St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury
Minister: Barb MacNaughton (902-302-5832)
Pianist: Adam Cooke
Office Administrator: Jane MacKinnon
Ministry: The Whole Congregation
Sunday January 02, 2022 – 2nd After Christmas
THE JESSE TREE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Light the four Advent candles and the white Christ candle
GATHERING WORDS:
Both energized and wearied
by days just past,
we gather in the re-creative love of our God, to rest and re-focus.
To open our lives to amazement.
To open our imaginations to possibility.
To open our souls to healing presence
The Holy in us, and we in each other.
Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Gracious God, In the beauty of this day we see and feel the presence of the spirit that swirls among and within us. We are in awe of all life. May we be reminded that the Spirit is love and love is everywhere. May we acknowledge that as we face the new challenges, new dreams and new phases of the coming year, and as we remember the struggles and losses of the past year, we know that we did not make it here alone.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
♫ Hymn: Oh Come all Ye Faithful VU 60 vs 1, 3, 5
THE JESSE TREE
- In the beginning – The Earth
- The Fall - Apple
- Mother of all Living – Mary
- Noah and the Ark – Ark and rainbow
♫ Hymn: Gentle Mary Laid her Child VU 46 vs vs 1&3
- The blessing of Abraham - Camel
- Sacrifice of the Son – Lamb
- Joseph in Egypt – Coat of many colours
- Passover – Doorway with blood
♫ Hymn: Unto us a Boy is Born VU 54 vs 1, 3, 5
- The Ten Commandments – tablets
- The Promised Land – Grapes
- The Bronze Serpent – Stick/serpent
♫ Hymn: In the Bleak Midwinter VU 55 vs 1
- Jonah – Whale
- Ruth and Boaz – Sheaf of wheat
- David and Goliath – Slingshot
- God’s forgotten scroll is found – Scroll
♫ Hymn: I am the Light of the World VU 87 vs 4
- Prophecy: A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse – stump
- Prophecy: The New Creation – Lion and lamb
- Prophecy: The Prince of Peace – dove and crown
- Prophecy: The Good Shepherd – shepherd’s staff
- Prophecy: Suffering Servant – cross
♫ Hymn: It came Upon a Midnight Clear VU 44 vs 1&4
- The New Covenant – Heart with writing
- Bethlehem Prophecy – Bethlehem
- Exile and Persecution: The Fiery Furnace – fiery furnace
- Return to Jerusalem – Brick Wall
♫ Hymn: T’was In the Moon of Wintertime VU 71 vs 3
- Christmas Star – Star
- Light of the World – Candle
- Angels Proclaim a Miraculous Birth – Angel
- The Birth of Jesus – Baby in a manger
♫ Hymn: Hark the Herald Angels Sing VU 48
Offering Hymn:
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
if I were a wise man, I would do my part,
yet, what I can I give him, give my heart.
We Dedicate our Gifts
We come to the start of a new year after a very long and complicated year thankful for the blessings we have received. We long to share the grace given to us. We go forward into the New Year, confident that we are not alone. May our offerings and our lives be symbols of our gratitude. May they be used to spread God’s love. Amen
The Prayer of Jesus:
Unknowable Mystery:
We honour the presence of the holy in our midst.
May the “kin-dom” flourish among us.
May we have only what we need each day
that all might have enough and more tomorrow.
May we be as generous in offering forgiveness as we have been humbled and grateful in being forgiven.
May we be strengthened through our trials,
and may we face evil with courage, truth and love.
We pray in the way Jesus taught as we also walk in his way. Amen.
(rewritten by my friend, the late John Haas)
♫ Hymn: Joy to the World VU 59
Commissioning and Benediction:
Stathdee Amen: VU 974 X3
One License A-401486
