GREETINGS / MINUTE FOR MISSION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Limited by mortality, yet destined for liberation,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Groaning as if in childbirth, sampling the fruits of God’s harvest,
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Trusting in what is unseen, believing the best is to come,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: In the shadows of a barn where the Maker of All will be born,
In hope the universe waits
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
HYMN # 44 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Turkey, cranberry sauce, mincemeat tarts, cookies!
All: We love to share good food with family and friends
One: in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live with love because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of love.
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 9: 2 – 7
ADVENT WREATH:
One: Advent Candles. Christmas carols. Prayers and praise.
All: We love to gather with others to worship
One: because of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We worship together because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of Jesus Emmanuel.
HYMN #6 A Candle is Burning
PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: Light looked down and saw darkness.
All: “I will go there,” said Light.
One: Peace looked down and saw war.
All: “I will go there,” said Peace.
One: Love looked down and saw hatred.
All: “I will go there,” said Love.
One: So he, the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace, the King of Love,
came down and crept in beside us.
HYMN # 96 Will You Come and See the Light
STORY STOOL
HYMN # 69 Away in a Manger
Vs 1 – children
Vs 2 & 3 – children & congregation
Vs 1 – children
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2: 1 – 14
HYMN # 48 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2: 15 – 20
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Dream a Dream”
MEDITATION
Today around our house as I was puttering, and getting things ready for tonight, and getting other things ready for my jaunt east, CBC radio was playing. I don’t how many others listened to the various programmes, but beyond the common theme of Christmas – they were held together by references to Christmas’ message of Light.
December 21st is the longest night in the Northern Hempisphere. We may not feel it but our nights are already getting shorter – spring is on the way. It is no coincidence that the Christian Church posited the birth of Jesus on the longest night … It was intentional.
In the cold Mid-Winter … the gift of light comes … and illuminates the world … that’s the essence of Christmas. The Christ event marks the coming of light into a dark and troubled world …
Today when we pick up the newspapers and watch the news, we would be hard pressed to say we don’t live in a dark and troubled world … Violence, killing, war and conflict are rife throughout our world – in almost every corner of creation there are cries of victims … cries of hurt …
And so, tonight, along with our sisters and brothers of faith around the world, we pause to anticipate and welcome the light …
But how and where will the light come?
Tonight we stand in a borrowed space – a space that is okay, but is not the church space that for over a Century, our congregation has called home … Next year, we may well be in our own sanctuary – we will work diligently to that end … but right now, we are left in a strange and alien place …
Tonight we stand in the darkness, waiting for the light to come …
I read yesterday in a newspaper article on line about a member of the Christian Peacekeeper Team who is spending Christmas Eve sitting on the hills of Judea with Palestinian shepherds. Allan Slater from St Mary’s Ontario, is there because the Palestinian farmers have been losing sheep and land to encroaching Israeli settlements. The latest happenings have been the poisoning of sheep – the Christian Peacekeepers are there to keep watch through the night … and to wait for the light to come …
Tonight my home church is closing their doors forever … After over 150 years of ministry, first as South End Evangelical Church, then Centennial Evangelical United Brethren, and lastly since 1968 as Centennial United Church … after countless services and moments and memories … they are closing the doors and saying good bye … Tomorrow they will simply cease to be … by the end of the week another Congregation from another denomination will call that historic building home … my people, the church that sent me into the world are waiting for the light to come …
Tonight we could cite example after example of people waiting for the light to come … from war torn Sudan to conflict riddled Afghanistan … to the Tsunami ravaged regions that are still rebuilding … to Hurricane battered New Orleans … all around the world tonight are people who are simply waiting for the light to come …
We’ve had a hard year … this morning I quipped to the choir that 2006 is one of those years we will box up and tuck away with a “whew …” as we move in to 2007 … But that can only happen if we move in to 2007 with intention and faith …
We can stand in the darkness and lament the absence of the light … or we can courageously, boldly even – walk towards the light … the light of the town of Bethlehem glittering on a distant hill … the light of a stable down some back alleyway … the light of a single lantern glowing from the wall over the child …
The story of Christmas is not about accuracy and historicity (to throw out some big fancy terms). The story of Christmas is about having the courage to join the parade TO Bethlehem … having the courage to venture to the stable door … having the courage to look into the face of the child … having the courage to let the Child’s life, and message and love enter into us and become part of OUR story …
The story of Christmas is our story because on this night – not only does the light come … we become the light …
We are sent into the world tonight, and in the coming days to share the light of Christmas and to invite the world to join us …
CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION:
One: They have heard it on the hills, they have heard it in the streets; the rumour prevails, and none can contradict it.
All: Some are looking up the prophets, some are studying the skies, others speculate or calculate, but none deny the facts.
One: Some are dancing back to sheepfolds, some are travelling foreign roads, some await more information, others celebrate the news.
All: In a foreign place, a ruler has imposed a new tax,
Women: in a hilly place, an old woman nourishes her new son,
Men: in a royal place, an old ruler senses a new threat,
All: in a busy place, a young couple cope with their new child.
One: At what seems to wrong time, in what seems the wrong place, among those who seem the wrong people, God has decided to bless, disturb, and visit us.
All: Thanks be to God.
HYMN # 60 O Come, All Ye Faithful
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE /THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
SPECIAL MUSIC: Aaron Hutton “O Holy Night”
CHRISTMAS RESPONSE:
One: A boy has been born to us;
All: A child has been given to us.
One: And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, the Prince of Peace. Once we were no people;
All: Now we are God’s people.
One: Once we walked in darkness;
All: Now we have seen a great light.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR: Christmas Round
STORY STOOL:
"The Story of Silent Night”
The Christmas Eve of 1818 was at hand. Pastor Joseph Mohr of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf decided that he needed a carol for the Christmas Eve service. The little poem he had written two years earlier while serving at the pilgrim church in Mariapfarr just might work. Perhaps this poem could be set to music. He hurried off to see his friend, Franz Xaver Gruber, who was a schoolteacher and also served as the church's organist and choir master. Maybe he could help. He did.
In a few short hours Franz came up with the hauntingly beautiful melody that is so loved and revered to this day. At the request of Joseph, who had a special love for his guitar, Franz composed the music for guitar accompaniment. Just short hours later, Franz stood with his friend the pastor, Joseph, in front of the altar in St. Nicholas church and introduced "Stille Nacht" to the congregation.
One web site noted that many of the stories about Silent Night have come into being because scholars and musicians couldn’t stand the thought that such a beautiful and important Hymn like this, could have been written simply for a guitar … Yet it was … and it remains one of the most popular Christmas Hymns ever written ….
HYMN #67 Silent Night
The worship has ended….
…the work of Christmas has begun.
Go in peace.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Order of Service for December 24th (Morning)
4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
GREETINGS / MINUTE FOR MISSION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: God chose an unexpected village as the birthplace for the Messiah
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: God called an older woman and a young girl to be prophets.
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: God calls ordinary people – you and me – to work for justice and healing in our land.
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: Come, let us worship our surprising God.
HYMN # 64 O Little Town of Bethlehem
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Turkey, cranberry sauce, mincemeat tarts, cookies!
All: We love to share good food with family and friends
One: in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live with love because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of love.
HYMN # 7 Hope is a Star
PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed
in a loud cry, “Blessed are you who believes!”
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The God of Justice calls us together and looks with favour upon us
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The Mighty One is doing great things among us.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: There is good news for the hungry in this place.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The poor will be lifted up.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The promise of God is alive in us.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Baby’s Born, Hallelu!”
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Micah 5: 2 – 5a
Luke 1: 46 – 55 (pg. 898 VU)
HYMN # 62 Once in Royal David’s City
ADVENT RESPONSE:
One: Into our world as into Mary’s womb…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: Into the forgotten places, as into the stable…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: Into the lives of the poor, bringing hope;
into the lives of the powerful, bringing caution;
into the lives of the weary, bringing rest;
into the lives of the wise, bringing restlessness;
and into our lives and longings, whatever our estate…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: This is the good news:
Christ is coming, and blessed are those who wait on the Lord.
All: Therefore come quickly, Lord. Amen
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Servant of the Lord”
STORY STOOL
HYMN # 69 Away in a Manger
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2: 1 – 14
HYMN # 59 (vs 1, 2, 4) Joy to the World
SERMON
Today our Advent Journey ends … we have arrived at the outskirts of a little village called Bethlehem, nestled in the hills south of Jerusalem … we have come to be part of the Christ Event, the birth of the child King … But scholars and scientists tell us that it is unlikely that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, and it is even MORE unlikely that there is any historical truth to the Bethlehem story beyond the names of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus … It might be hard to hear, but it is very likely that there was no star, no shepherds, no angels, no wise man, no inn …
To be blunt – and perhaps Scrooge like – the Christmas story is a myth in the fullest sense of what myth means. It is not historical, it is not accurate, it is not what actually happened – but – and this is crucial and central – IT IS IMPORTANT.
To the pre-scientific mind, that is the people who first told and began to retell this story of Christmas, MYTHS were true. There was no difference drawn between what happened to you personally, and what happened in the stories you told. Myths were part of the oral tradition. They were told and retold because contained within them a truth that needed to be shared, and learned and retold. It NEVER occurred to anyone to ask – “did it actually happen?” That wasn’t a relevant nor an important question – in fact it was a question that never occurred to anyone, because they didn’t take this book (…) literally. Literalism is one of the sins of the modern era.
For the readers in the generations of the early Church these were stories told and retold not because they were true – but because Jesus was important – so important his birth was worthy of the creation and the telling of myths … So the stories started … His birth was special and unique.
So special that God wanted it to be noticed – hence the star and the angels … So special that it needed to be marked by the world – hence the shepherds who represent ALL people, and the Magi who represent the learned and the foreigners … So special that it had to fulfill the words of the ancient prophets …
This Christmas, our call of faith is not to pick apart the story of Christmas, but to tell and retell the myth and share the truth …
The Christ event is not about what literally happened or didn’t happen in Bethlehem. Such things are simply divisive. Instead, the Christ event is about the coming together of humanity under the God-given gifts of hope, peace, joy and love … The Christ event is about re-visioning the world and how we live and move through it … The Christ event is about seeing the world as God sees it …
For God so loved the world – that he sent a child, who grew into an adult, who challenged the way things are, and changed the way things would be …
This Christmas, do we have the courage and the faith to listen?
The Christmas Season is that time of year where we simply must suspend our disbelief … we have to be open to the possibility that reindeer really do know how to fly, that at the stroke of midnight animals will talk, that shepherds and magi and angels did come to Bethlehem, that hearts can be touched and transformed, and even the coldest Scrooge can be recreated as a jovial, loving citizen …
That is the miracle of Christmas – that anything is indeed possible. The problem is, we get too caught up in our rushing about and running around, and we become Scrooge like and say – “Bah-Humbug …” too easily.
Christmas is about being open to the possibility of anything and everything … Christmas is about taking the time to stand in the Holy and simply letting it unfold and wash over us.
The best explanation of this comes from a newspaper man, a hard hearted man who had been covering life in New York City for too many years. He had witnessed first hand what people are capable of doing to each other. His idealism was long gone from his heart. Then one day a letter came to his desk from a little girl who asked – “Is there a Santa Claus?” The reply “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is not a religious letter. It is a letter written by a newspaper man to one of his readers. But Francis P. Church opened his heart and poured out his thoughts, he offers us a courageous call to faith that reminds us of what this Season – this Holy Season truly is about … It’s an exchange worth revisiting from time to time …
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? - Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.
