“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Advent II – Christmas Pageant
December 10, 2006
Zechariah’s words lift up the role of John in God’s redemptive work. What do you hear this song affirming about life, self, vocation, and God: as they relate to John; as they relate to you? In what ways do we strike a faithful balance between relying on God to bring the “not yet” of God’s reign,” and our bearing witness to God’s reign already among us?
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: Christmas Music Selections
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Christmas is coming!
All: We will prepare for the birth of Jesus with worship which is warm and joyful.
One: Christmas is coming! Christ, long hoped for, is near!
All: We will prepare with friendship which includes the outsiders.
One: Christmas is coming! Christ, the Peace-bringer, is near!
All: We will prepare with forgiveness and reconciliation.
One: Christmas is coming! Christ, beloved, is near!
All: We will prepare with compassion and sharing.
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.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Peace comes as we face new realities, and leave what’s past in the past. We give thanks for God’s goodness, but we are aware that we have responsibilities for worship and for service. John prepared us for the coming of Jesus. We wonder about the quality of our preparation for the coming of Jesus. The dawn of God’s light in Jesus, will break gloriously into the world’s darkness and into each of us. We reflect on the darkness that has infiltrated our relationships, and the life of our faith community… (Time for Silent Reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Peace comes, as we take the time to think quietly about the paths we have taken; the paths of forgiveness and justice seeking, the paths of self-interest and self-serving. Peace comes as we are prepared to leave the routine of the past, to risk and venture as Jesus did. Amen.
Biblical Notes and Prayer of Illumination
The Preaching of John the Baptist
Hymn #20 “On Jordan’s Bank”
Show all the world that you care about Peace on Earth. R
Offertory: Christmas Music Selections
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.
God’s peace shines through our gifts: the peace of challenges faced, the peace of suffering ones befriended, the peace of hurts and slights forgiven, the peace which the Good News proclaims, the peace of neighbourhood justice worked out, the peace which global justice enshrines, the peace which Jesus embraced. May our gifts be blessed with peace, as they are used. Amen.
Hymn #69 “Away in a Manger”
Commissioning (One)
We are ready for the challenge of Advent. May we hear the words of the messenger who calls on us to repent. May we join with Joseph and Mary on a faithful but difficult journey. With the Divine ever present, we have nothing to fear!
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: Christmas Music Selections
This Week at Westminster (December 10 -16)
Sun. Advent II, The Pageant 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
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
Next Week at Westminster (December 17 - 23)
Sun. Trustees 9:00 a.m. Shalom
Advent III, Choir Cantata 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No Jr. Choir Practice
Choral Celebration 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Senior Choir Practise 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
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.)
Westminster United Church - Church Secretary Position Available. The Church Secretary performs the daily reception and clerical duties for the church. Proven experience with Microsoft office computer applications and multi-tasking in a busy office environment is required. This very vital position is part-time, comprising 24 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday. Your sealed resume may be mailed or delivered to Westminster United Church office by Dec. 22, 2006. If you have not previously volunteered to help cover the office during the time we will be without a secretary, the M&P committee would be delighted to hear from you! Any day or half day between Dec 19-22 and Dec 27-29 that you could help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Sharon Clay @ 527-5681.
There will be craft tables set up at the back of Memorial Hall after worship today.
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.
Congregational Carolling – Friday, 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 – Sunday, 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.
For anyone alone at Christmas you are invited to attend the Kiwanis Christmas Dinner at the Veiner Centre on December 25th at 1:00 p.m. For more information see the posters on the bulletin boards, both in the Narthex and by Memorial Hall.
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.
Today is Human Rights Day. Join us at Unisphere, located in the basement of Westminster, starting at 2:00 p.m. sharp for “Write for Rights” (letter writing for Amnesty International) and the showing of “Uganda Rising” followed by discussion.
There still are some Photo Directories that people haven’t picked up yet. They can be picked up at the office during the week or if you would like to purchase one of the overprint copies, the cost is $8.00.
Nursery volunteers are needed to help on Sundays during worship. Please contact Tanya Hoffarth at 526-7570; also wanted for the Nursery, gently used interactive toys for toddlers (ie. plastic food, Fisher Price barn, or Little People house; No Lego, blocks, trucks, toy cars, or baby rattles are needed). Toys may be brought to the nursery or church office. Thank you!
P.A.R. (Pre-Authorized Remittance) application forms can be picked up & returned to the church office or call Donna Scharf at 526-1555.
Habitat for Humanity is looking for any volunteers who might be able to donate their time to assist in the completion of our duplex located at 1114 Queen Street. We are especially in need of finishing carpenters, painters, etc. for more information; call Al Piotrowski at 527-3229.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Janine Andreas, Larry Brown, Sharon Clay, Diana Davison, Bev Empey, Nicole Glasser, Jeffrey Gunn, Sabrina Henderson, Brittney Herrell, Yvonne Hole, Violet Park, Gladys Schlenker, Karli Schnell, Dale Stein, and Darlene Widmer.
Anniversaries: Earl & Joyce Carlson.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of
my husband, Ed
by
Alice Felesky
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Street People.
Sunday School Co-ordinator....................................... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers............................. Vicki, Jeffrey & Evan Gunn, Norman & Albina Jackson, and Gordon Schneider
Nursery Attendant................................................. Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts................................... Grace Alcock, Sandra Oancia, Yvonne Hole & Linda Kinvig
Elder-in-Charge......................................................... Ted Sherring
Next Week’s Readings from: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; & Luke 3:7-18.
Thought For Today
If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel, a star to discover, and a being within ourselves to bring to life.
Author unknown
