THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE
Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton
Ministers: The People of the Congregation
The Rev. Stephanie McClellan
The Rev. Steve Atkinson
Organist & Choir Director: Karen Nevin
Choir: Mens' Choir
Sunday Worship - November 26, 2006
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 ableWe Gather to Praise God
Musical Prelude
Procession of Light and Word
Greeting & Passing the Peace of Christ
May the peace of God be with you.
And also with you!
Congregational Life and Work
Agent Advent Visits
* Opening Prayer
Stir up the wills of your people, O God.
Move us into new ways of living.
Stir up the minds of your people, O God.
Move us into deeper ways of thinking.
Stir up the hearts of your people, O God.
Move us into fuller ways of loving.
Stir us thoroughly, O God.
Let us worship you afresh as we enter into the sacred
act of baptism together. Amen.
The Sacrament of Baptism
* BAPTISMAL HYMN: VU #444 -
Child Of Blessing, Child Of Promise
DIALOGUE (responsive):
The sacrament of baptism
proclaims and celebrates the grace of God.
By water and the Spirit,
we are called, claimed, and commissioned:
we are called God's own,
welcomed as children of God;
we are claimed by Christ,
united with Christ,
united with one another and the Christian community
of every time and place;
we are commissioned to Christ's ministry
of love, peace, and justice,
and strengthened by the Holy Spirit
for the work of the church in the world.
PRESENTATION OF CHILD
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (#918 VU): A New Creed
We are not alone, we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death,
in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
* PROMISES OF THE GATHERED PEOPLE
Minister: Let us stand together in God's presence as we share promises of faith and love.
Congregation: Cabot, as members of God's church, we promise to spiritually uphold you, encourage your belief in God, and instill Christian values in you through God's love and ours.
Parents: Cabot, you were given to us by God through love, and we promise to teach you through God's Word, guide you through faith, and fill your life with God's love and ours.
Minister: Together, let us pledge to these persons - parents, family and these children - our continued support and care.
All: As a baptized and baptizing church, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith. May God grant us all the grace to live out our baptism.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
BLESSING OF THE WATER
God be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them to God!
Let us give thanks to God . . . Gracious and Holy One, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water! . . . (water is poured). . . Over its unshaped promise, your Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth! . . . (water is poured) . . .
Through water you led the children of Israel to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan your child Jesus was baptized . . . (water is poured). . .
Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this
water may be a sign for all new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
THE BAPTISM
. . . and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
. . . claimed as Christ's forever.
Amen
LAYING ON OF HANDS
. . . all the days of your life.
Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL WELCOME
Cabot, into the household of faith we welcome you with joy and thanksgiving. We welcome you as members of God's family.
We welcome you with joy that you may learn of Christ's joy. We welcome you by name that you may know whose you are. You are a part of our family and will always find a welcome place here.
WELCOME BY THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
RESPONSE: Halle, Halle, Halle
Halle, halle, hallelujah! (x2)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
PRESENTATION OF THE LIGHT:
BLESSING
PRAYER
Remember your baptism, all of you,
and be thankful!
We remember, and we are thankful,
by the grace of God! Amen.
* Hymn: Jesus Bids Us Shine 585
We Listen For God's Word
First Reading: - 2 Samuel 23:1-7
David's last words glorify God.
* Responsive Reading: Psalm 132, parts 1 & 2, (VU pg. 854-855)
God will bless with abundance.
Ministry of Music Jesus Is Lord Of All
Second Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8
I am the Alpha and the Omega.
*Hymn: We Praise You, O God 218
Meditation
We Respond To God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Presentation of Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music Now I Belong To Jesus
*Doxology: "Praise God From Whom…."VU541
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
*Prayer of Dedication of Gifts and Self (in unison)
These are the gifts we bring to share from what we have. May
each gift be enough to make some difference in the world as
we seek to make real the request that your will be done here
on earth. Amen.
Prayers of The People and The Lord's Prayer
*Hymn: All Hail The Power 334
*Commissioning & Benediction
Choral Amen
*Musical Postlude
As we approach Advent, and expectantly await the celebration of Christ's birth, we pray for peace, and understanding among all people.
Stewardship Seconds
If people are good only because they fear punishment and hope for regard, then we are a sorry lot indeed. ~ Albert Einstein (1879-1955), physicist
On Your Behalf
The Responsibility to Protect
In the 2000 report to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations challenged the international community to try to forge consensus on when and how intervention should occur, and under whose authority. The Canadian Government in response to that challenge established the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty who came up with the Responsibility to Protect.
The Responsibility to Protect explores the issues of "right of humanitarian intervention" and attempts to build consensus on the question of when, if ever, it is appropriate for states to take coercive - and in particular military - action against another state for the purpose of protecting people at risk in that other state. A key position in the Responsibility to Protect is that sovereign states have a responsibility to protect their own citizens from avoidable catastrophe - from mass murder and rape, or from starvation - but when they are unwilling or unable to do so, that responsibility must be borne by the broader community of states.
The General Council is in the process of designing a response to the concept of The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and has nominated a Peace Task Group to study this issue. The Peace Task Group is specifically mandated to "develop a comprehensive peace proposal for consideration and action by the Executive of the General Council in the spring of 2008 addressing the rights of people in conflict and the responsibility of the international community to protect vulnerable peoples in conflict situations."
