ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 22ND 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Vida Hood
                    (St. D.): Amy McCormack
Mission Moment (St. M.): Lorna Harvey
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Terry & Marlene Morrison
Greeters (St. D.): Marie Mac Kinnon
Collectors (St. D.): Iaian Langley, Heather Graham

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday & Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. The next time of gathering is February 20th at 1:00 p.m.

Tea Time Quilters @ St. Mark’s Quilters & Sewers meet around a quilt in the upstairs Sunday School room each Wed. at 10am. Everyone is welcome. Sew Day is being planned to make quilts for the children in Ronald McDonald houses across Canada. Sew Day: Celebrating Canada’s 150th Birthday. The Tea Time Quilters are hosting a Sew Day event at St. Mark’s Wednesday, February 1st from 10:00-4:00 pm. Bring your fabric & sewing machine. Lunch will be provided along with the 150 Celebration fabric to add to your block. For information & to register please call: Barb-625-1546, Catherine-625-0388, Leslie-625-0413

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

January 25th – 10:30 a.m.; Worship Service at the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

Parables, Prayers & Promises: Daily Devotions on Jesus
by Martha Martin, Diaconal Minister, Maritime Conference

Who was Jesus of Nazareth? What did he teach, and how did he pray? How does Jesus'’ ministry continue through his followers today? This Lent, get to know Jesus more intimately —and share and live out the good news. Where might you meet Jesus, and how will you follow him? Daily devotions covering Ash Wednesday to Easter offer reflections on scripture; honest, relevant anecdotes; prayers; and links to videos, poetry, and song. Includes an illustrated study guide by Trisha Elliott, for groups or individuals.

Interested in having a Lenten daily devotion book? and/or joining a study group for Lent? Call the church office or send us an email to order the book. Deadline for ordering February 12.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 29th – Jean Mac Pherson
February 5th – Brenda Mac Innis
February 12th – Sarah Chiasson
February 19th – Larry Evans
February 26th – Julia Mac Quarrie

The FundScrip Order date is Sunday January 29th, 2017 and the Delivery dates are Sunday January 22nd and February 5th, 2017.  
The FundScrip January Promotions are as follows:
Shell                           3%  ( Regular 2% )
Starbucks                    6%  ( Regular 5% )
WaySpa                      13% ( Regular 10% )
Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join the program.

Annual Congregational Meeting on February 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Hymn Books entitled "More Voices" have been purchased by St. Mark's, you may help offset the cost by making a donation of $15. A  hymn book will be labelled  if you wish to make your donation in honour or in memory of a loved one.  Place your donation on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices", please include your information. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is an urgent need to fill the position of Chairperson on our Congregational Board. Without a Chairperson, the Board cannot hold meetings. Please consider putting your name forward to fill this vital role. Contact persons are Hayward Hollett, Annabel Butts, Coleen MacKichan or Linda Howlett.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 29th – Maxine Smith
February 5th – Iaian Langley
February 12th – Margie Mac Intyre
February 19th – Maxine Smith
February 26th- Malcolm Parsons

PLEASE NOTE: Session Meeting on Tuesday, January 24th at 7p.m. at St. David’s Church Hall. Please make every effort to attend

Year end reports are due for the Official Board Meeting on February 5th, 2017

St. David’s Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on February 19, 2017

The motion was passed at the last Official Board meeting that we
Compile a list of the birthday dates of members and regular attendees to St. David’s. I’ve taken on the task so have begun by using the 1975 Port Hastings Community Club calendar as a beginning. Please check the list on the table in the entry to see if the date is correct if you were in that calendar and is not, please add you name to the calendar and for you who weren’t married or children hadn’t been born, add spouses and children. Thanks in advance.  Yvonne

++++++++++

As part of the Winterlude Program teams of four people are required for curling play. If you can provide a team please let Margie Mac Intyre know by February 4th by calling 902-625-1361.

Donate your gently used clothing to Port of Welcome Settlement  Association. Drop off clothing at Cathy's Consignment shop and ask that proceeds of sales go to the POWSA account (act#4488). Once our family arrives they will be able to use the credit in that account to purchase clothing items.

Anyone wishing a drive to New Glasgow or Truro, please contact Margie Mac Intyre at 902-625-1361 for dates and times she will be going. 

