Welcome to Grace! We hope you will join us for IN-PERSON worship on Sunday at 10 am. If you cannot make it to the church, you can be online. Click here to join us live on Facebook. A recorded version of the service is publicly available on Facebook by noon each Sunday. Throughout this publication, you will see underlined items. These are all hyperlinks, taking you to a website, Facebook page, or email to contact for more information. Give one a try by clicking on one of them, like the donation link. A hard copy of this publication is available in the office. Grace depends on financial contributions. You can support fantastic programming by going to our webpage, http://www.graceunitedchurch.ca/donate, or filling out a pre-authorized remittance form, available from the office. Grace depends on financial contributions.
What’s Happening This Week
December 5
4:15 - 5:15 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles - Sanctuary
5:00 - 6:30 pm - Handbells - Sanctuary
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Dyce Family Event - Hall
December 6
2:30 - 4:00 pm - Staff Meeting - Boardroom
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Homework Program - Hall
6:30 - 8:30 pm - Exploring the Way - Lounge
December 7
10:30 am - 12:30 pm - Senior Luncheon - Hall & Kitchen
1:00 - 11:00 pm - Jazz Night - Hall & Kitchen
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Kidz Praize - Sanctuary
8:00 - 9:00 pm - AA Meeting - Hall
December 8
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - M & P Meeting - Choir Room
9:30 - 11:30 am - Exploring the Way - Lounge
9:30 am - Book Club - Boardroom
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard - Narthex
6:00 - 8:30 pm - Youth Nite - Hall
7:30 - 9:00 pm - Community Choir - Sanctuary
December 9
6:00 - 8:00 pm - Piano Recital - Sanctuary
December 10
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Ilcano Rental - Hall
December 11
10:00 am - Worship - Advent 3 - White Gift Sunday - Sanctuary
2:00 - 5:00 pm - Piano Recital - Sanctuary
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned & fresh fruit
o Pasta Sauce
o Canned veggies/tomatoes o Pasta
o Freezable meats
o Lunch meat
o Cereal o Rice
o Crackers o Juice boxes
o Canned protein (ham, chicken, tuna)
(Larger cans for families)
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Granola bars
o Toilet paper/ Kleenex
o Shampoo, body wash,
deodorant
ORDER OF WORSHIP – December 4th, 2022
Advent 2 – A World of Hope for Better Days
Communion
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Adrienne Christopherson, Grace Ringers, Brenda Ellison, Karen Fawcett , Rev. Cathy Kinsman, Jonathan Rollheiser, Lois Sonnega and Garnet Weaver
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness” (vs. 1,2,4) VU #18
Words: James L. Milligan, 1925 Music : Henry Hugh Bancroft, 1938
CANDLELIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Creation” Gladys Jack
“In the quiet stillness of creation, in the quiet stillness of home.
In the quiet stillness of our being, God reminds us that we’re not alone”
CENTERING PRAYER
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
CHILDREN’S TIME “Cloth for the Cradle”
Cloth for the cradle, cradle for the child,
the child for our every joy and sorrow: find him a shawl that’s woven by us all,
to welcome the God of each tomorrow.
Tune: Wae’s Me for Prince Chairlie (Scot’s trad.)
Words and Arrangement: Iona Community 1997 – Wild Goose Worship Group
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
PRAYER OF HEALING
God of glory, shine upon us with hope and faith.
Refresh our lives and shower us with compassion,
that we might find healing and wholeness through your kin-dom.
Strengthen us with your courage and power,
that we might live with hope and harmony with your creation.
Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we may be learners of wisdom, instruments of peace and people filled with your endless healing hope.
(A moment of reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
In Christ, God’s new creation has arrived.
In Christ, God’s promised renewal breaks forth.
In Christ, all are drawn to the light to bring grace and comfort to the world.
Thanks be to God.
HOLY COMMUNION IS SERVED
Please see the screen for responsive sections of the Sacrament
THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO US
SCRIPTURE READING - Old Testament - Isaiah 11:1-10 – The peaceable reign of God
New Testament – Matthew 3:1-12 – John the Baptist preaches
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
HYMN “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (vs. 2,3,4) VU #1
Words: John Mason Neale 1851 Music:15th Century plainsong, arr. Healey Willan
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC - Excerpts from the Cantata – “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!” Grace Com Choir
MESSAGE
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERING HYMN “What Can I Do?” MV #191
Words and Music: Paul Rumboldt and Michel McCarthy Arranged Alan C. Whitmore 2005
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “Hope Is a Star ”(vs. 1 and 2) VU #7
Words: Brian Wren 1985 Music: Joan Collier Fogg, 1987
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Life and Work of the Church
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “I Am Walking the Path of Hope” MV #221
Words and Music: Janet Bauman Tissandier
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
UPCOMING WORSHIP
Advent 3 – December 11 – White Gift Sunday
Isaiah 35: 1-10 – The desert blooms and rejoices
Psalm 146: 5-10 – God’s reign brings justice.
