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 28, 2025
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
AGAPE POTLUCK WORSHIP SERVICE - WESLEY HALL
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
CANDLE LIGHTING:
We gather as followers of the Prince of Peace. There are so many in need of peace this day.
This candle is a beacon to those who worry about their health or that of loved ones, who worry about making ends meet, who worry about feeding their families and having shelter,
who are in physical danger because of war and conflict, and who cannot rest because of toxic secrets. May this light shine for all who need peace this day. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Beth W Johnston
All sing: SFGP 128 “Let There be peace on earth”
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our creator, children all are we;
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow;
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
1. CALL TO WORSHIP:
Every year, into our shadowed world, a light is born.
Every year, into our complicated lives, hope is born,
Every year, the Christ child comes to the world.
Every year, and this year, we celebrate in hope, in gratitude, and in joy. Used with permission from Gathering: ACE 2025-2026; Beth W. Johnston
2. OPENING PRAYER: Loving God, we come into your presence with joy in this holiday season. But we also come with sorrow for a world struggling in pain. Bring hope to our weary world. Bring love to our hearts. Bring joy to our lives. And help us bring hope, love, and joy, as we follow your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
3. LEARNING TIME:
4. HYMN: VU 59 “Joy to the World”
1. Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns:
let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4 He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
5. PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION:
Treasured words for us to ponder, caring words from one well-loved,
good words for us to take to heart, honest words from a trusted friend,
challenging words that call us to action, words that challenge us to seek justice for all,
inspired words that touch our deepest being: the Bible-God's word through prophets, disciples, and Jesus.
We thank you, Loving God, that you give us patience in listening, joy as we share, and helpful words that you call us to receive. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025-2026: David Sparks
6. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: God, you offer the wonder of Christmas, and we give you thanks for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for this worldwide celebration of our Saviour's birth. Forgive us for the times this past year when we have neglected worship and prayer. Forgive us for times we have missed helping or listening or caring. Use this Christmas to refocus us. Forgive us, O God, and draw us back into right relationship with you, your church, our neighbours, and your creation. Amen.
Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Elaine Bidgood Sveet
7. WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
God's nature is generous: generous in love, generous in forgiveness, generous in meeting our needs. Eagerly, God forgives you and me again and again. Be assured that through Christ, you are forgiven. Live in this peace. Thanks be to God! Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Elaine Bidgood Sveet
8. PASSING OF THE PEACE:
In the name of Prince of Peace - Jesus, born in a manger - let us greet one another with signs of peace. The peace of Christ be with you. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission
9. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
As it once appeared in ancient fields, the mystery of God's glory shines around us again this Christmas Eve. Like shepherds of old, let us respond with good news. With the psalmist, let us bring offerings of our lives and resources. And may the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice as we present of evening's offering. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
10. INVITATION TO OFFERING:
Just as visitors from the East brought gifts to the Christ child, we too are invited to bring gifts to Christ's church in service of God's work in the world. Any gift of love is a gift of gold. As we present our morning offering. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
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 Christas message
that Christ comes to bring to us life for all creation.
May our gifts help bring to all love and transformation. Used with permission from Gathering: Sandra Jenkinson, 2015
12. OFFERING PRAYER: Generous, God, thank you for the gift of Christ Jesus in our lives and in our world. Thank you for the gifts we return to you now. Bless these gifts, that they may support Christ's loving presence in our ministry, in our community, and in our world. Amen. Used with permission from Gathering ACE 2025/2026; Gord Dunbar
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 43 VU “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
1. While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Refrain
2. The shepherds feared and trembled when lo, above the earth
rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour's birth! Refrain
3. Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born,
and God sent our salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain
15. BLESSING:
May the work of Christmas begin with us. May the work of discipleship guide our lives.
May the gifts of mercy and grace flow through us. May praise and joy strengthen our journey.
May Christ light the way. From the Abingdon Worship Annual 2025.
Copyright @2024 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
16. THREE FOLD AMEN
SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Isaiah 63: 7 - 9
The LORD's Goodness to His People
Responsive Reading: Psalm 96 VU page 816 REFRAIN: Let the whole creation cry,“ Glory be to God on High”
Hebrews 2: 10 - 18
The Gospel of Matthew 2: 13 - 23 The Escape to Egypt
The Killing of the Children
The Return from Egypt
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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.
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