Sunday, November 30, 2014 - First Sunday of Advent (Year B)

News and Announcements:

 

Coming Together:

 

We come together today to celebrate changes.

A change of in the weather, a change of seasons.

From fall to winter, from Advent to Christmas.

In the middle of the busyness of this Christmas

season- the planning, the shopping, the baking, the visiting-

help us remember to stop and listen, look and see and find

our faith in the old story of new parents, a little baby,

and a long journey.

Journey with us, Lord, through this season. Amen

 

Written by Cheryl McMurray, New Hope UC, Port Hope, ON.

Gathering, Advent/Christmas, Epiphany 2014-2015, page 27.Used with permission.

 

Lighting of Advent Candle: #7VU

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

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:

Let us pray...

God of Hope, light our path with the belief that you are with us.  We move toward Bethlehem with the deep desire to know you.  Amen.

 

Singing:  “A Candle is Burning” VU#6

 

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving, reach out to those around you and

share with each other the Peace of Christ, perhaps with the words

 "Peace be with you!, responding "And also with you!"

 

Junior Choir:    (tba)

 

Singing:  “Jesus Came Bringing Us Hope” MV#33

(all four verses, repeating verse one at the end)

 

Storytelling: “Hope Is An Open Heart”

 

 

 

 

Music for Movement:  #10VU

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

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!

 

Readings from Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1: 3-9

Mark 13:24-37

 

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

 

Message: “The Gift of Hope”

 

Singing: “All earth is waiting” VU#5

 

Giving Our Offerings:

Senior Choir:  “One Candle”

Offering Song (#20VU-v5) and Prayer:

All praise to you, eternal Son,

whose advent has our freedom won;

and praise to God whom we adore,

with Holy Spirit evermore.

 

Let us pray...

Gracious God, we share from what we have as an offering of Hope.  We bring tributes of time, of prayer and money.  May they bind to bring the wonder of the Christ-Child into the world again.  Amen.

 

Prayers of the People and Our Lord’s Prayer (spoken - #921VU):

 

Singing: “Lo, he comes with clouds descending” VU#25

 

Sending Out

Sung Response:  #967VU

“Amen.  Amen.  A--men!”

Sunday, November 23, 2014 - Last Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

Hymn Sing: #213VU; #581VU

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #672VU (verse 3)

Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,

each thought and each motive beneath God’s control.

Thus led by the spirit to fountains of love,

you soon shall be fitted for service above

Coming Together:

O all the world! Raise glad shouts to the Holy One!

Worship God with joy!

Be assured the Holy One is the God who made us,

God is the shepherd to whom we belong, who feeds us in green pastures.

With thanksgiving enter here with praise.

Praise and bless the Holy Name.

Let us pray...

Gracious God, you are our guide, revealing the path on which we are to travel. Help us to see your presence in one another, and make us ready to act lovingly, openly, honestly, and humbly in the way of Christ. Amen.

Singing:  #820VU    “Make a Joyful  Noise”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Readings from Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:^11-16           HB pg 803

Matthew 25:^31-46        NT pg 29

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today. 
Thanks be to God.

Singing:  #157MV    “I Am a Child of God”

(Greeters will pick up prayer request cards)

Storytelling:

Music for Movement:  #183MV

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love for Jesus,

for Jesus.

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love

for God’s most holy child.

For whatever I might do today,

at home, at school, at work, at play,

I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down

inside of me.

Senior Choir:  “Lonely Voices”

Message:                  “Thy Kingdom Come”

Singing:  #210VU    “You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd”

Giving Our Offerings:

Minute for Mission

Offering Song (#537VU) and Prayer:

Your work, O God, needs many hands

to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve

unless our gifts we share.

Because we love you and your work,

our offering now we make:

be pleased to use it as your own,

we ask for Jesus' sake.

Let us pray...

May our gifts meet the needs of your church and the longings of the people of your
world. Amen.

Prayers of the People and Our Lord’s Prayer (#921VU):

Singing:  #209MV    “Go Make a Difference”

Sending Out and Sung Response:  #581VU (verse 2)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

we belong to God, we belong to God.

Sunday, November 16, 2014 - 23rd Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #672VU (verse 3)

Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,

each thought and each motive beneath God’s control.

Thus led by the spirit to fountains of love,

you soon shall be fitted for service above

Coming Together:

As a community of faith, we gather to worship.

We come with our differences, but with Christ as our common ground.

We gather to worship and be reminded of our connection to each other.

Come; let us invest ourselves in this time of worship. Amen.

Let us pray...

