Mission Statement
As followers of Jesus Christ, our church is a community called to love, honour, worship, and serve God. We invite others to share our Christian journey as we grow in faith and engage in ministry in our town and mission in our world.
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Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1)

God’s People Gather …

Announcements

Introduction to Celtic Advent
Today we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent in the western tradition, in which Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. But there is also an older Advent tradition, still celebrated in eastern and orthodox churches and the Celtic tradition, where Advent begins earlier and lasts for 40 days to mirror the 40 day celebration of Lent. In that tradition, Advent is a quiet, contemplative season that emphasizes simplicity and hope, and that tradition feels particularly apt for our experiences this year. Yes, there is darkness in this time and in the words that we will share, but the darkness can never overcome the Light and love of God. The prayers and reflections today are adapted from two contemporary services that draw on some of the ancient Celtic Advent symbols and language.

Acknowledgment of Land

Advent Candle Lighting (Peace)
It is the second Sunday of Advent, the second Sunday of this waiting season. Last week, we
spoke about hope. (Light the first candle) Peace is the theme of this day.
All: What does peace look like?

…Peace looks like people living their lives, doing their jobs, walking their paths.
All: What does peace feel like?

…Peace feels like splashing in the rivers of justice rolling down from God’s holy mountain.
All: What is it like to live in peace?

…As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, we light the candle named Peace. May its light help us find our way. (Light the second candle)

All sing: MV 220 “Hope Shines as the Solitary Star”
Peace shines as the solitary star.
Faith is the inner light.
You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,
and illumine the pathway home.

Words copyright © 2007 Catherine Faith MacLean; music copyright © 2007 Janet Bauman Tissandier. Reprinted under OneLicense.net License #A-720359 (#126814).

Advent Candle lighting written by John Moses, Aylesford UC, Aylesford, NS. Gathering,  Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2020-2021, page 68-69. Used with permission.

Call to Worship
Days of heavy clouds stifling the sunlight, the world burdened by greyness and gloom.
Open our eyes, God, to the coming of your light, lifting the burden of darkness from our lives.
Chillness that seeps deep into bones, hearts and spirits rigid with frost hardness, souls wrapped up against cold and loneliness.
Open our souls, God, to the warmth of your coming, melting the hardness that keeps us from you and from each other.
Trees- branches bare against the steel skies, stems crumpled under weight of frost, weight of snow. Last year’s leaves –blackened and slippery underfoot – nature oppressed by wintriness, yet resting, awaiting rebirth.
Cherish our hearts, God, oppressed by wintriness. Assure us of your coming and your call to new life. Amen.

Celtic Litany of Praise:

In this place where heaven and earth whisper greeting;
where the High King of Heaven comes to meet us;
In the soft darkness of this place, we kindle lights of peace for the world.
We join with the saints here and departed to give glory and praise to God.

As you sing or listen to this next hymn, you are invited to light a candle if you wish.

Hymn: VU 82 A Light Is Gleaming

A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

When light comes pouring into the darkest place,
it hurts our eyes to see the glow.
Sometimes a word of hope reminds us of our fears,
our memories and tears.

A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

When night is round us and every shadow grows,
a star is there to light our way.
It tells a story of Jesus who came near to say:
“God’s light will ever stay.”

A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

And Jesus showed us a brighter path to walk.
He showed us things we hadn’t seen.
Now we, like Jesus, can help creation shine,
and this will be a sign:

A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

So let us live in the brightness God has giv’n,
and let us rise to see the dawn.
We trust that God is here a sparkle and a blaze,
warming all our days.

A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light.

Words and music: Linnea Good. Words, Music: © 1992 Borealis Music. All rights reserved. Reprinted under CCLI License # 11033010 (1157968) and OneLicense.net License #A-720359 (#117693).

Affirmation of Faith: VU p. 918 “A New Creed”
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.

We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.

Story Time: “Jesse Tree”

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance
God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, seeding each of us and all creation with the love of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Written by Aaron Palmer, New Liskeard, Ontario. Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2020-2021, page 32. Used with permission.

