BUC Worship Service – December 14, 2025

Balzac United Church
December 14, 2025, 10:00am
Guest Minister: Rev. Bob Mutlow
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan, Dr. Alex Shawn

Prelude Sing We Now of Christmas arr. M. Hayes
Welcome and Announcements
Service link
Bulletin link
Message Link
Choir Link

Land Acknowledgement
As we gather, together let us pause to remember that we live, work, and
worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the Nations of
Treaty 7. As Christ’s people, may we be people of love, of truth, and of
reconciliation. May we live with respect on this land, and in peace and
friendship with its people.

Lighting The Christ Candle
Call to Worship Advent 3 – “Rejoice Sunday”
We gather on this third Sunday of Advent,
To sing joyfully because the Lord is with us.
To come together with searchers and shepherds,
To join with heaven and earth as we sing our praises.
To join our voice with Mary our holy mother in the faith,
To take our place birthing Jesus in our lives,
To come alongside John the Baptist, a voice in the wilderness,
To prepare the Way of the Lord in our time.
To follow the star that leads the way,
To light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Come, let us sing joyful songs of praise this day.
Opening Hymn On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist Cries VU#20
Lighting the 3rd Advent Candle:
Advent 1 – we lit the first candle for hope-
We seek hope for ourselves, hope for God’s beloved world.
Advent 2 – we lit a second candle for peace –
We welcome peace in our hearts and peace on earth.
On this third Sunday of Advent, this Sunday of joy
We join in the angel’s song of joy to the shepherds,
We look to the Holy Night to God’s beloved child born among us,
We haste with the shepherds to see this babe lying a manger.
We kneel with the Magi, presenting our gifts – the gift of who we are.
We follow the star even on the coldest, darkest winter day.
We light a candle for joy.
We wait for joy to shine bright in every human heart.
Candle Lighted
Let us pray together:
God of deep joy, sometimes we feel sad.
Sometimes we are worried. Sometimes we feel lonely.
Holy One, your joy runs deeper than our every sorrow
And comforts us in our fears and anxieties.
May your joy bubble up within us,
so that we can bring light and joy to all we meet.
In the name of Jesus, who brings joy to the world! Amen.
Song Hope is a Star VU #7 vs. 1, 2 & 3
Candles of Joy, Concern, & Sorrow
Let us pray together:
God within our community, we offer our prayers and hopes to you.
Whether we are joyful, excited for the coming festivities,
or unable to join in this year’s celebrations,
Meet us where we are at today,
Give us healing and restore in us your deep joy.
Remind us that we are your head and hands, heart and feet,
Following Jesus who feels our sadness and shares our gladness.
Song Once in Royal David’s City VU #62
Scripture Readings
First Reading Isaiah 35.1-10
“Joy & Gladness”
Canticle Isaiah 55 You Shall Go Out with Joy
VU Page 884 (3X)
Gospel Reading Matthew 11.2-11
“John the Baptist’s Question”
Anthem Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven
Message Preparers of the Way
Song You Are Holy MV #45
You are Holy, you show us the way.
You are Holy, you show us the way.
You show us, you show us, you show us the way.
You are freedom, you show us the way.
You are justice, you show us the way.
You are love, you show us the way.
Offertory The Wexford Carol arr. M. Hayes
Prayer of Presentation
Prayers of the People
… we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Prayer of the Day
O God of Isaiah and John the Baptist,
through all such faithful ones
you proclaim the unfolding of future joy
and renewed life.
Strengthen our hearts to believe your advent promise
that one day we will walk in the holy way of Christ,
where sorrow and sighing will be no more
and the journey of God’s people will be joy. Amen.
Let us join in the prayer that Jesus gave us: “Our Father…
Closing Carol It Came Upon a Midnight Clear VU #44
Benediction
Postlude Masters in the Hall arr. M. Hayes