the nursery at the bottom of the steps to the right, and all are welcome to use it. Please contact an usher at the door with any questions. All Committee Chairs and Group Leaders With year-end quickly approaching please consider your 2016 reports for submission for the Annual Report. The deadline for this publication is January 26. Today, the UCW group will be filling cookie tins for our shut-ins as well as serving hot cider and Christmas baking to the congregation. Anyone who would like to contribute cookies or sweets please leave them in the kitchen on or before the 18 th. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Grocery Cards are available downstairs after the service of worship. Community Notices: After a warmly received NB début concert last year, Helios Vocal Ensemble is returning for a second performance today at Mount Royal, the childhood church of alto Andrew Pickett. An Illuminated Christmas offers an evening of beauty and calm within the busy holiday season. This year s programme will feature Renaissance polyphony by Byrd, Gabrieli, Praetorius and others, as well as carols ancient and modern from the Old and New Worlds. Sunday, December 18, 4 pm at Mount Royal United Church, 106 Mount Royal Blvd, Moncton. Admission is by donation.
CHURCH COUNCIL Highlights- CORRESPONDENCE A request for use of the church sanctuary on Sunday, March 26 th was made by the Beauséjour Choir for a recording session. A thank you note was received from the Peter McKee Community Food Centre for a donation of Sobeys cards. A request was received from the Atlantic School of Theology for their Christmas Lights Appeal. A $100 donation was approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS: CHURCH FINANCES The local envelope offerings are down, special offerings are down and outreach offerings are down. We have a YTD deficit of $13,449 as compared to $9,531 deficit last year. Council approval was given to sign a new line of credit agreement for $20,000 to be used as necessary. Council gave approval to withdraw up to $20,000 from the Manse Fund to cover expenses as needed. This will be taken to the Annual meeting for congregational approval. UCW/CRAFT GROUP the UCW gave the church $2,000, they provided the desserts for Cyrano and their Candlelight communion service went well and was well attended. MINISTRY & PERSONNEL The United Church recommended increase in salaries for 2017 is 1.1%. MUSIC/CHOIR REPORT to acknowledge and thank those involved in the fundraising production of Cyrano. The UCW for decorating the hall and preparing and serving the desserts, Cathy Elderkin for organizing the Mount Royal production, France Henriques for her dedication to practicing and hard work to make it a success and to Tracy Parrott for the preparation of the tickets, programs, posters and selling of tickets. MINISTERS REPORT prepared and led worship services, visited those in hospital, provided support for families with changing dynamics, provided support for those suffering the death of a loved one, communicated with folks by phone and e-mail, visited Seniors homes, attended the dessert theater, attended a UCC clergy gathering, led practice for the UCW choir and led the UCW service, and prepared and presided a funeral service. WORSHIP COMMITTEE Communion will be celebrated on January 8 th as part of the Epiphany service. On January 29 Marg Ward s stained glass window will be dedicated with the Donovan family providing a lunch afterwards. February 12 will be our Annual Meeting Sunday. It was suggested that the worship committee and council meet jointly in January. MEN S GROUP/FINANCE/FUNDRAISING there is a Valentine s Day meal being planned for Saturday, February 11.
CHIGNECTO PRESBYTERY voting for Remits is due before the end of June. Steve Berubé will be asked to speak on Feb 5 regarding the Remits. Catherine Smith will be asked to make a presentation to council on Feb 21 regarding the new governance model being used in Sackville. Marlene noted that the Triennial visit minutes should be circulated to the congregation. COMMUNICATION A colour Christmas services ad will be placed in the newspaper on December 21. The church office will be closed for the Holidays from Dec 24 (noon)- Jan 3. If you would like to make a financial gift to the church for the 2016 tax year it should be placed in the offering plate today, Dec 24 th or Dec 25 th in order to appear on your 2016 tax receipt.
