BUC Worship Service – December 1

Balzac Pastoral Charge 
Airdrie Pastoral Charge 
Advent 1 December 1, 2024 
Balzac United Church – 10:00 AM 
Ministers: Rev. Kelly Grittner, Rev. Eva Biederman 
Music Ministry : Lee Dowan, Beth Harrison, Dr Alex Shawn 

Prelude : “The Father’s Love Blooming”, arr. by Ruth Elaine Schram   

Welcoming and Announcements  
Service link
Bulletin link

The Christmas Wreath 

Land Acknowledgement 
“As we gather together, we acknowledge that we are meeting on the  unceded territories of the nations of Treaty 7. May we live with respect  on this land, and in peace and friendship with its people.” 

Invocation Though I May Speak VU 372 Introduction and Recognition of the Season 

Hymn In The Bleak Mid Winter” (verse 1 – remain seated)  VU 55 

Ceremony of Commemoration 
We light a candle in memory of those who gave us birth, 
who nurtured us, offered love, and cherished us. 
We remember mothers and fathers,  
guardians and grandparents,  
and all our family through the ages (a candle is lit) 
We light a candle in memory of those  
who have been joined to us in the great circle of family.  
We remember sisters and brothers,  
aunts, uncles, and cousins,  
those near to us and far away. (a candle is lit) 
We light a candle in memory of those who have left us  
before we expected, those we hold dear,  
and with whom we still walk in our dreams. 
We remember children and grandchildren,  
those who leaped within the womb  
and who danced upon the earth. (a candle is lit) 
We light a candle in memory of those whom we came to know through  the eyes of love. We hold sacred the faces and memories of years past, 
of those who brightened our days and lit up our lives. 
We remember husbands and wives,  
dearest loves and closest friends,  
who changed our lives forever. (a candle is lit) 
We light a candle in memory of those who shared in our lives  in many ways, who worked with us  
and made our lives more enjoyable. 
We remember friends and neighbours. (a candle is lit) 
We light a candle for those we do not know, O God,  
who, like us, have suffered loss, who live with grief, 
who long for peace and justice, 
who long for friendship and healing.  
We remember your people, of every time and place. (a candle is lit) 
Finally, we leave one candle unlit,  
mindful of the great truth of this life,  
that in the fullness of time we, too,  
will join our loved ones in a realm without sorrow and pain,  in the company of Unending Love. 
For these and all your children, we give thanks  
for life, hope and courage. Amen. 

Hymn In the Quiet Curve of Evening (verse 1 – remain seated)  VU 278 

Prayer of Hope (Kate McIlhagga, Encompassing Presence: Prayer  Handbook 1993) 

Lighting the Advent Candle of Hope 
The candle of Hope is lit. 
Hope, in the midst of fear. Hope in the midst of sorrow.  
Hope when it seems hopeless. God offers hope. 
We come seeking that hope. We come seeking a new dream.  We come from the four winds seeking God-with-Us. Let us pray for Emmanuel, let us pray for that promised hope. 

Hymn Hope is a Star VU 7 

Scripture Reading Jeremiah 23: 1-6 “New Shepherds, God’s  Flock” 

Reflection “Where Are the Shepherds? 

Special Music A Great Light L. Larson The Choir 

Invitation to Giving 
s we worship through the Advent season, we receive the Good News  that Christ comes to bring peace on earth and goodwill to all people. Let us share of ourselves and of what God has so graciously  given. 

Offertory In the Bleak Mid Winter (Verse 4) VU 55 What can I give him, poor as I am?  

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;   If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;   yet what I can I give him: give my heart. 

Offertory Prayer 
Loving God, we present these gifts 
as well as the gifts we cannot put  
on an offering plate: 
our hearts and lives. 
Bless all our gifts, bless all our moments of giving. Amen 

Prayers Of The People & The Lords 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, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen 

Hymn We Are Pilgrims (The Servant Song) VU 595 

Commissioning (Whitney Bruno, Gathering Magazine Pentecost  2, adapted) 

Choral Benediction Go Now in Peace VU 964 

Postlude “Once In Royal David’s City”, arr. M. Hayes