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Virtual Church: Sunday, JANUARY 17 – “Waiting”

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January 17, 2021 - Waiting

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Gathering Chorus – We Have Come Into His House

We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Him.
We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Him.
We have come into His house
and gathered in His name to worship Christ the Lord.
Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

So forget about yourself
and concentrate on Him, and worship Him.
So forget about yourself
and concentrate on Him, and worship Him.
So forget about yourself
and concentrate on Him, and worship Christ the Lord.
Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

Let us lift up humble hearts
and magnify His name, and worship Him.
Let us lift up humble hearts
and magnify His name, and worship Him.
Let us lift up humble hearts
and magnify His name, and worship Christ the Lord.
Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

(Words & Music: Bruce Ballinger © 1976 Sound III, Inc. CCLI#2458953)

Let Us With a Gladsome Mind

Let us with a gladsome mind
praise the Lord, so good and kind,
for God’s mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us blaze God’s name abroad;
of all gods the Lord is God,
for God’s mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

God with all-commanding might
filled the new-made world with light,
for God’s mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

All things living God doth feed;
with full hand supplies their need,
for God’s mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us then with gladsome mind
praise the Lord, so good and kind,
for God’s mercies shall endure,
ever faithful, ever sure.

(Words: John Milton, Music: Hymn Tunes of the United Brethren.
Words & Music: Public Domain
Church CCLI # 2458953)

RESPONSIVE PSALM: Psalm 33 – The Greatness and Goodness of God

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to Him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
He put the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom He has chosen as his heritage.

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
He sees all humankind.
14 From where He sits enthroned He watches
all the inhabitants of the earth—
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.

16 A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.

18 Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love,
19 to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and shield.
21 Our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in You.

Sung Response: Thy Word

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
still You’re there right beside me,
and nothing will I fear,
as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.

(Words: Amy Grant, Music: Michael W. Smith © Meadowgreen Music/Word Music Church CCLI #2458953)

In the Bulb There is a Flower

In the bulb there is a flower,
in the seed, an apple tree,
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there’s a spring that waits to be;
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning,
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing,
in our life, eternity;
in our death, a resurrection,
at the last, a victory;
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

(Words & Music: Natalie Sleeth © Hope Publishing Co. as in the PCC Hymnal, Church CCLI #2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, JANUARY 10 – “The Road Less Travelled”

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January 10, 2021 - The Road Less Travelled

 

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We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star. (Refrain)

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night
star of royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign. (Refrain)

Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh,
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshipping God on high. (Refrain)

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom,
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in a stone-cold tomb. (Refrain)

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice:
hallelujah, hallelujah,
sounds through the earth and skies. (Refrain)

(Words: John H. Hopkins Jr., Music: Traditional Carol; Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

The People that in Darkness

The people that in darkness pined
have seen a glorious light;
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death’s surrounding night.

To hail Your rise, O better Sun,
the gathering nations come,
Rejoicing as when reapers bear
the harvest treasures home.

To us a Child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given,
and on His shoulders ever rests
all power in earth and heaven.

His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.

His reign of righteous government
shall over all extend,
for peace and justice shall abound
in this world without end.

(Words: John Morison, Music: Scottish Psalter. Words & Music: Public Domain Church CCLI#2458953)

Responsive Reading – PSALM 72:1-14

1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.

5 May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
11 May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.

12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.

 

As With Gladness Men of Old

As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold;
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright:
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore be led to Thee.

As they offered gifts most rare
at Thy cradle rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin’s alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way,
and when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds of glory hide.

In that heavenly country bright
need they no created light:
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou it’s sun which goes not down;
there forever may we sing
hallelujahs to our King.

(Words: William Chatterton Dix, Public Domain. Music: Conrad Kocher, harmony: William H. Monk, descant: Sydney H. Nicholson; Public Domain, Descant: © The Royal School of Church Music. Church CCLI#2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, JANUARY 3 – “TRUST”

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January 3, 2021 - Trust

 

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What Child Is This?

What child is this, who laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring Him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
where oxen now are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
the Cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary.

(Words: William Chatterton Dix, Music: English Traditional; Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled,
when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus
that hailed our Saviour’s birth!
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger
the humble Christ was born,
and God sent us salvation
that bless-ed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born.

