Service Sunday December 1, 2024
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward, B.A., M. Div.
Music Director: Melissa Stephens, B. Mus., B. Ed., A. Mus.
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole service below.
The Gathering
Welcome and Announcements.
Focusing Moment.
Acknowledgement of Land
We begin this time of worship by acknowledging that we are meeting on the land of the Anishnaabeg people. This land has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. We thank all the generations of Indigenous people who have taken care of this land and been its stewards for thousands of years. We give thanks for the countless ways they have assisted the settler peoples who came to inhabit the land. We also recognize the contributions Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and strengthening this region, the provinces, and Canada as a whole. Meegwetch. All my relations.
THE APPROACH
HYMN: “People, Look East” VU #9
1 People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the guest is on the way.
2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
one more seed is planted there:
give up your strength the seed to nourish,
that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the rose is on the way.
3 Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
guard the nest that must be filled;
even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the bird is on the way.
4 Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the star is on the way.
5 Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Lord is on the way.
Call to Worship:
One: Hope, in the midst of fear. Hope in the midst of sorrow. Hope, when it seems hopeless. God offers hope.
ALL: We come seeking that hope. We come seeking a new dream. We come from the four winds seeking God-with-Us.
One: Let us pray for Emmanuel, let us pray for the insight, let us pray for that promised hope.
Written by Whitney Bruno, Little Current and Sheguiandah U.C., Little Current, Ont.
Gathering, Advent 2024, p.29. Used with permission.
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING LITANY:
First Advent Hymn: “Hope Is a Star” VU #7 – verse 1
1 Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
One: On this first Sunday of Advent, we come with hope as a community of faith.
ALL: We watch, we wait, we wonder.
One: We come in hope for God’s promise to bring light to this world.
ALL: We wait in hope for the coming of Jesus, the Christ child.
One: As we light the first candle in our wreath, we take a moment to breathe in the Spirit of hope.
(take a breath, then light the candle.)
Let us pray:
God of hope, on this first Sunday of Advent, fill us with hope for the world and for the church, knowing that Jesus, the Christ child, brings the light of hope. Amen
Second Advent Hymn: “A Candle Is Burning” VU #6 – verse 1
1 A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December's dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
THE WORD
Scripture: Luke 21:25-36
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“A Poem - The Christmas Coat”
Listen to an audio recording of the message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE
COMMUNION HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VU #1 v1&4
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lowly exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4 O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem,
from every foe deliver them
that trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We are waiting, for wrapped boxes to appear beneath lighted trees, for the day to finally arrive when the fancy paper can be ripped from those neatly wrapped presents to discover the gift that is waiting for us. We are waiting, for hope to become a reality, for peace to find anchor in places of violence, for joy to blossom like flowers appearing in the snow, for love in all its forms to unashamedly show itself even in the midst of scorn. We are waiting, for the miracle of life born unto us to kindle the thrill of hope that this weary world most desperately needs. We are waiting, for the babe in swaddling clothes to be the embodiment of hope, peace, joy, and love, that babe in swaddling clothes lying in a borrowed cow trough who is Jesus, the thrill of hope for a weary world.
As Jesus became a man, he never forgot his humble beginning, he never shunned the children, but said, “Let the children come to me.” One child of God inviting all people young and old to discover their worth and their place at the table. Everyone is invited. Yes, you are really invited, for we are all children of God.
One child of God is inviting all children and all adults to discover their worth and their place at the table. Jesus made it a habit to eat with sex workers, tax collectors, skeptics, fisher folks, refugees, those left outside knocking at doors, and even those banished for refusing to give up their true identity.
One child of God is inviting all children and all adults to discover their worth and their place at the table. Everyone is invited, for we are all children of God. This is the table where all are welcome.
Believing that Jesus lives among us, we remember Jesus gathered with his friends for supper on the night before he died. Among those friends were one who would doubt him, one who would deny him, one who would betray him, and every one of them would leave him all alone before the night was over. And he knew it.
Still, he sat down and ate with them. If he was ready to eat with them, he’s ready to eat with you: baptized or not, confessed or not, perfect or not, sure or not, saint or sinner or a little of both, all you have to be at this table is hungry.
At this table, we remember that Jesus said, “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.” Then, Jesus took a cup, saying, “Drink. This cup is the promise of God, made in my blood. Each time you drink from this cup, remember me.”
Written by Kelly Sprinkle, Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, Fairport, N.Y.
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 74-75. Used with permission.
Communion
Prayer after Communion – In Unison
O God, thank you for the gift of nourishment and life. Just as Jesus invited children, let us, too, invite all humanity to the feast of life. So now, give us the courage and stamina to labour together so that everyone will know that this year, and not in some far-off, distant future, everyone alive will no longer live in fear, hunger, or humiliation, because Love-Embodied reigns and the time is now. Amen.
Written by Kelly Sprinkel, Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, Fairport, N.Y.
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 75. Used with permission.
