Sunday, December 18, 2016

Advent 4

God’s RESTORATION is at Hand

Leader Magazine, Fall 2016

WATERLOO-KITCHENER UNITED MENNONITE CHURCH

15 George Street, Waterloo, ON N2J 1K6

Telephone: 519-578-0660

E-mail: office@wkumchurch.ca www.wkumchurch.ca

Staff: Pastor Ben Cassels

E-mail: ben@wkumchurch.ca Phone: 519-588-0939

Karen Watson - Parish Nurse – parish.nurse@wkumchurch.ca

David Harder – Christian Education Program Assistant – david.a.harder@gmail.com

Katharine Borch – Office Administrator – office@wkumchurch.ca

Andrew Tubb – Church Custodian – andrewtubb@gmail.com

VOL. 29 NO. 48

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Welcome to our worship service. May you be blessed as you meet God and be empowered for the week ahead.

Sunday, December 18, 2016 9:30 a.m.

Worship Leader: Hilda Krotz Speaker: Rev. Ed Janzen

Congregational Prayer: Pastor Ben Cassels Children’s Time: Janice Harder

Scripture Readers: Walter Unrau, Martha Goertz Organ/Piano: Karen Enns Ryan Légère

Candle Lighters: Vicky Dyck, Alexis Lyon Choir: Janice Harder

Children are welcome in the worship service or parents may supervise young

children in the Nursery along the Administration Hallway.

Worship Focus: On the path of life, when difficulties arise, the prayers of the rich and powerful will not move God’s justice and peace as simply as the prayers of a poor young woman with child. Let’s join her prayer, “Immanuel.”

Carol Sing

Prelude

GATHERING

Welcome and Work and Care of the Church

Call to Worship:

Leader: In the nighttime of our longing,

We find ourselves far from God’s presence.

People: Even though we yearn to see God’s face, our daily burdens and distractions keep us from getting near. We forget that the truest joy comes from being in God’s presence.

All: Come! Walk in God’s presence!

Prayer of Invocation

Hymn: “Hope is a candle” vs. 4 STS # 15

Candle-lighting

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PRAISING GOD

Advent IV Reading: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19

Leader: Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, you who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth!

People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Leader: Let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.

People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Leader: We will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name.

People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Hymn: “Praise the One who breaks the darkness” STS # 1

CONFESSING / RECONCILING

Prayer of Confession:

Leader: God of restoration,

People: we yearn to walk in your way but often choose our own path of turmoil and pain. Save us, Lord,

from the pride and foolishness of choosing our own course,

that we may humbly and confidently follow your lead, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Words of Assurance:

Leader: Throughout the tumult of life, God holds you close in love. Rejoice, because God’s wisdom is your guide, God’s compassion is your strength. God’s love is your redemption.

All: Come, let us walk in the way of God’s heart!

Song of Response: “Alleluia” (organ, sing 2X) STS # 17

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HEARING GOD’S WORD

Hymn: “Infant holy, infant lowly” HWB # 206 (Children come forward on the last verse)

Children’s Time

Song of Blessing: “Away in the Manger” vs. 3 HWB # 194

Be near them, Lord Jesus, we ask you to stay Close by them forever, and love them, we pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And fit them for heaven to live with you there.

Congregational Prayer/Lord’s Prayer

Offering

Anthem: One Small Child Meece/Curry

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-16 (Old Testament) page 493

New Testament Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25 (New Testament) page 1

Sermon: “Restoration – big daddy or little momma?”

RESPONDING AND SENDING

Hymn of Response: “O come, O come, Immanuel” HWB # 172

Benediction

Postlude

Welcome to our visitors! We hope our time of worship has been an encouragement to you. Please sign our guest book in the front foyer.

God bless you and we hope to see you again!

TODAY AT W-K

9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Sunday School for Children and Youth

10:30 a.m. Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. Children’s Sunday School Program – gym

7:00 p.m. Christmas Rose – W-KUM Choir Christmas Program with reception to follow.

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10:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Lectionary Readings:

Next Sunday – December 25, 2016 – Christmas Day

Worship Service Speaker: Rev. Catherine Hunsberger

Worship will be at Parkwood Mennonite Home.

January 1, 2017 – New Year’s Day - Epiphany

Worship Service Speaker: Rev. Bertha Landers

Isaiah 60: 1-6 Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3: 1-12 Matthew 2: 1-12

CHURCH FAMILY NOTES

CONGREGATIONAL NOTES

Church Office Hours

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Parish Nurse Clinic Hours

Waterloo Mennonite Homes – Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church – Thursday 11:00 a.m. - Noon

Financial Report: Thank you for your offering of December 11th

This Week and next

Wednesday, December 21 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Office closed

Saturday, December 24 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight service with Communion

Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service at Parkwood Mennonite Home

Tuesday, December 27 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Gym rental

Friday, December 30 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Office hours

Sunday, January 1 9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary

Everyone is welcome to attend Christmas Rose – the annual W-KUM Choir Christmas Concert this evening at 7:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Come for an evening of music and fellowship. A reception will be held following the concert.

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Attention George St Fellowship, Servettes and anyone else interested! On Monday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m., the GSF and Servettes again combine to hold their annual Carol Sing at Waterloo Mennonite Homes at 2:00 p.m. as part of Servettes monthly Tea Party. This will be followed by a time of fellowship and light refreshments. Please bring a plate of cookies if you can.

