THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT Sunday December 11th, 2011 *When you see this sign, please stand as you are able. WE GATHER IN GOD S NAME Prelude Music *Processional Hymn: We Thank You God for Advent Now- (tune #518) We thank you God for Advent now, a season to recall that Jesus came Emmanuel in such a humble stall. We thank you God for hope anew, that peace shall come some day: Then all our thoughts of hate and war will surely pass away. We thank you God for children who sit upon our knee, and teach us older people Joy a fresher way to see. We thank you God for little ones with laughter in their eyes: They strip away the scales of doubt and teach us to be wise. We thank you God for eyes that see that you are with us now, In hands that hold the wounded ones and touch the furrowed brow. We thank you God for love above as well as here beneath: In us may love go round the world a human Advent wreath. (Walter Murray wrote the words, while he was a minister at Applewood United Oakville, Walter is now retired and living in Bobcageon, Ont) Welcome and Announcements Minute for Mission Tom Hazell Call to Worship One: God of all generations, You sent John the Baptizer to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, the Christ, Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord! Make a straight path for him, make a straight path; prepare the way of the Lord! All: Like the crowds gathered at the river Jordan, we, too, are filled with questions and expectations; One: In this Advent time, we prepare for the time when you will dwell among us in human form, when you will come as the true Light that will enlighten the whole. All: So, then, may our hearts be filled with joy and may we sing praises for all you have done on earth. Lighting of the candle of JOY - McKena & Jackie Murray Sung response Hymn # 7 in VU (verse 3) Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Telling the world that the Saviour is born. When God is a child there s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid. Prayer of Approach God of Advent, we live in the promise that you will fulfill your will for the earth, yet nations are in chaos and our lives in turmoil. Gather us together to begin our watch for the coming of your Promised One. Lead us through the chaos by a watchful heeding spirit. In the name of the One who is to come, we pray. Amen *Hymn # 10 Prepare the Way of the Lord Theme Conversation Prayer with Children/Lord s Prayer (the children may now go up to Sunday school) Prayer of Confession Earth-maker, our world is abundantly rich with everything we need to live a bountiful life. Yet it seems all too easy to covet more than is justifiably ours, creating need in others. Show us the ways in which your abundant gifts to us can be used to restore hope. Amen Assurance of Forgiveness WE HEAR GOD S WORD Prayer for Illumination (Said By All) In this Advent season, O God, may we open our hearts and minds to engage the scriptures as we wait for the arrival of God- Incarnate-Jesus Christ. Amen Hebrew Testament: Isaiah 6: 1-4, 8-11 This is the witness of Israel Thanks be to God Anthem: Treasurers of the Heart Pepper Choplin Gospel: John 1: 6-8, 19-28 This is the Good News. Praise to Jesus, the Word made flesh. Message: WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD Giving of our Goods and Gifts: Hymn # 28 Herald! Sound the Note of Gladness *Doxology: #VU 541 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. Offertory Prayer Prayers of the People * Hymn: VU#54 Unto Us a Boy Is Born * Commissioning / Benediction * Sung Blessing Go in love; have no fear. God will guide you, He is always near. Go in Love; take His hand. God will hear you, He will understand. WE GO FORTH TO SERVE
Postlude May His light forever shine upon you. May His peace be always in your heart. Go in love; face each day. God will lead you, He will show the way. Go in love and live in faith. Amen. The congregation is invited to remain seated during the postlude to allow the choir to recess, thank you. (Reproduced with permission under license #c18681) NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS A special welcome to all new friends as we gather to celebrate God s presence in our lives. If you are a guest, visitor or newcomer, please make yourself known to us. If you have any questions, our greeters would be delighted to help you. Please put your name, mailing address and email address in our guest book so we may have a record of your visit. Coffee and goodies will be served in the gym following the service compliments of the M&P committee. Ministers: All the People of God with the Rev. Karen Ptolemy-Stam Bible Reader: Sharon Foster Director of Music: Paul Sloan Pre-Service Music Rick Taylor Administrator Judy McConnell Custodian Mary Ellen Petticrew Givings Envelopes: If you have not received envelopes or would like a set for 2012, please contact the church office at 526-6077. Salvation Army - Angel Cards are here: Again this year we have angel cards which are on the bulletin board by the Easy Street entrance. Each card lists a child and their age and gender. If you take a card please return your unwrapped gift to the church by December 14 th. Thank You! Do you like to stitch and sew? Sunday school needs you! We have a special Sunday school project in January that requires assistance during Sunday school to complete some simple sewing with the kids. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our children and young people better, share a valuable skill with them, and have fun together! Please speak to Rachel Leck if you would like to participate. We would also appreciate donations of spare fabric, yarn, buttons or other similar sewing notions. Go Green - Please consider using the PAR program. Have your givings come out of your bank account automatically each month, no more envelopes, no more having to write a cheque or have cash each week, join the 78 families and individuals in our church who use PAR each month.
