“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Advent IV
December 23, 2007
In Jesus, God’s reign comes among us. The lives of Joseph, Mary, Paul and the believers in Matthew’s community and in Rome were changed in radical ways when they chose to embrace God’s promised one. As we ready ourselves to receive again this gift of Christmas, we are called to choose how we will respond. How do you experience God’s love and call in Jesus the Christ? What choices might you be called to make?
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: Eternal Mystery, Stillest Breath and Deepest Sigh, we open our hearts to the presence of Holiness in this place.
All: Each of us brings life to the day’s possibilities. We bring hope, or despair, eagerness or malaise, joy or sorrow and with these things we paint the skies above us.
One: May the beauty of Divinity unfold in our hearts that we may loosen the grip of the mundane on our lives.
All: May the richness of mystery unfold in our minds that we may let go of our need for proof.
One: May the possibility of newness and light be present to us that we may unfold the wings of our faith and soar as into world changed by our possibilities.
All: May we see in the skies we have painted the collective beauty of the Divine and the miracle of that presence. Amen.
In this world of differences we are challenged to see the sacred in many faces and many traditions. In this world of options, we are challenged to remain true to what we know of that sacredness, of ourselves and of those we love. In this world of blessing, we know gifts of beauty and wonder and seek to ground them all in holiness. May the differences we find this day bless us with a deep and sustained awareness of the presence of the sacred in our oft-confusing world. We pray as those who, given choice, choose to affirm the divine in life. Amen.
Advent IV: Love
One: Today we light the fourth of our Advent candles. It is the candle of love.
…
is divine, unconditional, forgiving , healing and truly caring of the other.
All: Come, let us walk together in love in the light of God.
Advent Song
Come, O love in Christ incarnate, fill us with your grace sublime,
So that we in all our actions, May unveil a love divine.
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
(Unison from reverse)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 & From the Epistle – Romans 1:1-7.
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Message: “Embracing the Boy Child”
Hymn # 29 “Hark the Glad Sound”
Mission Moment: Joyce Carlson
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 # 44 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
Commissioning (One)
We have gathered as a community of faith. We have shared in scripture and song, in offering and prayer. May we go from here with renewed faith to do a wondrous work. May we be blessed as we go forth.
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 23 – December 29)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship/Advent IV |
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 |
|
|
Next Week at Westminster (December 30 – January 5)
|
Sun. |
Worship/ Carol Singing |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
No Jr. Choir |
|
|
|
Mon. |
Fiscal Year Closes |
12 noon |
|
|
Tues. |
New Year’s Day/Office Closed |
|
|
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Sunday School classes resume on January 13, 2008.
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.
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, today, 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: Jim Hayward, Nancy Adams, Noah Schnell, Bette Frisch, Jeannette Zollner-Mylymok, Ed Buckholz.
The Ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as Jane conducted the funeral service for Helen Turko. Also this week, James conducted a service for one of our long-time members, Emil Bauer, who will be genuinely missed from Westminster.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of,Lyle & Marg Smith by Vern & Adair Prouty and Larry & Vera Henderson.
In loving memory of, Nellie Guthrie & Gordon Anderson By Joan Anderson.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Bethlehem Palestinians and Israelis.
Sunday School Co-ordinators…… Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers …………………………………Electra UCW
Nursery Convenor ……………………………….Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts ……………………………………….Electra UCW
Scripture Reader …………………………………..Alice Felesky
Elder-in-Charge ………………………………………Darcy Fox
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewardship is an act of hope and faith that God is with us. Being a steward changes us!
by Barbara Fullerton
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service
with Carols
9:00 p.m. Communion Service with Candlelight