1. MINUTE FOR MISSON
From your Mission and Service Enthusiast:
We are all called to be the church
to celebrate God's presence
Order of Worship for
to live with respect in creation
to love and serve others
OROMOCTO UNITED
CHURCH
to seek justice and resist evil.
from A New Creed
Thank you for your support of our Mission and Service Fund. Like a river, We welcome everyone to this time together in worship. We gather in this church in
our gifts flow throughout our Maritimes, across Canada and around the the belief that we are all equally God’s guests whether we’ve been here all our lives
world. What we can never accomplish on our own, we can achieve or this is our first time. We welcome everyone in this spirit of Christ as it is our belief
through the pooled resources of our Mission and Service Fund. Let us use that this is how we are to live. Everyone, without exception, belongs equally at
this month of giving to reach out and make a difference in the lives of God’s table.
those in need. Although we are less than halfway to the goal we set for
giving to Mission and Service in 2012, let us work together to increase this If you are visiting with us please sign our guest book opposite the usher’s table. If
you are new with us and wish a follow up contact please fill out a ‘Guest/New
amount, and continue in hope for the work of Mission and Service.
Member Card which can be found with the guest book. As well you may pick up an
orientation package on the table in the entrance. We invite visitors from other
churches to pick up one of our Peace Candles to take home with you. An
explanation of this symbol accompanies each candle and these can be found on the
usher’s table.
Rev Bob McDowell
Office 357-3423; Cell 470-1155; Home 488-2154
Email: mcdowell@nb.sympatico.ca *While we stand for most hymns and at others times in our worship, please feel free
not to if for any reasons you can not or would rather not. VU stands for Voices
United and MV for More Voices. You are also invited to pick up a Bible version of
Minister Rev Robert McDowell your choice at usher’s desk. Should you have any concerns please speak to an usher.
Accompanist/ Choir Director Joyce Andrews
Office Administration Jennifer Chiasson VU: Voices United – our hard cover red hymn book
MV: More Voices – our soft covered hymn book
Oromocto United Church
144 Winnebago
Oromocto
oromoctopinegroveunitedchurch.ca
December 9, 2012
10:30

2. SERVICE announcements
Welcome and Announcements Crete/Athens/ Peloponnese Study Leave Trip. I’m leaving on Christmas Day for a 30 day
study leave and recreational trip to Greece. The focus of the trip will be Crete where I
have friends able to show me around. I’m planning to host a day to day blog that will
Introit: record the experiences of the trip. If this sounds like something you would follow let me
know. Interested?
Looking to the stars for a sign
Postings will include a synopsis of my visit to historical and archeological sites, experi-
Seeking for the wisdom divine ences with Greek Orthodox Island worship and Theology; as I’ll be there for the Orthodox
Moon and sun and light from heaven Christmas, Jan 6!], recipes, pictures and more.
How do they all align? The plan is as follows. I go first to Chania [pronounced Han-YA], an ancient walled city on
Crete. I’ll stay about a week in a modernized apartment built in a 600 year old Venetian
O tell us, stars from heaven’s glove manor house that overlooks the harbor. Chania is a cross roads of history as this corner
What’s the news of pain or love? of Crete was strategic in the Mediterranean. Its history includes the Venetians, Otto-
mans, Turks, British and Germans who each tried to control it to their own empirical
Watching, waiting, hoping, praying, ends.
Bring us news from skies above. Later, I’ll go to Almyrida [pronounced al-mir-EE-da]in the Apokoronas Region of western
Crete overlooking the Cretan Sea, where I’ll experience village life. From there, I plan to
visit Knossos, centre of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization. For many years it was be-
Hopefully, we long for the sight
lieved its mysterious demise possibly was caused by the cataclysmic volcanic explosion of
Of creations’ purpose and might. Santorini [circa 1600 BCE] and that appears to have given rise to the myth of Atlantis.
Apparently this has recently been debunked and I’m interested to learn more.
Watching ever, sleeping never,
For my last week I’ll go to Athens to experience the wealth of obvious historical and ar-
Moth-like we seek the light. cheological treasurers preserved in it. One day I plan to dedicate to the tremendous na-
O tell us, stars from heaven’s glove val museums there. Another day will be committed to a private tour to Mycenae [from
where the Trojan war was launched] and the fortress of Tiryns [whose walls rival the
What’s the news of pain or love? pyramids of Egypt and was home of the Hera cult, Hera: wife of Zeus] on the Pelopon-
Watching, waiting, hoping, praying, nese.
Bring us news from skies above. The other goal of this study leave/vacation is to plan my sabbatical which I wish to use to
learn in a more disciplined way both early and classical Greek history and the compli-
cated interwoven Greek mythology.
Our Prayer for a New Beginning.
So again- if this sounds like something you will follow, I’ll commit to producing it. There
may be an exam at the end [haha]. I would welcome the company on this learning adven-
Our Carol to Begin: VU 2, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus [and the food col-
ture! Rev Bob
lected]
Dedicating Our Second Advent Candle:
Casseroles Ministry:[??] The Session is considering an outreach idea for our church in-
Leader: Holy God, we pray that we might hear again the message of peace on volving the distribution of casseroles to families in the community where some crisis has
earth and good will to all the people of this earth. occurred. This may be a parent going into the hospital or another form of crisis where
such an outreach may be welcome. The way this would work is that we would maintain a
supply of frozen meals in our freezer. When a name comes to the church someone would
All: Our world is at war in many places. Conflict dominates many of our relation- deliver a couple of meals to the family as a gift of concern from us. This is a meaningful
ships. Every day news of violence visits our lives. way to be present to the lives of our neighbours as well as a means to create awareness
of our presence in Burton/Oromocto. If you feel this is program you could support please
Leader: Even our homes and schools can resemble battlefields at times. Spouses let Rev Bob, Barb Court, Joanne Bell or Shirley Dubois know.
murder the one they say they love, and weapons appear in the corridors of learn-
ing in the hands of children.

