FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 Dorchester United Church
Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey!
WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
The Season of Advent is coming quickly to a close as we usher in the Season
of Christmas. At the heart of Christmas is a girl named Mary. The colour
blue symbolizes her openness to the Holy Spirit. How open are we to bearing
God's child?
MUSICAL PRELUDE
HYMN:
"O Come, All Ye Faithful" V.U. 60
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
God calls us to come as children anxious for new things.
We come with eyes for a wandering star.
God calls us to listen to the message of angels.
We come with ears for the message of dreams. Let us worship the God of miracles.
OPENING PRAYER (In unison)
O God, we have laboured long in this world's darkness. Unaccustomed to
Your blessing, we have been overcome with fear. You come like an angel
bringing new life to all. May we like Mary receive You within us and
like the shepherds receive the light shining in the darkness. Fill us
with joy and wonder that our hearts may be full of Your love. AMEN
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: Advent 4: Love
(The First, Second and Third Advent Candles are lit)
Alan and Jane Busche
Come now, O God of love.
Pour out Your Spirit on all who long for Your gift of love . We sing of Your goodness together.
cccccourth Advent Candle is lit)
SUNG RESPONSE:
O So-So V.U. 34
Come now, O God of love, we are Your people;
Pour out Your Spirit that we be one body.
Moment of silence
HYMN:
"To a maid whose name was Mary" V.U. 14
ANTHEM:
"A Glorious Night"
Words and Music by Don Besig
RESPONSE: V.U. 400 Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
Let us build a house" M.V. 1
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE: For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U. 552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In this season of gift-giving, O God, our hearts are full of joy. Show us how in this ritual of the
offering of gifts we may learn the true art of sharing our lives with
one another and with a hurting world. AMEN