South Stormont Pastoral Charge

Today, we reflect on a story in the Gospel of Luke that happened dozens of days after the first Christmas. To follow the Law, Mary and Joseph went to the temple in Jerusalem about 40 days after baby Jesus was born. Luke gives two reasons for their visit to the temple. The first reason was that "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord" (2:23). However, this ceremony was not only for the first male child. The verse Luke quotes from Exodus 13:2 is actually as follows: "Consecrate to me all the firstborn; whatever is the first to open the womb among the Israelites, of human beings and animals, is mine." This ceremony did not mean that God likes firstborn children more. As a matter of fact, in the Bible, God is portrayed as the One who cares for the second or youngest child more. Famous figures like Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, and Solomon were not first-born. So, why was there a ceremony for the firstborn? Because it served as a reminder for parents...

*Gathering Hymn Go Tell It on the Mountain (#43 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come to worship the vulnerable infant Jesus. Come to enter into the ordinary reality of daily living that follows his birth.   All: We are here, feeling like there is something missing. In the aftermath of starry night twinkles, impressive angel choruses, and the awe-filled celebration of the lowly shepherds, we are seeking still more wonder, more brilliance, more spectacle. One: Come to worship the one whose helplessness invites us to participate actively. Come to discover our creative purpose even in the ordinariness of our lives. All: We come to be assured, to be inspired, to be equipped, to be sent out. *Gord Dunbar . Gathering ACE 2023-2024 , page 35. Opening Prayer (Unison) Mother God, who labours to birth our faith journey, who nurses us with love’s colostrum, who nurtures us for justice, who teaches us self-giving, who assures us of our worthiness,...

Christmas is only a week away, and lots of people enjoy this time. One reason could be the excitement of getting to see loved ones soon. In "The Little Prince," Antoine de Saint-Exupéry talks about the joy of waiting for someone through the voice of the fox: "If you come at four o'clock in the afternoon, then at three o'clock, I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances.” Today's Psalm is about Mary's Magnificat, a song she sang while waiting for her baby to be born. Moms understand the meaning of waiting really well. When they become pregnant, they spend about 40 weeks feeling, taking care of, and waiting for their baby in their belly. During the whole pregnancy, they are patient and dedicated. They make sacrifices like giving up alcohol or caffeine, and visiting the doctor regularly to get checked. They know that giving birth can be very painful, but they go through it, looking forward to the moment when they finally...

South Stormon Pastoral Charge  (Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church) https://www.facebook.com/southstormontunitedchurches Led by Rev. Min Hwang *Gathering Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (#1 VU | vs. 1,6,7) Welcome Advent Candle-Lighting (Call to Worship & Opening Prayer) <The first two candles are lit.> On this third Sunday of Advent, we light this candle symbolizing joy – acknowledging the reality that joy often bursts out of pain, hardship, and failure. <The third candle is lit.> Joy often comes to us unexpected, especially when we have given up on life Joy reminds us that nothing is impossible – even in weakness. In our joy, we are powerfully reminded that God is always near.   Our joy erupts from the assurance that God is with us here and now.   All sing: VU 7 “Hope is a star” verse three only Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Telling the world that the saviour is born. When God i...

Today's Gospel reading is about John the Baptist, who prepared the way for peace. In the Jewish community of that time, he was famous because he was considered the last prophet before the day of the Lord. Specifically, his words, actions, and appearance closely resembled those of Elijah, the only prophet in the Hebrew Bible whose death is not recorded. According to 2 Kings, Elijah ascended into heaven in a chariot of fire. For this reason, the Jews anticipated Elijah's return at the end of time, as prophesied in the book of Malachi: "I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes" (Malachi 4:5). Despite being respected as a great prophet, John the Baptist humbly spoke of himself as a preparer of the way for Christ. He said, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit...

    South Stormon Pastoral Charge  (Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church) https://www.facebook.com/southstormontunitedchurches Led by Rev. Min Hwang *Gathering Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (#1 VU | vs. 1,4,5) Welcome Advent Candle-Lighting (Call to Worship & Opening Prayer) <The first candle is lit.> We come to find shelter from our fear, to discover hope as we practise our faith in worship. We come because the vulnerable Christ child enlightens us with possibility. We come to affirm that divine peace thrives within us, a seed of inspiration strengthened by Spirit breath.   We come to seek wisdom and daring to live lives of peace, transforming into a community of faith that builds bridges. On this second Sunday of Advent, we light this second candle symbolizing peace-the proclamation that God calls us to live peacefully in understanding. <The second candle is lit.>   All sing: VU 7 “...