3. announcements SERVICE
Chinese Lantern Memorial Service. A family in our congregation who recently All: Our hearts are divided often on what is a priority. So much fear. So many
incurred a tragedy would like to invite others who may wish to acknowledge their wounds. So much abuse. We often become overwhelmed.
own loss and grief, to join with them in an outdoor memorial service. The central
act of this service would be the release of Chinese Lanterns accompanied by a Leader: Can we mend a family with Christmas presents? Can we create community
reading of names and prayers. The goal is to have this before the weather turns with a party?
too cold. Should you be interested please notify Rev Bob.
All: Can we heal disparity with food baskets? Can we affect violence by turning off
the TV or tuning out the voices that call us to action?
Christmas is Coming quickly, an annual experience that seems to rush upon us.
Please note the Christmas Dates and mark them in your calendars. The Hanging of
Leader: Can official messages of peace and good will convince us that anything is
the Greens, the Lintuhtine Cantata, Pageant Sunday are events you’ll not want to
changing for the better?
miss.
Please sign up be a Greeter, Usher, Candle lighter or Scripture Reader. Often the All: Lord you ask us to be peacemakers.
greeters and candle lighters are the same person/family but this is not always. If
you are new greeting is great way to get to get to know folks and for folks to get to Leader: We long in our hearts and in our conversations for peace.
know you!
All: Remind us again God that your peace is with us always and you invite us to carry
Parking: We are pleased to have the new parking spaces built in front of the it into our places of rest and work.
church and thank the stewards for this work. During the week these are intended
for use by anyone coming to the church. However, on Sundays and special events
such as suppers, concerts etc, we would like these spaces used by those who may Leader: We light our second candle and dedicate it to peace. Help us God to commit
have difficulty getting into the church from the across street parking. to ending violence against all persons.
M&P Committee is please to welcome Janet Roxborough as its newest member. All: We light our second candle in recognition of the millions who today live with the
Janet has served on M&P in the past so is familiar with this responsibility both from violence of neglect, poverty, abuse and war.
church and professional experience.
Loonie Lunch is an important social activity of our church. It will be beginning again Leader: We light our candle and dedicate it to the memory of the women killed in
this winter on Jan 13. It is quite simple. Lunch is a loonie per person. The meal is Montreal ecole polytechnique because they were women.
simple: soup, chili, rolls, breads, coffee, tea, juice, cookies. We ask that people take
turns making a pot of something good and simple. The costs are redeemed from All: We light it with sadness that this is the way it is- and we light it with hope that
the basket. Please note we are serious about that and really do not want people to with your grace we will find the path to peace.
donate their contribution as this has negative impact upon the whole program.
Should you wish to donate the meal simply redeem the cost and put it in the offer- Our Choral Dedication: VU 6, vs 1&2, A Candle is Burning,
ing plate.
M&S contribution for 2012 are way down! Each year we contribute about $23,000 Our Prayer for Today
between Pine Grove and Oromocto United Churches to the M&S fund. This year
we are currently a little under $10,000. We have a long way to go in one month!
Barb Kelly will be speaking to this through the month. Our Carol: VU 74, What Child Is This
All are welcome to the Christ Church Cathedral for A Festival of Lessons and Car-
ols for Christmas on Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 pm Some time with our children and the child in us all.

4. SERVICE Dates to note
Our Prayer and our Lord’s Prayer [and the children leave]
Choir practice: Wed 7pm
Our Carol: VU 35, Good Christian Friends Rejoice Duffie Unit Singing: Third Wednesday of each month, 2:30 pm
Dec 9: Lintuhtine Choirs Christmas Concert
Dec 10: Monday, Last fall Bible Study 7-8:30 pm
Lighting our Candle of Concern: Dec 16: Christmas Pageant Sunday and sweets after worship
Dec 23: Advent 4
Our Prayer of Concern: Dec 24: 6:30 Christmas Eve Family Service, Oromocto
9:00 Christmas Eve Communion, Pine Grove
Dec 25: no service Christmas Day, Merry Christmas!
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew:
Dec 30: Carol Service led by Worship Team
Jan 13: Loonie Lunch begins
Our Carol: VU 54, Unto Us a Boy Is Born Jan 6, 13, 20, Rev Lisa Greenwood guest worship leader
Our Message for Today
CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS
Our Anthem: Those wishing to place poinsettias for Christmas in memory of loved ones ,please
sign up on the sheet in the narthex. Flowers can be taken home to share with family
Our Words of Faith: page 918 VU or friends following church on Christmas eve.
Our Offering Collected and Presented, vs 4, VU 55, In the Bleak Midwinter
OROMOCTO FOOD BANK CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
What can I give him, poor as I am?
Each year ,as a church family ,we support the Oromocto food Bank with additional
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; necessary items. Please see the sign –up sheet in the narthex with suggestions for
donations. Non –perishable items can be brought in at any time.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Perishable items should be brought in Dec. 9 . We appreciate your weekly support
Yet what I can I give him- give my heart
of the food bank.
Our Prayers of the Community
Our Carol to Leave With: VU 36, Angels From the Realms Glory
Our Choral Benediction, verse 3: Away In a Manger, [VU 69]
Be near us Lord Jesus we ask you to stay,
Close by us forever, and love us we pray,
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with you there.