ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY DECEMBER 1ST 2013

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Angus Mac Rae

(St. D.): Heather Deschenes

Lay Reader (St. M.): Kathy Barss

Lay Reader (St. D.): Mary Jess Mac Donald

Advent Wreath (St. M.): The Langley’s and Grandchildren

(St. D.): Susan & Olivia Langley

Collectors (St. M.): Angus Mac Rae, Vali Ross,

Ingram Fowlie, Andy Palmer

Collectors (St. D.): Marie Davis, Ashley Mac Leod

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon

Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon

Friday – Minister’s Day Off

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next meeting will be Monday, December 16, 2013. If you have items ready (shawls, mittens, hats, scarves, chemo caps, comfort cushions, children's pillowcases) please bring them in for blessing on Sunday, December 8th. They will then be distributed to helping agencies and hospitals.

AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH OFFICE:  

Canadian Church Calendar 2014 

Cost: $6.00 ($1.25 profit from each to go to the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada)

Advent and Christmas Worship and Events

December 7^th Decorating at St. David’s

December 8^th Advent 2

St. Mark’s Sunday School Nativity

December 15^th Advent 3

Rotary Carol Sing

December 21^st Longest Night Service, St. David’s, 6:30

December 22^nd Advent 4

December 24^th Christmas Eve Communion

6:30 p.m. St. Mark’s

8:00 p.m. St. David’s

December 24^th Christmas Eve 10:30 P. H. Nursing Home

December 29^th Christmas 1, 11:00 a.m.- St. Mark’s

Advent Small Group: Spiritual Practices in the Isaiah Readings

Monday November 25 10:00 a.m. St. Mark’s parlour

Monday December 2 10:00 a.m. St. Mark’s parlour

Wednesday December 11 10:00 a.m. St. David’s

Wednesday December 18 10:00 a.m. St. David’s

Government Will Match Donations for Philippines Typhoon Appeal

The United Church has issued a church-wide appeal for donations in response to the super typhoon that devastated much of the Philippines on November 8. Funds donated will be distributed to United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance for relief and reconstruction efforts. The Canadian government will match, dollar for dollar, donations to registered Canadian charities, including the United Church, made between November 9 and December 8. Please donate to Typhoon Haiyan Relief. Your donation will be applied directly to support the relief and reconstruction work of United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance. Here's how you can donate:
* Online via our secure donation page.
* Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
* Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response-Typhoon Haiyan Relief" on the face of your cheque. For more information contact:
Gary Kenny Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4051Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051 E-mail: gkenny@united-church.ca

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDSCRIP REPORT December FundScrip Order Sundays will be December 1^st and 15^th and December Delivery Sundays will be December 8^th and 22^nd. December Promotions are:

Roots/Roots Home/Roots Kids 13% ( Regular 7%)

Pizza Pizza 13% ( Regular 10%)

Kernels Popcorn 10% ( Regular 5%)

Fund Scrip was initiated at St. Mark’s United Church in September 2013 with our first order sent September 8^th. We are participating in the program with Holy Trinity Anglican Church and by doing so our combined orders are large enough that we have eliminated shipping and handling charges. To date the program has raised $327.00 which is an average of $109.00 per month and if this continues for the year $1300.00 would be earned for our church. Fourteen supporters (families) from our church are using the program on a regular basis for groceries, gas, pharmacy items, restaurants and home supply retailers. Over the holiday season we hope these supporters and hopefully some new supporters will purchase additional cards to use as gifts for their families and friends. Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program.

St. Mark’s Sunday School is having a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8^th in the Church Hall at 6:00 p.m. Admission is Silver Collection

St. Mark's Christmas Dinner Thursday December 12th at noon. Please call the church office if you would like to come or speak to Nan for a ticket. Call if you need a ride. Roast pork and all the fixin's.

