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 15th, 2013
3rd Sunday of Advent-Joy-Gaudete Sunday
White Gift Sunday
Gaudete in Domino semper “Rejoice in the Lord
always”
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 Adapted from Luke 1:47–55
One:
Our souls magnify the Most High,
All:
and our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour!
One:
God’s mercy is for those who love and revere God, from
generation to generation.
All:
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up
the lowly;
One:
God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich
away empty.
All: Blessed be
God’s name. Let us worship God!
Advent Candlelighting Liturgy
Voice 1: On
this third Sunday of Advent, we light three candles,
illuminating God’s truth. Our first candle was for peace, and the
second was for hope. Today, our third candle is for joy. From
prophets like Isaiah and Mary, we hear God’s promises: the blind
shall see, the deaf shall hear, the lame shall leap, the desert shall
be watery.
Child:
Come, let us walk in the light!
All: We
say to those with fearful hearts, “Do not fear! Here is your God!”
(Isaiah
35:4)
Voice 2: God’s
promises sometimes seem impossible, and because we are human, we
doubt; but the promises burn with everlasting light. Today, even in
an unsteady world, may we find new ways to look into the light of
Advent and rejoice that God’s promises are true for each of us and
all of us. (the pink 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 3 VU 7
Opening
Prayer
Holy God, in a topsy-turvy world,
you both steady us and you rock-and-roll us into new life, new
challenges, new ways of seeing our lives. As we enter into worship
together with you today, may we play and pray in ways that help us
better love and live. You are always opening up new world orders
among us. Transform us for your new world! In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Hymn All
Earth Is Waiting VU 5
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Isaiah
35:1–10 The desert blooms and rejoices.
This is the
witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be
to God.
Luke 1:47–55 Mary’s song of justice. Ref 1, VU 898
*Hymn I’ve Got Peace like a River VU 577
Opening the Word and The Lord's Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Matthew
11:2–11 Is Jesus to fulfill the promise?
This
is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Active Waiting
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn There's
a Voice in the Wilderness VU 18
Minute
for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Take Time to Be
Holy VU 672
* Commissioning
and Blessing
* Choral Amen
