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/
Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca
Ministers: Whole People of God
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M. Minister of Music: Al Fougere
December 9th, 2018
2nd Sunday of Advent—Peace
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 Procession & Hanging of “Peace” Banner
*Call to Worship
Come, people of God,
holy creations, wholly God’s,
with our holey and ragged lives.
We come, seeking God’s grace to make us whole.
Come on this second Sunday of Advent.
We come trusting like the wise men, listening like the shepherds,
And believing like Mary and Joseph.
Come gather to worship today.
We come to hear the stories of our faith,
To celebrate God’s gift of the baby Jesus,
And to imagine what is possible in this world because of God’s love.
Come to trust, listen, believe, and imagine what is possible
because God has come into our lives and into our world.
We come, O God, we come.
Written by Susan Lukey, High River U.C., High River, Alta.
Gathering, A/C/E 2017‒2018, page 26. Used with permission.
Advent Candle-lighting Liturgy From Minutes for Mission 2018
This Advent Wreath Candle-Lighting Liturgy
is based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings for Year B and inspired by the seven Antiphons of Advent (the Great O’s), traditionally used between
December 17 and December 24.
As the people of God, we search for peace.…[Light the second Advent candle]
As the people of God, we cry out to the Sovereign One (the Ancient of Days):
Come quickly to comfort your people;
Come quickly to share the good news of God-With-Us;
Come quickly to make a clear path for righteousness and peace.
As the people of God, we sing.
Sung Response: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel verse 7 VU 1
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Malachi 3:1–4 A refiner’s fire and a launderer’s soap.This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.
Luke 1:68–79 Song of Zechariah VU 900
* Hymn On Jordan’s Bank VU 20
Opening the Word & The Lord's Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
Luke 3:1–6 A voice calling in the desert.
One: This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Opening the Word 2 Margie MacIntyre
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn There's a Voice in the Wilderness VU 18Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
Gracious and demanding God, may the offering we bring today be an act of repentance. May it represent our willingness to begin anew, to let go of our possessions and all that binds us. May these gifts we bring be part of making paths straight and preparing the way of the Lord. We bring our offering of repentance. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn It Came upon the Midnight Clear VU 44* Commissioning and Blessing
May the candle of peace burn brightly in our hearts,
preparing the way for the Christ child.
May we be the signs of peace in our world,
as we prepare during this season of Advent.
And may we always know that we never go alone,
for God our Creator, Jesus our Brother,
and the Holy Spirit our Sustainer
are our constant companions.
Written by Wanda Winfield, Blenheim U.C., Blenheim, Ont.
Gathering, A/C/E 2018‒2019, page 35. Used with permission.
* Choral Amen