COMMUNION HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VU #1 v6-7
6 O come, O Dayspring, from on high,
and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
and be for us the Prince of Peace. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (sung VU #960)
HYMN: “Forth In Your Name” VU #416
1 Forth in your name, O Christ, we go, our daily labour to pursue,
you, only you, resolved to know in all we think, or speak, or do.
2 The task your wisdom has assigned here let us cheerfully fulfil;
in all our works your presence find, and prove your good and perfect will.
3 You may we set at our right hand, whose eyes our inmost secrets view,
and labour on at your command and offer all our works to you.
4 Help us to bear your easy yoke, in every moment watch and pray,
and still to things eternal look, and hasten to that glorious day.
5 Then with delight may we employ all that your bounteous grace has given,
and run our earthly course with joy, and closely walk with you to heaven.
AFFIRMING MOMENT
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
Spirited God, your gift of hope comes to us through the advent of the Christ child. We offer these gifts back to you as signs of hope: hope that nestles into your loving presence, hope that these donations help turn the world upside down, hope that trusts in your promise of transformation, hope that opens us to strangers, to neighbours, to enemies, and to friends. Bless our journey on the Way of Jesus. Amen. Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, First Lutheran,; R:ugby and Leeds, North Dakota
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 33. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: (MV #220)
Hope shines as the solitary star.
Faith is the inner light.
You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,
and illumine the pathway home. ©
Sending Forth:
One: The Advent season is a time of leaning into the wonder of the coming again of the Christ child. So, we wait with eagerness. Over the coming week, may others know through us the true meaning of the season. May the love of God embrace you, the tenderness of Christ enfold you, and the delight of the Holy Spirit fill you, this day and forevermore.
ALL: Amen!
Written by Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C.
Gathering, Advent, 2024, p.34. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 1st December 2024
“A Poem - The Christmas Coat”
Luke 21:25-36
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
Did anyone get any good Black Friday deals?
On-line shopping is a little different this year with the Canada Postal Workers on strike!
I have been so busy shoveling, I haven’t even put up the Christmas decorations yet, other than the outdoor lights.
I’m sure glad I got them up shortly after Remembrance Day because it would be a lot trickier now getting through the snow!
It must be a struggle for businesses this year trying to sell their merchandise between the snow and the mail not moving.
In the spirit of commercialism, I was inspired by this poem this week and I thought I would share it with you.
It is entitled, “The Christmas Coat”
It came to me in the form of an email but I was unable to find out who the author was.
I hope you enjoy it too.
An old boy was fumblin around one day
In a women’s clothing store
He’d found his wife a Christmas coat
And was headed for the door
When he bumped into a little boy
That looked like he was lost
And he said “Mister can you help me find out how much something costs?
Here it is almost Christmas
And the nights are gettin cold
Winter time is on us
And my mom don’t have a coat
I’ve been workin for the neighbours
And saving for a time”
And in his tiny outstretched hand
Was a dollar and a dime
His gaze went from that big eyed boy
To that pretty Christmas coat
And he finally cleared away the lump that had gathered in his throat
He said “Son
that’s just what this coat costs
We’re lucky that we found ‘er”
And he turned around and gave a wink to the lady at the counter
She put it in a pretty box
And wrapped it up just so
And went off in the back
And found a big red Christmas bow
He said “ I thank you for your help sir
And I kindly thank you ma’am
I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas
Cause now I know I am”
Well the old boy walked home busted
Except for the dollar and the dime
Thinkin he’d just have to buy
The coat another time
He told his wife that Christmas this year wouldn’t be much fun
And he gently took her in his arms and told her what he’d done
She said “ why you old softie
I wouldn’t trade you for a farm
I’ve got two or three old coats
And your love to keep me warm”
She put that money in a matchbox
And placed it beneath their tree
And said “that is the grandest gift
You’ve ever given me”
The years went by like years will do when people are in love
Their marriage was a golden bond that was forged by God above
Then one day came some bitter news that filled his heart with fright
The doctor told the old man’s wife that she was going to lose her sight
He said “there’s an operation we can do but it puts me on the spot
Cause it’s a quite complex procedure and it’s going to cost a lot”
The old man said “doctor I’m a failure
I’ve made no preparation
We don’t have the money for that kind of an operation”
The doctor got the strangest look and he sat there for a while
And then he slowly nodded and he broke out in a smile
He said “Why sir you can’t fool me.
You’re a very wealthy man.
You long ago invested in the world’s best savings plan.
I’ll see she gets the best of care;
She’s going to be just fine and the total cost to you old friend is a dollar and a dime”
The old man stared in disbelief
Then he recognized that smile.
The one he’d seen those years ago on a loving thoughtful child
He said “what you gave to me that day was more than just a coat.
You gave me the gift of giving and you gave my mother hope.
My mother had been mistreated, neglected and abused
but she gave life just one more chance and it was all because of you.
Now every year she takes that coat and lays it beneath our tree.
It represents to us the things that Christmas ought to be.
She says that when we leave this world for a better home someday,
The only things that we’ll take with us are the things we gave away”
I hope this message of hope fills your heart with the Spirit of Christmas this season as we begin to celebrate Christ birth once again.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