Celebrate Family Literacy Day 
at the Port Hawkesbury Library.
Friday, January 27th from 10-1130 am. An hour and a half packed with stories, craft, exercises, and fun for the whole family.
Admission is FREE...hope to see you there.

There will be a Ladies Senior Fitness class beginning Tuesday, February 7th in the auditorium of St. Mark’s United Church. The classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 11AM and are low or no impact. They are designed for seniors to strengthen and increase flexibility. The class is being taught by Jessica Sampson, a certified Can-Pro Fitness Instructor who has numerous certificates and has been teaching for eight years. The classes run for 10 weeks. For more information contact Lorna at 902 625-1406. A sign-up sheet is available at the Church entry.

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 22ND 2017-3RD AFTER EPIPHANY

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 22nd, 2017-3rd Sunday after Epiphany

A thought around which to gather as we worship— “’Disciples’ has become a term for church members, so that we often hear it as an instruction to make recruits. That’s not what is meant. It meant: Go and make learners. ‘Disciples’ meant ‘learners,’ people who will join in learning community and carry on learning – lifelong, to the end of the age.” (William Loader)
■■ How might this definition of “disciple” give shape to your work and the work of your community?

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 , p. 11

 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   Sent Out in Jesus’ Name MV 212

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
to make the world the place in which the kingdom comes. 

Call to Worship 

One: As he walked by a lake, Jesus called fishers to follow him. 
All: And immediately, immediately! they left their work and went with him. 
One: As Jesus journeys through our lives, he asks us to fol­low him. 
All: In this moment, this moment! we have the chance to leave the past behind, and pursue Christ into God’s future. 
One: As Jesus wanders in our world, he invites others to join in. 
All: We would join Jesus in this ministry, reaching out to our neighbours, without delay, without delay!

Opening Prayer      

*Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus VU 341

Call to Reconciliation

Prayer of Confession

We admit, God our light, that we do indeed try to tear Christ apart – a piece of him here to support our politics, a part of him there to undergird our economic views, the rest of him to bolster our fears of others. 
We could leave immediately to follow him, but need to wait until we see where he might lead. We want you to look upon us with favour always, but have no trouble turning our backs on those around us.
Hear us, God our deliverer, as we speak of our failures! Have mercy on us, we appeal to you, have mercy. 
May your love become the core of our hearts, may your compassion become the words we speak, may your hope illuminate the ways in which we serve others, even as we seek to follow the One who calls us to new life, Jesus the Christ.
Silence is kept.

Words of Affirmation

One: God is our help, so why should we be afraid?
God keeps us safe, there is nothing to dread!
This is good news for all of us.
All: Sheltered in God’s gracious heart of mercy and love, we raise shouts of joy: thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 9:1–4 The people have seen a great light.

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

Psalm 27 God is my light and my salvation. VU 754

* Hymn I Am the Light of the World VU  87

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:12–23 Jesus begins his ministry.

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

Opening the Word 2  

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     Let There Be Light VU 679

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

We are called to follow, yet are often slow to respond, God
of grace. We are blessed with more than we ever need or can
ever use, yet we are reluctant to part with even a portion of
this abundance. 
As we offer our gifts to you, remind us that learning generosity is part of our call to follow the One who models your gracious nature in every word, every gesture, every day. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

From the Canadian Resources for the

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2017

Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us

(cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

Congregational Response: …hear our prayer. 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn The Church’s One Foundation VU 331

* Commissioning and Benediction   

One: We have received the light of God
All: in the words of scripture,
in the faithful witness of our sisters and brothers,
in the companionship of this shared time,
in the music of our voices.
One: Go now to share this light in words of peace
in a witness of love
in the sharing of wealth
in the joy of good news.      

* Choral Amen

NEW DATE FOR MEN'S GROUP ROAST BEEF DINNER

ORDER YOUR LENTEN DAILY DEVOTION BOOK

Parables, Prayers & Promises: Daily Devotions on Jesus 
by Martha Martin, Diaconal Minister, Maritime Conference

Who was Jesus of Nazareth? What did he teach, and how did he pray? How does Jesus'’ ministry continue through his followers today? This Lent, get to know Jesus more intimately —and share and live out the good news. Where might you meet Jesus, and how will you follow him? Daily devotions covering Ash Wednesday to Easter offer reflections on scripture; honest, relevant anecdotes; prayers; and links to videos, poetry, and song. Includes an illustrated study guide by Trisha Elliott, for groups or individuals.

