BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - LOVE

December 20, 2020

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104

Gathering Music / Carol Sing:

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice – Voices United #35

1. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News!
Jesus Christ is born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

2. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven's door,
and we are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Words: Latin, 14th Century, trans. John Mason Neale,1853; Music: German melody
Song #106688 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Go Tell it on the Mountain – Voices United #43

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]

Words: John Wesley Work II, 1907; Music: African-American spiritual 19th century
Song #106674 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Welcome & Announcements Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Good morning everyone! On this fourth Sunday of Advent, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s gift of Love to the world.

In this busy season, there are several opportunities for you to worship with BCUC and some are a little different from our usual offerings lately. On Christmas Eve, we will offer a live-streamed service, with Communion. You can join us on-line or in person at 7pm. We can accommodate up to 50 people in the sanctuary and the service will be recorded for uploading to the website afterward. If you wish to attend, you must register with the church office as soon as possible. Full information on procedures and safety measures are posted on our website.

On December 27, the first Sunday after Christmas, a Service of Christmas Poetry & Music will be offered in video and text formats only. There will be no in-person service that day. This is our annual joint service with Glen Cairn and Kanata United Churches. Please check the website at bcuc.org for the link.

And, on January 3, Epiphany Sunday. There will be no in-person service and no video available to give a break to our worship team. Here are some options how you can still worship this day:

A text format of the service will be emailed to the congregation and on the website.
Or join Stittsville United Church at 10 am to be offered on Facebook Live and can be found on the Stittsville United Church Facebook page or on the website to be viewed live or at any time afterward. Links to this service will be posted on our website and theirs.
Or check YouTube for worship services offered by Riverside United Church, Glen Cairn UC or Kanata UC. Many other churches across the country will also be offering video worship services that day. We encourage you to take this opportunity to visit another community of faith.

This is a season of giving and there are many ways to give and offer your support to others during Advent:

The Service, Outreach and Social Action Committee Advent appeal is in support of the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund called Emergency-COVID 19 which aims to provide food and other essential services to many communities in crisis in the global South.
FAMSAC is giving out grocery gift cards for families in need instead of hampers this year. Donations are most welcome.
You can also continue supporting the Veteran’s House which is expected to be completed in 2021 to offer housing for 40 homeless veterans.
And yes – don’t forget to send in your offering and pledges for the operating fund before end of this year.

For all of these giving opportunities, you may send in your donation by cheque, by cash or by etransfer noting on the memo line which project you are supporting.

And now, let us centre ourselves for worship.

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Love Acolytes: The Fowler Family

(Gord Dunbar, Gathering ACE 2020-2021)

Reader 1: Our Advent journey is nearly complete, yet the waiting continues with anticipation. We pause to ponder, to proclaim, and to prepare for what has to come but is not yet fulfilled.

Reader 2: We come to discover love lived into a world too focused on division. We come to take up the challenge of affirming each person as worthy of love.

Reader 3: On the first three Sundays of Advent, we light the candle of hope, the candle of peace and the candle of joy.

Today, we light our fourth candle to mark how love abides by God’s grace.

(The love Advent candle is lit.)

Sung Response: Hope is A Star - Voices United #7 (Verse 4)

Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.

Words © Brian Wren, 1985; Music © Joan Collier Fogg, 1987
Song # 93750 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Call to Gather: (Susan Lukey, Gathering, ACE 2017-2018) Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Come, people of God, holy creations.
We come, seeking God’s grace to make us whole.
Come on this fourth Sunday of Advent
with trust in our hearts and hope in our steps.
We gather to proclaim that God is with us; we are not alone.
We are here to trust, listen, believe, and imagine as God’s people.
We come, O God, we come.

Prayer of Approach and Silent Confession: Rev. Kim Vidal

(Catherine Tovell, Gathering, ACE 2017-2018)

O God of love, we confess that we approach Christmas and leave Advent with more fear than hope, more fatigue than joy, more resentment than goodwill, and more stress than peace. Forgive us, God, and open our hearts to your love and the opportunity that comes from such a wonderful gift. Prepare our lives to receive the Christ-Child born in Bethlehem.