St. Mark’s Lay Readers:

Dec. 8^th – Julia Mac Quarrie

Dec. 15^th - Archie Noseworthy

Dec. 21^st –Longest Night Service at St. David’s

Dec. 22^nd – Barbara MacIntyre

Dec. 24^th –tba

Dec. 29^th – Combined Service at St. Mark’s

The Observer has a promotion to reduce the cost of each subscription for 2014.  If we can increase our number of subscribers by 10, we will be charged a rate of $10.00/each for the year. I will contact the current subscribers to confirm the price.  If you are interested, please contact Lorna Harvey, 625-0535, or lorna.harvey3@gmail.com.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

December 7^th – Decorating at St. David’s

Congregation meeting following Church on Sunday December 8, 2013. One to deal with a request from Port Hastings Fire Dept.,

and 2,  elect two elders.

St. David’s Lay Readers:

Dec. 8^th – Yvonne Fox

Dec. 15^th – Lisa Rhynold

Dec. 22^nd – Ian MacKinnon

Dec. 29^th – Dave Pringle

A box will be placed in the Narthex of the church for mens socks, new or used in good shape.  The UCW will forward these to Brunswick St. Mission later in the winter.  Lets fill the box. 

Church Hall Cleaners for December: Jean Hatcher, Marjorie Langford

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lights of Love Christmas Campaign – join the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home light up their tree with bulbs dedicated to love. You can dedicate a bulb. Monies raised will be used to purchase a new Self Cooking Centre. Please join us on Sunday, December 8^th at 7 p.m. in the R. K. MacDonald Chapel for the dedication ceremony.

Step back in time for an Olde Tyme Christmas at the Port Hastings Museum (Rotary); Dec. 1 and Dec. 6 to 8...daily 2 - 7pm.  A unique Inuit Art Collection and  Anna Guzdziol’s Doll Collection will be featured. Bake Sales on Saturdays @ 2pm. Children's activities are planned. Quality hand-crafted gift items for Christmas from local artisans and products from the Galloping Cows.  Free tea, cider and cookies.

An Evening of Pastoral Airs - St. Mary of the Angels Church, Glendale. 7 pm. Sunday, December 1, 2013. Music and Song, Fiddles, pipes, whisle, banjo, guitar, panio, Celtic and Christmas songs. Sponored by Glendale Area Community Cooperative. Proceeds shared with St. Mary of the Angels Parish. Collection by a good-will basket.

Leeside Christmas Program – Every Christmas Leeside assist families who use our services with Christmas gifts and food. Our Christmas program is dependent on donations from the community. You can help by: telling others about the program, making a cash donation, donating gift cards expecially for food, adopting a child or family. We ask that all donations be in by December 11. For more information, please call Leeside at 625-1990.

“In the Dark of Winter” J. Franklin Wright Fibre Exhibition

Jan 27 2014 - Mar 14 2014 Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre

Opportunities for both amateurs and professionals, with categories for quilting, weaving, felting, rug hooking, knitting, spinning, and needlework. The entries are not juried. All entries following the guidelines in the prospectus are exhibited; however, they will be judged to award the prizes. The show is sponsored by the J. Franklin Wright Gallery. As part of this show we will be offering educational events, demonstrations and sale of entries. www.phcivic.com Registrations are due on or before January 17, 2014. The exhibit will run from January 27 to March 14, 2014.

Strait Area Evergreen Club Christmas Bazaar & Tea Sat. Dec. 7       1-4 (doors open at 12:30)

The Inverness County Singers and the Young County Singers invite you to "Gifts of the Heart", a concert to be held at St. Andrew's Church in Judique, Saturday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m., at St. Mary's Church in Mabou on Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 p.m. and at St. Margaret's Church of Scotland in Broadcove on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. The Director of the choir is Laurel Browne and the accompanist is Marianne Jewell. Donations taken at the door will be distributed to local charities.

The Havre Boucher Community Centre will be holding a Christmas Dance on December 7th, 2013 from 9 pm to 1 am. Music by the band "Eastbound Entertainment". Admission is $8.00 per person and you must be 19+ to attend.