We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
In the coming days – in the coming hours, may we have the faith to believe in the unseeable, and to be a people of the myths that tell us that it is about love, generosity, devotion, beauty and joy … may we have the faith to be people of the myths that celebrate and share Hope, Peace, Joy and Love … may we have the faith to be people of the myths that tell us again – that with God all things are indeed possible, and hearts will be transformed and changed because the world was invited to hear the words of this child named Jesus who was, who is, and who remains very important … though not in ways we may first think …
May it be so – thanks be to God …
Let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 73 The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
CHOIR ANTHEM: “O Holy Night”
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
One: In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Limited by mortality, yet destined for liberation,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Groaning as if in childbirth, sampling the fruits of God’s harvest,
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Trusting in what is unseen, believing the best is to come,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: In the shadows of a barn where the Maker of All will be born,
In hope the universe waits
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
SUNG RESPONSE: # 60 O Come, All Ye Faithful
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEMS. THANK YOU.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS SERVICES:
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st - Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Jan 07th - Worship led by Colleen Wallace, candidate for Lay Ministry
FALL APPEAL: Thank you for your response. Fall Appeal now stands at $17,800. With your continued support, we will meet the $20,000 target.
M & S FUND: The 2006 target for Mission & Service was set at $17,000. To date, givings have fallen short of this target by slightly less than $4425.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will resume Friday Jan 12th at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE will resume Thursday Jan 4th at 7:30 pm at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are on hand at the back of the church or from the church office at a cost of $2.00 per issue.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
In memory of past choir members from the Senior Choir
In memory of William & Elsie Kingdon and David Kingdon
from the Kingdon Family
In memory of Amar & Lois Iverson and Philip Iverson
from the Iverson Family
In memory of family and friends from Esther & Keith Robertson
In memory of family and friends from Jackie & Dennis Peckover
In memory Lydia McGuirk from Lori & Clayton Searle and
Judy & Blake Menzies
In memory of Muriel from Ed Meadows
In memory of Jack & Betty McNabb from their family
In memory of family and friends from Linda & Bob Bertram
In memory of family and friends from Denise & Bud Amy
In memory of Garnet Tolton and William & Margaret Sleep
from Lorraine McKay and David Sleep
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church.
GREETINGS / MINUTE FOR MISSION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: God chose an unexpected village as the birthplace for the Messiah
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: God called an older woman and a young girl to be prophets.
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: God calls ordinary people – you and me – to work for justice and healing in our land.
All: Our God is full of surprises!
One: Come, let us worship our surprising God.
HYMN # 64 O Little Town of Bethlehem
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Turkey, cranberry sauce, mincemeat tarts, cookies!
All: We love to share good food with family and friends
One: in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live with love because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of love.
HYMN # 7 Hope is a Star
PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed
in a loud cry, “Blessed are you who believes!”
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The God of Justice calls us together and looks with favour upon us
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The Mighty One is doing great things among us.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: There is good news for the hungry in this place.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The poor will be lifted up.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
One: The promise of God is alive in us.
All: Sing praise to the God who brings justice and joy.
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Baby’s Born, Hallelu!”
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Micah 5: 2 – 5a
Luke 1: 46 – 55 (pg. 898 VU)
HYMN # 62 Once in Royal David’s City
ADVENT RESPONSE:
One: Into our world as into Mary’s womb…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: Into the forgotten places, as into the stable…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: Into the lives of the poor, bringing hope;
into the lives of the powerful, bringing caution;
into the lives of the weary, bringing rest;
into the lives of the wise, bringing restlessness;
and into our lives and longings, whatever our estate…
All: Come, Lord Jesus.
One: This is the good news:
Christ is coming, and blessed are those who wait on the Lord.
All: Therefore come quickly, Lord. Amen
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Servant of the Lord”
STORY STOOL
HYMN # 69 Away in a Manger
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2: 1 – 14
HYMN # 59 (vs 1, 2, 4) Joy to the World
SERMON
Today our Advent Journey ends … we have arrived at the outskirts of a little village called Bethlehem, nestled in the hills south of Jerusalem … we have come to be part of the Christ Event, the birth of the child King … But scholars and scientists tell us that it is unlikely that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem, and it is even MORE unlikely that there is any historical truth to the Bethlehem story beyond the names of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus … It might be hard to hear, but it is very likely that there was no star, no shepherds, no angels, no wise man, no inn …
To be blunt – and perhaps Scrooge like – the Christmas story is a myth in the fullest sense of what myth means. It is not historical, it is not accurate, it is not what actually happened – but – and this is crucial and central – IT IS IMPORTANT.
To the pre-scientific mind, that is the people who first told and began to retell this story of Christmas, MYTHS were true. There was no difference drawn between what happened to you personally, and what happened in the stories you told. Myths were part of the oral tradition. They were told and retold because contained within them a truth that needed to be shared, and learned and retold. It NEVER occurred to anyone to ask – “did it actually happen?” That wasn’t a relevant nor an important question – in fact it was a question that never occurred to anyone, because they didn’t take this book (…) literally. Literalism is one of the sins of the modern era.
For the readers in the generations of the early Church these were stories told and retold not because they were true – but because Jesus was important – so important his birth was worthy of the creation and the telling of myths … So the stories started … His birth was special and unique.
So special that God wanted it to be noticed – hence the star and the angels … So special that it needed to be marked by the world – hence the shepherds who represent ALL people, and the Magi who represent the learned and the foreigners … So special that it had to fulfill the words of the ancient prophets …
This Christmas, our call of faith is not to pick apart the story of Christmas, but to tell and retell the myth and share the truth …
The Christ event is not about what literally happened or didn’t happen in Bethlehem. Such things are simply divisive. Instead, the Christ event is about the coming together of humanity under the God-given gifts of hope, peace, joy and love … The Christ event is about re-visioning the world and how we live and move through it … The Christ event is about seeing the world as God sees it …
For God so loved the world – that he sent a child, who grew into an adult, who challenged the way things are, and changed the way things would be …
This Christmas, do we have the courage and the faith to listen?
The Christmas Season is that time of year where we simply must suspend our disbelief … we have to be open to the possibility that reindeer really do know how to fly, that at the stroke of midnight animals will talk, that shepherds and magi and angels did come to Bethlehem, that hearts can be touched and transformed, and even the coldest Scrooge can be recreated as a jovial, loving citizen …
That is the miracle of Christmas – that anything is indeed possible. The problem is, we get too caught up in our rushing about and running around, and we become Scrooge like and say – “Bah-Humbug …” too easily.
Christmas is about being open to the possibility of anything and everything … Christmas is about taking the time to stand in the Holy and simply letting it unfold and wash over us.
The best explanation of this comes from a newspaper man, a hard hearted man who had been covering life in New York City for too many years. He had witnessed first hand what people are capable of doing to each other. His idealism was long gone from his heart. Then one day a letter came to his desk from a little girl who asked – “Is there a Santa Claus?” The reply “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is not a religious letter. It is a letter written by a newspaper man to one of his readers. But Francis P. Church opened his heart and poured out his thoughts, he offers us a courageous call to faith that reminds us of what this Season – this Holy Season truly is about … It’s an exchange worth revisiting from time to time …
Dear Editor—
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? - Virginia O’Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.
We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
In the coming days – in the coming hours, may we have the faith to believe in the unseeable, and to be a people of the myths that tell us that it is about love, generosity, devotion, beauty and joy … may we have the faith to be people of the myths that celebrate and share Hope, Peace, Joy and Love … may we have the faith to be people of the myths that tell us again – that with God all things are indeed possible, and hearts will be transformed and changed because the world was invited to hear the words of this child named Jesus who was, who is, and who remains very important … though not in ways we may first think …
May it be so – thanks be to God …
Let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 73 The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
CHOIR ANTHEM: “O Holy Night”
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
One: In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Limited by mortality, yet destined for liberation,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Groaning as if in childbirth, sampling the fruits of God’s harvest,
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Trusting in what is unseen, believing the best is to come,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: In the shadows of a barn where the Maker of All will be born,
In hope the universe waits
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
SUNG RESPONSE: # 60 O Come, All Ye Faithful
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEMS. THANK YOU.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS SERVICES:
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st - Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Jan 07th - Worship led by Colleen Wallace, candidate for Lay Ministry
FALL APPEAL: Thank you for your response. Fall Appeal now stands at $17,800. With your continued support, we will meet the $20,000 target.
M & S FUND: The 2006 target for Mission & Service was set at $17,000. To date, givings have fallen short of this target by slightly less than $4425.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will resume Friday Jan 12th at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE will resume Thursday Jan 4th at 7:30 pm at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are on hand at the back of the church or from the church office at a cost of $2.00 per issue.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
In memory of past choir members from the Senior Choir
In memory of William & Elsie Kingdon and David Kingdon
from the Kingdon Family
In memory of Amar & Lois Iverson and Philip Iverson
from the Iverson Family
In memory of family and friends from Esther & Keith Robertson
In memory of family and friends from Jackie & Dennis Peckover
In memory Lydia McGuirk from Lori & Clayton Searle and
Judy & Blake Menzies
In memory of Muriel from Ed Meadows
In memory of Jack & Betty McNabb from their family
In memory of family and friends from Linda & Bob Bertram
In memory of family and friends from Denise & Bud Amy
In memory of Garnet Tolton and William & Margaret Sleep
from Lorraine McKay and David Sleep
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church.
Blue Christmas Service - December 21st
The Longest Night Service
Call To Worship:
One: Joy in the air, breathless anticipation.
All: and we feel our loss keenly, our sense of aloneness, intensely.
One: Celebration in the air, there is partying, renewal of friendship.
All: and we feel our loss keenly, our avoidance of a “Happy Holidays!” response is clear.
One: Family reunions eagerly anticipated,
All: and we feel our loss keenly, the gap in our
family circle, acutely.
Call To Worship:
One: Joy in the air, breathless anticipation.
All: and we feel our loss keenly, our sense of aloneness, intensely.
One: Celebration in the air, there is partying, renewal of friendship.
All: and we feel our loss keenly, our avoidance of a “Happy Holidays!” response is clear.
One: Family reunions eagerly anticipated,
All: and we feel our loss keenly, the gap in our
family circle, acutely.
Hymn # 6: A Candle is Burning
Naming the Losses We Have Suffered:
One: We name in our losses before God,
the loss of a partner in life,
the loss of a well-loved family member,
the loss of a friend,
the loss of a loved one,
the loss of a pet,
the loss of health,
the loss of a cherished dream,
the loss of self-confidence.
We name our own particular losses in silence before God: moments of memory – the good ones and the hard ones, and reflection on the feelings that have been ours in loss.
We pause and remember and reflect……
(a time of silence)
One: We name in our losses before God,
the loss of a partner in life,
the loss of a well-loved family member,
the loss of a friend,
the loss of a loved one,
the loss of a pet,
the loss of health,
the loss of a cherished dream,
the loss of self-confidence.
We name our own particular losses in silence before God: moments of memory – the good ones and the hard ones, and reflection on the feelings that have been ours in loss.
We pause and remember and reflect……
(a time of silence)
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 8: 21 – 22
Prayer of Approach:
One: We believe you care, O God.
You have been with us in the suffering up to this moment; you will not leave us now.
All: In the initial shock of loss,
you were with us.
In those moments when we feel blazing anger, you are with us.
In those moments when we feel nothing at all, you are with us.
In those days and weeks when we long for life to feel good again, you are with us.
And today, when we remember our loss and contrast our sadness with the prevailing Christmas joy, today in this service, you are with us.
