THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE

Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton

Ministers: The People of the Congregation

The Rev. Marion Davis

The Rev. Stephanie McClellan

Organist/Choir Director: Karen Nevin

Sunday Worship - January 2, 2005

Second Sunday after Christmas

11:00 a.m.





At the call of Jesus Christ, we, the people

of Fraser Road United Church, seek to:

Welcome all;

Strengthen one another;

Nurture each other in faith;

Prepare and direct our people

into God's world for service.

* please stand as you are able.

WE GATHER AS GOD'S PEOPLE

MUSICAL PRELUDE

*PROCESSION OF THE WORD AND THE LIGHT

*GREETING

LIFE AND WORK OF THE CONGREGATION

INTROIT: Arise Your Light is Come (vs 1 #79 VU)

Arise, your light is come!

The Spirit's call obey;

show forth the glory of your God,

which shines on you today.

CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive):

The magi came from many places, following a star.

We come to worship, and the star sheds light on our lives.

The magi brought gifts to offer the Child.

We too bring gifts - ourselves, our hopes, our dreams.

Shepherds and magi - the meek and the mighty - all were welcome in Bethlehem.

We too come to Bethlehem and then return to our homes rejoicing.

Opening Prayer

*HYMN: I Am the Light of the World #87

PRAYER OF CONFESSION: (in unison):

God of perfect light, lead us as we proceed through life. Forgive us when, like Herod, selfish ambition makes us willing to hurt others. Forgive us when, unlike the magi, we refuse to follow the light you give us. Shine in our lives through the light of your Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come.

HYMN: We Three Kings Of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.





Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Earth to Heaven replies. (1857, John H. Hopkins, Jr.)

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12

The visit of the Magi.

This is the word of God.

Thanks be to God.

The Fourth Wise Man

Chorus of We Three Kings

THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY:

Praise God the Source of life and birth.

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All glory, honour to God's name! Amen



PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF: (in unison)

Loving and receptive God, who acted in the Bethlehem birth and who sustains the whole human family, we come to you seeking to be wise men and women. May our gifts be a sign, as were the gifts for those travellers of old, that wisdom is marked by an offering of self and substance to the Christ in whose name we pray. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed (sung)
The Little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
We pray for children without adequate shelter
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay
We know God, that you watch over all children and
know the conditions they are in
The Little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes
We pray for children whose lives are disrupted by
noises of war and abuse
But Little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
We thank you God, for the children who come through
these types of trials and break the viscious cycle
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle, 'till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray
We pray that you would send loving caregivers to
all suffering children and we thank you for the loving care shown to and by all children in our midst
Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care
And fit us for Heaven, to live with Thee there
We pray for the day when all children are provided
for and are free to be children. In Jesus Name we
pray. Amen

THE LORD'S PRAYER



THE SENDING FORTH

Savouring the Story

*HYMN: The First Nowell #91

COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION

Go forth in the light of God's star. Go forth committed to a journey of faith and courage. Go forth to give the precious gift of your life to Christ.

We will go forth and let the star guide us.

We will share with others the journey of life.

We will praise God, for the gift we have received is beyond measure - Jesus the Christ.

MUSICAL PRELUDE

Resources used in preparation of this worship service:

Gathering Advent/Christmas/Epiphany

Prayers of the People written by Dustin Dufour

Touch Holiness Edited by Ruth Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi





CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK

Welcome to all of you, members and visitors, who have gathered to worship this day. May this holy time bring you fellowship with God and neighbour, and many blessings. We invite visitors to sign our guest register, and please, do come and worship with us again when you are in our area.

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - JANUARY 9, 2005

Gander 11:00 a.m. All Ages

Benton 2:00 p.m. Communion

Glenwood 11:00 a.m.

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation of BULLETINS given in loving memory of

and a donation to the HALL FUND in loving memory of

REMINDER TO CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS, and others responsible for compiling reports for the 2004 Annual Report. Please note that reports should be passed in by Friday, JANUARY 14, 2005, to either Maude Goulding or the church office. The Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled to take place on Sunday, FEBRUARY 6, 2005.

REMINDER TO UCW MEMBERS

The Ecumenical Women's Group Visit to Lakeside Homes will take place on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOON BAY CAMP 2005 Now that you're getting out your 2005 calendars - don't forget Youth Camp in Loon Bay in August which starts on Monday, the 15th - ending on Thursday, the 18th.! Family camp begins Thursday the 18th to Saturday, 20th . More details to follow. Questions to Rev. Steph or Rev. Marion!

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Mon., 3rd., Beavers, 6-7:15 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Cubs, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.

Tues., 4th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)

U.C.W. Genesis, 8:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Wed. 5th., Men's Fellowship, Noon - 1:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Guatemala Team Mission Meeting, 7:00 p.m.,

C.H. Parlour

Thurs.,6th M&P Committee, 7:30 p.m., SS Rm. #3

Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Guitar Group, 7:30 p.m., Church Basement

TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Fri .7th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)

ADVANCE NOTICES

CONGRATULATIONS!! to Dave Dalley and his band, The Chronicles, for their recent nomination for the East Coast Music Awards.

GUATEMALA TEAM 2006. Are you interested in being part of an inter-generational team which will travel to Guatemala in 2006? This opportunity is open to students in Levels II & III (Grades 11 & 12), and any interested adult. A meeting will be held January 5, 7 p.m. in the Church Parlour.

ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2004. Following morning worship a cold Potluck lunch will be held in the church hall, followed by the Congregational meeting at approx. 1:30 p.m. The congregation are asked to bring along cold dishes of food prior to worship. It is important that as many people as possible attend as the business of our church concerns us all. CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED for those who need it.

ASIA DISASTER RELIEF

In the difficult journey of the people of South and South East Asia the thoughts and prayers of the Newfoundland and Labrador Conference of The United Church of Canada are constantly with them.



General Council Office staff have been in contact with several of The United Church's partners in the affected region. They will maintain close contact with these partners and offer any support they can through the United Church Emergency Response Fund. The United Church of Canada responds to emergency requests out of its annual emergency response budget, made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.

We encourage all congregations who wish to participate to collect from donors, issue individual Income Tax receipts, and forward a cheque to: The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 and mark it "for Asia Disaster Relief".

2005 STUDY That We May Know Each Other -United Church-Muslim Relations Today. This is a study offered toward a United Church of Canada understanding of the relationship between Christianity and Islam in the Canadian context. A four week study beginning Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 10 .m. in the church hall parlour. Can be offered on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. as well if interest warrants. Please call the church office if you plan to attend.

THANK YOU Marion and I would like to thank you for the generous outpouring of love and caring at Christmas time. Your many greetings, gifts and gracious invitations brightened the Holy Season and love shone through. Thank you!

ON SPIRIT CONNECTION TONIGHT - LEAD 2004 An innovative event that encouraged people to try an edgier approach to congregational leadership. Filmed on location this past summer at Banff, Alberta. Sunday nights on VISION TV - 10:00 p.m. Nfld.



WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW

WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND

IS ILL AT HOME OR IN THE HOSPITAL



Next Week's Readings

Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 29 (VU pg. 756)

Epistle: Acts 10:34-43

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17