Fourth Sunday after Epiphany January 31, 2021

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

St. Mark’s Community of Faith

Port Hawkesbury, NS

 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

January 31, 2021 

Pulpit Supply: Pastor Keith Wiseman, DLM

Music: Adam Cooke  

                                   

     WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AND APPROACH GOD

Introit:             ‘Come All You People’                           MV #2

Call To Worship:

As individuals, as a group,

as a community of faith-

we gather in this place.

To listen.

To communicate.

To worship.

To pray.

To be with God.

Because we know-

it is out of God’s authority,

it is out of God’s love,

that we live.  Alleluia!                      

Richard Bott

                

Lighting of The Christ Candle:

We light this Christ Candle, acknowledging our need for Jesus’ light, and lifting our face toward it.

Welcome:

Hymn:         'Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love’   VU #12 

                               

Gathering Prayer, Prayer of Confession and Words of Assurance:

Hymn:           ‘My Love Colours Outside the Lines’       MV #138

WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD 

Prayer of Illumination:

God of the ages, we come to the scriptures looking for you and seeking to discover your will for us. Encourage and challenge us with a message that 

we are loved and we are called to be disciples, to be witnesses, and so 

spread your love to all people. May we find the grace and wisdom we need to do these things as we hear and reflect on these  words.  Amen.

Hymn:   ‘Try a Little Kindness”                 

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 111

Reading From the Hebrew Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

A Reading from the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  Mark 1: 21-28           

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD 

Sermon:          “You and I? Prophetic Voices?”                        

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer:

THE LIFE AND WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Announcements and Minute For Mission:

Dedication of Offering:

We bring before you God these our gifts. They are a   

reflection of our commitment to service and our desire to be a living presence of your truth in the world.  Bless these gifts and bless us in our various ministries and activities as we continue on the journey to be your people in this world. 

 In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Closing Hymn:       ‘Go, Make a Difference’                    MV #209

Commissioning:

We are called to follow Christ and to lead change in 

this community and this world. Go from here to live out good news, with God’s tender blessing.

Benediction:

Announcements

 Church Services for February 

        February 14^th and the 28^th at 3 p.m.

Scripture Readers

January 31^st – Jean MacPherson

February 14^th – Larry Evans

February 28^th – Barb MacIntyre

Minute for Mission Readers

January 31^st – Barb MacIntyre

February 14^th – Yvonne Fox

February 28^th – Linda Howlett

Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 14^th following the Church service at 3pm, weather permitting. We encourage everyone to attend. (Storm date is set for February 21^st in case the 14^th doesn’t work out.) 

The next Prayer Shawl Knitting meeting will be Monday, February 15th in the hall from 1:00 to 3:00. Masks must be worn. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Collection Counting. There is a Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex. Your willingness will be greatly appreciated.

Food Bank donations will be received on the last Sunday of each month. 

Deadline for information for the bulletin is on Thursday by noon.

The Bulletin and Announcements are now published in full on the blog. 

The address is: ourcontactonline.blogspot.com

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Second Sunday after Epiphany January 17, 2021

 THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

ST. MARK’S COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Port Hawkesbury, NS

Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 17, 2021 

Pulpit Supply: Pastor Keith Wiseman, DLM

Music: Adam Cooke

WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AND APPROACH GOD

Introit: ‘Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary’                  

We gather here as a community of seekers,

looking for the light:

the light that will give us clarity,

the light that will guide our way.

May God refresh our perception

that we may discover

God’s manifestation in Christ.

Let us glimpse here today the truth revealed

in the life and love of Jesus.

May epiphany be not just a word

but a gasp of wonder at the promise revealed.

Welcome:

Call To Worship:

Light shines in shadowed places.

Hope abounds where once there was fear.

God’s chosen one, Jesus, the Christ is born into our hearts.

We honour Jesus with gifts of devotion, love, and commitment, and we worship with gladdened hearts.

Hymn: ‘Let Us Build A House’             MV #1

Gathering Prayer:

Hymn:  ‘Take My Life and Let It Be;       VU #506

WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD 

Prayer of Illumination: (unison)

The scriptures proclaim to us

the message of your light.

Loving and Ever-Present God,

shine your light on us so that we may discover and know your will for our lives.

A Reading from the Psalms:                 

Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18

A Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures:   

1 Sam: 1-10, 11-20

Hymn: ‘I Have Called You Your Name’               MV #161

A Reading from the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  

John 1: 43-51             

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD 

Sermon:  “Ministry - Something for Everyone”   Pastor Keith

 

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer:

THE LIFE AND WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Announcements & Minute For Mission:

Dedication of Offering: (unison)

Generous God, these gifts, which represent a portion          

of your blessings to us, are now returned to you for your 

work in the world.  Amen.

(Wanda Winfield, Blenheim U.C., Blenheim, Ont.)

