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: Senior Choir
Sunday Worship - December 10, 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 able.
We Gather to Praise God
Musical Prelude
*Procession of Light and Word
*Greeting
*Passing the Peace
May the Peace of Christ be born within you!
AND ALSO WITHIN YOU.
Congregational Life and Work
*Introit - "Joy To The World" (v.1)
1 Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Call to Worship
Through human lips, CHRIST IS SPEAKING.
Through human hands, CHRIST IS HEALING.
Through our hearts, CHRIST IS LOVING.
Through us all, CHRIST IS WORKING.
So, behold the truth Christ is here in and amongst us.
Opening Prayer (in unison):
God of love and peace, we long for rest in the midst of our busy lives. We yearn for calm in our troubled hearts. We suspect that your peace
is as near as Christmas. Help us to slow down and see your way as we worship and pray. Amen.
-- Adapted from Is This the Look of Christmas?
* Opening Hymn: Tomorrow Christ is Coming 27
Advent Wreath Liturgy
The season of Advent continues. Four thousand years of waiting for the Messiah, commemorated by the lighting of four candles.
WE JOIN WITH A HOPEFUL THRONG IN THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES, SYMBOLS OF OUR FAITH AND SIGNS OF GOD'S LOVE.
We are a people of hope. Last Sunday the frail light of a ingle candle dared to pierce through the darkness of desolation and sin.
HOPE LIVES IN US AND WILL ABIDE WITH US.
Today we will light the candle of peace.
THIS LIGHT, TOO, MUST BRAVE GREAT DARKNESS.
In an age when people so seldom find peace within themselves, and when all the earth stands under threat of total annihilation, we light a fire called
peace.
PEACE THAT IS NOT MERELY THE ABSENCE OF WAR AND CONFLICT, BUT PEACE THAT IS THE FULLNESS OF BLESSING FOR ALL --
THAT IS THE PEACE FOR WHICH WE DARE TO HOPE.
The Christ comes to bring peace to those who have been separated from God and one another.
IN THE NAME OF THAT CHILD BORN SO LONG AGO, WE LIGHT THE CANDLE OF PEACE.
In following Christ's teachings, we nurture our hope for peace even today. (light candles of hope and peace)
*Hymn: - A Candle is Burning (vs 1 and 2) 6
Theme Conversation - White Gift Offering
Sing: - What Can I give Him?
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.
We Listen For God's Word
Hebrew Scripture - Philippians 1: 3-11
* Responsive Reading - Luke 1: 68-79 (VU p. 900)
Ministry of Music When Emmanuel Has Come
Gospel - Luke 3: 1-6
* Hymn - There's a Voice in the Wilderness Calling 18
Reflection
We Respond To God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music
*Doxology -
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 of Gifts and Self (in unison)
Generous God, your many gifts show us how to love and give. Your gift of peace often eludes us. Help us to find peace and joy through
giving, this week and in the year ahead. Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn - Joy to the World (verses 2, 3 and 4)
* Commissioning and Benediction
*Choral Amen
*Musical Postlude
Today in Prayer
We uplift those who are feel sad and alone. May they know your caring presence God.
Stewardship Seconds
Of all the varieties of virtue, liberality is the most beloved. ~ Aristotle (384-322 BCE), Greek
We have Scent-Sensitive Concerns
ON YOUR BEHALF
UNITED CHURCH CALLS ON CANADA TO CONDEMN MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE
Toronto: The Moderator of The United Church of Canada is calling on the Canadian government to condemn unequivocally the killing of almost 500
innocent Palestinian civilians since July 2006, and to call for an end to the ongoing siege of Gaza.
"The United Church of Canada is deeply concerned about the
ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories, and the violence committed by both Israelis and Palestinians," says the Moderator, the Right Rev. David Giuliano. "We stand together with our Israeli and Palestinian partners who are pressing for negotiations. Canada must re-engage as a truly honest broker in a meaningful peace process for a two-state solution."
For further information, please contact:
Mary-Frances Denis
Communications Officer
The United Church of Canada
416-231-7680 ext. 2016 (office)
416-885-7478 (cell)
or see the 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 - December 10 - Advent 2
Gander 11 a.m. White Gift Service, , followed by
What Child Is This Soup Lunch?
7 p.m. Choir Special Music
Glenwood 7 p.m. Choir Service
Benton 2 p.m.
Monday, December 11
Ecumenical Ministerial Christmas Carol Sing, St. Joseph's R.C. Church at 7:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken, OR a non perishable item for the Food Bank may be placed in box at back of the church.
Worship next Sunday - December 17 - Advent 3
Gander 11 a.m.
Glenwood 11 a.m. Regular worship
Lakeside Homes Chapel 4 p.m. Communion
Sunday School Concert 2 p.m.
