Sunday, December 11, 2022 The Third Sunday of Advent

 

A candle burns, the third marker of our Advent journey. 

As we continue, May we travel expectantly. 

As we continue, God of journeys, guide our footsteps. (written by David Hamflett and published in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers)

Hymn.      Good Christian Friends Rejoice #35

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 35:1-10

                                     Luke 1:47-55

 

                                     Matthew 11:2-11

Hymn.         People Look East #9

Meditation 

Prayer: God of tender compassion: hear the cry of your children whose hope is faint, Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Ruler of all nations, prince of peace: bring an end to violence and the starvation linked with war. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Promised Saviour, who will faithfully bring forth justice: overturn oppression and greed; raise up those whom the world has brought low. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Holy child, stable-born: provide warm shelter for the homeless poor, and help us to see you in every guest. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Infant of Bethlehem, brought in haste to Egypt: console all driven from home by cruel threat, and protect all who must wander in search of refuge. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

O God, you have remembered your promise of mercy, you have come to dwell among us, and you have revealed your glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, that we might pour ourselves out for the hungry and reveal your care to the afflicted. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, posted on the World Renew website and shared through the Canadian Food Grains Bank.)

Hymn       Joy to the World #59

This Sunday is our White Gift Sunday, in all three churches. We will be collecting non-perishable food items and gifts for families, particularly children under 12. Gifts for La Bouffe should be wrapped and labelled for age and gender, if appropriate. They can be brought to church this week, 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick, with Debbie Beattie. If you cannot bring the gifts this Sunday, you may bring them the week following, or contact Barbara and we will make sure they get to the food bank for distribution. 

This coming Thursday, December 15th members of the Howick UCW will be getting together in the church to organize the goodie exchange for Christmas. We will begin about 9:45. 

Next Sunday, December 18th will be Communion Sunday in our churches, 9:30 in Howick, 11:00 in Ormstown, and 7:30pm in Franklin, in their Candlelight Christmas service. 

The Christmas Eve services will be held at 6pm in Howick and 8pm in Ormstown. There will be no Sunday service on Christmas Day and there will be a regional Zoom service held on New Year’s Day. Please let Barbara know if you would like to receive the link to participate.