Interested in having a Lenten daily devotion book? and/or joining a study group for Lent? Call the church office or send us an email to order the book. Deadline for ordering February 12.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Archie Noseworthy
                    (St. D.): Bruce Corrigan
Mission Moment (St. M.): Linda Howlett
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Terry & Marlene Morrison
Greeters (St. D.): Marie Mac Kinnon
Collectors (St. D.): Iaian Langley, Heather Graham

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday & Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. The next time of gathering is January 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Tea Time Quilters @ St. Mark’s Quilters & Sewers meet around a quilt in the upstairs Sunday School room each Wed. at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Sew Day is being planned to make quilts for the children in Ronald McDonald houses across Canada. Watch for the upcoming date!

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

January 25th – 10:30 a.m. Worship Service at the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 22nd – Brenda Mac Innis
January 29th – Jean Mac Pherson
February 5th – Vida Hood
February 12th – Sarah Chiasson
February 19th – Larry Evans
February 26th – Julia Mac Quarrie

The FundScrip Order dates are Sunday January 15th and 29th, 2017 and the Delivery dates are Sunday January 22nd and February 5th, 2017.  
The FundScrip January Promotions are as follows:
Shell                           3%  ( Regular 2% )
Starbucks                    6%  ( Regular 5% )
WaySpa                      13% ( Regular 10% )
Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join the program.

January 17th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting.

Year end reports for St. Mark’s are due January 17th, 2017. 

Annual Congregational Meeting on February 12, 2017
.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 22nd – Amy McCormack
January 29th – Maxine Smith
February 5th – Iaian Langley
February 12th – Margie Mac Intyre
February 19th – Maxine Smith
February 26th- Malcolm Parsons

PLEASE NOTE: Session Meeting on Tuesday, January 24th at 7:00 p.m. at St. David’s Church Hall. Please make every effort to attend.

Year end reports are due for the Official Board Meeting on February 5th, 2017

St. David’s Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on February 19, 2017

The motion was passed at the last Official Board meeting that we compile a list of the birthday dates of members and regular attendees to St. David’s. I’ve taken on the task so have begun by using the 1975 Port Hastings Community Club calendar as a beginning.
Please check the list on the table in the entry to see if the date is correct if you were in that calendar and is not, please add you name to the calendar and for you who weren’t married or children hadn’t been born, add spouses and children. Thanks in advance.  Yvonne

++++++++++

As part of the Winterlude Program teams of four people are required for curling play. If you can provide a team please let Margie Mac Intyre know by February 4th by calling 902-625-1361.

Donate your gently used clothing to Port of Welcome Settlement  Association. Drop off clothing at Cathy's Consignment shop and ask that proceeds of sales go to the POWSA account (act#4488). Once our family arrives they will be able to use the credit in that account to purchase clothing items.

Anyone wishing a drive to New Glasgow or Truro, please contact Margie Mac Intyre at 902-625-1361 for dates and times she will be going.

Prayer of Christian Unity Ecumenical Service at Trinity United Church, Mulgrave on January 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. 

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH 2017-2ND AFTER EPIPHANY

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 15th, 2017-2nd Sunday after Epiphany

A thought around which to gather as we worship—In each of the readings today, the call is to something wider – more than is imagined. In Baptism, we are named as mem­bers of the Body of Christ. What does it mean to be called and named by God? The biblical passages raise questions about our own call. How do we identify and confirm that call to be all we are and can be? What does it mean today to be “a light to the nations”? 

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016 , p. 118

 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   Sent Out in Jesus’ Name MV 212

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
to make the world the place in which the kingdom comes. 

Call to Worship 

One: We wait patiently for our God. 
All: We will sing, we will sing new songs 
of the One who calls us here. 
One: We will not chase after other gods. 
All: We will sing, we will sing new songs 
of the One in whom we can trust. 
One: We will tell of all God has done for us. 
All: We will sing, we will sing new songs 
of the One whose salvation is for all. 

Opening Prayer      One: O God,   All: there is none like you.      

*Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness VU 288 

Prayer of Confession

Let us confess our sins to the One who is always faithful.

 All: Shaped, formed, born to be servants, Faithful One, we spend so much time focused on our­selves. Called to be saints, we deeply despise those who do us harm and those with whom we disagree. Challenged to testify about the good news, we keep silent, hoarding stories of joy and hope for ourselves. 

Forgive us, Merciful Lamb. Give us open ears, that we might hear your words of pardon; give us open eyes, that we might see those you would have us serve; give us open hearts, that we might welcome the One who takes away our sins, Jesus Christ, servant leader and saviour.   Silence is kept. 

Words of Affirmation

One: Listen! Before you were born, God called you by name, claiming you as God’s child. Pay attention! You are forgiven. 

All: We will not keep silent. We will tell, and we will sing; we will whisper, and we will shout: God is faithful! Amen. 

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 49:1-7    The Lamb of God. The mission of God's servant.One: Herein is Wisdom.  All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 40:1–11   I waited patiently for God   VU 764

* Hymn Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying VU 400 

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

John 1:29–42 Simon and Andrew become disciples.One: Herein is Good News.  All: Praise be to God. 

Opening the Word 2  

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     Will You Come and Follow Me VU 567 

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

As we offer our gifts to you, calling God, remind us that we are invited to not only come and see the brokenness of our world, those who are hungry and homeless, lonely and grieving, but to join you in that ministry of offering strength, hope, and healing to all your children. Amen. 

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession  

Beloved God, we praise you for your word that creates worlds,
your breath that brings forth life,
your voice that inspires oceans and rivers.
You are the source of all life: every creature,
great and small, is made by you and loved by you.
In the beginning you proclaimed all of your creation
to be good, and human beings you declared “very good.”
Yet too many do not know that.
We pray this day for all of those, your children,
who do not know their goodness, their worth, their value;
who do not know that they are loved unconditionally
by the One who created them.
We pray that we might never forget our own worth and value 
as your beloved children.
We give thanks that in Jesus, your living word,
you call us to discipleship, to servant sainthood and new life.
Help us, as Christ’s disciples, 
through words of compassion and cries for justice, 
through gentle smiles and hugs 
and arms that reach out to break down barriers,
proclaim the truth that all of your children
are loved and valued. Amen. 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn How Great Thou Art Cover of VU 

* Commissioning and Benediction 

  Let us go forth: 
Let us go forth to sing God's good news to others.
We are assured that we do not lack anything we need to be a servant saint of God. 
Let us go forth to be that servant for others.
You have met God revealed in unexpected places. Let us go forth to reveal God to others.
Let us go forth to sing God's good news to others.

* Choral Amen

FUNDSCRIP ORDERS RESUME!

The FundScrip Order dates are Sunday January 15th and 29th, 2017 and the Delivery dates are Sunday January 22nd and February 5th, 2017.  

The FundScrip January Promotions are as follows:

Shell                           3%  ( Regular 2% )

Starbucks                    6%  ( Regular 5% )

WaySpa                      13% ( Regular 10% )

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join the program.

WINTERLUDE 2017!

Winterlude 2017

Please join us at St. David’s, Port Hastings and St. Mark’s, Port Hawkesbury, United Churches for

Winterlude 2017.

Monday, February 6^th – Walking Track 8 am at the Civic Centre; Coffee 9:30 am at the Fleur de Lis;

Skating 12 noon to 2 pm, $3 per person at the Civic Centre

Tuesday, February 7^th – Walking Track 8 am at the Civic Centre; Coffee at Tim’s on Pitt Street at 9:30 am; Floor Curling at St. Mark’s 2 to 3:30 pm; Prize draws

Wednesday, February 8^th – Walking Track 8 am at the Civic Centre; Coffee at Fleur de Lis at 9:30 am;

Ground Hockey at St. Marks’s 2:30 to 4 pm; Games Night 7 pm at St. David’s United; Bring your favourite board and/or card game.

Thursday, February 9^th – Walking Track 8 am at the Civic Centre; Coffee at Tim’s on Pitt’s Street at

9:30 am; Floor Curling & Shuffleboard at St. Mark’s 2 to 4 pm.

Friday, February 10^th – Walking Track 8 am at the Civic Centre; Coffee at Fleur de Lis at 9:30 am;

Hockey Night at the Civic Centre; Strait Pirates vs Glace Bay Miners 7:30 pm.

Let’s wear red and white!

Saturday, February 11^th – Pastoral Charges Ecumenical Floor Curling Tournament at St. Mark’s United

Church 9-12 noon; Lunch following, prize draws. 

