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 love 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.
     Used with permission from Gathering: Cindy Randall

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. SCRIPTURE LESSON
Isaiah 7: 10 - 16
A Son Named Immanuel
10 Once again the LORD God spoke to King Ahaz. This time he said, 11 “Ask me for proof that my promise will come true. Ask for something to happen deep in the world of the dead or high in the heavens above.”
12 “No, LORD," Ahaz answered. "I won't test you!”
13 Then I said: Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof. 14 But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin[a] is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.[b] 15-16 Even before the boy is old enough to know how to choose between right and wrong, he will eat yogurt and honey,[c] and the countries of the two kings you fear will be destroyed.

Responsive Reading Psalm 80: 1 - 7,  17 - 19  Part One VU page 794
REFRAIN: “Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace”

Part One (1 - 7,  18 - 19)
Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who are enthroned amidst the cherubim.
Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh;
stir up your might, come and save us.  REFRAIN

God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayer?
You have fed us with the bread of weeping, and given us tears in plenty to drink.
You have made a mockery of us to our neighbours, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Let your hand rest on the one at your right hand, on the one you have made strong for yourself.
Then we will never forsake you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.  REFRAIN

7.  REFLECTION

8.  HYMN VU 5 “All Earth is Waiting”
1.  All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
and open furrows await the seed of God.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.

2.  Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
'A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel.'
One whose name is 'God with us', our Saviour shall be,
through whom hope will blossom once more within our hearts.

3.  Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain,
open new highways, new highways for our God,
who is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.

4.  In lowly stable the Promised One appeared.
Yet, feel that presence throughout the earth today,
for Christ lives in all Christians and is with us now;
again, on arriving, Christ brings us liberty.

9.  SCRIPTURE LESSONS:
Romans 1: 1 - 7
1 From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus.
God chose me to be an apostle, and he appointed me to preach the good news 2 that he promised long ago by what his prophets said in the holy Scriptures. 3-4 This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, he was from the family of David. But the Holy Spirit[a] proved that Jesus is the powerful Son of God,[b] because he was raised from death. 5 Jesus was kind to me and chose me to be an apostle,[c] so that people of all nations would obey and have faith. 6 You are some of those people chosen by Jesus Christ. 7 This letter is to all of you in Rome. God loves you and has chosen you to be his very own people. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

The Gospel of Matthew 1: 18 - 25
The Birth of Jesus
18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man[a] and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. 20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus,[b] because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord's angel had told him to do. 25 But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.

10.  REFLECTION:

11.  HYMN VU 74 “What Child is This”
1.  What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping?
     This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
     haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

2.  Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
      This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
     haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

3.  So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him.
The King of Kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
     This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
     haste, haste to bring him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

12.  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

13.  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

14. 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

15.  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.

16.  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

17. 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.

18.  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

19. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD'S PRAYER:

20. 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

21.  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

22. THREE FOLD AMEN

1. Use the drop and go feature at Sarcan specifying that they are for Third Ave. United church.
2. Drop off the bags containing your bottles, cans and cartons at the church.

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.

1. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - “LOVE”   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!


2. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  “SUNDAY BRUNCH”  11:30 AM - 1:00 PM  ALL ARE WELCOME!
   
   SEE POSTER ON “HAPPENINGS” TAB FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH DATES


3. SUNDAY, December 21, 2025  “SILENT NIGHT” - SACRED CHRISTMAS MUSIC   7:00 PM   Lisa Hornung, Family & Friends    Donations at the Door   COME AND ENJOY THIS EVENING OF BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MUSIC


4. WEDNESDAY, December 24, 2025  “CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE”   7:00 PM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS OF CHRISTMAS”   COME ONE! COME ALL!


5. SUNDAY, December 28, 2025  AGAPE POTLUCK WORSHIP SERVICE - WESLEY HALL   10:45 AM   Rev. Jo-Ann Hills  “RECOLLECTIONS”   ALL ARE WELCOME!