Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
On this Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s we are offering some music and words for you to use at home and sharing an invitation for you to join us for Communion on Sunday, December 27 at 10:00 am on ZOOM.
Please bring something suitable to eat and drink – water and a cracker? Juice and bread? Whatever feels worshipful to you!
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!
Today’s special music is “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy” sung and played by Cheryl and Connor Jackson.
We have received a gift from Illustrated Ministry – a colouring page, a craft idea, and a discussion guide for this week – the time between Christmas and New Year’s. Here is the link:
And, please remember that there are a number of resources (and fun things) on our website. If you are looking for the Christmas Song Quiz, or the Festive Carol Quiz, you will find them under ‘Programs/Events’ Messy Church. The Christmas 2020 tab has the Carillon Concert, the International Worship Service and the Christmas mailing. Enjoy!
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. 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, December 27, 2020
We come to worship to hear Good News,
We come to worship to know God’s love,
We are united in heart and in community,
And everywhere we are God’s people.
Our opening hymn is “What Child is This”
Esther and Emmett talk about the New Year’s Resolutions:
Printable Version:
Esther and Emmett and New Year Jeff reflection
Luke 2:25-32, 36-40
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Jeff offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Jeff reflection
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 creation,
God of new creation,
We approach a new year with hope and with questions.
We prepare to say goodbye to 2020, a year so much shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We prepare to embark into the year 2021.
We enter this new year, God, pausing to give thanks for the people whom we love (silent prayer)…
for moments that brought joy, laughter, and friendship (silent prayer)
for the experiences, memories, laughter and tears that have shaped us and blessed us with learning, with mercy and with hope (silent prayer)
We pray for a world that is not confined by COVID-19.
We pray for a new year in which humans practice beloved community, caring for one another, honouring and affirming one another, loving one another and together shaping a world community of peace and compassion.
We pray for a new year of new hope, new practices of friendship, trust and reconciliation.
We pray for the healing of humanity, and the healing of creation.
We pray for angels to continue to summon us to the birth of Christ in our midst, to the ongoing birth of your love in our lives.
In Christ’s name, we pray. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “See Amid the Winter’s Snow”
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