The Port Hawkesbury Seasonal Services is once again preparing to provide Christmas dinner boxes for those in need in the Town. Anyone wishing to donate financially to this project may do so by contacting Jo-Anne MacDonald at 625-3003. Donations may also be left at the Pitt Street Post Office with Rosanne, Stan or Roberta or donations may be left in your name at the Royal Bank of Canada.

ORDER OF SERVICE DECEMBER 1ST 2013-ADVENT 1, SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

December 1^st, 2013

1^st Sunday of Advent-Peace

A thought around which to gather as we worship-- All the people in Isaiah’s vision turned their hearts to God. They are putting one foot after another, bringing their whole self: body, mind and spirit to where God is. When we are present to every moment, and present to the depth of every longing, we meet God there.

PARTICIPANT SHEET #1Advent 2013 Week 1: Preparing for the Absurd written by Janice MacLean

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

*Call to Worship Based on Romans 13:11–14

One: God's prophet tells us that the New Day is almost here.

All: Advent is the season of hoping faithfully for that Day.

One: The New Day will bring justice and harmony to all our world,

care for the earth, respect for every human being, and wise sharing of all resources.

All: Advent is the season of longing for such a vision to come true. How wonderful that day will be!

One: So, come, let us worship God and hasten the Day onward!

Advent Candlelighting Liturgy

Voice 1: On each Sunday of Advent, we light one candle, illuminating God’s truth: hope in the midst of all that frightens us, all that is unknown, all that keeps us lonely. Soon, just a few weeks from now, all four candles will burn brightly, and we will know that Christmas has come. We respond with the words of Isaiah 2:5.

Child: Come, let us walk in the light!

All: Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:5)

Voice 2: Until then, we wait, and we walk together along the path of Advent. This week our light is for peace, a sign to us that in a world of war, God lifts up a different way for us, inviting all to lay down our weapons of all kinds and pick up the tools for building peace. (the first candle is lit)

Child: Come, let us walk in the light!

All: Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! (Isaiah 2:5)

* Candlelighting Hymn        Hope Is a Star Verse 2        VU 7

Opening Prayer

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 2:1–5 The mountain of God can be a place of peace.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 122 May peace be within the walls of Jerusalem. VU 845

*Hymn Jesus Loves Me VU 365

Opening the Word

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 24:36–44 Be ready for the unexpected arrival.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

* Communion Hymn       People Look East       VU 9

Sacrament of Communion       Communion Insert, cover of VU

Distribution Hymn        I Come with Joy        VU 477

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn        Let All Things Now Living        VU 242

* Commissioning and Blessing

All: May God give us courage, give us vision, and give us unending peace. May God guide our journeys that we may bear Jesus’ gifts of love and life and hope.

One: May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you, from here to the top of Mount Zion. May God look on every one of us with kindness, and give us peace.

* Choral Amen

ADVENT: A TIME OF ACTIVELY WAITING

Advent: Actively Waiting

Advent is about actively preparing for and anticipating God coming into our lives – not only preparing for the celebra­tion of Christ’s birth in a few weeks but actively preparing for God to come into our lives EVERY DAY! God’s presence with us – and our presence with those who are precious to God – brings us closer to God. We grow spiritually, love deeply, and work for peace and justice for all God’s people.

During this Advent season we hear God’s message of love, peace, and justice from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah challenges us with a message of peace that demands us to work for the well-being of everyone, not simply to set aside our weapons (Isaiah 2:1–5). God’s peace requires our participation and energy – just as much energy as we might have spent fighting. Isaiah also shares a vision of power that’s up-ended, reversed – “And a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). But how can this be? This is the hope-filled vision of a new world, a world of peace and harmony. A world we’d like to live in today.

Mary herself becomes a prophet – proclaiming a message of liberation to the poor and marginalized (Luke 1:47–55). She carries the great Liberator in her womb and following God’s will she’ll nurture and protect that hope for us all. And along with Mary, Joseph responds to God’s message, received in a dream, to welcome and care for Jesus (Matthew 1:18–25). Joseph and Mary gave up their our own lives and desires for God. Their example helps us lean into God’s will for us in today’s world.

