Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

Advent II—Christmas Pageant

December 9, 2007

“Our communities of faith play a key role in keeping the dream of peace alive.”

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 / Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:     Listen to the hope & peace of this world, in the noise of  life around us.

All:      It is hope & peace that fills children with life, and brings fullness to the laughter of neighbours.     Can you hear it?

One:     It is hope that fills the voice with the shout of justice, and makes freedom a restless cause. This is hope for peace.

All:      It is hope of peace that moves us to the living of it, and helps prayer become a way of life. This is the way of peace.

One:     We recognize hope and peace in the braying of animals— in the bleating of sheep and the roar of lions, in the growl of the bear and the bark of the badger—all living together  in peace.

All:      Can we hear them? This is hope. Come, let us listen  and live in this hope for peace.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

May our minds and hearts be open to hear hints of good news in a world of shadows. May we sharpen our senses so we can hear the traces of peace, the whisper of love, and the echo of joy breaking free from the shadows into the light. Today may we dare to hope for the world’s tomorrow. Amen.

Advent II: Peace

One: Today we light the second of our Advent candles…as the water covers the sea.

All: Come let us walk in peace in the light of God.

Advent Song

Come, O child of peace among us, come and dwell within us here. Turn our weapons into ploughshares, with your peace dispel our fear.

Advent calls us to prepare a way where justice, peace and hope may come to all. There maybe times when we forget to love and care even when we are loved and cared for. May we not only prepare a way, but be that way ourselves. We pray this way because that is how Jesus taught us…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)  

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Isaiah 11:1-10 An Interpretation From the Hebrew Scriptures  

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 & From the Epistles –  Romans 15:4-13. 

Hymn # 20 “On Jordan’s Bank”   

Matthew 3:1-6 From the Christian Scriptures

The Proclamation of John the Baptist. 

One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. 

The Christmas Pageant 

Junior Choir Sings "Baby Jesus, We Love You"

Shauna Kohls-Walters-piano,  Penita Schnel-guitar 

Mission Moment:  Marilynn Piotrowski

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #55 “In the Bleak Midwinter” vs 4

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. 

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer 

Hymn # 69 “Away In A Manger”                             

Commissioning (One)

Within us in our highest aspirations and most treasured dreams, within us in our most tragic setbacks, within us in our deepest struggles: We know that the Divine within journeys with us this Advent season. May our faith be deepened that we may respond to the One who has shown us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Choral Amen

#298 When You Walk From Here

When you walk from here, when you walk from here, walk with justice; walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care. 

Postlude

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster  (December 9 – December 15)

Next Week at Westminster  (December 16 – December 22)

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, address changes)Please pick-up your name tags in the blue container under the stained glass window in the Narthex. 

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. 

The Peace of Christmas.  Fifth Avenue Memorial will be open noon to 1:00 p.m. for a time of Peace during Advent. Bring your lunch if you like, but spend time in quiet meditation, personal prayer, walking the labyrinth or listening to calming music. Everyone is welcome! 

Today at 2:00 p.m. is our shared Blue Christmas Service. Christmas can be a painful time for some.  You may be approaching this season without the company of loved family members or friends who have recently died.  The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending.  We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. Our hope is that this service will provide an opportunity for such reflection.  

Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty.  On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions).  Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Thank you. 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church presents today, Music of the Christmas Season, ‘A Spiritual Concert’, at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at 504 – 2^nd Street S.E., Medicine Hat.   

Christmas Choral Celebration – Sun., Dec. 16^th at 7:00 p.m. An evening hosted by our Senior Choir followed by coffee & goodies in Memorial Hall. Free to all.

Congregational Carolling – Fri., Dec. 21^st  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 in the church by Chris White. Bring goodies to share. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided.

For anyone alone at Christmas you are invited to attend the Kiwanis Christmas Dinner at the Veiner Centre on December 25^th at 1:00 p.m. For more information see the posters on the bulletin board by Memorial Hall.

Your 2008 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 2008. Destroy your old unused envelopes in the New Year. Thanks for your cooperation. – Al Pols

Year 2007 Contributions: The deadline to contribute funds in the 2007 tax year is noon, December 30, 2007.  The office will be closed at this time; however, there is a mail slot to the left of the burgundy doors (office entrance) where you may deposit your contributions. This slot will be emptied at 8:00 a.m. on December 31. Contributions received in person or by mail or left in the church mailbox after this time will be credited to the 2008 tax year.

PAR Subscribers—If you wish to receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Esther Klaudt, Larry Brown, Jeffrey Gunn, Janine Andreas, Sharon Clay, Dale Stein, Yvonne Hole, Violet Park, Gladys Schlenker, Diana Davison, Darlene Widmer, Nicole Glasser, Bev Empey.

 Anniversaries: Earl & Joyce Carlson.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral service for Annie Greenwald.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning…In loving memory of, my husband, Ed by Alice Felesky;

In loving memory of Jim Cooper From May and Family & Christmas Poinsettia’s donated by UCW

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Soup Kitchens and Food Banks.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinators …….Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson

Greeters & Ushers ……….Albert, Tanya, Josie and Ella Hoffarth

…………………………….Dale and Lenora Stein, Barb Grozell

Nursery Convenor ……………………………….Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts ………………………..Kim Sherring, Mia Glasser,

………………………………….Janice Croissant, Linda Kinvig

Scripture Reader ……………………………..Wally Bergstreser

Elder-in-Charge …………………………………Gordon Bruins

Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11.

 December 23^rd  Services

10:30 a.m. Advent IV Service

 Christmas Eve Services

6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service with Carols

 9:00 p.m. Communion Service with Candlelight