(Words & Music: African American Traditional, adaptation: John W. Work. © John W. Work, 1940.  Church CCLI#2458953)

Responsive Reading – PSALM 147:1-11

1 Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for He is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
He gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
His understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
He casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
in those who hope in His steadfast love.

SOLO: The Colours of Winter Meghan McCarthy  © 2016 Hal Leonard, Milwin Music Corporation. Church CCLI#2458953

Come In, Come In, New Year

Come in, come in, New Year
with sparkling winter day!
Your promise calls us here
to celebrate and pray,
through January’s open door
to stride with hopeful step once more.

For though December dies,
still Christmas keeps the light,
the hope in children’s eyes,
the star that shatters night;
now Simeon and Anna see
the child who rules all time to be.

The calendar of Christ
will mark the seasons’ turn;
His story claim our trust;
His love be ours to learn.
For all the world,
for young and old,
we pray a year of peace unfold!

(Words: Shirley Erena Murray © 1996 Hope Publishing Co.; Music: John Darwall; Harmony: William Henry Monk. Music: Public Domain Descant: Sydney H. Nicholson © Hope Publishing Co.
Church CCLI#2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, DECEMBER 27 – “Keeping Christmas in Our Hearts”

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December 27, 2020 - Keep Christmas in Your Heart

 

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Oh Come All Ye Faithful 

Oh come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant;
Oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
born the King of angels:
Oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
“Glory to God
in the highest!”
Oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

(Words: F. Oakeley, Music: Anonymous
Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
before their light the stars grew dim,
and wandering hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark
the tender Babe was found;
a ragged robe of rabbit skin
enwrapped His beauty round,
but, as the hunter braves drew nigh
the angel song rang loud and high:
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.

(Words: Huron, Jean de Brebeuf, Translation: J. Edgar Middleton. Music: Anonymous, arrangement: Frederick Jackisch.
Words: © The Frederick Harris Music Co. Ltd. Music: arrangement © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship/Augsburg Fortress. Church CCLI # 2458953)

 

Good Christians, All Rejoice

Good Christians, all rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now give heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today,
oxen before Him bow,
and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today;
Christ is born today.

Good Christians, all rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now you hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this.
He has opened heaven’s door,
and we are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this;
Christ was born for this.

Good Christians, all rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now you need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save,
calls you one and calls you all
to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save;
Christ was born to save.

(Words: translation, John Mason Neale, Music: German Carol Melody  / Words & Music: Public Domain. Church CCLI#2458953)

 

DUET: In the Bleak Mid-Winter – Dr. Tom and Susie

(Words: Christina G. Rossetti, Music: Gustav T. Holst
Words: Public Domain; Music: © Oxford University Press. Church CCLI # 2458953)

DUET: Is There Room in Your Heart? Tracy & Vivian Lo

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive its King;
Let every heart, prepare Him room
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns:
let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of
His righteousness
and wonders of His love,
and wonders of His love,
and wonders, wonders of His love.

(Words: Isaac Watts, Music: Lowell Mason  Words & Music: Public Domain. Church CCLI#2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, DECEMBER 20 – “LOVE”

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The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay,
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.

(Words & Music: English Traditional Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

That Boy-Child of Mary

That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger His cradle in Bethlehem.
What shall we call Him,
child of the manger?
What name is given in Bethlehem?

That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger His cradle in Bethlehem.
His name is Jesus,
God ever with us,
God given for us in Bethlehem.

That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger His cradle in Bethlehem.
One with the Father,
He is our Saviour,
heaven-sent helper of Bethlehem.

That boy-child of Mary was born in a stable,
a manger His cradle in Bethlehem.

(Words: Tom Colvin; Music: Malawi traditional. arranged by Tom Colvin. Words & Music: 1969 Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Oh come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant;
Oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
born the King of angels:
Oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
“Glory to God
in the highest!”
Oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him;
oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

(Words: F. Oakeley, Music: Anonymous  Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

 

Candle of Love – Lester & Lois MacFadyen
L = Leader C = Congregation

L: In this season of Advent, we celebrate God’s love.

C: Soon we will welcome
the beautiful and radical love of God
as Jesus Christ comes to live among us.

