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: Mixed
Sunday Worship - January 7, 2006 - 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 to Praise God
Musical Prelude
Greeting
Congregational Life and Work
*Passing the Peace of Christ
The Peace of Christ be with you...
And also with you.
*Introit: "Arise, Your Light Is Come"- #79
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
Come, all who would see the light.
In Christ, we have come from darkness to light.
Come to the light that brings every kind of goodness.
We come as God's people; we serve as Christ's flock.
May light shine on what we do and say in this time of worship.
May light shine on the darkness of despair.
May light shine on our witness and our service through acts of compassionate love.
Let there be light!
*Epiphany Prayer
Radiant God, light for all people and all places,
by the guidance of a star you led the Magi to worship the Christ child.
By the light of faith, lead us to worship you in peace and love, and guide us in your way.
We pray in the name of Christ, light of the world. Amen.
*Opening Hymn: "Will You Come and See the Light" 96
Prayer of Confession
When we have seen the challenging star, yet have failed to set out on the journey,
God of Hope, forgive us!
When we have encountered the forces of evil, and have compromised and gone along,
God of Conscience, forgive us!
When we have known worth and goodness, yet have failed to give the support of our best gifts,
God of Love, forgive us!
When we have realized the value of a community of friends, yet have tried to go it alone,
God of the Church, forgive us!
Time of silent reflection....
Words of Assurance
*Children's Hymn: "I Am the Light of the World" 87
Children's Time
We Listen for God's Word
Hebrew Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Ministry of Music Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
Reflection: "From Stars to Stables"
*Hymn: "A Light Is Gleaming" 82
We Respond to God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music There's A Quiet Understanding
Presentation of Offering
*Doxology "Grant Us, God The Grace" 540
Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.
*Offertory Prayer
We bring you our gifts, Loving God; we have no gold, but we offer you our money.
Enable us to share wisely the resources you have granted to us.
We bring you our gifts, Loving God; we have no frankincense, but we offer you our worship.
Enable us to praise joyfully, to pray wholeheartedly, and to learn with openness from your word.
We bring you our gifts, Loving God; we have no myrrh, but we offer you our gifts of time and talents.
Accept the gifts we offer, and enable us to give in the compassionate and generous spirit of Jesus. Amen.
Prayers of The People
*Hymn: "The First Noel" 91
*Commissioning
As a new year begins, let us go forth as people nurtured in Christ's healing love.
We go to share that healing love with others.
We go forth as people lifted by the Spirit's passion.
We go to share that passion with the world.
Go forth as people gathered within God's grace.
*Benediction
Musical Postlude
Stewardship Second
Both Isaiah and Matthew celebrate gifts and abundance. Ech of us is one of God's gifts to the world!
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 - January 7, 2007
Gander 11 a.m. All Ages
Nightingale Manor 7 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 7 p.m.
Next worship - January 14, 2007
Gander 11 a.m.
Benton 2 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 7 p.m.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 7th., Cub Leaders' Planning, 8:00 p.m., C.H. Parlour
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 8th., 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.
Handbell Choir extra practice, 6:30 p.m., C. Sanct.
Property Committee, 2:00 p.m., C. Bsmt., Choir Rm.
Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 9th, 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. Sanct.
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 10th, Men's Fellowship Group, Noon-2 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Youth Group, 7:30-9 p.m., C. Hall & Parlour
Mens' Choir, 7:00 p.m./Senior Choir, 8:00 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 11th Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Guitar Group, 7:00 p.m., C. Bsmt
TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 12th, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation to the Cemetery Fund in loving memory of Paul Boyle, by Debbie, Chelsea & Carly.
SOCIAL CLUB ANNUAL BEAN SUPPER will be held on February 7, 2007. Adults $6 Children $3 Takeout at 4:30 p.m. Eat in 5:00 p.m. Tea or coffee and dessert included.
THE SESSION of Fraser Road United will meet on Sunday, January 14 at 8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall Parlour.
FOR YOUR INFO Rev. Steph will be away from January 2nd to January 16th inclusive and looks forward to seeing everyone on her return.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and many thanks for all of the wonderful gifts & the thoughtful e-mails and cards. Love, Robert (Hampson) (see card on bulletin board)
THANK YOU "Thank you all so much for your loving gifts, cards, prayers, meals and good wishes this Christmas. Your generosity and graciousness has inspired love, not just at this time of year, but always. Thank you for thinking of me and making me feel so special. May the spirit of Christmas continue to bless you and yours throughout the coming year." Rev. Steph
"As the holiday season comes to a close, Rev. Steve and Arlene would like to extend our appreciation for the cards, gifts and best wishes we received. Our prayer for each one of you is that this year be filled with good health, happiness and many blessings."
Thanks, Steve and Arlene
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 found at the back of the church.
REMINDER! Chairpersons, and all others who are responsible for reports for the ANNUAL REPORT are asked to please have them in to Maude Goulding, or the Church Office, by JANUARY 26th. NO LATER PLEASE.
OLD FASHIONED HYMN SING, January 21st, Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to join in this time of singing. A cup of tea will follow!
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.
CAN YOU HELP? The Board of Directors of the Gander and Area Food Bank has three empty seats. If you are interested in what goes on at the Board level or think that you would like to sit on The Board, please feel free to attend the regular monthly meetings in Jan. (9th ) and Feb (6th) These meetings will be held in the board room at the Lancaster Building (corner of Memorial and Edinburgh) and will commence at 8 pm. Attendance at those meetings would not obligate you to sit on The Board. We hope to fill those empty seats at the annual March meeting. The time and place for the Annual meeting will be announced at a later time.
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 February 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.
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.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW
WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND
IS ILL AT HOME OR IN THE HOSPITAL
email: fraseruc@nfld.net
website: www.unitedchurchgander.ca