(Silent Confession)

Words of Assurance: Hear the good news and rejoice! When we open ourselves to God, courage and gladness comes to our cynical hearts. We are loved. We can walk with God’s grace. Amen.

Advent Hymn: All Earth is Waiting – Voices United #5

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 the presence throughout the earth today, for Christ lives in all Christians
and is with us now; again, on arriving,
Christ brings us liberty.

Storytime for the Young at Heart Rev. Kim Vidal

Today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. This means that Christmas is really getting near! Are you getting excited? I know, I am! What are some of the things that you look forward to at Christmas, besides opening presents and having a delicious meal with your family? This year, celebrating Christmas will be different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But we still can enjoy it! Maybe if we get a lot of snowfall, your family can make a snowman or go for a drive to look at the colourful lights near the Parliament Hill. Or maybe you get to decorate a Christmas Tree with your favourite ornaments. What about making a gingerbread house? I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time putting it together.

Can you think of some of the family traditions your family has? The thing I remember most about Christmas growing up is the hanging of stockings on the bedposts. Most of you know that I was born and grew up in the Philippines. On Christmas Eve, we hang stockings or long socks on the bedposts and wait for Santa to show up. But I did not expect a toy or an expensive gift in the stocking. You might be surprised to hear this but I was waiting for Santa to give me apples and oranges! And he never disappoints! Apples and oranges in the Philippines on those days were a BIG treat! You can only have them during Christmas. Another important tradition in our family is a get-together and dinner at midnight after attending the Christmas Eve service in the church where we go to. I come from a big family of 11 children so you can imagine the merriment and fun as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Oh yes, our house was very loud with laughter, games, carol-singing, dancing, food and stories!!

Our Gospel story today tells us what happened when God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she was going to have a baby and that she would name him Jesus. Can you imagine how Mary, a teenager, engaged to marry Joseph, must have felt to hear news like that? I’m sure she was nervous and scared or maybe a little excited? After a while, the story tells us, that Mary hurried to the home of an older relative, Elizabeth to tell her the news. Elizabeth who is much, much older than Mary, was also expecting a baby and the story tells us that when she heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth blessed Mary and said to her, "God has blessed you above all women, and the baby you are carrying is also blessed." That is awesome! Before Mary even said a word about having a child, Elizabeth already knew and that Mary’s child was going to be a very special baby! So, Christmas story begins with the celebration of Jesus’ birth and it was an event that was shared with family. Even Santa, for sure, believed that it was love through Jesus that makes Christmas so special and because of Santa’s love for Jesus, he brings love and joy to every child at Christmas.

The symbol for our tree this Sunday is a loving family. As we celebrate the birth of, Jesus, it is certainly fitting to celebrate Christmas with our families and loved ones just as Mary did with Elizabeth.

Let me close with a prayer: Loving God, you are Emmanuel, you are God-with-us. We give you thanks for this time of joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth. We pray that we will honour his birthday as a time of celebration with our families and loved ones. In the name of Jesus, who is Love, we pray. Amen.

Hymn: My Soul Cries Out - More Voices #120

1.My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn!

2.Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. R

3.From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears,
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn. R

4.Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
‘til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. R

Prayer for Illumination Reader: Neil Lowes

(Susan Ivany, Gathering A/C/E 2020/21, p32)

Gracious God, in this season of gifts and giving, help us to accept with joy the great gift of sacred scripture. As we unwrap the readings for today, bless us in our receiving of the wisdom of our ancestors in faith. Amen.

The Reading: Luke 1: 26-55 (NRSV)

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
    and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to all of us. Thanks be to God!

