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!

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In Advent, as we did in summer, we have some additional music to share.

Today’s gift to you is from Annette, Cheryl and Crystal.

It is ‘A Candle is Burning’

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.  If you cannot join in the ZOOM, perhaps you would like to join us in lighting a candle and remembering that this is the Advent Sunday of Peace.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.

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We come to worship with the second verse of ‘Hope is a Star’

We wait, remembering when peace was born,
For peace, 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 “People Look East”

 

Esther and Emmett are getting ready for Christmas – in Advent!

Printable Version:
Esther and Emmett

Matthew 2:1-8

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

Jeff offers a reflection:

Printable Version:
Reflection on Matthew 2

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 Peace, we are thankful for the vision of peace and the practices of peace that live in our faith traditions.

We are thankful for a creation story that is a story of birthing, of a dance of relationships between elements and opposites.

We are thankful for the promise of the rainbow. We are thankful for Joseph who forgives and reconciles with his brothers. We are thankful for Ruth’s faithful love; for prophets who speak of Your world of right relations.

We are thankful that Jesus proclaimed Your blessing is expressed in the peace-makers.

We are thankful for early church communities seeking to be welcoming and affirming of all persons.

God, on this second Sunday of Advent, we pray, ‘let there be peace on earth.’

Let there be the peace that flows from mutual respect, compassion for all people and all creation and trust in your Love.

We pray for peace, offering our prayers for this world.

We pray, God, for hospitals, care facilities and all communities trying to contain and cope with COVID. We pray especially for the staff and residents of Park Manor Personal Care Home and Concordia Place. We pray for all health care providers, for all family and friends offering support and care for others.

We pray for mutual responsibility and compassion; for people to show their love by wearing masks in public, by staying home as much as possible, by supporting those who do essential work for the welfare of all of us.

We pray, God, for peace in relationships. We pray for all who experience physical and emotional violence; for those who are targets of others’ racism, sexism, fear of anyone different from themselves.

We pray for refugees throughout the world, for those risking flight in boats and on foot in dangerous conditions.

We pray for all who are oppressed by poverty, by lacking access to resources, to employment and education and health.

We pray for all who grieve; all who grieve a death, who grieve a loss, who grieve and ending.

We pray for the many unseen and unspoken pains and hurts with which people live.

We pray, God, for peace.

We pray for the peace that heals our woundedness;
We pray for peace that blesses us with courage in times of anxiety, blesses us with wisdom in times of challenge, and blesses us with trust in times of fear.

God, bless us with the peace in ourselves, in our communities and in our world.

In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN

 

Our closing hymn is “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

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