Dear friends,
THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship. Sunday marks the third week of Advent, where we’ll light the Candle of Joy, also known as the Shepherd Candle, that reflects the joy that comes through Jesus’ incarnation and his redeeming grace.
OUR SCRIPTURE READING is taken from the gospel according to Luke 3: 7-18, “John the Baptist Prepares the Way”. In Advent, as we await the Messiah’s coming, this passage reminds us to ready our hearts for his triumphant Second Coming and his birth. “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” – 1 Timothy 3: 16.
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING this year (the yellow envelope in your envelope box marked December 25)has been designated to Action Réfugiés Montréal. This charitable organization, founded in 1994 with the support of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, assists with the sponsorship of refugees, offers support to people detained for immigration reasons, helps break the isolation of refugees through friendship and twinning – pairing refugee women with women volunteers to create bonds of friendship and exchange, and also engages in education and advocacy for refugees.
IT IS THE 45TH YEAR that Ecumenical Community Services (ECS) is completing its Christmas Basket Campaign in Saint-Lambert and Lemoyne. Thus far more than 197 households will be able to enjoy a Christmas supper. Throughout 2024 the Foodbank saw an increase in food aid compared to 2023. It is not likely that food aid demand will decrease in 2025.
For information about ECS’s first Newsletter, go to https://scosaintlambertecs.ca/news
Your support is important to help cover the costs of the Christmas Basket Vouchers and the Foodbank. In 2025, the hope is to collect sufficient funds to assist in supporting the homeless. Please consider donating to the cause of helping the needy in our community. To donate, you can send (drop off at the church, if the Postal strike continues) a check payable to Ecumenical Community Services or by e-transfer at https://scosaintlambertecs.ca/donate
Your donation will be received and used with gratitude! An income tax receipt will be issued by mail, or email – if you supply your email address. If you have any questions about the Christmas Basket Campaign or ECS in general, please speak with Betty or Linda at coffee hour. On behalf of all ECS volunteers we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Lighting of the Advent candle & Hymn – He came down (vs 3)
Call to Worship
Hymn: Sing Out, All God’s People! (Tune 159)
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Confession
Declaration of Grace
The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s Time
Hymn 117: Herald! Sound the note of judgement
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
Responsive Scripture Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18
Sermon: “Why would God want to sing over me?”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 787: The Kingdom of God
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 115: Hail to the Lord’s anointed (vs 3 en français)
Benediction
Go now in peace
Postlude