Sunday, December 17, 2023 The Third Sunday of Advent

 

Hymn       Good Christian Friends Rejoice #35VU

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

                                      Psalm 126 p.850VU

                                      I Thessalonians 5:16-25

Meditation 

Prayer:  God of birth, we watch in fear for your coming; scared of the pain and risk, the struggle of new life emerging and our own capacity to bear it, God of waiting, 

WAIT WITH US. 

God of the future, we watch in hope for your coming; anticipating an unknown future, uncertain of the unnamed reality, not sure of the form it will take. God of waiting, 

WAIT WITH US. 

God of celebration, we watch in joy for your coming; expectant with promises of freedom, eager for new possibilities, delighting in the gift of birth. God of waiting, 

WAIT WITH US. Amen. (a prayer by Jan Berry, printed and published in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers.) 

Hymn      Joy to the World #59VU

This Sunday is Communion Sunday in both Howick (9:30) and in Ormstown (11:00). 

Franklin United Church will be holding their Candlelight Christmas service this evening at 7:30pm. 

Congratulations and best wishes to Dorothy Wright as she and her family celebrate her 100th birthday. 

We hold in our prayers the family of Marlene Stuckey, following the death of her mother this week. We will hold them in our thoughts and prayers through the Christmas season and into the New Year when they prepare to remember to give thanks for her life. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Bev Cocher following her death this month. 

Next Sunday will be Christmas Eve and there will be services in Howick, at 11am and in Ormstown, at 8pm. All are welcome to either (or both) services. 

Many thanks to all who worked, donated, or supported the Christmas Sale in Howick last weekend. It was a great success and raised about $1500.00 for the repair of the elevator. We thank the community for the generosity that was shown. 

A few messages from Howick’s Treasurer: if there are people who would like to receive envelopes, please speak to Wilene and she will provide them. The envelopes we are currently using are undated, so if you have envelopes remaining, you may continue to use them. 

      Also, the books for 2023 will close on December 28th, so if you wish to make a donation for 2023, please make it by that date. Funds may be sent by e-transfer to howickunitedchurch@gmail.com or by mail to Wilene Cullen, 2134 Rte 138 Howick QC J0S 1K0. 

Please note that the books of the Memorial Fund for Howick will also be closing December 28th. If you wish to make a memorial gift in memory of someone for 2023, please get it to Grace by or before December 28th. Thank you. 

The donations to the Canadian FoodGrains Bank made through Howick United Church, will be sent away on Monday, December 18th. If you still wish to make a donation for this year please do so before this date, or you may make an individual donation online or by mail with the CFGB envelopes. 

There will be a combined Christmas Sunday and New Year’s Eve held on Sunday, December 31st at 11:00 in the hall in Ormstown. We will begin at 10:30 for some coffee and fellowship time.