ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29TH 2015-ADVENT 1

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: stmarksuc@gmail.com

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

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: Whole People of God

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M. Music Director: Al Fougere

November 29th, 2015

1st Sunday of Advent-Hope

The Sacrament of Communion

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.

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

* Introit       Hope Is a Star, verse 1              VU7

Call to Worship

One: A branch begins to bud –

All: we wait with resilience and hope.

One: A new day begins to dawn –

All: we wait with patience.

One: A life begins to heal –

All: we wait with prayer.

One: A heart begins to open –

All: we wait for God.

One: Come, let us worship God.

Advent Candle-lighting Liturgy

Introduction

Voice 1: We know that God is always with us.

All: We are not alone; we live in God’s world.

Voice 2: This Advent we anticipate new understandings of the hope Emmanuel brings.

Voice 1: As we wait, may we remember to watch out and stay alert, for

All: nobody knows when that day or hour will come,
not even the angels in heaven.

Voice 1: We light this candle as a sign of God’s gift of hope,
and as a reminder that even as we wait for Emmanuel,
God is with us always.

All: We are not alone.

Voice 2: Thanks be to God!

*Candle-lighting Song

Place hope into our minds
as we sing songs of praise.
And let us search for all the signs
that lead to Christmas Day.

—Alydia Smith. Originally published in Mandate, November 2012.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Jeremiah 33:14–16 A righteous branch from David’s line.

One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25:1–10     To you, O God, I lift my soul. Ref.2     VU 752

*Hymn         Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus          VU 2

Opening the Word/Time with Children

The Gospel Acclamation

Luke 21:25–36 Signs in heavens and Earth; parable of the fig tree

One: Herein is Good News. All: Praise be to God.

                              WE RESPOND IN FAITH

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

* Communion Hymn      We Gather Here        VU469

Sacrament of Communion Communion Insert, cover of VU

Distribution Hymn Eat This Bread and Never Hunger VU471

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn       Now Thank We All Our God      VU236

* Commissioning and Benediction (together)

May we see the grace that surrounds us.

May we know the love that holds us close.

May we find the peace for which we yearn

May we live in God’s way of hope.

* Choral Amen