Advent can be a very busy time of year. It’s a time when the church says, “Wait,” and savour these four weeks of preparation for the coming of Christ into our lives. But many people find themselves rushing to parties, shopping malls, Christmas plays, and family gatherings. During this hurried season, it’s important to pause and get ready for Emmanuel, God with us, to actually be with us. Advent prepares us for the message that Jesus will bring – peace, love, hope, justice, and liberation for all people. Now that’s something to celebrate!

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2013 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2013–2014, p. 7

REFLECTIONS ON SCRIPTURE

ADVENT 1 REFLECTIONS ON SCRIPTURE 

December 1

Isaiah 2:1–5

Isaiah’s message for the people of Judah – a message that
can still teach us today – proclaims peace to a people who
were surrounded by war and conflict. Isaiah explains
that peace is not just an absence of fighting, but peace
is working together with our enemies. It’s the kind of
peace that requires our participation and attention. It’s
peace made of justice and the well-being of all people.
Just as Advent is a time when we wait expectantly for the
coming of Christ in the world, peace requires the same
watchfulness and involvement.

This week replace three habits with new ways that lift up
the well-being of others.

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2013–2014 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2013, p.8

ANNOUNCEMENTS NOVEMBER 24TH 2013

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Vida Hood, Karen Mac Kinnon

(St. D.): The Timmons Family

Lay Reader (St. M.): Jean Mac Pherson

Lay Reader (St. D.): Margie Mac Intyre

Collectors (St. M.): Vida Hood, Karen Mac Kinnon,

Andy Palmer, Hayward Hollett

Collectors (St. D.): Bob Downard, Alicia Vink

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Friday – Minister’s Day Off

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month.

AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH OFFICE:  

Canadian Church Calendar 2014 

Cost: $6.00 ($1.25 profit from each to go to the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada)

Christmas Parade float from St. Mark's and St. David's--want to help us put together a living nativity float for Port Hawkesbury's Christmas Parade? Speak to Nan or Bruce--needed are a flatbed trailer or wagon, help to construct a stable background, portable power source for lighting and sound system, and of course, people to take part. Parade is evening of November 30th--we will be working on the float in November.

November 27^th – 10:30 a.m. – Service at the Nursing Home.

Advent and Christmas Worship and Events

November 30^th Port Hawkesbury Christmas Parade

December 1^st Advent 1 Sacrament of Communion

December 8^th Advent 2

St. Mark’s Sunday School Nativity

December 15^th Advent 3

Rotary Carol Sing

December 21^st Longest Night Service, St. David’s, 6:30

December 22^nd Advent 4

December 24^th Christmas Eve, PH Nursing Home 10:30

Christmas Eve Communion

6:30 p.m. St. Mark’s

8:00 p.m. St. David’s

December 29^th Christmas 1, Shared worship

Advent Small Group: Spiritual Practices in the Isaiah Readings

Monday November 25 10:00 a.m. St. Mark’s parlour

Monday December 2 10:00 a.m. St. Mark’s parlour

Wednesday December 11 10:00 a.m. St. David’s

Wednesday December 18 10:00 a.m. St. David’s

Government Will Match Donations for Philippines Typhoon Appeal

The United Church has issued a church-wide appeal for donations in response to the super typhoon that devastated much of the Philippines on November 8. Funds donated will be distributed to United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance for relief and reconstruction efforts. The Canadian government will match, dollar for dollar, donations to registered Canadian charities, including the United Church, made between November 9 and December 8. Please donate to Typhoon Haiyan Relief. Your donation will be applied directly to support the relief and reconstruction work of United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance. Here's how you can donate:
* Online via our secure donation page.
* Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
* Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response-Typhoon Haiyan Relief" on the face of your cheque. For more information contact:
Gary Kenny Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4051
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051 E-mail: gkenny@united-church.ca

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDSCRIP REPORT FundScrip was initiated at St. Mark’s United Church in September 2013 with our first order sent September 8^th. We are participating in the program with Holy Trinity Anglican Church and by doing so our combined orders are large enough that we have eliminated shipping and handling charges. To date the program has raised $327.00 which is an average of $109.00 per month and if this continues for the year $1300.00 would be earned for our church. Fourteen supporters (families) from our church are using the program on a regular basis for groceries, gas, pharmacy items, restaurants and home supply retailers. Over the holiday season we hope these supporters and hopefully some new supporters will purchase additional cards to use as gifts for their families and friends. Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program.

