“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Advent I
December 3, 2006
Communion / Food Bank Sunday
Jeremiah and the other readings challenge us to live faithfully toward the future in present days that try our patience and trust. What, and who, do we trust for the future? What might surprise us about a new work of God in our day? In what ways might these passages shape how we live in the “now and not yet” of God’s reign with anticipation and hope?
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude “Awake, Awake for Night is Flying” by J.S. Bach
Sharing Announcements
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: God’s promise will be fulfilled, as the faith community gather, for prayer and thanksgiving.
All: God’s promise will be fulfilled, as the suffering are comforted and the poor are empowered.
One: God’s promise will be fulfilled when justice is a priority, and prophets are recognized.
All: God’s promise will be fulfilled as the coming of Jesus is embraced, and his Way followed.
Advent I: Hope
Advent Chant
Twilight, then darkness, night falls and candles glow.
Gently surrounding us a new birth of hope.
Watching, waiting, awak’ning a new birth of hope.
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Prayer for Transformation (Unison)
We are given the gift of hope. In the pattern of faithful life which brings us pain, we need hope. You, God, are the inspirer of hope. In the striving of our faith community to serve this neighbourhood, we need hope. You are the pattern of hope. In those times when apathy or despair bring us low, we need hope. You are the source of hope. In those situations when we struggle to forgive, we need hope.
… (Time for Silent Reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Another Promise of Hope
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Epistles - 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; From the Psalms – Psalm 25:1-10.
Coming of the Son of Man (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Hymn #1 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (vs 1, 3, 5 & 7)
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “An Advent Prayer” by Louise Stairs
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him - give my heart.
The Service of the Table
Invitation to the Table (One)
Hymn #469 “We Gather Here”
In this crossover moment, the moment of pause between preparation and celebration, heaven's membrane begins to tear and eternity silently spills into time,
and we meet you, God.
In this crossover moment, the moment of "Aha!” waters part and the songbird sings and promise is fulfilled and belonging confirmed and the saviour breaks through and a voice calls from heaven whispering to us "My children, My loved ones,"
and we hear you, God.
In this crossover moment, the moment of bread and wine between prophecy and promise, heaven slips in and waits for us, haunting the Saviour's words over breaking bread and pouring wine, "My body, my blood, my life in covenant."
We listen to heaven as it steps over from symbol to presence in the breaking and spilling and rending and flowing, the splashing and pouring all around us in this sharing of promise as the whole universe gives forth voice.
Holy, Holy, Holy, God of power and light,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of our God!
Blessed is the one who is God's own!
From Baptism to Eucharist, from discovery through to journeying, from "Behold!" to "Aha!" our moving through is our thanksgiving as we cross over into this new moment with you, may we and these gifts, touched by your Spirit, be signs of life and love to one another and to the world. So be it.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most Holy, who we have met in Jesus of Nazareth who taught us to pray by saying: “Our Father…”
Breaking the Bread/Lifting the Cup
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer after Communion
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table with the remembrance of the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world united in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Commissioning (One)
Proclaim the coming of Christ! Act justly and with compassion. Give with generosity of all your diverse gifts. Look beyond your present horizons to a more glorious shore. God is with us, in time and beyond time.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Postlude “Postlude in F” by C. Harris
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (December 3 - 9)
Sun. Music & Worship 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Advent I, Communion 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practice after worship Lounge
Ministry & Personnel after worship Shalom Room
Mon. UCW Christmas Service,
Potluck & Meeting 11:30 a.m. Sanctuary, Hall
Property Committee 7:00 p.m. Westminster Rm
Tues. Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
M&O 10:00 a.m. Jane’s Office
Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Square Circle UCW 7:30 p.m. Lounge
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (December 10 - 16)
Sun. Advent II, The Pageant 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Junior Choir Singing
Blue Christmas Service 2:00 p.m. Fifth Ave. Mem.
Tues. Board of Elders 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Electra Unit UCW 1:30 p.m. Memorial Hall
Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Fri. Christmas Carolling 7:00 p.m. Memorial Hall
Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)
Christmas Outreach – During Advent we are, again, collecting Birthday bags for the Food Bank ~ cake mixes, icing, candles, balloons, etc. Also for the Homeless Shelter ~ warm socks & personal hygiene items ~ mitts, hats & gloves are also welcome.
Your 2007 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $14.00. When you pick up your envelopes, please check the number on your label with the envelope number to be sure they are the same. People on PAR were not issued envelopes and their number has been changed. Please do not use these envelopes, including the Observer envelope until the year 2007. Destroy your old unused envelopes in the New Year. Thanks for your cooperation.
November-December Upper Room Daily Devotional Booklet’s are available on the ramp and in the Narthex for $2.00 each.
UCW Potluck & General Meeting – Mon. Dec. 4. We will begin with Worship at 11:30; Potluck Luncheon at noon; Annual Meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Meditation Group’s last meeting before the Christmas break will be this Tuesday, December 5th. We will resume on the 9th of January, 2007.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: our first meetings will be this Tuesday, Dec. 5th at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. in the Lounge. Bring your needles and wool. For more information call Jane.
Christmas Pageant – Sun. Dec. 10th. We are inviting the congregation to take part. On that Sunday, there will be costumes available in the Narthex. If you would like to take part, please choose a costume.
Congregational Carolling – Fri., Dec. 15th at 7:00 p.m. We will gather in Memorial Hall. For those who are not able to walk around the neighbourhood, music and carolling will be provided at the church by “The New Foundation Band”. Bring goodies to share. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided.
Christmas Choral Celebration – Sun., Dec. 17th at 7:00 p.m. This evening is being hosted by our Senior Choir followed by coffee and goodies in Memorial Hall. Free to all.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Janice Archer, Nathan Cunnings, Ella Hoffarth, Esther Klaudt, Anne Lonson, Graham Schneider, and Margaret Taylor.
Anniversaries: Jean & Lawrence Pfeiffer and Dwayne & Nadine Schwengler.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of
Jim Cooper
by
May and family
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Soup Kitchens and Food Banks.
Sunday School Co-ordinator....................................... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers........................ Irene Fekete, Karen Knibbs and
Al & Marg Mattson
Nursery Attendant................................................. Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts... Jean Riggins, May Cooper, & Emil & Marian Bauer
Scripture Reader....................................................... Sandra Plank
Cantor....................................................................... Linda Kinvig
Elder-in-Charge...................................................... Dave Gerhardt
Next Week’s Readings from: Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; and Luke 3:1-6.
Stewardship Thought For Today
The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.
by Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892), American Poet