UCW Vesper Service 7 p.m. (Youth Group host a get together following service)
Saturday, December 23
Benton 7 p.m. Christmas Service Potluck 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Gander 11 a.m. All Ages (Christmas Memorials)
7 p.m. Family Service
JPMH Chapel 2 p.m. Service of Hope and Remembrance (An Ecumenical Service of Hope and Remembrance for those who find Christmas a difficult season that is not always merry. Offering hope, peace and comfort in the midst of grief, loss and sadness. December 24th, 4:00 p.m. at the James Paton Memorial Hospital Chapel)
11 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 7 p.m. Communion/Memorial Candle Service
December 31
Gander 11 a.m. All Ages
Glenwood 7 p.m.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 10th., What Child Is This? Soup Lunch, following worship
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 11th., 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, NOT MEETING
Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 12th, 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
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 13th, 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 - 4:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 14th Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 15th, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation of bulletins in loving memory of William Cheeks, by Brigid, Marion, and Gary; and in loving memory of a beloved son & brother - Douglas Watts, by Mom & sister, Catherine.
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE the work of Hardy Hopkins, who was the builder of the Advent Candle Stand, which was donated last Sunday, in memory of the Vardys'.
ZONE REPRESENTATIVES PLEASE NOTE The delivery is ready for pickup in the Pre-k & K room of the church basement. Please see Os after church.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION Christmas memorials are now being accepted at the church office. Please get them in early.
KID'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Friday, December 22 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Church Hall - Come and experience Christmas Traditions from Around the World! Come in Country Costume if you'd like! See you there!
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE of Crossroads Preceptory #80 will be held at Freemasons Hall, Gander, today, Sunday, Dec. 10th, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Captain Anthony LeDrew, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band, Gander. All are welcome.
Take the Bible In A Year Challenge!!!!!
Approximately 15 minutes a day or 2 hours on the weekend will get you through the Bible in a year. On January 1, 2007, participants in our church family will start on a journey to read the Bible in a year. Those who finish will be presented with a certificate celebrating your accomplishment in January 2008.
Possible Questions:
- Do you have to join a class? No
- Will I have to go to special meetings? No
- Will I have opportunities to talk about what I am reading? Yes, if you would find that helpful but is certainly not mandatory.
- What is the goal? Just to read the Bible from cover to cover.
BIBLE TALK!!!!
This will be a time to talk about your reading is going. Times and dates to be announced. Please see sign-up sheet in the Narthax.
CHRISTMAS HAMPER PREPARATION On Dec. 20th the Outreach Committee and volunteers from The Gander and Area Food Bank will be preparing Christmas Hampers for needy families in our community. This activity will take place in the Church Hall and will be ongoing throughout the day. If you would like to help out for an hour or just drop by and see this project in progress, you will be welcomed. On Dec. 21st., starting at 9:30 am and continuing until 12:30 pm. we would like to have some men volunteer to help clients move the hampers from the hall to waiting vehicles. The Outreach Committee thanks you most sincerely for your continued support to the Food Bank with your donations of non perishable food items.
Are you enthusiastic about how your M & S dollars are spent? The Mission & Service Fund of the United Church of Canada supports many great programs and we need an M & S Enthusiast to keep us up to date on what is happening. If this is your passion we would love to hear from you. There is lots of material available to help you share the excitement. Call the church office to leave your name and we will get back to you.
OUTREACH REVERSE OFFERING Slips of paper, with the name of a food item written on it, were distributed last week. The food collected will be given to the Christmas Food Hamper Program. For those who didn't get a slip last Sunday, they are available at the back of the church today. Food needs to be in by December 17th.
Saturday's for the Soul - Because life is just too busy!
What! a new program starting in December!? What better time to give yourself the gift of sacred time, inner peace? Starting December 2nd, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feel free to drop in any time throughout and leave at your own pace. The sanctuary will be open for quiet meditation and there will be prayer resources on hand. The labyrinth will be available and someone there to get you started if you need it. AND a spirituality discussion group will be included from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? SOUP LUNCH: TODAY! December 10th, right after church. Hosted by the Christian Development Committee. A wonderful time of food, fellowship, stories and singing to get us in the Christmas Spirit. An event for the whole family of God. Don't forget your baby photos... Have fun identifying "What Child is This?"
THE SESSION MEETING that was scheduled for Dec. 12 will not take place. Our next meeting will be on January 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION The congregation is reminded that to be eligible for a tax credit in the current year, contributions MUST be received and recorded not later than 31 December 2006. Donations received for 2006 after this date will be posted to 2007.
ARE YOU ON PAR? The Pre-Authorized Remittance Program is now in place here at Fraser Road. To take advantage of the next automatic account debit date of January 20th, additional par registrations need to be received by the end of the month, when they will be forwarded for processing. You'll find info brochures on bulletin boards.
CHRISTMAS FEAST The Salvation Army Community and Family Services will be holding A Christmas Feast December 25th, at 12:00 noon at The Salvation Army church, 165 Airport Blvd, for those who find themselves alone at Christmas. See bulletin board for details.
"LIFT", (Ladies in Fellowship Together)) Potluck Supper, at the Glenwood Salvation Army Hall. 'Christmas Collage' with The Hiscocks, featuring 'Dante',Tuesday, Dec. 5th at 6:30 p.m. Admission $5.00
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.
Financial Snapshot - Oct. 31/06
Total Income - $194,170.85
Total Expenses - $209, 073.98
Shortfall - $14,903.13
Let the goal be "Eliminate the Shortfall by Year-end"