December 1st, 2024

1^st Sunday of Advent

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:    
     Minister: Rev. Dr. John G. Smith
     Director of Music: Dr. Christopher Burton
     Lay Reader: Mary Lou Gignac

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.
Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

We Gather

PRELUDE
“Adagio in G Minor” - T. Albinoni

A Stewardship Moment
Our generous giving helps to prepare the way of the Lord by providing hope for those around us.

WELCOME

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND
We believe all people are made in the image of God and are entitled to dignity and respect.  At Grace United Church we try to offer a safer, inclusive and generous space for all who are seeking a faith community.  We offer full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, all races, ages and abilities in the life and work of the ministry.
Grace United Church is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Petun, Huron-Wendat, and Mississauga peoples, located within the boundary of the region of Treaty 18 of 1818. We humbly acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada as traditional stewards of the land on which we work and worship and are committed to working actively toward genuine restitution and reconciliation.

LIGHTING the FIRST ADVENT CANDLE
A long time ago, a baby was born in a town called “House of Bread.”  His name was Jesus.  Mary, his mother, laid him in a feeding trough to rest. Soon, he would grow up to be called the Bread of Life.  He would fill their hungry bellies; then, he would feed the hearts of the people with love and truth.
Today we light the candle of hope.
Hope is believing things can get better with compassion, empathy, and grace.
As we light this candle, we are reminded that, from the manger, hope will grow. Hope grows and becomes “God with us.”   His name is Jesus, the Bread of Life.

CANDLE LIGHTING SONG
“Advent’s Holy Light”
As we watch for the dawn of a brighter day,
A candle of hope lights the way.
As we look for the signs of the promised birth,
Of a Saviour who brings heaven to earth:
Lord we are waiting for peace to reign.
Lord, we are listening for love’s refrain.
For hope, peace, and joy and love to unite
In the beauty of wonder of Advent’s holy light.

OPENING PRAYER
Loving God, we rehearse this beloved story year after year.
We do this because, in this world, where people are hungry and creation is suffering, the story gives us hope -- that all will receive the gifts that they need,
and that creation itself might be renewed and restored.
We gather to worship in this sacred season of hopeful expectation,
Knowing you are faithful to meet us here in song,  prayer, and word.
Nourish our hearts as we worship, we pray,
And prepare us to serve the hearts of the world around us.
AMEN

*HYMN: VU #2
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free:
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

2. Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

3. Born thy people to deliver;
born a child and yet a king;
born to reign in us for ever;
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

4. By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.

We Listen

RESPONSIVE PSALM:   from Psalm 25
To You O Love, I lift up my soul.
I lift up my heart, with hope.
O Heart within my own heart,
I lift up my soul with trust.
Let me not feel unworthy,
Let not my fears overwhelm me.
Indeed, may all who open their hearts to You
Be blessed with love and light to fill the earth!
Help me to remember your ways O Love.
Instruct me upon your paths.
Lead me once again to the truth
And teach me, for through you I would know wholeness;
Through your love and light, I might be born anew.
Let us tell the great story of your mercy, O Blessed One.
Let us recite the story of your unconditional love for all of humanity.
Let us remember you have been present since our birth;
You have walked beside us even when we go astray.
I seek your guidance, once again, O Love.
I yearn to know your Peace.
My heart desires to be filled with hope.
My soul longs for your Grace.
May integrity and wholeness fill us all
As we come once again to your dwelling place.
May we, together with the angels,
And the whole company of heaven,
Help unfold your plan for the Earth
And all who live in it.

Theme Conversation   
The 20^th Anniversary Sisterhood Quilt, a project of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. * 

HYMN: VU #7
“Hope is a Star” vs. 1&2 only
1. Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
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.
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.

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 14:  13 -21   (New International Version)         
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
 “Bring them here to me,” he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

RESPONSE
These words from scripture are meant to guide us, nurture us, and teach us.
Thanks be to God!

ANTHEM
“God in the Darkness” - E.J. Smith/C. Gibson

SERMON:  “Hope is No Small Thing”

We Respond 

INVITATION to the OFFERING
Friends: “The days are surely coming,” says God, “when I will fulfill the promise of justice and righteousness.” I invite you now to be a part of fulfilling God’s promise as you give generously. Your gifts to this community of faith, and our wider service through Mission and Service, provide hope as you help to bring justice a little closer.

