GIBSON MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH
FREDERICTON, N.B.
January 3, 2016
11:00 a.m.
Epiphany
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WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP
*denotes standing for those who are able
PRELUDE
WELCOME
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE APPROACH GOD
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL TO WORSHIP
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing;
God's power will make us strong.
Let us worship our God.
OPENING PRAYER
Radiant God, light for all people and all places, by the guidance of
a star you led the Magi to worship the Christ Child. By the light
of faith lead us to worship you in peace and love, and guide us in
your way. We pray in the name of Christ, light of the world.
Amen.
*OPENING HYMN
A Light is Gleaming
(children make their way to the front of the sanctuary)
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WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Responsive Reading
Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and God’s glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 2:1-12
CONVERSATION TIME
SERMON
HYMN When the Wind of Winter Blows (refrain)
We See Him Again
MV 71
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
Holy Light, warm our night;
warm the time of winter.
Holy Light, warm our night;
warm the time of winter.
(Used with permission. LicenSing #624165)
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
God of compassion,
we bring our prayers of thanks to you
for all the precious gifts we receive:
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moments of beauty;
love from family and friends;
food from the earth;
encounters that cultivate hope.
Receive our gratitude for all this and more.
We bring our prayers to you
for all those we have concern for:
lives burdened by loss or heartache;
those struggling with illness or pain;
countries devastated by violence or conflict;
all those carrying hidden sorrows.
Grant them strength and healing.
We bring our prayers to you
for all those who, like the magi,
are searching for something:
some for new meaning;
some for the right path;
some for community;
some for your presence.
Grant them each a kind and guiding light.
We bring these prayers to you,
along with all those which remain unspoken,
trusting that you have received them all with mercy and grace.
We pray in Christ’s name who taught us to pray:
*THE DOXOLOGY:
541
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures high and low;
give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
*THE OFFERTORY PRAYER (all)
Just as wise ones from the past travelled far to offer their best, so
we who travel on our journey of faith bring the best of our treasure
for the work of the kingdom. Bless all that is given, from hearts
and from hands. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN
I am the Light of the World
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*COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION
May the blessing of the God who set a star in the sky
to guide those who sought after the truth,
to find the place where surprising truth lay,
may that same God richly bless we who are here.
As we leave to continue on our journey of faith
may we seek God’s surprising truth once more. Amen.
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, the
power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
*SUNG BLESSING:
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of everyday.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
POSTLUDE
HYMN
As With Gladness
OFFERTORY and PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
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Portions of this service were taken from the United Church resource,
Gathering, ACE 2016, and written by Kate Crawford.
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MINISTER
ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
CUSTODAIN
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REV. CORA KROMMENHOEK
HEAHER DUNHAM
MARSHA DALEY
EDWARD GALLANT
Upcoming Community Events: (see bulletin board for more info.)
Jan. 4
Sunday Worship & Sunday School: 11 a.m.
Office hours: Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. – noon and 1 – 3 p.m.
183 Gibson Street, Fredericton, N.B. E3A 4E4: Tel: 457-1951
Web-site: www.gibsonmemorial.ca; e-mail: gibsonmemorial@nb.aibn.com
Jan. 11
CONGREGATIONAL INFORMATION
Welcome to all! May this worship experience be meaningful and
spiritual for you. Everyone is invited to share in coffee/tea, cookies
and conversation in the hall immediately following the service.
Greeters today are David & Barbara Morrison. Tellers today will be
Dale Horncastle & Wayne Alexander and next week will be David &
Gloria Higgins, Gladys Gallant and Valerie Barton. Taping the
service today is Brian Cail and next week will be Tyler Seymour. In
the Nursery next Sunday is Melanie Darrah.
Jan. 14
Services & Meetings this week: Jan. 4 – 9, 2016.
Monday
9:30 Shuffleboard
Tuesday
1:30 Women Together
Upcoming Services & Meetings:
Jan. 10
11:00 Baptism of Christ, Holy Communion &
Congregational Choir & Sunday School
Jan. 13
7:00 Trustees
Jan. 14
7:00 Worship
Jan. 19
7:00 Council
The 2016 Offering Envelopes are in the narthex! If you are on PAR
and would like your envelopes, (for Initial & Special offerings) please
see Marsha in the office.
Jan. 12
Chair Yoga for Pain Relief at Shannex Parkland
(10 classes for $108)
Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church Council planning
meeting
Science East Demonstration at Shannex Parkland, 2
p.m.
GRIEF SHARE Support Group at Brunswick Street
Baptist Church.
Attendance & Offering Update:
Date
Attendance
Jan. – June
73
July – Aug.
39
Sept. – Nov.
96
Dec. 6
113
Dec. 13
120
Dec. 20
132
Dec. 24 (both services)
Dec. 27
22
Offerings
2,145
1,798
2,807
5,197
4,101
4,372
1,967
2,018
+/- to date
- 7,429
- 16,173
- 15,784
- 13,357
- 12,026
- 10,424
- 8,457
- 9,209
Finance Notes:
-We need approx. $2,770 each Sunday to meet the Budget. PAR
($870 per week) is included in the amount for each week.
-Bulletins can be donated in memory of loved ones. The cost of
bulletin covers is approx. $20. Bulletins can also be donated for
Anniversary, Birthday and for other Celebrations.
-PAR, Pre-Authorized remittance is available. Please contact the
office for more information.