SENDING FORTH

Closing Hymn: ‘I, the Lord of Sea and Sky’       VU #509

Commissioning:

Let us go from here in the spirit of that first morning, when 

God called us by name, enlightening us and inviting us to a 

journey of a lifetime.

Benediction:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Church Services for January and February: 

January 31^st, February 14^th and 28^th at 3 p.m.

Scripture Readers

January 31^st – Jean MacPherson

February 14^th – Larry Evans

February 28^th – Barb MacIntyre

Minute for Mission Readers

January 31^st– Barb MacIntyre

February 14^th – Yvonne Fox

V 28^th – Linda Howlett

Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 14^th following the Church service at 3 p.m., weather permitting. We encourage everyone to attend. (Storm date is set for February 21^st in case the 14^th doesn’t work out.) 

A Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will gather on Monday, January 18^th at 1pm. Masks must be worn. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.

Volunteers are needed for Collection Counting. 

There is a Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex. Your willingness will be greatly appreciated.

Food Bank donations will be received on the last Sunday of each Month. This month - January 31st

Deadline for bulletin information is Thursday by noon.

The Bulletin and Announcements are now published in full on the blog: ourcontactonline.blogspot.com

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First Sunday of the New Year, January 3, 2021

                                             THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

St. Mark’s United Church

Port Hawkesbury, NS

  First Sunday of the New Year 

January 3, 2021 

Pulpit Supply:    Pastor Keith Wiseman, DLM

Music: Adam Cooke

WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AND APPROACH GOD

Musical Prelude:

Introit:                   ‘Arise, Your Light Is Come’                  VU #79

Lighting of The Christ Candle:

Welcome:

Call To Worship:

We proclaim the birth of our Saviour, sent to nurture and protect us: Jesus, Emmanuel, the promise that God is with us.

In hope, we follow.

We celebrate the wonder of Jesus, sent to heal and transform us: Jesus, the Messiah.

In awe, we follow.

We worship the Light of the world, sent to guide us forward: Jesus, born of God, our eternal grace.

In faith, we follow.

May God lead us in the new year to know God’s will, and Jesus’ Way.  Let us worship God and give thanks.

Hymn:             ‘When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery’        VU #93      

Gathering Prayer:

God of new manifestations, we thank you for this time of Epiphany and the manifestation of your Spirit.  We accept this time as a special one: a time when we seek new life in unexpected places, like a stable; a time when we interpret the sings differently than we used to, like a star; a time when we seek the advice of people who are different from us, like the wise men; a time when we turn away from bad habits and things that keep us separate from God’s love, like taking a new road; a time when new beginnings give us new opportunities to start fresh, like a new birth.  Help us to seize these opportunities so that we can find new ways of living in your light.  Amen.

Hymn:                 ‘I Am the Light of the World’                  VU #87

      

WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD 

Prayer of Illumination: 

Giving God, we remember the light that shone on us at Christmas. We come again to that light that is shining still.  It brings us hope, it brings us peace, it brings us joy, it brings us love.  Jesus, draw us to the light, the light of God.

       

A Reading from the Psalms:                                         Psalm 8

A Reading from Wisdom Literature:         Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13

Hymn:      ‘Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore’     VU #563                   

A Reading from the Gospel:                             Matthew 2: 1-12

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD 

Sermon:         “Paths to  Illumination”       Pastor Keith Wiseman

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer:

THE LIFE & WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Announcements & Minute For Mission:

Dedication of Offering:

SENDING FORTH

Closing Hymn:        ‘As with Gladness Men of Old’    VU    #81     

Commissioning:

As we go, we remember that God is there before us, God is here beside us, God is the path we follow, the light that guides us, the love that sustains us, Thanks be to God.  Amen.

Benediction:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Church Services for January:

January 3rd, 17th and 31st at 3 p.m.

Readers for January

Scripture Readers

Jan. 3^rd – Vida Hood

Jan. 17^th – Dave Chapman

Jan. 31^st – Jean MacPherson

Minute for Mission Readers

Jan. 3^rd – Larry Evans

Jan. 17^th – Barb MacIntyre

Jan. 31^st – Anna Marie Langley

Renewals and New subscriptions for BROADVIEW are being collected by Barb MacIntyre. If you wish, drop your name and $25.00 in an envelope marked Broadview on our offering plate by January 11^th. 

Notice of St. Mark’s Board Meeting – January 12^th    Executive Meeting – 6:00 pm

Committee Meetings – 7:00 pm

Board Meeting – 8 pm

Attention: Committee Chairpersons please submit the Year-end reports for the year 2020 at this meeting.

A Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will gather on Monday, January 18^th at 1pm. Masks must be worn. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Collection Counting. There is a Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex. Your willingness will be greatly appreciated.

Food Bank donations will be received on the last Sunday of each Month. 

Deadline for information for the bulletin is on Thursday by noon.