Dedications for Bulbs for the Outside tree: In recognition of Beverly, for all you do for all of us Anonymous In memory of Sue Henderson In memory of our beloved grandparents Reg & Marj Henderson Nick & Jennifer Smith In celebration of our 4 precious grandchildren: Erin, Bethany, Juliette and Owen Jane Aikman & John Foster In celebration of our grandson Levi Pringle In memory of Charles and Margaret Smith In memory of George Tremble In memory of my sister Pat Lede Ensor & Eleanor Nicholson Wayne & Valerie Tremble Wayne & Valerie Tremble Wayne & Valerie Tremble In celebration of the birth of our granddaughter Nitzania Brown John & Nancy Brown In celebration of the birth of our grandson Isaac Gautreau-Brown John & Nancy Brown In memory of my parents Vera & John Eros In memory of Earl & Joyce Thistle In memory of Doug & Belle Elliott In memory of Eldon Freeman Eva Eros & Amar Pal Kathryn Elliott Kathryn Elliott Ina Freeman and family In celebration of our daughter Nancy Gauthier Norman & Patricia Branch In celebration of our daughter Natalie Branch Norman & Patricia Branch In celebration of our grand-daughter Lucy Gray Norman & Patricia Branch In celebration of our grand-daughter Amy Rae Gauthier Norman & Patricia Branch In memory of Eleanor Wolf In memory of Richard Wolf In memory of Margie Yacuzzo Betsy Innes Betsy Innes Betsy Innes
In memory of Fred & Jean Hurley In memory of Ray & Pearl Foreman In memory of Leslie Wright In memory of Hugh McAteer Terry & Karen Foreman Terry & Karen Foreman Phil & Caryl McAteer Phil & Caryl McAteer White Globe ornaments were placed to celebrate the birth of: Rundle Ross Tremble grandson of Wayne & Valerie Tremble Chase Eldon Freeman - grandson of Ina Freeman. Dedications by Beverly Daley: To honour Tracy Parrott for her friendship, her unending patience, cheerful disposition, and diligence and dedication to her job and to this church community. To honour France Henriques, for providing music leadership for our worship services and our Dessert Theatre. To honour Mount Royal United Church choir for their dedication and hard work in providing musical leadership in our worship services and for the Dessert Theatre. To honour our Council for their leadership of our church community throughout the year. To honour Wayne Surrette for his work in keeping our church facility clean and for setting up for special occasions. To honour our UCW who work so diligently to support our church in a myriad of ways. To honour Rev. Jane Aikman for her ministerial support and her handiwork in providing the beautiful knit figures for our crèche. To honour the Craft Group for their friendship, their humour, and their work for our church. To honour Betsy Innes for her generosity toward all mermaids. In memory of all my loved ones.
Here is a "wish list" of most needed items at ReConnect: Deodorant, Toothpaste/Toothbrush, Razors, Soap, Shampoo, Toilet Paper, Tampons, Pet food (cat/dog), Codiac Transit Bus tickets, Food vouchers for grocery store, Cash donations (to assist with identification, damage deposits etc.) Hats/Scarves/Gloves (in winter), Gently used bed sheets/blankets, Towels, sleeping bags/tents, Gently used footwear (boots, sneakers etc), Gently used winter jackets, Non-Perishable Food Items, Hearty soups, Pasta noodles/pasta sauce, Coffee, granola bars, kraft dinner, peanut butter, Canned Ravioli/pastas, Canned meat, Evaporated milk, powdered milk. For your information these items can be dropped off at a collection box at the YMCA. If you are aware of a member of the church who is in hospital and would like a clergy visit, please contact the office at 855-5771. Please remember to continue to bring non-perishable food items for the food bank the second week of each month. Thank you. If you have e-mail and would like to receive notices regarding cancellations and other items of interest, please put your name and e-mail address on a piece of paper in the collection plate. Thank you. We now have a transport wheelchair, rollator and walker in the church. These will be stored at the back of the sanctuary and are there should the need arise for anyone experiencing mobility issues during services or activities at the church. No Scents make good sense. We need help for our BLAST program! If you are interested in helping with BLAST (even for a few Sundays), please see Katelyn Montgomery. The UCW continues to collect: Postage stamps for Oxfam Canada. The border of the stamps should be trimmed to ¼. eye glasses for distribution to Third world countries. Milk bags for sleeping mats for Haiti (Hillcrest School). Plastic bread bag closure tabs/campbell s soup labels Aluminum pop can closure tabs You may drop any of these items in the containers at the entrance of the Bessborough door. Thank you for helping with these endeavours.