Chilliwack United Church Third Sunday in Advent JOY 10:30 a.m.

Prelude Chilliwack United Church Third Sunday in Advent JOY 10:30 a.m. We Gather to Celebrate God's Presence Carol Singing Welcoming & Greeting our Neighbours Gathering Song & Lighting the Christ Candle No. 10 VU Prepare the Way of the Lord (First Time in Unison, Second Time as a Round) 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! Call to Worship Hymn No. 6 VU (Verses 1, 2, 3) A Candle is Burning Lighting the Advent Candles JOY We have lit the first two candles one for hope and one for peace. Today we light the third candle the candle of joy. We tell ourselves that joy should be easy there's music, children, bright lights, presents, people gathering together. - 1 -

But sometimes we let our preparations or our memories push aside the deeper joy Christ came to offer. Sometimes the hurts we carry inside seem ignored or belittled by the relentless merriment around us. Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us. And joy is a choice, a spiritual practice to receive God's power at work within us and to celebrate the God of new beginnings and second chances. We think of the Israelites returning to their home from exile in Babylon, rejoicing in God's enduring presence and steadfast love. When we light the candle of Joy, we celebrate the One who has come, is coming and will come again. Whatever we face in life, God will make joy possible. (Light the pink candle) Sing (Tune: Frere Jacques) Light of Jesus, light of Jesus, Show the way, show the way. Shine in us forever, shine in us forever. This we pray, this we pray. Prayer (In Unison) Loving God, we open ourselves to you, trusting that you have made us for joy-filled hearts and lives. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice and grace. Fill us with the kind of joy that remembers that life has some possibility left. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light and joy of Christ. Amen. - 2 -

Sung Response No. 7 VU (Verse 3) Hope is a Star Anthem Christmas is Coming (Children leave for Sunday School) Advent Pause First United Church, Vancouver Story & Prayer Hearing God's Word The Prophet Speaks Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, - 3 -

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Responsive Psalm Song of Mary Page 898 VU (Refrain 1) Gospel John 1:6-8,19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, I am not the Messiah. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? He said, I am not. Are you the prophet? He answered, No. Then they said to him, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? John answered them, I baptize with water. Among you stands - 4 -

one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal. This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Thanks be to God! Amen. Reflection Hymn No. 87 VU I Am the Light of the World Responding to God Minute for Mission The Observer The Life & Work of the Church Presentation of Our Offering Sung Response We give you but your own, whate'er the gift may be; all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully. No. 542 VU Prayer of Dedication Job's Daughters Ceremony Hymn No. 497 VU (Verses 1& 5) Closing Cross Nearer My God to Thee Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. - 5 -

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer (Sung) No. 959 VU Hymn No. 884 VU You Shall Go Out With Joy (During the singing of this hymn, an offering will be received to provide emergency assistance to those in need through Chilliwack United Church's Benevolent Fund) Commissioning & Blessing Sung Blessing No. 223 MV We Will Go With God - Sing Twice - (You are invited to join hands with those around you to form a blessings circle ) We will go with God! Ho, ho, ho! We will go with God! Ho, ho, ho! We will go with God! On this day of great joy we will go with God. On this day of great joy we will go with God. 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; Lynda Mundstock Music Director; Marilyn Taves Scripture Reader; Trevor Rollins - 6 -

Welcome bags are available for children and youth in the entryway. They contain an activity and a simple craft for young people of various ages. We encourage young people to be a part of our worship service to take in the Spirit at work in play, music and praise. Feel free to ask any of our greeters to help you find a bag that is just right for you! Large print copies of the hymn book (words only), Voices United, are available in the Narthex. Lectionary Readings for December 21, 2014 Advent IV 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 Luke 1:47-55 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Sincerest sympathies are extended to the friends and family of Les Snook, husband of Barb Snook. A memorial service for Barb was held in our church on November 7, 2014. We welcome Job's Daughters, who are joining us for worship. Some of the group's members are greeting at the doors, along with our regular greeters. Budget Summary Average Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2014 Operating Budget $ 3,534.00 Average Weekly Revenue to November 30, 2014 2,853.00 Deficit as of November 30, 2014 (26,361.00) Deficit as of November 30, 2013 (17,228.00) Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2014 Objective $ 211.00 Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Received to November 30, 2014 231.00 Mission & Service Funds Received to Date November 30, 2014 11,041.00 Mission & Service Funds Received to Date November 30, 2013 10,769.00-7 -

For your information, complete regular Monthly Financial Statements are posted in the Narthex on the bulletin board next to the ramp. 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! Volunteers Needed! Our Chilliwack United Church Thrift Shop is desperately needing volunteers on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping out in this way, call Faye at 604-792-2980. 2015 Offering Envelopes are ready for pick up in the Narthex this morning. If you held offering envelopes last year, a new set has been prepared for you. If you wish to receive a set of envelopes for 2015, contact the church office at 604-792-4634. Offering envelopes are a very convenient way to support your church. One tax receipt is issued at the end of the year. No need to keep track of multiple receipts throughout the year. The Mission Ministry Unit is making small packages of toiletries to give out at our Saturday Manna Soup Kitchen. Donations of small bottles/containers of shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and shaving cream would be so appreciated. Items can be left in the church office Monday to Friday, or at church on Sunday. If you would like more information, please call Iva at 604-792-6794. On Sunday, December 29, we will begin collecting mitts, scarves, toques, socks, underwear toiletries and blankets to be distributed at our Saturday Manna Soup Kitchen Lunch on Saturday, January 17. Help people be a little warmer through the coldest part of the winter. Advent Take Five Join us for mid-day prayer in the sanctuary, every weekday 11:45 to 11:55 a.m. Everyone in the building is welcomed into the sanctuary for 10 minutes of Advent Prayer time. - 8 -