Sermon: “Something About Mary” Rev. Lorrie Lowes

We have heard this story so many times, haven’t we? The angel visits Mary and gives her the news of her imminent and auspicious pregnancy and she goes to spend time with her cousin Elizabeth, who is also experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. The older Elizabeth actually finds her own situation a bit humorous, but Mary… well, at first, she is a bit confused but very quickly accepts her fate and thanks God for this miracle… gentle Mary, meek and mild… that’s the image we are left with. She sings praises to God and later we see her dutifully trudging to Bethlehem with Joseph, giving birth in a stable among farm animals and, finally, with a calm and peaceful smile on her face, she greets shepherds and wisemen who come to witness the birth of the newborn king. Gentle Mary, meek and mild… humble, obedient Mary, ready to do what God asks of her, no matter how strange and difficult it may seem…

Have you ever stopped to wonder why God chose this particular young woman to take on this momentous task? What was it about Mary that made God notice her? What convinced God that this maiden would be the best mother for the Son of God? We are told that she is virtuous and, by many accounts that she is beautiful… but was she the only young woman in the area with those attributes? In a patriarchal Jewish society, I would think there would be many such girls – obedient, modest, humble, devout. It was what was expected of women in those days. It was what made them marriageable and an asset to their father’s household. So, what was it about this girl, Mary, that singled her out for God’s favour? What made her the most suitable for this unorthodox role of an unwed teenager, tasked with raising a son who could transform the world?

I find it rather confusing myself – are you surprised?

So… I ask you to bear with me as I tell you a tale of my own… a sort of midrash of the text that helps me make sense of it.

God looked upon the world and was saddened by what was happening there. There was violence, and greed, and oppression. Over the years, many prophets had been sent to warn the people that they were headed in a wrong direction and to convince them to change their ways – but few people paid them much heed, or if they did listen, changes were small and short-lived. God needed a new plan. It had been a long time since God had walked among the people – all the way back to the garden at the time of Creation. How would people react if God showed up among them? The faithful believers might be ready to listen, but God wanted a way to get the attention of all the people of the earth. God needed to be a wise and respected figure to everyone – with all the wisdom of God but with the experience and credibility of being human, too… totally human and yet totally divine… How could this be achieved?

It takes a long time to create a human. There is the nine months in the womb, of course, but then there are many years of nurturing and teaching that go into the making of a mature adult. It also takes a whole lifetime of social interactions and awareness to fill that adult with wisdom – especially divine wisdom… God needed a mother. God needed a family. God needed a society that understood the wrongs of the world and the need for change. God looked around and found the little town of Nazareth, a place where many rebels gathered to hide when they were being pursued by the government leaders for speaking out against the conditions of the people. It seemed like a good place to find discussions about the state of the world and the need for revolutionary change.

Now God looked around that small town for the right people to raise this child. There were many good young women and men in this town of Nazareth… people who loved God, loved each other, and loved this world. Such a difficult choice! These young people had to be brave enough to not only take on this incredible responsibility but to commit themselves to the task with courage and perseverance. They needed to have enough love and respect for each other to support each other through this long and difficult journey.

There were many young families that loved God enough that they would be likely to agree to this request… Women who would obediently follow the word of God, no matter what… men who would be strong father figures to a growing child… families where love was present and where there was a sense of responsibility… So many good young people to choose from. So, God watched them carefully, day after day.

Now, in this town of Nazareth, there was one young woman who always seemed to be in trouble. She just wouldn’t follow the rules of being a good little Jewish girl. She was outspoken, she didn’t go to bed and leave the men to talk around the fire at night but insisted on being right there in the thick of things – asking questions that provoked them to think. She wasn’t content with just the usual domestic tasks but could be seen wandering around the hillside, striking up conversations with even the lowly shepherds. Her mother tried her best to tame her, heaven knows. Her father worried that she would never be chosen as a wife. Even God, while watching for signs of maternal instincts in the young women of Nazareth, found that she always seemed to be underfoot, disturbing the peace and trying to get her friends and neighbours to see new ways of doing things. At first, she seemed to be a nuisance and God wished she would just stop interrupting. This girl, Mary, just couldn’t seem to settle anywhere. What a strange young woman, and yet… there was something about Mary that drew God to her again and again…

It was true that she had many of the attributes God was looking for in a mother for this special child – loving, devout, in love with a strong, smart, and loyal man of faith… but she just didn’t seem to be the type to provide a peaceful and quiet home for a child.