L: We embrace our identity as God’s beloved children
and let this truth guide our decisions and relationships.

C: In our homes and in our church
we offer hospitality,
welcoming those we don’t know, those who are in need,
and those who are different from us.

L: We demonstrate our care for creation
in real and tangible ways through the products we buy,
the food we eat, and the way we live every day.

C: Together, we are a sign of God’s love for the world.

(The candle is lit)

L: Let us pray:

C: God of extravagant generosity,
in Jesus we discover
the depth of your care
and the lengths you will go to save us.
Forgive us when we ignore those in need,
trample your creation
and refuse to share
all that we receive from you.
Teach us to love our neighbours,
caring for each other
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Sung Response: Love is a Flame

Love is a flame that burns in our hearts,
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.

(Words: Brian Wren, Music: Joan Collier Fogg Words & Music: © 1989 by Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)

 

By Heaven’s Light: A Christmas Cantata

(Words: Tom S. Long Music: Allen Pote © 2007 Hope Publishing Company)

Once in Royal David’s City

Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

Christ came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
sheltered by a humble stable,
cradled in a cattle stall:
with the poor, oppressed and lowly,
lived on earth, our Saviour holy.

(Words: Cecil Frances Alexander, Music: Henry John Gauntlett, harmony: A.H. Mann.
Words & Music: Public Domain, Harmony: © Novello & Co Ltd. Church CCLI#2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, DECEMBER 13 – “JOY”

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God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas day,
to save us all from Satan’s pow’r
when we were gone astray;
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav’nly Father,
a blessed angel came;
and unto certain shepherds
brought tidings of the same:
how that in Bethlehem was born
the son of God by name,
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

(C) 2002 Hal Leonard Corporation

Still, Still, Still

Still, still, still, He sleeps this night so chill!
The Virgin’s tender arms enfolding,
Warm and safe the Child are holding,
Still, still, still, He sleeps this night so chill!

Sleep, sleep, sleep, He lies in slumber deep
While angel hosts from heav’n come winging,
Sweetest songs of joy are singing,
Sleep, sleep, sleep, He lies in slumber deep.

Joy, joy, joy; Glad tidings of great joy!
The Holy One in manger lowly
Brings to us salvation wholly.
Joy, joy, joy; Glad tidings of great joy!

English Words: (C) George K. Evans, 1980; Music: Austrian Traditional, arrangement (C) Walter Ehret, 1980

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.
Gloria,
in excelsis Deo.

(Words: Luke 2:6-20; Music: Traditional. Words & Music: Public Domain.  Church CCLI # 2458953)

ADVENT WREATH – Candle of Joy Helene Duranleau-Reid & Barclay Reid
L = Leader C = Congregation

L: In this season of Advent, we celebrate God’s joy.

C: Knowing that Christ is coming
to bring healing and wholeness to the world
is a source of delight!

L: When we gather for worship it is a celebration,
an opportunity to rejoice in all that God is doing
among us and beyond us.

C: We welcome our neighbours and celebrate God’s goodness.

L: Even when we face difficulty and trouble
we sing a song of faith,
confident that Jesus is able
to redeem our suffering world.

C: Together, we are a sign of God’s joy for the world.

(The candle is lit)

L: Let us pray:

C: God of transformation,
we rejoice that You lift up the lowly
and bind up the broken hearted.
We marvel at Your power to change hearts and lives.
Fill us with Your Spirit this season
so that our voices declare Your goodness
and our lives proclaim Your mercy
in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sung Response: Joy is a Song 

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.

(Words: Brian Wren, Music: Joan Collier Fogg  Words & Music: © 1989 by Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive its King;
Let every heart, prepare Him room
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns:
let us our songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of
His righteousness
and wonders of His love,
and wonders of His love,
and wonders, wonders of His love.

(Words: Isaac Watts, Music: Lowell Mason; Words & Music: Public Domain. Church CCLI#2458953)

UPDATE ON WORSHIP SERVICES

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Dear Church Family,

With the new restrictions put in place by Dr. Morrison effective today, December 7, 2020, faith gatherings are limited to ten or fewer people until at least December 21.

