St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury
DLM-R/MDiv Student: Barb MacNaughton (902-302-5832)
Pianist: Adam Cooke
Administrator: Jane MacKinnon
Ministry – The Whole Congregation
Advent 2 is Peace – December 05, 2021
The Community Gathers
Welcome and Announcements
Advent Candle Lighting:
Re-light candle of Hope
Peace doesn’t always mean being quiet.
We seek to be a people of peace, living from a place of justice, joining our voices with others who want to give birth to a new way of being.
Peace calls out to us, so that we may help it become a reality.
God is our peace.
May we let God reconcile in places of conflict, creating bridges where divisions have grown, sewing all of creation into a new tapestry.
May peace be found in a manger and throughout the world.
Light the candle of Peace
♫ Hymn: Hope Is a Star VU 7 verses 1 & 2
Gathering Words:
We are called from far and wide to come to this place either in person or virtually.
We join together as people who are loved by God
We are called to listen for the voice of the one calling from the wilderness
We listen together as people who are loved by God.
We are filled with the message of John the Baptist as we watch for the one to come.
We watch together as people who are loved by God.
So let us worship together
People who are loved by God.
Let us pray: (unison)
Peace Maker, we are gathered together on this second Sunday of Advent in the search for the one who brings us peace; for our lives and, for our world. We join, we listen, and we watch for signs of this coming of the one who shall make the world a place of hope, peace, joy, and love. We offer our prayers this day as Paul offered prayers to the Philippians: ‘that love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight’. We pray that we might be guided to know the next right thing to do when the time comes for us to make decisions for our lives and our world. Our great desire is to live in a world filled with peace and the people of the world will be able to say together, thanks be to God. Amen.
♫ Hymn: All Earth is Waiting VU 5
The Community Explores
Scriptures:
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4
Responsive Reading: Luke 1: 68-79 VU #900
New Testament Reading: Philippians 1: 3-11
♫ Hymn: There’s a Voice in the Wilderness VU 18
Gospel Reading: Luke 3: 1-6
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church through these words today.
Thanks Be to God!
Message
♫ Hymn: When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides MV 169
The Community Celebrates
Minute for Mission:
♫ Offering Hymn: VU 55
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him – give my heart.
Offering Prayer:
Gracious, Giving God during this season of Advent, as we offer the gifts we have with others, may our lives be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and may we share these things openly to help make our world a better place for all. Amen.
Our Joys and Concerns and Lighting the candle of caring:
As one heart is lifted
May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
May we share the pain it knows
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle… in all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful of the present-ness of God among us.
Prayers for the People and Lord’s Prayer
♫ Hymn: Make me a Channel of Your Peace VU 684
The Community Goes Forth
Commissioning/Benediction
♫ Closing: Choral Amen
One License A-401486
Ministering through leadership this morning are:
Minister: Barbara MacNaughton
Pianist: Adam Cooke
Lay Reader: Dave Chapman
Mission Moment: Barb Mac Intyre
Advent Wreath:
Counters: Clark Brander, Malcolm Matheson
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Barb is in the office most mornings Monday - Thursday from 9a.m.-12 noon. If you need to arrange a different time, please call her cell: 902-302-5832.
Secretary’s Office Hours:
Thursday & Friday 8 a.m. - 12 noon.
Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.
The December calendar is out, please remember to pick one up on the table in the narthex.
Christmas Eve Service is at 6 p.m. with Communion and candle lighting.
It is time to renew your Broadview magazine.
Please contact Barb MacIntyre.
Collection Counters/Recorders Needed – Please sign up.
The load gets lighter when many helping hands participate.
Bible Study 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. - Tuesday mornings in church hall.
Lay Readers:
December 12th – Jean MacPherson
December 19th – Joyce Oliver-Snair
December 24th – Barb MacIntyre – Christmas Eve
Minute for Mission Readers:
December 12th – Anna Marie Langley
December 19th – Yvonne Fox
December 24th – Christmas Eve
Food Bank Sunday – Last Sunday of the month.
Prayer Shawl Knitting Meeting:
Monday, December 13th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the hall.
Phase 5 Protocol for Covid-19 will be followed.
