HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time:  10 am at Trinity, Verona

Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777

Retired Voluntary Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay

Licensed Lay Worship Leader: Sheila Anthony

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music:  Stan Stinchcombe

Website:  www.h-vpastoralcharge.org

e-mail:  office@h-vpastoralcharge.org

 

4th advent sunday dec 24

 

Trinity United Church acknowledges the traditional territory upon which we gather. For thousands of years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers and shared their knowledge for survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples of this land, one based in honour and deep respect.

 

 

December 22, 2024

Advent IV

Lay Readers: Sunday School

 

Prelude: 

Welcome and Announcements:

Introit:  VU #14  To a Maid Whose Name was Mary

 

We Gather

 

Lighting the Christ Candle:

One: We light this candle to remind us that God is with us today and everyday.

 

(The Christ candle is lit)

 

Call to Worship: (Responsively)

One: We will sing about the wonder of your love forever, O God!

All: We will tell everyone we meet about your faithfulness to all generations!

One: We will declare that your love stands firm,

All: that your grace is as enduring as the heavens above!

One: Blessed are those who know you as their God,

All: for they walk in the light of your presence!

   

**Hymn:  VU #64  O Little Town of Bethlehem

1.  O Little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!  Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in they dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

 

2.  For Chris is born of Mary; and fathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.  O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.

 

3.  How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!  So god imparts to human hearts the blessed gift of heaven.  No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

 

4.  O holy child of Bethlehem, descend on us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.  We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

 

Opening Prayer: (Unison)

All: God of grace and glory: In this holy season of Advent, we look again for the light of Christ to enter our lives in a new and challenging way. It is a light which shines upon our world and each one of us. It reveals the intentions of our hearts and the mysteries of creation. The light of Christmas will never desert us. In his name we pray, Amen.

 

Words of Assurance:

One: God’s promise to Israel of old, and to God’s people today…I will bring you home, I will gather you together, I will restore all things.

All: Thanks be to God!

 

**Hymn:  VU #44  It Came upon the Midnight Clear 

1.  It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold, “Peace on the earth, good will to all from heaven’s all-gracious King!”  The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

 

2.  Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled; and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing, and o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.

 

3.  Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; beneath the angel strain have tolled two thousand years of wrong; and warring humankind hears not the love song which they bring.  O hush the noise, and cease your strife to hear the angels sing.

 

4.  For, lo! the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

 

A Gift of Music:  VU #12  The Visit

 

We Give Back

 

Mission and Service

 

Dedication of our Offerings: 

VU #540

All: Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free,

that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

 

Prayer:  (Unison)

All: Giver of the supreme Christmas gift, we offer to you our gifts to bring peace, as Jesus brought peace: to strengthen community, as Jesus strengthened the disciple community: to bring healing, as Jesus made the world whole. His hopeful name seals our prayers. Amen

  

Youth Time:

 

Lighting the Candle of Love:

One: Today we light the fourth candle- the candle of love. With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds us and fills us at all times.

All: There is no greater power than love.

One: It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death.

All: We love, because God loves us.

 

(The 4th advent candle is lit)

 

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

 

HYMN:  MV #221  I am Walking a Path” (Sung seated)

I am walking a path of love.

I am walking a path of love.

I am walking a path of love, lead me home,

Lead me home, I am home.

 

We Listen

 

Scripture:  Luke 1:38-55  (Pg. 890) (Mary’s Song)

 

Following the Readings:

One: The Spirit speaks and we listen.

All: God, let our hearts be moved.

 

(Children and teachers may leave for Sunday School)

 

Message: “A Story of Faith”

 

Hymn:  MV #95  How Deep the Peace”  (Sung twice)

(Please remain seated)

 

Prayers of the People

 

We are Sent Forth

 

**Closing Hymn:  VU #7  Hope Is a Star

1.  Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song.  The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

 

2.  Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.

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.

 

3.  Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that the Saviour is born. 

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.

 

4.  Love is a flame that burns in our heart, Jesus has come and will never depart. 

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.

 

**Commissioning and Benediction

 

**Choral Benediction:  Go Now in Peace (Don Besig/Nancy Price)

Go now in peace, never be afraid,

God will go with you each hour of every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,

Know God will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love, and show you believe,

Reach out to others so all the world can see,

God will be there watching from above,

Go now in peace, in faith and in love.

Amen. Amen. Amen!

 

Postlude: 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday January 5th:

Sheila Anthony

Lay Reader for January 5th:

Marg Smith

Greeter for January 5th:

Rob Tapscott

 

 

REMINDER:  Please note there will not be a church service next Sunday December 29th.  Have a Happy New Year and see you back on January 5th.

 

COMMUNITY WINTER BREAKFASTS:  We will be hosting a series of community breakfasts starting the first Saturday in January.  We hope you can plan to attend.

 

NATIVITY SCENE:  Debbie Lovegrove has set up a nativity at the back of the church sanctuary which she created and has loaned it to us for the season of Advent.  It is beautiful and well worth the time to study it.  Please do not touch it though.

