Livestream broadcast will be available at 10:45 AM: (Please note that the “Order of Worship” below is an edited shorter version of the Sunday Bulletin)
“REFLECTIONS”
THIRD AVENUE UNITED CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU WORSHIP!
Order of Worship
DECEMBER 21, 2025
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “LOVE”
ORDAINED MINISTER: Rev. Jo-Ann Hills
ORGANIST / PIANIST: Ilene Wettergreen
HANDBELL DIRECTOR: Kathleen Link
OFFICE COORDINATOR: Jodi Hargreaves
SCRIPTURES READER:
PIANO/ORGAN PRELUDE
ACKNOWLEDGING TERRITORY:
We acknowledge that we at Third Avenue United Church live, work, worship, and play on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 and the homeland of the Metis. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus once again, we remember everything this birth means for our whole world and all people: hope, peace, joy, and love. May we live our lives moving gently in creation, listening, learning, and striving to be people of reconciliation. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2022-2023; Jessica Knoyle
WELCOME, TIME OF CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: Matthew & Sophie Maunula Two blue candles and the pink candle are lit
The advent season is a time known for candles, coloured lights, and bright stars. This four week-long season points us toward the cradle of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary. It is important that we light the candles to remind us that we do not live in the shadows of despair and discouragement. We are a people of light and love. Today we light the candle of love to guide us on our journey to Bethlehem. (Light the last blue candle) Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026; Laura J. Turnbull
SING: Tune: KREMSER “We praise you, O God” (VU 218)
We're lighting our candle,
our candle of hope now,
we're lighting our candle
to burn through the night.
We wait for our Saviour,
we wait for his coming,
in hope this holy Advent,
we wait for the light.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
In this fourth week of Advent, we honour God's gift of love. We mark the time leading to Christmas with light.
We honour Jesus' birth, a light in our shadows. Where the world groans in loneliness, sadness, or hate, our God responds with love, with joy.
We worship in love, seeking to be people of love. Christ be our light and our love always. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Elaine Bidgood Sveet
2. OPENING PRAYER: In this season of love, hope and family, grant us joy and peace this day. You offered signs to Joseph and Mary long ago- signs that their son would be the Messiah, Emmanuel. May your light shine on us here, that we might understand the signs in our lives. We come with open hearts and minds to hear of your love coming into the world. We come to hear of a young woman with child, a foster father with trust in God, a match you made in heaven to shepherd a tiny boy to his destiny. Holy God, show us your peace as we make ready for your light in the World! From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: VU 38 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
1. Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth;
ye who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
2. Shepherds in the field abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant Light: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
3. Sages, leave your contemplations; brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great desire of nations; ye have seen his natal star: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
4. Saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear,
suddenly the Lord, descending, in his temple shall appear: come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION: God of the journey, we have begun to make our way to Bethlehem. We stumble on rocks and pull out a well-worn map, wondering if we are on the right path. Here in the wilderness, may these words from scripture guide our path. May they offer the peace of a deep and sacred breath, that we might discover a clear and evident way ahead, the one that leads to a humble stable, the one that reveals Emmanuel, God-with-us. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026: Sheryl Spencer
6. PRAYER OF YEARNING: We lay our burdens before you, O God, with our lives open and ready to receive your light and love. Lead us toward your Son, Jesus, Emmanuel, as we continue to wander with you in faith. Thank you for the many signs of your love, sent in your infinite wisdom. May we have the faith of Mary and Joseph, and may we be your attendants, anxious for the coming of your light once again. Amen.
From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
The king of love comes for all! With tears wiped away and replaced with joy, delight in preparing for the imminent arrival of the Son of God. We are all called by God, forgiven, cleansed, and made free. Thanks be to God. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
8. SUNG RESPONSE: VU 1 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lowly exile here
until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
3. O come, O come, great God of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain
4. O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem,
from every foe deliver them
that trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain
5. O come, O Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
6. O come, O Dayspring, from on high,
and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
7. O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
and be for us the Prince of Peace. Refrain
9. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Wherever you have been, you are welcome here! We are glad to be here, gathered in the glorious name of God!
Here and everywhere, may the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
10. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
During this season, we are focused on gifts-the gifts we find for others, the gifts we receive under our tree, the gifts of love and caring that are shared among strangers for the good of all, and the gift of the baby Jesus. Let us now think about the ways that we ourselves share gifts of time, money, prayer, and commitment as we seek to enable the ministries that are important to us and support the partnerships that allow us to share in God's purposes everywhere. We present our morning offering. Used with permission from Gathering A/C/E 2025/26; Bill Steadman
11. OFFERTORY
(sung to the tune of “Good King Wenceslas”)
Here our gifts we offer, God, thankful for your blessings.
Take them, Spirit, use them to spread the hopeful message
that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation.
May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation.
12. OFFERING PRAYER: Lord of Heaven, accept these gifts from our hearts, that they may fulfill the purposes of your people. As Christ's light shines upon us, we rejoice in the opportunity to share our abundance with others. Bless these offerings to the Christ child and to our resurrected Lord. Amen. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
Please give by contributing online using “E-transfers” or PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) or by placing your offering in the plate.
E-transfers can be sent to: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net answer to security question is: “payment”
13. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. AMEN.
14. HYMN 38 VU “Angels We Have Heard on High”
1. Angels we have heard on high
sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply,
echoing their joyous strains. Refrain: Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song? Refrain
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain
4. See him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise. Refrain
15. BLESSING:
The word we have been given this day is love. May we carry love on our journey throughout this week, the love we have encountered and experienced in this place. May we offer the vision of love to all we meet. May we share the blessing that we have received, this day and always. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026 Bill Steadman
16. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Isaiah 7: 10 - 16
A Son Named Immanuel
Responsive Reading: Psalm 80: 1 - 7, 17 - 19 Part One VU page 794 REFRAIN: “Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.”
Romans 1: 1 - 7 From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus
The Gospel of Matthew 11: 2 - 11 The Birth of Jesus
Next Sunday: First Sunday after Christmas December 28, 2025: Isaiah 61: 10 - 62:3;
Psalm 147 or 147: 13 - 21; Galatians 3: 23 - 25; 4: 4 - 7; John 1: 1 - 18.
“Archived Videos”
Note: Don't have a Bible? By Clicking on the button below, you can open a new window in an Online Bible. By entering the BOOK and CHAPTER, you will be able to look up the references in the sermon. Copy and paste will work as long as there is no other words between the book name and chapter number. Try it and Enjoy!
