Text Box: Safe Harbour Metropolitan Community Church “ A Christian Community Promoting Inclusivity, Spiritual Growth and Social Justice.”   We Worship at: Veith House 3115 Veith St., Halifax Our Mailing Address: Box 31108 Halifax, N.S., B3K 5T9 Church Office: 902-453-9249 Email : safeharbour@eastlink.ca Website:www.safeharbourmcc.com   Ministers:The Whole Congregation Pastor: The Rev. Darlene Young B.A.  M.Div. Advent 4 Memorial Tree Lighting Service - December 23, 2007 We Gather to Worship God   Anthem: Westminster Carol By Jane McConnell   The Lighting of the Advent Candles: The Candle of Joy: REJOICE!   Reader 1: The prophet Isaiah tells us that a young woman shall bear a son and shall call Him Emmanuel--God with us. Reader 2: God is no longer a distant God, but is in the here and now. Reader 1:  As Joseph trusted in the message of God’s angel, so we can trust in God’s message of redemption and love. Reader 2: Rejoice! God is lavishing us with God’s love and peace. Reader 1: Today we light four candles. The first is the candle of Patience, reminding us to watch and wait for what God is about to do. [Light the first candle] Reader 2: The second candle is the candle of Readiness, enabling us to look at our lives, to get rid of all those things that keep us from God, to change our ways and live as God would have us live. [The second candle is lighted] Reader 1: The third candle is the candle of Faith, through which we behold the love and mercy of God and believe in God’s presence with us. [The third candle is lighted] Reader 2: The fourth candle is the candle of Joy, in which we feel the powerful presence of God’s love through the promise of One who will save us. [The fourth candle is lighted] Reader 1: Come, see the lights. Let their brightness fill you. Reader 2: Come, feel the warmth of the lights. Let them give you comfort. Reader 1: Come, draw near to the lights, for God is breaking through to you. Reader 2: Come, rejoice in the lights, God is with us!   Carol: # 13 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Verse 1 & 2   PRAYER: (Unison) Loving and generous God, we praise and thank you for the joys of this Christmas: the music and the singing, the gathering of family and friends, the gifts we give and receive. We thank you most of all for your great gift to us - the child Jesus. May Christ's Spirit of love fill our hearts to overflowing. May Christ's Spirit of peace be upon everyone, everywhere. Amen. Carol:  #21 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Verses 1, 3, 5   We Hear God’s Word   Five Stories of Christmas JOSEPH SPEAKS  (Read by Sam Wilson) Carol: #11 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”  Verses 1, 2 MARY SPEAKS (Read by: ) Carol: #4 Away In a Manger  Verses 1, 2 THE INNKEEPER SPEAKS (read by Helen Langille) Anthem: Jesu Bambino by: Jane McConnell THE SHEPHERD CHILD SPEAKS: (Read by Cecil Publicover) Carol: The Little Drummer Boy Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum  A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum  Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum  To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,  rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,  So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,  When we come.  Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum  I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum  I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum  That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,  rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,  Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,  On my drum?  Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum  The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum  I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum  I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,  rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,  Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum  Me and my drum.  A MAGI SPEAKS (Read by Adam Noble) Carol:  #20 “O Holy Night”  Verses 1, 3   Memorial Lights: A Celebration Of Light in our Lives A Light In honour of Leo Beazley lovingly remembered by son Gary A Light In honour of Brian O’Brien lovingly remembered by friend Gary A Light In honour of Werner Gruzther lovingly remembered by friend Vance A Light In honour of Michael Estok lovingly remembered by friend Vance A Light In honour of Joan and Malcom Maxwell and sister Lynn Maxwell Lukie, lovingly remembers by son and brother Vance A Light In honour of Roy Smith lovingly remembered by friend Kirby A Light In honour of James Bird and Michele Anne lovingly remembered by son and father Dave A Light In honour of Odile lovingly remembered by Karen A Light In honour of Ralph and Mary Young lovingly remembered by daughters Darlene and Jessie, and daughter in law Mun Lei A Light In honour of Anna Kai lovingly remembered by sister Mun Lei A Light In honour of Jessie and Absolum Bishop lovingly remembered by grand daughters Jessie and Darlene A Light In honour of Larry, Ralph Jr, Nancy, Pat, & Carol lovingly remembered by sisters Jessie and Darlene A Light In honour of Sandy and Tina MacKinnon lovingly remembered by son Douglas and Jessie A Light In honour of Robert Byers lovingly remembered by friends Darlene, Mun Lei,  Nicky and Sue A Light In honour of Fritz and Rumour Beloved pets of Mun Lei and Darlene A Light In honour of Roy Smith, lovingly remembered by friend Helen Langille A Light In honour of Freda Bradley lovingly remembered by friend Helen Langille A Light In honour of Nicole lovingly cherished by fathers Bob and Sam A Light In honour of Rene lovingly cherished by fathers Bob and Sam A Light In honour of Marnie and Phillip lovingly cherished by fathers Sam and Bob A Light In honour of Hillary and Renel, lovingly cherished by fathers Sam and Bob A Light In honour of Taneillia lovingly cherished by grandfathers Bob and Sam A Light In honour of Thom lovingly cherished by grandfathers Sam and Bob A Light In honour of JR lovingly cherished by grandfathers Bob and Sam A Light In honour of Paul Boulais, lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of Grant MacNeil lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of Gord “Bud” Campbell lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of Moira Kathleen “Peggy” Campbell lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of Arthur Mowat Campbell lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of Keitha “Billie” Campbell lovingly remembered by Angus A Light In honour of the members of the Cunningham Family lovingly remembered by John A Light In honour of Josee McGillvary lovingly remembered by daughter Ronda A Light In honour of Ross N MacLean lovingly remembered by friend