Please keep the following people in your prayers: Milne Dick at home, Ofelia Fullerton in GBHB, Helen Watson has moved to Maplewood Retirement Residence in Penetanguishene, Iris Williams at home, Norma Graham at home, Joe Lalonde at home, Amara Van der Zwan, Doug Mosley at home, Frank Mustard at home, Joan Doolittle and Evelyn Banks in Hillcrest in your prayers and anyone else who may need our support by prayer at this time. Bible Study will resume Wednesday January 11th at 11:30 to 1pm in the parlour, come join us! Bring a bag lunch, coffee and tea will be provided, all are welcome!! The Circle would like to thank everyone for wonderful luncheon last week. A special thank you to those who helped setting up and putting away of table and chairs. Also a special thank you to Santa for visiting us and thank you to the Circle ladies for all the hard work that you do. Christmas Events at St. Paul s. Dec 17 th Brookside Music presents Victoria Thompson and John French 7:30pm the church office has tickets for sale for this concert. Dec 18 th 10am service St. Paul s choir presents Bring Me Back to Bethlehem a Cantata by Pepper Choplin Saturday Dec 24 th Christmas Eve service 7pm Sunday Dec 25 th Christmas Day service 10am The UCW have a limited number of 2012 church calendars for sale @ $5.00 each. If you are interested please call Helen at 705-526-8293. The UCW also have cook books for sale at $20.00 each. Christmas Food Drive: What an outpouring of kindness. It was wonderful how much food we had to send to the Salvation Army! Thank you to everyone who showed their support to our Community by your donations of food! Memorial Poinsettias: Thank you to everyone who placed order we have 35 poinsettias that will be placed in the church next Sunday. They can be taken home after the Christmas Eve service. Poinsettias can be paid thru the church office or thru the mail slot in the office door please do not put on the collection plate. Thank You! Judy UCW: Christmas meeting on Tuesday December 13 th 12:30pm in the parlour. Program by Lorna Bywater, lunch will be potluck, finger foods (anything you can eat with your fingers). Thank you to our church volunteers who served hot chocolate during the Santa Claus parade last Sunday, it was very much appreciated!
A special thank you to Wayne Morrison who made the beautiful stainglass stars on the lower Christmas tree. Wayne made these beautiful stars from glass that came out of the old windows around St. Paul s. Nicholls Funeral Service of Remembrance in memory of loved ones. On Wednesday December 14 th at St. Margaret s Church, 589 Hugel Ave, Midland at 7pm. See poster for more information. Thank you to the children s community choir for their donation of a Poinsettia to church. Pledge cards Please return you re filled out pledge card to the church as soon as possible. We use the pledged amount to help us with our 2012 budget. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the church office at 705-526-6077 and speak with Judy. Call for Volunteers St. Paul s in partnership with Knox Presbyterian and the Out of the Cold Program are holding a Christmas dinner for the less fortunate in our Community Saturday Dec 24 th at 4:00pm at Knox. We are looking for volunteers for different duties and also the donation of Turkeys and Hams to help offset the costs. If you wish to volunteer your talents call the church office at 705-526-6077 if you wish to donate a turkey or ham please bring into the church by December 19 th. Thank You! Boot Drive Katimavik is assisting the Salvation Army by having a boot drive at our church. A box has been placed in the hall outside the church office to receive any new and used boots you wish to donate. Monday December 12 th is the deadline to bring in boots. Mission and Service our budget for the year 2011 is $24,560 for M&S and World Development combined at present we have raised $23,010.03 towards this amount. Report on Financial Contributions to Dec 9, 2011 2011 Budget as approved by Congregation $220,615 Candlelight Memorial Service at Carson Funeral Home in the chapel. On 2010 Actual for the year $212,414 Tuesday Dec 13 th 2011 at 7pm. RSVP to Carson Funeral home at 705-526- Budget increase for 2011 over 2010 $ 8,201 or 3.9 % 6551- see poster for more information. IN CASE OF A PASTORAL EMERGENCY YOU MAY CALL KAREN AT HOME AT 705-355-0224 OTHERWISE PLEASE CALL CHURCH AT 705-526-6077. KAREN NOW HAS HER OWN EMAIL ADDRESS: MINSPUCMIDLAND@GMAIL.COM. YOU ARE INVITED TO EMAIL KAREN DIRECTLY AT THIS EMAIL ADDRESS. Average weekly budget required for 2011 $ 4,243 Average weekly contribution to Dec 9/11 $ 3,840 Average weekly shortfall to Dec 9/11 $ 403 or 9.5 % Givings for Dec 4/2011(includes par avg) $ 5,383 Note: Expenditures are very close to budget to date for 2011 Therefore the Projected Financial Deficit for 52 weeks of 2011 is ($403X 52) $ 20,956