ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING:  Cody & Beth Saril
Two blue candles are lit.
The advent season is a time known for candles, coloured lights, and bright stars. This four week-long season points us toward the cradle of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary. It is important that we light the candles to remind us that we do not live in the shadows of despair and discouragement. We are a people of light and joy. Today we light the candle of joy to guide us on our journey to Bethlehem.
(light the pink candle)
     Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026; Laura J. Turnbull

SING: Tune: KREMSER  “We praise you, O God” (VU 218)
We're lighting our candle,
our candle of hope now,
we're lighting our candle
to burn through the night.
We wait for our Saviour,
we wait for his coming,
in hope this holy Advent,
we wait for the light.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Today we continue the journey in a new Christian year - a journey of waiting, hoping, and anticipating.
With God, we embark on a journey of joy.
Today we seek new insights and new understandings.
We give thanks for the ways in which God has brought us to this moment.
Today we are clear that we are not alone. God is among us, drawing us into a time of renewal and opening us to a moment of grace.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Bill Steadman

2. OPENING PRAYER:
Praise God, O my soul. As long as I live I will praise God.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is the Maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them. Give your praise to God, O my soul. Amen.
     Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026:Wanda Winfield.

3. LEARNING TIME: Jubilation Handbell Ringers  “Where Are You Christmas?” By Blanch Lewis

4. HYMN:  VU 35 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
1.  Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Jesus Christ is born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

2.  Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

3.  Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
God of the journey, we have begun to make our way to Bethlehem. We stumble on rocks and pull out a well-worn map, wondering if we are on the right path. Here in the wilderness, may these words from scripture guide our path. May they offer the peace of a deep and sacred breath, that we might discover a clear and evident way ahead, the one that leads to a humble stable, the one that reveals Emmanuel, God-with-us.  Amen.

     Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026: Sheryl Spencer

6. SCRIPTURE LESSON
Isaiah 35: 1 - 10
God's Splendor Will Be Seen
35 Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers. 2 Deserts will bloom everywhere and sing joyful songs. They will be as majestic as Mount Lebanon, as glorious as Mount Carmel or Sharon Valley. Everyone will see the wonderful splendor of the LORD our God.
God Changes Everything
* 3 Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling, and worried: 4 "Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you." 5 The blind will see, and the ears of the deaf will be healed. 6 Those who were lame will leap around like deer; tongues once silent will shout for joy. Water will rush through the desert. 7 Scorching sand will turn into a lake, and thirsty ground will flow with fountains. Grass will grow in deserts, where packs of wild dogs once made their home.[a]
God's Sacred Highway
8 A good road will be there, and it will be named "God's Sacred Highway." It will be for God's people; no one unfit to worship God will walk on that road. And no fools can travel on that highway.[b] 9 No lions or other wild animals will come near that road; only those the LORD has saved will travel there. 10 The people the LORD has rescued will come back singing as they enter Zion. Happiness will be a crown everyone will always wear. They will celebrate and shout because all sorrows and worries will be gone far away.

Responsive Reading Psalm 146: 5 - 10 VU page 868
REFRAIN: “Give your praise to God, O my soul”

Praise God, O my soul. As long as I live I will praise God.
Yes, as long as I have life I will sing praises to God.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in any mortal, for in them there is no help.
When they breathe their last they return to dust; then their plans come to nothing.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,
the One who keeps faith for ever,
who gives justice to the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.   REFRAIN

God sets prisoners free, restores sight to the blind.
God straightens those who are bent; loves those who are just.
God cares for the stranger in the land, and sustains the widow and orphan;
but the way of the wicked God turns to ruin.
God shall reign forever, O Zion,
your God for all generations.  REFRAIN

7.  REFLECTION

8.  HYMN VU 9 “People, Look East”
1.  People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the guest is on the way.

2.  Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
one more seed is planted there:
give up your strength the seed to nourish,
that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the rose is on the way.

3.  Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
guard the nest that must be filled;
even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the bird is on the way.

4.  Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the star is on the way.

5.  Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Lord is on the way.

9.  SCRIPTURE LESSON:
James 5: 7 - 10 Contemporary English Version
Be Patient and Kind
7 My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains to make their valuable crops grow. 8 Be patient like those farmers and don't give up. The Lord will soon be here! 9 Don't grumble about each other or you will be judged, and the judge is right outside the door. 10 My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer.

The Gospel of Matthew 11: 2 - 11 Contemporary English Version
2 John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers 3 to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy[a] are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.” 7 As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind? 8 What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace. 9 What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet. 10 In the Scriptures God says about him, “I am sending my messenger ahead to get things ready for you.” 11 I tell you no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John

10.  REFLECTION:

11.  HYMN VU 62 “Once In Royal David's City”
1.  Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattleshed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

2.  He came down to earth from heaven
who, with God, is over all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall.
There among the poor and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.

3.  For he is our lifelong pattern;
daily, when on earth he grew,
he was tempted, scorned, rejected,
tears and smiles like us he knew.
Thus he feels for all our sadness,
and he shares in all our gladness.

4.  And our eyes at last shall see him,
through his own redeeming love;
for that child who seemed so helpless
is our Lord in heaven above;
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.

