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: The Whole People of God
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M. Minister of Music: Al Fougere
January 1st, 2017-New Years Day
Sunday Prior to Epiphany
A thought around which to gather as we worship— A magician’s trick or the famous man behind the curtain scene in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” reminds us there can be more to something than what meets the eye. The Season after the Epiphany truly pulls back the curtain on the son of God as he’s grown to be a man. We become intimate with how Jesus lives, how he loves, and how he wants us to be in today’s world. God wants us to see – through the life of Jesus – the depth of a relationship with God.
Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016-2017, p. 7
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 Il est né (chorus only) VU 50
Il est né, le divin Enfant,jouez, hautbois, résonnez, musettes;
il est né, le divin Enfant;
chantons tous son avènement.
He is born, little Child divine;
play on the reeds while the lutes are strumming.
He is born, little Child divine;
join the song to announce the day.
The Christ candle in Advent wreath is lit.
Call to Worship
Arise, shine; for our light has come!The glory of God shines upon us.
The love of God is within us.
The light of God shines through us
as we live in community and worship God together.
Praise be to God!
*Hymn Angels, from the Realms of Glory VU 36
Prayer of Approach and Confession
We gather together in worship,in complete awe that you,
the glorious Maker of the whole universe,
are as close as a whisper,
as playful as a baby’s laugh,
as loving as a parent’s cuddle.
The light of your love calls us to respond,
yet we confess how we let your light grow dim within us.
Each day seems ordinary;
each friend or family member seems the same as yesterday.
Our days become routine,
as if life were like watching TV show reruns.
Forgive us, God,
and enlighten us with the joy of each new day,
enlighten us with the excitement of new opportunities
to grow and learn,
enlighten us with the passion of serving you. Amen.
Words of Assurance
God understands. God forgives. God gives us as many new chances as we need to figure things out.Let us arise, then, and let the light of God shine in our faces, in our hearts, and in our lives!
*Hymn I Am the Light of the World VU 87
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Isaiah 60:1–6 Arise, shine: for your light has come.One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72 Sung Response: Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo! VU 37
Gloria, gloria, in excelsis Deo!Gloria, gloria, alleluia, alleluia!
God, give the king your justice, and give goodness to his children.
People: May he treat the people fairly, especially the poor. Reader: May the people be rich in goodness.
People: May he defend the rights of the poor and free those in need and end the influence of those who would oppress others.
Reader: May his spirit live as long as the sun and moon shine in the sky.
People: May he be like a fresh rainfall that waters the ground. Reader: May his peace last forever.
People: May all people see that his ways are good; may they give of themselves in service as he does.
Reader: For he frees all those in need when they call out to him – the poor and those no one will help.
People: He has compassion for the weak and needy ones and saves the lives of those in need.
Reader: He saves all those suffering from oppression and violence.
People: They are precious to him.
Response: Glory to God, glory to God, glory in the highest!
Glory to God, glory to God, hallelujah, hallelujah!