One: We dare to hope; we dare to believe;
All: your love will never leave us;
no, your love will never leave us.
Amen.
One: We believe you care, O God.
You have been with us in the suffering up to this moment; you will not leave us now.
All: In the initial shock of loss,
you were with us.
In those moments when we feel blazing anger, you are with us.
In those moments when we feel nothing at all, you are with us.
In those days and weeks when we long for life to feel good again, you are with us.
And today, when we remember our loss and contrast our sadness with the prevailing Christmas joy, today in this service, you are with us.
One: We dare to hope; we dare to believe;
All: your love will never leave us;
no, your love will never leave us.
Amen.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9: 2 – 5
Meditation: Rev. Shawn Ankenmann
The words – the people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light … are very easy words to speak …
At this time of year, we encounter them over and over in the life and work of the Church. They are fundamental to our understanding of Christmas and the Christmas Season.
They are even words that have permeated our understandings of the Christmas event. A dark night – the heavenly light of angels … the dark streets of Bethlehem – the soft glow of the stable door … the vast inky darkness of the sky – the glorious light of the start leading the wise men … the dark heart of Herod – the loving heart of light of the baby …
The contrasts between light and dark continue … the Christmas story is one of lightness – the coming of the light – the arrival of the love of God in the form of a tiny, fragile and helpless baby … This time of year we honour that happening with our Christmas lights, our candles, our trees – on the darkest and longest of nights, we gather here – tonight – to light our candles and to say – “The darkness will not triumph over us. We will walk in the light – we will celebrate the new dawn …”
But there are times when the darkness seems too thick – too dark. There are times when it seems like the light simply will not come …
But there are times when the darkness seems too thick – too dark. There are times when it seems like the light simply will not come …
The past year in many respects in this community has been such a time … Our fire that destroyed the beloved sanctuary … the loss of beloved community and family members … the struggles that have rippled through our community … In too many ways, the darkness has seeped into our community, our church and even our lives.
So, the words of Isaiah are bold words.
They are good words.
But most of all, they are words of action. The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light … those who have lived in a land of deep darkness – on them (on us – on you and I) a light has shined … It is too easy in the darkness to lose sight of where we are going, or where we’ve been. It is too easy to simply sit and wallow in the darkness and feel sorry for ourselves and to forget that the light will come …
That was Isaiah’s point … he was speaking to a battered and be-leaguered people. They had known war and the suffering it brings. They had been crushed under the heels of occupying military. They had been burdened by poverty and famine. They knew, not in some theoretical way, but in a very real way, what suffering really was. They were people who could say – “ Been there, done that – want to see the tee-shirt??”
So Isaiah, stood before them – a broken, demoralized and distraught people and he began with a whisper … we know the words – we hear the words – over and over: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light … those who live in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined …”
He started with that whisper and the people listened – “huh? They say – that’s me … I’m living in a dark and troubled time … I’m walking in the darkness … he’s talking about me …”
The Isaiah names crises they’ve been living and enduring … he names the bar of oppression – the rod of servitude … he names the trampling boots of occupying armies … the shedding of blood … the fire … the hurt … the death … Then, just as his message reaches its crescendo – he returns to a whisper:
“For unto us a child has been born – a son has been given – authority rests on his shoulders and he shall be named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace …”
The question we must face – the challenge we must live as people who have known, experienced and endured the darkness – is not WILL the light come? But rather – when will we know the light has come …
The question we must face – the challenge we must live as people who have known, experienced and endured the darkness – is not WILL the light come? But rather – when will we know the light has come …
There is an ancient Jewish tale about a Rabbi asking his students to tell him when you know it is the moment of dawn when morning prayers are to be offered.
The first students said - It is dawn when the sun breaks over the horizon. The rabbi shook his head. Another student said - it is dawn when you can see your hand at arms length. Again the rabbi shook his head. Another student said - it is dawn when the sky is blue in the west, Again the rabbi shook his head. Another student said - it is dawn when you can tell a horse from a donkey in the field. Again the rabbi shook his head. Another student said - It is dawn when you can tell an olive tree from a fig tree. Then the other students offered their best guesses. For each guess the Rabbi shook his head sadly …
Then at last once all the students had their chance to answer the Rabbi spoke and said - It is dawn when you can look a stranger in the face and see your sister or your brother.
The dawn we all long for will come … that is a promise given to us through our faith … But it is not a dawn that will suddenly break upon us, it is a dawn that comes slowly … It comes when we see in the faces of those around us our sisters and our brothers. … It comes when we see in the faces around us a family – a community where we are cared for and cared about without condition and without question …
The dawn we all long for will come … that is a promise given to us through our faith … But it is not a dawn that will suddenly break upon us, it is a dawn that comes slowly … It comes when we see in the faces of those around us our sisters and our brothers. … It comes when we see in the faces around us a family – a community where we are cared for and cared about without condition and without question …
If this past year has taught me nothing else, it has taught me that – “we are NOT alone …” In the United Church our Faith Creed begins with the words – “we are NOT alone …”
The living out of those words for me in this community began in the pre-dawn hours of February 12th, when we stood and watched our beloved building burn to the ground … In clusters up and down Main St we found community – we found family … and in the days and weeks and months since, emails, cards, letters, donations, prayers and phone calls from across Canada, have reminded us over and over and over – that we are not alone. In our grief – we are not alone.
In our sadness – we are NOT alone.
In our sadness – we are NOT alone.
In our anger – we are not alone.
In our recovery and healing – we are not alone.
At no point in the journey of life are we alone …
That dark night as the flames lit up the pre-dawn sky - we were reminded in a very real way – that even when the darkness comes – the light will drive it back … When the darkness closes in around us we need to remember and believe that the light will come in the dawn … the dawn wherein we will see in the faces around us, our sisters and our brothers … sisters and brothers who will care for, but also care about us …
In the darkness, it is easy to forget - THAT (that we are all family – we are all children of God and we are NOT alone) … but because of the words of the prophets … because of a tiny child who offered the world a whisper of hope … because of a faith that will endure through even the darkest of nights … we can journey forward one precious step at a time, knowing that God is with us … – each step of the journey … and tonight – the journey continues … and tomorrow the dawn will come … thanks be to God …
Music provided by Louise MacDonald:
One Candle, One Flame
One Candle, One Flame
Scripture Reading: Psalm 121
Meditation: Rev. Boyd Drake
Hymn # 44: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Candle Lighting:
Each person is invited to light a candle and say:
“I light this candle for (name/s optional), a person who was a light to my life.”
All: In your loss we are with you.
In your loss God is with you.
Each person is invited to light a candle and say:
“I light this candle for (name/s optional), a person who was a light to my life.”
All: In your loss we are with you.
In your loss God is with you.
Prayers:
One: You guide our way, O God, when the darkness surrounds us.
All: You give us your Word of hope in our fear and aloneness.
One: You guide our way, O God, when life feels dull and joyless.
All: You give us family and friends with whom to share our feelings of loss.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we long for someone no longer with us.
All: You give us memories which will be ours to relive forever.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we feel our confidence slipping.
All: You give us fresh awareness of our talents and our ability to use them for good.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we think of the losses of others.
All: You give us the courage to stand beside the suffering and listen to their story.
One: You guide our way, O God, when your Spirit seems gone from us.
All: You give us the blessing of Jesus crucified and risen, and the pledge of your presence in time and beyond time. Amen.
(The Lord’s Prayer )
One: You guide our way, O God, when the darkness surrounds us.
All: You give us your Word of hope in our fear and aloneness.
One: You guide our way, O God, when life feels dull and joyless.
All: You give us family and friends with whom to share our feelings of loss.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we long for someone no longer with us.
All: You give us memories which will be ours to relive forever.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we feel our confidence slipping.
All: You give us fresh awareness of our talents and our ability to use them for good.
One: You guide our way, O God, when we think of the losses of others.
All: You give us the courage to stand beside the suffering and listen to their story.
One: You guide our way, O God, when your Spirit seems gone from us.
All: You give us the blessing of Jesus crucified and risen, and the pledge of your presence in time and beyond time. Amen.
(The Lord’s Prayer )
Hymn # 67: Silent Night
Commissioning:
One: God goes with you as you feel your loss:
In your vivid remembering, God sustains.
In the gap that still remains, God is there.
In the support of family and friends, God’s love is felt.
In your moments of doubt, God is faithfully present.
God will never leave you.
All: God will never leave us. Amen.
One: God goes with you as you feel your loss:
In your vivid remembering, God sustains.
In the gap that still remains, God is there.
In the support of family and friends, God’s love is felt.
In your moments of doubt, God is faithfully present.
God will never leave you.
All: God will never leave us. Amen.
Blessing ...
Acknowledgements and Thank You’s …
Thanks to Nathan, Jennifer, Dean and Rick of Minnedosa Funeral Services for providing for the time of refreshments and fellowship to follow this service.
Thanks too, to the women who once again prepared the refreshments for us.
Thanks to Louise MacDonald for sharing her talents tonight.
And special thanks to Eleanor Taylor for offering her musical talent and leadership for tonight’s service.
As you go from this place tonight,
and in the coming days …
May You Find The
Blessings of this Holy Season,
and in spite of the darkness,
May you continue to find
The Abundant Light of
God’s Love!!
Acknowledgements and Thank You’s …
Thanks to Nathan, Jennifer, Dean and Rick of Minnedosa Funeral Services for providing for the time of refreshments and fellowship to follow this service.
Thanks too, to the women who once again prepared the refreshments for us.
Thanks to Louise MacDonald for sharing her talents tonight.
And special thanks to Eleanor Taylor for offering her musical talent and leadership for tonight’s service.
As you go from this place tonight,
and in the coming days …
May You Find The
Blessings of this Holy Season,
and in spite of the darkness,
May you continue to find
The Abundant Light of
God’s Love!!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Donations to the Rebuilding Effort
Since the fire of February 12th 2006, the Congregation and Board
of Minnedosa United Church has been working very hard
in anticipation of the replacement of a much loved
Sanctuary and Community meeting space.
To that end, we have formed a Building Committee
who have worked with our architect
to come up with plans for the proposed building,
and we have formed a fundraising committee
who have begun planning for the raising of
much needed fundraising activities and
the taking in of donations to assist us
in the rebuilding of our Church Building on Main St.
If you would like to donate to the Rebuilding Effort,
DONATIONS may be directed to the Office:
Minnedosa United Church
PO Box 692
Minnedosa Manitoba
R0J 1E0
Tax reciepts will be issued for donations.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Back in the Headlines ...
This past week we've been in the Brandon Sun, the Winnipeg Sun, and today we hit the CBC Manitoba website and will be featured on the Six O'Clock news out of Winnipeg ...
The article from the website can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2006/12/18/xmas-church.html
Today I was called by the Winnipeg Free Press, so we may be in the headlines a bit more ... Kind of a nice Christmas present for us !!
The article from the website can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2006/12/18/xmas-church.html
Today I was called by the Winnipeg Free Press, so we may be in the headlines a bit more ... Kind of a nice Christmas present for us !!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Order of Service - December 17th 2006
3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
WELCOME - MINUTE FOR MISSION - ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN # 55 In the Bleak Midwinter
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Behind the corridors of space, before the world began,
beyond all understanding … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: Fathering time, mothering creation, parenting all people … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: waiting for the right moment, preparing the right way,
intending the right woman … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: We believe in one God,
All: Maker and Mover of Heaven and Earth.
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Joy to the world! Silent Night! Away in a Manger!
All: We love to sing carols at this time of year.