Enter a team of four people

Only by February 4^th! (No Substitutes) Hockey for all ages; Church parking lot

9-12 noon; Lunch following. Fiddlers In Concert; St. Mark’s 7 pm; $10 per person

Sunday, February 12^th – Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing on the trails of MacIntyre Mountain 2 pm

Snowshoes provided or bring your own; bring your own skis; Hot chocolate too!

We challenge all pastoral charges to organize an event (anything) on your pastoral charge during January, February and March!

Please be sure to extend your invitation by way of church bulletins and blogs.

Let’s enjoy some fun this winter!

WIN TICKETS FOR TWO TO CELTIC COLOURS OPENING CONCERT, OCTOBER 2017

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 8TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Dave Chapman
                    (St. D.): Rosemary Morrell
Mission Moment (St. M.): Bruce Corrigan
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Terry & Marlene Morrison
Greeters (St. D.): Marie Mac Kinnon
Collectors (St. D.): Iaian Langley, Heather Graham

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday & Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. The next time of gathering is January 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Tea Time Quilters @ St. Mark’s  Quilters & Sewers meet around a quilt in the upstairs Sunday School room each Wed. at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Sew Day is being planned to make quilts for the children in Ronald McDonald houses across Canada. Watch for the upcoming date!

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 15th – Archie Noseworthy
January 22nd – Brenda Mac Innis
January 29th – Jean Mac Pherson

The FundScrip Order dates are Sunday January 15th and 29th, 2017 and the Delivery dates are Sunday January 22nd and February 5th, 2017.  The FundScrip January Promotions are as follows:
Shell                           3%  ( Regular 2% )
Starbucks                    6%  ( Regular 5% )
WaySpa                      13% ( Regular 10% )
Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join the program.

January 15th – 8:30 am; St. Mark’s Men’s Group Meeting

January 17th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting.
Year end reports for St. Mark’s are due January  17th, 2017. 

Annual Congregational Meeting on February 12, 2017.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
January 15th – Bruce Corrigan   
January 22nd – Amy McCormack
January 29th – Maxine Smith

Year end reports are due for the Official Board Meeting on February 5th, 2017

St. David’s Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on February 19, 2017

The motion was passed at the last Official Board meeting that we compile a list of the birthday dates of members and regular attendees to St. David’s. I’ve taken on the task so have begun by using the 1975 Port Hastings Community Club calendar as a beginning.

Please check the list on the table in the entry to see if the date is correct if you were in that calendar and is not, please add you name to the calendar and for you who weren’t married or children hadn’t been born, add spouses and children. Thanks in advance.  Yvonne

As part of the Winterlude Program teams of four people are required for curling play. If you can provide a team please let Margie Mac Intyre know by February 4th by calling 902-625-1361.

Donate your gently used clothing to Port of Welcome Settlement  Association. Drop off clothing at Cathy's Consignment shop and ask that proceeds of sales go to the POWSA account (act#4488). Once our family arrives they will be able to use the credit in that account to purchase clothing items.

Anyone wishing a drive to New Glasgow or Truro, please contact Margie Mac Intyre at 902-625-1361 for dates and times she will be going.

Prayer of Christian Unity Ecumenical Service at Trinity United Church, Mulgrave on January 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JANUARY 8TH 2017-BAPTISM OF JESUS SUNDAY

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 8th, 2017-Baptism of Jesus

A thought around which to gather as we worship— At Baptism we enter on our journey as God’s servants. We set out on a path that may lead us to the courage of Peter or the vision of Isaiah. The God we follow is more powerful than the strongest thunderstorm, and more gentle than the softest dove. We are called to serve God by bringing justice to the earth and compassion to all people. 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing January 8, 2017, The Whole People of God™,  Biblical Background, p. 1

 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  Responsive reading from A Song of Faith

Sung Response: Out of Deep...         VU 453 Refrain only
                        There is water in the river
                        bringing life to tree and plant.
                        Let creation praise its giver:
                        there is water in the font.   