St. Mark’s Lay Readers:

Dec. 1^st – Kathy Barss Dec. 8^th – Julia Mac Quarrie

Dec. 15^th - Archie Noseworthy

Dec. 21^st –Longest Night Service at St. David’s

Dec. 22^nd – Barbara MacIntyre Dec. 24^th –tba

Dec. 29^th – Combined Service at St. Mark’s

St. Marks United Church Annual Christmas Tea and Sale November 29th 7-9 pm Admission $3.00 Knitting, crafts, new to you table, and bake table. Door Prize. All welcome. Donations to bazaar tables can be delivered to the Church on Thursday evening (Nov.28) between 6pm and 8pm and again on Friday afternoon beginning at 1pm. Items for the New to You tables should be delivered as early as possible for sorting and pricing

The Observer has a promotion to reduce the cost of each subscription for 2014.  If we can increase our number of subscribers by 10, we will be charged a rate of $10.00/each for the year. I will contact the current subscribers to confirm the price.  If you are interested, please contact Lorna Harvey, 625-0535, or lorna.harvey3@gmail.com.

**********

ST. DAVID’S MEMORIAL

A donation has been received In Loving Memory of DR. WLADYSLAW & ANNA GUZDZIOL from Barbara and Martin vanLierop.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregation meeting following Church on Sunday December 8, 2013. One to deal with a request from Port Hastings Fire Dept.,

and 2,  elect two elders.

St. David’s Lay Readers:

Dec. 1^st – Mary Jess MacDonald Dec. 8^th – Yvonne Fox

Dec. 15^th – Lisa Rhynold Dec. 22^nd – Ian MacKinnon

Dec. 29^th – Dave Pringle

Church Hall Cleaners for November: Claudette & Ashley Fox

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lights of Love Christmas Campaign – join the celebration this year by helping the R. K. MacDonald Nursing Home light up their tree with bulbs dedicated to love. You can dedicate a bulb. Monies raised will be used to purchase a new Self Cooking Centre. Please join us on Sunday, December 8^th at 7 p.m. in the R. K. MacDonald Chapel for the dedication ceremony.

Step back in time for an Olde Tyme Christmas at the Port Hastings Museum (Rotary); November 29 to December 1 and December 6 to 8...daily 2 - 7pm.  A unique Inuit Art Collection and  Anna Guzdziol’s Doll Collection will be featured. Bake Sales on Saturdays @ 2pm. Children's activities are planned. Quality hand-crafted gift items for Christmas from local artisans and products from the Galloping Cows.  Free tea, cider and cookies.

An Evening of Pastoral Airs - St. Mary of the Angels Church, Glendale. 7 pm. Sunday, December 1, 2013. Music and Song, Fiddles, pipes, whisle, banjo, guitar, piano, Celtic and Christmas songs. Sponored by Glendale Area Community Cooperative. Proceeds shared with St. Mary of the Angels Parish. Collection by a good-will basket.

French Book Fair - There will be a French Book Fair at Tamarac Education Center starting Tuesday, November 26th to Friday, the 29th, closing at noon. The hours are from 8am to 3pm. Family Event night is on Thursday, November 27th from 4 to 7pm. We will have a door prize consisting of 25 dollars worth of books for your child. Everyone is welcome! We accept Visa and MC! All proceeds go back to the library!

Leeside Christmas Program – Every Christmas Leeside assists families who use our services with Christmas gifts and food. Our Christmas program is dependent on donations from the community. You can help by: telling others about the program, making a cash donation, donating gift cards expecially for food, adopting a child or family. We ask that all donations be in by December 11. For more information, please call Leeside at 625-1990.