One: We sing in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live in joy because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of joy.
HYMN # 23 (sing twice) Joy Shall Come
PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Limited by mortality, yet destined for liberation,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Groaning as if in childbirth, sampling the fruits of God’s harvest,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Trusting in what is unseen, believing the best is to come,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: In the shadows of a barn where the Maker of All will be born,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
HYMN: Light One Candle
vs 1 Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 2 Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace.
He brings peace to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 3 Light one candle for joy, one bright candle for joy.
Ev’ry nation will find salvation in Bethl’em’s baby boy.
SCRIPTURE READING: Zephaniah 3: 14 – 20
Isaiah 12: 1 – 6 (pg. 880 VU)
STORY STOOL
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Light of the World”
SCRIPTURE READING: Philippians 4: 4 – 7
Luke 3: 7 – 18
CHOIR ANTHEM: “King of Glory, King of Peace”
SERMON
Paul, writing to the Church at Phillipi urges them to hold to "whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, anything of excellence, any thing worthy of praise.” We are not only hold to them, but set such things as our goal of our faith … This is a good reading for this time of year. It makes us feel warm and fuzzy and good.
Then we jump to the Gospel reading and are confronted by John standing out in the wilderness: on one level, the words of Paul contrast sharply to the proclamation of John the Baptist, who is calling those flocking to him “a Generation or Brood of Vipers, ” and telling them that God will raise from the stones under their feet a more faithful and more acceptable generation of followers than they have ever been …
Paul’s words are inspiring, John’s words are harsh and challenging. Yet, the two go together on this Sunday of Joy … It is NOT the case of needing suffering to know the freedom of wholeness. But rather if we are to journey to the place of promise and fullness that is envisioned by the prophetic voices like Zephaniah, we need to first stand before the likes of John and seriously consider his harsh challenge and address the issues that challenge raises within us. .
John’s words hold a mirror before us … The words Brood of Vipers – “YOU – Brood of Vipers” are not just words on a page, they are words that rise from the printed page with each reading and hold a mirror before us. We have to honestly ask ourselves: “Are WE amongst those who are the Brood of Vipers?” Or are we able to honestly say that we are standing under the praise of Paul’s words?
At family gatherings at my grandparents’ home there was a plethora of cousins. When we got together we would do the things kids do, and running around, playing and teasing each other and calling each other names. I can remember once though, shrieking at one of my cousins – “you’re a loser,” or “you’re a jerk,” or something childish like that. My Grandfather said, “Hey, hold on. Did you know that when you call someone a bad name like that, it is like pointing a finger at them.” We looked at our hand and mutely agreed.
Grandpa then said – “and when you point one finger at someone else, you are pointing three more back at yourself …” He didn’t break a smile in that moment, he just stared at us, his eyes sparkling, as we cousins grappled with his words … That simple comment has stuck with me. I’ve tried to share it with my kids – they still call each other names – and I’ve watched them got through the same gymnastic maneuvers I used to do in trying to point a finger (literally) at another while keeping the other three fingers pointed away from themselves …
But the point of Grandpa’s comment remains … and it is similar to exhortation to the people coming out into the wilderness to see him. John, rough and tumble John is standing alongside the river Jordan offering a baptism of repentance. BUT – repentance demands looking into the mirror he is holding before the people …
If we spun out John’s speech a tad, we would find a preacher who is saying – “you think you are righteous and faithful – but are you really?? Don’t you think God could raise up more faithful people from the rocks under your feet? Are you really as perfect and wonderful as you think??”
His brood of vipers comment is cutting … it is harsh … it that
moment where three fingers are pointing back at us …
So how do we move from the unrelenting gaze of John who cuts into the core of our being and lays bare the shortcomings that lie there, to the words of Praise that are offered by Paul and even Zephaniah?
Isaiah offers us a clue – from the place of judgment, we move to a place of joy – a place of salvation. That’s the movement of our faith. We feel alone and abandoned and unworthy and through God’s grace we move to a place of acceptance, a place of welcome, and a place of love. God’s grace offers us ALL a place where we belong and are loved and accepted unconditionally.
The problem is that a sense of complacency settles in … we’ve found our place – we’ve been accepted – we’re saved – we’re okay – we’re acceptable to God … and our journey stops. We no longer need to do better.
Then the voice of one calling from the wilderness breaks through – “You Brood of Vipers …” John calls. We can’t wrap him up in the softness of the Christmas story. This is not a figure who fits in the gentle images of the stable. You can’t put a grown John beside the babe in the manger. Yet we can’t have the manger WITHOUT John.
Where the Baby welcomes us and invites us in and inspires us with “ohs” and “ahs” – John stands like a winnowing fan to separate the wheat and the chaff …
“Are you living the faith?” Is the ultimate question John is asking, “or are you just enjoying the ride?” There is no room for complacency in John’s gaze … when we honestly confront the accusation of being amongst the brood of vipers, we would point to others and say – “I’m faithful … I’m not like those people over there who …Oh wait … I’m pointing my finger … and there are three pointing back at me … and … oh drat …”
“No wait … I’m faithful … I come to church every week and I treat people nicely and ... I’m not like them when they …Oh wait … the finger thing again …”
All the while, John stands with his steely gaze challenging us to take seriously those three fingers that point back at ourselves. Because in those three fingers rests the reality of our faith … If we were in a place, individually AND collectively, where we were living Paul’s words and focused solely on "whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable ..." John’s words wouldn’t irritate us at all.
But few of us stand in such a place … we struggle, and in the best place, we simply become complacent about our faith … but sometimes we slide into a harsh, unhelpful self-righteousness … The challenge is to heed not only John’s words – but to live the words of the prophets and the words of Paul and to move to a place of transformation where we live out our faith with every breath that passes in and out of our body.
As I read John’s words this past week, my mind wandered to the moment in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by his deceased partner Marley. Marley, who had died seven Christmas eve’s prior appears to warn Scrooge that he needs to change his ways. Marley shows him the vast, heavy chains that bind him – chains that weigh him down in his endless journey because he failed to see the suffering that was around him in life … and tells Scrooge that his chain is EVEN longer. Scrooge beseeches Marley:
“But you were a always a good man of business, Jacob.”
“Business!!” cried the ghost, winging his hands again, “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business.” He rattled the chain then said – “At this time of the rolling year, I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the wise men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me !!”
Dickens took the call of John the Baptist very seriously. He looked about him at the working conditions of the poor and in volume after volume wrote stories of their struggles and death. AND, he challenged his society – you and I – to do better. To experience the kind of transformation that Scrooge under went that night with the visitation of the three ghosts …
The fictional Marley rattling his chains stands along the rough dressed John by the river Jordan challenging us – ALL of us – to move from our complacency and to embody the Spirit of our faith ALL YEAR LONG.
In the rush and glitter of the season it is too easy to lose sight of that simple reality – Mankind is our business. The common welfare, charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence are OUR business. Then we jump to Paul’s call to the church to hold to – “whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, anything of excellence, any thing worthy of praise.”
Joy is about living the fullness of life … and each year we hear again the story of Scrooge who lacked joy in his life until his eyes lifted from his business, from his money, from his walk through the streets of London, and began to see around him the opportunity to become a good friend, a good master and a good man as the city, and the world has ever seen.
We know the story of Scrooge … we hear the warning of the words of John … our challenge – our calling – our faith – demands of us that we do better and we allow the transformation to move us from judgement to JOY …
Zephaniah spoke of it … Paul spoke of it … our task is to live it …
May it be so – thanks be to God – let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 44 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
HYMN #59 Joy to the World
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG RESPONSE: # 7 Hope is a Star
vs 1: Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain: 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.
vs 2: Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.
Refrain:
vs 3: Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born.
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
In memory of past choir members from the Senior Choir
In memory of William & Elsie and David from the Kingdon Family
In memory of Amar & Lois and Philip from the Iverson Family
In memory of family and friends from Esther & Keith Robertson
In memory of family and friends from Jackie & Dennis Peckover
In memory Lydia McGuirk from Lori & Clayton Searle and
Judy & Blake Menzies
In memory of Muriel from Ed Meadows
In memory of Jack & Betty McNabb from their family
In memory of family and friends from Linda & Bob Bertram
In memory of family and friends from Denise & Bud Amy
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church.
ST. MARK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH invites all to join them for The Nine Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday, Dec 17th at 7:00 p.m.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE sponsored in conjunction with Minnedosa Funeral Services, will be held Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. here at St. Alphonsus.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS SERVICES:
Dec 21st - Personal Care Home Service – 2:30
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve - 11:00 - St. Alphonsus
- Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st - Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Jan 07th - Worship led by Colleen Wallace, candidate for Lay Ministry
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEMS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for all the Donations of food and other items for WHITE GIFT. The items collected were donated to The Christmas Cheer Board, where they were gratefully received.
SPECIAL THANKS to our young people for a FABULOUS presentation last week during worship. Your hard work and enthusiasm showed. And, extra thanks to the adults who helped in any way.
FALL APPEAL: In the excitement of the season and the new building plans, it is easy to lose sight of the mundane day-to-day things. This is offered as a gentle reminder that the General Fund of the Church still needs our offerings. To the end of November, the Fall Appeal was at $12,240 donated, with a target of $20,000. It’s not too late to donate!
M & S FUND: The 2006 target for Mission & Service was set at $17,000. To date, givings have fallen short of this target by $4425.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet this Friday at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE is Thursday at 7:30 pm here at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are on hand at the back of the church or from the church office.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE at the Church Office, Friday Dec 22nd. Stop by for coffee or hot apple cider and cookies between 1 – 3 p.m.
GIFT CARDS are available at the church office for those who are donating to the Rebuilding Fund in lieu of a Christmas gift to friends or family.
WELCOME - MINUTE FOR MISSION - ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN # 55 In the Bleak Midwinter
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Behind the corridors of space, before the world began,
beyond all understanding … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: Fathering time, mothering creation, parenting all people … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: waiting for the right moment, preparing the right way,
intending the right woman … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: We believe in one God,
All: Maker and Mover of Heaven and Earth.
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Joy to the world! Silent Night! Away in a Manger!
All: We love to sing carols at this time of year.
One: We sing in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live in joy because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of joy.
HYMN # 23 (sing twice) Joy Shall Come
PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Limited by mortality, yet destined for liberation,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Groaning as if in childbirth, sampling the fruits of God’s harvest,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: Trusting in what is unseen, believing the best is to come,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
One: In the shadows of a barn where the Maker of All will be born,
In hope the universe waits:
All: God’s purpose shall be revealed.
HYMN: Light One Candle
vs 1 Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 2 Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace.
He brings peace to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 3 Light one candle for joy, one bright candle for joy.
Ev’ry nation will find salvation in Bethl’em’s baby boy.
SCRIPTURE READING: Zephaniah 3: 14 – 20
Isaiah 12: 1 – 6 (pg. 880 VU)
STORY STOOL
CHOIR ANTHEM: “Light of the World”
SCRIPTURE READING: Philippians 4: 4 – 7
Luke 3: 7 – 18
CHOIR ANTHEM: “King of Glory, King of Peace”
SERMON
Paul, writing to the Church at Phillipi urges them to hold to "whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, anything of excellence, any thing worthy of praise.” We are not only hold to them, but set such things as our goal of our faith … This is a good reading for this time of year. It makes us feel warm and fuzzy and good.
