Call to Worship (Luke 1, 3):
Leader: A voice calls out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord”
People: Make God's paths straight.
Leader: Every valley will be filled and every mountain will be leveled
People: The crooked will be made straight.
Leader: The rough and rocky ways will be smoothed
People:All will see the salvation of God.
Leader: See the light on high. The dawn is breaking
People:The Lord is coming! The Lord is coming.

Opening Prayer: (Please say together)
Holy One, you make the crooked ways straight and mend the broken soul. On this day, as we offer simple gifts in the face of profound need, remind us how your grace grows in our giving and receiving. Inspire the rebirth of love - in our world and in our lives - as we dedicate ourselves to your justice and mercy.

Advent Candle-lighting:
Reader 1: Last Sunday, we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath, the candle of hope. Let us light it again as a symbol of our desire for healing and wholeness for our world. Our hope is in God's way of Shalom. (the first candle is re-lit)

Reader 2: Peace is one of God's gifts to us. John the Baptist was a prophet calling the people of Israel to repent, to find peace with God. John called them to “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Reader 1: There are valleys, the way is rough, and the road is often crooked. There are many places in our world where there is war and unrest, violence and fear. The world is not how God intends it to be.

Reader 2: We light this second candle to remind us of Jesus, The Prince of Peace, and our longing for peace in the world. ( the second blue/purple candle is lit)

All (Prayer): Thank you, God, for the light of peace as we prepare for Christ's coming, help us to share our peace with others.

Passing of the Peace:
Leader: When the early Christians met with each other for worship and fellowship, they began with a hug or kiss. We express our welcome and joy in being with you in Christ's name by a handshake or a simple greeting as you turn to your neighbor in saying: “The peace of Christ be with you!” responding: “and also with you!”

Hymn: “A Candle Is Burning” # 6 VU   verses 1 and 2

Time with Children: White Gifts are brought forward   (White Gift Sunday / The Nativity)

Hymn: “On Jordan's Bank” # 20 VU   verses 1 and 2

Prayer of Confession: God of light, Advent is an exciting time. We hear of your hopes for the world, we hear of Jesus' coming, we hear your promised way of peace. Yet, our world beckons us in different ways, and we get caught in the mixed messages. Too busy to worship, too busy to take time to meditate, too busy to think about others, it's easy to be wrapped up in just getting through the day. When we forget you, O God, remind us again of what is important. Remind us again of the good news of your love. Amen.

Words of Assurance: God has promised to send one who will wash us all clean, who will purify us like finest silver, so that we may be presentable to God at all times. Know that, whenever you confess your sins, you are made clean and fresh.

Halle, Halle, Halle: Sing Twice  # 958 VU There is always joy in the knowledge of God's love and forgiveness. Children of God, make a joyful noise as we sing!!!]
HALLE, HALLE, HALLELUYAH, HALLE, HALLE, HALLELUYAH
HALLE, HALLE, HALLELUYAH, HALLELUYAH, HALLELUYAH.

Scripture Reading[s]:
Malachi 3:1-4: Prepare, Jerusalem! The messenger of God is coming
Luke 1:68-79: Zechariah sings this at the naming of his son, John the Baptist Philippians 1: 3 - 11 Paul, writing from prison, thanks the Philippian church for their gospel work
Luke 3:1-6: Preparing for the experience of salvation

One: These are the stories of God's love passed down from generation to generation
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

Anthem: “Advent Hymn” by Don Besig and Nancy Price presented by the Third Avenue Choir

Message:   “Gifts. What's It All About?”

Invitation to Offering:
The Ruler of Peace is coming, the prophet says,
And we await that Gift of God together;
Our gifts today in this season of waiting and hope
Help us to strengthen one another and to offer hope for our community and the world as we look forward to that great day of everlasting joy.
Let us gather our gifts together and present them as an offering to God.

Offering:   [Those taking the offering, please remain at the back until the music selection is completed. Thank you]

Prayer of Dedication:  [together]
With these gifts, dear God accept the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts, Which rejoice in your goodness and love. Let our gifts point to the presence in this world, and further your dream for the world through Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-Us.