James 5: 7-10 – Wait patiently for the coming of the Lord.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
The path to peace has many routes. Giving generously is one of them.
ADVENT |TWAS THE EVENING OF CHRISTMAS|DEC 18|GUC
"Twas the Evening of Christmas" written by Glenys Nellist. This will a morning of wonder & mystery as we prepare our hearts and minds for the Nativity of Christ at Christmas. We need the following:
Shepherds- still looking for some Sunday School Children to join
Camel Cut-outs- 3
COOKIES- are there some more people who can add a dozen or 2 to our cookie collection
Our Child Actors need to practice at least one Sunday, either Sunday, Dec. 4th or Sunday, Dec. 11th. It would be great if children could make both practices. On Sunday, Dec. 18th children will meet downstairs in the Playschool space by 9:45 a.m. Parents will be responsible for the simple costuming (we do have some items at the Church). Following service, we will have cookies and hot chocolate.
TIME AND TALENT UPDATE|GUC HALL
Grace United Church Time & Talent Fundraiser Auction Was Once Again…A Success!!!
On November 16, 2022, over 150 people attended the Time & Talent Auction evening. We all enjoyed a fabulous roast beef dinner and were thoroughly entertained by our Auctioneer, Brian Sheppard, and Barb Holt, our MC for the evening, who humorously introduced the Live Auction items. We also had Michelle Lake painting live throughout the evening. Thank you to all those who donated items and/or monetary donations. And a special Thank You to the 5 Event Sponsors – Weir Veterinary Services Ltd. & 4 Grace Church Families. Their monetary support paid for the catered meal, allowing ticket sales to go directly to the total raised. We had a total of 99 auction items and raised a clear profit of $16,556.27 for the Church. Our committee of Deb Hines, Barb Holt, Kim Holmedal & Deb Lundquist would sincerely like to thank each and everyone of you for attending and supporting the Time & Talent evening. Thank you also to our volunteers who helped us pull this evening off. Stories are still being shared of the wonderful time had. Thank You Very Much!!
CALL OUT FOR COOKIES|DEC 18 & 21ST|GUC
Can we load up the freezer with a variety of cookies to enjoy on Sunday, December 18th and December 21st for the Seniors Luncheon. All cookies can be dropped off at the Church in a container we can put in the freezer. We welcome all different kinds of cookies and can't wait till our cookie feast.
YOUTH NITES|NOV & DEC|6:00 – 8:30 PM |GUC
YOUTH NITES are an opportunity for youth ages 11-18 to gather in a safe and welcoming space to learn more about each other, take in a mental health strategy and have fun in the main activity. Upcoming main activities include Pizza & Movie, Christmas Baking, and Christmas Shopping for a family in need. Our last Youth Nite will be December 15th before the Christmas break.
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY |DEC 11|10:00 AM|GUC
The tradition of White Gift Sunday has its roots in a small Methodist church in Ohio in 1904. What began as a humble way to reflect on the love and devotion of the giver and not the value of the gift has grown into today’s white gift services in many churches across several denominations.
The story is told that a minister’s wife initiated the idea to solve the problem of inequity of gifts given at the Sunday School Christmas party. Instead of focusing on receiving gifts, the focus shifted to bringing gifts to Jesus that could in turn be shared with people around the world who did not have much. All the gifts would come wrapped in plain white paper, so that no one would know which was an expensive gift and which was a more modest one. No one would feel ashamed of their gift and everyone would share in the joy of giving to others.
Here at Grace, we will collect unwrapped gifts on Sunday, December 11th including hygiene products and toys for all ages. We are also encouraging cash donations to help Church In Society members purchase gifts in areas we may need to supplement. On December 15th, our Outreach families will be invited into the Church to do their 'Christmas Shopping' from all of the items we collect and purchase.
As beloved children of God, all are included in the life and ministry of the Grace Family where diversity is celebrated. Grace remembers, as we celebrate God’s presence in worship,
that Grace United Church gathers on Treaty 6 land,
the traditional territory of the Plains, Wood Cree, Assiniboine and Métis peoples.
As Treaty people,
we seek to live with respect on this land and live in peace and friendship with all our relations.