Worship Service for December 8, 2024 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

December 8, 2024 – Second Sunday in Advent and Write for Rights Sunday

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, December 8, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, December 8.

Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship (PWS&D liturgy)

One: In a world too often divided, we gather to embrace the gift of peace.
All: We come with hearts open to reconciliation and understanding.

One: We light the second candle of Advent, a symbol of God’s peace in a troubled world.

(Light the candle of peace)

One: May the light of this candle guide us as we seek to fulfill our calling as peacemakers.
All: Holy One, strengthen us by your Spirit to commit ourselves to standing against injustice in our communities and the world. Affirm within us a dedication to foster your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

Opening Hymn

“People in Darkness” (Book of Praise 1997 Hymn 124). Words v. 1–3 (20^th century) by American minister, hymnwriter and academic Dosia Carlson (1930–2021). Words v. 4 (1996) by Canadian PCC minister Kenneth Stright (1952–). Music (20^th century; tune: “People in Darkness”) by Dosia Carlson. Words v. 1–3 and music copyright © 1983 Dosia Carlson. Words v. 4 copyright © 1996 Kenneth and Jeanne Stright.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

God of peace and promise,
you are the giver of life, living in us through the power of your Holy Spirit. You are the voice that calls us from our wandering, setting us on a new path. You are the living water that purifies us, baptising us for service in the world that so badly needs your love. You are the Way that we are called to walk, and you are the one who supplies all things for the journey. Refresh us in this time of worship, and reignite our desire to serve you each and every day. Glory, honour and praise be yours now and always, one God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

Merciful God,
in your gracious presence we confess our sins and the sins of this world.

Merciful God,
baptism promises the washing away of our sin and the start of our new life in Christ. But we confess that we still in love with our old ways. We sin against you and one another, in what we do and in what we fail to do. We excuse ourselves, and take comfort in what is familiar and pleases us rather than what serves you. Forgive us when we mistake such comfort for the peace you offer us in Christ Jesus. and prepare our hearts to embrace new ways of following him.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, proclaimed this hope: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, giving light to those in darkness, guiding our feet in the way of peace.” Receive God’s tender mercy today. Trust that God’s peace will prevail for all those who seek forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
All: Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

GCPC Senior Choir presents

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

“Light of Peace” by Joel Raney utilizes “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”, with additional original music featuring text which makes reference to each of the Advent candles: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. With rich minor key harmonies and a lilting, haunting melody, this anthem was one of the beauties from the GCPC Senior Choir’s Christmas Concert last December. The title of this anthem, “Light of Peace” is an auspicious choice today as we light the Advent candle for “Peace.” With all of the unrest in our world, the messaging is especially salient these days.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.

Compassion Canada – Raoul

Don MacOdrum

Scripture Reading

Luke 3:1–6 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Luke 3:1–6

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’

Amnesty International – Write for Rights

Message

Manahel Al-Otailbi – Saudi Arabia

Reflection

Dang Dubg Bach – Viet Nam

Reflection

Maryia Kalensikava – Belarus

Reflection

Oqba Hashad – Egypt

Reflection

Offering

As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Offering – Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th“ with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Mighty and merciful God, we bring our gifts to you, trusting that your blessing will multiply their transformative power and use in the world. Use them and us to prepare the way for Christ to enter lives with his compassion and courage, so that the world will know his peace and trust his name.

Prayer for Peace and Justice

Closing Hymn

“Let there be light” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 727). Words by Canadian poet and hymnwriter Frances Wheeler Davis (1936–). Music (1967; tune: “Concord (Fleming)”) by Canadian composer and organist Robert James Berkeley Fleming (1921–1976). Words copyright © Frances Wheeler Davis; music copyright © 1975 Margaret Fleming.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.

Postlude

Last updated 2024-12-07 20:20 – First version.