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS
Gracious God, with these gifts we declare that our hope lies in you. We trust you to provide all that we need, and so we are secure in offering these generous gifts. May our giving be a sign of our faith and hope. Bless our giving, that it might indeed serve your purposes in us and in the world. Amen.

Donate online:   www.graceunitedthornbury.ca,  select “Give” 
     or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca
     or  phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.
     Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0
     or  Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church through CanadaHelps.org.   Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register.  Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving.

Care, Prayer, Share

Memories and Blessings Tree

HYMN for COMMUNION:  VU # 460
“All Who Hunger”
1. All who hunger, gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.
Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

2. All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

3. All who hunger, sing together;
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table
live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.

COMMUNION PRAYER

THE LORD”S PRAYER

WE SHARE the BREAD and JUICE
Today we invite you to come to the front to receive the bread and juice.  Come up the centre aisle, making two lines, and return to your seat down the side aisles.  Everyone is always welcome to receive communion in our church.

PRAYER after COMMUNION
Gracious God, we thank you for the gifts of Advent:  hope, joy, peace, love, for they fill our hearts and souls in the deepest places.
Guide us now as we make the advent journey to the stable of light and love, and empower us to embody the grace, empathy and compassion of Jesus,
Sharing your love with a hungry world.   AMEN

What’s up at Grace?

We Go Out 

*HYMN:  VU #42
“May the God of Hope Go with Us!”
1.  May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that’s new,
faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

2. May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed.
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that’s new,
faithful when we hear Christ’s call.

*COMMISSIONING

CHORAL AMENS:   VU #967
Amen, amen, amen.

POSTLUDE
“2 Two-part Inventions” - J.S. Bach

 *****

*The 20^th Anniversary Sisterhood Quilt
Nurturing Generations Under the Canopy of Sisterhood
The Grey Grannies of the Stephen Lewis Foundation meet the first Monday of the month at Grace United Church, 140 Bruce Street South, Thornbury. As members of the SLF Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, our goal is to raise funds which are sent to Africa to assist Grandmothers raising their grandchildren tragically orphaned by HIV and AIDS. The Grandmothers are now able to provide better nutrition and education for their grandchildren. Also, it is making a difference in educating their communities on prevention of HIV and AIDS. This Sisterhood in Canada, the UK, Australia and Africa celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the SLF by creating a 20th Anniversary Solidarity Quilt. The quilt pieces were made by women of all nations, brought to Canada, assembled and named “Nurturing Generations Under the Canopy of Sisterhood”. The quilt has travelled to cities across Canada and we are pleased to announce it, and an accompanying quilt, “No One Left Behind”, will be on display at the L.E. Shore Library, 173 Bruce Street South, Thornbury on December 7th, 2024.  An Original Art & Craft Sale (watercolour, acrylic, jewellery, etc.) will help to raise funds for our African Grandmothers. Join us December 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A speaker from the SLF will present at 11 a.m.   The Grey Grannies welcome new members. You don’t have to be a Grandmother to join.

SOURCES: The following are used with permission:
Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.
Responsive Psalm, from Psalm 25, translation Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying.  © 2007  Nan Merrill, published by Continuum Publishing, New York.
Prayers: written by Rev. Dr. John G. Smith

Hymns & Sung Verses:
- Advent’s Holy Light:” words and music are by Joel Raney © 2024 Hope Publishing Company, all rights reserved. One License: #608577 
- “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus:"

- “Hope is a Star:”

- “All Who Hunger:” Words: Sylvia G. Dunstan 1990 © 1991 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Music: William Moore. Arrangement: © 1994 David Kai. Words: G.I.A. Publications Inc. Music: Public Domain. Arrangement: David Kai. One License #608577.

- “May the God of Hope Go with Us!” Words: (v 2) Fred Kaan © 1993 Hope Publishing Company for USA and Canada, Stainer & Bell Ltd. for all other territories. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Music: Argentine folk melody. Words: (v1) Music: Public Domain. Words (v 2): Hope Publishing Company, Stainer & Bell Ltd. CCLI #11203479

- Choral Amens

Scripture Readings:
New International Version Holy Bible, ®, NIV ® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Prelude: “Adagio in G Minor” - T. Albinoni
Anthem: “God in the Darkness” - E.J. Smith/C. Gibson
Postlude: “2 Two-part Inventions” - J.S. Bach