Time went on, and God searched among the girls for the right mother, so many wonderful young women … but there was still something about Mary…

One night, God, getting a bit discouraged about it all, was talking to Gabriel about how to decide which young woman to choose. God told Gabriel about them all – and added in a comment about Mary, the one who just couldn’t seem to conform. “She is constantly disturbing the peace, and yet, there is just something about Mary that fascinates me.” And Gabriel observed, “That makes perfect sense, God! Aren’t you looking for someone who will raise a man who thinks outside the box and will make whatever disturbance is needed to make people come to their senses?”

It was an unconventional choice, but God could see that, indeed, Mary was exactly the right person for the job. So, Gabriel was sent to Mary with the news…

Mary was perplexed – so Luke tells us. And I guess so! She was already seen as a bit of a wild thing and now God wanted her to carry a baby out of wedlock! It seemed a strange way to show that God favoured her! Mary loved God and so she agreed to the plan – but, knowing that it would really cause a stir in Nazareth – let alone with her family – and Joseph! – she set out to visit Elizabeth, her older relative who, it seems had also been favoured with a pregnancy. Surely, she would understand. Hopefully she could help Mary cope with this scary turn of events.

Imagine this poor teenager faced with this really uncomfortable situation. Who would understand? It would probably freak her parents out completely – and what would Joseph think of her now? She needed time to think, probably time to cry, and definitely someone with a clear head - and a bit of physical distance from Nazareth - to talk to. Elizabeth seemed the perfect choice.

And, it seems, she was. She welcomed this distraught, frightened young woman with open arms and a message that spoke to Mary’s heart. “This baby you bear is a blessing! This child has the potential to transform the world – and God has chosen just the right mother for the job. You will help him see the world as it is. You will teach him to ask questions and seek answers. You will give him the passion and the wisdom he needs to make people listen. You can trust that God has chosen you because you are the best person for this task. I’m blessed to know you and even the baby in my womb is leaping for joy.”

And, in the end, after staying with Elizabeth for three months, Mary was able to dry her tears, subdue her fear, and hold her head high to proclaim:

I’m bursting with God-news;
    I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
    I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
    the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
    on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
    scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
    pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
    the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
    he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,

Beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

(Luke 1:46-55, The Message)

Through this time with Elizabeth, Mary was able to gain the strength, and the confidence to face this challenge from God with peace in her heart.

When I think of this story from this perspective, I have new respect for Mary. Under that serene exterior that our Bible stories portray, is a woman of deep wisdom and conviction, a woman of passion for the teachings of God, a woman who is willing to break social norms to follow her convictions. This is a woman who is equipped to raise a son who will think for himself, who will look at scripture with fresh eyes and a discerning mind, and who will take that passion and wisdom out into the world with the courage to speak truth to power.

Our Roman Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters give Mary a prominent place in their faith story. As a protestant denomination, we have moved Mary to the background. We bring her out at Christmas and Easter to show her as a loving mother and servant of God – but have we done her a disservice? Have we domesticated her to the point where we forget the significant role that a mother plays in the development of her child? Our society has come a long way from the time of Jesus but we are still caught in a very patriarchal system where women’s achievements are downplayed or dismissed all together. Just this week there was an Op-Ed article in the Wall Street Journal that dismissed Dr. Jill Biden’s title as not valid and undeserved. Jeffrey Epstein basically told her to drop the title and remember her place – ten paces behind her husband with her eyes lowered. We express our outrage at his arrogance – and yet we are content to downplay the significance of the role women have played in the history of our faith. Perhaps it’s time to take a look with fresh eyes at the likes of Eve, Miriam, Ruth, Deborah, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Lydia, and the myriad of other women, named and nameless whose stories often seem to fade into the background of our lectionary. And let us begin this Christmas with Mary. I think there’s something about her that we might have missed.

With thanks to this week’s wonderful discussions with my Midrash Group and BCUC’s Lectionary Study Group.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer: Rev. Kim Vidal

May God’s love open our eyes and our hearts to the comfort and hope we can create for one another. Let us gather our hearts in prayer

God - birthing hope, in a busy world where many walks in fear, we are thankful for your presence that is near to us all, no matter what we face. Fill us with your kindness and compassion. Give us eyes to search you out in the least likely of places. Fill our lives with hope.