Then we jump to the Gospel reading and are confronted by John standing out in the wilderness: on one level, the words of Paul contrast sharply to the proclamation of John the Baptist, who is calling those flocking to him “a Generation or Brood of Vipers, ” and telling them that God will raise from the stones under their feet a more faithful and more acceptable generation of followers than they have ever been …
Paul’s words are inspiring, John’s words are harsh and challenging. Yet, the two go together on this Sunday of Joy … It is NOT the case of needing suffering to know the freedom of wholeness. But rather if we are to journey to the place of promise and fullness that is envisioned by the prophetic voices like Zephaniah, we need to first stand before the likes of John and seriously consider his harsh challenge and address the issues that challenge raises within us. .
John’s words hold a mirror before us … The words Brood of Vipers – “YOU – Brood of Vipers” are not just words on a page, they are words that rise from the printed page with each reading and hold a mirror before us. We have to honestly ask ourselves: “Are WE amongst those who are the Brood of Vipers?” Or are we able to honestly say that we are standing under the praise of Paul’s words?
At family gatherings at my grandparents’ home there was a plethora of cousins. When we got together we would do the things kids do, and running around, playing and teasing each other and calling each other names. I can remember once though, shrieking at one of my cousins – “you’re a loser,” or “you’re a jerk,” or something childish like that. My Grandfather said, “Hey, hold on. Did you know that when you call someone a bad name like that, it is like pointing a finger at them.” We looked at our hand and mutely agreed.
Grandpa then said – “and when you point one finger at someone else, you are pointing three more back at yourself …” He didn’t break a smile in that moment, he just stared at us, his eyes sparkling, as we cousins grappled with his words … That simple comment has stuck with me. I’ve tried to share it with my kids – they still call each other names – and I’ve watched them got through the same gymnastic maneuvers I used to do in trying to point a finger (literally) at another while keeping the other three fingers pointed away from themselves …
But the point of Grandpa’s comment remains … and it is similar to exhortation to the people coming out into the wilderness to see him. John, rough and tumble John is standing alongside the river Jordan offering a baptism of repentance. BUT – repentance demands looking into the mirror he is holding before the people …
If we spun out John’s speech a tad, we would find a preacher who is saying – “you think you are righteous and faithful – but are you really?? Don’t you think God could raise up more faithful people from the rocks under your feet? Are you really as perfect and wonderful as you think??”
His brood of vipers comment is cutting … it is harsh … it that
moment where three fingers are pointing back at us …
So how do we move from the unrelenting gaze of John who cuts into the core of our being and lays bare the shortcomings that lie there, to the words of Praise that are offered by Paul and even Zephaniah?
Isaiah offers us a clue – from the place of judgment, we move to a place of joy – a place of salvation. That’s the movement of our faith. We feel alone and abandoned and unworthy and through God’s grace we move to a place of acceptance, a place of welcome, and a place of love. God’s grace offers us ALL a place where we belong and are loved and accepted unconditionally.
The problem is that a sense of complacency settles in … we’ve found our place – we’ve been accepted – we’re saved – we’re okay – we’re acceptable to God … and our journey stops. We no longer need to do better.
Then the voice of one calling from the wilderness breaks through – “You Brood of Vipers …” John calls. We can’t wrap him up in the softness of the Christmas story. This is not a figure who fits in the gentle images of the stable. You can’t put a grown John beside the babe in the manger. Yet we can’t have the manger WITHOUT John.
Where the Baby welcomes us and invites us in and inspires us with “ohs” and “ahs” – John stands like a winnowing fan to separate the wheat and the chaff …
“Are you living the faith?” Is the ultimate question John is asking, “or are you just enjoying the ride?” There is no room for complacency in John’s gaze … when we honestly confront the accusation of being amongst the brood of vipers, we would point to others and say – “I’m faithful … I’m not like those people over there who …Oh wait … I’m pointing my finger … and there are three pointing back at me … and … oh drat …”
“No wait … I’m faithful … I come to church every week and I treat people nicely and ... I’m not like them when they …Oh wait … the finger thing again …”
All the while, John stands with his steely gaze challenging us to take seriously those three fingers that point back at ourselves. Because in those three fingers rests the reality of our faith … If we were in a place, individually AND collectively, where we were living Paul’s words and focused solely on "whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable ..." John’s words wouldn’t irritate us at all.
But few of us stand in such a place … we struggle, and in the best place, we simply become complacent about our faith … but sometimes we slide into a harsh, unhelpful self-righteousness … The challenge is to heed not only John’s words – but to live the words of the prophets and the words of Paul and to move to a place of transformation where we live out our faith with every breath that passes in and out of our body.
As I read John’s words this past week, my mind wandered to the moment in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by his deceased partner Marley. Marley, who had died seven Christmas eve’s prior appears to warn Scrooge that he needs to change his ways. Marley shows him the vast, heavy chains that bind him – chains that weigh him down in his endless journey because he failed to see the suffering that was around him in life … and tells Scrooge that his chain is EVEN longer. Scrooge beseeches Marley:
“But you were a always a good man of business, Jacob.”
“Business!!” cried the ghost, winging his hands again, “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business.” He rattled the chain then said – “At this time of the rolling year, I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the wise men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me !!”
Dickens took the call of John the Baptist very seriously. He looked about him at the working conditions of the poor and in volume after volume wrote stories of their struggles and death. AND, he challenged his society – you and I – to do better. To experience the kind of transformation that Scrooge under went that night with the visitation of the three ghosts …
The fictional Marley rattling his chains stands along the rough dressed John by the river Jordan challenging us – ALL of us – to move from our complacency and to embody the Spirit of our faith ALL YEAR LONG.
In the rush and glitter of the season it is too easy to lose sight of that simple reality – Mankind is our business. The common welfare, charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence are OUR business. Then we jump to Paul’s call to the church to hold to – “whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, anything of excellence, any thing worthy of praise.”
Joy is about living the fullness of life … and each year we hear again the story of Scrooge who lacked joy in his life until his eyes lifted from his business, from his money, from his walk through the streets of London, and began to see around him the opportunity to become a good friend, a good master and a good man as the city, and the world has ever seen.
We know the story of Scrooge … we hear the warning of the words of John … our challenge – our calling – our faith – demands of us that we do better and we allow the transformation to move us from judgement to JOY …
Zephaniah spoke of it … Paul spoke of it … our task is to live it …
May it be so – thanks be to God – let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 44 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
HYMN #59 Joy to the World
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG RESPONSE: # 7 Hope is a Star
vs 1: Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain: 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.
vs 2: Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.
Refrain:
vs 3: Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born.
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
In memory of past choir members from the Senior Choir
In memory of William & Elsie and David from the Kingdon Family
In memory of Amar & Lois and Philip from the Iverson Family
In memory of family and friends from Esther & Keith Robertson
In memory of family and friends from Jackie & Dennis Peckover
In memory Lydia McGuirk from Lori & Clayton Searle and
Judy & Blake Menzies
In memory of Muriel from Ed Meadows
In memory of Jack & Betty McNabb from their family
In memory of family and friends from Linda & Bob Bertram
In memory of family and friends from Denise & Bud Amy
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church.
ST. MARK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH invites all to join them for The Nine Lessons and Carols Service on Sunday, Dec 17th at 7:00 p.m.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE sponsored in conjunction with Minnedosa Funeral Services, will be held Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. here at St. Alphonsus.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS SERVICES:
Dec 21st - Personal Care Home Service – 2:30
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve - 11:00 - St. Alphonsus
- Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st - Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Jan 07th - Worship led by Colleen Wallace, candidate for Lay Ministry
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEMS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for all the Donations of food and other items for WHITE GIFT. The items collected were donated to The Christmas Cheer Board, where they were gratefully received.
SPECIAL THANKS to our young people for a FABULOUS presentation last week during worship. Your hard work and enthusiasm showed. And, extra thanks to the adults who helped in any way.
FALL APPEAL: In the excitement of the season and the new building plans, it is easy to lose sight of the mundane day-to-day things. This is offered as a gentle reminder that the General Fund of the Church still needs our offerings. To the end of November, the Fall Appeal was at $12,240 donated, with a target of $20,000. It’s not too late to donate!
M & S FUND: The 2006 target for Mission & Service was set at $17,000. To date, givings have fallen short of this target by $4425.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet this Friday at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE is Thursday at 7:30 pm here at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are on hand at the back of the church or from the church office.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE at the Church Office, Friday Dec 22nd. Stop by for coffee or hot apple cider and cookies between 1 – 3 p.m.
GIFT CARDS are available at the church office for those who are donating to the Rebuilding Fund in lieu of a Christmas gift to friends or family.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Worship for December 10th 2006
2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
WELCOME-MINUTE FOR MISSION-ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN # 1 (vs 2,4,6) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Behind the corridors of space, before the world began,
beyond all understanding … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: Fathering time, mothering creation, parenting all people … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: waiting for the right moment, preparing the right way,
intending the right woman … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: We believe in one God,
All: Maker and Mover of Heaven and Earth.
HYMN # 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Tinsel, garland, light, and greenery.
All: We love to decorate our homes and churches.
One: We do in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live in peace because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of peace.
HYMN Light One Candle
vs 1 Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 2 Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace.
He brings peace to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
OPENING PRAYER:
One: Prepare the way of the Lord;
All: Make a path for our God in the desert.
One: Each valley shall be exalted;
All: Every mountain and hill be laid low.
One: The crooked shall be made straight;
All: Rough places shall become plain.
One: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed;
All: All people shall see it together.
One: This is the promise of the Lord;
All: God’s promise shall be fulfilled.
HYMN # 8 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
SCRIPTURE READING: Malachi 3: 1 – 4
Luke 1: 68 – 79 (Song of Zechariah) (pg 900 VU)
CHOIR ANTHEM: Immanuel, God With Us
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 3: 1 – 6
HYMN # 9 People Look East
SERMON:
There is something deliciously ironic in the simple fact that today, we are continuing our Advent Journey – a journey of preparing, a journey of beginning, a journey of anticipating … we are, in a few minutes hearing a reminder of why the Christmas story is so special, and how Angels have and continue to play an important faith role … and then, after cake and ice cream, we will see the latest plans for the new building we are anticipating, working towards and hoping for …
On this the Sunday of Peace … perhaps it is appropriate that we take another step on our journey forward to a new building … in this WE are preparing the way through our wilderness …
We are living the texts we have before us …
In Luke we have two wonderful readings – one is the voice of Zachariah who has his mute silence broken with the birth of his son John. Zachariah breaks his long months of silence by praising God, then taking his child, a child of his dotage (his old age) – into his arms, and he offers his hopes and aspirations for the child to become a mechanism of God’s grace in the world … What parent doesn’t feel that for their child?
I can remember taking each of my children in my arms in turn, and hoping that they will be and become fully the people they are meant to be … as I held them for the first time my prayers were very much like Zachariah’s – may God do something wonderful through my child … and may this child be and do something wonderful …
From this reading we move to a fully grown John who is standing in the desert surrounded by crowds of people seeking his unorthodox message and one of the first things that rolls out of John’s mouth is the phrase – “you brood of vipers …” - What kind of preacher insults his audience?
John, occupying the role of the messenger for God’s chosen one – the one who will embody the hopes of the people – people yearning to be free. John stand before the people in that role and the first thing he does is insults and belittles his followers – It is safe to say that no book on leadership will suggest that as a wise thing to do …
But John is about preparing a path – a new path , a path of repentance, a path of cleansing, a path to somewhere new. Most of all it is a path of transformation … and dare we foreshadow in Advent the Easter story and say it is a path of Resurrection??
