“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Advent III
December 16, 2007
Choir Cantata
Today we rejoice as we journey together further into Advent as we hear the Christmas story in song.
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
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: The season of Advent challenges us.
All: To see the vision of what is yet to be.
One: To hear that voice from within calling anew.
All: To know the joy that is possible.
Let us continue to journey together as the time of fulfillment comes close. May our Spirit be awakened as we adventure through the wilderness, hearing afresh the stories of faith. May these stories blossom within us and bear the fruit of joy as we travel together. Amen.
One: Today we light the third of our candles …
shall become springs of water and all sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
All: Come let us walk in joy in the light of God.
Advent Song
Come, O Child of joy and gladness, come and lift our doubts away. Here to teach us love and kindness be here and forever stay.
Conversation Time
The Sunday school & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Now is the moment of magic, when an eastern star beckons the ignorant toward an unknown goal. So here's a blessing: they find nothing in the end but an ordinary baby, born in poverty, and the baby's cry, like bells ringing, makes people wonder as they wander through their lives, what human love might really look like, sound like, feel like. And here’s another blessing: we already possess all the gifts we need, we’ve already received our presents: ears to hear music, eyes to behold lights, and hands to build true peace on earth and to hold each other tight in love…(time for silent reflection)
Hymn # 47 “Still, Still, Still”
Choir Cantata: “Joy Comes In the Morning”
Compiled & Arranged by C.E. White
Narrator: Pat Marshall
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
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)
Hymn # 73 “The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy”
Commissioning (One)
Go faithfully from this community, taking the gift of Christ to heart, and respond with every fibre of your being.
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
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (December 16 – December 22)
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Sun. |
Worship/ Choir Cantata |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
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No Jr. Choir Practise until Jan. |
13, 2008 |
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Choral Choir Celebration |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
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Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (December 23 – December 29)
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Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
No Jr. Choir Practise |
|
|
|
Mon. |
Family Candlelight Service |
6:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Communion Service |
9:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Office Closed |
|
|
|
Wed. |
Office Closed |
|
|
|
Thurs. |
No. Senior Choir Practise |
|
|
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, and spend time in quiet meditation, personal prayer, walking the labyrinth or listening to calming music. Everyone is welcome!
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.
Christmas Choral Celebration –Tonight, at 7:00 p.m. An evening hosted by our Senior Choir followed by coffee & goodies in Memorial Hall.
Congregational Carolling – Fri., Dec. 21st 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 25th 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.
Birthdays: Karli Schnell, Sabrina Henderson, Jim Cunnings, Wayne Adams, Jennifer Bergstreser, Doug Henderson, Heather Willette, Jordyn Allan, Florence Leech.
Anniversaries: Dave & Myra Gerhardt.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was shared with all as Jane conducted the funeral service of long time member, Vernon Miner who will be genuinely missed from Westminster.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of,Stella & Raymond Clark by Sandra, Brenda & families
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for the street people.
Sunday School Co-ordinators …….Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers …………………Janice Neigum, Ruth Patrick
………………………………………Adair Prouty, Jean Whiting
Nursery Convenor ……………………………….Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts ………………...Irene Fekete, John & Betty Sidlick
…………………………………………………….Karen Hauber
Elder-in-Charge ………………………………Alvin Cruickshank
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewardship is a radical act of faith!
by Barbara Fullerton by Barbara Fullerton
Board Report December 11, 2007
Dale Stein was present to inform the Board how a Planned Giving Gift Fund would work for our congregation. The proposal will be presented to the Annual Congregational Meeting. The nominations roster for 2008 Board members is going well. Committee Reports were reviewed, particularly the 2008 budget. Portable shelving for pies has been purchased. The cumbersome wooden (stage) shelving will be dispensed with. Sabbatical leave process was discussed and an April – June sabbatical for Jane Clarke was affirmed.
Respectfully submitted, Alvin Cruickshank, Board Chair