For more info see United Church Web-site: www.united-church.ca/
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 Today - November 26
Gander 11 a.m. Sacrament of Baptism
Benton 2 p.m.
Glenwood 5 p.m. Potluck, 6 p.m. S. School, 7 p.m. Worship
Worship next Sunday - December 3 - Advent 1
Gander 11 a.m. Communion.
Glenwood 7 p.m. Communion
Golden Legion Manor 7 p.m. Communion
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 26th., Coffee Hour, in the Church Hall following worship.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Scout Group Committee, 8:30 p.m., C.Hall
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 27th., Parent's 'n Tots, 10-11:30 a.m., C. H. Aud.
Women's Time Out, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.
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., 28th, Kid's Sign Language, 3:30-4:30 p.m., C. H. Parlour
Adult Sign Language, 6:30-7:30 p.m., C. H. Parlour
Handbell Choir Practice, 6:30 p.m., C. Sanctuary
Outreach Committee, 7:30 p.m. C.H. Parlour
Christian Development Committee, 7:30 p.m.
C. Hall, SS Rm. #2
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 29th, Mens' Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m.
Senior Choir Practice, 8:00 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Men's Fellowship Group, Noon-2 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Youth Group, 7:30-9 p.m., C. Hall & Parlour
Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 7:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 30th Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Guitar Group, 7:00 p.m., Church basement
TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 1st, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
Scouts Dessert Night, 5 to 9 p.m., C.Hall
Scouts Wake-A-Thon, 9 p.m.
Sat. 2nd., to 9 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today: Regular classes
PLEASE NOTE ALL persons having any keys to the church please advise our caretaker, so they may be properly recorded. This is absolutely necessary for both security and insurance purposes. Your immediate attention to this matter is most appreciated.
ADVENT CALENDAR - IS THIS ...THE LOOK OF CHRISTMAS! Advent Calendar available at the back of the church for anyone who is interested.
ECUMENICAL MINISTERIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SING, at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Monday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
TODAY WE RECEIVE through the Sacrament of Baptism into the Church of Christ and into Fraser Road United Church Family: Cabot Blake KEARNEY, child of Lawrence G. KEARNEY & Melanie L. LEGROW, and brother to Shacara, Anthony, Shania. Congratulations to this family. All are invited to the church hall following worship for a time of fellowship and the cutting of the baptism cake.
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation of bulletins in loving memory Alicia Lee Norman, who passed away November 28, 2005. Ever remembered and loved by grandparents, Mark & Phyllis LeGrow
TODAY! - NOVEMBER 26th Youth Talk Back - Discussion Group- During the morning worship service, all youth grade 7 and older are invited to the Youth Room to have a discussion facilitated by Gregg Ford and Claude Hender about their experience as Commissioners of General Council, our National Gathering that was held in Thunder Bay this past summer. What does the National Church have to do with us? Come and find out!
FIRST UNITED SCOUTS UPCOMING FUND-RAISING - All Proceeds are in aid of Canadian Jamboree 2007
BEREAVEMENT GROUPS The Gander Ministerial and the YMCA are partnering to offer bereavement groups for persons who have lost spouses, in Gander and the surrounding areas. Persons who have experienced the loss of a spouse may find that this group provides a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment to promote healing throughout the grieving process. The meetings will be held at the Golden Legion Manor in the second floor meeting room. To register or for further info, for Tuesday's group call Rev. Steve Atkinson, 256-3000, for Friday's group, contact Rev. Stephanie McClellan,424-6681. Please register as soon as possible as space is limited.
LIGHT OF THE WORLD CHRISTMAS APPEAL - SUPPORT AST with a light on the Christmas Tree As the days become shorter and the darkness of winter grows, the Church's Advent celebrations remind us of the role that light plays in the life of faith. As Christ said, "You are the light of the world." We are called to be light and also to give thanks for those who have brought the light of Christ into our lives in various ways. We invite you to celebrate those special light bearers with a gift to the AST 2006 Light of the World Christmas Appeal. You can honour them by dedicating a light on the AST Christmas tree in their name. Your gift becomes a part of AST's 2006 Annual Fund which directly supports the important work of preparing women and men to be Christian leaders in church and community, people who help all of us to be more truly 'lights of the world'. See bulletin board for details to forward. www.astheology.ns.ca
THANK YOU to all who continue to bring in "pop tabs for wheelchairs". In February we sent of 189.60, in May $107.90, and since October we have forwarded $245.60 to Robert Hampson. That's 543.10 towards the purchase of another wheelchair!! These pop tabs have come from all over the island!! Thank you!!
CEMETERY ASSESSMENT The Cemetery Committee has increased our assessment this year to $7. per family. Any donation you can make for this cause will be really appreciated. Thank you.
REQUEST FROM OUTREACH COMMITTEE - we are collecting used eyeglasses, postage stamps and, of course, pop tabs for agencies of justice and peace. Boxes are at the back of the church for your convenience. Thank you
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW
WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND
IS ILL AT HOME OR IN THE HOSPITAL