Dear friends,
THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship. Sunday marks the fourth week of Advent, where we’ll light the Candle of Love, please think about the kind of love Jesus brings us for today and for the future.
OUR SCRIPTURE READING continues in the gospel of Luke 1: 39-45, “Mary Visits Elizabeth”. In this passage, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary greets Elizabeth, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb. Even though John was still in his mother’s womb, he recognized the presence of Jesus, the Son of God. The Austrian poet, Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg writes about this joy and excitement: “The presence of Jesus always kindles joy, even when it is hidden and is with hidden things. Jesus, hidden in his mother’s womb, gladdens John, who is likewise lying beneath his mother’s heart. This shows that no darkness or seclusion, no invisibility or concealment, neither flesh nor blood, nor corporeal or natural thing —nothing— can impede joy in Jesus.”
OUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be led by our Interim Moderator Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries on Tuesday, December 24 at 7:30 PM. After the service, everyone is invited downstairs to enjoy some mulled apple cider and some home baked treats as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Please consider signing-up for the setup and serving for this very special reception.
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Lighting of the Advent candle & Hymn – He come down (vs 4)
Call to Worship
Hymn: “Tell out my soul” (tune Woodland)
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Declaration of Grace
The Lord’s Prayer
Children’s Pageant
Hymn 156: “The angel Gabriel from heaven”
Micah 5:2-5a (en français BFC – English on the screen)
Responsive Reading: Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat (The Song of Mary)
Luke 1:39-45
Sermon: “What God doesn’t know”
Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
Hymn 123: “My soul gives glory to my God”
Offering and Offertory
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Hymn 122: “O come, oh come, Emmanuel” (vs 2 & 3 en français)
Benediction
Go now in peace
Postlude