SUNDAY SERVICES
Because of the current limit on gatherings, we will temporarily revert to online services for Sunday, December 13 and Sunday, December 20. You will be sent links to the services on the Sunday mornings no later than 9:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School classes have been suspended until January.

SERVICE OF HOPE
The Service of Hope scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 will now be an online service that will be posted on Wednesday, December 9.

CHRISTMAS EVE
At this point, the restrictions are only in place until December 21. What happens between now and then will determine whether or not we are able to host in-person Christmas Eve Services. We will keep you posted!

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call or email or text us if there is anything at all we can do for you and please stay safe!

With our ongoing prayers for each one of you,

Dr. Tom and Rev. Paula

 

 

Virtual Church: Sunday, DECEMBER 6 – “Being at Peace”

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December 6, 2020 Second Week of Advent

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It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold.
“Peace on the earth, goodwill toward men,
from heaven’s all gracious King”;
the world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.

For lo! The days are hastening on,
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever circling years
comes round the age of gold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song,
which now the angels sing.

(Words: Edmund H Sears, Music: Richard Storrs Willis.
Words & Music: Public Domain; Church CCLI # 2458953)

ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Peace

L = Leader C = Congregation

L: In this season of Advent, we celebrate God’s peace.

C: Jesus Christ, born the Prince of Peace,
calls our community to justice
and leads us in the way of peace.

L: We call one another to honesty and humility
and respond to each other with abundant grace and forgiveness.

C: Our community values relationships.
We live in harmony with one another even when we disagree,
and strive to glorify God in everything we do.

L: Our community longs for unity.
We work together with other churches and organizations,
and live out God’s reconciling love for all the world to see.

C: Together, we are a sign of God’s peace in the world.

(The Candle of Peace is lit)

L: Let us pray:

C: God of all people and all nations,
you break through the cynicism
of our world
and lead us like a gentle shepherd.
Open our eyes to see the signs of
your coming kingdom
and inspire us to participate
in all you are doing
in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sung Response: Peace is a Ribbon #119 verse 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.

(Words: Brian Wren, Music: Joan Collier Fogg
Words & Music: © 1989 by Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold Him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see!
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased on earth with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
risen with healing in His wings.
Mild, He lays His glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise the lost of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
glory to the newborn King.

(Words: Charles Wesley, Music: Felix Mendelssohn.
Words & Music: Public Domain. Church CCLI#2458953)

Virtual Church: Sunday, NOVEMBER 29 – “HOPE”

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November 29, 2020 First Week of Advent

 

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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set Thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth Thou art,
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us forever;
now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by Thine all sufficient merit
raise us to Thy glorious throne.

(Words: Charles Wesley, Music: Rowland Hugh Pritchard, Harmony: Ralph Vaughn Williams. Words: Public Domain; Music: Harmony © Oxford University Press from The English Hymnal, as printed in the Presbyterian Church in Canada Hymn Book © 1996. Church CCLI # 2458953)

ADVENT WREATH – Candle of Hope

Leader: The season of Advent begins, and we celebrate the hope
we find in the good news of the Gospel.

Congregation: Through the birth
of a tiny and helpless child,
God comes to save the world.

Leader: While we watch and wait for Jesus,
we join God’s mission by bringing grace and mercy
to those who need it most.

Congregation: We engage the poor and the poor in spirit,
letting Christ’s light shine through us.

Leader: We speak words of comfort and love
to a world in need of hope and healing
as we share our stories of God’s transforming Spirit.

Congregation: Together, we are a sign of God’s hope for the world.

(The candle is lit)

Leader: Let us pray:

Congregation: God of surprising grace,
when we least expect it
You bring fresh new life;
and where we feel that all is lost,
You bring redemption.
Give us courage as we share
all You have done,
all You are doing,
and all You will accomplish
through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sung Response: Hope is a Star

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.

(Words: Brian Wren, Music: Joan Collier Fogg
Words & Music: © 1989 by Hope Publishing Co. Church CCLI # 2458953)

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
ye who sang creation’s story,
now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in your field abiding,
watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.

Though an infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
gather all the nations to Him;
every knee shall then bow down.
Come and worship, come and worship,
worship Christ, the newborn King.

(Words: James Montgomery, Music: Henry T. Stewart,
Words & Music: Public Domain. Church CCLI#2458953)