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: Karen Nevin
Choir: Handbell, directed by Doug Nevin
Sunday Worship - December 17, 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 with you.
AND ALSO WITHIN YOU.
Life and Work of the Congregation
*Introit - "Angels From The Realms Of Glory" VU36
1 Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.
Call to Worship
We come to worship from the never-ending tasks set
before us this holiday season.
Our to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping,
church services, and family gatherings -- and we're running
short on time!
Yet, you come to worship.
Yes, we come to restore the joy of Christmas to our
hearts... and the familiarity of worship helps us relax and
make time for God -- our one true source of joy.
Then let us worship in joyful praise.
-- Adapted from Kelly Williams, Wishing you a Merry Christmas
Opening Prayer (in unison)
Who are we, O God, that you should come to us?
Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your word, and move us by your spirit to bless your wonderful works. We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, even your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
* Opening Hymn: Hark The Glad Sound VU29
Advent Wreath Liturgy - Lighting of the Candle of Joy
Voice 1: Joy to the world!
Voice 2: We have lit the candles of hope and of peace. In
the glow of their light we feel the warmth of deep and quiet
joy.
Voice 1: The satisfaction and contentedness of a joyful
spirit. Joy that signals deep faith and strength amidst
sorrow, peace amongst pain.
All: Joy that surprises us when we think sadness will
overwhelm us. Joy that is shared in laughter and tears. Joy
that knows we are not alone.
Voice 2: Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns. Let all our
songs employ.
All: Let us sing to the glory of God;
Voice 1: Let us sing in the name of Christ who offers us :
Voice 2: Hope in the prison of despair,
Voice 1: peace in the chaos of life,
All: joy in spite of the struggles.
(Lighting of the Advent Candles of Hope, Peace and Joy.)
*Hymn: - A Candle is Burning (vs 1, 2 ,3) 6
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.
2 A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
3 A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
We Listen For God's Word
* Epistle - Philippians 4: 4-7
* Responsive Reading - Isaiah 12:2-6 (VU p.880)
Proclaim God's deeds to the nations.
Ministry of Music Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Gospel - Luke 3: 7-18
Reflection
*Hymn - Once In Royal David's City VU62
We Respond To God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music Good King Wencesles
* Doxology -
Joyful, Joyful God we bring you,
gifts that you can use today;
Take them, bless them, may your kingdom,
Spread through all the world, we pray.
We are here, our time our talents;
We would dedicate as well.
May we show Christ's love within us,
by our lives our faith forthtell!
Prayer of Dedication of Gifts and Self (unison):
"Let us sing praises and shout aloud with joy, for God is
great." God of laughter and joy, we offer these gifts and
our lives. Bless what we share that our gifts will bring joy
to all your children. Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
Sending Forth
* Hymn: It Came Upon The Midnight Clear VU44
* Commissioning and Benediction
Go into the world comforted by the song of the
angels.
Songs of good news, peace-filled promises and love
beyond measure.
Go into the world echoing the songs of the angels
for others who need to hear the good news.
We will go singing and rejoicing.
As you go, may you be met by Christ, Hope of the
hopeless, Prince of peace, true Joy giver and in meeting the
Christ, may you experience his love and share it with
others.
*Musical Postlude
This Week in Prayer
In Advent, relish the expectancy of the season, the delicious tension of anticipation. Stay in the moment and experience it completely; wait mindfully. -- Karen Katafiasz, Christmas Therapy
Stewardship Seconds
Blessed are those who give without remembering and take without forgetting. ~ Elizabeth Bibesco (1897-1945), English writer
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 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.)
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. 17th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 18th., 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., 19th, Kid's Sign Language, 3:30-4:30 p.m., C. H. Parlour
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 20th, Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 21st TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 22nd, KID'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, 1 to 4:30 p.m., C. Hall
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation to the Hall Fund in loving memory of Eric J. Crewe, by Mary & family, a donation to the Kid's Sign Language Choir, in loving memory of E. Shirley Crewe, by Mom; also donations to the Hall Fund, in loving memory of son - Arnold Brian Saunders, and husband - Jim Saunders, by Joyce; and in loving memory of Arnold Brian Saunders, and Jim Saunders by Dianne, Lynn, Jeremy & Jessica.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION Christmas memorials are now being accepted at the church office. Please get them in by Tuesday, December 19th, since Christmas bulletins are prepared early.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE and CONVERSATION WITH OUR RETURNING STUDENTS A chance to greet and welcome back those from amongst us who have left the area for school or work, yet have returned to celebrate the holidays with family. Your Church Family would love to keep in touch as well. All welcome as Greeters or Returnees! December 26th - 3:30-4:30 PM. Call Rev. Steph for more info!
KID'S CHRISTMAS PARTY - December 22, 1 - 4:30 PM, Fraser Road UC Hall (location for drop off and pick up) Celebrating Christmas With Traditions from Around the World! If your child would like to come dressed in the traditional clothes of another country, they would be more than welcome to do so. There will be activities, crafts and snacks throughout the afternoon in the church hall. Admission by donation. Hope to celebrate with you there!
DON'T FORGET to have your child come to the 7PM Christmas Family Service dressed as a nativity character to help us create a live manger scene into which we can welcome Emmanuel - God With Us.
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Mark your calendars for an Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast: Wednesday, January 24th 7:30 -- 9:00am at Saint Martin''s Parish Centre. There will be a meal of pancakes and sausages served up by the members of the Gander Ministerial Association. Special guest speaker, Mayor Claude Elliott will be with us. The meal is free, but donations to the work of the Gander Ministerial Association are welcomed. Please sign the Sign-up sheet at the back of the church.
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.
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.
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.
FIRST UNITED SCOUTS FUND-RAISING
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, 256-3000, for Friday's group, contact Rev. Steph, 424-6681.
THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE occasionally gets requests for rides to and from worship services. If you can help with this service please call the church office and leave your name and phone number. 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.
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.
CALLING and CARING MINISTRIES: LAB I A 38 hour course to be held at St. Catherine's Renewal Center, Grand-Falls-Windsor, February 5th- February 9, 2007. What you learn in Lab I will be useful in all areas of your life: family, church, work, school, etc. See bulletin board for details.
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.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW
WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND
IS ILL AT HOME OR IN THE HOSPITAL
website: www.unitedchurchgander.ca