Let’s begin with special news!
Today, Canada’s Governor General announced the names of those being inducted into the Order of Canada. Today’s announcement includes the The Honourable William Alexander Blaikie, P.C., O.C.
Bill is being inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his lifelong contributions to parliamentary service, and for his steadfast commitment to progressive change and social activism.
Congratulations Bill!
This week is the start of Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas. Thanks to all those who are offering additional gifts for this season!
And, this week is also Annual Meeting Sunday! (The meeting was planned for last March but then COVID meant the postponement of the meeting. Now is the time to catch up and fulfill the requirements of the United Church around a meeting.)
This Sunday, November 29 there is a brief Advent Worship at 10:00 followed by the Annual Meeting at 10:30.
Here is the ZOOM link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
If you prefer to join us by being on a ‘Party-line’/’Conference Call’ style of phone call, the number to dial is:
204-272-7920
You will be asked if you want to ‘join a meeting’, (say yes), and then enter the meeting ID number:
753 844 9219
We look forward to seeing you!
In Advent, as we did in summer, we have some additional music to share.
Today’s gift to you is from Cheryl and Crystal. It is ‘She Walked in the Summer (The Visit):
We continue to be so grateful for those who continue to financially support the ministry of TMUC, through your donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church. You are making a difference. Thank you.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10:00, since it is Advent, perhaps you would like to join us in lighting a candle and remembering that this is the Advent Sunday of Hope. Then, let’s think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then let’s all pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
For those who receive the Prayer List, we continue to pray for those we know in our community who are working in Health Care and Education. If you want to receive the Prayer List, or add a name (with their permission), please be in touch.
We are gathered for worship and work in Treaty One territory, which is the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dené peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples walked this land and knew it to be the centre of their lives and their spirituality. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Worship for Sunday, November 29, 2020
The First Sunday of Advent — The Sunday of Hope
We come to worship with the first verse of ‘Hope is a Star’
We wait, remembering when hope was born,
For hope, a gift to the world still torn.
We wait with visions of stars above.
We wait still held in God’s pure love.
Our opening hymn is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Christmas traditions often start in Advent.
Today’s story is about the Christmas tree and Christmas Angels:
Printable Version:
Christmas Tree Angels
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Jeff and Carol offer a reflection:
Printable Version:
Reflection – November 29
Park Manor Care is in the midst of a COVID outbreak, we hold the residents, families and staff in our prayers.
Let us pray:
God of Christmas birth;
God of hope, peace, joy and love;
God of wonder found in a child in a stable;
We begin again to follow the sign of the star and the song of the angels.
We begin again to discover the good news that this is Your world.
We begin again to discover good news in the birth of Jesus, in the life of the Christ who offers healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, shared food, and divine love.
We begin again to say “Thank You, God”
Thank you for this amazing Creation.
Thank for the blessing of Life;
for blessings of imagination, friendship, love, hope, joy, peace, creativity, humility, humour, compassion;
for the many blessings of our humanity, and the many blessings of Your amazing Creation.
God, our gratitude grows from a love that knows both thankfulness and concern.
We pray in both word and thought our many concerns: We pray for all people as we experience the stresses and challenges of living during this pandemic. We pray for all those whose work requires them to be in contact with the general public. We pray for all healthcare workers. We pray for teachers. We pray for students.
We pray for all who grieve.
We pray for this planet. As climate change effects temperatures, we pray for species that are threatened.
We pray that we humans find the wisdom and will to live in harmony with the rest of creation.
We pray for peace in a world of conflicts. We pray for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Libya and other countries in the midst of wars and conflicts.
We pray for all who have no place to call home.
We pray that we be global societies of compassion. We pray for a world of just and equitable sharing; a world in which people are not bound by poverty; a world in which everyone has food to eat, a home where they are welcomed, access to health care, education, employment and friendship.
We pray that the Christ born into this world be born into our hearts.
We pray that your amazing grace lead us to our true nature as people of hope, peace, joy and love.
We pray in the name and spirit of the child of Bethlehem, Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you.
May God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Carol and Jeff