Cecil A Light In honour of Grace Melvin lovingly remembered by nephew Cecil  A Light In honour of Ray and Margaret Publicover lovingly remembered by son Cecil A Light In honour of Princess,  beloved pet of Cecil A Light In honour of Marjorie Mader lovingly remembered by Cecil A Light In honour of Muriel P Rinney lovingly remembered by Cecil A Light In honour of Walter Muron lovingly remembered by friend JJ A Light In honour of Valerie Hatt lovingly remembered by JJ A Light In honour of Lawrence Sr & Margaret Cooper, lovingly remembered by daughter Nancy A Light In honour of Lawrence Cooper Jr & Barbara Gracie lovingly remembered sister Nancy A Light In honour of Sis Mary Young lovingly remembered by friend Nancy A Light In honour of Peggy, Toto, Lullaby beloved pets of Nancy A Light In thanksgiving for Keeper beloved pet of Nancy A Light In honour of David Perkins loviningly remembered by daughter Nicky A Light In honour of Christopher & Elsie Tebutt lovingly remembered by grand daughter Nicky A Light In honour of Eva Hennessey lovingly remembered by grand daughter Nicky A Light In honour of Dorothy ‘Nana’  LaPierre lovingly remembered by grand daughter Sue A Light In honour of Donald LaPierre lovingly remembered by niece Sue A Light In honour of Tom Hart lovingly remembered by friend Nicky A Light In thanksgiving for Nicky Perkins Cherished by spouse Sue A Light In thanksgiving for Sue Perkins Cherished by spouse Nicky A Light In honour of Father Mike MacDonald lovingly remembered by JoAnn Noakes A Light In honour of Roslyn Grimes lovingly remembered by JoAnn Noakes A Light In honour of Family and Friends lovingly remembered by Murray Elliott   We Respond to God   Anthem: Celebration Medley by Jane McConnell   Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings  -Manger Scene is Set   We Commune Together Eucharistic Prayer: Let us lift up our hearts. ........We lift them to God Let us give thanks to our God. ........It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for you rest your hand upon us, calling us to be your saints and giving us life again. Before time began, your Holy Spirit brooded over the chaos and brought the earth and its inhabitants to birth. Through your prophets in the holy scriptures you promised us a child born as a sign of your saving presence with us. Your promise has taken flesh in your Child, Jesus, who was born of the line of David. When he was killed by your enemies, your Spirit brought him forth again by resurrection from the dead. Through him the light of your presence has been restored and we have been called into the obedience of faith that we might belong to Jesus Christ forever, living by the hope conceived in us by the Holy Spirit. Therefore with angels and all the company of saints we offer this word of praise: Holy, holy, holy God of life and light, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.                                                      Blessed is the One for whom we wait who bears the name Emmanuel. Hosanna in the highest. We thank you, Holy God that in the time of our dreams your care for us was sealed in the rainbowed  promise of hope           - of the sun, after storm; of life, after death,              of yourself, revealed in human form - in Jesus Christ. We wait for the promised One. The One whom your Spirit anointed to proclaim justice to all peoples, good news to the poor, release for the captives, sight for the blind, liberty for the oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. We wait for the promised One. On the night he gave himself up for us he took bread, gave you thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, poured out for you and forall, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me." And so, in remembrance of these mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we take this bread and this cup and give you praise and thanksgiving. ALL: May your Spirit, O God, breathe upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ. His life in us. For this we give you thanks, in Jesus name. Amen. Carols During Communion:   The Huron Carol   1. 'Twas in the moon of wintertime, when all the birds had fled, that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead; before their light the stars grew dim, and wandering hunters heard the hymn: Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.   2. Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found, a ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round; but as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high:  R   3. The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair as was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there. The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.  R   4. O children of the forest free, the angel song is true, the holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you. Come, kneel before the radiant boy, who brings you beauty, peace, and joy:  Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.     Do You Hear What I Hear   1. Said the night wind to the little lamb Do you see what I see Way up in the sky little lamb Do you see what I see A star, a star Dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite 2. Said the little lamb to the shepard boy Do you hear what I hear Ringing through the sky shepard boy Do you hear what I hear A song, a song High above the tree With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as the sea 3. Said the shepard boy to the mighty king Do you know what I know In your palace wall mighty king Do you know what I know A child, a child Shivers in the cold Let us bring him silver and gold Let us bring him silver and gold   4. Said the king to the people everywhere Listen to what I say Pray for peace people everywhere Listen to what I say The child, the child Sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light We Go Forth to Live with Christ Blessing and Sending Forth L: It is almost time for the special celebration of Immanuel. P: Amen! L:Go on your way rejoicing at the one who comes among us in humility, yet overflowing with grace and truth. P: Amen! L: Grace mercy and peace, from the Creator, Saviour and Redeemer,  be with you now and always. P: Thanks be to God! Carol:  #7 “Go Tell it On the Mountain” Verses 1, 2, 3 Announcements Welcome to all those who are worshipping with us this day. We trust that your experience of worship will be uplifting and will bless you. Please join us for refreshments following the service.   A special thank you to Gary LeBlanc and Jane McConnell for sharing their musical gifts with us today.  Also thank you to all those who participated in the service as well.   On behalf of the Board we extend wishes for a Merry Christmas and  a Happy and Blessed New Year.