THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
St. Mark’s United Church
Port Hawkesbury, NS
First Sunday of the New Year
January 3, 2021
Pulpit Supply: Pastor Keith Wiseman, DLM
Music: Adam Cooke
WE GATHER IN COMMUNITY AND APPROACH GOD
Musical Prelude:
Introit: ‘Arise, Your Light Is Come’ VU #79
Lighting of The Christ Candle:
Welcome:
Call To Worship:
We proclaim the birth of our Saviour, sent to nurture and protect us: Jesus, Emmanuel, the promise that God is with us.
In hope, we follow.
We celebrate the wonder of Jesus, sent to heal and transform us: Jesus, the Messiah.
In awe, we follow.
We worship the Light of the world, sent to guide us forward: Jesus, born of God, our eternal grace.
In faith, we follow.
May God lead us in the new year to know God’s will, and Jesus’ Way. Let us worship God and give thanks.
Hymn: ‘When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery’ VU #93
Gathering Prayer:
God of new manifestations, we thank you for this time of Epiphany and the manifestation of your Spirit. We accept this time as a special one: a time when we seek new life in unexpected places, like a stable; a time when we interpret the sings differently than we used to, like a star; a time when we seek the advice of people who are different from us, like the wise men; a time when we turn away from bad habits and things that keep us separate from God’s love, like taking a new road; a time when new beginnings give us new opportunities to start fresh, like a new birth. Help us to seize these opportunities so that we can find new ways of living in your light. Amen.
Hymn: ‘I Am the Light of the World’ VU #87
WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
Giving God, we remember the light that shone on us at Christmas. We come again to that light that is shining still. It brings us hope, it brings us peace, it brings us joy, it brings us love. Jesus, draw us to the light, the light of God.
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 8
A Reading from Wisdom Literature: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13
Hymn: ‘Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore’ VU #563
A Reading from the Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD
Sermon: “Paths to Illumination” Pastor Keith Wiseman
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer:
THE LIFE & WORK OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Announcements & Minute For Mission:
Dedication of Offering:
SENDING FORTH
Closing Hymn: ‘As with Gladness Men of Old’ VU #81
Commissioning:
As we go, we remember that God is there before us, God is here beside us, God is the path we follow, the light that guides us, the love that sustains us, Thanks be to God. Amen.
Benediction:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church Services for January:
January 3rd, 17th and 31st at 3 p.m.
Readers for January
Scripture Readers
Jan. 3rd – Vida Hood
Jan. 17th – Dave Chapman
Jan. 31st – Jean MacPherson
Minute for Mission Readers
Jan. 3rd – Larry Evans
Jan. 17th – Barb MacIntyre
Jan. 31st – Anna Marie Langley
Renewals and New subscriptions for BROADVIEW are being collected by Barb MacIntyre. If you wish, drop your name and $25.00 in an envelope marked Broadview on our offering plate by January 11th.
Notice of St. Mark’s Board Meeting – January 12th Executive Meeting – 6:00 pm
Committee Meetings – 7:00 pm
Board Meeting – 8 pm
Attention: Committee Chairpersons please submit the Year-end reports for the year 2020 at this meeting.
A Prayer Shawl Knitting Group will gather on Monday, January 18th at 1pm. Masks must be worn. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed regarding safe distancing and sanitizing. There will be no access to the kitchen.
Volunteers are needed to help with the Collection Counting. There is a Sign-Up sheet in the Narthex. Your willingness will be greatly appreciated.
Food Bank donations will be received on the last Sunday of each Month.
Deadline for information for the bulletin is on Thursday by noon.