Ladies' Lunch Bunch will have a new look for 2017. The first one is on Wednesday, January 4 at 12:30 pm at Kypreos Restaurant, 305 Lancaster St. W. in Kitchener. All women of the church are welcome to come! This event gives us a relaxed time of visiting over a meal prepared and cleaned up by someone else! For questions, contact Vicki Dick The Knotty Knotters will resume again on January 10, 2017. Please mark the following dates in your calendars: January 10, 24, February 7, 21 and March 7, 21. The Quilting Group will meet on the alternate Tuesdays which are: January 17, 24, February 14, 28 and March 14, 28. Gathering time is 1:00 p.m. All are welcome to come and participate.

A note from our Treasurer: As we come to a close for 2016, I

want to keep you informed of our budget status. As of the end

of November we have a deficit. Our church is an active

congregation. I ask for your continued support and prayers.

Respectfully, Paul

Annual Reports from all committees are due by

December 31st for inclusion in the 2016 Annual Report

booklet. These can be submitted to Katharine in the office

by e-mail at office@wkumchurch.ca OR in printed form.

Your help in being prompt is greatly appreciated. The

Annual meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2017.

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Please note the office hours over the Christmas break:

Regular office hours will be held for the week of December 20 – 23, 2016. During the week of December 26

th, Katharine will be in the

office on Friday, December 30th only. Any bulletin announcements can be sent via email and they will be picked up on that date.

Colouring through Advent: Adults and children alike are invited to make use of

the special Advent Colouring Sheets in worship and Adult Sunday School,

located at the back of the sanctuary and in the library. For many adults, colouring

can be a spiritual practice or an aid to better engage with everything else that is

happening. Our sheets this year illustrate classic Advent themes and relate

specifically to our Adult Sunday School series. Let your artistic side flourish this

Advent! (Children's bulletins are still available in their usual location throughout

Advent).

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND YOUNG AT HEART

Join us for the Sunday School Christmas program which

will take place in the gym today from 11:00am to 11:30am.

All are welcome to attend. We look forward to adding to

the Christmas cheer around WK.

Christmas Carolling: This afternoon, the

Youth from W-K, Waterloo North and Erb

Street will be carolling at the Waterloo

Uptown Square. They will meet there at 3:30

pm and sing a variety of Christmas carols. Then

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the group will walk to KW Underhill Residential Home and sing a few

more Christmas carols. Finally the carollers will walk to Erb Street for

some snacks and hot chocolate.

Pickup at Erb Street will be for 5:30 pm.

ROCKWAY?

CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY?

GREBEL?

Our congregation invites and endorses the

participation of members and others within the

church family, in education at Mennonite-

affiliated institutions, by partially supporting

the tuition costs.

Applications for Student Aid Subsidy are

posted on Bulletin Board # 7. To help us in

preparing for the 2017 budget, please contact David Harder or

Karl Dick if you would like to participate in this incentive!

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Healthy Reflections – Body, Mind and Spirit

Flu Watch 2016 During the first weeks of December there has been a higher incidence of seasonal flu as compared to late November. In

the Waterloo Wellington area flu activity has been sporadic and localized, the most common type being Influenza A (H3N2). This strain is covered by the 2016 flu vaccine. A reminder that our two best defences during flu season are frequent and thorough hand washing and getting the flu vaccine annually. The flu vaccine will cover 3-4 of the most common strains from last season. This year there is a double dose vaccine available for those over 65 years of age, however the cost is not covered by OHIP. Ask your healthcare provider if you are interested. Please remember to use hand sanitizer regularly while at the church, and consider staying at home if you are not feeling well – we have had a few cases of cold and flu in the congregation this past week.

W-K and WMH Health and Wellness Programs:

Over the Holidays: Exercise Classes at Waterloo Mennonite Homes:

Last Class - Monday, December 19th

Start again – Monday, January 2nd

Exercise Classes at W-K United Mennonite Church

Last Class, Thursday December 15th

Start again – Thursday, January 12th

How about a resolution this year? Why not get involved with exercise classes – they are free, close by & convenient; Regular exercise helps you maintain independence and prevents falls!!!

Parish Nursing Clinics:

Tuesday, December 20th 9:30-10:30 AM at WMH

Thursday, December 22nd

11 AM to noon at W-K United Mennonite Church

Tuesday, December 27th 9:30-10:30 AM at WMH

Note: No Thursday Clinic at the church on December 29th

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WIDER CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Advent Jazz at Grebel - Here is a little mid-week rest with some good music and fine thoughts. Musicians are Paul Fehderau, Linden Gossen, Brad Moggach, Greg Prior, and Tom Cummings. Conrad Grebel Chapel is the place. Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 7:00 pm. All are welcome. See the poster on Bulletin Board # 4 for more information.

W-K Christmas Services and Celebrations

The Sunday School Christmas program will take place in the gym on Sunday, December 18, beginning at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

Christmas Rose - The annual W-KUM Choir Christmas Concert will be held Sunday, December 18

th at 7:00 p.m.

Come for an evening of music and fellowship. A reception will be held following the concert – bring a friend!

Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion will be held on Saturday, December 24

th at

7:00 p.m. with meditation by Pastor Ben. All are welcome.

Christmas Day service will be held at Parkwood Mennonite Home in the Auditorium beginning at 10:00 a.m. Come join with the residents in celebrating the birth of our Lord. Worship will be led by Rev. Catherine Hunsberger and Kendra Whitfield-Ellis, Parkwood Chaplain. Members of W-K will provide music.

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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.