4th Sunday of Advent ~ December 21, 2014
ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH
75 Alma Street, Moncton, NB E1C 4Y3
Phone: 858-8289; Church office email: [email protected];
Check our website, www.StJohnsMoncton.ca for times of meetings, events, etc.
WELCOME! A warm welcome is extended to all.
Your presence enriches both us and this time of celebration together.
This bulletin has been donated
In Memory of Margaret MacFarlane
by daughter Sandra MacFarlane
NOTICES, UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Calendar of St. John’s Meetings & Events
Check our website at www.stjohnsmoncton.ca for dates & times of events & meetings - found under link to
Sunday Bulletin & Announcements on left-hand side of Home page.
Dec. 21
Sun
9:30 am
10:45 am
11:00 am
24 Wed
4:00 pm
Christmas Eve
7:00 pm
Church Office closed
25
Thu
Cancelled
Dec. 28 Sun
Cancelled
11:00 am
Jan.
Jan.
1
4
Thu
Sun
Cancelled
9:30 am
11:00 am
MEN’S CHOIR Practice
Christmas Carol sing-along
WORSHIP SERVICE and SUNDAY SCHOOL CONCERT
Child-care in not available today in the Nursery.
Parents are welcome to use the Nursery if needed.
CHRISTMAS EVE: Service especially for Families with small children. Baptism
CHRISTMAS EVE: Traditional service with Carols, Readings, Candle Lighting
from noon Dec. 24 – Dec. 26 for Christmas & Boxing Day
CHOIR Practice
MEN’S CHOIR Practice
WORSHIP SERVICE
NURSERY CARE (0-3 yrs) and CRAFT TIME (ages 4 -12)
CHOIR Practice
MEN’S CHOIR Practice
WORSHIP SERVICE
SUNDAY SCHOOL (4-12 yrs) & NURSERY CARE (0-3 yrs)
The POINSETTIAS here in the Sanctuary have been donated in Memory of Loves Ones. The
names were listed in last week’s bulletin, and lists are currently posted on our bulletin boards.
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TREE OF COMFORT & JOY - Thank-you to all who helped support our Tree of Comfort &
Joy. Today was the deadline to bring in items; they will be taken from here today and delivered
to the organizations.
2015 OFFERING ENVELOPES - if you didn’t get yours yet, check the table outside the
Church Office. If you want offering envelopes, but there isn’t a set with your name, please take
a set from the extras and record your name & phone # on the sheet by the envelopes.
CHRISTMAS LETTER - If we’ve missed addressing a Christmas letter to you, there are extras
available by our bulletin boards; but please contact Wanda at the Church Office, by phone or
email, to be added to our Directory.
“COME VISIT THE STABLE”- THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL! The memories and stories
of the 56 Nativity Scenes, shared by many members and friends of the congregation at the
Come Visit the Stable event last Sunday, were appreciated by all who viewed them.
Those who shared their Nativity Scenes include: the Sunday School, Patti Arsenault, Jean
Barks, Aaron Billard & Lori-Ann MacKay, Peggy Bohus, Sheri Brooks, Roberta Bunker, Mary
Campbell, Wanda Colwell, Carol Davidson, Luiz & Kimberley de Jesus, Joan Donald, Hugh
and Colby Englehart, Harry & Gail Fraser, Peggy Fraser, Phyllis Hicks, Carol Holdsworth,
Kathryn Jay, Lynda Leclerc, Dianne Logan, Carol Morton, Vicki Meli, June & Doug
MacEachern, Dianne & Don MacLennan, Lillian MacMellon, Brenda McFarlane, Barbara
McLaughlin, Stacey McQueen, Liz Parker, the Patterson Family (Nancy, John, Everett, William and
Eleanor), Betty Plant, Adeline Ramsay, Kathryn, Laura, and Emily Steeves, Lawson & Susan
Steeves, Trina Vautour, and Lois Weatherby.
Thank you to those who helped set-up and take down the displays: Peggy Bohus, Shirley
Brown, Kimberley de Jesus, Phyllis Fownes, Gail Fraser, Gordon & Phyllis Hicks, June
MacEachern, Alberta MacLellan, Dianne & Don MacLennan, Lillian MacMellon, Brenda
McFarlane, Phyllis Perry, the Ross Family, Ann Smith, and Lois Weatherby. Thanks to Rev.
Dr. Doug MacEachern for the collage of photos of this event, which is meaningful to us as we
celebrate the Advent Season.
UPDATE ON MISSION & SERVICE FUND - As you may have noticed on the tracking
thermometer posted at the Victoria St. entrance, the 2015 objective for donations from St.
John’s congregation to the UCC Mission & Service Fund, as agreed upon at the annual
congregational meeting, was set at $23,500. To-date we have received $22,132, which
means, with only 2 weeks remaining in the current year, we need $1,368 to meet our
objective. Rt. Rev. Gary Paterson, our current Moderator, said, "M&S is a profound and
tangible expression of our faith across Canada and around the world - it is our lifeblood."
SOBEYS, SUPERSTORE & CO-OP GIFT CARDS - We have Sobeys and Superstore gift
cards in denominations of $100, $50, & $25; and Coop gift cards in $50s and $25s available
for sale each Sunday at the sales table in the Great Hall, after the service during fellowship &
coffee time. We make 4% on every card sold. Your support is needed & appreciated.
Our goal this year is to make $3,000 profit from this fundraiser.
Sales to-date for 2014: $59,500.; Profit $2,480.00
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GROCERIES FOR THE KARING KITCHEN - The Outreach Committee would like to bring
your attention to the Karing Kitchen’s need for these groceries:
Canned Milk, Cream of Celery Soup, Ranch Salad Dressing, Butter or Margarine
White Baskets will be at our 2 main entrances on Dec. 24th & 28th for your donations.
CHURCH COMMUNITY EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
See the Bulletin Board for other Events not listed here.
LET’S DO LUNCH Cards - As a Karing Kitchen fundraiser the LET’S DO LUNCH Christmas
cards are available at the Church entrances and from Karing Kitchen Board members.
The Karing Kitchen Board thanks those from St. John’s congregation who have supported the
work of the Karing Kitchen over the years.
How do these cards work? Make a donation to the Karing Kitchen on behalf of someone on
your Christmas list, and let that person know by sending them one of these cards, either alone
or with a Christmas gift. Every dollar of your donation provides a nutritious meal for someone
coming to the Karing Kitchen. Send your donation of any amount, to the Karing Kitchen address
on the card insert. Income tax receipts will be given for gifts of $10 and more. Your gift is also
a reminder of this ministry, which, through a daily meal gives meaning to people of all ages.
WORSHIP SERVICE
(The congregation is invited to join in responses printed in bold)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WE GATHER IN THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY
DOXOLOGY (VU # 7, vs.1-4)
HOPE IS A STAR
1. Hope is a star that shines in the night,
Leading us on till the morning is bright.
Chorus:
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
And none shall be afraid.
2.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth.
3.
Joy is a song that welcome the dawn,
Tell the world that the Saviour is born.
4.
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CALL TO WORSHIP & ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING
Come; peek into the birthing room of the Saviour.
A hospital it is not - no beepers, no buzzers, and no doctors or nurses.
Listen. You can hear the sounds of Bethlehem, a tired country community.
The contractions are becoming more frequent. It’s time.
Joseph, with the rough hands of a carpenter, beholds a miracle.
Tired and relieved, Mary tenderly nurses Immanuel.
The Saviour is born! Come and worship.
We come to worship Christ, the newborn King!
We have lit the first three candles, one for Hope, one for Peace, and one for
Joy. Today we light the forth candle, the candle of LOVE. This should be the
easy one, because love is all around us - in the children, the lights, the music,
the gathering together. But, how often do we let our preparations – or our
memories - push love to the side? Love is like an underground spring that wells
up within us, but love is also a choice, an attitude. Like a muscle, it needs to be
exercised. So today we open ourselves to love, trusting that God has already
planted it in us. All we need to do is give it care and offer it to share.
(Forth candle is lit.)
Loving God, we open ourselves to you, trusting that this is how you
made us - you created us for joy-filled hearts and lives. Show us the
creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that comes from justice. Fill
us with the kind of love that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the
light of Christ. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
God of wonder, we come this day to hear your story told once again.
We come today as children, and as those with many years. We come in
search of something. And, we bring the only gifts we have: our hands to reach out; our vision - to see a different world; our hearts - to care
for the planet and all living things; and our intellect - bringing our
curiosity to our faith. May we find ourselves in this story today, and
may we ponder these things in our hearts. Amen.
HYMN # 62
ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY
THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Presented by St. John’s Sunday School
All children will stay with us during the service today, as child-care is not available in the
Nursery. If needed, parents are welcome to use the Nursery.
WELCOME by Lexi Morton and Erik Petersen
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ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by the 3 - 5 year-olds
FIVE LITTLE BELLS by the 4 - 5 year-olds
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
Written by Kimberley Buck de Jesus (adapted from Leanne Guenther)
Please join with the Children and Choir as they sing the following hymns throughout the concert.
‘TWAS IN THE MOON OF WINTERTIME (VU # 71, vs. 1 & 4)
‘Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
before their light the stars grew dim, and wondering hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your King is Born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, the angel song is true,
the holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come, kneel before the radiant Boy, who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
Jesus your King is Born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (VU # 74, vs. 1 & 3 )
What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; come, one and all, to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (VU # 55, vs. 1 & 3)
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Enough for him, whom cherubim worship night and day,
a breast full of milk, and a manger full of hay.
Enough for him, whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel which adore.
O CHRISTMAS TREE
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree! Thy leaves are so unchanging.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree! Thy leaves are so unchanging
For every year this Christmas tree, brings to us such joy and glee.
Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, such pleasure do you bring me!
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SIX WHITE BOOMERS (Chorus only)
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers, on his Australian run.
AWAY IN A MANAGER (VU # 69, vs. 1, 2, 3)
Away in a manager, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay,
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
WE REFLECT UPON OUR COMMON STORY
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:46b-55
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Mary’s Song
Read by Sienna Isaac
Read by Allie Billard
God's story is for all people.
It is ours to receive and share.
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE
OFFERING & CHOIR ANTHEM
Come & Sing the Christmas Story
OFFERTORY # 55 (v. 4) IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him - give my heart.
Perry/Pote
Cranham
A PRAYER FOR CHILDREN and the LORD’S PRAYER (Spoken, VU p. 921) led by E. Patterson
HYMN # 64
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
BENEDICTION
CHORAL BENEDICTION
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
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ORGAN POSTLUDE
Thank-you to the children of St. John’s for leading in worship this morning, and for
sharing a wonderful program! Special thanks to our Sunday School leaders for
organizing this service; and many thanks to the parents, grandparents, and all others
who have helped the children learn their parts.
You are invited to join us in the Great Hall after this service
for a time of fellowship and refreshments.
MEMORIALS
Memorials have been placed In Loving Memory of:
♥ Robert (Bobby) Ramsay by Adeline Ramsay & Family
♥ Lynne Girvan Geddes by sister Lee Geddes
TODAY’S GREETERS & USHERS:
South Door - Alma St.:
Greeters: Claire & Dave MacNevin
Offering: Joan LeBlanc, Claire & Dave MacNevin, Carol Morton
North Door - Victoria St.:
Greeters: Elaine & Gerald Ouellette
Offering: Cedric Allaby, Eunice Burnes, Elaine & Gerald Ouellette
ELEVATOR OPERATOR:
SPECIAL MUSIC
GROCERY CARD SALES:
TELLERS:
Gordon Belyea
Luiz de Jesus, Don Sage
Karen & Terry Teed
Sheri Brooks, Sandra MacFarlane, Trina Vautour
CHURCH MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND STAFF

Rev. Aaron Billard, Minister
email: sjucrev @ gmail.com
Owen Fraser, Organist
email: owen.fraser @ xplornet.ca
Wanda Colwell, Office Administrator
email: sjuc @ nb.aibn.com
Patti Arsenault, Custodian
Email

Rev. Dr. Doug MacEachern, Minister Emeritus
email: dougjune @ nb.sympatico.ca
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