Sunday, December 15, 2024
Order of Service
We welcome all gathering for worship this morning or later in the week. Whether you attend in-person, worship on ZOOM or YouTube, or are a viewer on Rogers TV20 - please know that we consider everyone to be a part of our worship experience and an integral member of our St. Andrew's Guelph community.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this morning's service, both in-person and virtually.
Join us on our St. Andrew's Guelph YouTube Channel, select the live service, and remember to invite your friends and families. You can also join us via ZOOM by following the link in your Sunday morning email. If you'd like to begin receiving our weekly emails, you can sign up here.
Prelude: In Dulci Jublio Cradle Hymn
arr. G.Young
Call to Worship
166 Once in royal David’s city
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Declaration of Forgiveness
146 Angels from the realms of glory
Lighting the Candle of Joy
In this season of waiting, may we know God’s patience. In this season of demands, may we know God’s purpose. In this season of expectations, may we know God’s kindness.
In this season of sharing, may we know God’s generosity. In this time of worship, may we know, feel and share the joy of God and may we hear in old familiar ways and fresh new ways Jesus is Joy to the World!
119 Hope is a star verses 1,2 and 3
Prayer after Lighting
Gracious God, Source of Light and Life, by Your Spirit help us to be people who faithfully wait for you, watch for you and prepare for you. Kindle within us a deep sense of readiness to receive and be the wondrous joy of Jesus! Amen.
Story: Sill of the Night
153 Joy to the World
Lessons and Carols for Christmastide
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, as with Scripture and song we journey with you to Bethlehem’s stable and a new-born King, keep our ears attuned to the song of angels, our eyes alert for Bethlehem’s star and our hearts aflame with the hope, peace, joy and love that are ours and ours to share in Christ. As we hear of the promise of a Saviour who is Christ the Lord, may we rejoice! Amen.
Lesson One
The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour
Reader: Kristine Muth
Carol: The Winter Moon of Bethlehem D. Lantz III
Lesson Two
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown
Reader: Paul Harrison
Carol: Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming M. Praetorius
Lesson Three
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reader: Pauline Sanderson
Carol: The angel Gabriel Basque Traditional
Lesson Four
Luke tells of the birth of Jesus
Reader: Wendy Toth
Carol: Gentle Mary laid her Child arr. L. Stutzman
Lesson Five
The shepherds go to the manger
Reader: Sharon Duff
Carol: Three Mennonite Christmas Hymns
arr. A. Parker
(Song of the Angel, Song of the Virgin, Song at the Stable)
Lesson Six
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation
Reader: Kirk Summers
159 O come all ye faithful
Call for the Offering
Donate Online via debit or credit
Cheques:
St. Andrew’s Guelph, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4J8
Presbyterians Sharing is how we support our denomination as a whole. Your gifts the variety of missions and ministries that The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports throughout Canada. It also ensures that we are well resources by our National Office staff.
If you are able, the MOCC would encourage you to consider donating to Presbyterians Sharing. You can do so by clicking here. (Make sure that you indicate that you are from St. Andrew’s Guelph on the online form in order for it to count towards our commitment)
Or you can make a donation directly to Presbyterians Sharing through St. Andrew’s Guelph. Please mark your donation: Presbyterians Sharing.
We are making a difference TOGETHER.
If you’d like to make a donation to Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) you can do so by clicking here.
Offertory – Fantasia on A French Carol arr. R. Hughes
Doxology – Tune: Old 100th
Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of The People/The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
139 Hark! The herald angel sing
Commissioning
This Advent-time we remember Mary and Joseph, and all who having received Good News sought in all ways to be the same. We give thanks for their faithfulness, courage and obedience, stepping out each day into the unknown in the strength of the Spirit. May we now play our part in the fulfilment of God’s plan to bring joy to the world. May the pattern of our lives shine the light of Christ to one, to all, in our small corner and from there to eternity.
Benediction
Postlude: Mendelssohn arr. J. Innes
We gather on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Peoples. We are also on lands that are part of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. We live and work, worship, learn and meet on lands that are the traditional territory of many different Indigenous Peoples who were here before the establishment of European colonies.