That is what unifies our readings today … the repentance, the cleansing, and the transformation. All of them are constituent elements of resurrection. This Advent season, as we begin – as we prepare, we can simultaneously look to the end and proclaim our certainty in the Resurrection …
And as a community that’s where we stand … we know what has happened – but today we stand poised to begin again … we are living the season of Advent – anticipating – planning – preparing … The process ahead of us is one that calls on us to trust in the outcome of the refiner’s fire and the launderer’s soap …
The message of Malachi and John and even Zachariah is about living the journey of cleansing … what will we leave behind?? Attitudes that are less than helpful? Feelings, anger, resentment, sadness, bitterness? Things that we each carry and that need to be left behind … things we need to be cleansed of … as we move into Advent we repent of the past by embracing the new beginning …
The process of leaving it behind and allowing the gift of God’s grace to pour over us … is the essence of the Gospel in its fullness …
But the lesson for us, from our readings, from our faith traditions and even from our own lives is to expect the unexpected … Malachi proclaims words of hope as the second temple is rising in Jerusalem – he doesn’t want the people to forget their past … Zachariah offering his praise and prayer is an old man holding a child who will go on to do amazing things … The grown John standing in the desert proclaiming the time of preparation is not what anyone expected … and the child born in Bethlehem, the arrival of God in a backwater corner of the world is nothing that was expected …
And that perhaps is the point of our Advent journey … we prepare … we anticipate … but it is GOD who will off the beginning we yearn for – it will be nothing like we expect …
May we have the courage today, and in the coming days, to hear the whisper of Angel wings, and may we have the faith to follow the path they call us to …
May it be so – thanks be to God … let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE &
THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
HYMN # 18 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness
SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGEANT:
“Touch of an Angel”
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG RESPONSE:
The worship has ended…
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEM AND “TOUCH OF AN ANGEL”. THANK YOU.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church. Names will be listed in the bulletin.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
The Choir – in memory of deceased members
The Kingdons – in memory of William & Elsie Kingdon and David Kingdon
The Iversons – in memory of Amar & Lois Iverson and Philip Iverson
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY is today. Food donations will be delivered to the Minnedosa Christmas Cheer Board and the Community Food Cupboard. If you forgot your donation today, it can be dropped off at the church office.
AS PART OF “TOUCH OF AN ANGEL”, the Sunday School are serving cake & ice cream. Please join them in the basement in celebration.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to St. George’s Anglican Church in Birtle for the Angel Gowns, to Charlie Kingdon and Alf Iverson for making the manger, and to all the parents who contributed time, costumes and props for “Touch of an Angel.” The Sunday School appreciates your support.
FOLLOWING CAKE & ICE CREAM, THE BUILDING COMMITTEE will have copies of the revised “church floor plan” for review and discussion.
TODAY - CHORAL FEST 2006 – presented by PULSE in partnership with the ROTARY CLUB will be held this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Covenant Church. Food donations will be accepted at the door for the local Christmas Cheer Board.
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES that “Precious Memories”, the CD produced by Betty Russell, is now sold out. The Church office will take orders until Tuesday, December 12h. If the numbers warrant it, more will be produced, so if you want one get your order in shortly.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE sponsored in conjunction with Minnedosa Funeral Services, will be held Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. here at St. Alphonsus.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet this Friday at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE is Thursday at 7:30 pm here at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are available at the back of the church or from the church office.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES:
Dec 10th – Sunday School presents “Touch of an Angel”
– White Gift Sunday
– Choral Fest 2006 - 3:00 - Covenant Church
Dec 21st – Longest Night Service - 7:30 - St. Alphonsus
Dec 24th – Christmas Eve - 11:00 - St. Alphonsus
– Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st – Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Information about the life and work of the CONFERENCE OF MANITOBA AND NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO can be found on the Conference website (http://www.mnwo.united-church.ca/). This website replaces ConfoPac, the three-times-a-year mailing from Conference Office. If you are interested in Conference events and news, go to the website and create your own personal profile that will allow you to receive updates when new information is available in your areas of interest.
WELCOME-MINUTE FOR MISSION-ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN # 1 (vs 2,4,6) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Behind the corridors of space, before the world began,
beyond all understanding … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: Fathering time, mothering creation, parenting all people … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: waiting for the right moment, preparing the right way,
intending the right woman … God.
All: (sung) Gloria, Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
One: We believe in one God,
All: Maker and Mover of Heaven and Earth.
HYMN # 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: Tinsel, garland, light, and greenery.
All: We love to decorate our homes and churches.
One: We do in celebration of the gift of God’s child, Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us.
One: We live in peace because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of peace.
HYMN Light One Candle
vs 1 Light one candle for hope, one bright candle for hope.
He brings hope to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
vs 2 Light one candle for peace, one bright candle for peace.
He brings peace to ev’ry heart.
He comes! He comes!
OPENING PRAYER:
One: Prepare the way of the Lord;
All: Make a path for our God in the desert.
One: Each valley shall be exalted;
All: Every mountain and hill be laid low.
One: The crooked shall be made straight;
All: Rough places shall become plain.
One: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed;
All: All people shall see it together.
One: This is the promise of the Lord;
All: God’s promise shall be fulfilled.
HYMN # 8 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
SCRIPTURE READING: Malachi 3: 1 – 4
Luke 1: 68 – 79 (Song of Zechariah) (pg 900 VU)
CHOIR ANTHEM: Immanuel, God With Us
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 3: 1 – 6
HYMN # 9 People Look East
SERMON:
There is something deliciously ironic in the simple fact that today, we are continuing our Advent Journey – a journey of preparing, a journey of beginning, a journey of anticipating … we are, in a few minutes hearing a reminder of why the Christmas story is so special, and how Angels have and continue to play an important faith role … and then, after cake and ice cream, we will see the latest plans for the new building we are anticipating, working towards and hoping for …
On this the Sunday of Peace … perhaps it is appropriate that we take another step on our journey forward to a new building … in this WE are preparing the way through our wilderness …
We are living the texts we have before us …
In Luke we have two wonderful readings – one is the voice of Zachariah who has his mute silence broken with the birth of his son John. Zachariah breaks his long months of silence by praising God, then taking his child, a child of his dotage (his old age) – into his arms, and he offers his hopes and aspirations for the child to become a mechanism of God’s grace in the world … What parent doesn’t feel that for their child?
I can remember taking each of my children in my arms in turn, and hoping that they will be and become fully the people they are meant to be … as I held them for the first time my prayers were very much like Zachariah’s – may God do something wonderful through my child … and may this child be and do something wonderful …
From this reading we move to a fully grown John who is standing in the desert surrounded by crowds of people seeking his unorthodox message and one of the first things that rolls out of John’s mouth is the phrase – “you brood of vipers …” - What kind of preacher insults his audience?
John, occupying the role of the messenger for God’s chosen one – the one who will embody the hopes of the people – people yearning to be free. John stand before the people in that role and the first thing he does is insults and belittles his followers – It is safe to say that no book on leadership will suggest that as a wise thing to do …
But John is about preparing a path – a new path , a path of repentance, a path of cleansing, a path to somewhere new. Most of all it is a path of transformation … and dare we foreshadow in Advent the Easter story and say it is a path of Resurrection??
That is what unifies our readings today … the repentance, the cleansing, and the transformation. All of them are constituent elements of resurrection. This Advent season, as we begin – as we prepare, we can simultaneously look to the end and proclaim our certainty in the Resurrection …
And as a community that’s where we stand … we know what has happened – but today we stand poised to begin again … we are living the season of Advent – anticipating – planning – preparing … The process ahead of us is one that calls on us to trust in the outcome of the refiner’s fire and the launderer’s soap …
The message of Malachi and John and even Zachariah is about living the journey of cleansing … what will we leave behind?? Attitudes that are less than helpful? Feelings, anger, resentment, sadness, bitterness? Things that we each carry and that need to be left behind … things we need to be cleansed of … as we move into Advent we repent of the past by embracing the new beginning …
The process of leaving it behind and allowing the gift of God’s grace to pour over us … is the essence of the Gospel in its fullness …
But the lesson for us, from our readings, from our faith traditions and even from our own lives is to expect the unexpected … Malachi proclaims words of hope as the second temple is rising in Jerusalem – he doesn’t want the people to forget their past … Zachariah offering his praise and prayer is an old man holding a child who will go on to do amazing things … The grown John standing in the desert proclaiming the time of preparation is not what anyone expected … and the child born in Bethlehem, the arrival of God in a backwater corner of the world is nothing that was expected …
And that perhaps is the point of our Advent journey … we prepare … we anticipate … but it is GOD who will off the beginning we yearn for – it will be nothing like we expect …
May we have the courage today, and in the coming days, to hear the whisper of Angel wings, and may we have the faith to follow the path they call us to …
May it be so – thanks be to God … let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE &
THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
HYMN # 18 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness
SUNDAY SCHOOL PAGEANT:
“Touch of an Angel”
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG RESPONSE:
The worship has ended…
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
WE REQUEST THE CONGREGATION REFRAIN FROM SHOWING APPRECIATION IN THE FORM OF APPLAUSE FOLLOWING THE
CHOIR ANTHEM AND “TOUCH OF AN ANGEL”. THANK YOU.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS: Concern has been expressed about the survival of Poinsettias in a basically unoccupied building between now and Christmas. Therefore, you are encouraged, if you wish, to make a donation to the Rebuilding Fund in memory of your loved one rather than purchasing a Poinsettia for the church. Names will be listed in the bulletin.
LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
The Choir – in memory of deceased members
The Kingdons – in memory of William & Elsie Kingdon and David Kingdon
The Iversons – in memory of Amar & Lois Iverson and Philip Iverson
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY is today. Food donations will be delivered to the Minnedosa Christmas Cheer Board and the Community Food Cupboard. If you forgot your donation today, it can be dropped off at the church office.
AS PART OF “TOUCH OF AN ANGEL”, the Sunday School are serving cake & ice cream. Please join them in the basement in celebration.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to St. George’s Anglican Church in Birtle for the Angel Gowns, to Charlie Kingdon and Alf Iverson for making the manger, and to all the parents who contributed time, costumes and props for “Touch of an Angel.” The Sunday School appreciates your support.
FOLLOWING CAKE & ICE CREAM, THE BUILDING COMMITTEE will have copies of the revised “church floor plan” for review and discussion.
TODAY - CHORAL FEST 2006 – presented by PULSE in partnership with the ROTARY CLUB will be held this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Covenant Church. Food donations will be accepted at the door for the local Christmas Cheer Board.
FUND RAISING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES that “Precious Memories”, the CD produced by Betty Russell, is now sold out. The Church office will take orders until Tuesday, December 12h. If the numbers warrant it, more will be produced, so if you want one get your order in shortly.
“CIRCLE OF FRIENDS” is available at Minnedosa Flower and Gift. $5.00 from each purchase is being donated to the Rebuilding Fund cutesy of Minnedosa Funeral Service.
CHURCH CALENDARS – a few copies of the 2007 Church Calendar are available for purchase at the Church office at a cost of $5.00 each.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE sponsored in conjunction with Minnedosa Funeral Services, will be held Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. here at St. Alphonsus.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP will meet this Friday at 10:00 am in the church office. All are welcome to participate.
CHOIR PRACTICE is Thursday at 7:30 pm here at St. Alphonsus Church. New members and anyone interested in directing would be most welcome!
