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. Minister of Music: Al Fougere
December 10th, 2017
2nd Sunday of Advent—Peace
White Gift Sunday
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 Procession & Hanging of “Peace” Banner
*Call to Worship
One: You come to us, alive and presentin that Word clothed in human flesh,
All: so we might hear those songs
about forgiveness, echoing with joy.
One: You come to us, Shepherd of God’s people,
feeding us with your peace,
All: so we might go out and offer
the bread of hope to all the lost.
One: You come to us, Spirit of comfort,
welcoming us into the reign,
All: where righteousness is our best friend,
where justice lives right next door.
One: Come, let us worship God.
*Hymn All Earth Is Waiting VU 5
Advent Candle-lighting Liturgy
Leader: Advent is a season of waiting: waiting for hope, peace, joy, and love of God to break into our lives anewAll: through the story of the birth of Jesus, and through acts of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Leader: Today we light the second candle, the candle of peace.
(A time of reflection & candle-lighting by congregation members)
*Sung Response: O Little Town of Bethlehem verse 2 VU 64
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Isaiah 40:1–11 Comfort, O comfort, my people.
One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people.All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13 Will you be angry with us forever? VU 802
*Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus VU 2
Opening the Word and the Lord’s Prayer
Gospel Acclamation
Mark 1:1–8 The preaching of John the Baptizer.
Dramatic reading adapted from The Message.One: This is Good News. All: Thanks be to God.
Opening the Word 2
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
* Hymn There’s a Voice in the Wilderness VU 18
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
* Offering Prayer
May the gifts we offer smooth the way for those who struggle, rebuild the lives of those who have fallen, and bring grace and comfort to all your people, loving God, we pray. Amen.Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
One: A voice cries in the wilderness:All: prepare the way of the Lord!
WE GO TO SERVE GOD
* Hymn Hark the Glad Sound VU 29
* Sending Out
Enter this Advent week with peace.Enter this Advent with patience.
May your waiting be rich
and the presence of our God full and near to you.
Bear God’s peace to this world,
like one candle overcoming the shadows.