12.  PRAYER OF YEARNING:
Advent God, we yearn to rejoice, as we tell of Jesus coming into our world. We long to see your promise of mercy, justice, and restoration, fulfilled for all people everywhere. In our yearning, we discover that our hands are weak, our knees are feeble, and our hearts are full of fear. Stuck in old stories and remembered glories, we grow critical of one another and of ourselves. We even wonder whether Jesus is near. Then our desire to rejoice sputters in frustration and impatience. Restore us, yearned-for-God, for your joy is not our accomplishment, but your gift. Set us on the Holy Way of advent, forgiven, strengthened, and healed, rejoicing in your glory and majesty.  Amen.
      From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

13.  WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Advent People of God, as those ransomed by the Lord, walk the Holy Way, where no traveler goes astray. Come, rejoicing and singing, knowing that sorrow and sighing shall flee and that God's everlasting joy shall surround and hold you.
Thanks be to God.  Amen.
      From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

14.  MUSICAL RESPONSE:  Jubilation Handbell Ringers  “A Winter's Night So Deep”  by Brenda Austin

15.  Affirmation of Faith: “The Nicene Creed” VU 920
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
in accordance with the Scriptures;
On the third day he rose again
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

16.  INVITATION TO OFFERING:
During this season, we are focused on gifts-the gifts we find for others, the gifts we receive under our tree, the gifts of love and caring that are shared among strangers for the good of all, and the gift of the baby Jesus. Let us now think about the ways that we ourselves share gifts of time, money, prayer, and commitment as we seek to enable the ministries that are important to us and support the partnerships that allow us to share in God's purposes everywhere. We present our morning offering.
     Used with permission from Gathering A/C/E 2025/26; Bill Steadman

17. OFFERTORY
(sung to the tune of “Good King Wenceslas”)
Here our gifts we offer, God, thankful for your blessings.
Take them, Spirit, use them to spread the hopeful message
that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation.
May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation.

18.  OFFERING PRAYER:
Generous God who calls us to rejoice, you fill the hungry with good things and you help your people in need. Receive the gifts we offer, we pray, and make them, and us, joyful and patient sigs of your coming justice and glory. Amen.
     From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
     Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission

19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

20. HYMN 68 VU  “All Poor Ones and Humble”
1.  All poor ones and humble
and all those who stumble,
come hastening, and feel not afraid;
for Jesus, our treasure, with love past all measure,
in lowly poor manger was laid.
Though wise men who found him
laid rich gifts around him,
yet oxen they gave him their hay
and Jesus in beauty accepted their duty;
contented in manger he lay.
Refrain: Then haste we to show him the praises we owe him;
our service he ne'er can despise;
whose love still is able to show us that stable,
where softly in manger he lies.

2.  The Christ Child will lead us,
the Good Shepherd feed us
and with us abide till his day.
Then hatred he'll banish;
then sorrow will vanish,
and death and despair flee away.
And he shall reign ever,
and nothing shall sever
from us the great love of our King;
his peace and his pity
shall bless his fair city;
his praises we ever shall sing.   Refrain

21.  BLESSING:
The word we have been given this day is joy. May we carry joy on our journey throughout this week, the joy we have encountered and experienced in this place.
May we offer the vision of joy to all we meet. May we share the blessing that we have received, this day and always.
     Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026 Bill Steadman

22. THREE FOLD AMEN

POSTLUDE: Jubilation Handbell Ringers “ Glockenspiel”  by Anne Marie Woytowich

Next Sunday:  Fourth Sunday of Advent  “Love”
        December 21, 2025:
         Isaiah 7: 10 -16;   Psalm 80: 1 - 7, 16 - 18;
         Romans 1: 1 - 7;  Matthew 1: 18 - 25.

1. SATURDAY, December 13, 2025  “CHRISTMAS TEA & BAKE SALE”  2:00 - 4:00 PM.  Wesley Hall  Come and pick up your Christmas Baking


2. SUNDAY, December 14, 2025  THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - “JOY”   10:45 AM   Special Music: Jubilation Handbell Ringers  Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


3. TUESDAY, December 16, 2025  BIBLE STUDY  10:00 AM  Board Room  


4. TUESDAY, December 16, 2025  “CAROL FESTIVAL”  Doors open at 6:30 PM   Sanctuary  Proceeds to empty stocking fund and Batlefords District Food & Resource Center


5. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - “LOVE”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


6. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  “SUNDAY BRUNCH”  11:30 AM - 1:00 PM  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   
   SEE POSTER ON “HAPPENINGS” TAB FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH DATES


7. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  “SILENT NIGHT” - SACRED CHRISTMAS MUSIC   7:00 PM   Lisa Hornung, Family & Friends    Donations at the Door   COME AND ENJOY THIS EVENING OF BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MUSIC


8. WEDNESDAY, December 24, 2025  “CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE”   7:00 PM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS OF CHRISTMAS”   COME ONE! COME ALL!


9. SUNDAY, December 28, 2025  AGAPE POTLUCK WORSHIP SERVICE - WESLEY HALL   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!