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 1st, 2013
1st 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