Almighty God, you have created us. Each of us has different gifts and abilities.  You have created us, a people, to live in community.  Each an individual, all empowered to contribute in your world.  Amen.

Singing:  #585VU    “Jesus Bids Us Shine”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Storytelling:

Singing:  #445VU    “A Little Child the Savior Came”

Welcoming with Baptism:

People are asked not to take pictures during
the service.

Introduction

Statement of Faith:  #918VU "A New Creed"

Questions and Promises

Congregation's Promise

All:  As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.  May God grant us all grace to live out our baptismal promises!

Prayer (together):  Gracious and Holy God, Mother and Father of us all, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water.  We recall how your Spirit hovered over creation's unshaped waters and how, by water, comes the growth of the earth.  It was through water that you led the children of Israel to freedom.  It was in the waters of the Jordan, your child, Jesus, was baptized.  Now, may your Spirit be upon us and work through this day's water to link us with Jesus' baptism and with Christians in every time and place.  May what we do here be a sign for all of new life in Christ!  Amen.

Music for Movement:  #183MV

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love for Jesus,

for Jesus.

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love

for God’s most holy child.

For whatever I might do today,

at home, at school, at work, at play,

I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down

inside of me.

Readings from Scripture:

1^st Thessalonians 5:^1-11         NT pg 205

Matthew 25:^14-30                      NT pg 28

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today. 
Thanks be to God.

Message:                      “In This Moment”

Singing:  #575VU    “I’m Gonna Live”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#537VU) and Prayer:

Your work, O God, needs many hands

to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve

unless our gifts we share.

Because we love you and your work,

our offering now we make:

be pleased to use it as your own,

we ask for Jesus' sake.

Let us pray...

Generous God, you give us opportunities.  You give us time, patience, and care. May we use these gifts we offer to encourage others, share with others, and work with others, as we invest in your reign of justice, peace, and love. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (sung - #959VU):

Singing:  #87VU      “I Am the Light of the World”

Sending Out and Sung Response:  #581VU (verse 2)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

we belong to God, we belong to God.

Sunday, November 9, 2014 - 22nd Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)

Parade of Flags:

News and Announcements:

Lighting of Candles: #672VU (verse 3)

Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,

each thought and each motive beneath God’s control.

Thus led by the spirit to fountains of love,

you soon shall be fitted for service above

Coming
Together and Lord's Prayer:

We come together as followers of the Prince of Peace.

We know that our world is filled with hurt that is thrust at others.

We confess the pains caused by bombs and guns, fists and words.

God, give us peace.

Let us pray...

Our Father,

who art in heaven, hallow-ed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom

and the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Singing:  #684VU    “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Storytelling:  Matthew 25:1-13 NT pg 28

Singing:  #130SGP “Give Me Oil in My Lamp”

Welcoming with Baptism:

People are asked not to take pictures during
the service.

Introduction:

Statement of Faith:  #918VU  "A New Creed"

Parents' Promises

Godparents' Promise

Congregation's Promise

All:  As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.  May God grant us all grace to live out our baptismal promises!

Prayer (together):  Gracious and Holy God, Mother and Father of us all, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water.  We recall how your Spirit hovered over creation's unshaped waters and how, by water, comes the growth of the earth.  It was through water that you led the children of Israel to freedom.  It was in the waters of the Jordan, your child, Jesus, was baptized.  Now, may your Spirit be upon us and work through this day's water to link us with Jesus' baptism and with Christians in every time and place.  May what we do here be a sign for all of new life in Christ!  Amen.

Music for Movement:  #183MV

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love for Jesus, for Jesus.

I’m gonna shout, shout,

shout out my love for God’s most holy child.

For whatever I might do today,

at home, at school, at work, at play,

I’ve got Jesus’ love deep down

inside of me.

Readings from Scripture:

Joshua 24:^14-15          HB pg 216

Ecclesiastes 3:^1-8    HB pg 616

In ages past, disciples, prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Message:                           “Be Ready”

Singing:  #169MV    “When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#537VU) and Prayer:

Your work, O God, needs many hands

to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve

unless our gifts we share.

Because we love you and your work,

our offering now we make:

be pleased to use it as your own,

we ask for Jesus' sake.

Let us pray...

God of this time; as we give to Jesus’ ministry, give us the courage to be ready for the joys and challenges that we face. Amen.

Prayers of the People:

Singing:  #242VU    “Let all Things Now Living”

Sending Out and Sung Response:  #581VU (verse 2)

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.

Good works of service are for offering.

When we are giving, or when receiving,

we belong to God, we belong to God.