“In the Dark of Winter” J. Franklin Wright Fibre Exhibition

Jan 27 2014 - Mar 14 2014 Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre

Opportunities for both amateurs and professionals, with categories for quilting, weaving, felting, rug hooking, knitting, spinning, and needlework. The entries are not juried. All entries following the guidelines in the prospectus are exhibited; however, they will be judged to award the prizes. The show is sponsored by the J. Franklin Wright Gallery. As part of this show we will be offering educational events, demonstrations and sale of entries. www.phcivic.com Registrations are due on or before January 17, 2014. The exhibit will run from January 27 to March 14, 2014.

Breakfast at Evergreen Seniors Club Sat Nov 30,    9-12

ORDER OF SERVICE NOVEMBER 24TH 2013-REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY

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: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

November 24^th, 2013-27^th Sunday after Pentecost

Reign of Christ Sunday

A thought around which to gather as we worship--The prophet (Jeremiah) makes clear that in God’s eyes, the purpose of leaders is to “attend to the sheep.” One of the major tenets of Protestantism is the concept of “the priest­hood of all believers” – all the faithful bear responsibility for leadership. (Today’s reading) provides an opportunity for all those in leadership positions within the church today to take stock of how well, or faithfully, they are doing their job.

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2012 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2013, p. 187

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

* Introit            All Are Welcome, verse 5

Let us build a house where all are named,

their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed

as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter,

prayers of faith and songs of grace;

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

Refrain

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Words and music: Marty Haugen Copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc.

7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800-442-1358.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

*Call to Worship

You are invited to join in the response with this action: raise one hand up and draw it from in front and above, towards the heart; repeat with the other hand, so that both hands are on the heart. Do this for each response.

One: God has promised a new kind of sovereign to rule over us.

All: Jesus, sovereign and shepherd, reign in our hearts.

One: A ruler who will be just and fair...

All: Jesus, sovereign and shepherd, reign in our hearts.

One: A ruler who will be a true shepherd of the people...

All: Jesus, sovereign and shepherd, reign in our hearts.

One: A ruler who will guide our feet in the ways of peace...

All: Jesus, sovereign and shepherd, reign in our hearts.

One: Come, let us worship God.

* Hymn           Jesus Shall Reign             VU 330

Opening Prayer

God, in this time of worship, open us to the truth about your

reign that we may be led deeper into what it means for us. May our hearts and minds be open to the stories of love, the words of life and the vision of your realm you want us to have. And may Christ’s reign over this world draw us closer to you, Creator, Christ and Spirit. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Jeremiah 23: 1-6 God will raise up new shepherds for Israel.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Luke 1:68-79 The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) VU 900

Hymn           Jesus Loves Me            VU 365

Opening the Word and the Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Luke 23:33–43 “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Reflection

Statement of Faith (a responsive reading of the Epistle)

Colossians 1:11–20 In Christ the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

One: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.

All: For in Christ all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible,

One: whether thrones or dominions or rules or powers –

All: things have been created through Christ and for Christ. Christ is before all things, and in Christ all things hold together. One: Christ is the head of the body, the church, and is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that Christ might come to have first place in every­thing.

All: For in Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Christ God was pleased to reconcile to Godself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of the cross. Amen.

From The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version. Copyright © 2004. Used by permission of Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn           The Lord’s My Shepherd           VU 747

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

Gracious God, we return to you for your use a portion of the gifts you have given us. Bless this offering that it may further your purpose in the world, gathering in the lost and lonely, tending to those in need, healing the ill, comforting the grieving, and sharing the good news of your love and compassion. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

(A prayer with the placement of symbols)

One: In this world,

People: help us to be the Body of Christ.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn           Crown Him with Many Crowns           VU 211

* Commissioning and Benediction

One: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,

All: to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:78-79

* Choral Amen

PHILIPPINES TYPHOON APPEAL

Government Will Match Donations for Philippines Typhoon Appeal

The United Church has issued a church-wide appeal for donations in response to the super typhoon that devastated much of the Philippines on November 8. Funds donated will be distributed to United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance for relief and reconstruction efforts. The Canadian government will match, dollar for dollar, donations to registered Canadian charities, including the United Church, made between November 9 and December 8.

