Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.” 

November 29, 2009

First Sunday of Advent - “Communion Service” 

God’s steadfast love invites us to enter Advent by trusting and living out the realm Jesus proclaims. Prophets declare earth and heaven are astir with signs of a new day to come. The signs of God’s nearness and “here-ness” summon us to balance our longing for God’s coming day with faithful action in this day and to trust that God provides the way forward. 

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so. 

Need a refuge? Our Nursery is located off Memorial Hall, has a speaker system through which to hear the service, and exists for all who may need this space. Memorial Hall approach is via the pulpit side exit.

A Time of Greeting: Our sensitivity to the realities of the H1N1 virus, which is transmitted from hand contact to the mouth, nose, and eyes, encourages each of us to observe good hand hygiene. It is also important for us to avoid public gathering if we feel unwell. If we all do our part in eliminating the spread of this virus, hopefully it will be a short lived health concern. 

Prelude / Sharing Announcements / A Time of Greeting

A Time of Silent Preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One: A child’s eyes light up as she imagines a dancing, laughing time, far, far in the future.

All: An old person dreams of a day when infirmity and anxiety will cease.

One: A wise person reflects on the untapped potential within humanity – the potential to build a world where joy and sharing prevail.

All: And we, gathered in the name of Christ, catch a glimpse of Advent hope.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Holy and Creative Light, may we continue to love this earth, our home. This quiet sphere, marbled blue and white, was spinning in black space long before we came: delicate, self-contained, easily torn apart! Holy it is. As caretakers and stewards may we watch over it, savour its beauty, and breathe its air. We are a people of hope and this is our prayer. Amen.

The Candle of Hope—Advent 1 (Responsive)

One: Today is the first Sunday in the Season of Advent. Advent means “coming,” and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. One of the ways we can celebrate Advent is having an Advent wreath and lighting its candles to remind us of the blessings that Christ brings to the world.

All: The Advent wreath includes many symbols. The wreath is in the shape of a circle, with no beginning and no ending. This reminds us that there is no beginning and no ending to Holy love and that this love never ends. The evergreen branches are a sign of ever-new life. The candles tell us of the light, which came into the world with Jesus. The colour blue symbolizes anticipation. The white candle, which we light on Christmas Eve, signifies the birth of Christ.

One:  Today we light the first candle, the candle of hope.

(Child and adult together light the first blue candle.)

One: The people of Israel heard of God’s blessings, given birth in the lives of the prophets. The prophet Jeremiah spoke words of hope to Israel. He proclaimed a new beginning through which God’s promise of Shalom would be fulfilled. We too hope and pray for a world of peace and harmony.

All: Hope is like a flame, warming and comforting us. As we light this candle, we celebrate the hope of the prophets and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

One: We continue to hope in the promise that Christ will come to fill our lives and the life of the world with love and joy and peace.

Prayer (Unison)

We give thanks for the flame of hope. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, may we share our hope with others.

Advent Song -- Hymn #6 “A Candle is Burning” (vs 1)

A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,

a candle of hope in December's dark night.

While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,

our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

Prayer for Transformation (Unison)

We are given the gift of hope. In the pattern of faithful life, which brings us pain, we need hope. In the striving of our faith community to serve this neighbourhood, we need hope. In those times when apathy or despair brings us low, we need hope. In those situations when we struggle to forgive we need hope … (time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Hope makes the breakthrough, as new paths are explored, and as new opportunities are grasped. As old rivalries are put aside and as fresh visions are grasped. In the hopeful freedom of Spirit, we are renewed people. Pardon and peace are ours. 

Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination

Jeremiah 33:14-16 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 768

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Psalm 25:1-10 and 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13.

Anthem “Who is This King of Glory”

Luke 21:25-36 From the Christian Scriptures Pg.110 (NRSV)

Reflection

Hymn #1 “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Our Church Tithes and Offerings / Offertory

Dedication Hymn #55 “In the Bleak Midwinter” (vs 4)

Prayer of Dedication (One)

A baby will soon be born. A child will influence our faith community for good. His coming will test the generosity of our community. This child will shake our routines. Our response to Jesus will shape how our resources are used. Amen.

The Service of the Table

Invitation to the Table (One)

This table is open to all who embrace the wonder of the Advent story of love being born into the world. May this meal of sacred mystery be a blessing to you in your preparation and sharing this Advent season in the name of the Christ child.

Hymn #467 “One Bread, One Body”

Source and Sustainer of life we name God, present and active from the beginning of time, we are gathered in your ever presentness.

