Order of Service / Advent 1 / December 3, 2023

  South Stormon Pastoral Charge 

(Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church)

Led by Rev. Min Hwang

*Gathering Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (#1 VU | vs. 1,2,3)

Welcome

Advent Candle-Lighting (Call to Worship & Opening Prayer)

In a world filled with tragedy and chaos, we arrive weary, wary, and wrung out.

  We come to find shelter from our fear, to discover hope as we practise our faith in worship.

We’re tired of this marathon of difficulty, longing for relief through a return to what we once thought normal

  We come because the vulnerable Christ child enlightens us with possibility.

On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this first candle symbolizing hope – the assurance that the risen Christ transforms all things in love

 

<The first candle is lit.>

 

All sing: VU 7 “Hope is a star” verse one only

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 week shall be strong,

And none shall be afraid

 

Flickering and fragile, this tiny flame opens us to wonder, to the heart of God, which transforms us as we join together in prayer:

  We come to be sustained in life, O God, even as we wrestle. Inspire us to perceive the Way of Jesus as the path of wholeness. Unite us to become a community of faith woven as one by the Spirit. Teach us how to live by loving-kindness, becoming catalysts for hope in the hearts of those we encounter. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar. Gathering ACE 2023-2024, page 72.

*Opening Hymn All Earth Is Waiting (#5 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, always with us, always coming: we confess that we do not know how to prepare for your Advent. We have forgotten how to hope in miracles; we have ignored the promise of your Kingdom; we get distracted by all the busyness of this season. Forgive us, God. Grant us the simple wonder of the shepherds, the intelligent courage of the Magi, and the patient faith of Mary and Joseph, that we may journey with them to Bethlehem, and find the Good News of a child born for us. Now, in the quiet of our hearts, we ask you to make us ready for his coming.  (a time of silent reflection) Amen.

*Celebrate God’s Presence, page 85.

Words of Assurance

The Good News of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life. Let us commit our lives to Christ’s way of hope and peace.

  Thanks be to the Advent God, who comes among us, setting us free to love and serve.

*Celebrate God’s Presence. page 86.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Isaiah 64:7-9 We are the clay; You are our potter.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (VU 794 | P1) Shine upon us, shepherd of Israel

1 Corinthians 1:3-9 In every way, you have been enriched in Christ

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn Hark the Glad Sound (#29 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#55 VU | v. 4, In the Bleak Midwinter)

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a wise man, I would do my part;

yet what I can I give him -- give my heart.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Loving God, with hope and love, we bring our gifts to you. May our act of giving symbolize hope to the world. As we worship you through the Advent journey, may these offerings be blessed to bring hope for our work here and your work in the world. Amen.

*Lori Van Santvoort-Jansekovich. Gathering ACE 2023-2024, page 32.

Sacrament of Communion

< All are welcome to this table.>

*This order of the communion is attributed to Advent Communion Liturgy of the United Church & Celebrate God’s Presence

Invitation to Communion

As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is the table of Jesus Christ, a banquet prepared for everyone. All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice, are welcome here.  

Call to Give Thanks

God be with you.

  And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

  We lift our hearts in prayer.

Let us give thanks to God.

  It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We give you thanks, God of peace and promise. Through the words of your prophets and the faith of your followers you prepare the way of our salvation and bring hope to birth. And though we often grow weary of waiting, your signs call us to keep watch for that day when all things shall be made new. In assurance of this hope, we join with all the company of heaven and earth to give you praise:

The Song of Creation (#203 MV)

O holy, holy, holy God, O God of time and space.

All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.

Hosanna in the highest heav'n, creation sings your praise.

And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

The Story Remembered

On the night before he died, it was Jesus who took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said, “Take and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.”Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This is the new covenant; remember me.”

Prayer of Self-Giving

Remembering your boundless love for us in Jesus Christ, we offer you our praise, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Affirmation of Memory and Hope (#204 MV)

Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again! (X 2)

Prayer for Transformation

Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this bread and cup may be the body of Christ:

Doxology Great Amen (#205 MV)

Amen, Amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen! (X2)

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

Sharing of Bread and Wine

Prayer after Communion (Unison)

We thank you, God, for breaking into our world and pouring into our lives and our experiences. We thank you, God, for this meal of thanksgiving and the stories of love, grace, and hope that it tells. Amen.

*Closing Hymn God of All Places (#4 VU)

*Commissioning

It is Advent. Prepare for the coming of Jesus.

    We will listen quietly and regularly for God’s word for us.

It is Advent. Prepare for the coming of Jesus.

    We will be aware of the needs within the circle of our community.

It is Advent. Prepare for the coming of Jesus.

    We will support our friends, who may be stressed, anxious, or grieving.

It is Advent. Prepare for the coming of Jesus.

    We will share in the Advent life of our faith community.

It is Advent. Prepare for the coming of Jesus.

    We will give thanks continually for God’s supreme gift of the Christ child.

God’s blessing will be yours in this journey, as Christmas comes near.

    O come Emmanuel, O come Emmanuel. Be with us always. Amen.

* Adapted from David Sparks, Gathering ACE 2022/2023. Page 33.

*Commissioning Song Prepare the Way of the Lord (#10 VU)

Prepare the way of the Lord! Prepare the way of the Lord! Make a straight path for him, make a straight path, prepare the way of the Lord! (x2)


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