THE UPPER ROOM magazines are again available. Copies of the Jan/Feb issue are available at the back of the church or from the church office.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES:
Dec 10th – Sunday School presents “Touch of an Angel”
– White Gift Sunday
– Choral Fest 2006 - 3:00 - Covenant Church
Dec 21st – Longest Night Service - 7:30 - St. Alphonsus
Dec 24th – Christmas Eve - 11:00 - St. Alphonsus
– Christmas Eve - 7:30 - Tanner’s Crossing Pit
Dec 31st – Hymn Sing Service with Elgin Hall - St. Alphonsus
Information about the life and work of the CONFERENCE OF MANITOBA AND NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO can be found on the Conference website (http://www.mnwo.united-church.ca/). This website replaces ConfoPac, the three-times-a-year mailing from Conference Office. If you are interested in Conference events and news, go to the website and create your own personal profile that will allow you to receive updates when new information is available in your areas of interest.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Wanna Help??
So, now the fun begins ...
We have a plan ... we have a vacant lot ... we have an insurance settlement - but we have some money to raise ...
If you're interested in helping the folks of Minnedosa United Church bring this plan into fruition, there are a number of ways you can help ...
At Chipperfield Coffee Company and Minnedosa Bowl, local artist Cathy Mansell is selling a lovely print of her drawing of our former historic building. Available in a variety of sizes, they make a lovely present for people who may have a connection to the old building and want to remember it as it was.
And at Flowers on Main, there is a quaint Circle of Friends candleholder that is being offered as a fund raiser for our rebuilding effort. This Circle of Friends is three cute snow men, holding candles, surrounding a small candle ... we have one on the coffee table in the living room of our home. It's very cute - and a portion of the proceeds come to the rebuilding effort.
Or, as noted in the recent Minnedosa Tribune article, monetary donations may be directed to the Rebuilding Fund. Tax reciepts WILL be issued for all donations, and you can designate gifts to three areas - music, stained glass and sanctuary or you can just donate it to the general rebuilding fund.
105 Years ago our Presbyterian forbearers built a building for a whopping $5000 ... it will cost us in excess of 1.5 million dollars to replace it. So, we'll appreciate any help that can be offered and given ... if you wanna help, search out a print or a Cricle of Friends candle holder and consider purchasing one or four or more for friends and family ... every little bit helps ...
So, I've offered some suggestion ... feel free to lend a hand ...
Monday, December 11, 2006
The New Church Plan !!
Just released to the media:the latest plan for the New Church Development
to replace the 105 yr old sanctuary we lost to fire in February.
The article at www.minnedosatribune.com fills in the details
and lays out the time line that we would like to be on ...
----------------------------------------------
... Like the Hebrews of old who said:
"Next Year in Jerusalem !!"
We stand and with our hopes and prayers announce:
"Next Year in Minnedosa ..."
We'll keep you posted and updated ...
And thanks for all the support so far !
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
14 Names ...
Today is December 6th ...Today is the National Day of
Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women...
Today we still remember the shooter ...
The names of his 14 victims are often forgotten ...
Today let us remember the 14 names
of those who died that day at Ecole Polytechnique:
--------------------------------------------------------
Geneviève Bergeron (b. 1968), student.
Hélène Colgan (b. 1966), student.
Nathalie Croteau (b. 1966), student.
Barbara Daigneault (b. 1967) student.
Anne-Marie Edward (b. 1968), student.
Maud Haviernick (b. 1960), student.
Maryse Laganière (b. 1964), budget clerk.
Maryse Leclair (b. 1966), student.
Anne-Marie Lemay (b. 1967), student.
Sonia Pelletier (b. 1961), student.
Michèle Richard (b. 1968), student.
Annie St-Arneault (b. 1966), student.
Annie Turcotte (b. 1969), student.
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (b. 1958), student.
Hélène Colgan (b. 1966), student.
Nathalie Croteau (b. 1966), student.
Barbara Daigneault (b. 1967) student.
Anne-Marie Edward (b. 1968), student.
Maud Haviernick (b. 1960), student.
Maryse Laganière (b. 1964), budget clerk.
Maryse Leclair (b. 1966), student.
Anne-Marie Lemay (b. 1967), student.
Sonia Pelletier (b. 1961), student.
Michèle Richard (b. 1968), student.
Annie St-Arneault (b. 1966), student.
Annie Turcotte (b. 1969), student.
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (b. 1958), student.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Order of Service for December 3rd 2006
1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT
WELCOME /MINUTE FOR MISSION /ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 33: 14 – 16
HYMN # 1 (vs 1,3,5,7) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: This is the season of giving.
All: We love to give and receive gifts
One: because God gave us the greatest gift of all – Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God–with–us.
One: We live in hope because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of hope.
HYMN # 6 (vs 1) A Candle is Burning
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: When our lives are turned upside down,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: When we are separated from all that is dear to us,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: When chaos threatens the order that comforts us,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: Come, Let us worship together.
OPENING PRAYER:
One: O God, we fear for the well being of your creation.
Nations are in turmoil.
Land is laid waste.
Waters are poisoned.
Animals are becoming extinct.
People live in fear.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore creation.
One: Mistrust often separates people from one another,
confusion complicates our lives,
and hope often seems fleeting.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore us to community.
One: Yet this is a new season, a new day,
with possibilities of new beginnings.
God’s promise brings a new dawn.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore us to new life. Amen
HYMN # 415 God We Praise You For the Morning
STORY STOOL
HYMN # Magic Penny
Chorus: Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.
1. It’s just like a magic penny
Hold in tight and you won’t have any.
Lend it, spend it and you’ll have so many
They’ll roll all over the floor. For …. (chorus)
(repeat verse 1 & chorus)
Words and Music: Malvina Reynolds
PRAYER FOR WHOLENESS:
One: Sometimes we look around at all that you have entrusted to us and we feel uneasy, O God. On land and water, high and low, where your creatures once teemed and filled the air with cries of joy, we now hear eerie silence.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
One: Non-native species invade and mar our native landscapes, a sea of hungry faces, hour upon hour of television full of activity, yet somehow empty of content.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
One: Likewise when we look within, we are often uneasy, aware of our failure to love each other, and your creation, and ourselves.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
Transform our hearts and set us on pathways of justice and righteousness, that we might turn and be servants of
healing for our world.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE:
In spite of all we have done, God has not forsaken us. As surely as the bud unfolds and calls forth the spring and the harvest, so God transforms
our lives anew. You are forgiven. Rejoice and serve God with gladness.
CHOIR ANTHEM: Mary Did You Know
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 21: 25 – 36 & Psalm 25 (pg 752 VU)
HYMN # 9 People Look East
SERMON:
Our reading from Luke is an apocalyptic vision of what may come … Wars and rumours of wars, disasters and famines and all manner of horrible events will happen and our world will be filled with hearing about them … Today is also the day in our Church calendar when we acknowledge and weep over the ravages wrought by HIV/AIDS in our world. Around us, the world is awash in bad news and when we hear the words of Luke we can draw some conclusions – some of which are less than helpful.
Some of our more evangelical sisters and brothers read this text and turn on the evening news and say – “A-ha … wars in Iraq and Afghanistan … rumours of wars in places like The Dafur, Sri Lanka and countless other corners of the world … images of tsunamis, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes and drought …” These are the very things Jesus was talking about.
Sadly though, the images that often fill our news and overwhelm us, the images that cause our more evangelical sisters and brothers to proclaim the apocalypse is at hand, seldom motivate them to action in addressing those disasters. They see the images and see the fulfillment of prophecy. The problem is one of technology not one of prophecy.
Today thanks to modern technology I can take a picture of all of you right now and with the press of a couple of buttons, have it on the internet in a matter of minutes …
Remember a couple of years ago when the Tsunami ravaged South-east Asia and we were able to see what was happening in real time … cell phones, digital cameras and other technologies have allowed us to witness in real time, no lengthy delay like a few years ago – but with the punch of a couple of buttons images are INSTANTLY transmitted around the world …
Think back to last week when the comedian who played Kramer in the tv show Seinfeld had a melt down on stage in the US. There is no justification for his words or actions, but what truly did him in was the presence in the audience of a few people with cel phones capable of video capture (how’s that for techno-talk??) As he melted down, people were filming it and within seconds it was in the hands of media outlets and his career was in tatters …
Contrast this with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, when for days after the wireless transmitted the fateful SOS from the stricken ship, the headlines were filled with news of the ship under tow, and all souls saved, and the collision with the ice berg being a minor one. Only days later when the Carpathia and the other ships steamed into New York did the newspapers catch up with the scope of that disaster.
Think back to the news reels of World War Two … it was days before news reached us … In today’s world the transmission of news is instantaneous and sometimes reaches thousands of kilometers away BEFORE it arrives at home … When the Queen of the North sunk off the BC coast, we knew about in Minnedosa, before Mag’s family in Port Hardy where the ship was due to arrive had heard … such is the speed of our modern media … the stories spread rapidly, and nothing spreads as quickly as bad news …
And so, the wars and rumours of wars … the disasters and so on, have always happened. Typhoons like that which his the Phillipines today have been happening for thousands or years, hurricanes like Katarina have been hitting the New Orleans coast for thousands of years … the difference today is – we hear about it … people live there … people film it … people talk about it … and thousands of kilometers away we can open a newspaper, turn on a radio or tv, or sign on the internet and see it …
In Jesus’ day you world was YOUR village and perhaps the town up the road … in our day our world stretches around the planet. We are able to learn about what is happening half a world away …
So, in our modern world where we are so aware of what’s happening half a world away, how are we to live and share our faith?
For this we hear the whisper of Jeremiah … Jeremiah, speaking in the midst of the Babylonian exile, wants the people to have hope. He wants them to look beyond the moment in which they find themselves. And place their trust in God.
In the exile, the people – the learned and educated, the people of power – the land owners and the people of property are far from home – living in Babylon, far from everything that is familiar. They have had children and grandchildren – the memories of HOME have faded. The experiences of Israel and the land they call home have begun to pass from their memories … and the people are afraid that they will lose their way, they are afraid their children will NOT know what it means to be members of the nation of Israel … And so Jeremiah steps up and says – “the day is coming when God’s promises will be fulfilled and we will AGAIN stand in Jerusalem and worship at the temple …”
“Yeah right,” scoff the people “… the temple is a vacant lot … there is nothing but rocks and weeds there … and it is FAR away … it will never happen …”
But Jeremiah persists … “God is with us,” he proclaimed, “we have never been abandoned by God …”
Centuries later, standing looking at the temple that rose in that vacant lot Centuries after Jeremiah proclaimed it would again rise, Jesus warned his followers that there would be a time when it feels like God is absent and far away … a time when there are wars and rumours of wars and news of huge disastes – and in that moment, we MUST trust in God. Not as just some distant holy presence, but as a living force that is within and around us. We must trust in God as a living presence that promises us strength, courage, and most of all the power of transformation that we call resurrection.
Today we begin our journey towards Christmas through the season of Advent. Advent – the season of waiting … Advent – beginning – waiting – anticipating. Advent is the time for preparing for the coming of the Messenger we call The Christ.
In the Babylonian Exile the people wanted a strong military leader to free them from the shackles of slavery and exile …
In Jesus day, crushed under the heel of the Roman empire the people yearned for a strong military leader who would free the nation from oppression …
Today, what Christ event do we yearn for?
Do we want a Christ who is a strong moral leader – one who will give us certainty and direction with the many issues swirling around us?
Do we want a Chirst who is a meek and mild leader who won’t rock the boat and who won’t challenge us too much, but will make us feel loved and lovable?
Do we want a Chirst who is a leader who will chart the course for us and be just like us – affirming what we’re about – believing what we believe – doing what we’re doing?