All: And it is right that we give thanks and praise, and tell our stories of celebration and connectedness.

In time beyond our dreaming, Creativity God hovered over the water, and was revealed in fire and storm and precious law. Likewise, humanity in this creative likeness evolved on this earth, along with earth’s minerals and waters, flowers and fruits, living creatures of grace and beauty!

All: We offer this our thanks and praise. 

Our stories go on to say: Noah was shown a rainbow, Moses gained strength to free his people, in the face of danger Miriam would sing, Esther found courage, and Ruth stayed loyal.

All:  We give thanks for women and men in many different cultures and times who spoke about our connectedness with each other, and with all of creation.

In this age and season, with its TV and shopping and winter beauty, we wait again with expectant hearts and hopeful spirits, as we seek to discern your presentness among us. So we join our celebration to all people:

All: Holy, holy, holy, compassionate God, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God. 

All: Hosanna in the highest.

Bread and wine 
Long ago our tradition says, Jesus came in the humble birth of a child, 
a child of amazing and divine love, 
a child of Mary's ‘yes’ to you, 
a child of Joseph's acceptance, 
a child of our humanity. 

All: We pledge ourselves to be embodiments of the dream he dreamed. 

Long ago our tradition also says, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it: 
‘This bread is broken, as my body will be’. 

Bread is broken

And he handed it to his friends, inviting them to eat: 
‘Remember all that I have been to you’.

Long ago our tradition says, Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends: 

Wine poured out

‘This wine is poured out as my life will be poured out. As you drink give thanks for all I have given’.

These are the gifts of God for the people of God. In our sharing of these gifts, may we encounter anew the presence of the Holy as comfort and challenge during this Advent season.

All:  May people see in us the courage and the generosity that characterized Jesus’ life.

Communion Served at two stations in front of the chancel.

 
Prayer After Communion (Unison) 
We are one with the mystery and Source and Sustainer of all that has ever existed. We rejoice in our human capacity to wonder and marvel, to appreciate, to rejoice, and to give thanks.

Commissioning (One)

Let us proclaim the coming Christ! May we act justly and with compassion. May we give with generosity of all our diverse gifts. May we look beyond our present horizons to a yet more glorious shore. Holy Mystery is with us, in time and beyond time. Amen.

Choral Amen

Hymn #298 “When You Walk from Here”

Postlude

Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please convene for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.

This Week at Westminster (November 29 – December 5)

 Next Week at Westminster  (December 6 - 12)

Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.

Attention all Groups: As we move into the Christmas season, many groups shut down early or cancel meetings during the month of December. Please contact the office, so this info can be reflected in the calendar and bulletins.

Thank you to everyone who helped with decorating the Sanctuary for this Christmas season.

Westminster United Church is hosting the shared Blue Christmas Service today  at 2:00 p.m. You may be approaching this season of hope without the company of loved family members or friends who have recently passed on. 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 shopping. 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.

On Tuesday, the UCW will hold their Annual Meeting. Program begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary with a luncheon to follow in Memorial Hall.

Attention to all those joining the Senior Choir on their trip to Fernie─the Coach will arrive at Westminster and begin loading at 9:30 a.m. with a departure time of 10:00 a.m. SHARP. The church will be open for washroom use, warmth, etc. For last minute or emergency contacts, call Ted Sherring’s cell at 403-502-6442. Please do not call the church office.

Outreach with the Salvation Army Kettles─Thanks to all who have already signed up to help. Please phone Donna at 403-526-1555 if you can help with a variety of vacant time slots, or contact Cathy at 403-527-2474 or 403-580-6040 (Salvation Army).

Our neighbourhood congregational caroling will take palace on Friday, December 18^th at 7:00 p.m. Additional details will be announced in the near future.

Celebrations This Week

Funeral: The ministry of Westminster was extended into the community this past week, as James conducted the funeral service for Sheldon Miller. Our condolences and prayers are extended to all of Sheldon’s family and friends.

Birthdays: Patty McFarlane, Marg Laing, Mallery Sanders, Linda Kinvig, Nathan Cunnings, Ella Hoffarth, Marg Taylor, Anne Lonson, and Graham Schneider.

Anniversaries: Elmer & Gladys Schlenker.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning by the UCW.

South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Naramata and the Calling Lakes Centers.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

 Next Week’s Readings from: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 3:1-6; and Philippians 1:3-11. 
 

Generosity does not ask,
“What have you done for me lately?”
Generosity is giving without counting the cost.

by Kathie Murphy