God - birthing peace, in a world of famine where many lives in hunger, we are grateful for opportunities to share our abundance with others. Fill our world with all that is green and growing. Give us hands to tend this earthly garden and to care for your children everywhere. Fill our world with peace!

God - birthing joy, in a world of expectancy, where many crave a sense of healing and wonder, we are blessed with a faith grounded in joy that can shed life on all that we do.
Fill this community of faith with singing and dancing as we serve in your way.
Fill us, your people with joy!

God - birthing love, as Jesus was born in Bethlehem, we are born again to a faith in your presence in the world and a commitment to spread peace and goodwill to earth. Fill our days with stories and dreams. Open us once more to new beginnings and to as many possibilities as there are stars in the sky. Fill our lives with love.

God- birthing possibilities – your powerful presence in many signs of Immanuel call us to Advent blessings as we await the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us be people who welcome and celebrate the birthing of Christ in our lives, in our homes, in our communities and in the world.

In humble preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we tune our hearts to the song of the angels, we tune our ears to the voice of the shepherds, we tune our lives to the example of Mary and Elizabeth, we tune our feet to the rhythm of carols, all of which calls us to live God’s dream for the world – to live in peace and harmony.

Holy One, you send us out into the world to live your love, to share your promise, and be empowered by your Spirit. Refresh our hearts, we pray. Give us hope and joy in the birth of Jesus who shows us the way of compassion and peace. All these things we asked in the name of Jesus who taught us this prayer that we recite in the language of our choice…

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever,
Amen.

Invitation to Offer: Rev. Kim Vidal

God is with us in amazing and powerful ways, bringing shining new hope into the world. Like Mary and Elizabeth so long ago, the ministry of our church is radiant with that great hope. And like Mary and Elizabeth, our congregation also trusts in the promises of God. In our giving this morning, our love overflows in generosity. Let us gather our time, talents and treasures together and present them as an offering to God. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer: (spaciousfaith.com)

Holy One, this Advent season we wait with love,
And we give with love.
Love for you, our God;
Love for your people.
Receive these generous offerings,
And use them for your works of love in our world. Amen.

Sending Forth: (Kim Falls, Gathering A/C/E 2020/21, p 34). Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Our Advent journey is almost complete,
yet the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love
that we have reflected upon during this
season are with us always.
As we go into the world today,
we take these gifts with us,
treasures to hold in our hearts
and to offer to one another and to the world.
We go as God’s beloved children.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Hymn: Dreaming Mary – More Voices #134

1. There was a child in Galilee
    who wandered wild along the sea.
    A holy child, alone was she,
    and they called her Dreaming Mary.
    And she dreamed, rejoicing in her saviour;
    she dreamed of justice for the poor.
    She dreamed that kings oppressed no more
    when she dreamed, that Dreaming Mary.

2. One holy day an angel came
    with voice of wind and eyes of flame.
    He promised blessed would be her name
    when he spoke to Dreaming Mary.
    Then she spoke, rejoicing in her saviour.
    She spoke of justice for the poor.
    She spoke that kings oppressed no more
    when she spoke, that Dreaming Mary.

3. And did she dream about a son?
    And did he speak, the angel one?
    We only know God’s will was done
    in the son of Dreaming Mary.
    Then she prayed, rejoicing in her saviour.
    She taught him justice for the poor.
     She taught that kings oppressed no more
     when she taught, that Dreaming Mary.

4. Then Jesus grew in Galilee,
    they wandered wild along the sea.
    Now he calls to you and me
    to dream with Dreaming Mary.
    And we dream, rejoicing in our saviour.
    We dream of justice for the poor.
    We dream that kings oppress no more
     as we dream with Dreaming Mary.

Departing Music: Mary Did You Know? – TeGrotenhuis family

(Poinsettia Flowers in memory of Loved Ones)

Zoom Fellowship hosted by Lorrie at 11:00 am. Link has been emailed. See you there!

Sunday Worship Service - December 20, 2020