Sunday, Dec 9th Bulletin
Gathering song VU #64 – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Welcome and Announcements
Lighting of the Candle / Response “Give us Peace”
Give us peace for the world, while we’re waiting,
Give us peace for ourselves, we pray,
Give us peace for your love and your healing,
Give us peace for a brand new day.
Light a candle, light a candle,
Light a candle while we wait and pray.
Light a candle, light a candle,
Light a candle of God’s peace.
Call to Worship
One: The Reign of God is drawing near:
All: the prophet calls us to change our lives!
One: Prepare the way for the Lord:”
All: a just and peaceful path!
One: Welcome one another, for Christ welcomes you:
All: let us worship together for the glory of God!
* Opening Hymn VU #20 – “On Jordan’s Bank”
Prayer of Approach and Confession
Holy God, we long for your peace, and trust in your promise; we hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives and welcome you in. Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all. Oh God, you call us to turn our lives around, and work with patience and diligence to prepare the way for your Reign, but we get discouraged and give up too soon.
Oh God, you call us to collaborate in community to prepare the way for your Reign, but we neither trust, nor honor the gifts of others. Oh God, you call us to be full of joyful confidence to prepare the way for your Reign, but we burden ourselves with anxiety and fear. Forgive us, O God, and lead us in the ways of patience, community and joy. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Passing the Peace
White Gift presentation
Bible Adventures – “The Gift”
Time for all ages
* Hymn – “Longing for Light”
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light…
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light…
Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light…
The Word
& Scripture Reading: Baruch 5: 1-9
Luke 1: 68-79
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Hymn VU #901 – “Blest be the God of Israel”
Meditation – “My peace I give you”
(a quiet time for your personal reflection and prayer)
Anthem – “Where is He, Immanuel?”
The Response
* Offering / Response:
In this Advent time of waiting
May we serve the Prince of Peace,
Share our gifts with those around us,
Joy and hope in all increase.
Dream the vision, tell the story,
Healing bring to those in need,
Share the promises once more,
Christ is near, who came before.
Prayers of the People/The Lord’s Prayer
* Closing Hymn – “Christmas Peace”
Lord, be born in our hearts this day.
Christ-child spirit bring peace we pray.
Make the wars of the world to cease,
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
Christmas peace, Christmas peace,
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
Lord, the world cries for unity.
Bind our hearts in community.
From all hatred our souls release,
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
Christmas peace, Christmas peace,
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
Lord, be born in us every day.
Keep the world in your peace always.
Christ-child spirit in us increase.
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
Christmas peace, Christmas peace,
Bring us Lord, Christmas peace.
* Commissioning / Benediction
* Response:
Saviour, dwell with us that we
May go forth, your light to be.
Send us out, good news to sing;
Hope, peace, joy, and love to bring.
God incarnate, with us dwell.
Come, O come, Emmanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus, don’t delay;
Shine your peace through us this day.
Saviour, dwell with us that we
May go forth, your light to be.
***
Rev. Patrick Woodbeck, Minister Laura Steidl, Music Director Heather Karavas, Office Administrator Myrna Hagues, Organist Sue Turley, Liturgist Gina Grant, Custodian
Welcome Ministry: Gloria Waldron, Sylvia Warrington, Yvonne Lindley