Water is poured into font

To point to the presence of the holy in the world,
the church receives, consecrates, and shares
visible signs of the grace of God.
In company with the churches
of the Reformed and Methodist traditions,
we celebrate two sacraments as gifts of Christ:
baptism and holy communion.
In these sacraments the ordinary things of life
—water, bread, wine—
point beyond themselves to God and God’s love,
teaching us to be alert
to the sacred in the midst of life.
Before conscious thought or action on our part,
we are born into the brokenness of this world.
Before conscious thought or action on our part,
we are surrounded by God’s redeeming love.
Baptism by water in the name of the Holy Trinity
is the means by which we are received, at any age,
into the covenanted community of the church.
It is the ritual that signifies our rebirth in faith
and cleansing by the power of God.
Baptism signifies the nurturing, sustaining,
and transforming power of God’s love
and our grateful response to that grace.

Responsive Reading excerpted from A Song of Faith:

       A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada

Sung Response: There is water in the river
                        bringing life to tree and plant.
                        Let creation praise its giver:
                        there is water in the font.

Call to Worship 

One: When we are reluctant to dip our toes into faith’s river, 
All: Jesus comes, to teach us how to swim. 
One: When we are hesitant to cup our hands to drink from the fountain of grace, 
All: Jesus comes, to reach in and splash our faces with God’s joy. 
One: When we are unwilling to be the pipeline of hope, 
All: Jesus comes, to turn on the faucets God has installed in our hearts. 
One: Come, let us worship. 

Opening Prayer            Based on Psalm 29

One: And we cry,   Response: All: And we cry, “Glory!” 

*Hymn Jesus Shall Reign            VU 330

Prayer of Confession

You would have all people hear of your grace, servant God, but we hinder your efforts by hoarding the word for ourselves. 
You would have hope flow through our neighbourhoods, but we thwart your plans by damming up hope in our hearts. 
You would have us skip into your realm, but we frustrate your future by clinging so tightly to those grudges we have carried for so long. 
Have mercy on us, Shaker of our wildernesses, and unlock the shuttered doors of our hearts. 
Remind us that at our baptism you touch us with the waters of life. You promise to be with us always, and call us your beloved, even as you sang your joy to Jesus the Christ, at the waters of the Jordan.   
 Silence is kept. 

Words of Assurance

One: You know the good news God has proclaimed to you: we are called to let go of the past, and to walk, hand in hand with the Spirit, into the reign of God. 
All: God forgives us, accepts us, and sends us forth to do good, and to testify about the One who baptizes us in the water and the Spirit. Thanks be to God. Amen. 

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 42:1–9 God’s servant brings justice.One: Herein is Wisdom.  All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29         Ascribe to God all glory and strength    VU 756

* Hymn Let Us Build a House      MV 1 

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 3:13–17 Jesus is baptized.One: Herein is Good News.  All: Praise be to God. 

Opening the Word 2

 Thoughts on Baptism & Meditation on Water

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

*Affirmation of Faith      A New Creed                           VU 918

* Hymn     Let There Be Light VU 679

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering PrayerBy your grace, God of the waters, we can open our eyes to see those in need around us. By your abundance in our lives, what we offer can bring hope and healing to more people than we can ever imagine. By your blessing, others are in­vited to the waters of life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession      Based on Psalm 29

One: Your voice thunders in the night, and sings love songs in the morning. 
All: Your voice tumbles raging rapids, and ripples pools of peace. 
One: Your voice snaps trees in two, and can mend broken hearts with a sigh. 
All: We give glory to your name, God of our lives. 
One: Guided by grace, you became the champion of justice. 
All: Beloved of the sightless, you release those we would shackle. 
One: Broken for our sake, you shape our souls into silhou­ettes hanging in the hall of servants. 
All: We give glory to your grace, child of the waters. 
One: You cup your hands around our flickering faith, breathing us to new life. 
All: You call us to work for justice, teaching us inten­tional acts of service. 
One: You immerse us in courage, daring us to speak words of hope. 
All: We give glory to your love, Spirit of wonder. 
One: We give you the glory now and always. Amen. 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn             We Are Marching VU 646

* Commissioning and Benediction   

One: Baptized to begin lives of faith, 
All: we would witness to all you do in our communities, in our midst, in our world. 
One: Baptized to serve, 
All: we would speak up for the voiceless, we would bring justice to those who have none. 
One: Baptized to speak, 
All: we would heal, and not hurt; we would bless, and not curse.    
One: Baptized and named as beloved,   
All: we go out from this place to love and serve.

* Choral Amen