 

CHURCH DECORATING:  A huge thank you is extended to Noreen Peters and her helpers who decorated our sanctuary and hall for our advent season.  Thank you Jean Clair, Terry Moore and Linda Porter for your help in decorating the sanctuary, and Eve Buckley and Muriel York for decorating the fellowship hall!  You ALL did an amazing job making our sanctuary and hall festive. 

 

TRINITY CHOIR PRACTICE:  A friendly reminder that our practices have ended and will resume on the Thursday afternoon of January 9th at 1:30 pm.

 

TRINITY SHARING CUPBOARD:  The cupboard will reopen on Wednesday January 29th, 2025.  This will give us time to restock as many of the items in the cupboard were used for the Hampers.  Items that are always useful are pasta sauce, cereal, and peanut butter.  Thank you for your continued support!!

 

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS 2024:  Our hampers rolled out on Monday December 16th, hopefully making the season a little easier for 24 local families.  Your generosity and support of this important outreach truly makes a difference.  This is what we do as a church!  May God bless all of you!!

 

BELATED THANK YOU:  Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes, and to everyone who donated for the fundraiser in celebration of my 65th birthday for camp Quin-Mo-Lac renovation fund.  It is greatly appreciated to keep this special place in good condition for the children campers and all who use it.  It was a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends.  Special thanks to Jean Clair and my family for helping with coffee and food enjoyed by all.  I’m very blessed to call you my family and friends.  God bless you all.  Lots of love, Darlene Nicol.

 

STORIES OF CHRISTMAS:  Reading the Christmas stories of long ago, and bringing them into our Christmas this 2024 season may revive family memories of twinkling lights, warmth by the fire, delicious smells from the kitchen, and mouth-watering foods on Christmas day. They may also remind us of the gifts of anticipation, of excitement, of a child’s innocent belief. These feelings were often generated through story, both oral and written. We adults need those feelings this Christmas. Stories told us of a gift-bringer named Santa, and other donors called shepherds, the Magi, and of an amazing MIRACLE gift the Baby Jesus.  Let us not allow the chaos of forces beyond our control in our world rob us of these ancient sensations of well-being.  Rather let us ground ourselves in the traditions of Christmas lights, Christmas church, Christmas carols wherever sung, Christmas giving of food, time and money -and -Christmas story.

 

The following are some Christmas readings, I have enjoyed- stories told and retold because they kindle LOVE at a time when it seems in short supply…

 

1)  Always THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS- read aloud with gusto, recited from memory.  Take turns reading. Memorize 8 lines each and then recite the whole thing.  Read several versions to enjoy the illustrations. Act it out in your living room with your grandkids. Ad lib your own lines. Make it hilarious as in “ I don’t care WHO you are, get those reindeer off my roof”!

 

2)  Google the NEW YORK SUN EDITORIAL from 1867 titled IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS?  Will it convince you? It convinced me.

 

3)  THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson. Yes, you may well be moved to tears at the tender ending. I read it aloud to my husband in sections year to year and laugh and sniffle anew.

 

4)  Find the famous short story THE GIFT OF THE MAGI. BY O.Henry. It can be read on the internet under that above title, or get a public library copy.  THEN on the internet, read the FASCINATING story of O. Henry’s life.   Does it relate to our own life?  Also, later in the new year when we’re deep in snow, ice, cold, read O. Henry’s longer hilarious story THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF.  Did you know any kid like that in your childhood? Were YOU one?

5)  There are many other wonderful reads out there-THE OTHER WISE MAN  by Henry Van Dyke and the sweet little SHOEMAKER AND THE ELVES TALE.

 

6) The ABSOLUTE MUST READ is found in the King James version of THE HOLY BIBLE. Read aloud LUKE Chapter 2, verses 1 to 17. Picture yourself a young child, sitting in church perhaps Christmas Eve, absorbing these words; your whole family, perhaps generations with you. Now allow yourself to be overwhelmed with gratitude for all you have been given over a lifetime. Give thanks and MERRY CHRISTmas this year.

 From Linda Brown at Trinity United Church, Verona

 

xmas reading.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAS IT ONLY A STAR

 

Was it only a star among so many

That lit the evening sky?

Unique in light-giving brilliance,

Capturing the searching eye,

It guided three of royal blood

Riding upon their camels’ back

To a shepherds’ stall,

Where on that day a baby lay,

The King of kings and Lord of all.

 

Majestic gifts were given

To honour the baby’s birth,

But no one knew in those early hours,

One day, in sacrificial love,

The baby’s gift to us –

A much greater gift –

Eternal life, and a home with Him above.

 

Was it only a star?  If that was all,

We would never know

Light in our darkest hours,

A star still guiding us today

Along our journey here below,

To a shepherds’ stall,

To the King of kings and to the Lord of all.

 

Written by Don Zeller 2021