Doxology:  [tune“Edelweiss”]
Lord our God, we today, bring our gifts to the altar,
All our prayers, work, and play, all our hopes for tomorrow.
All our failures and our success, in this day we're living
All we are and hope to be, in Christ's sacrifice, giving.

Hymn:   “Hope Is A Star ”   # 7 VU

Commissioning and Benediction:
God come to us as a stranger, messenger, child, and parent.
Let us seek this God of Love in all whom we meet
May God who is Giver, Gift and Grace-Among-Us,
Be with you today and always. Amen.

Threefold Amens:   # 967 VU

Postlude:   [We ask that people remain standing (those that are able) in their pews until the Christ Candle is extinguished. You may be seated for the Postlude. Thank you!]

Lectionary Reading for December 16, 2018   Third Sunday of Advent - CANTATA SUNDAY  Zephaniah 3:14-20;  Canticle 9;   Philippians 4:4-7;  Luke 3:7-18.

• Nonperishable food for the Food Bank
  
• Warm, thick socks, mitts, toques. Scarves for a
Christmas gift to clients at the Lighthouse.

• A new toy for the Empty Stocking gifts to children in our community.

1. SUNDAY, December 9, 2018  GAMES CHURCH;  Doors open at 5:15, with Potluck at 5:30, followed by a family-friendly ecumenical church service. And then ...let the games begin!


2. TUESDAY, December 4, 2018  7:00 PM   HANDBELL PRACTICE


3. TUESDAY, December 4, 2018  7:00 - 9:00 PM   YOUTH ACTIVITY CLUB (YAC)  Logie Hall Gym  ALL ARE WELCOME!


4. WEDNESDAY, December 5, 2018  10:00am   BIBLE STUDY


5. THURSDAY, December 6, 2018   SENIOR CHOIR PRACTICE  7:00pm   CHRISTMAS CANTATA PRACTISE   COME.  SING WITH US!


6. SUNDAY, December 9, 2018  10:30 pm  “WHITE GIFT SUNDAY  Sunday School will present White Gift Christmas Donations from the congregation. We are asking the Congregation to bring items throughout the next 3 weeks. Please consider a donation of:
   
   • Nonperishable food for the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre
     
   • Warm, thick socks, mitts, toques. Scarves for a
   Christmas gift to clients at the Lighthouse.
   
   • A new toy for the Empty Stocking gifts to children in our community.
     COME ONE. COME ALL! THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS.
   
   
7. TUESDAY, December 11, 2018  7:00 pm  “CAROL FESTIVAL”  Third Avenue United Church  Sponsored by the Battlefords' Ministerial Society with proceeds going to the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre - Empty Stocking Fund  COME. ENJOY THIS EVENING OF SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC!
   
   
8. SUNDAY, December 16, 2018  10:30 am   “CHRISTMAS PRESENCE” - a Cantata by Pepper Choplin  Presented by the Third Avenue Sanctuary Choir and the Sunday School  “A musical and pageant telling of the Christmas story and its impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.”  COME. SHARE THIS SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENT WITH US!
   
   
9. SUNDAY, December 16, 2018  11:30AM - 1:00PM   SUNDAY BRUNCH  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   
   
10. SUNDAY, December 23, 2018  10:30 am  REGULAR SERVICE  No Sunday School  ALL ARE WELCOME!
    
    
11. MONDAY, December 24, 2018  7:00 pm  CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT FAMILY SERVICE  The Christmas Story and Special Music  “JOY TO THE WORLD!  UNTO YOU A CHILD IS BORN. ”
    
    
12. SUNDAY, December 30, 2018  10:30 am  REGULAR SERVICE  No Sunday School  ALL ARE WELCOME!
    
    
13. SUNDAY, January 6, 2019  10:30 am  AGAPE MEAL (Love Feast)  A special potluck family celebration  Wesley Hall  ALL ARE WELCOME!