TODAY! Christmas Pot Luck & Carol Singing! Come and join us for a joyous celebration of the Christmas Season following church. The big day is getting very close! Enjoy your favourite Christmasy dish with your church friends. Immediately following lunch, and before clean up, we'll enjoy our traditional Christmas concert and carol singing in the sanctuary. The Chilliwack United Church Choir presents the Christmas Cantata Behold the Star on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in our sanctuary here at Chilliwack United Church. Put on your best listening ears and enjoy an evening of the Nativity set to music. Admission is by donation. Gifts With Vision: A great way to give a meaningful gift in your name or someone on your Christmas List. Catalogues are in the Narthex and the church office. An invitation from Pastor Dean Andersen and Christ Lutheran Church: The Advent/Christmas Season is not always a time of happiness and joy for some. On Sunday, December 21 at 3:00 p.m. there will be a Longest Night of the Year Service which recognizes that there are losses which we mourn and can be felt especially strongly during this holiday season. Join us for this service of remembrance at 9460 Charles Street. For more information, call 604-795-3864. The Cyrus Centre, located at 45845 Wellington Ave., will be able to offer more shelter to homeless youth this winter as they have been approved to have 12 more mats (beds) during extreme weather (Below 0) this winter. However, they are in need of a few things with the cold wet season upon us. They need new PJ's; men's (medium and large mostly) and women's (small and medium mostly), gloves, sleeping bags, socks, underwear, laundry detergent, plastic cutlery and non-perishable food. For more information, call 604-795-5773. DID YOU KNOW: First United Mission is presenting an Aboriginal Speakers Series for the next several weeks on Friday afternoons. Email smcshane@firstunited.ca for more information. - 9 -

Planning to make a donation for the 2014 tax year? You may do so until Wednesday, December 31. The church office will be open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on December 31 to receive your donation. After 1:00, you can put your donation through the mail slot at the office entrance (corner of Main St. and Spadina Ave.). Thank you for supporting our many ministries in this way!! V{Ü áàåtá Xäx fxüä vx VÉÅx tçw jéüá{ Ñ à{x axã UÉÜÇ ^ Çz4 Wednesday, December 24 7:00 p.m. Chilliwack United Church Monday, December 15 to Sunday, December 21 11:45-11:55 Monday to Friday, Advent Take 5 (prayer) in sanctuary Monday, December 15 No meetings scheduled for today. Tuesday, December 16 1:00 Thrift Shop 7:00 Choir Practice Come make a joyful noise! Wednesday, December 17 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 10:30 Drop In Bible Study 7:00 Christmas Cantata - Behold the Star Thursday, December 18 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 1:30 Birchwood Service 3:00 Waverly Service Friday, December 19 10:00 Craft Group Everyone welcome! Bring your craft project to work on. 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 10:30 Mission Ministry Unit Meeting - 10 -

Saturday, December 20 10:00 Thrift Shop Open Sunday, December 21 Advent IV 10:30 Sunday School & All Ages Worship Service Christmas Office Hours The church office will be closed Thursday, December 25 to Tuesday, December 30 and Thursday, January 1, 2015. The office will be open on Wednesday, December 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will reopen on Friday, January 2. Ongoing Announcements Salvation Army Food Bank Collection of non-perishable food items for the local food bank is ongoing. Bring your donations year round and leave them in the barrel in the Narthex. Boston Pizza fundraiser! BP will donate 5% of your bill (before tax and gratuity) back to our church. Write Chilliwack United Church on the back of your bill and leave it with your server. Anyone can do it! Invite friends and family to participate. The Mission & Service Fund of the United Church of Canada supports mission projects and emergency responses across Canada and around the world. We encourage you to consider donating your loose change this morning to the Mission & Service Fund. - 11 -

Minute for Mission: The Observer Radio provides background noise while you make dinner. You can watch TV and knit. Hours at a computer are spent multitasking. But when you read a magazine, your entire field of vision is filled with printed images, words, and pictures. When you sit down with The United Church Observer, you are welcomed into a place of contemplation where you will find conversations about things that matter. The publishers are deeply grateful for your loyalty and want to continue to produce a publication that is worthy of it. The oldest continuously published magazine in North America and the second-oldest in the English-speaking world, The United Church Observer has engaged Canadians for 184 years. Award-winning journalism focused on issues of faith, justice, and contemporary living encourages people in the pews and beyond to broaden their understanding of what it means to be a Christian in Canada today. This important work is supported by a Mission and Service grant received annually through the efforts of congregations like yours. As Dag Hammarskjöld said, For all that has been, thanks; for all that will be, yes. Please give generously. Mighty and tender God, our gifts to M&S help your church to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. - 12 -