We stand expectantly, waiting … and then The Christ event breaks upon us … first comes a child – a baby … born in some back water village in a forgotten corner of the Empire …
Then he grows up in another forgotten village and becomes a wandering rabbi who offers teachings that were not over the top calls for revolution, but were calls for a revolution within ourselves – change the way in which you live your faith he whispers … live your faith boldly and with courage.
The Christ event doesn’t just break over us. The Christ event comes quietly and in the most unexpected of ways … In the face of wars and rumours of wars, in the face of disasters and happenings, we hear the whisper of Jesus telling us that our redemption is drawing near …
So. How then shall we speak of our faith?
In the face of wars and rumours of wars, in the face of disasters and disease and famine, in the face of the modern world – how shall we share our stories of faith with those who may have forgotten?
As a community we are very much like the exiled Israelites. We look to a vacant lot where once our temple stood. We remember what once was, and we may even wonder if we will EVER return home … We not only need to hear that gentle whisper … we need to believe it … Jeremiah wanted people not only to believe that they would return home, but he wanted them to tell their stories and their faith to their children so that they would journey together back home …
Our challenge in this time of exile is to rebuild – not only our building – our temple – but to rebuild our stories and our way of living out our faith.
We are in many ways an exilic people … we live in a world where it is easy to feel very much alone. But in that moment when we feel farthest away from God, in that moment when we feel far from home – in that moment, a whisper breaks through to tell us that we truly are NOT alone … our redemption is drawing near …
Advent has begun … the time of beginning … the time of anticipating … the time of waiting for something extra-ordinary that is about to arrive …
Our challenge in the coming days, even those beyond the 25th of December, is to live the Christ event and to let the unexpected take hold as we journey home …
May it be so – thanks be to God – let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SUNG RESPONSE: # 7 Hope is a Star
Vs 1: Hope is a star that shines in the night,
Leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain: 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.
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
WELCOME /MINUTE FOR MISSION /ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 33: 14 – 16
HYMN # 1 (vs 1,3,5,7) O Come, O Come Emmanuel
ADVENT CANDLE:
One: This is the season of giving.
All: We love to give and receive gifts
One: because God gave us the greatest gift of all – Jesus.
All: Jesus is Emmanuel, God–with–us.
One: We live in hope because we know that God is with us.
All: Today we celebrate God’s gift of hope.
HYMN # 6 (vs 1) A Candle is Burning
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: When our lives are turned upside down,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: When we are separated from all that is dear to us,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: When chaos threatens the order that comforts us,
All: we turn to you, O God.
One: Come, Let us worship together.
OPENING PRAYER:
One: O God, we fear for the well being of your creation.
Nations are in turmoil.
Land is laid waste.
Waters are poisoned.
Animals are becoming extinct.
People live in fear.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore creation.
One: Mistrust often separates people from one another,
confusion complicates our lives,
and hope often seems fleeting.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore us to community.
One: Yet this is a new season, a new day,
with possibilities of new beginnings.
God’s promise brings a new dawn.
All: Come, O Saviour, restore us to new life. Amen
HYMN # 415 God We Praise You For the Morning
STORY STOOL
HYMN # Magic Penny
Chorus: Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.
1. It’s just like a magic penny
Hold in tight and you won’t have any.
Lend it, spend it and you’ll have so many
They’ll roll all over the floor. For …. (chorus)
(repeat verse 1 & chorus)
Words and Music: Malvina Reynolds
PRAYER FOR WHOLENESS:
One: Sometimes we look around at all that you have entrusted to us and we feel uneasy, O God. On land and water, high and low, where your creatures once teemed and filled the air with cries of joy, we now hear eerie silence.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
One: Non-native species invade and mar our native landscapes, a sea of hungry faces, hour upon hour of television full of activity, yet somehow empty of content.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
One: Likewise when we look within, we are often uneasy, aware of our failure to love each other, and your creation, and ourselves.
All: Forgive us for not being signs of new hope, O God.
Transform our hearts and set us on pathways of justice and righteousness, that we might turn and be servants of
healing for our world.
ASSURANCE OF GRACE:
In spite of all we have done, God has not forsaken us. As surely as the bud unfolds and calls forth the spring and the harvest, so God transforms
our lives anew. You are forgiven. Rejoice and serve God with gladness.
CHOIR ANTHEM: Mary Did You Know
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 21: 25 – 36 & Psalm 25 (pg 752 VU)
HYMN # 9 People Look East
SERMON:
Our reading from Luke is an apocalyptic vision of what may come … Wars and rumours of wars, disasters and famines and all manner of horrible events will happen and our world will be filled with hearing about them … Today is also the day in our Church calendar when we acknowledge and weep over the ravages wrought by HIV/AIDS in our world. Around us, the world is awash in bad news and when we hear the words of Luke we can draw some conclusions – some of which are less than helpful.
Some of our more evangelical sisters and brothers read this text and turn on the evening news and say – “A-ha … wars in Iraq and Afghanistan … rumours of wars in places like The Dafur, Sri Lanka and countless other corners of the world … images of tsunamis, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes and drought …” These are the very things Jesus was talking about.
Sadly though, the images that often fill our news and overwhelm us, the images that cause our more evangelical sisters and brothers to proclaim the apocalypse is at hand, seldom motivate them to action in addressing those disasters. They see the images and see the fulfillment of prophecy. The problem is one of technology not one of prophecy.
Today thanks to modern technology I can take a picture of all of you right now and with the press of a couple of buttons, have it on the internet in a matter of minutes …
Remember a couple of years ago when the Tsunami ravaged South-east Asia and we were able to see what was happening in real time … cell phones, digital cameras and other technologies have allowed us to witness in real time, no lengthy delay like a few years ago – but with the punch of a couple of buttons images are INSTANTLY transmitted around the world …
Think back to last week when the comedian who played Kramer in the tv show Seinfeld had a melt down on stage in the US. There is no justification for his words or actions, but what truly did him in was the presence in the audience of a few people with cel phones capable of video capture (how’s that for techno-talk??) As he melted down, people were filming it and within seconds it was in the hands of media outlets and his career was in tatters …
Contrast this with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, when for days after the wireless transmitted the fateful SOS from the stricken ship, the headlines were filled with news of the ship under tow, and all souls saved, and the collision with the ice berg being a minor one. Only days later when the Carpathia and the other ships steamed into New York did the newspapers catch up with the scope of that disaster.
Think back to the news reels of World War Two … it was days before news reached us … In today’s world the transmission of news is instantaneous and sometimes reaches thousands of kilometers away BEFORE it arrives at home … When the Queen of the North sunk off the BC coast, we knew about in Minnedosa, before Mag’s family in Port Hardy where the ship was due to arrive had heard … such is the speed of our modern media … the stories spread rapidly, and nothing spreads as quickly as bad news …
And so, the wars and rumours of wars … the disasters and so on, have always happened. Typhoons like that which his the Phillipines today have been happening for thousands or years, hurricanes like Katarina have been hitting the New Orleans coast for thousands of years … the difference today is – we hear about it … people live there … people film it … people talk about it … and thousands of kilometers away we can open a newspaper, turn on a radio or tv, or sign on the internet and see it …
In Jesus’ day you world was YOUR village and perhaps the town up the road … in our day our world stretches around the planet. We are able to learn about what is happening half a world away …
So, in our modern world where we are so aware of what’s happening half a world away, how are we to live and share our faith?
For this we hear the whisper of Jeremiah … Jeremiah, speaking in the midst of the Babylonian exile, wants the people to have hope. He wants them to look beyond the moment in which they find themselves. And place their trust in God.
In the exile, the people – the learned and educated, the people of power – the land owners and the people of property are far from home – living in Babylon, far from everything that is familiar. They have had children and grandchildren – the memories of HOME have faded. The experiences of Israel and the land they call home have begun to pass from their memories … and the people are afraid that they will lose their way, they are afraid their children will NOT know what it means to be members of the nation of Israel … And so Jeremiah steps up and says – “the day is coming when God’s promises will be fulfilled and we will AGAIN stand in Jerusalem and worship at the temple …”
“Yeah right,” scoff the people “… the temple is a vacant lot … there is nothing but rocks and weeds there … and it is FAR away … it will never happen …”
But Jeremiah persists … “God is with us,” he proclaimed, “we have never been abandoned by God …”
Centuries later, standing looking at the temple that rose in that vacant lot Centuries after Jeremiah proclaimed it would again rise, Jesus warned his followers that there would be a time when it feels like God is absent and far away … a time when there are wars and rumours of wars and news of huge disastes – and in that moment, we MUST trust in God. Not as just some distant holy presence, but as a living force that is within and around us. We must trust in God as a living presence that promises us strength, courage, and most of all the power of transformation that we call resurrection.
Today we begin our journey towards Christmas through the season of Advent. Advent – the season of waiting … Advent – beginning – waiting – anticipating. Advent is the time for preparing for the coming of the Messenger we call The Christ.
In the Babylonian Exile the people wanted a strong military leader to free them from the shackles of slavery and exile …
In Jesus day, crushed under the heel of the Roman empire the people yearned for a strong military leader who would free the nation from oppression …
Today, what Christ event do we yearn for?
Do we want a Christ who is a strong moral leader – one who will give us certainty and direction with the many issues swirling around us?
Do we want a Chirst who is a meek and mild leader who won’t rock the boat and who won’t challenge us too much, but will make us feel loved and lovable?
Do we want a Chirst who is a leader who will chart the course for us and be just like us – affirming what we’re about – believing what we believe – doing what we’re doing?
We stand expectantly, waiting … and then The Christ event breaks upon us … first comes a child – a baby … born in some back water village in a forgotten corner of the Empire …
Then he grows up in another forgotten village and becomes a wandering rabbi who offers teachings that were not over the top calls for revolution, but were calls for a revolution within ourselves – change the way in which you live your faith he whispers … live your faith boldly and with courage.
The Christ event doesn’t just break over us. The Christ event comes quietly and in the most unexpected of ways … In the face of wars and rumours of wars, in the face of disasters and happenings, we hear the whisper of Jesus telling us that our redemption is drawing near …
So. How then shall we speak of our faith?
In the face of wars and rumours of wars, in the face of disasters and disease and famine, in the face of the modern world – how shall we share our stories of faith with those who may have forgotten?
As a community we are very much like the exiled Israelites. We look to a vacant lot where once our temple stood. We remember what once was, and we may even wonder if we will EVER return home … We not only need to hear that gentle whisper … we need to believe it … Jeremiah wanted people not only to believe that they would return home, but he wanted them to tell their stories and their faith to their children so that they would journey together back home …
Our challenge in this time of exile is to rebuild – not only our building – our temple – but to rebuild our stories and our way of living out our faith.
We are in many ways an exilic people … we live in a world where it is easy to feel very much alone. But in that moment when we feel farthest away from God, in that moment when we feel far from home – in that moment, a whisper breaks through to tell us that we truly are NOT alone … our redemption is drawing near …
Advent has begun … the time of beginning … the time of anticipating … the time of waiting for something extra-ordinary that is about to arrive …
Our challenge in the coming days, even those beyond the 25th of December, is to live the Christ event and to let the unexpected take hold as we journey home …
May it be so – thanks be to God – let us pray …
OFFERING
OFFERTORY AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION
HYMN # 62 (vs 1,3,4) Once in Royal David’s City
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER (# 959 VU)
HYMN # 18 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION
SUNG RESPONSE: # 7 Hope is a Star
Vs 1: Hope is a star that shines in the night,
Leading us on till the morning is bright.
Refrain: 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.
The worship has ended….
…the work of God’s people has just begun.
Go in peace.
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