To Hear God’s Word: “Light and Darkness”

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Reflection
…Christ Jesus, Child of God, Saviour of the world
Be the centre of all that we are and the life that we lead.
Christ Jesus, Light in this dark world, illuminate our hearts and minds.
Be the centre of all that we are and the life that we lead.

Scripture: John 1:6-9

Reflection

Prayer (based on Voices United #366 by Daniel Charles Damon):
Light of the World, you arrive among us like a child, like a friend, to reveal and to mend.
Christ Jesus, you arrive like a child on the street, with ragged clothes and dirty feet. Like a child we once knew coming back into view, like a child born anew, you invite us to celebrate new life with you.
Emmanuel, God With Us, show us the way. Kindle your flame once again in our hearts; call us again to carry your light into the world. Challenge us to leap to our feet and throw up our arms and exclaim “I can!” because we know that you are with us, Child Jesus, here to stay. Amen.

A Reflection Based on Isaiah 40:1-5

…Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-9

To Respond in Prayer and Action…

Offertory Hymn: VU 2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Words: Charles Wesley, 1744, Music: Psalmodia Sacra, 1715 Copyright: Public domain

VU 541 The Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Words: Thomas Ken, ca 1674; Music: Genevan Psalter 1551. Copyright Public domain.

Offertory Prayer

Prayers of the People
In our Shared Ministry Church Cycles of Prayer, we pray for Anna our bishop-elect and the Church of the Advent and the Rev. Paul Schumacher...

Circle us, God
Circle us with the light of your presence, bright within this dark world
Enable us to be overcomers of fear and temptation
Enable us to be victors over sin and despair
Enable us to become that which you would desire
(Silent prayer)

Loving Creator God,
Circle us with the light of your presence

Circle us, God
Circle our family within the shelter of your outstretched arms
Protect them in each moment of their daily lives
Protect them in the decisions that they face
Protect their homes and relationships
(Silent prayer)

Loving Creator God,
Circle our families with the light of your presence

Circle us, God
Circle this nation with Advent love and hope
Create a desire to listen to the Advent message
Create a willingness to understand and respond
Create a need to reach out to the Christ Child
(Silent prayer)

Loving Creator God,
Circle our nation with the light of your presence

Circle us, God
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
(Silent prayer)

Loving Creator God,
Circle this world with the light of your presence

The Lord’s Prayer

A Prayer from St. Patrick

Benediction

Threefold Amen

Closing Hymn: VU 87 I Am the Light of the World

Due to technical difficulties the recording of Jim and Jean Strathdee singing this hymn does not follow directly as announced in this recording. Here is the link to the recording, which will open a new window. (The words appears directly on the screen). 

Words and music: Jim Strathdee, 1967. Words and music copyright © 1969 Desert Flower Music. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Reprinted under OneLicense.net License #A-720359 (#59955) or CCLI License # 11033010 (7068562).

Announcements:
Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359. All rights reserved.
Offering Dedication by Kate Crawford, used by permission from “Gathering” Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2016-2017. Commissioning and Benediction adapted from www.wellsprings.org.uk Additional liturgy and prayers by John Birch from www.faithandworship.com

• All in-person worship and activities at St. Columba have been suspended by provincial health order until at least December 6.
• You can contact Elaine Julian by email at incumbent@stcolumbaporthardy.ca or phone her at the church office. If you leave a message, she will reply as soon as possible.
• Bible Study Tuesday at 5:15 PM on Zoom. If you do not receive the weekly invitation and wish to join us, please contact Rev. Elaine.
• Celtic Prayer Thursday at 2:00 PM on Zoom. You can participate on Zoom, or just read the weekly prayers and readings at home. If you do not receive the weekly email invitation and wish to join us, please contact Rev. Elaine.
• Mission Focus is the Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund
• A bag lunch will be available on Sunday morning at 11 AM for those who need a meal. Gloria will be available at the church to give you the lunch.

Prayer for the Day:
Let us go now in peace and with confidence; may God bless us with a holy peace and gift us with open hearts to give and to receive blessing.

Adapted from a prayer written by Kim Falls, Omemee, Ontario. Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2020-
2021, page 34. Used with permission.