WORSHIP AT ST. DAVID'S AT 11:00 A.M.
The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Ministers: The Whole People of God Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
December 30th, 2018
1st Sunday of Christmas-Sing, Dance and Laugh for God
Service of Scripture, Prayer and Song
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD
Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.Let us pause to remember that in this region we live and work and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the Wabanaki peoples—predominantly the lands of the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy.
May we live with respect on this land, and live in peace and friendship with its people.
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.
*Introit Il est né (chorus only-French, English) VU 50
Call to Worship
Child: Praise God!
Praise God up and down! (point up, and then down)
Praise God left and right! (point left, and then right)
Praise God in the morning (hands open and palms up, as if celebrating morning) and at night (tilt head on hands on shoulders, mimicking sleep).
No matter what…
All: Praise God!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn Go Tell It on the Mountain VU 43
Prayer for Wholeness
One: When we want to put Christmas away with the decorations, All: forgive us, God.
One: When we do not trust you to lead us into a new year filled with unknown tomorrows,
All: forgive us, God.
One: When we cannot let go of yesterday, and want to hang on to old ideas that do not serve us anymore,
All: forgive us, God.
One: When we panic because things are not turning out the way we want or expect, and when we cannot trust your surprises,
All: forgive us, God. Amen.
Affirmation of Love
God loves the world so much that God sent Jesus to be among us, as one of us, not to judge us but to offer us forgiveness and everlasting life. Thanks be to God! Amen.
*Hymn Once in Royal David’s City VU 62
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26 God blesses the boy Samuel.Psalm 148 Choral Reading
Right Side: Praise God! Shout God’s praises
from the highest heavens.
All of you angels come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Left Side: Sun and moon, and all you bright stars,
the shining daytime sky and the sparkling nighttime sky,
come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Choir: All the sea creatures of the deep oceans,
whales and fishes and everything that swims,
come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Women and Girls: Fire and hail, snow and stormy winds,
come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Men and Boys: Mountains and hills, fruit trees and tall pines,
every wild and tame animal,
every reptile and every flying bird, come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Choir: Queens and kings, young people and old,
every person in the world, come and praise God.
All: God is wonderful and awesome!
Leader: Let all creation come and praise God.
With every breath sing a song of praise,
for God has given us life, and we belong to God.
God’s glory is greater than heaven and earth.
All: God is wonderful and awesome! Amen
* Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing VU 48
Opening the Word/Children's Time & The Lord’s Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Luke 2:41–52 The boy Jesus learns at the temple
Reflection
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn Away in a Manger VU 69Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
Take these gifts we offer, O God, and use them to enhance your presence in our world. May they bring voice and hope and new life to those who have none. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Joy to the World VU 59Commissioning and Benediction Colossians 3:12-14
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
* Choral Amen Nan’s Amen
