MORRIS-ROSENFELD ECUMENICAL SHARED MINISTRY
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024
HANGING OF THE GREENS / WORLD AIDS DAY
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words of one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have the internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes…and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Before we worship, we reflect…
The 1950s and 1960s are sometimes called the age of anxiety. The rise of the nuclear age and the Cold War meant people lived with the daily fear of nuclear war. School children were shown educational films that taught them to “duck and cover” if they experienced a nuclear bomb blast. What might have been an attempt to calm fears seemed to increase them. Jesus speaks in Luke about days to come when God’s redemption will be fulfilled. The imagery sounds about as frightening as nuclear war. But instead of teaching his followers to “duck and cover” he tells them to “stand up and raise your heads.” Jesus teaches a kind of courageous faith that trusts God even in the most uncertain and anxious times.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & PRAYER
We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Reconciling God, we are called to gentleness, to compassion and to radical acceptance of difference. In Christ Jesus, we are learning to walk in new ways with new companions. We are learning to surrender the need to justify, to explain and to fix. We are learning to listen: when creation groans, we groan as well. When your people speak out against injustice, we honour their courage and stand with them. Spirit of God, create in us feeling hearts, clear eyes, and open minds. We ask this in your name. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
With what shall we come to God’s house?
We come bringing branches of pine and fir, evergreens for wreaths of welcome, and garlands of joy.
What is this lovely fragrance that follows us here?
It is the smell of cedar—bough of wisdom, wood of honour—the holy breath and presence of God in our midst.
What will these things become in this place?
The promises of God, the words of prophets, and the blessings of disciples—signs of the temple not made with human hands—all brought to life in the one called Jesus, and reborn in us this season.
GATHERING SONG: Voices United #7 Hope Is A Star
CENTERING PRAYER
Holy One, we gather here in this Advent season filled with anticipation and at least a little anxiety. It is a busy time, and we worry about getting everything done. In this time of worship, quiet our minds, and help us to remember not to become overwhelmed. Amen.
MISSION AND SERVICE: Nurturing New Beginnings
Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming, with the constant demands of caring for a newborn, sleepless nights, and the pressure to make the right choices for your child. The exhaustion and balancing daily responsibilities while navigating the unknowns of parenthood often leaves new parents feeling unsure and isolated. It’s a time filled with great joy, but also uncertainty, as parents adjust to their new roles and work to create a safe and nurturing environment for their little one.
At Fairview Resource Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the New Parents Support group aims to walk with parents as they navigate the complexities of raising a newborn. Once a week, parents gather to meet with a public health nurse who provides education and answers questions. From expectant parents to those with babies up to 18 months, the program provides resources for those who might not otherwise have access to in-person support or resources.
Parents connect not only with health professionals, but form deep bonds with each other, and some are still in contact many years later. Many of us have heard that “it takes a village to raise a child,” and Fairview Resource Centre is truly taking action to give a positive space for children in the community to flourish. Thank you for walking alongside our Mission and Service partners as they help children and communities grow.
Your support of Mission and Service is vital to the continuation of incredible programs like these.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
DIALOGUE FOR LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE – By Lisa Hancock
From deep in the past, Jeremiah calls to us, “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah”. Beloved, the days are surely coming when the yearning of the land; the longing of the sun, moon, and stars; the desperate need of the people of earth for flourishing and peace will receive their fulfillment.
While fear, anxiety, misinformation, and suspicion surround us on every side, we choose to watch and wait in hope, preparing our hearts to notice and cooperate with God’s grace already at work in our midst.
We light this candle of hope as a sign of our commitment to pay attention and prepare for the days that are surely coming and are already here—the days when God’s kin-dom of love, justice, and mercy will reign.
Light the first candle of the Advent wreath.
HYMN: Verse 1, Voices United: #1 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Prayer: Dear God, help us get ready for your coming into our community like you did so long ago in Bethlehem. In the midst of the busyness of Christmas preparations, give us silence that we may hear you speak. Give us clear sight to see your guiding star among all of the Christmas lights and decorations. But most of all, God, give us hearts able to receive the gift of Jesus, in the midst of all the gifts of Christmas, that we may be changed into generous lovers of the world you created. Amen.
Isaiah 35:1-6a
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
HYMN: Voices United #708 My Lord, What A Morning
ISAIAH 35:6B-10
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
HYMN: With One Voice #633 Awake, Awake And Greet The New Morn
Prayer: With these wreaths and garlands, and in our hearts and lives, we prepare the way for the Lord! Open wide the doors of God’s house, go out into the highways and byways to welcome all and make neighbours of those we meet!
ISAIAH 9:4-5
4 For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
HYMN: Star Of The East
Prayer: Creator God, may the beauty of the poinsettias lift up our prayers in memory, gratitude and hope this Christmas season. We pray remembering how Jesus said ‘Consider the flowers of the fields, they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you Solomon in all his glory was not clothed more beautifully than these.’ Help us to trust in your generosity, and be generous to others in return. Amen.
LUKE 2:8-12
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
HYMN: Voices United #64 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Prayer: With this creche we remember the love of God, revealed in Jesus’ self-giving, becoming the Christ for us, that love might heal God’s people and world. Open our hearts, that we might receive him still. Open our hands, that we might share his loving example. Open our lives, that we might be transformed in love. Amen.
JOHN 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
HYMN: O Christmas Tree
Prayer: Bless these lights, as we await the Light of Life, Holy One. May your light shine hope into our lives and in your world and remind us of your living presence in all things. Amen.
Community at Prayer
In the midst of our busy lives and preparations, O God, you come to us in the child of promise and surprising joy. With hope, we await the coming of your kingdom, when your love will fill the world.
We thank you for the beauty of winter, of gentle snow cloaking trees and land with life-giving moisture. We wonder at the infinite glory of your creation and know you by the works of your hand.
We thank you for all the gifts we enjoy as part of our holiday preparations, especially the company and love of family and friends.
We thank you for the love and joy that fill our hearts at this time of year. May we also be filled with your spirit, compassion, and vision, that your loving kindness will be known through all our thoughts, words, and actions.
We remember those for whom this season will be difficult, even painful: those who grieve lost loved ones, relationships that have been broken, health issues that fracture peace, those without enough to eat or a safe place to live.
Help us to be present to those who feel alone, to share with those in need, to offer our time and attention to those who are anxious, to seek the strengthening of the lives and communities around us.
We pray these things in the name of Jesus, the One who comes, who taught us to pray, saying…
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Commissioning and Benediction
Joy is now in every place, the light of promise shines on every wall and window and door. So, too, does that same light shine in each and every heart gathered here. Let us go into God’s world to share that same light, the light of the One who comes.
Thanks be to God! Amen!
SENDING SONG: Voices United #59 Joy To The World