According to the government, "For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the impact of Typhoon Haiyan on the Philippines and other affected countries, the government will set aside one dollar for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. The government will use the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund to provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations, employing established channels and procedures."

Registered charities, including the United Church, will be able to apply to the government's Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund to augment relief projects in the Philippines, although there is no guarantee that any project or charity will receive funding from the government's fund.

To be eligible for matching, donations need to be received at the United Church's General Council Office no later than December 8th. 

What You Can Do

Pray
* Pray for our Filipino sisters and brothers who have lost loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods.
* Pray for the members of the ACT's Philippines Forum who are working tirelessly to assess damage on the ground and organize an emergency response.
* Pray for United Church partners in the Philippines-the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-as they work diligently to attend to the needs of Filipinos affected by the disaster.
* Pray for the Government of the Philippines, which is working with civil society organizations to ensure that relief needs are met as soon as possible.
* Pray for the international community that is rushing to the aid of the people of the Philippines.

Donate

Please donate to Typhoon Haiyan Relief. Your donation will be applied directly to support the relief and reconstruction work of United Church partners in the Philippines and ACT Alliance. Here's how you can donate:
* Online via our secure donation page.
* Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
* Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response-Typhoon Haiyan Relief" on the face of your cheque.

What to Do for Your Donation to Be Matched by the Government

For United Church donations to qualify for Canadian government matching funds, certain conditions need to be met:
* Donations need to be received at the United Church's General Council Office no later than December 8th, 2013. 
* Donations need to be received from individuals only, not companies or businesses.

To ensure that all money collected is seen as coming from individual donors, we ask that congregations
* encourage members to give directly to The United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2Y4 (cheques need to be marked "Emergency Response-Typhoon Haiyan Relief") or encourage members to give directly online.

* Alternately, collect all personal cheques received and forward them to the United Church address above. Please include with the cheques a list of the names and addresses of individual donors and the amounts each has given.

Note: As part of the United Church's Emergency Response Fund, 85 percent of your donation will go directly to emergency response in the Philippines. Fifteen percent will be used to respond to disasters throughout the world that do not receive media coverage and often go unnoticed. No administration fees will be deducted from your donation. Donations for Mission and Service enable the United Church to provide staffing and cover the administration costs of its emergency response work.

Partners, ACT Alliance Assessing Needs and Responding

Both the NCCP and UCCP are working hard to assess immediate needs and organize emergency disaster responses. The most urgent requirements will include food, drinking water, clothing, sleeping materials, temporary shelter, and medicines. ACT is preparing an appeal to its worldwide network for donations for typhoon relief and reconstruction. The NCCP is a member of ACT's Philippines Forum and will share the responsibility for implementing relief and reconstruction projects funded by the ACT appeal. The United Church of Canada has donated $5,000 from its Emergency Response Fund to assist ACT with its rapid response activities in Philippines.

Strongest Typhoon on Record

Typhoon Haiyan packed winds of over 300 km/hr and is the strongest typhoon on record. It struck after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in September that displaced 400,000 Filipinos, killed 400, and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure on Bohol Island in eastern Philippines. "We are still reeling from the impact of the earthquake in Bohol and now we have another big whammy," said Pastor Levilou Amora, the UCCP's Program Coordinator in the region. The back-to-back catastrophes have taxed the Philippines' capacity to respond to disasters and available resources are now severely overstretched, the UCCP said. If more disasters strike before year's end, "the country's economic woes will worsen, and many of our people will suffer from hunger and despair," the UCCP added.

Thank you for your concern and support for the people of the Philippines.


For more information contact:

Gary Kenny
Program Coordinator, Emergency Response and International Development
Tel: 416-231-5931 ext. 4051
Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4051
E-mail: gkenny@united-church.ca