December 24, 2023 – Advent 4 – Love Through Worship
Order of Worship - Grace United Church
Worship led by Grace Choir, Grace Trio, Rev. Cathy Kinsman, Pam Rollheiser and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
INTROIT “We Wait/Watch/Work/Worship for God” (vs.1-4) Grace Trio
Words & Music: William S. Kervin, Deborah Parks & Tom Reynolds
WELCOME
*HYMN “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (vs. 1-3) VU #60
Words: English trans. Frederick Oakely; Music: attrib. John F. Wade
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home” Words & Music: Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING - (Led by representatives of the Pastoral Care Team)
(The fourth blue candle is lit).
(The first three Advent candles are lit, two blue, symbolizing hope and peace and one pink, symbolizing joy).
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we light his candle symbolizing love.
We come to live into loving one another – even when it is difficult.
Jesus demonstrate that every person is worthy of our love,
a flame of purpose that should not be extinguished.
Love is most fully lived in relationships that are mutual, life-giving, and self-giving.
We come, learning how to love with kindness and compassion.
Let us sing as we celebrate the good news embodied in love, alive among us.
*HYMN “A Candle Is Burning” (vs. 4) VU #6
Music: Sandra Dean Words: James R. Murray
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN “Away in A Manger” VU #69
Words: Author Unknown Music: William James Kirkpatrick
PRAYER OF HEALING
Approaching God, we watch for packages to arrive
and Christmas cards to be delivered,
but we do not keep our eyes open for Your coming,
We expect our Christmas 'wish list' to be filled,
and for the pile under the tree to grow and grow,
but we secretly hope you do not expect to transform our lives.
We notice where to find the best bargains,
and what decorations our neighbours have put on their houses,
but we often choose not to notice the little, the least, the lost,
and the last, walking down the street.
Heal our self-centered hearts so we might watch for your coming,
reaching out to those in need, waiting for love to come,
even as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, comes to live in our hearts.
We offer now in prayer, times our priorities have been misplaced.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
*SUNG WORDS OF GRACE & COMFORT “O Come and Let Us Sing” (With repeat) MV #9
Words & Music: Taize Community
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
THE PSALMS 89:1-4, 19-26 - I will sing of God’s steadfast love
( From Everyday Psalms – James Taylor)
*HYMN “There Was A Child in Galilee” MV #134
Words & Music: Janet Gadeski arr Patricia Wright
THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 1:26-38 – The angel Gabriel visits Mary.
In this is God’s message of love for the world. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC “Angels We Have Heard on High” GraceTrio, Graci Haas on clarinet
Words: James Chadwick Music: French carol melody
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “What Child Is This” (vs. 3 only) VU #74
Music: English melody, John Stainer Words: William Chattertorn Dix
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “Go Tell It On the Mountain” VU #43
Words: Jon Wesley Work Music: African-American Spiritual
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Take Up His Song of Love” MV #213
Words & Music: Laura A. Herman
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Thank you for all the ways you are generous. Your gifts to this congregation and to Mission and Service really do help to change the world God loves.
What’s Happening This Week
Dec 25
OFFICE CLOSED
Dec 26
OFFICE CLOSED
Dec 27-29
Office open from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm only
Dec 31
Worship – Christmas Cantata Recording - tune into Facebook page for the recording of the Grace Night of Music.
Jan 1
OFFICE CLOSED
Jan 2
Office open from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm only
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (Ham, chicken, tuna)
UPCOMING WEEKS IN WORSHIP
December 31 First Sunday after Christmas – Tune into Facebook Page for the recording of the Grace Night of Music
January 7 Epiphany
January 14 Baptism of the Lord
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.
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Minister - Rev. Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca
Affirming Support Worker - Jenson Brown 780-875-8959 gucjensonbrown@gmail.com
Choir Director - Karen Fawcett 780-875-4642 karenfawcett@hotmail.com
Playschool Coordinator - Lori Haygarth 780-808-0959 gucplayschool@graceunitedchurch.ca
Treasurer- Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca