Bulletin/Announcements
Dundas Street United Church
A Place to Belong…
Where God makes a Difference
and we make a Difference
in the name of God.
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285 Dundas St., Woodstock, ON N4S 1B3
(519) 537-7935
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Minister: Rev. Susan Cameron
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Dr. Margaret Trapnell
Minister Emeritus: Rev. Liz Lemon
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Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2023 10:30 am
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We Gather To Worship
Piano Prelude Bill Gibbons
Welcome and Announcements
Call To Worship:
L: Every star shall sing a carol, every creature, high or
low, come and praise the King of heaven by whatever
name you know.
P: God above, humanity below, holy is the name we
know.
L: When the King of all creation had a cradle on the earth,
Holy was the human body, holy was the human birth.
P: God above, humanity below, holy is the name we
know. Every star and every planet, every creature,
high and low, come and praise the King of heaven,
by whatever name you know.
L: God above, humanity below, holy is the name we know. ( The Hymnbook, copyright 1975.)
Opening Hymn: VU 2 "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Opening Prayer:
Great God of Adventure and Advent, come again to our
lives and to our church. Come to us in these days of
pain, sorrow and war. We pray not just for the absence
of violence and conflict, but for the deep peace of
knowing and trusting your will and your way. As the
darkness and coldness of December set in, we trust that
the light and the warmth of your Holy Spirit will enfold
us and remind us of the Shalom that is to come and the
Shalom that is already with us. We pray in the name of
Jesus, the light of our world. Amen
Hymn: VU #7 "Hope Is A Star" vs. 2 (You may remain seated)
Lighting The Advent Candles: Peace Kelly Fitch
Hymn: VU 46 "Gentle Mary"
Kids Zone
Prayer of Confession: (Unison)
Patient and listening God, we bring ourselves before
you in prayer. In this Advent season we are eager to
hear, “ the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the
Son of God.” We are ready to hear John the Baptist’s
message to “ prepare the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight.” But we are unsure of how to prepare our
lives to welcome Jesus. We have things in our lives that
keep us from making the paths straight so Jesus will
enter our lives again. John the Baptist called the people
then and calls us now to repentance for the forgiveness
of sins. Lord help us to confess our thoughts and
actions that turn us away from your presence and love.
Lord make us ready we pray to be made new. Gives us
courage and humility to offer ourselves to you. We pray
this in Jesus your servant’s name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
We Listen For God's Word
Introduction to Scripture: Madeline Ruehlicke
The reading from Isaiah this morning finds God speaking
tenderly to Jerusalem that they ended their term away from
God. They are being called to see the time has come to
make themselves ready to follow God who will lead them in
might and with compassion.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40: 1- 11 (NRSV)
Anthem
Introduction to the Gospel reading:
Mark’s gospel begins not with Jesus’ birth but with John the
Baptist in the wilderness. Mark quotes the Isaiah passage
we just read, to prepare the way of the Lord. It is important
for Mark to begin Jesus’ story with the Holy Spirit and set
amongst the people.
Scripture: Mark 1 : 1 - 8 (NRSV)
One: This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Sermon: "Unwrapping Christmas"
We Respond to God
Hymn: VU # 18 "There's A Voice In The Wilderness"
The Invitation to the Offering
Offertory VU 68 "All Poor Ones and Humble" vs. 1 & refrain
Offertory Prayer
Listening God, just as shepherds and wise ones came
to offer praise and gifts to baby Jesus, we come with
our gifts and our praise. Use these gifts so that the message may be heard and known here and in many
places. Amen
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn: VU 43 "Go Tell It On The Mountain"
Commissioning and Benediction
Sung: "Go Now In Peace"
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of ev’ry day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Choir: "My Favourite Things"
Budget Congregational Meeting
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Rev. Susan's Sermon is available on the table outside the sanctuary door if you would like to take one home and read. I will also be sending it out with the video link at the beginning of the week.
Large Print Bulletins are available on the desk outside the sanctuary door of the church if you would like one.
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Announcements
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to John McDowell who is celebrating his birthday on
December 9th.
Little Christmas Trees
This year the Worship Committee would like to decorate the window sills with small Christmas trees. If you have one at home you would be willing to bring in to the church for the Christmas Season it would be appreciated. Trees can be brought in at any time and put in the boardroom. Thank you.
Coffee Time
Join us downstairs on the 3rd Sunday of the month following the service to enjoy some wonderful fellowship at Coffee Time, along with light snack and refreshments. The next one will be December 17th.
2024 Budget Congregational Meeting
A short congregational meeting will be held today, Sunday, December 10th following the church service to approve the Budget for 2024. Copies of the report are available on the desk outside the sanctuary.
Community Meal
DSUC and 4 other churches, along with the Woodstock/Oxford Rotary Club will be taking turns providing a meal in the brown hall on Saturday mornings from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. for those in our community that need food assistance. The Rotary will have a Community Food Table with various fresh produce set up outside the church for anyone to help themselves to.
Joy Board - Change of Time
For our December meeting we will meet at 6:00 p.m. Please remember to bring some goodies to share.
Thank You
for all the thoughts and prayers while I was in the hospital. They were truly appreciated. I am now at home and with all your prayers I am recovering very quickly and getting my strength back.
Melissa Doucette
Thank You
I would like to thank the following groups
U.C.W. Ladies
Sharon and Jerry for their visitations
Sewing Group Ladies for the quilts.
Thanks to everyone involved
Murray and Colleen Cole
Bible Study/Faith Chat
There will be Bible Study on Thursday, December 14th and 21st at 1:00 p.m. We will take a Christmas break after that and resume on Thursday, January 4th.
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The colder temperatures are here and we are all moving indoors. We know that colds and flu as well as Covid are on the rise. Choosing to wear a mask will be welcomed and encouraged.
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Sewing from the Heart Comfort Quilts
If you know someone who might need a comfort quilt, please call Doris Adams (519) 539-2902 or let the church office know (519) 537-7935.
Choir Practice - change of date
Our choir practice on Thursday, December 14th will be changed to Wednesday, December 13th.
Did you know that the bulletin, sermon and other important information are sent out by email every week. If you are not receiving this email and would like to, please email or call the church office and your email will be added to our list.
dundasstunited@execulink.com or
(519) 537-7935
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For the month of December we will be collecting food for the Salvation Army Food Bank. Please put any donations in "The Box" outside the sanctuary door. Items like peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, cereal, etc. are always welcome.
Quiet Christmas Service, December 13, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
at St. David’s United Church.
For some, Christmas can be a difficult time. The absence of a spouse, a valued member of one’s family or a friend can be difficult at a time when most people are celebrating.
Our Quiet Christmas Service is a special time of remembrance, lessons and carols, to honour family and friends that will not be celebrating Christmas with us this year. During this quieter Christmas experience, the names of loved ones will be read aloud as candles are lit.
Some names may reflect a recent loss, while others may honour a less recent loss.
Please email (stdavidswoodstock@gmail.com) or call the St. David’s church office (519-539-3161) by 10 am on December 13, with names you would like included in this service. The service will be led by Rev. Jeff Smith and Rev. Susan Cameron
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